WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Elation marked the opening Monday of a highly anticipated travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand.
The start of quarantine-free travel has been a relief for families separated by the coronavirus pandemic and for troubled tourists. It marked the first, tentative steps both countries hope will be a gradual reopening to the rest of the world.
In the capital, Wellington, Danny Mather was overwhelmed to see his pregnant daughter Kristy and his grandson for the first time in 15 months after flying in from Sydney to visit the maiden flight after the bubble opened. What did they say to each other?
“Not at all,” he said with a laugh. They just hugged each other. “It’s just so good to see her and I’m just so glad to have her back.”
Kristy Mather said it was overwhelming to be reunited with her family and it was amazing that the bubble had opened.
“I wish it had happened before, but it has now,” she said. “I just wanted to get on that first flight because you never know, it might be heading south. Let’s hope it sticks. ”
Danny Mather said he wanted to protect New Zealand from the virus, but also felt the time was right to open the bubble.
The idea of a travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand had been talked about for months, but it faced setbacks from several minor virus outbreaks in both countries, which were eventually eradicated.
To mark the occasion, Wellington International Airport painted a huge welcome sign near the main runway and Air New Zealand ordered approximately 24,000 bottles of sparkling wine, with a complimentary glass for adult passengers. Indigenous Maori performers welcomed arriving passengers who hugged loved ones in tears.
Carrie Hurihanganui, Air New Zealand’s Chief Operating Officer, said the airline previously operated only two or three flights a day between the two countries, but that number rose to 30 flights on Monday with 5,200 passengers.
She said the day was a turning point and people were excited.
“You can feel it at the airport and see it on people’s faces,” she said.
The leaders of both countries welcomed the bubble, saying it was a world-leading scheme as it wanted to both open borders and prevent the virus from spreading.
“Today’s milestone is a win-win for Australians and New Zealanders, boosting our economies while keeping our people safe,” said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her country was welcoming newcomers.
“The bubble marks an important step in both countries’ reconnection with the world and it is a time when we should all take a moment to be very proud of,” she said.
Travelers who queued at Sydney and Melbourne airports on Monday said they were either excited or relieved to finally fly to New Zealand after more than a year. Some visited family and friends, while others attended funerals.
Both countries have managed to keep the virus at bay by putting up barriers to the outside world, including strict quarantine requirements for travelers returning from other countries where the virus is rampant.
“They did very well with the precautions and everything, better than the whole world. Nowhere else can go anywhere safely, ”said Ameera Elmasry, who was at Wellington airport to greet her son Shady Osman, a doctor she had not seen for 16 months. “It is very good what has happened now.”
Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without going to quarantine, but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach and required travelers from Australia to complete a quarantine.
The onset of the bubble comes before the New Zealand ski season and is welcome news to many tourist towns, including the Queenstown ski resort.