Travel

These are all significant warning signs for our Prime Minister when it comes to opening the bubble. Jacinda Ardern doesn't just face the risk of importing a case, but also the added hassle of thousands of people being stranded at little notice. There simply wouldn't be enough room for Kiwis to enter isolation hotels in Australia if this decision was made when a two-way Tasman bubble was already underway, so it'd surely mean flights would be cancelled. Travellers on both sides of the Tasman would be stuck. … [Read more...] about Bubble trouble: Did Australia just sink all hope of trans-Tasman travel?

Ambush charges So you found a cheap airfare, and now comes a long list of optional "extras", with a charge for each. Want a superior seat, checked-in baggage, an inflight meal, priority boarding and speedy luggage delivery at the other end? That'll cost extra. Low-cost carriers have perfected the art of gouging a few more dollars to pad out their ultra cheap fares. Ryanair requires its flyers to check in before they arrive at the airport. Fail to do so and Ryanair will pocket an Airport Check-in Fee of £55 (NZ$104). By the time you add in those extras, that bargain airfare has lost some of its shine. … [Read more...] about Seven things we don’t miss about air travel

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "I was advised late this afternoon of Australia’s decision by the prime minister. I advised him that we have confidence in our systems and processes, but it is Australia’s decision as to how they manage their borders.” … [Read more...] about Covid-19: Australia one-way travel suspension a ‘cautionary message’, foreign affairs minister says

On Monday, Moderna said its vaccine will protect people from both the UK and South African variants of the virus. However, the vaccines' response to the South African variant was slightly diminished, officials said. As a result, the company said it work to develop a new vaccine that can be added to the current two-dose regimen. … [Read more...] about Covid-19: US President Joe Biden to reimpose travel ban on European countries, add South Africa in effort to contain coronavirus

Mr Hancock's comments follow those of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab who warned that it was "too early" for Brits to be looking at booking a holiday abroad. … [Read more...] about Brits may not be able to go on holiday abroad for a year due to gov’s hotel quarantine plans, warns travel expert

Ardern will be holding out hope that studies reveal Covid-19 vaccines stop transmission – which would make border management easier. You could then see a scheme where vaccinated Australians could travel to New Zealand freely, as an early test to see if the scheme could be extended to other countries. Until then, Ardern continues to have a challenge opening bubbles – and those "end of March" goals for Rarotonga and Australia (now in a state form) are inching closer. … [Read more...] about Hello Perth and Brisbane: The PM’s plan for trans-Tasman travel