Australians are planning to fly overseas for holidays from the middle of next year, according to the local boss of airline giant Emirates, who says travellers want to see the international border stay open for six months before they venture abroad.
However, Barry Brown, Emirates’s vice-president for Australasia, said the initial rush of travellers in and out of Australia since the reopening of the international border last week had been stronger than expected, prompting the carrier to ramp up its capacity over summer.
Barry stated that “The pent-up demand inbound is phenomenal, and that’s before Australia opens up to international visitors.”
Airlines are gradually increasing flights into NSW and Victoria after the two states lifted quarantine requirements for vaccinated Australian residents on November 1, and the federal government lifted its ban on Australian citizens leaving the country.
Mr Brown said outbound bookings were also strong until January, with people mostly leaving the country to reconnect with family they were separated from during the pandemic. Demand ramps up again in mid-2022, he said, as holidaymakers feel confident enough to travel again.
“The youth think they’re bulletproof… they’re already making bookings, and they’re making a great number of the reservations that we’re taking today,” Mr Brown said.
Most leisure travellers were…
