WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Elation marked the opening of a long-awaited travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand on Monday.
The beginning of the journey without quarantine was a relief for the families that were separated by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as for the tour operators that are struggling. It marked the first tentative steps towards what both countries hope will become a gradual reopening in the rest of the world.
In the capital Wellington, Danny Mather was overwhelmed when he saw his pregnant daughter Kristy and his grandson for the first time in 15 months after they flew from Sydney for a visit on the first flight after the bubble opened. What did they say to each other?
“Nothing,” he said with a laugh. They hugged. “It’s so good to see her and I’m so happy to have her back.”
Kristy Mather said it was overwhelming to reunite with her family and it was amazing to open the balloon.
“I wish it had happened earlier, but now it has happened,” she said. “I just wanted to get on the first flight because you never know, maybe go south. Let’s hope he stays around. ”
Danny Mather said he wanted to protect New Zealand from the virus, but thought it was the right time to open the ball.
The idea of a travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has been discussed for months, but has faced setbacks due to several small virus outbreaks in both countries, which have eventually been eliminated.
To mark the occasion, Wellington International Airport painted a huge welcome sign near the main runway and Air New Zealand ordered around 24,000 bottles of sparkling wine, offering a free glass to adult passengers. Indigenous Maori artists greeted the passengers who embraced their loved ones with tears.
Air New Zealand chief operating officer Carrie Hurihanganui said the carrier had previously flown only two or three flights a day between the two countries, but jumped to 30 flights on Monday, carrying 5,200 passengers.
She said the day marked a turning point and people were delighted.
“You can feel it at the airport and you can see it on people’s faces,” she said.
Leaders of both countries welcomed the balloon, saying it was a global leadership deal, as it aimed to both open borders and prevent the virus from spreading.
“Today’s benchmark is a win-win for Australians and New Zealanders, boosting our economies while keeping our people safe,” said First Australian Scott Morrison.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her country welcomes newcomers.
“The balloon marks a significant step in reconnecting both countries with the world and is one we should all take a moment to be very proud of,” she said.
Travelers who lined up at Sydney and Melbourne airports early Monday said they were 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 by putting barriers in the way of 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 all, better than everyone else. He can’t go anywhere safe anywhere else, “said Ameera Elmasry, who was at Wellington airport to greet her son Shady Osman, a doctor she hadn’t seen in 16 months. “It’s very good what happened now.”
Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without being quarantined, but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach, requiring travelers from Australia to complete a quarantine.
The beginning of the bubble comes ahead of the New Zealand ski season and is welcome news for many tourist towns, including the Queenstown ski resort.