Science no longer supports use of MIQ says CEO.
Departing Auckland Airport boss Adrian Littlewood has called on the government to open the borders to fully vaccinated New Zealanders as the science no longer supported forcing them into quarantine.
In a press release issued this morning, Littlewood said Kiwis should be allowed to return and self-isolate from mid-December if they were vaccinated and tested.
“The government has stated that vaccinations are our ticket to an unrestricted summer holiday, yet fully vaccinated and tested Kiwis remain stuck offshore, kept apart from family and friends over Christmas,” he said.
“Some of our most prominent scientific experts have come out and said this week that the risk they present is low and better use could be made of our scarce MIQ facilities.
“And we’ve also seen Air New Zealand announce new domestic safety protections this week, meaning only fully vaccinated or Covid-19-negative people will be able to fly from mid-December.
“The time has come for the grief and inequity caused by these restrictions to end, allowing Kiwis to return, reunite with their families and isolate at home if they are fully vaccinated with pre-departure testing. The government needs to make this a priority now.”
Littlewood noted that there were only 12 international passenger carriers currently flying into Auckland Airport compared to 29 before the pandemic.
The time had come to set a date for border re-opening, he said.
“We understand the government does plan to relax the border restrictions in the new year. They need to provide clarity and say so officially now. If the government can’t make this commitment now as New Zealand approaches 90% fully vaccinated then when will this be possible?
“You can’t just flick a switch and turn back on an international air network. Our airline contacts have told us that recommissioning a plane and preparing its supporting crew from hibernation could take three months. Airlines lock in their flight schedules a long way in advance and planning for late 2022 and early 2023 is happening now right across the industry.
“Major foreign airlines have told us they need more certainty in order to confirm the timing of their return to New Zealand.
“This could have significant implications for our trading nation and the high-value imports and exports we rely upon. It may also create the ongoing need for taxpayer-funded cargo subsidies, which ultimately won’t be enough to keep airlines flying here.
“Our vaccination rates are high and they will continue to climb. We are urging the government to make a commitment now to when the border will open up to fully vaccinated travellers with pre-departure testing.”
Littlewood announced his departure as CEO in May and will leave the role on November 12. His replacement is Carrie Hurihanginui, who will begin early next year.
Hurihanginui joins the airport from Air NZ, where she was chief operating officer.
