Australian tourists are stranded on Norfolk Island, with flights cancelled after the suspension of Australia's travel bubble with New Zealand was extended until 2:00pm on Sunday, January 31.
Key points:
- Australians stranded on the island are having to pay for extra accommodation, car rental and food
- Air New Zealand is currently the only commercial airline with scheduled services to Norfolk Island
- Norfolk locals on holiday in Australia are also trying to get back to the island for work and school
Australia initially closed its border for 72 hours on Monday after New Zealand recorded its first case of COVID-19 in the community in two months — an infectious strain from South Africa.
The border closure was extended after more cases were reported yesterday.
Air New Zealand is currently the only commercial airline with scheduled services to Norfolk Island, an Australian territory, 1,400 kilometres east of Brisbane.
Each week, there are usually six flights between Brisbane or Sydney and Norfolk Island, with the services originating in Auckland.
"The current suspension of quarantine-free flights by the Australian Government means any crew operating domestic flights in Australia must have completed 14 days managed quarantine, or be Australian-based," an Air New Zealand spokesperson said in a statement.
"This is why we've had to suspend the domestic sectors from Norfolk Island to mainland Australia."
Luella and David Wait, retirees from Maryborough in Queensland, travelled to the island for a week and were due to return home on January 26.
"We heard on the day we were to leave that there were no flights to leave," Ms Wait said.
"We were expecting a flight the next day but eventually we were told there wouldn't be a flight until the next Tuesday, which put us a whole week behind."
Mr Wait said six people had chartered a jet to take them to Sydney on Friday.
The couple is now having to pay at least $2,000 for extra accommodation, car rental and food.
Ms Wait said she was more concerned about the impact on the Norfolk Island economy, which relied on tourism.
"I'd say very little is happening because 90 per cent of people have done what they wanted in the week they thought they were here for," she said.
Ms Wait said she was hopeful an Australian airline might be able to help.
"Surely there's a plane somewhere that can bring the next lot of tourists and take us home, so Norfolk Island doesn't suffer anymore," Ms Wait said.
Norfolk Island resident Susan Prior said locals who had been holidaying in Australia were trying to get back to the island for work and school.
"It's just inconvenient, but I know the travel agencies and the administration are working really hard to try to get people back here," Ms Prior said.
"But I think we've just got to be patient and hope it works itself out over the next few days."
Australia initially closed its border for 72 hours on Monday after New Zealand recorded its first case of COVID-19 in the community in two months — a highly infectious variant that originated in South Africa.
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said affected customers would be offered a full refund, credit or the option to move to a Qantas replacement service.
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2021-01-29 22:25:00Z
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