Qantas Group now expects to restart international flights from late December, versus end-October previously, following a revision to the anticipated timeline for Australia's vaccine rollout. Trans-Tasman flights are unaffected, the airline says in a statement today. "We will keep reviewing these plans as we move towards December and circumstances evolve," it says. The revised schedule is a direct response to the Australian government's revised anticipated timeline for completing its vaccination rollout and a significant reopening of international borders, to end-2021 and mid-2022, respectively. Qantas states: "We remain optimistic that additional bubbles will open once Australia’s vaccine rollout is complete to countries who, by then, are in a similar position, but it’s difficult to predict which ones at this stage." Qantas states that the planning assumption will allow the group and Australia to take advantage of pockets of tourism and trade opportunity as they emerge in a post-Covid-19 world. In the meantime, the group continues to provide critical repatriation and freight flights overseas, it says, and support the recovery of domestic travel. "The resurgence of domestic travel remains the most important element of the group's recovery," says Qantas.

IATA has warned that proposals by airport operator AENA to increase user charges by 5.5% over five years at 46 airports across Spain could damage the country's economic and employment recovery from Covid-19, and labelled the move "irresponsible" The airline association's director general Willie Walsh states: "The whole aviation industry is in crisis. Everybody needs to reduce costs and improve efficiency to repair the financial damage of Covid-19. Having analysed AENA'’s situation, airlines believe that AENA could reduce its charges by 4%. "So proposing to pass the burden of financial recovery on to customers with a 5.5% increase is nothing short of irresponsible. The [civil aviation authority] DGAC should immediately reject the request and instruct AENA to work with the airlines on a mutually agreed recovery plan." IATA estimates that passenger demand in Spain fell 76% in 2020, does not expect a full recovery until 2024. The number of destinations with direct links to Spain also fell from 1,800 in 2019 to 234 in 2020. "An early recovery in travel and tourism is vital for Spain's economic success," argues Walsh. "But higher costs will delay a tourism rebound and keep jobs at risk. "AENA should keep in mind the long-term interests of both its shareholders and the country. And both are better served with cost-efficient airport infrastructure. "The Spanish government is actively looking to open borders and restart air travel. AENA needs to contribute to that effort, not erect a short-sighted and self-interested roadblock."

The UK’s announcement of countries to which non-essential travel can resume from 17 May has been given short shrift by IATA director general Willie Walsh. A statement issued by the airline industry association on 7 May simply quotes Walsh as saying: “It is very disappointing and frankly not worth commenting on.” The UK government has named Israel, Portugal and Gibraltar among the 12 countries and territories on its ‘green list’ to which non-essential travel is legal if Covid-19 testing requirements are met. Several of the destinations – including Australia and New Zealand – will not be an option for outbound travellers from the UK, however, because they do not accept non-essential travellers at this time. Moreover, the vast majority of destinations are categorised as ‘amber’ – including the USA, which former IAG chief Walsh has cited as a critical market for many network carriers – meaning arrivals are required to self-isolate for up to 10 days. UK transport secretary Grant Shapps said on 7 May that people should not choose to travel to ‘amber’ or ‘red’ destinations. Walsh’s comments represent a marked shift from IATA’s previous praise for the UK government’s approach to reopening international markets. Speaking earlier in April, Walsh said: “The UK government’s Global Travel Taskforce report marks an important step towards regaining the social and economic benefits of the freedom to travel from 17 May.” Citing “some positives”, he said the framework gave “some clarity to both travellers and the travel industry”.