Aussie to/from NZ flights to be become domestic

[Andrew P]

The agreement with New Zealand will be taken to a new level in the next few months, with the abolition of international status on trans-Tasman routes.

Airlines will be able to operate from domestic terminal to domestic terminal in both countries...

www.smh.com.au (http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/battle-for-open-skies-20090812-ehv3.html)

so will we see Pacific Blue flights leaving from Terminal 2?

Banjo

[Michael Dawson]

I wonder what Air New Zealand will use for there gate space here in Australia then. Will they still go from the international and get a orange D sticker on your boarding pass. This is a good step it was only a matter of time.

Regards

Michael Dawson

[Anthony J]

I wonder where it will leave the LAGS requirement at security.

[Andrew P]

will it become like US/Canada where you go thru US immigration/customs at the Canadian airport,

i.e. on arrival at Sydney just collect our bags and go

[Marty H]

Havent LAGS restrictions now been lifted?

[Jarden S]

Thats great news! I reckon soon we will see some cheap fares to get accross the tasman,,,

[Gareth Forwood]

Are there any gates at the domestic terminal that can hold Air New Zealand's 777's? Or will flights perhaps be operated from the Intl terminal in a similar fashion to the JQ A330 flights from Sydney to Tullamarine.

[Marty H]

F12 at MEL can handle B777's

[Michael Morrison]

I presume if it is going to be labelled as "domestic" then they could use the Virgin Blue name??

[Jarden S]

In the article it did not give a date yet when the new rules will apply. We will have to wait for the official press release from the government.

[Steve Jones]

I suspect this will see the opening of a range of new city pairs, especially targeting smaller ports at the Australian end. Obvious targets would be Newcastle, Hobart, Townsville and Canberra to Auckland, even if they just run a couple of times a week. Pacific Blue's E190 would be perfect for such routes.

[Arthur T]

If Australia/NZ routes becomes domestic, then will there be any more passport controls available?

For some passports, visa is not required in NZ but a visa is necessary in Australia.

If AU - NZ becomes domestic, then tourists requiring a visa in Australia may go via NZ to get into AU to avoid applying the Visa.

[Lukas M]

I take it EK would still use the International Terminals seing they heavily rely on those Higher class pax using their Lounge, and considering the flight comes from Dubai first.

[Michael Mak]

EK and other international airlines (except for NZ) will still be using international terminals, just like QF with their international flights with a domestic sector.

[Jim W]

I presume if it is going to be labelled as "domestic" then they could use the Virgin Blue name??

I Don't think so - I believe that arrangement expires next year, anyway.

[Justin L]

Could Air New Zealand offer domestic flights between Australian cities through this arrangement? This would allow a Star Alliance domestic presence in Australia and give UA a domestic feed to compete against QF and VA/DL.

[Steve Jones]

Air NZ could do that already under the existing bilateral aviation agreement. However given the competitive state of the market, I suspect they wouldn't dare touch it!

[Kent Broadhead]

Could Air New Zealand offer domestic flights between Australian cities through this arrangement?
Wasn't Ansett AirNZ Oz? :D

Kent

[Jarden S]

I suspect this will see the opening of a range of new city pairs, especially targeting smaller ports at the Australian end. Obvious targets would be Newcastle, Hobart, Townsville and Canberra to Auckland, even if they just run a couple of times a week. Pacific Blue's E190 would be perfect for such routes.

If the prices drop $60 one way and $100 return the lower fares will stimulate the market further and attract enough passengers to fill a 737 or A320 on a CBR to AKL run or TSV, HBA, NTL, AVV and Sunshine coast as well to AKL

[Greg McDonald]

Does this mean we will lose the duty free concessions?

[Jarden S]

I doubt we will be able to buy duty free at a domestic terminal

[Rhys Xanthis]

Technically I think you would be leaving an ATO administered area, so I would say yes, tax/duty free shopping should still apply...

[Justin L]

This from an AAP article (http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/transtasman-currency-a-nogo-nz-pm-20090819-eq9t.html) on smh.com.au:

...simplifying border crossings for Australian and NZ nationals travelling across the Tasman.

However, this would not involve flights between domestic terminals because about one third of trans-Tasman passengers were not citizens of either country, he said.