Business Travel News: August 2021

Business Travel News: August 2021

Airlines/Airports.

Updates to the Australia Travel Declaration Form

The Department of Home Affairs has updated the Australia Travel Declaration, requiring all incoming passengers to provide details of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Travellers must declare if they have had COVID-19, and if so, where and when they had the disease. Passengers must also fill out their vaccination history, including the date, location and brand of any COVID-19 inoculations.

Qantas chooses IATA's Travel Pass

Qantas has finalised a deal with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to roll out a digital health verification pass before international flights are resumed across both Qantas and Jetstar. The IATA Travel Pass will verify a traveller's COVID-19 test results and vaccine information ahead of their international travel.

Air New Zealand extends Touch of Gold promotion

Travellers who signed up for Air New Zealand's Touch of Gold promotion, allowing them to trial the airline's Gold membership perks for four months, have had their trial membership extended until 8 December 2021. Members who have earned 100 Status Points through Air New Zealand by 8 December will keep their Gold Membership for the following 8 months.

Qantas launches direct Perth-Gold Coast

From 18 September, Qantas will fly direct between Perth and the Gold Coast. The new route will be operated by a Boeing 737 three times a week, providing direct connections and reducing travel time for customers.

MEL offers vaccine incentives

Melbourne Airport is encouraging people to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by rewarding fully vaccinated Victorians with a chance to win one of six $10,000 travel vouchers. The vaccination competition will run until the end of the year, and each month one winner will be selected. To enter, travellers must submit proof of vaccination and a written explanation about why and where they would like to fly.

Vaccination certificates to be stored in Apple Wallet

With 'internationally recognised' vaccination certificates expected by October this year, the Australian Government is looking to integrate the digital certificates into Apple iPhone Wallets and other smartphone equivalents before December 2021.

Hotels.

SYD to welcome new hotel in 2024

Sydney Airport is making plans for a new 321-room building to neighbour the Ibis and Mantra hotels in a newly designated hotel precinct near T2/T3. The property is expected to open in 2024 under two different hotel brands, with the precinct to offer a selection of bars, restaurants, valet parking and a wellness centre.

Information on this page is sourced from third party sources. While effort is taken to verify the accuracy of this information, CTM recommends that travellers seek independent advice and/or information from their CTM travel consultant, CTM travel tools, or direct from their chosen travel suppliers relating to the status of supplier services, schedules and booking conditions as information may change regularly.