Airlines try to lure flyers

themercury.com.au

AIRLINES are selling discounted tickets in an attempt to lure people to travel within Australia, as Tasmania prepares to open its borders to other states in three weeks.

Virgin Australia on Thursday launched a sale with fares

SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 696 397 starting from $99 from Hobart to Melbourne from August 4, and $75 between Launceston and Victoria’s capital. Most other routes also go via Melbourne, making it difficult for Tasmanian travellers to avoid the latest coronavirus outbreak epicentre.

A Virgin Australia spokeswoman said it was up to state health authorities to regulate travel in and out of states: “At this stage, travellers are absolutely allowed to transit through Melbourne to any other destination if they are transiting,’’ she said.

Travellers can also book flights between Hobart and Sydney with Virgin, while Qantas and Jetstar are offering flights between Hobart and Brisbane.

But people’s travel plans also will be dependent on Tasmania’s border restrictions, which will determine whether or not travellers would still have to quarantine upon entry.

Airlines have introduced flexibility policies to give travellers confidence to book.

Premier Peter Gutwein has set July 24 as the date to reopen Tasmania’s borders, but that will be subject to public health advice. And with most flights to Tasmania transiting through Melbourne — where dozens of new COVID-19 cases are now being confirmed daily — it is not yet known what border restrictions may apply to Victoria.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said a series of reviews would be done as the state moved towards the target date for reopening borders.

Ms Courtney said the date was made to allow people to plan, but stressed there was still “a lot of work to go”.

“As we’re seeing from Victoria, this is an evolving situation, and we won’t be afraid to make decisions that are in the best interests of Tasmania,’’ she said.