Flights suspended as Australia reacts to Auckland ‘hotspot’

Air New Zealand has suspended transTasman flights after Australia imposed border restrictions for arriving New Zealanders due to recent Covid-19 community cases in Auckland.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the airline had suspended quarantine-free services to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane until tomorrow following new border rules set by Australia’s state and federal governments regarding anyone who has been in Auckland recently.

‘‘Oncemore information is known about current restrictions, we will update our schedule and customers accordingly.’’

As of Thursday evening the airline had cancelled three Auckland-sydney services, two Auckland-melbourne services and three Auckland-brisbane quarantine-free services. More cancellations are showing through to Monday, taking the total number to at least 15.

Air New Zealand’s website shows Auckland-sydney fares are not available until March 11, Auckland-melbourne fares are not available until March 13 and Auckland-brisbane fares are not available until March 20.

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs says that as of Thursday any traveller from New Zealand who has been in Auckland (except for transit through the airport from a connecting flight) for any period over the previous 14 days is not eligible to travel on a ‘‘green’’ (quarantine-free) flight.

The restrictions come after several more community cases of Covid-19 were detected in Auckland.

The Queensland Government says it has removed New Zealand as a ‘‘safe travel country’’.

All green flights from New Zealand to Queensland have been stopped, and anyone who is permitted to travel to Queensland from New Zealand will be required to quarantine on arrival.

The New South Wales Government has declared Auckland a hotspot and stopped green flights from Auckland. Anyone who arrived from Auckland after 12:01am on Thursday must go directly to a quarantine facility, it says.

The Victoria Government says all flights arriving from Auckland into Victoria will be regarded as ‘‘red zone’’ and arriving passengers will be required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days.

The Air New Zealand spokeswoman said customers were being contacted to discuss re-booking options and would have their fares held in credit.