Travel restrictions: Flights and trains cancelled, prepare for extra checks
Air New Zealand cancelled more than 50 flights yesterday responding to the latest Covid-19 scare. Trains are also facing cancellations.
Auckland is at alert level 3, where travel is highly restricted, while the rest of the country is at alert level 2, with travel still allowed. Here is the latest roundup of travel cancellations and rules you need to know.
Domestic flights
Air New Zealand cancelled more than 50 flights yesterday.
‘‘We have cancelled 44 domestic jet services and 12 turboprop services into or out of Auckland today due to customers opting to change their bookings or choosing not to fly,’’ an airline spokesperson said yesterday.
If you have a flight booked before February 21 , you can change flights for free up until March 7 without paying any fare difference.
You must call the contact centre to arrange this.
If you wish to cancel a domestic flight and get a credit, you can do so for any trips that depart before March 30, 2021.
The airline says passengers with a transit stop at Auckland Airport will still be able to fly.
Air New Zealand says its Auckland lounges will close. Koru Clubs elsewhere around the country will be restricted to 100 people.
Jetstar says: ‘‘We’ll be reviewing our domestic schedule on a daily basis and some flights may be cancelled.’’
Customers with bookings until midnight tonight can cancel their bookings and receive a credit.
Or, those who want to get back to Auckland on an earlier flight can also change their flight free of charge.
International flights
Australia suspended ‘‘greenzone’’ travel with New Zealand for three days from 12.01am on
February 15.
This travel arrangement allowed for New Zealanders to arrive in Australia without needing to quarantine. Yesterday at least three transTasman services had been cancelled, with more likely today.
Trains
The Northern Explorer services between Auckland and Wellington are cancelled today. The Coastal Pacific train, from Picton to Christchurch, is also cancelled.
Kiwirail says it does not intend to cancel any other services ‘‘at this time.’’
Travel in Auckland
Aucklanders should not travel outside the region, unless for essential reasons – police
checkpoints will be in place.
What if i have an upcoming flight in Auckland?
You are allowed to make your way to Auckland Airport if you have a flight that leaves the airport, and you are travelling for essential reasons.
That includes those outside the region needing to access Auckland’s airport – once again for essential travel only.
The airport said in a statement: ‘‘Be prepared to have your travel itinerary checked at the door, and you may be asked about your reason for travel.
‘‘If you’re unable to catch your flight without assistance, one support person will be able to enter the terminal building with you.’’
What are the travel rules outside Auckland?
The rest of New Zealand is at alert level 2 until midnight tonight. That means you can continue travelling domestically, aside from trips to Auckland (unless you are travelling to/ from home).
When travelling domestically at alert level two you should keep records of services you use, keep track of who you have been in contact with, keep a distance of groups of people you don’t know, and you must legally wear a face mask on all public transport.