Chief Minister Andrew Barr will not speculate on a timeline for a return of international flights to Canberra Airport, saying the aviation industry needed time to recover.
Canberra Airport has kicked off its busiest week in months as borders opened between the ACT, NSW and Victoria.
There will be 140 flights at the airport this week, compared to only 37 last week.
Next week there will be more than 200, Canberra Airport head of aviation Michael Thomson said.
"There's a lot to be looking forward to in aviation and there's a lot to be looking forward to with Canberrans being able to travel," he said.
However, neither Mr Thomson or Mr Barr could say when international flights were expected to return to the capital.
"Just not in a position to speculate, aviation needs a period to recover," Mr Barr said.
"We'll make contact again with some of those airlines at the appropriate times but right now there is a domestic focus clearly in relation to where you can fly today."
Earlier this year, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Mr Barr was locked in discussions with New Zealand counterparts and airlines about starting direct flights between Canberra and New Zealand.
It was hoped the flights could start over summer but it is highly improbable that will happen. Australia also reopened its border to New Zealand on Monday.
ACT commissioner for international engagement Brendan Smyth said last week restarting international flights to Canberra Airport was a main priority in the coming months.
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He said flights to New Zealand and Singapore would be first on the agenda.
"We're very keen to get the Singapore flight back on the runway at Canberra Airport but [also] looking for new flights, connections to New Zealand and from New Zealand and then on to America," he said.
"And then certainly flights back from the Middle East to Europe."
Most states will require travellers to be fully vaccinated when they arrive, including NSW and Victoria.
However, Mr Barr said the vaccination status of individuals would not be checked at Canberra Airport.
"It's an honour system," Mr Barr said.
