Singapore travel bubble eyed as Australia-New Zealand flights resume

Qantas CEO says the company is hopeful for future travel bubbles

As planes begin freely flying passengers between New Zealand and Australia for the first time in 400 days, the government is eyeing more deals with neighbouring countries.

Asian travel hub Singapore has been floated by senior members of the government as the next potential destination for Australians, along with countries in the South Pacific.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack this morning said "early, preliminary discussions" were already underway, and that Singapore was at the top of the government's list.

"Whether that's Singapore next or … one of the Pacific Island nations — we're in those discussions," he said.

"As vaccine rollouts happen, both here and elsewhere, that's what's going to happen."

Murmurs of plans for a travel bubble with Singapore are almost as old as the New Zealand plan, which was in development from the middle of last year.

At various times in recent months, Australia has been in discussions with countries including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan about future travel arrangements.

Travellers to New Zealand express excitement to see family and friends again.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said he was hopeful the government would continue to expand Australia's travel footprint.

"We're still hopeful that maybe there's a potential for travel bubbles like New Zealand," he said.

Mr McCormack stressed that any travel bubble arrangement would be subject to Australian medical advice.

The resumption of international travel with New Zealand marks the first time in 400 days since Australians have been able to travel overseas free of restrictions.

If they wish to travel to the rest of the world, Australians still need an exemption to leave the country and will face quarantine when they return home.

Many countries around the world also require Australians to quarantine on arrival.

But Mr Joyce said that as state and territory borders relaxed, a "pent-up" demand for domestic travel was becoming clearer.

"We did make an announcement last week that from July onwards, Jetstar will be at 120 per cent of its pre-COVID levels, Qantas at 107 per cent of its pre-COVID levels," he said.