Qantas will end its no jab no-fly rule for international passengers next week. In line with changed Australian Government rules, Qantas will end its policy of not flying unvaccinated passengers on its international service on July 19. However, the airline warns some countries still only allow in vaccinated travelers and advises passengers to check their destination entry requirements.
Qantas drops a policy that has passed its use-by-date
Qantas implemented the no jab no-fly rule across its international flights last year as Australia’s borders began reopening. At the time, the move enjoyed broad public support. Qantas also insisted all its employees be vaccinated, regardless of their role. Also widely supported, that decision saw some criticism, including from a small group of employees who refused vaccinations.
“From Tuesday 19 July 2022, the Qantas Group will no longer require passengers on international flights operated by the Qantas Group to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” says a Qantas statement.
“This follows the Australian Government removing the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international travelers coming to Australia. Vaccinations may be still be required by certain countries, so passengers should check the requirements of the country they are traveling to.”
This week, OAG data indicates just over 285,000 international seats were available on flights to and from Australia, still over 46% down on the comparable week in 2019. But this time last year, aside from some ad hoc repatriation flights, Qantas’ international network was at a standstill. However, planning was in full swing for a resumption of flights, and that planning included a raft of new travel rules, including vaccinations and masks.
At this point, the vaccination rule for Qantas employees remains in place. “Qantas Group employees will still need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in line with Qantas Group policy,” the airline’s statement says. Qantas is facing a legal challenge from a group of former Qantas employees who lost their jobs over their vaccination stance.
Meanwhile, Australia’s confusing grab bag of mask-wearing rules on airlines remains in place. “Masks will continue to be required where government regulations stipulate they must be worn, including on-board domestic flights in Australia,” the statement adds.
But the mask-wearing rules on international flights varies depending on the destination. The Australian Government still requires masks to be worn on flights to Australia. As a result, on some Qantas international routes, it is mask-free on the outbound run and masks on for the inbound flight.
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