Bookings open from 10.00am on Monday 12 July on available Air New Zealand managed return flights to allow Kiwis to return home from New South Wales from Tuesday 13 July. These seats will be restricted to the number of spaces available in managed isolation facilities (MIQ) rooms provided by the New Zealand Government.
Managed return flights from Sydney will be available from Tuesday 13 July and will operate to Auckland and Christchurch only. On arrival, travellers will go into MIQ. Seats available will depend on MIQ availability.
Eligible Air New Zealand customers in NSW are encouraged to follow the steps below:
For a standard booking:
Check Air New Zealand’s website to book managed return seats
Once customers have secured a flight booking, their MIQ space is automatically confirmed. There is no need to book a place in a managed isolation facility before booking with Air New Zealand as managed isolation bookings are automatically assigned to a customer’s flight
If unsuccessful, keep checking back online for available flights
As more MIQ allocations are provided, more corresponding seats will be made available for booking
Stay updated on the latest travel requirements via the COVID-19 website before attempting to book travel.
The New Zealand Government is managing compassionate requests for returning travellers
Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said that while the airline is doing all it can to facilitate the return of Kiwis home from NSW, not everyone will be able to travel immediately.
“We would love to be able to bring more Kiwis home to their families, but we’re limited by the availability of MIQ spots. Only between 40-60 seats per flight will be available to be booked by customers as these are directly linked to MIQ spots.
“Flights will be available on a first-in, first-served basis. Around 20% of all available MIQ spots will be reserved for compassionate grounds which will be managed by the Government.
“Our teams have worked tirelessly with the Government over the weekend to get these managed return flights up and running so we can reconnect Kiwis with their loved ones. We recognise this is a very stressful and emotional time for those customers wishing to return from NSW, and we’re doing everything we can to get them home as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Air New Zealand’s schedule up until 23 July is as follows:
| Flight | Date | Departure Time | Arriving |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ0864 | 13 July 2021 | 14.25 | Auckland |
| NZ0870 | 13 July 2021 | 11.55 | Christchurch |
| NZ0864 | 14 July 2021 | 12.25 | Auckland |
| NZ0864 | 15 July 2021 | 14.55 | Auckland |
| NZ0864 | 16 July 2021 | 12.40 | Auckland |
| NZ0864 | 17 July 2021 | 14.25 | Auckland |
| NZ0864 | 18 July 2021 | 12.25 | Auckland |
| NZ0864 | 20 July 2021 | 14.25 | Auckland |
| NZ0870 | 23 July 2021 | 11.55 | Christchurch |
