Tasmania is looking forward to welcoming our first direct flight in more than 20 years from New Zealand now that the trans-Tasman bubble has been given the green light.

Today’s announcement by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, paves the way for unrestricted travel between Australia and New Zealand to resume for the first time in more than a year.

It also means our first direct flight between Auckland and Hobart is another step closer, to be operated by Air New Zealand twice weekly.

The Hobart International Airport is in the final stages of being ready to accept international flights and I understand it is working with the Australian Government on final approvals allowing those flights to commence.

It’s my expectation that pending those approvals all going to plan, we’ll be welcoming our first flight later this month.

The Airport has also been working closely with the Australian Government to stand up Australian Border Force arrangements in time for the new flights.

Tasmania welcomes around 20,000 visitors every year from New Zealand and we only expect this to increase when travellers no longer need to transit via the mainland.

This is great news, not only for our community, but also for our tourism industry. Tassie has what New Zealanders are after with some of the best tourism experiences in the world and today my message is, come and see what our island has to offer, we can’t wait to welcome you.

Backing our tourism industry and encouraging visitors back to our island in a COVID-safe way is a priority for a majority Gutwein Liberal Government, as part of our clear Plan to Secure Tasmania’s Future.