Qantas to Lift COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for International Flights

An arriving Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft taxis at Auckland international airport in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb. 28, 2022. David Rowland/AFP via Getty Images

Australia’s major airline Qantas is lifting the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all international flights.

Qantas will no longer require passengers on international flights to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from 12.01 a.m. Australian (EST) on July 19, the airline said in an update on July 13.

The move comes after the Australian government announced it would scrap the requirement for all overseas travellers to be vaccinated or seek exemptions to enter the country.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil announced the news on July 3. Travellers to Australia will no longer need to complete a digital Passenger Declaration Form (DPD) or declare their vaccination status from July 6.

“As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier,” O’Neil said in a statement.

“Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination.

Travellers wait in line to verify their Covid-19 vaccination status as they check in for a flight to Sydney, Australia at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 1, 2021. Patrick T. Fallon/ AFP via Getty Images

However, Qantas cautioned that passengers on international flights departing on or before July 18 would still need to provide proof of vaccination when checking in for the airline’s international flights.

“Some countries have restrictions around transiting. If you’re transiting via another country or onto another international flight, ensure you check the requirements of your transiting and destination country to ensure their government allows you to transit,” the update said.

“Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest airline and Government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, COVID-19 tests, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.”

Mask Mandate Remain in Domestic Flights

In addition, Qantas warned that passengers will continue to be required to wear masks where government regulations require them, including on domestic flights in Australia.

The airline announced last month that from June 21, crew and passengers on direct international flights from NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia to the United States, the UK, and Rome, Italy, would no longer be required to wear masks.

The lift of the restrictions comes as Australia combats another winter wave of COVID-19 infections, with Federal Health Minister Mark Butler encouraging people to get booster shots.

“There is pressure on our hospitals with more than 3,000 people in hospital today with COVID, and we’re still seeing around 300 or more deaths every week with COVID,” Butler said.

“We are not through this virus yet.”