Qantas has canceled most international flights until March 2021.

Australian airline Qantas Airways announced it has canceled most international flights until March 2021, after the Australian government indicated it might extend border closures until 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, Australia's national airline said it will maintain some scheduled flights to New Zealand in the coming months amid expectations of a surge in travel between Australia and New Zealand. As travel between Australia and other countries resumes and demand increases, the airline may add more flights to its schedule.

Earlier, Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said that the country would likely not reopen its borders to international tourists until next year, but would consider easing entry restrictions for students and long-term visitors.

Australia is currently in talks with New Zealand to establish quarantine-free travel between the two countries as Covid-19 cases have decreased in both nations. New Zealand has indicated that September 2020 could be the appropriate time to resume regular flights between the two countries. Currently, all Qantas flights to New Zealand are restricted until October 2020.

Australia is one of the countries that has responded quickly and decisively to the pandemic. Since July 14th, all non-essential travel has been restricted and all those entering Australia have been required to quarantine for 14 days.

Huong Thao