Australian flight suspension schedule and impact analysis: Review of major events from 2020 to 2024

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralia flight suspension policyNow I will summarize the relevant issues and hope it will be helpful to those who want to understand Australia’s travel policy.

1. The evolution of Australia’s flight suspension policy

On March 20, 2020, the Australian government announced a total ban on non-citizens/permanent residents from entering the country, marking the start of the strictest aviation control in history. This policy directly led to:

1. International flight capacity has dropped sharply by 97%, with only a few routes such as London and Los Angeles remaining
2. Domestic interstate flights implement a dynamic fuse mechanism. Western Australia has closed its state borders for 18 consecutive months.
3. Qantas and other airlines store A380 fleet in California desert

On December 15, 2021, the first phase of the lockdown was launched, allowing skilled immigrants and international students to return to Australia, but the number of arrivals per week was limited to 20,000. It was not until July 6, 2022 that Qantas restarted the Sydney-London direct route, marking the full resumption of international flights.

II. Current Flight Operation Status (Updated in 2024)

It is worth noting that Melbourne Airport’s T4 terminal has been fully transformed into a smart check-in area, with biometric clearance time reduced to 12 seconds.

III. Important issues related to flight suspension

1. Will the flight suspension affect the validity of student visas?

According to the Immigration Bureau's Amendment No. 87, overstaying due to flight suspension will not be counted as a visa violation record, but written proof issued by the airline must be retained.

2. How can I check the latest flight status?

• Download the official Australia Travel app (red and white icon)
• Subscribe to email notifications from each state's transport department (NSW and VIC versions are recommended)
• Pay attention to the "International Flight Reservation Arrangements" released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China every Tuesday

3. Alternative travel options during the suspension period

In 2022, Antarctic Star Cruises launched a "Study Abroad at Sea Line", a 35-day voyage from Shanghai to Brisbane via Manila, which includes IELTS sprint courses and visa counseling services. The ticket includes an isolated cabin and is priced at $8888.

4. Flight recovery time prediction mechanism

The government has adopted a "five-color warning system", which is currently in the blue (fully open) state. If a new variant of the virus appears, a yellow warning (occupancy limit 75%) or an orange warning (fuse-breaking of routes to high-risk areas) may be activated.

5. Refund and Change Policy during Special Periods

According to the latest ACCC ruling, passengers can ask airlines to provide:

• Airline ticket credit valid for 36 months
• Free rebooking to other airlines in the same alliance
• Full refund to original payment method (processing period shall not exceed 60 days)

Australian Encyclopedia Assistant reminds: Recently, there have been fraudulent text messages impersonating Qantas customer service. Any request for bank card information under the pretext of "flight cancellation compensation" is a fraud. Please be sure to verify the authenticity of the information through the official website.

Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you understandAustralia flight suspension policyIf you need to obtain the latest entry and exit policies, please scan the QR code below to follow our real-time update channel. I wish every Chinese in Australia a safe journey and a smooth life!