The first group of Qantas passengers have completed an Australia Travel Declaration – a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card (IPC) – after the pilot program was launched for travellers arriving into Australia from New Zealand this week.

The pilot is an initiative of the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group, which was established to deliver on the Australian and New Zealand’s Prime Ministers’ commitment to explore ways to move closer to seamless travel between the two countries.

Their vision is to work towards ‘contactless travel’ whereby passengers can rely on digital credentials and facial recognition for quicker and easier progression through key steps at airports.

Following months of planning and development between the ABF, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Qantas, the Australia Travel Declaration pilot commenced on Monday (21 October 2024).

Eligible passengers were invited to complete the digital form in the Qantas app prior to travelling on QF126 from Auckland – the first flight of the pilot – which landed at Brisbane Airport about 5pm.

After completing the declaration, those passengers received a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and to their nominated email, which was shown to ABF and DAFF officers for swift clearance through biosecurity and border controls.

ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said it was exciting to be on the way to ditching the paper card – starting with flights across the Tasman.

“A significant amount of work has gone into getting this pilot off the ground, and I’d like to commend the efforts and contribution of Australian and New Zealand agencies and companies to get us to here,” Commissioner Outram said.

“This is just one of a number of border modernisation initiatives being co-designed and co-financed by government and industry, and the importance of this opportunity cannot be overstated.

 “As we prepare to welcome the world to Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics, we are striving to be the most innovative leaders at the border, and this is the first of many big steps in the right direction.”

DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity Justine Saunders said biosecurity was a shared responsibility.

“We are pleased to see the biosecurity process becoming more integrated and streamlined while still effectively protecting Australia from harmful biosecurity pests and diseases,” Ms Saunders said.

“The success of this pilot program is a step in the right direction towards our shared end goal of achieving streamlined border clearances.”

Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Catriona Larritt said “Qantas customers will be the first to experience this great initiative through the Qantas App, in partnership with the Australian Government.

“This is only an initial step as part of a larger project to make the arrival experience more seamless for our customers.”

Brisbane Airport CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff, said “This trial is an important step forward, moving Australia closer to the experience of the world’s leading travel hubs.

“We’re proud to play a part in shaping the future of seamless travel for everyone.”

Eligible passengers – adults, travelling solo, who are Qantas customers and willing to use a SmartGate – on flights to Brisbane from Auckland (initially the afternoon flight) will be invited to complete their declarations through the Qantas app, up to 72 hours prior to departure.

The pilot will expand to flights departing other New Zealand cities – including Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown – to Brisbane in the coming days and weeks.

This will likely also expand to more Australian airports during the pilot stage, while further international locations and other airlines will be considered as the program progresses beyond the pilot stage.

 

By 2025, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport may allow travellers to pass through entirely document-free.

Known for its advanced technology, Zayed Airport has now launched the Smart Travel Project, which plans to install biometric sensors at every identification point in the airport—from check-in counters and immigration booths to duty-free tills, lounges, and boarding gates. Using facial and iris recognition, these sensors will verify travellers’ identities, making traditional ID, passport, and ticket checks unnecessary.

Biometrics, or biological measurements unique to each individual, provide a seamless way to confirm travel status. Currently, this technology is available on some Etihad flights, but Zayed Airport aims to implement it across nine touchpoints—a global first, according to Andrew Murphy, Abu Dhabi Airport’s Chief Information Officer.

Unlike systems that require pre-enrolment, Abu Dhabi’s biometrics will operate automatically. Passengers visiting the UAE, whether residents or tourists, will have their biometrics recorded on arrival by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). The airport’s technology then integrates this data to verify passengers at each checkpoint without additional steps.

Murphy emphasises the convenience and speed this offers, with initial tests indicating transit times of under 15 minutes from the curb to boarding or retail areas. This efficiency is remarkable given the airport’s capacity to process 45 million passengers annually.

For those preferring a more traditional process, such as infrequent travellers or those with young children, a standard document verification option will remain available. The choice aligns with international standards, acknowledging that some passengers may find facial recognition unfamiliar or prefer a human interaction. Children under 12, whose facial features change rapidly, will still require manual verification.

The drive for biometric integration is not unique to Abu Dhabi. Many global airports are increasingly adopting biometric technology, but no airport has fully implemented a passport-free process. Singapore’s Changi Airport, for instance, is introducing similar measures this year. Other hubs, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Delhi, have also installed biometric systems for streamlined travel.

European airports are also progressing; a trial by British Airways last year enabled a fully digital international flight from Heathrow to Rome. In the US, Customs and Border Protection has implemented biometrics across all international arrivals, with select airports using it for departures as well.

Despite the international interest in biometric travel, widespread adoption hinges on standardisation. IATA’s head of customer experience, Louise Cole, explains that passengers will benefit most if biometric processes are consistent across airports. Streamlining biometric technology worldwide would enhance the travel experience, ensuring privacy and data protection.

Abu Dhabi’s document-free system could set the standard, showing the potential for a seamless, paperless airport journey across the globe.

We’re delighted and honoured to have secured ‘Most Outstanding Global Travel Management Company’ at the prestigious National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) 2024.

On winning the award, our Regional Managing Director Pacific & Africa Peter Muller says, “This award reflects the dedication and commitment of our team, who work hard every day to provide exceptional service and innovative solutions for our clients.
A big thank you to our staff for their continued commitment—it’s their effort and professionalism that make this recognition possible. Here’s to continuing our journey together and reaching new milestones.”

We’re proud that this award reflects our values and mission, and we’re determined to keep providing an outstanding service level to all ATPI clients for their corporate and leisure travel needs. Congratulations to our entire team who work tirelessly to create seamless, luxurious and value-packed travel experience for our customers.

Jetstar will significantly expand its Gold Coast network, offering new direct flights to Hamilton and Dunedin in New Zealand from June 2025. 

Both new services will take off three times a week, creating more than 115,000 new low fares seats every year across the Tasman, providing a multi-million-dollar boost to the Gold Coast’s tourism industry. 

It will be the first time Jetstar has flown to the city of Hamilton, giving Queenslanders a second gateway to the North Island and convenient access to holiday hot spots like Rotorua, the Bay of Plenty and Hobbiton. 

The new service between the Gold Coast and Dunedin will boost access to the South Island’s second-largest city and provide more options for people to road trip across New Zealand by flying into one part of the country and out of another on Jetstar’s network. 

Today’s announcement follows the signing of a seven-year agreement between the Qantas Group and Queensland Airports, which will support future growth for both Jetstar and Qantas and lead to more flights and low fares for Queenslanders. 

Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, said today’s announcement is great news for the Gold Coast region. 

“It’s great news for customers, with the new routes unlocking more than 115,000 new low fares seats a year between the Gold Coast and Hamilton and Dunedin, while helping to connect the city’s large population of Kiwi ex-pats to their home country.”
“We thank the Queensland Government and Queensland Airports for their ongoing support of low fares travel across the Sunshine State.” 

Queensland Airports Limited CEO, Amelia Evans, said “New Zealand is Australia’s largest international visitor market, so it makes sense for us to increase our Trans-Tasman connectivity. We’re proud that we’ll be Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand,” she said. 

Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy encouraged New Zealanders to snap up the deals while they can. 

“The new services will make Gold Coast Airport Australia’s most connected to New Zealand, with more routes for visitors and students to arrive, with air freight heading back across the Tasman.
“Almost half a million kiwis crossed the ditch to visit Queensland in the year ending March 2024, setting a second consecutive visitor spending record with $821 million in overnight visitor expenditure.” 

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