Originally Posted by BadoRas (Post 32986402)

IIRC, something like 17% of Perth's population is first generation pommies (getting off at the nearest airport to Blighty), and that would mean a potentially greater number of people wanting to return to the UK at this time for family reasons, despite the chaos and lack of discipline in controlling the virus there. That may be the reason EK is still flying to Perth.

I totally support the Australian government's stand in not allowing citizens to travel outbound except for exceptional reasons. For the last few months, the tiny outbreaks we have had all came via incoming passengers not adhering to quarantine requirements and the occasional gap in returnee and flight crew quarantine practices.

My state of Victoria has had long periods of zero community transmissions detected even with massive testing numbers. Australians have generally been very compliant in adhering to the restrictions, and we are reaping the rewards now by having returned mostly to normal, except for compulsory masks and social distancing. Why risk that by flooding the country with returnees or tourists?

I have not enjoyed my inability to travel, but I completely agree with why air travel out of Australia has been severely curtailed for almost a year. It will take as long as it takes.

Originally Posted by IntrepidAfrican (Post 32986465)

I wasn’t questing the validity of the restrictions or their usefulness; and I apologise if that’s how I can across.

It was simply my understanding that different states have varying restrictions, and it may have made more sense for EK to fly to some places and not to others. I think I read that somewhere else but can’t remember.

Don’t think it’s really about demand for the airlines (it’s clear there’s a restriction on how many people can fly into Australia) but more navigating the rules and their implications.

Originally Posted by BadoRas (Post 32986513)

I also apologise. I was not in the least upset by your comment, and I'm very sorry if I appeared like I was.

I was only lamenting Australia's strict rules and the lack of them in certain European countries!

Originally Posted by DYKWIA (Post 32986516)

I wish I was stuck in Oz...

No Covid - tick
Bars / Restaurants Open - tick
Good weather - tick
Good beaches / resorts - tick

The only issue is that it's full of Australians :D

Originally Posted by Longton (Post 32986639)

Originally Posted by BadoRas (Post 32986520)

Haaa haaa, I like that!

Yes, I have to agree even I am getting sick of bloody Aussies ....... and I am one!!

We do a good line in being IRRITATING, but hey, someone has to do it!.

Originally Posted by rwessman (Post 32988967)

Australians can’t be near as irritating as we Americans. :-)

Originally Posted by thijsseh (Post 32988783)

And I'm sure another 17% (or probably 34% ;)) are 'Saffers'. They don't call Perth 'Pretoria by the Sea' for nothing. :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Longton (Post 32967255)

Emirates have cancelled flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban from 16 to 28 January.

I'm not surprised. I arrived yesterday in CapeTown and flight was probably 20-25% occupied. I usually travel in business class but decided I would travel economy and had four seats to myself.

Originally Posted by DYKWIA (Post 33001308)

I wonder why EK17/18 is not going tomorrow?