Proposed changes to international charter flights to Australia

Key changes

The department is proposing to require charterers to apply for permission to operate a broader range of charter flights. Certain flights are currently exempted from these requirements, such as single charters (those not part of a program of flights) carrying passengers on an aircraft with less than an 80 person seating capacity. Charters, part of a program of flights, where seating capacity and number of flights do not exceed certain limits, are also currently exempted.

Under the changes, commercial charter flights carrying one or more passengers (whether in an individual charter flight or as part of a program of charter flights) would need to apply to the department for permission to operate. Medical evacuation flights will remain exempted from this requirement.

The proposed changes would commence from Friday 15 October 2021. The updated determination would be published on the Federal Register of Legislation at https://www.legislation.gov.au/.

The requirement to seek other approvals, such as slot approvals and regulatory approvals issued by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), would not change.

Why now?

Australian states and territories continue to manage international passenger arrivals into Australia. Ensuring these systems continue to work effectively in a planned manner is key to ensuring that international air passenger arrivals are able to safely quarantine and prevent the spread of the Delta strain of COVID-19 to the Australian community.

State Government agencies’ clearance will be sought by the department for all international passenger arrivals on commercial charter services to determine whether passenger arrivals on each of these flights can be catered for under the respective of State quarantine capacity and support systems.

Update

• Information for International Aircraft Commercial Passenger Operators - Aircraft under 80 Seat Capacity