Talks with Air NZ resume but Government is very cautious on opening borders to tourists

Negotiations on the air services agreement with Air New Zealand has resumed. Premier says, that the discussions are on-going but that he would not comment further except to say “ We are working very well with the new CEO of Air NZ and no doubt I will be speaking to him again”.

Premier Tagelagi says that Niue is very fortunate to have the weekly Air New Zealand flights supported by the New Zealand government up until December. He told BCN News that while awaiting confirmation, the discussions thus far on the fortnightly passenger flights are to continue until March next year.

“We are in discussions in readiness for when the borders are open, hopefully sometime next year” says Premier Tagelagi.

In an interview with BCN News last week, the Premier was asked whether the borders will also open up to tourists when quarantine free travel begins, to which he responded that the government is observing with much interest what is happening in the Cook Islands to see how they are doing with their travel bubble before making any firm decisions on opening up the Niue borders to tourists.

Premier Tagelagi said “I must congratulate New Zealand for protecting and safeguarding us from the virus” but Niue borders will not open up to the tourists straight away.

Meanwhile, twenty-four passengers arrived from Auckland today. Most of them will be in self-isolation at the government’s quarantine facilities at the Matavai Resort while two homes were granted permission for home quarantine.

There is only one last passenger flight to Niue this side of Christmas although the passengers on that flight will be spending their Christmas day in quarantine.

Twelve passengers left for Auckland on yesterday’s flight.