Domestic flights are set to ramp up in Tasmania and across Australia in coming months as COVID-19 restrictions ease everywhere, except Victoria, making hygiene measures paramount in airports.
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Launceston Airport has introduced new hygiene measures, in response to the pandemic, including hand sanitiser units at all terminal entrances, bathroom facilities, lifts and stairways.
It has also increased the frequency of cleaning high touch points such as lift buttons, handrails, check-in desks and security trays.
Launceston Airport chief Andrew Gardiner said he looked forward to welcoming travellers back.
"The past couple of months have been tough but Tasmanians have done a great job at suppressing COVID-19, leading to an increase in domestic flying in the coming weeks," he said.
"We can't wait to welcome tourists and visitors back to the Northern part of the state and we are pleased to enable domestic connections for Tasmanians."
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The new hygiene measures include 450 physical distancing signs reminding passengers to remain 1.5 metres apart, coupled with public announcements in the terminal.
"Our new hygiene measures will ensure travellers can clean their hands at every stage of the passenger journey, and our physical distancing signage reminds everyone in the terminal about spacing requirements," Mr Gardiner said.
"Of course if anyone is feeling unwell the best advice is to stay home and not travel."
Premier Peter Gutwein announced at the end of June the state's border restrictions would not be eased until at least July 24.
In anticipation to a return to flying, the airport is running a survey to better understand what travel looks like to Tasmanian's once the travel restrictions are lifted.
Northern Tasmania Development Corporation chief executive officer Mark Baker said the airport's survey could play a part in attracting airlines back and the frequency of flights if the interest was not there.
"The airport is hoping to do a survey on travel sentiment for Northern Tasmanians, which is really important to see when people will consider flying again and it will be a major draw card to airlines," he said.
"We could risk not having enough flights and therefore prices would go up and that's not a good outcome for Tasmanians.
"It's a major piece of infrastructure and is vital for economic growth in the region."
Mr Baker said as the airport employed close to 400 people and generated $44 million to the state's North it was important it bounced back strongly from a business perspective as well.
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Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
