Qantas customers travelling from New Zealand are now the first to benefit from a new fast-tracked arrival process, thanks to a joint initiative with the Australian Government.
Qantas has become the first airline to pilot the Australia Digital Travel Declaration (ATD), a paperless solution that replaces the traditional Incoming Passenger Card.
The pilot program is currently available for eligible passengers travelling from Auckland to Brisbane, starting with flight QF126. Over the next few days, it will be extended to travellers from other New Zealand cities, with plans to roll out the program to more Australian destinations early next year. Looking ahead, Qantas is considering expanding the ATD to other international routes in the coming months.
With the ATD pilot, Qantas passengers can complete their travel declaration up to 72 hours before departure using the Qantas app, making their arrival in Australia smoother and more convenient. Once the digital form is completed, customers receive a QR code via email and in the Qantas app, which can be shown to Australian Border Force officers instead of the traditional paper card.
Currently, the ATD is available for adult passengers on single bookings, with plans to include bookings with children and groups by mid-next year. However, customers who prefer the existing paper form can still opt to use it.
Chief Customer and Digital Officer at Qantas, Catriona Larritt, emphasised the airline’s commitment to improving the travel experience.
“We’re always working hard to make travel easier and smoother for our customers,” she said. “The paperless declaration means no more scrambling for a pen and your flight details mid-flight. Passengers have three days to fill out the form at their convenience.”
Larritt also highlighted that this partnership with the Federal Government is expected to streamline the arrival process for millions of tourists and Australians each year. The ATD is the latest feature added to the Qantas app, which already offers inbound flight tracking, baggage tracking, passport scanning, and a ‘click to call’ feature, all designed to enhance the customer experience.
