Passengers on the first flights from Melbourne after four months of border closures landed at Sydney Airport to a party atmosphere, with Bondi lifeguard models, coffee, doughnuts and the sounds of Welcome Back, Kotter. Qantas flight QF401 was first to touch down, at 7.25am on Monday, greeted by a welcoming committee from Destination NSW and drag duo Penny Tration and Coco Jumbo.
There was moderate turbulence along the way, at least one passenger celebrated with a glass of champagne and cabin crew advised that masks should be worn for the duration of the flight. At gate five there was an emotional reunion between Alan Kinkade from Lindfield and daughter Alison Kinkade-Jones, her husband, Peter, and grandchildren Thomas, almost three, and James, one.
Mr Kinkade also has a home near the family in Melbourne and so the grandchildren are used to seeing them regularly. But the separation from the border closure had been difficult for their relationship.
“It has been over six months, it’s been hard. We escaped Melbourne just before the lockdown, we drove out a couple of hours before midnight. The grandchildren haven’t been able to get outside or play on the swings,” he said. “We are very close to them but they haven’t wanted to talk to us, which is very unusual, because of that separation.”
Structural engineer Peter Jones said Thomas kept a calendar where he marked off “the sleeps” before seeing his grandfather. “We had to wear masks on the plane which scared James a lot, he hasn’t got over his fear of people with masks but he’s a lot calmer now.” The first flight was mostly filled with business people evidently keen to hit the ground running. Dental surgeon Larry Benge landed with a week of implant operations ahead.
“We haven’t been able to get here for four months, so it is pretty exciting to be back here,” he said. “We have a big waiting list.”
Adam De Guara arrived back into the arms of girlfriend Genevieve Wild, having been apart for five months to the day. Asked if they were engaged, she said: “Partners.” He said: “Maybe. She’ll kill me. Romance was also in the air with the arrival of Emily Torney, met by Conor Horgon. They had been separated for four months.
“I live down there, he’s up here. I am going to have to go back eventually but I’m here for the next couple of days at least,” Ms Torney said. Fiona Prosser arrived to visit her father, Colin, who is in poor health.
“I got a permit to come up during the lockdown period, which was quite horrendous,” she said. “He’s OK. I am heading to the hospital to see him now. We hope he will be home for Christmas.” Qantas captain Matt Hicks, who manages pilots, said reopening the Sydney-Melbourne route, one of the busiest routes in the world, was “massive” for staff. “We will be up to about 70 per cent of flights by December,” he said.
“There are 11 flights to Melbourne and back today. Hopefully, if the Queensland border opens, that’s a major part of our travel [reopened]. That would be huge. “Mask wearing for crews is mandatory and for passengers it is strongly recommended. The airconditioning moves the air very quickly so you are getting air extracted all the time, vented overboard and fresh air coming in from outside.” Comedians Dave Hughes and Ed Kavalee arrived and were quickly surrounded by the reception party and TV cameras. “Is this going to happen every time?’ Kavalee joked. American actor Adrian Grenier best known for his portrayal of Vincent Chase in the TV series Entourage was also on an early flight.
Federal Labor Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, flying to Melbourne on a day trip, said he was positive about people coming into Sydney. “It is a great tribute to Australians who have sacrificed so much in order to come through this crisis,” he said.
“We have done a lot by Zoom but I am looking forward to sitting down with Dan [Victorian Premier Dan Andrews] this morning.
Asked about the Queensland border, he added: “I think Annastacia Palaszczuk is doing a great job and one of the things I won’t do is make partisan political comments.” Qantas and Jetstar will operate a combined 17 return flights carrying about 4500 passengers on Monday. During lockdown flights dropped to one a day for those with a special requirement to fly. More businesses were open in the domestic terminal which, until recently, had been a ghost town.
