The travel corridor – already paused to NSW, Victoria and SA – will be halted from 10pm AEST on Friday but there will be special repatriation flights scheduled to allow Kiwis to return home.
The bizarre situation is a result of the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble and Qantas ceasing most of its international operations.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce reassured staff on Wednesday night that the business is “not at the point” of standing down workers – but refused to rule it out if COVID restrictions continue.
The airline has yet to release a list of the exact routes, but said it will affect its regional and domestic networks in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he believes vaccine passports will be available to be carried on phones by October, after discussion with world leaders at last month’s G7 summit.
Cobham has joined Qantas and Virgin Australia in signing up to a new working group aimed at advancing the creation of sustainable aviation fuel.