http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...0221-8e6r.html
TRANS-TASMAN flights are set to be reclassified as domestic routes, removing stringent immigration procedures and cutting fares by up to 30 per cent.
After two years of discussions, Australian and New Zealand Customs are planning trials to clear passengers before they board flights between the countries.
An Open Skies bilateral air services agreement is already in place, easing the rules for carriers flying between the two countries. But quarantine, security and immigration issues have to be addressed to make the route a common border.
The trials will look at creating a clearance system similar to those used for passengers travelling from Canada into the United States and in Europe across European Union countries. Once they are cleared at their point of origin passengers enter any port as a domestic visitor.
After two years of discussions, Australian and New Zealand Customs are planning trials to clear passengers before they board flights between the countries.
An Open Skies bilateral air services agreement is already in place, easing the rules for carriers flying between the two countries. But quarantine, security and immigration issues have to be addressed to make the route a common border.
The trials will look at creating a clearance system similar to those used for passengers travelling from Canada into the United States and in Europe across European Union countries. Once they are cleared at their point of origin passengers enter any port as a domestic visitor.
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