Australian citizens and permanent residents in Tonga who wish to return to Australia via Auckland can now get a connecting flight to Sydney within 24 hours.

According to the Australian High Commission, Air New Zealand will depart Tonga for Auckland on Wednesdays at 6:00pm, with a connecting red zone flight from Auckland to Sydney departing the next day at 9:00am

Passengers using this connection will no longer need to apply to the New Zealand Government to quarantine in their Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities. These passengers will need to remain in the transit area of Auckland airport between flights.

In addition, Australian citizens do not need a transit visa for New Zealand, however, permanent residents will still need to obtain a New Zealand transit visa [2].

Passengers will need to apply directly with Air New Zealand for seats on this red zone flight (passengers who have not been in New Zealand for 14 days).

Australia entry requirements

Passengers travelling from Tonga to Australia are exempt [3] from taking a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours or less before the scheduled departure.

Travellers must complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departing for Australia.

On arrival, passengers are required to quarantine in government arranged accommodation for the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, and are responsible for their own quarantine costs. Quarantine requirements are managed and enforced by state and territory governments.