The announcement of a travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia has been lauded around the world with many reacting positively about the two nations.
Speaking to The AM Show on Wednesday, the day after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced quarantine-free travel will commence from April 19, Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said the national carrier's booking has already been inundated.
"We're up and running again to not quite a third of our market but close to it, so planes are up and running.
"I know that we're going to be able to make this work and we've got off to a terrific start."
The move is cause for celebration for both countries but not so much for nations still in lockdown and fighting a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media around the world reported on the travel bubble announcement, including the BBC in the UK. England had been under a stay-at-home order for nearly three months which only ended last week, but relatively strict lockdown rules remain in place as well as a travel ban.
The UK Government has come under fire from all sides about its handling of the pandemic. The United Kingdom has the highest official COVID-19 death toll in Europe.
"Our policymakers could learn something from them," one Brit commented on Facebook.
"Puts the UK to shame but what doesn't," another said.
The US' CBS News also reported on the announcement. The United States is the epicenter of the pandemic with more than 556,000 deaths.
"I should have immigrated to NZ when I had the chance," one commenter wrote on Twitter.
"Respect to New Zealand and Australia Governments," said another. "All my admiration."
Across the Tasman, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was "tremendous" the bubble would commence before Anzac Day.
"This is the first of many more steps to come, I believe, as we get back to a more normal position, not only over the course of this year but beyond," he told reporters.
"It is a win-win outcome for the trans-Tasman travel to be open. Both countries benefit from that occurring."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk agreed, writing on Twitter the state is home to more New Zealanders than any other Australian state.
"I know they will be looking forward to reuniting with friends and family across the Tasman."
A post on Tourism Australia's official Facebook page said the announcement was hopefully the first of plenty to come.
"We're over the moon to hear the news of the trans-Tasman travel bubble," it said. "We're so happy to welcome you back to our shores."
