Air Transport

Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand (ANZ) hope that an Australian and New Zealand government initiative to streamline travel between the countries will boost passenger traffic.

The two countries say that improvements will be made in the screening and processing of low risk passengers. New Zealand will roll out a 'SmartGate' passenger clearance system and the two countries will launch trials of "direct exit paths for passengers," they add in a joint statement.

"To foster long-term improvements, Australia and New Zealand will explore further streamlining passenger processing through studies on pre-clearing passengers at point of departure and through expanding and integrating SmartGate systems," they say.

Qantas says: "Making it easier to travel between the two countries ...is the only way we can grow the Australia-New Zealand passenger market in the longer-term."

ANZ adds streamlining services "will further assist tourism growth between New Zealand and Australia". "Convenience is such an important motivator for people," it adds.