MAYDAY!! Travel/flight wizard required... URGENT!!

I think the problem is that even when you've booked it, it's likely your ticket will be cancelled before departure date - he's already had the same thing happen three times.

I have no way to help here, but just wanted to say that this whole situation stinks.
The Australian government is way off the mark there.

In my mind they've been applying fucked up heartless black and white logic to asylum seekers and offshore detention, and now they're so practiced in it that they turn it against citizens.

Qualification level required (or equivalent)
None

She is 10 metre length and 5 metre width. Has 2 double berths.
It has been on the hard for a few years and needs some preparation and repairs.

Uh, no.

:D

They'll probably sell the ticket but you won't get anywhere near a plane.

Refunds can take up to 10 weeks..

Sounds like "Foucault's Boomerang":

"This 'boomerang effect', which Foucault had identified, was the process by which the mechanisms of control which Western colonizer countries developed to repress colonized countries and peoples would eventually end up finding their way back to the West, being utilized by Western governments against their own people."

Sorry it was a little light hearted- I'd never sail a Cat offshore in any case

Np, I got that.
Yeah, I can't imagine how dicey the journey would be in that tub!

Small-sized private jet from Auckland to Sydney is ~£16.5k (up to 6 passengers)
Medium-sized private jet (more fuel needed) from Auckland to Brisbane is ~£28k (up to 8 passengers)

A first-class upgrade would probably be cheaper/easier. Or do a Branson and sell tickets on your own private jet to solve the problem for others too? Bit risky.

Jon are the flights you had tickets for actually flying, but bumping you off, or are the flights themselves being cancelled?

Pretty sure I have just been bumped-off.

Brisbane have a capacity of 500 international passengers per week, only first and a few business class getting through...

'There are 23,000 Australians trying to get home, and 26,000 empty seats on the international flights which landed last week'

I'm surprised they don't try to work with a European government whose hotels are largely empty to do quarantine at the departure end given most of the people in your situation would happily sit in a hotel if it meant definitely going home. If they get hold of a mobile lab like they're using at the Tour, they would be able to test everyone in a couple of hours after, say, 10 days and those who aren't positive, onto the plane. Instead, this stuff.

Sea not an option or just concerned you're stranded in Asia somewhere random rather than the UK?

I doubt sea is a serious option with cost and now Covid in the mix and yeah, being stranded where I can't actually speak the language or have a roof over my head could be problematic.

Agree with your first para though.

Which airlines?

then crowdfunding first class seems like a good idea? it's not guaranteed but it'll increase your chances of staying on that flight.

Qantas, Qatar, Emirates.

From the article, 'BARA revealed that, during the first week of September, some 87 per cent of 30,000 seats on flights into Australia remained empty. It’s pushing for the cap to increase to a target average of 100 passengers a flight.'

What reasons have you been given by the airline/s for not being able to board/fly?

This sort of crap:

"Due to the limitations on passengers traveling to Australian destinations, Qatar Airways is analyzing every flight on a case by case basis to ensure we facilitate onward travel to the final destination for as many passengers as possible. Passengers list is continuously assessed on based on range of criteria including compassionate and medical requests, connecting flights, booking class etc
We continue to work closely with our passengers to find alternative flights if they are unable to travel on their original intended flights. Thanks for reaching us."

Then you just don't hear back.

And that’s for a flight that you have purchased a ticket for?

Yes.

Typically how far in advance of the flight were you getting them canceled? My girlfriend has tickets to Sydney end of this month (booked ages ago for a friends wedding that's now not happening) that she wants to cancel / transfer but so far Etihad are insistent the flight is going ahead.

Two weeks to four days notice.