There were lots of happy people at Sydney Airport on Nov. 1, as Australian residents and citizens returned to Australia on the first quarantine-free flights in 19 months; and allowing families and friends to reunite for the first time in more than a year.

As of the beginning of November, the quarantine-free flights are now flying into Sydney Airport, New South Wales and Melbourne Airport, Victoria for Australian residents and citizens only.

In welcoming back the first quarantine-free flight in 582 days, Sydney Airport CEO, Geoff Culbert said: “Today some of the magic returned to our arrival halls; grandparents meeting grandkids for the first time, families reuniting, all of the scenes that have been absent for far too long. Additionally, Australians who have been waiting to reconnect with friends, families and loved ones overseas can now go freely, without needing an exemption.”

Photo courtesy – Sydney Airport and Getty Images