TAMPA, Fla. -- The CEO of Australian airline Qantas said this week it may require international passengers to prove they got the COVID-19 vaccine once one becomes available before they can fly with the carrier.

"I thought it was a good idea, the reason being Australia has been really stricter about lockdown than any other country," said Diane Ross, owner of Kingsbridge Travel. "I have a client who's been trying to get to Australia all year. She's rescheduled for next year, and we really have been thinking she might not be able to go at all next year."

Ross said a vaccine requirement could be a path to opening Australia's borders. 

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said a lot of technology and logistics will have to be worked out to make the requirement possible. He said it's something airlines and governments are working on, and that he expected other airlines to issue similar requirements.

"A lot of places are requiring tests as it is. I think probably the vaccines will be next. I think this is kind of just an inkling into what the future's going to look like," said Ross.

Babette Plate was at Tampa International Airport Tuesday evening, but she wasn't catching a flight.

"We've been staying pretty local, just because I don't want to expose her to anything," Plate said, referring to her young daughter. Her family was awaiting the return of her husband, who was stationed at Ft. Drum in Watertown, NY.

Plate said she'd be open to a vaccine requirement for international travel.

"I mean, it's kind of like the flu shot. We recommend that people get it whenever they see our babies, especially when they're new, so I wouldn't be offended by it," she said.

Ervin Suci of Safety Harbor was also at the airport Tuesday. He and his children were awaiting the arrival of his parents from Albania.

"They stay here four, five months, then they go back. This time, they didn't go back for awhile because of the virus. They waited. Their flight got canceled three times," he said. 

Suci said he doesn't travel internationally often, only going to Albania every few years to see family. He's not in favor of a vaccine requirement.

"I think it's a very bad idea," he said. "I don't think they should be the ones telling us what to do. I think that's like forcing people into a vaccine that don't know if it's safe or not."

Morris Rendahl said he's taken a couple of flights since the onset of the pandemic. He said he thinks it's a good idea.

"Well, if they showed me where to get it, I think I'd like the damn thing," Rendahl said. "You know, why not? A little bit of extra protection."

Ross encouraged people to use a reputable travel adviser when planning a trip to help answer questions about any regulations or safety protocols.