Coronavirus restrictions are threatening to stop countries sharing bushfire crews and aircraft.
Virgin and Qantas have now stopped passengers sitting next to each other in order to improve social distancing onboard.
The two governments have become embroiled in a war of words over where the headquarters of Virgin would be if the airline receives a combined bailout funded by a number of states.
Speculation is mounting that Etihad, Singapore, Nanshan and HNA have all declined the chance to pour in more money, with the search now extending to outside investors.
The Deputy Prime Minister spoke to both Qantas and Virgin over the Easter weekend about the possibility of the government subsidising a number of domestic flights to maintain air links between capital cities.
These startling images from Flightradar24 show how the skies over Australia have now almost emptied as international and domestic airlines pause most of their services.