Year: 2023

The event, supported by principal partner KBR, is organised by Australian Aviation’s sister brand Space Connect. This year’s black-tie gala ceremony is on Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at the ICC in Sydney. 

Low-cost carrier AirAsia X is the only airline flying direct from Queensland to Malaysia, with the Gold Coast now its fourth Australian destination.

Flight VA53 departed Brisbane at 11:36am on 31 March using a Boeing 737-800, touching down at Port Vila at 2:59pm. Virgin is planning to operate up to five direct services between Brisbane and Port Vila per week during the peak season, and three in the off-peak.

The business will cease operations “for the feasible future” after failing to secure a rescue deal. It follows its botched launch in the UK earlier this year.

The current tie-up between the two airlines was due to end on 31 March 2023 and was last approved in 2021.  

Last year’s April getaway saw the all-time record for delays being broken as the industry buckled under the weight of airlines racing back to pre-COVID passenger numbers but with far fewer staff.