The Australia Saudi Business Council has signed a memorandum of understanding to potentially bring Saudia Cargo freight operations to Toowoomba Wellcamp and Avalon airports, with new airline Riyadh Air also potentially on the cards for premium passenger services, the AFR reports.

The new route 222 bus, operated by Kinetic, will run hourly between the airport and the city starting 29 June from 4am to 11pm, seven days per week excluding Christmas Day and Good Friday. Services will commence on 29 June.

The carrier will transition to its own 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft on Brisbane–Newcastle and Brisbane–Rockhampton from early August, in a move that comes as it continues to take delivery of new aircraft in its fleet renewal program.

The project, supported by $2.88 million from the Albanese government’s Albury Wodonga Regional Projects initiative, extends the western Taxiway Alpha as part of its broader infrastructure strategy to “support growing aviation demand and enable long-term expansion opportunities”.

Flight VA218 to Melbourne on 23 June will be the first Adelaide service to allow pets in the cabin, with tickets available to book for travel until 31 January 2027. Melbourne and the Gold Coast will initially be the only two destinations for pet-friendly flights.

According to IATA’s latest outlook, the sector is expected to see a combined total net profit of US$23.0 billion (AU$32.7 billion) this year, down from a projected US$41 billion, and around half of the US$45 billion it recorded in 2025.