On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David arm doors and cross-check as Western Sydney Airport finally begins taxiing out and prepares for its take-off roll.

The completion of the AIR5440 program, dubbed “an important milestone in the delivery of a complex air mobility capability upgrade achieved through strong defence industry collaboration”, was marked with an event at RAAF Base Richmond this month.

As part of Round 5 of the Regional Airports Program, airports can apply for funding for essential works between $20,000 and $5 million, with eligible works able to receive up to 50 per cent of the costs as a grant.

The plan will set the course for the next two decades of development at Queensland’s largest international gateway, with demand tipped to increase dramatically, especially in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Travel advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE has been lowered from level 4 (“do not travel”) to level 3 (“reconsider your need to travel”), though some areas in Israel remain at level 4. The move will make it easier for Australians to transit through the Gulf to Europe.

Flight QF209 left Coolangatta for Auckland at around 2:15pm aboard the 737-800 VH-VZO. The Flying Kangaroo will operate three flights per week between the Gold Coast and Auckland, with both economy and business-class options.