Adam Thorn

The 2022 race — which did not go ahead in 2021 due to COVID — sees 100 competitors fly a total of 3,800 kilometres across three different states.

The group, which also included TAFE students and airport ambassadors, undertook “operational scenarios” ahead of its formal opening for domestic services next week.

The business’ global CEO, Wayne Coulson, also told Australian Aviation the loss of Captain Ian McBeth, first officer Paul Hudson and flight engineer Rick DeMorgan is still “deeply felt” by the organisation.

The move significantly comes after Qantas outsourced 2,000 in-house ground handling roles to third-party companies, including Dnata and Swissport.

An ATSB report into the deaths of three American firefighters who died tackling the Black Summer blazes has highlighted the inadequate risk planning of operator Coulson and the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The move means the Victorian airport will now boast 420 return services to Asian cities each week, and help nudge it towards 60 per cent of pre-COVID international travellers.