Hannah Dowling

Rex has announced that its regional revenue and passenger numbers have returned to pre-COVID figures, as it eyes a return to profitability within this financial year.

The new boutique accomodation, said to be Australia’s first in-airport hotel, offers rooms available by-the-hour to arriving and departing passengers.

Australia’s domestic aviation market continues to struggle under the weight of COVID-related absences and an underlying shortage of trained aviation staff, as flight cancellations crept up again on Monday.

Bonza has confirmed that its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft has landed on the Sunshine Coast on Monday morning, as the budget startup speeds towards its commercial launch in “late” September.

According to Qantas’ head chef Neil Perry, the airline is already investigating meat-free menu options, including meat-free burgers, bolognese and schnitzels, which could be available in Qantas lounges and onboard flights by the end of this year.

According to the airline’s deputy chairman John Sharp, one of Rex’s 34-seat Saab 340s – retrofitted with an electric and hydrogen-powered MagniX engine – will be used to trial the technology on short routes such as Adelaide-Mount Gambier.