Hannah Dowling

Australians relied on fixed-wing charter flights more than ever during the COVID pandemic, with demand increasing over 35 per cent since June 2019.

In the 12 months to 30 June 2021, over 1.73 million passengers flew between the NSW and Victorian capitals, keeping it as Australia’s busiest route, despite passenger figures falling 73.8 per cent from the previous year.

QantasLink performed its first direct flight between Adelaide and Townsville on Monday, as it prepares to add an additional 30,000 seats per year – or three return services per week – on the route.

Rooting around in your bag for a pen to fill out inbound passenger cards could soon be a thing of the past after the federal government announced a $75 million deal to digitise immigration documentation. 

Sydney Airport is finally nearing a $23.6b sale to a consortium of super funds, which, when complete, would mark one of the largest corporate takeovers in Australian history.

The ACCC has argued the agreement would “likely lead to reduced competition” following the reintroduction of travel between Australia and Japan, and make it difficult for other airlines to operate between the two countries.