Jake Nelson

While government travellers have been barred from accruing frequent-flyer points since 2010, they are still allowed to gain status credits from official travel, which Virgin Australia says should be dispensed with as it creates an uneven playing field between itself and Qantas.

The cameras, which will record video and audio of anyone in the vicinity, were meant to be installed in June but have been delayed following furious pushback from the union, which says they will “silence workers and increase safety risks which are already high at the company”.

Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, Ed John, executive manager of stewardship for the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, said investors want to see that the Qantas board has “appropriately considered recent penalties” when determining bonuses.

Speaking to Australian Aviation at a media event in Sydney, Tom Kennedy, Cathay’s regional head of customer travel and lifestyle, Southwest Pacific, said Australia is “really important” for the carrier, which has recently launched its new 777-300ER Aria Suite business class into Sydney and Melbourne.

The airport has opened a new “nothing to declare” express lane with detector dog screening, as well as new and expanded “back-of-stage” areas. Travellers with items to declare must still go through existing customs lanes.

From 13 December 2025 to 24 February 2026, the carrier, one of China’s “big four”, will add an extra daily return flight between Sydney and Guangzhou, for a total of 74 additional flights and around 44,000 seats over the holiday period.