Jake Nelson

Starting late next month, Virgin 737s will be deployed on Brisbane-Mount Isa services, while 737s will operate more Brisbane-Townsville flights starting in November, adding around 6,000 seats per month on the route.

The Flying Kangaroo has applied for up to seven flights per week on the Canada route over January, dropping to four in the following months, translating to a 68 per cent increase in capacity or around 11,000 extra seats.

Dubbed the Connecting Queensland fund, the scheme replaces the former Labor government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, with details on its size expected in the next state budget. One of its goals will be to attract direct flights to India, said Premier David Crisafulli.

Around 16,000 passengers flew on the route, which operated between 17 December 2024 and 29 March 2025 using Cathay’s A330 fleet. The renewed service, also with A330s, will run from 9 December to 28 February, adding around 20,000 seats over the holiday and Lunar New Year peak.

The Flying Kangaroo has entered a one-way interline agreement with FlyPelican, allowing Qantas customers to connect to FlyPelican services, as well as a codeshare agreement and frequent flyer partnership with Hawaiian Airlines.

The Gulf carrier will introduce A350s in Sydney from 1 October this year, complementing the existing 787-9 services, before switching fully from 787s to A350s starting on 31 January. Melbourne will also see daily 787-9 flights.