Jake Nelson

Led by the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems at Charles Darwin University and supported by the Queensland Defence Science Alliance, the project is looking to adapt hybrid two-stroke engine drones for long-range cold chain operations such as medical drops.

The six-week mission by UK and US-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity will survey an area of around 15,000 square kilometres, focusing on four “hotspots” where researchers believe the plane is most likely to be found.

Speaking before Senate Estimates on Monday, CEO Rob Sharp said Airservices had found out about the naval exercises at 9:58am, 30 minutes after they had started, as reported in The Australian Financial Review. A hazard alert was issued within two minutes, with 49 flights ultimately diverted.

Around 60 per cent of pilots voted for the new agreement, which will increase pay by 9 per cent over the next three years and include measures on reserve pay, higher minimum guaranteed hour payment, and a minimum duty period credit of 60 per cent for any duty worked.

Billed as the biggest overhaul to Launceston’s terminal in 20 years, the refresh will add three new food and beverage outlets and increase passenger amenities. It comes as the airport continues to break pre-COVID-19 traffic records.

Perth’s busiest month ever breaks records in both interstate and international passenger numbers set in December and comes after the 2024 calendar year was the best in its history.