Jake Nelson

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.

Qantas and Jetstar had both adjusted flight paths over the Tasman Sea in response to the drills, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Virgin and Emirates flights were also warned.

The weekly A320-200 flights, which commenced on Friday, depart Auckland in the morning and return in the evening, with onward same-day connections on Solomon Airlines to Honiara and Munda. The route will add around 14,000 seats per year between Auckland and Brisbane.