Jake Nelson

The carrier will increase its Sydney–Istanbul services from four to five per week in mid-June this year, then six in October, and finally daily from 12 January. Flights will be operated using A350-900s via Kuala Lumpur, shifting to non-stop next year when longer-range aircraft arrive.

The FIFO and charter operator, which had 76 aircraft in revenue service as of 31 December, posted a statutory pre-tax profit of $41.3 million, up $3.6 million or 9.5 per cent, with 58,362 total flight hours, up from 50,793. 97 per cent of these hours were flown under long-term contracts.

Speaking to Patricia Karvelas on ABC News, Minister King said she had to “treat every bidder equally, which is why they need to work through the administration”. It comes after the government indicated it could nationalise Rex if a commercial buyer is not found.

The carrier says it has received CASA approval for its pet procedures, but regulators are moving slower than expected on the policy first announced almost a year ago.

French-led Exercise Rastaban 25 in January united RAAF’s 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) and French Naval aviators from 17F Squadron during the deployment of the French carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle to the Indo-Pacific.

Provided under the fourth round of the Regional Airports Program, the grants are aimed at delivering “essential upgrades” such as runway resurfacing, fencing, lighting and drainage, to improve safety, capacity, and accessibility.