Jake Nelson

Announced today by Transport Minister Catherine King at the 2026 Australian Aviation Summit, the draft standards – developed through consultation with people with disabilities and with the industry – builds on a commitment from the 2024 Aviation White Paper.

Numbers climbed by more than 1 million, or 4 per cent, on the previous financial year, with more than 7 million international passengers – up 7.9 per cent – and 18 million domestic passengers, up 2.5 per cent.

Starting 2 February 2027, the 7kg limit for cabin baggage will be removed, with passengers instead allowed a single underseat bag of up to 40 × 30 × 20cm, and larger carry-on bags in overhead bins – along with priority boarding – available for separate purchase.

Responding to reports in The Australian Financial Review that it was working with consultancy firm Accenture on the plan dubbed “Project iQ”, a spokesperson for the Flying Kangaroo said discussions were still in early stages and no firm decisions had been made.

Under the deal, initially announced in February, Qantas will sell off its interest in the airline, which will rebrand as a wholly Japanese-owned low-cost carrier and “allow the Qantas Group to redirect capital investment towards Qantas and Jetstar’s domestic and international operations in Australia”.

With the amended type certificate and updated Production Limitation Record, the 737-7, Boeing’s smallest and longest-range aircraft in the 737 MAX family, is now cleared to enter commercial service after an eight-year certification process.