Jake Nelson

Industrial action is underway from around 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at several locations in Washington state, Oregon, and California, in yet another headache for the embattled planemaker.

Flight QF1871, operated by Alliance E190 VH-UYR, was operating an early-morning service when a pressurisation issue forced the crew to request a priority landing. The flight touched down safely in Rockhampton at around 7:15am.

The airline will increase flights between Sydney and its base in Abu Dhabi from daily to 10 per week starting in July 2025, and has signalled it intends to further increase to double daily services in coming years.

The “best discount” fare in September is 12.5 percentage points higher than in July, with standard “restricted economy” fares up 12.3 percentage points.

The new deal, which comes after months of negotiations and the rejection of a previous offer earlier this year, was brokered by the Fair Work Commission and includes a 21 per cent pay rise over three years and measures to improve work/life balance.

Dramatic footage captured by planespotters showed what looked like large chunks of tarmac being thrown up behind VH-EBD as it took off from runway 03 to operate flight QF71 to Singapore at around noon on Sunday. The runway surface is reported to have been freshly laid.