Jake Nelson

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.

The carrier, one of China’s “big four” airlines, will operate three 787-8 Dreamliner flights to Guangzhou per week starting 12 December, returning to Adelaide following a four-year break after it paused services in March 2020 due to COVID-19.

From June 2025, Jetstar will fly three times per week from the Gold Coast to Hamilton and Dunedin, as well as up to four times per week from Sydney to Hamilton.

The MAX 8 aircraft are expected to be delivered from the second half of 2025, with Boeing still having not received certification for the larger MAX 10. The change brings Virgin’s total MAX 8 order from 14 to 26, with eight having already arrived.