Jake Nelson

The US$8.3 billion deal will see Spirit – formerly Boeing’s plant in Wichita, Kansas, before being spun off in 2005 – return to the planemaker’s control.

The inaugural flight JQ635 from Brisbane touched down in Avalon at 6:47pm on 28 June on the A320-200 VH-VGY, returning to Brisbane at 7:41pm. The daily service is Jetstar’s third concurrent route out of Avalon, and will add more than 2,500 weekly seats between Melbourne and Brisbane.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said pilots had taken a stand on the “important issue” of access to days off despite “significant union-won pay increases and other improved conditions”.

Melbourne–Perth flights will operate five times per week, while Perth–Adelaide services will fly three times per week. This is the first time Rex has flown between Australia’s east and west coasts.

The Flying Kangaroo will pay around $20 million in total to 86,000 customers, with another $100 million in penalties, after reaching a deal with the ACCC in May.

While Neil Scales’ report recommended against further consideration of an underground station, a spokesperson said Melbourne Airport is still committed to the underground solution.