Jake Nelson

Starting 28 October, the airline will increase Perth–Hong Kong services from six to 11 per week and Brisbane–Hong Kong services from six to 10 per week, with Sydney and Melbourne to retain their current four and three flights per day respectively.

Starting 4 July, the weekly flights will operate non-stop from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo on Thursdays, returning the same day via Port Vila on a similar schedule to the former Air Vanuatu route.

The Qatari flag carrier, which has been angling to increase its presence in Australia but was last year rebuffed by the federal government, could be interested in buying up to 20 per cent of Virgin from current owner Bain Capital.

Starting 10 September, Qantas will fly three 737-800 services per week from Brisbane to Port Vila, with the capacity for up to five based on demand, while Jetstar will begin up to four weekly flights from Sydney to Port Vila on 12 December.

In an email seen by The Guardian, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) noted that, while technically eligible to claim remediation for taxpayer-funded bookings under the Flying Kangaroo’s deal with the ACCC, affected politicos and their staff should pass up the money.

Qantas’ low-cost arm has announced a new service from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns, which will operate up to four times per week using A320-200 aircraft starting 3 December. The route is one of 10 that had been operated by Bonza from its former hub until it went into voluntary administration in April.