Jake Nelson

Speaking to Adam Shirley on ABC Radio this week, Dr Andrew Leigh reiterated the government’s line that allowing extra Qatar flights into major airports was “not in the national interest”, but urged the Middle Eastern carrier to bring back flights to the nation’s capital.

The feature, piloted in May 2023 and rolled out on 70 per cent of Virgin flights in August, allows what Virgin bills as end-to-end tracking via its app, with push notifications when a bag is checked in, loaded, transferred, and unloaded, as well as advising which carousel to collect from.

On its first “Bonzaversary”, the low-cost carrier claimed it had saved passengers more than $125 million in its first year, based on the difference between its own average airfares and those of other airlines on routes where they compete.

Alongside 62 blocks for private residences, VFR Developments’ $65 million, 50-hectare Aquila Estate and Flying Club – located 15 minutes from Maryborough – will include one grassed and one 850m asphalt runway, as well as shared hangars, access to uncontrolled airspace, and a clubhouse.

In a speech before the Chifley Research Institute on Tuesday, Dr Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Competition, pointed to figures from the taskforce showing that airfares average 39.6 cents per kilometre on routes with only one carrier, 28.2 cents on routes with two carriers, and 19.2 cents with three.

A newly constructed double lane which opened on Tuesday will now host rideshare vehicles, taxis and SkyBuses. The new transport area comes ahead of the start of construction of Hobart’s upgraded terminal, which is expected to double its size.