Jake Nelson

The FAAA has joined the TWU in siding with Virgin over its rival Jetstar as the two airlines compete for extra capacity to the popular tourist destination, with both carriers petitioning the International Air Services Commission for the coveted extra slots.

The test, conducted at Brisbane Airport, saw Stralis power up a motor on a Beechcraft Bonanza A36-HE platform with an eye to performing an actual hydrogen-electric test flight by the end of the year. It aims to retrofit 15-seat Beechcraft 1900D aircraft for electric passenger flights in two years.

Avia is a major player in the international ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) market, and currently holds 11 air operator certificates in different countries. Its purchase of Skytrans is expected to complete in March, subject to “fulfillment of specific transaction conditions”.

Both Virgin and Qantas have applied to the International Air Services Commission for more capacity to Denpasar, with Virgin’s promise to use Australia-based crews winning the support of the influential union over Jetstar’s pitch for lower average airfares to the popular holiday destination.

Written by former columnist for The Australian Financial Review, Joe Aston, The Chairman’s Lounge – published by Simon & Schuster – follows a “year-long campaign of investigative commentary on Qantas” which the publisher says led to the resignations of Joyce and chairman Richard Goyder.

The first flight from Shanghai Pudong, MU7389, touched down just after 10:30am on Friday aboard the 232-seat A330-200 B-8231. China Eastern will operate three non-stop return services per week, on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, until 18 February.