Jake Nelson

Speaking to reporters in Melbourne, Harfield said that while in a perfect world Airservices would need 800 qualified air traffic controllers, the fact that it currently has around 900 does not necessarily mean the entire system is covered.

An initial cohort of six Airservices Australia trainees will be sent to Christchurch following 10 weeks of online training with Airways’ AKO virtual academy. This represents the beginning of a new contract between the two ATC organisations, with further cohorts expected to be sent in future.

In a speech before the Australian Airports Association (AAA) national conference this week, Culbert called out what he described as a “pattern of over-filing for slots and high cancellations” by Qantas and Virgin, which he said has returned over the past two years of COVID recovery.

The direct service, commencing on 26 March, will operate three times per week using Jetstar’s A320 aircraft, and is estimated to carry up to 50,000 passengers per year. It is the second Jetstar service to operate from Busselton Margaret River following the launch of a Melbourne route last year.

The direct service, which will operate every Tuesday and Thursday to Incheon Airport, will commence on 26 December using Asiana’s A350-900 aircraft. Flights will depart Melbourne at 10pm to arrive in Seoul the following morning.

International traffic in October 2023 was at 95 per cent of 2019 levels, with domestic traffic steady at 90 per cent for a total recovery of 91 per cent. Monthly passenger numbers also topped three million for the first time since January 2020, including more than 2.1 million domestic travellers.