Jake Nelson

The airline dropped below even long-time worst performer Jetstar, with 58.9 per cent on-time departures and 59.2 per cent on-time arrivals, compared to Jetstar’s 66.3 per cent and 68.1 per cent respectively. Of Virgin’s flights, 5.3 per cent were cancelled, compared to Jetstar’s 3.3 per cent.

Speaking to a Senate inquiry in Adelaide on Monday, Christian Bennett, Virgin’s head of sustainability and corporate affairs, said the decision by Transport Minister Catherine King not to grant Qatar more direct flights is boosting the Flying Kangaroo at Virgin’s expense.

The airshow, which was created by the team behind the Pacific Airshow at Huntington Beach, California, attracted around 200–300,000 total attendees over the weekend, either paid or watching from a distance. Organisers have now told local media that there is room to grow up to half as much again.

The Flying Kangaroo will use larger aircraft on several routes, including its three new 787 Dreamliners and its returned A380s, as well as increasing frequency on other routes. The carrier is currently at around 80 per cent of its pre-pandemic international traffic.

In a forceful statement, the Flying Kangaroo said it “completely rejects” the allegations in the suit filed by Echo Law, and that it had not yet been served a claim as of midday Monday. Around $400 million in unclaimed COVID-19 credits remained as of June, most ranging between $100 and $500.

The championship, to be held in Northam around 100km east of Perth from 2 to 9 September, is the first in five years and the first ever outside the Northern Hemisphere. Five Australians will compete including NSW’s Nicola Scaife, already a two-time world champion.