Jake Nelson

CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and SMEC Australia will compete with FCC Construction, Martinus Rail, Arcadis, and BG&E for the contract on stage 1, including the widening of the rail corridor, works on Sunshine Station, and the section between West Footscray and Albion.

In its submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into regional airfares, the carrier said Australia has “one of the most liberalised aviation markets in the world” and suggested the government has a part to play in keeping the regions connected.

In an exclusive interview with the Australian Aviation Podcast, Jordan excoriated the “maverick” investment firm for pulling funding and causing the repossession of Bonza’s aircraft despite what he says was a positive trend that would have seen the airline break even before the end of 2024.

Citing “continued volatility in fuel prices and the global economic conditions”, the Flying Kangaroo, in a market update, said domestic capacity in the fourth quarter of FY2026 is being cut by around 5 percentage points, with affected Qantas and Jetstar customers to be rebooked or refunded.

Speaking exclusively to the Australian Aviation Podcast in his first major interview since the collapse of Bonza, Jordan said the popularity of his airline before its financier, 777 Partners, abruptly pulled funding in April 2024, showed that Australians in regional areas want more airlines.

A two-month flight testing program will get underway in coming weeks following the aircraft’s departure from the assembly line in Toulouse, where it has now been fitted with its twin Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.