Jake Nelson

Regional and remote airports impacted by Rex’s administration can apply for reimbursement from a pool of $5 million under the Government’s Regional and Remote Airport Support Program, with the aim of preserving regional services while minimising impacts on residents and ratepayers.

The Flying Kangaroo, which owns 33.32 per cent of Jetstar Japan, will offload its stake in the airline, with Japanese-government-owned Development Bank of Japan to become a new shareholder. The carrier is expected to shed the Jetstar brand following Qantas’ exit.

The new Dreamliners, replacing older 787-9s on the route, increase total seats to 303, with economy seats up from 262 to 271 and business up from 26 to 32. All have in-seat charging, new entertainment systems, and access to high-speed onboard Wi-Fi.

Economy Plus seats are now on sale for equipped Boeing 737-800, Airbus A321XLR, and A220-300 aircraft operating domestic and short-haul international services. The first flights with the new product – which competes with Virgin’s Economy X – will take off on 6 February.

In a recent article, scientists from Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation said the Airbus software update in November, which was rolled out in response to solar radiation causing dangerous glitches, highlights the financial risks to aviation of space weather events.

The two organisations have signed another agreement that will see several cohorts of Airservices trainees travel to Christchurch for instruction over the next 12 months. It comes as Airservices faces scrutiny over recent staff shortages, and plans to endorse 95 new controllers in 2026.