Jake Nelson

This Friday has seen a forecast total of 82,779 passengers transit through the airport, a record driven by both the AFL and NRL finals and the start of school holidays in NSW. Around three-quarters of the passengers are domestic travellers.

VH-OGA “Great Ocean Road” took off from Sydney to Melbourne as flight QF1321 just after 9am on Thursday, with VH-OGB leaving Sydney for Perth as QF645 shortly after 11am. The Flying Kangaroo is the fourth airline in the world, and the first in the Asia-Pacific, to operate the next-generation plane.

The aircraft, which will perform missions for Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police, are expected to enter service from late 2027, and will be based in Hobart. It comes as StarFlight prepares to take over the state’s EMS contract from existing provider Rotor-Lift.

New research conducted by the International Air Transport Association has found that there is enough feedstock available to allow the airline industry to hit net zero within the next 25 years. It comes as the Australian government continues to invest in spurring a domestic SAF industry.

The project, which adds the equivalent of 23 rugby fields of new apron and taxiway space, creates parking for 11 jets and is part of the airport’s $3.9 billion terminal integration program. According to Auckland Airport, this is the most significant infrastructure project since it opened in 1966.

Passengers travelling in economy on select domestic and short-haul international flights can bid to keep their neighbouring seats open as of this Wednesday, offering extra space. Bids are not open to passengers travelling in Economy X or business class seats, and extra baggage is not included.