It follows a recent row over the ethics of invite-only lounges, which has seen the Flying Kangaroo face accusations it’s gaining favour by offering access to the prestigious areas.
The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) has also given an assurance no further industrial action will occur until at least Friday.
VH-EBF, named Hercules, flew its last commercial flight in November last year before heading to Dresden in Germany for its conversion to become an A330-200 P2F (passenger to freighter).
In a joint statement, Transport Minister Catherine King and Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the watchdog will release quarterly reports on airlines’ costs, prices and profits, complementing its role in relation to “certain airports” and helping to inform the upcoming Aviation White Paper.
In a joint statement, the two airlines acknowledged there was “no reasonable path forward” for the deal after it was opposed by the ACCC, though Qantas will still own a 20 per cent stake in Alliance. The agreement that sees Alliance fly up to 30 E190s for Qantas will also continue.
The plane, slated to arrive in November and be ready for service in the end-of-year peak, follows the deliveries of Rex’s eighth and ninth 737s in July and September.