The country’s COVID response minister, Chris Hipkins, said it wasn’t a decision taken lightly, and New Zealand could lift the temporary ban early.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Gary Newman argued that the ban is both unconstitutional and breaks the crucial biosecurity act underpinning Australia’s quarantine response.
Virgin has already agreed enterprise agreements with cabin crew, engineers and ground crew, but those in the cockpit are the last group to sign.
Cosmovision Global Corporation claims the new aircraft could fly between Sydney and LA in less than six hours and would boast a flight range comparable to a 787-9.
UNSW's Sangeetha Pillai talks through the legal ramifications of Australia slamming shut its border to its own citizens currently in COVID-ravaged India.
The decision means the country’s flag carrier will now operate two to three return flights a week to Rarotonga using its 787-9s, before increasing to daily trips from July.