Australian Aviation

Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones announced the overseas debut during a visit to Igam Barracks in Lae on 23 April. It is the 11th iteration – and the first in its 22‑year history – to be conducted, in part, outside Australia.

The four-week deployment, announced late last month, will see the aircraft and crew carrying out airborne surveillance of the waters around east Asia to capture evidence of ship-to-ship transfers of resources used for the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The FAAA (Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia) made a submission to the Fair Work Commission in the annual wage review seeking a five per cent wage increase for cabin crew workers – receiving a counter argument from Qantas.

In a new seasonal service, American will fly three times per week between Brisbane and LAX, complementing Qantas’ existing route, starting 5 December and continuing until the end of January.

In an update on Sunday, the Queensland-based firm said it had received approval from the regulator and is now waiting for final clearance from the Australian Space Agency. Gilmour had said it was likely to conduct its maiden blast-off in April, a delay from mid-March.

NZ Minister of Defence Judith Collins, speaking at RNZAF Base Auckland, announced the large investment in New Zealand Defence Force operating funding ahead of the country’s 2025 Budget.