Australian Aviation

Darwin International Airport, operated by Airport Development Group (ADG), has faced criticism in recent months for “unreasonable” landing fee hikes. The airport shares its runway with RAAF Base Darwin, and ADG has held a 50-year lease on its operation since 1998.

Investigations by The Sydney Morning Herald uncovered what the masthead described as “systemic worker exploitation” and “a series of terrifying attacks and threats” allegedly linked to Future Form, a subcontractor for the Western Sydney Airport metro line under Italian firm Webuild.

The tilt-rotor aircraft capable of both vertical take-off and landing and high-speed flight have been a familiar sight in the Top End for nearly a decade, supporting the annual Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) deployments.

With more than 500 participants across both air forces, the exercise – now in its 15th year – will run until 19 September, building upon the defence partnership established between Australia and Thailand in 1992.

Roy Morgan’s 2025 Trusted Brand Awards saw Australia’s second-largest airline group hold on to the crown it seized from Qantas in 2023, with hardware retailer Bunnings Warehouse named the most trusted brand in the country overall.

The 137-seat regional aircraft will replace the existing Embraer E190s on the service, as well as some 737s, starting in February 2026. Qantas is also planning to increase Sydney-Christchurch by up to two additional flights per week during February and March next year.