Australian Aviation

The airport has again rejected reporting by the Newcastle Herald that it is in financial trouble after an article claimed it had been forced to “go cap in hand” to Defence asking to have its rent excused, but was knocked back.

The industrial action, including a stand-by ban, covers both the flights Finnair operates for Qantas from Sydney to Singapore and Bangkok, as well as flights used by pilots to transfer to those flights.

It comes after a challenging year for Boeing in both the space and aviation sectors, including mechanical difficulties with its Starliner spacecraft and renewed scrutiny on the safety of its aircraft.

The company, which provides ground services to 29 domestic and international airline customers at 18 airports across both countries, has opened a new location at Melbourne Airport and renovated its facility in Sydney, with plans to open air cargo operations in Auckland next month.

The Coalition has said it will provide $14 million, and Labor $11.5 million, to complete upgrades backed by $14.6 million from the federal government if elected on 8 March. The funding will assist the airport in the state’s southwest to complete its $30 million master plan.

It comes after Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced in October that Australia’s military would target achieving net zero emissions by 2050 by transitioning to alternative fuel sources and introducing renewable electricity.