Australian Aviation

Just 25 departures on Christmas Day were cancelled at Sydney Airport despite severe flooding to the domestic runway apron and terminal.

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots hailed the training organisation’s “zero-accident record” to grant it the prestigious Grand Master’s Australian Medal.

Sydney has forecast 2.6 million passengers through its terminals over the three weeks from 14 December to 3 January, while Melbourne is expecting more than 4.2 million between 20 December and 29 January, and Brisbane is tipping 3.7 million between 1 December and 28 January.

The 747-400ERF registered HO-HOHO will enter service with Claus’ cargo delivery airline JingleJet for its maiden Christmas delivery run on 24 December, having undergone refitting and repainting after its purchase from Bunnyhop Airways, where it delivered eggs every Easter.

For the month of November, Bonza flights saw on-time arrivals of 73.9 per cent and on-time departures of 73.3 per cent, with a 4.2 per cent cancellation rate, while Rex had on-time arrivals of 70.5 per cent and on-time departures of 74.1 per cent, with only 0.9 per cent of flights cancelled.

Pointing to last month’s BITRE data, which showed on-time arrivals of 64.1 per cent, on-time departures of 65.9 per cent and cancellations of 3.7 per cent across all airlines – each worse than long-term averages – the Minister said Australians are losing their patience with Qantas and Virgin.