Australian Aviation

It’s the second of the Flying Kangaroos’ widebodies that will be transformed into an A330P2F (passenger to freighter), with the first set to join the dedicated Australia Post freight fleet later this year.

The deal with CPB Contractors will include new and upgraded engineering services, building refurbishment work and additional transit living-in accommodation.

The aircraft, VH-ZNJ, was flying from Santiago to Sydney but had to divert to the northern NSW city to avoid a storm. Newcastle Airport is currently unable to accommodate longer-haul international arrivals.

VH-OQL was previously stationed in the UAE capital, where it was receiving a cabin upgrade, before it flew home on 4 February.

It follows the Hong Kong Free Press reporting in January that airlines are struggling to increase flights due to staff shortages at the airport, and ground handling companies upping fees.

The deployment is part of Operation Argos to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods in the region.