Australian Aviation

The dramatic ceremony at Palmdale, California, represented the first time the bomber had been seen outside artists’ impressions and the first unveiling of a new US bomber in more than 30 years. 

The airline said it would both increase the number of flights on key routes and swap in larger aircraft in order to boost capacity. However, it insisted it will maintain an “operational buffer” to safeguard reliability.

The Australian business said it would use haptic alerts and proximity sensors to stop the vehicles from colliding, and the test flight allowed it to conduct essential safety work.

IPE 22 included a RAAF C-17A Globemaster delivering humanitarian relief supplies to Laos and a C-130J Hercules and crew conducting workshops with the Bangladesh Air Force.

Stephanie Tully is widely regarded as the favourite to lead the whole business group post-Joyce but will face a tricky task in keeping Jetstar competitive with rising fuel prices and the launch of Bonza.

The twice-weekly service will launch on 29 June next year, with the aircraft carrying up to 50,000 customers between the two destinations annually.