Australian Aviation

The agreement, which officially begins in January 2024, will see the airline supply four Beechcraft King Air aircraft, pilots and engineering support.

It marks Australia’s final stage of reopening its borders after previously allowing residents and citizens to fly in November, before opening to students, backpackers and skilled migrants in December.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned China for the act, claiming it was “reckless and irresponsible” and that the nation is raising the issue directly with diplomatic and defence channels.

The West Australian Supreme Court ordered the Flying Kangaroo to pay more than $9 million in aeronautical fees covering a short period following the expiration of the pair’s previous agreement in mid-2018.

The modifications to the ‘A321P2F’ will include upgrading the LCD cockpit display and weather radar as well as the airframe.  

Along with the US Air Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku-Jieitai), the counterparts engaged in a range of drills aimed at enhancing their collective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities.