Australian Aviation

The two-seat kit-built Acroduster II had taken off from Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast when witnesses reported the aircraft “descended very quickly” shortly after 9:20am. It is currently not known what caused the crash.

New Economy Lite fares will start from just $59 one-way between Sydney and Byron Bay, putting it on a par with low-cost rival Jetstar. It comes despite the closure last year of budget subsidiary Tigerair.

Chief executive Greg Foran said he was “relieved” and “grateful” at the decision, which means the airline will operate seven services from Queenstown to Auckland and Wellington.

Oceania Aviation handles everything from aircraft and part sales to MRO, but it’s the company’s division dedicated to role equipment design, manufacturing and installation that is making waves.

Western Australia could soon move to introduce unprecedented border controls with NSW, and has introduced new restrictions on arrivals from New Zealand.

PM Morrison said the initial flight of just 26 people included Australian citizens, Afghan nationals with Australian visas, and one foreign official, despite the C-130J’s 128-person capacity.