Australian Aviation

Speaking to Australian Aviation, Kevin Elliott, chief executive Code Four and director of the airshow, said the team had considered other options to hold the event after beach erosion scuppered its normal venue of Surfers Paradise, but found them all lacking.

Former Emirates pilot Johan Strydom, who owns and restored the World War II aircraft, said he wants to revive the essence of vintage biplane flight over the beaches and forests of WA.

The event, originally scheduled for 15 to 17 August 2025, has been axed for this year, as efforts to repair the beach at Surfers Paradise following the cyclone have been hampered by recurring king tides with accompanying large swells.

ZK-OKN was operating flight NZ124 from Melbourne when it drifted from the centre line and onto a sealed shoulder in January 2023, hitting six runway lights and damaging several tyres as well as a brake assembly and wiring harness.

In a note to staff seen by Australian Aviation, chief executive Dave Emerson said all eligible staff would automatically receive the “Take-Off Grant” in the relisting, which is rumoured to be planned for as soon as this year.

The kiosks, procured by the airport in an agreement with Australian Border Force, will boost incoming passenger capacity by 640 per hour and are part of a larger order of 40 SmartGates to be installed by early next year.