The planemaker is pouring more than US$1 billion into the project, which will include a new final assembly building, parts preparation area facility, vertical fin paint facility, flight line stalls, and additions to the interior components manufacturing facilities.

China’s second-largest carrier will fly three times per week return from Shanghai to Adelaide starting in mid-2026 using wide-body aircraft. It is the first non-stop connection between the world’s third-largest city and South Australia.

VH-YVD had just landed in Brisbane at around 7pm on flight VA454 from Darwin when its brakes caught alight, with firefighters quickly moving to extinguish the blaze.

The Economy Plus offering, similar to Virgin Australia’s Economy X, will offer passengers up to 40 per cent extra legroom, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead bins. The new seats are expected to roll out from February on Qantas’ 737-800, A321XLR, and A220 aircraft.