A preliminary ATSB report into the deaths of three American firefighters who died tackling a bushfire in southern New South Wales has revealed their Lockheed C-130’s left wing clipped a tree before the aircraft crashed into the ground and burst into flames.

Air New Zealand has dropped fares to Australia to just $66 from mid-March to stimulate demand after releasing a disappointing set of financial results on Thursday.

Nova Systems Norway, a subsidiary of Australia’s Nova group of companies, has been awarded a two-year framework contract worth $25m by the Norwegian Armed Forces to support the NH90 maritime helicopters.

Boeing has poached Qantas’ CIO Susan Doniz to take up the same position at the planemaker.