The low-cost carrier is upgauging from A320s to A321neo LRs on the route between June and October this year, which will add a total of 4,500 extra seats over the entire season. Melbourne is Townsville’s third busiest destination, with 90 per cent of seats full over last year’s winter.

The crew member was on flight QF520 from Sydney to Brisbane aboard the 737-800 VH‑VYK when it encountered turbulence on descent. Three cabin crew were unrestrained shortly after the seatbelt sign was lit up, with one suffering a broken ankle; the third sustained facial injuries.

The flight lifted off from Starbase in Texas at 5:30pm CT on Thursday, 6 March, before the upper stage exploded, raining debris down in a dramatic light show that caused significant disruption to commercial aircraft in the area.

The runway will be lengthened to allow larger aircraft, including Virgin Australia’s existing 737-800 service to Perth, to operate at full capacity. Currently, the 737 is limited to 146 passengers during the wet season and 158 during the dry season.