Funded by $70 million from the airport itself and $60 million from the federal government, the runway upgrades – which began last year – were completed in three stages, and could open up flights to Asian destinations within the next few years, said Norris Carter, chief executive of the airport.

Starting in May 2026, Jetstar will fly three times per week return from Brisbane to Rarotonga using its A321neo LR fleet. This is the sixth new international route Jetstar has announced from Queensland in the past six months, and the carrier is the state’s largest international airline.

Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, the airline’s CEO Bill Astling said Koala, which earlier this year fended off a winding-up application by apparent creditor Wealth Creation, is trying to fly under the radar but has backers who “understand aviation”.

Sydney in April was the first Australian city and second destination outside of Hong Kong to see the new cabin product, with Melbourne now also being served by the refurbished aircraft on daily CX104 and CX105 services as of 3 August.