The low-cost carrier is competing with Jetstar on the Adelaide-Bali route, operating four return services per week on 180-seat A320-200s and adding around 74,000 seats per year. The first flight, QZ420, arrived in Adelaide just before 6:20am on Thursday aboard PK-AZW.

The regional airport in South Australia received $16.2 million from the federal government and $13.8 million from the state government to strengthen its main runway, with Whyalla City Council also funding $2.4 million in works including runway lighting upgrades.

The deployment took place during Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, serving as a key demonstration of the Ghost Bat’s ability to operate from remote and unfamiliar locations. It marks a significant step forward in proving the autonomous aircraft’s flexibility and operational viability within a real-world context.

Worker shortages and a lack of diversity and representation are the two main challenges facing Australia’s aviation sector, according to an aviation white paper published by the Australian government.