The operator of Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports recorded 8.4 million total passengers in the 12 months to the end of June, up half a million on the previous year, with Gold Coast Airport seeing the most substantial growth, up 7.7 per cent on FY25 to 6.5 million.

Part of the state’s $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF), the grant will enable Leidos to “relocate and upgrade its Mission Equipment Service Centre”, boosting its capacity to maintain advanced airborne radar and electro-optic systems.

The A350-1000ULR MSN707, which flew from Airbus’ plant in Toulouse to Melbourne last week, touched down from the return journey on 28 July after 24 hours and 24 minutes in the air, covering a total distance of 23,075 kilometres.

The carrier, which recently moved to year-round Perth services, currently flies three times per week but will increase to seven over the summer, adding an extra 12,600 inbound seats on its 787-9 Dreamliners. In total, 55,200 seats will be available over the 14-week period.