Last month saw Australia-Middle East traffic plunge 77 per cent year on year, while direct Australia–Europe traffic dropped 31 per cent as traffic was rerouted through other hubs, Airservices Australia reported in its Australian Aviation Network Overview for March.

From 18 May, the Adelaide–Mount Gambier route will be suspended indefinitely, while Qantas’ Melbourne–Coffs Harbour will be paused until 14 June and Melbourne–Hamilton Island until 28 June. Jetstar will suspend Sydney–Busselton until 18 September, and Darwin–Gold Coast until 12 October.

Initially available on the airline’s new 787-9 Dreamliner fleet for Auckland–New York services starting in December, six pods per aircraft will be available to Economy and Premium Economy customers in two four-hour sessions per flight, with prices starting at $495 and bookings to open on 18 May.

Australia’s second-largest gateway saw more than 1 million international travellers in March for the first time, up from last year's previous record. A total of 3,129,811 people travelled through the airport last month, including domestic and regional passengers.