The multi-million-dollar upgrades originally planned for completion this year, which will overhaul the international terminal including passenger and border processing facilities to better support overseas flights, have been set back due in part to “supply chain issues”, airport management said in a statement just before the new year.

Three 737 MAX 8s and one 737-800 leased to Flair from a trio of Ireland-based lessors were repossessed last March over unpaid fees, which reportedly resulted in 777 Partners sending planes that had been earmarked for Bonza to Flair in order to make up the shortfall.

The Royal Australian Air Force is sending six F-35A Lightning II aircraft, a tactical command and control team as well as 150 RAAF aviators to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for the distinguished air combat training contest in the USA from January 15 to February 2.

In its latest Network Overview report for December 2023, the body responsible for air traffic control in Australia acknowledged that 16 per cent of ground delays last month were attributable to Airservices, up from 11 per cent in October and November.