The airline is the first in Australia to operate so-called “point-to-point” leisure services that skip out major cities and allow consumers to fly directly from holiday destination to holiday destination.

Just 25 departures on Christmas Day were cancelled at Sydney Airport despite severe flooding to the domestic runway apron and terminal.

Sydney has forecast 2.6 million passengers through its terminals over the three weeks from 14 December to 3 January, while Melbourne is expecting more than 4.2 million between 20 December and 29 January, and Brisbane is tipping 3.7 million between 1 December and 28 January.

The 747-400ERF registered HO-HOHO will enter service with Claus’ cargo delivery airline JingleJet for its maiden Christmas delivery run on 24 December, having undergone refitting and repainting after its purchase from Bunnyhop Airways, where it delivered eggs every Easter.