Counsel for Qantas, Richard Dalton KC, said even in a world where the illegal sackings never occurred, the executive team would have still considered outsourcing its ground handling operations.

The airport, which currently sees more than 6.2 million passengers a year, expects that number to increase by around 13 million by 2044. Its draft Master Plan, available online, envisions a hub for communities in the Gold Coast and northern NSW, with a particular focus on the next eight years.

The dramatic “Up There” campaign includes footage shot with high-definition gimbal cameras and a cinematic score composed by multi-award-winning musician Lance Gurisik.

The partnership, announced in January, expands Virgin’s regional footprint by around 45 per cent in the eastern states largely untouched by Perth-based Virgin Australia Regional Airways (VARA). The 17 routes involved equate to around 90 regional services per week.