Emergency services found a man’s body in Preston at around 7:30am on Monday, 18 March, after he fell from the basket of a balloon which subsequently landed safely in nearby Yarra Bend Park. Australian Aviation has not been able to confirm the operator of the balloon.

The general aviation airport, which has been owned by Goulburn businessman John Ferrara since 2011, has been listed for sale through real estate firm Ashby York as Ferrara looks to divest from his property portfolio. Ferrara also owns the Goulburn Flight Training Centre.

Additional funding of $29.1 million will be given to the RFDS over the two financial years to 30 June 2025, on top of the $1 billion in funding already committed over 10 years. The extra funding includes $1 million for a permanent healthcare hub in William Creek, South Australia.

The airline, which received its fourth MAX 8 – VH-8ID – on 13 March, is staring down potential late arrivals of 31 new 737 MAX aircraft, including six MAX 8s and all 25 of its MAX 10s, owing to increased production delays across all Boeing aircraft types.