The investment, funded from the Flying Kangaroo’s profits, is in addition to $150 million that has already been budgeted, and comes not long after new CEO Vanessa Hudson recorded a video apology to customers for the airline’s recent missteps.

Registered VH-8JS, the plane touched down at just after 10pm on Friday in Brisbane after a ferry flight from Singapore, where it had undergone repainting and heavy maintenance. The nine-year-old aircraft formerly operated for SilkAir as 9V-MGB.

It significantly follows Qantas scrapping its own deadline entirely and Rex going further by automatically putting the money back into customers’ bank accounts.

The gala event – held by Australian Aviation’s sister brand Defence Connect – saw 30 trophies presented and included an address by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.