The airline, which already has subsidiaries in Thailand and Kazakhstan, has reportedly requested an air operator certificate and permission to operate locally with 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, according to media reports in The Australian Financial Review.
The exercise with the USAF 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, hosted at RAAF Base Amberley, saw the US bombers work alongside RAAF F-35 Lightning II aircraft, as well as air-to-air support, ground-based refuelling, and security and logistics support.
The Flying Kangaroo will indefinitely suspend the Alice Springs-Melbourne route, which currently operates four times per week using the A220-300 fleet, with some flights operating less than half full. Darwin-Singapore will also move to services during peak periods only.
The approval, announced by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, is designed to enhance Australia’s ability to operate and sustain its advanced fast jet fleet, while strengthening interoperability with US forces.
In the final Regional Airports Financial Sustainability Survey 2026, commissioned by the AAA and Regional Capitals Australia and conducted by ACIL Allen, 73 per cent of the 41 airports surveyed reported a loss for the 2025 financial year.
Malcolm Vivian was reportedly testing the kit-made Mk 26B Spitfire, VH-SFX (similar aircraft pictured), when it crashed at Malabaine, near Northam, on Wednesday morning. Australian Aviation understands the aircraft was Vivian’s second Spitfire.