The federal government said the extra money would be used to fund the next stage of the program, including the delivery of three aircraft that have “enhanced design and improved capabilities”.

The report, commissioned by the ACTU, stated bluntly that “the duopoly in the aviation sector in Australia is dominated by Qantas and there is price gouging by Qantas”, and called for “unnecessary restrictions on competition” in domestic and international aviation to be removed.

Adam Marshall, Nationals member for Northern Tablelands, accused Rex of breaking a “public commitment” to return to Armidale next month after the airline announced that services between Sydney and the northern NSW city would not resume until at least October.

12 per cent of ground delays and 1 per cent of arrival cancellations in January were attributable to Airservices, down from 16 per cent and 6 per cent in December respectively. The air traffic control body had attributed its December performance to “staff availability challenges”, mainly in Brisbane.