The Qantas CEO will appear before a Senate committee for the first time since 2014, when he faces the Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living next Monday.

Kirsty Ferguson, who heads Pinstripe Solutions, believes that the impact of furloughs and layoffs during COVID lockdowns shook the confidence of pilots and crew who believed they had solid jobs, leading many to leave the sector or seek greener pastures overseas.

International news agency Reuters cited unnamed industry sources claiming that the Flying Kangaroo will purchase an as-yet-unspecified number of 787-10s, which would complement its existing fleet of 14 787-9s, and that the order could be announced as early as this month.

Under the scheme, Gold or higher status members of “other Australian airline loyalty programs” can apply for a fast-tracked “Discover Gold” trial Velocity membership, giving them three months of access to perks including lounges, priority boarding, preferential seating and extra baggage.