Appearing in the Federal Court on Thursday morning (12 October), Thomas Bagley, counsel for Piper Alderman, said the firm had spent six months investigating the major airline and could be prepared to file its own proceedings within the next fortnight.

The first two flights will depart Tel Aviv for London on Friday, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying on Wednesday afternoon that his government is assisting the departure of those Australians who want to leave Israel as fighting continues with Hamas militants.

Both carriers confirmed to Australian Aviation that they have been in touch with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to help Australian citizens get home from Israel, which has been rocked by sudden attacks from militant group Hamas.

The airline took delivery of its second MAX 8 at the end of September, with another expected by the end of the year and the remaining five in the first half of 2024. The new plane, VH-8IC ‘Kirra Beach’, has joined VH-8IA ‘Monkey Mia’ on the Cairns–Haneda route after a brief period flying domestically.