Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam are believed to be consultants of the Philippines geothermal energy company Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

It’s the second of the Flying Kangaroos' widebodies that will be transformed into an A330P2F (passenger to freighter), with the first set to join the dedicated Australia Post freight fleet later this year.

The aircraft, VH-ZNJ, was flying from Santiago to Sydney but had to divert to the northern NSW city to avoid a storm. Newcastle Airport is currently unable to accommodate longer-haul international arrivals.

VH-OQL was previously stationed in the UAE capital, where it was receiving a cabin upgrade, before it flew home on 4 February.