The mission was in support of an initiative that sees the Australian government work with more than 150 research institutions globally to study the region.

The helicopters are currently en-route from Townsville in the Top End while the Hercules has transported WA emergency services workers to Broome.

Commercial pilot and University of Adelaide lecturer Tony Schiemer lists the potential effects of widebody flying. 

News outlets are now reporting that a man phoned Narita Airport and claimed to have put 100 kilograms of plastic explosives in the A320’s cargo hold.