Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show there were 370,000 ‘short-term overseas arrivals’ in September 2022, compared to 695,000 in the same month in pre-pandemic 2019.

The business said the rebranding would come alongside upgrading the 300-ha precinct at Bankstown to include a revamped passenger terminal, new café and management office.

The United Firefighters Union aviation secretary Wes Garrett said the union believes there “won’t be any aircraft moving” during those four hours, in a move likely to cause significant disruption.

The airline said that while airfares had increased due to “strong demand and higher fuel prices”, the points required to purchase them hadn’t similarly increased in “years”.