Australian Aviation's exclusive recording comes after two separate investigations made claims of a toxic culture at Airservices, which oversees air traffic control.

Gert-Jan de Graaff, one of the industry’s most influential figures, also said he thinks domestic aviation – currently at 90 per cent pre-COVID numbers – will return to normality next year.

The AFP has backed this warning up with an increase of patrols across major Australian airports during the holiday period.

Australia currently has 10 Spartans operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, which now focus on peacetime operations such as search and rescue and aeromedical operations.