The 1.2 million litre delivery, equivalent to fuelling 400 return flights between Auckland and Wellington, will be used to test the supply chain to set up future imports.

Northrop Grumman has unveiled the first of up to seven RAAF MQ-4C Tritons to be delivered as part of the AIR 7000 Phase 1B program.

The news also averts any more potential disruption for Qantas passengers, as well as those flying with other airlines.

New figures reveal more passengers travelled through Melbourne Airport on the average day in August this year than in the entire same month in 2021.