The New Zealand government has delayed its planned restart of quarantine-free travel for its citizens and residents until the end of February, due to the current Omicron outbreak.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce announced the new program, dubbed the Aviation Recovery Framework, on Monday, and said it noted the significant contribution of a strong regional aviation sector in supporting economic prosperity throughout the nation.

Rex’s first Sydney to Brisbane flight has taken off, completing the airline’s long-awaited goal of servicing the lucrative ‘golden triangle’ of Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane.

Adelaide-based company FireFlight Technologies has created a system that uses thermal imaging sensors mounted to a manned aircraft, to detect flames through kilometres of thick and billowing smoke, and accurately track a fire’s path.