The fire, believed to have started due to a leak of liquid hydrocarbons and gases, hit Australia’s only onshore avgas manufacturer. Viva supplies fuel, including avgas, Jet A1 and Jet Plus, to all seven capital-city airports as well as 54 regional airports, as reported in The Australian.

The funding will "enable Air Force to undertake expeditionary air operations to project force, sustain protracted combat operations and maintain situational awareness in our primary air of military interest", the Government says.

Flight FJ922/923, a late-night Saturday service, will be dropped from 25 April, leaving the regular daily service in place. The carrier is also suspending its Tuesday flights from Nadi to Dallas-Fort Worth between 5 May and 16 June.

Last month saw Australia-Middle East traffic plunge 77 per cent year on year, while direct Australia–Europe traffic dropped 31 per cent as traffic was rerouted through other hubs, Airservices Australia reported in its Australian Aviation Network Overview for March.