The first will depart Delhi for Brisbane on 28 May via Darwin, followed shortly by Perth (departing 1 June) and Adelaide (departing 3 June). A further flight will see passengers quarantine in Darwin, which will depart on 30 May.

Lisa Brock has served as executive manager of Qantas Freight and airports and procurement, as well as the chief commercial officer at Jetstar.

The airline said the 180 passengers included a 14-year-old high school student, crown prosecutor, amateur photographer and 90-year-old former flight attendant.

The ‘circuit breaker’ restrictions come after the state’s cluster grew to 26, with 12 new “linked cases” emerging in the 24 hours until midnight.