The 5 DA20s and 8 DA42s are on their way to London Ontario, Canada where they will receive new engines, props, interiors and paint.

Qantas has insisted its plan to restart international flights on 31 October remains on track despite concerns over delays to Australia’s vaccine program.

The TWU presented evidence in the Federal Court on Monday that suggested Qantas used COVID as an opportunity to speed up pre-existing plans to outsource staff.

The gesture is part of a wider project to help Sri Lanka establish a “drone surveillance capability” that will also conduct natural disaster scene assessments.