RAAF C-27J Spartan reaches initial operating capability
Australia’s C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter has achieved initial operating capability (IOC), Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne announced on Friday. “The Spartan can access airfields that are unable to support larger transport aircraft, thus increasing the reach for Defence when supporting communities across Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific region,” Minister Payne said in a statement.
Air New Zealand to end Auckland-Norfolk Island flights
Residents of Norfolk Island will lose air links to New Zealand from May 2017 when Air New Zealand ends nonstop service to Auckland from the Australian external territory. The airline cited “declining passenger demand from New Zealand” as the reason behind its decision to end the once weekly service between Auckland and Norfolk Island. “The Auckland-Norfolk Island
Cobham begins operations with first Challenger SAR jet as part of AMSA contract
Cobham Aviation Services says it has started operations with the first of four Bombardier Challenger CL-604 jets under contract for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). In October 2014, Cobham secured a 12-year, $640 million contract to supply and operate search and rescue aircraft for AMSA. Under the deal, Cobham would operate the four special
Qantas completes one million 737-800 flights
Nearly 15 years after receiving its first Boeing 737-800, Qantas has racked up one million flights with the narrowbody aircraft across domestic and international routes. The milestone was reached on Thursday afternoon, when Qantas flight QF923, operated by VH-XZI, took off from Cairns bound for Sydney. In the flightdeck of VH-XZI for the milestone flight were
Jin Air touches down in Australia
South Korean carrier Jin Air has become the latest international airline to begin service to Australia, after its inaugural flight from Seoul touched down in Cairns on Thursday. Flight LJ659, operated by Boeing 777-200ER HL7743, landed a little after 0630 local time after an eight-hour journey from Seoul. The aircraft was met by an Airservices
Government launches discussion paper on protecting airspace
Australia’s Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has released a public consultation paper on proposed reforms that aim to modernise the laws protecting the airspace around airports. The paper, titled, Modernising Airspace Protection, proposes a number of reforms to existing legislation following an examination of the legislative, regulatory and administrative arrangements in relation to airspace
