Jake Nelson

The exercise with the USAF 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, hosted at RAAF Base Amberley, saw the US bombers work alongside RAAF F-35 Lightning II aircraft, as well as air-to-air support, ground-based refuelling, and security and logistics support.

The Flying Kangaroo will indefinitely suspend the Alice Springs-Melbourne route, which currently operates four times per week using the A220-300 fleet, with some flights operating less than half full. Darwin-Singapore will also move to services during peak periods only.

In the final Regional Airports Financial Sustainability Survey 2026, commissioned by the AAA and Regional Capitals Australia and conducted by ACIL Allen, 73 per cent of the 41 airports surveyed reported a loss for the 2025 financial year.

Malcolm Vivian was reportedly testing the kit-made Mk 26B Spitfire, VH-SFX (similar aircraft pictured), when it crashed at Malabaine, near Northam, on Wednesday morning. Australian Aviation understands the aircraft was Vivian’s second Spitfire.

In a letter to Transport Minister Catherine King, the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia, alongside the International Air Transport Association, and Airlines for Australia and New Zealand, expressed concerns about the $10 increase flagged in this year’s budget.

Sunshine Coast to Auckland and Cairns to Christchurch will be put on ice indefinitely from 24 October, as the routes are no longer commercially viable and operating costs have increased. The low-cost carrier will, however, resume Sydney–Christchurch from 26 October.