New round of airstrip grants program opens on Monday

Twice-weekly A321neo flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays commenced earlier this month and will run until 26 October, with an additional Thursday service to begin on 25 June. The previous Cairns–Auckland service ended in October last year.

Transport Minister Catherine King argued creditor PAG could have collapsed the airline “at any stage” and insisted the purchase was also necessary to make a second attempt to find a buyer.