AUKUS partners to speed up hypersonic flight testing

The news is likely to have significant ramifications for long-haul travel into Australia, given the tie-up with Virgin is a major incentive for customers to book travel with Etihad. Abu Dhabi itself offers onward connections to more than 130 destinations.

The 8pm trans-Tasman service will move to 7:30am from November, offering more convenient connections with international flights leaving Sydney for destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul.