RAAF deploys P-8A Poseidon aircraft to Japan under Operation Argos

Current Qantas captain Gary Criddle, 72, had an extraordinary career that saw him fly 747s and A380s for the Flying Kangaroo, but also fly for the RAAF and RAN, as well as being part of the Roulettes display team.

The daily service, which launched only last June, will be dropped from 24 February, with Virgin to redeploy the 737 MAX 8 aircraft currently operating the route onto domestic flights.