MAY 1, 2026. NEW ZEALAND

Air New Zealand cuts more regional flights as fuel costs rise

Air New Zealand is extending regional flight cuts to late July as rising fuel costs drive more capacity reductions. Dozens of extra flights are cancelled, with Nelson and Tauranga services among the most impacted.

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MAY 1, 2026. AUSTRALIA

Australia’s Skytrans ferries out A319, one jet left in fleet

Australia’s Skytrans has ferried out an A319-100, whittling its jet fleet down to a single aircraft. Owner Avia Solutions Group says it is aligning its ACMI capacity to local demand and seasonal conditions.

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APRIL 30, 2026. AUSTRALIA

ATSB: Fatigue crack behind Qantas B737 CFM engine failure

A final report released yesterday by the ATSB found a fatigue crack in a high-pressure turbine blade inside a CFM engine was behind a Qantas B737-800 engine failure during take-off in Sydney in November 2024.

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APRIL 30, 2026. NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand to fast-track sweeping aviation rule reforms

New Zealand will fast-track aviation reforms that target aircraft operations and airports, updating security, licensing and maintenance rules, while cutting red tape to boost safety, efficiency and capacity.

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APRIL 29, 2026. TONGA

Nose gear fails on Forum Fishing Agency King Air B200

The nose gear of a King Air B200 operated by the Technology Service Corporation on behalf of the Forum Fisheries Agency collapsed on or after landing at Nukuʻalofa’s Fuaʻamotu Airport on April 24, 2026.

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APRIL 29, 2026. AUSTRALIA

Emirates ups Southwest Pacific flights, returns to Adelaide

Emirates is increasing flights to Australia and New Zealand, including returning to Adelaide, as it rebuilds its network amid ongoing Gulf unrest. However, services remain well below pre-conflict levels.

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APRIL 28, 2026. VANUATU

Vanuatu prime minister flags major aviation sector reform

Vanuatu’s PM says its aviation sector, including Air Vanuatu, needs reform after a review found poor planning and ageing aircraft. The government wants to restore reliability, cut costs and rebuild confidence.

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Qatar Airways B777

APRIL 27, 2026. NEW ZEALAND

Qatar Airways returning to Auckland in June – via Adelaide

Qatar Airways will resume Auckland flights via Adelaide on mid-June as it rebuilds operations impacted by the Iran conflict. Its other Southwest Pacific services are also gradually returning  to normal despite ongoing uncertainty.

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APRIL 27, 2026. NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand backs regional airlines with $22 million funding

New Zealand will lend Air Chathams, Sounds Air, and Island Air nearly $22 million to help them maintain their fleets, service debts, and ensure essential air links amid rising costs and industry pressure.

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  • Sydney skies set for change ahead of new airport opening

    APRIL 24, 2026: Flight path changes will come into effect over Sydney in July ahead of the opening of Western Sydney Airport (WSI) later that month. The changes will affect aircraft operating to and from Western Sydney, Bankstown (BWU), and Sydney (SYD) airports.

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  • Typhoon Sinlaku shuts Saipan Airport until end of April

    APRIL 23, 2026: Damage from Typhoon Sinlaku has shut Saipan Airport until April 30 to most non-essential flights, with at least one airline suspending services through to June. Other carriers have also cancelled flights, although for shorter periods.

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  • Solomon Airlines cuts flights as fuel costs spike

    APRIL 23, 2026: Solomon Airlines is trimming domestic and international flights through June as fuel costs surge 70%. It is also introducing a temporary fuel levy in a bid to maintain essential network connectivity.

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  • Nauru Government urges reforms to sustain Pacific air link

    APRIL 22, 2026: Nauru Air Corporation minister Asterio Appi has called for reforms to ensure the North Pacific Connector service remains commercially viable, urging higher revenues, lower costs and greater regional support.

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May 2026 News Briefs

MAY 1, 2026: The Qantas Group says it will extend a previously announced 5% capacity reductions through to September 30 due to ongoing high fuel costs. The cuts mostly impact Qantas and Jetstar inter-capital flights.

Read the news release here.

MAY 1, 2026: Qantas has requested Australia’s International Air Services Commission renew its approval to operate thrice-weekly season round trips on the Australia – Italy country for another five years. The current approval expires on January 12, 2027.

Read the filing here.

MAY 1, 2026: Qantas has requested Australia’s International Air Services Commission renew its approval to operate five weekly E190 round-trips on the Australia – Timor-Leste country by another five years. The current approval expires on March 10, 2027.

Read the filing here.

MAY 1, 2026: Qantas has requested Australia’s International Air Services Commission renew its approval to operate five weekly B787 round-trips on the Australia – Vietnam country by five years. The current approval expires on March 20, 2027. In all three applications, Qantas asks that either it or Jetstar or any other wholly owned subsidiary may operate the flights.

Read the filing here.

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APRIL 22, 2026. AUSTRALIA

WA Gov’t doles out $5 million in regional route subsidies

The Government of Western Australia has awarded over $5 million to Nexus Airlines and Aviair to continue regional flights, ensuring Kimberley residents stay connected and have access to essential services.

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May 2026 Aircraft Movements

MAY 1, 2026: Qantas is ferrying in its sixth A321-200XLR. VH-OGF (msn 12835) departed Hamburg (XFW) for Sydney (SYD) via Bengaluru (BLR) on April 30. It is due to land in Australia early on May 2.

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APRIL 21, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Bougainville Wings launches with Cessna 208B Caravan

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has launched Bougainville Wings with
a single Cessna Caravan, aiming to improve regional connectivity and support
economic development across the region.

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April 2026 Route Briefs

APRIL 30, 2026: Asiana Airlines has tentatively scheduled an A380-800 to operate its Seoul (ICN) – Sydney (SYD) round-trips between October 19 and December 31, 2026.

APRIL 29, 2026: Fiji Airways will suspend its Nadi (NAN) – Dallas (DGW) service, effective September 7. The airline attributes the decision to high jet fuel prices and changes in passenger demand.

APRIL 28, 2026: Emirates will resume its daily A380-800 Dubai (DXB) – Brisbane (BNE) round-trips on May 1 after suspending flights when the Iranian War started.

APRIL 28, 2026: Emirates will resume thrice-weekly A350-900 Dubai (DXB) – Adelaide (ADL) round-trips on May 2 after suspending flights when the Iranian War started

APRIL 28, 2026: t’way Air will reduce its thrice-weekly A330-300 operated Seoul (ICN) – Sydney (SYD) round-trips to twice weekly between June 3 and July 8, 2026, and once weekly between August 10 and September 11, 2026

APRIL 24, 2026: Virgin Australia will suspend its twice-weekly Alice Springs (ASP) – Brisbane (BNE) round-trips on July 14 and its thrice weekly Adelaide (ADL) – Cairns (CNS) round-trips on August 1 as part of recently announced capacity cuts.

APRIL 24, 2026: Virgin Australia has shrunk the window it will operate its Sydney (SYD) – Darwin (DRW) round trips to between June 22 and October 25, 2026, instead of through to January 2027. The airline is also reducing frequencies on its year-round Melbourne (MEL) – Darwin round-trips from three to two per week from August 20.

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APRIL 20, 2026. AUSTRALIA

China Southern extends Southwest Pacific cuts to late 3Q26

China Southern Airlines is extending winter capacity cuts across its South-West Pacific network to late September, reducing services to most Australian and New Zealand destinations.

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