OCTOBER 2, 2026. NEW ZEALAND
TAIC finds systemic issues behind Air NZ Q300 Timaru descent
TAIC has identified systemic safety issues after an Air New Zealand Q300 descended below the minimum safe altitude at Timaru in 2023. The investigation found weaknesses involving flight-system design, crew training, safety culture and regulatory oversight, with seven of nine issues addressed.
OCTOBER 1, 2026. AUSTRALIA
ATSB Analysis highlights elevated aircraft conflicts at Sydney
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found Sydney Airport recorded the highest rate of aircraft confliction occurrences among Australia’s five busiest airports, prompting increased scrutiny of runway safety, air traffic control staffing and fatigue risks as investigations continue.
OCTOBER 1, 2026, NEW CALEDONIA
Air Oceania to boost Maré and Ouvéa flights, axes Lifou
Air Oceania is ending its daily Lifou service but increasing flights to Maré and Ouvéa through February 2027. The network changes come as Air Calédonie continues to face restrictions on services to Maré and Ouvéa amid an ongoing dispute over its move to La Tontouta Airport.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Australia’s National Jet Express ending BAe 146 operations
EXCLUSIVE. National Jet Express will cease BAe 146 operations on October 2, retiring its four freighters after years of operating overnight Qantas Freight services. The move coincides with Qantas expanding its in-house freighter fleet and shifting its Sydney freight hub from Sydney Airport to Western Sydney Airport.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2026. NEW ZEALAND
Sunair borrows $2 million from New Zealand Government
New Zealand regional airline Sunair has borrowed $2million from the government to acquire two aircraft, maintain its fleet and refinance debt. Sunair becomes the sixth airline to take advantage of the government’s $30 million air connectivity program.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026. AUSTRALIA
MinRes Air grows to four jets in two years, another on the way
Mineral Resources’ in-house FIFO airline, MinRes Air, has grown to four Airbus aircraft in the two years since securing its first aircraft. The airline carries up to 9,500 passengers a month and has operated around 1,300 flights in the past year. It is now also planning for a fifth aircraft.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026. VANUATU
Unity Airlines buys Air Vanuatu Britten Norman Islander
Air Vanuatu has sold a 38-year-old Britten Norman Islander to Unity Airlines for VUV8.05 million. Air Vanuatu says it lacks the capacity and appetite to return the aircraft to service. The airline also says restoration would cost several times more than the sale price.
October 2026 News Briefs
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026. AUSTRALIA
NSW Gov’t extends western air service subsidies into late 2027
The New South Wales State Government will extend subsidies supporting scheduled flights to Bourke, Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Cobar until November 2027. The government says the extension provides some short term certainty while it looks at longer-term arrangements for essential regional air services.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Cathay’s exit latest chapter in decline of int’l ops at Cairns Airport
Cathay Pacific has axed its seasonal Hong Kong – Cairns flights, dealing another blow to the airport’s already limited international network. Despite government incentives, Cairns has struggled to attract and retain new international airlines, while passenger numbers remain little changed from three decades ago.
October 2026 Aircraft Movements
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026. FRENCH POLYNESIA
Motu Link ATR72 freighter remains grounded after three months
French Polynesian cargo carrier Motu Link Airline says it has ordered the necessary replacement parts for its grounded ATR72 500F. The aircraft has been out of service for almost three months after its nose landing gear was damaged while being towed at Papeete Airport.
October 2026 Route Briefs
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026. NAOERO
Naoero Gov’t details airport firefighting flaws, safety downgrade
The Naoero Government has confirmed that defective airport firefighting equipment saw Yaren Airport’s safety category temporarily downgraded in July, causing Nauru Airlines to cancel flights across the month. Australian-donated fire trucks have since seen the airport restored to Category 7 status.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Retail investors cold shoulder Alliance Airlines equity raise
Alliance Airlines’ retail investors have shown limited appetite for the airline’s $40 million equity raise, taking up just 9.17% of the retail entitlement. The lacklustre response follows a steady decline in Alliance’s share price and the airline's board deciding to recapitalise to improve its liquidity and balance sheet.