NOVEMBER 12, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Qantas boss questions Virgin’s claims in Air NZ partnership bid
EXCLUSIVE. Virgin Australia is defending its proposed reciprocal codeshare partnership with Air New Zealand after Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace challenged some of its claims and questioned parts of the submission. The ACCC is reviewing Virgin's application, with a draft determination expected later this month
NOVEMBER 12, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Business groups back Jetstar's Western Sydney - Denpasar flights
EXCLUSIVE. Western Sydney business groups are backing Jetstar's proposed flights from the new Western Sydney Airport to Denpasar, arguing the services would boost tourism, competition and connectivity. The airline is seeking additional capacity to Indonesia after recent updates to the bilateral air services agreement.
NOVEMBER 11, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Court order reveals alleged falsification of flight records
EXCLUSIVE. The Federal Court has extended the grounding of Fortescue Helicopters amid allegations of falsified flight records, concealed maintenance defects and unauthorised maintenance. CASA says the operator’s alleged safety failures posed a serious and imminent risk to air safety.
NOVEMBER 11, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Qantas to cut 850 jobs in major AI and technology overhaul
Qantas is partnering with Accenture on a major technology and AI overhaul that will see 850 jobs cut across finance, marketing, procurement and human resources. Most affected roles will be outsourced to India, with redundancies expected by mid-2027.
NOVEMBER 10, 2026. VANUATU
Fire truck failure closes Santo Airport to larger aircraft
A out-of-servce firefighting truck has seen Vanuatu’s Luganville/Espirito Santo Airport temporarily close to aircraft carrying 30 or more passengers, disrupting Air Vanuatu and Solomon Airlines’ A320 flights. Repairs on the 36-year-old fire engine are underway and a new replacement vehicle is expected by year-end.
NOVEMBER 10, 2026. FRENCH POLYNESIA
Air Tahiti cleared of union claims over strike-breaking staff
Air Tahiti has won a legal skirmish over union allegations that it used foreign workers during an ongoing strike. The ruling comes as industrial action continues to disrupt domestic flights, and the union, Confédération des Syndicats Indépendants de Polynésie (CSIP), says it intends to appeal to court's decision
NOVEMBER 9, 2026. VANUATU
Aviation Management Sales defends Air Vanuatu Twin Otter deal
EXCLUSIVE. Aviation Management Sales has hit back at claims that a refurbished Twin Otter it sold to the Government of Vanuatu is unsafe. The US-based company defends the aircraft’s airworthiness, maintenance history and extensive rebuild amid questions over the multi-million-dollar deal.
NOVEMBER 9, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Final push by Qantas, Virgin Australia for Indonesia capacity
EXCLUSIVE. Qantas and Virgin Australia have made their final submissions to the IASC as they battle for additional Australia – Indonesia flight capacity. Both airlines are seeking extra seats, with competing plans to expand services between the two countries.
Aero South Pacific consulting and advisory
NOVEMBER 4, SAMOA
Samoa Gov’t flags tapping everyday investors to fund jet ops
EXCLUSIVE. The Samoan Government is canvassing its citizens about their willingness to invest money in Samoa Airways to help fund the resumption of jet services between Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. This is despite the airline’s costly history of poorly performing jet operations.
NOVEMBER 4, 2026. SOLOMON ISLANDS
Solomon Islands’ Santa Cruz Airport upgrade complete
The Solomon Islands has completed a $15.5 million upgrade of Santa Cruz Airport. It included runway sealing, airfield lighting and a new terminal building. The Government has also announced plans to begin construction of a new airport on Vanikoro in 2027, further boosting connectivity across Temotu Province.
November 2026 News Briefs
NOVEMBER 3, 2026. COOK ISLANDS
UN funding to help Cook Islands upgrade Southern Group airports
Air Vanuatu has issued an RFP for a pre-owned ATR72-600, seeking delivery by March 2027. The aircraft will be used to bolster domestic flights and support planned regional services. It comes as the government weighs further Twin Otter acquisitions and targets a return to jet operations around 2030.
NOVEMBER 3, 2026. NEW ZEALAND
Kāpiti Coast Airport faces uncertain future as sale talks advance
New Zealand’s Kāpiti Coast Airport faces an uncertain future as its owner advances sale negotiations with two potential buyers. One wants to redevelop the site for housing, while the other is open to retaining airport operations. Meanwhile, local residents and politicians are campaigning to keep the airport open.
November 2026 Aircraft Movements
NOVEMBER 2, 2026. FRENCH POLYNESIA
Unions take Air Tahiti to court over strike-breaking claims
Air Tahiti is facing legal action from two labour unions accusing the airline of breaching French Polynesian labour laws by using foreign ground crew during an ongoing strike. The airline denies wrongdoing, while negotiations over pay and working conditions remain deadlocked.
NOVEMBER 2, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PNG and Tonga ink aviation safety cooperation MOU
Papua New Guinea and Tonga have signed an MOU to strengthen regional cooperation in aviation safety investigations, sharing expertise, training and resources. The PNGAIC hopes the agreement will help build investigative capability across the Pacific and encourage similar partnerships with other island nations.