News Briefs from April 2026
APRIL 30, 2026: Maroochydore/Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) has recorded its highest passenger traffic for the Easter school holiday period. On average over 6,200 passengers travelled through the airport every day of the holiday period. The busiest day was on Easter Monday, the 6 April with 6,637 passengers passing through the airport.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 30, 2026: Sydney Airport (SYD) recorded its strongest first quarter for international travel on record, with 4.57 million international passengers in Q1 2026. Total passenger volumes rose 3.6% year-on-year to 10.78 million travellers, including 6.2 million domestic passengers, passing through Sydney Airport in Q1 2026.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 29, 2026: The National Airports Corporation (NAC) commence a major upgrade of the Mt Hagen Airport (HGU) runway, replacing the existing bituminous seal with a durable asphalt concrete overlay. The PGK39.4 million (USD9 million) investment, fully funded by NAC, will strengthen the runway pavement to accommodate the B737s and Air Niugini’s newly acquired A220s.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 29, 2026: A shortage of jet fuel is disrupting Air Kiribati’s scheduled operations, particularly around the Southern Islands and those flights operating from the airline’s Tabiteuea North Airport (TBF) base.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 29, 2026: Australia’s International Air Services Commission has approved an application from Qantas for another 0.5 units of capacity on the Australia – France country pair and an additional three weekly frequencies on the Australia – Italy country pair. Both approvals are valid for five years and are subject to certain conditions.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 29, 2026: Australia’s International Air Services Commission has approved an application from Qantas for unlimited passenger capacity on the Australia – Canada country pair, subject to certain conditions. The approval is valid for 99 years.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 28, 2026: The first two Hinterland Aviation pilots have received their Cessna 402 type rating ahead of delivery of the airline’s first SkyCourier passenger aircraft later this year.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 28, 2026: Solomon Airlines has appointed TK Aviation Service as its official passenger sales agent in China. TK Aviation Service will support passenger sales and market development for the carrier in China, working closely with local partners including China Southern Airlines to promote the Solomon Islands.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 28, 2026: A DHC-8-Q300 operated by Air New Zealand returned to Auckland Airport (AKL) on April 25 after the crew received indication of a hydraulic issue. The aircraft ZK-NFI (msn 671) was operating a passenger service to Gisborne (GIS). It returned to service on April 27.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 27, 2026: Australia Post has announced plans to build a 12,000m2 parcel sorting facility at Hobart Airport (HBA). Opening in late 2027, it will provide direct airside access to the A321 freighters operated by Qantas Freight on behalf of the postal service.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 27, 2026: Moody's Ratings has affirmed Air New Zealand Limited's Baa1 issuer rating and senior unsecured debt rating and Baa1 senior unsecured medium-term note program rating. The baseline credit assessment of baa3 was also affirmed. The ratings agency changed the outlook to negative from stable.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 27, 2026: Adelaide Airport saw record passenger numbers in March 2026, with 789,240 people passing through the terminal, a 6.6% increase on the previous year. International passenger numbers further increased, despite the absence of Emirates and Qatar Airways. The significant capacity increases in the past year resulted in 99,776 international passengers passing through the airport in March, a 26.5% increase on the year prior.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 24, 2026: The New Caledonia Government has agreed to extend a guarantee on two loans totalling XPF2.72 billion (USD26.7 million) taken out by Air Calédonie in 2016. The two year extension was approved by parliament on April 23 and was described as a “mere formality.” Air Calédonie was put under a court-supervised administration earlier this month.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 23, 2026: Airlink is conducting a series of flight validation runs at Western Sydney Airport (WSI) on April 22 – 23 ahead of the airport’s opening in mid 2026. The Airlink operated flights on behalf of the airport will test the airport’s two instrument landing systems.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 23, 2026: Work on the next stage of Launceston Airport’s (LST) terminal redevelopment has begun. The AUD12 million project, funded by the airport, airlines and Tasmanian Government, will deliver a new boarding gate, a big increase in the gate area and a complete renovation and modernisation of Gates 3 and 4.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 23, 2026: Fiji’s new Aeronautical Message Handling System and Digital Weather Information Exchange System will go live on May 20. Additionally, Nadi Airport’s (NAN) high frequency radio system will be replaced later this year. The new system will support full digital VOiP capability and expanded selective calling functions using the Selective Calling System (SELCAL) 32 facility.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 23, 2026: Air New Zealand’s long standing chief financial officer, Richard Thomson, has resigned and will finish up on August 28, 2026. The airline has started the search for his replacement.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 22, 2026: A USD27.1 million upgrade of the runway, taxiways and aircraft parking area at Hihifo Airport (WLS) on Wallis Airport, due to take place over July and August 2026, will involve the transportation of 23,500 tonnes of materials via barge from Tasmania, over 4,000 kilometres away. The local government says they will do their best to ensure air services continue while the upgrade takes place.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 22, 2026: A Qantaslink DHC-8-Q400 registered as VH-QOW (msn 4285) operating QF2472 from Townsville (TSV) to Mount Isa (ISA) experienced rudder problems shortly into the flight on April 20, necessitating the aircraft’s return to Townsville. The aircraft landed safely after the passengers were told to brace for landing. No injuries were reported.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 22, 2026: Ongoing technical issues with one of their A330-900s have seen Aircalin temporarily wet-lease a EuroAtlantic Airways B777-200 to plug holes in the schedule. CS-TSX (msn 32784) is operating at least one Paris (CDG) – Singapore (SIN) – Nouméa (NOU) – Singapore – Paris rotation over April 20 – 23.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 21, 2026: The Solomon Islands Ministry of Communication and Aviation says work is progressing on new air traffic control towers at Honiara (HIR) and Munda Airports (MUA), with the ministry saying significant progress has been achieved on substructure works at both sites.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 20, 2026: Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS) is preparing to resume scheduled services on Monday, April 20, or as airports re open in the wake of Typhoon Sinlaku.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 20, 2026: A Qantas B737-800 registered as VH-VXT (msn 33760) operating a scheduled service from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL) on April 18 diverted to Rockhampton (ROK) after a fire sensor activated. The aircraft landed safely with no actual fire detected. It has since ferried to Brisbane (BNE).
Read the news report here.
APRIL 16, 2026: Guam’s Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS) has cancelled all flights on April 16 due to ongoing severe weather from Tropical Storm Sinlaku.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 16, 2026: The Government of Tuvalu has declared a State of Emergency due to critical fuel shortages in the country, once again requiring Fiji Airways services to operate with return fuel being carried on flights to Funafuti, with the flights consequently not operating at full seating capacity until further notice.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 15, 2026: A total of 3,129,811 people travelled through Melbourne Airport (MEL) in March 2026, including 1,002,589 international passengers, which surpassing the previous March monthly record of 937,696 international travellers set in 2025.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 14, 2026: The Nouméa Commercial Court accepted an application to place Air Calédonie in receivership yesterday, April 14. All debts incurred before April 14 are now frozen.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 14, 2026: Christchurch Airport (CHC) processed 3.1 million passengers between November 2025 and March 2026 (inclusive), including 287,000 international passengers. Australia held its spot as the largest source market, with 112,600 arrivals, followed by China with 38,400. Visitor numbers from China increased by over 100% from last season.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 14, 2026: Air Rarotonga has added a fuel surcharge to all tickets sold on and after April 9, citing a “dramatic increase in global fuel prices linked to current Middle Eastern geopolitical events.”
Read the news release here
APRIL 13, 2026: Guam’s Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS) has cancelled all flights on April 13 and 14 due to expected severe weather from Tropical Storm Sinlaku.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 13, 2026: A Qantas B737-800 flying from Canberra (CBR) to Perth (PER) on April 10, 2026, diverted to Adelaide (ADL) after crew detected fumes on board and passengers saying they felt unwell. The aircraft, VH-VZC (msn 34197) landed safely. Once on the ground, no passengers or crew required further medical attention.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 13, 2026: The Solomon Islands Government is holding public hearings about upgrading Suavanao Airport (VAO) in Isabel Province. Planned works include unexploded ordnance surveys, improved drainage systems, elevating and resealing the runway, taxiway, and apron with bituminous surfacing, installation of ground lighting, application of airfield markings, and construction of a new terminal.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 10, 2026: The Western Australia State Government will cover additional fuel costs for airlines operating subsidised Regional Airfare Zone Cap (RAZC) routes, ensuring air fares do not rise. Aviar, Nexus Airlines, and Regional Express are among the carriers operating intra-state passenger routes under the scheme.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 10, 2026: Tonga’s Ministry of Infrastructure is seeking expressions of interest from contractors to help review and upgrade the Civil Aviation Office Quality Management System.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 9, 2026: Air Chathams CEO Duane Emeny says the regional carrier will reduce its North Island flights in response to rising fuel prices. Effective April 20, the airline will suspend about 45% of flights into Whakatāne (WKH), 22% of flights into Whanganui (WAG) and 10% into Kāpiti (PPQ). Air Chathams’ fuel bill has doubled to over NZD1 million in recent weeks.
Read the news story here
APRIL 8, 2026: Construction of a new Royal Flying Doctor Service aeromedical facility at Launceston Airport (LST) has started. The AUD21 million base will support aeromedical retrieval services across Tasmania and enable the delivery of a range of health care services to rural and remote communities, including the Bass Strait Island communities.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 7, 2026: Air New Zealand cut domestic capacity beyond the previously announced early May date through to the end of June. Air New Zealand says this remains a short-term response to the current fuel volatility. The reductions will see around 4% of flights cut.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 7, 2026: Fiji Link has cancelled all domestic flights on April 7 due to current weather conditions associated with Tropical Cyclone Vaianu.
Read the travel alert here.
APRIL 3, 2026: Virgin Australia has informed the US Department of Transportation that its code share arrangement with Hawaiian Airlines has ended.
Read the filing here.
APRIL 3, 2026: Maroochydore/Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) expects its busiest ever Easter weekend period with more than 24,000 passengers expected to flow through the airport over the weekend. Monday April 6 will be the busiest day with the airport welcoming more than 6,300 passengers.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 3, 2026: Coolangatta/Gold Coast Airport (OOL) anticipates a strong Easter period, with over 80,000 passengers expected to pass through over the long weekend. On the busiest days, more than 23,000 travellers are expected through the airport, up from around 16,000 on a typical travel day.
Read the news release here.
APRIL 2, 2026: Solomon Airlines’ sole DHC-8-100 will go out of service on April 11 for scheduled C-Check maintenance. The airline says it will keep its domestic network operating and minimise passenger disruption but acknowledges services to some ports will be reduced. Among the contingency plans are weekly A320-200 flights between Honiara (HIR) and Munda (MUA).
Read the news release here.
APRIL 1, 2026: Solomon Airlines has appointed GSA PNG Ltd as its general sales agent in Papua New Guinea, spearheading the airline’s travel agent distribution and customer engagement in the country.
Read the news report here.
APRIL 1, 2026: Skytrans Australia is partnering with airline IT and financial services solutions provider Maureva to support revenue accounting processes, with a particular focus on GDS sales, helping ensure financial accuracy, control, and scalability.
Read the news release here.
