News briefs from July 2026
JULY 31, 2026: Fiji Airways has appointed Tourism Fiji CEO Dr Paresh Pant to its board of directors. Fiji Airways MD and CEO Paul Scurrah says Pant’s appointment reflects the stronger relationship between the airline and Fiji’s wider tourism industry.
Read the news report here.
JULY 31, 2026: The Australian Safety Transport Bureau is investigating a breakdown of coordination involving DHC-8-Q400 registered as VH-QOC (msn 4117), and B737-800 registered as VH-XZG (msn 39371) at Sydney Airport (SYD) on July 27. ATC cleared the B737 on runway 25 to cross runway 34L while the Q400 was in the landing roll on runway 34L. ATC detected the conflict and advised both crews, with the B737 stopping after the holding point.
Read the news release here.
JULY 31, 2026: Australia’s International Air Services Commission has received an application from the Qantas Group seeking to vary Determination [2023] IASC 123 which allocates unlimited passenger and freight capacity and frequency on the New Zealand route. Qantas wants permission to include selected Jetstar services, specifically Jetstar services on the Melbourne (MEL) – Christchurch (CHC), Melbourne – Auckland (AKL), and Melbourne – Queenstown (ZQN) city pairs, in its existing code share arrangements with Finnair.
Read the application here.
JULY 30, 2026: The Government of New Caledonia has extended Aircalin’s operating licence through to July 31, 2031, authorising the airline to operate scheduled passenger, mail, and cargo services to Singapore, Auckland, Bangkok, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Nadi, Port Vila, Tokyo, as well as Santo and Los Angeles through codeshare agreements.
Read the news report here.
JULY 30, 2026: Qantas has requested Australia’s International Air Services Commission renew Determination [2022] IASC 113 which allocates 2,193 seats per week on the Australia- Korea country-pair, subject to certain conditions, and permits Qantas' wholly owned subsidiary Jetstar to utilise the\ capacity for code sharing with Finnair. Additionally, Qantas wants to renew Determination [2021] IASC 106 which allocates 250 one-way codeshare seats per week on the Australia – France country-pair, subject to certain conditions, and permits Qantas to utilise the capacity for code sharing with British Airways, Emirates and Air France.
Read the application here.
JULY 30, 2026: Melbourne Airport and Brimbank City Council have reached an agreement to resolve legal proceedings in the Federal Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) related to the third runway approval.
Read the news release here.
JULY 29, 2026: New Zealand Airports Association has appointed Graeme Sharman as its new chief executive, effective August 1, 2026. Sharman succeeds Billie Moore, who departs at the end of July after leading the association for three and a half years.
Read the news release here.
JULY 27, 2026: Qantas and Australia Post have extended their air freight partnership for a further 10 years. Qantas Freight will operate a dedicated fleet of two A330 freighters and six A321 freighters for the postal service and will support the delivery of over 75 million tonnes of parcels and cargo each year across Australia and overseas, with volume expected to grow as online shopping and next-day delivery demand continues to rise.
Read the news release here.
JULY 27, 2026: Texel Air Australasia has appointed Peter Sheehan to the newly created role of managing director, effective July 22, 2026. Sheehan was most recently a senior project director at Sydney Airport.
Read the news release here.
JULY 27, 2026: Virgin Australia has secured a sustainability linked loan from Crédit Agricole CIB and BNP Paribas to help finance nine B737-8 aircraft in the airline’s existing pipeline, with four already delivered.
Read the news release here.
JULY 27, 2026: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation for Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways to coordinate some aspects of their operations between Australia and Japan, and some other countries, under a joint venture agreement. The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for 5 years.
Read the news release here.
JULY 27, 2026: Adelaide Airport (ADL) achieved its busiest year on record for the 12 months to June 30, 2026. International passenger numbers increased by 20.2% to 1,240,585 while domestic and regional numbers increased by 2.8% to 7,913,973, for a total of 9,154,55.
Read the news release here.
JULY 24, 2026: An Airbus A350-1000ULR is expected to land at Melbourne (MEL) mid-morning on June 24 (local time), having flown nonstop from Toulouse (TLS) as part of pre-delivery flight testing ahead of Qantas starting its Project Sunrise services in 2027.
Follow the flight tracking here.
JULY 24, 2026: Papua New Guinea PM says his government is pursuing stronger aviation links and direct flight connections with Indonesia, Korea, China, and the UAE.PM James Marape says the links will improve trade, investment, and economic co-operation between the countries.
Read the news report here
JULY 22, 2026: Unserviceable fuel trucks in Naoero are disrupting flights passing through Yaren Airport (INU). Nauru Airlines is warning “ongoing operational limitations” may cause delays, schedule changes or cancellations this week and warns passengers with time-sensitive plans to make alternative arrangements.
Read the news release here.
JULY 21, 2026: Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation says airside works under method of work plan stages one to seven at Hoskins Airport (HKN) have been completed, and stage eight commenced on June 23, 2026, following CASA PNG approval. The current available runway length is 1,090 metres, allowing operations by DHC-8-300, ATR-42 and smaller aircraft only.
Read the news release here.
JULY 20, 2026: A ministerial reshuffle in Papua New Guinea has seen Douglas Tomuriesa appointed as the country’s new aviation minister, replacing Wake Goi, who has served in the role since March 2025. The handover ceremony takes place this week.
Read the news report here.
JULY 20, 2026: Fiji Airways is exploring whether high-integrity carbon projects developed within Fiji will allow it to offset emissions on eligible international routes under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Read the news release here.
JULY 20, 2026: Air New Zealand operated 12,279 flights across its network in June with 86% of flights arriving within 15 minutes of schedule. The airline also improved its performance in cancellations with only 0.7% within the airline's control, down from 1.7% in June last year. While total cancellations increased to 3.3% of scheduled flights during June, these were primarily caused by factors outside the airline's control including severe weather and disruption caused by the fire at Wellington Airport.
Read the news release here.
JULY 17, 2026: Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo says a DHC-6-300 due to be delivered to Air Vanuatu in the first quarter of 2026 will now arrive at the end of July. The used aircraft, one of two Twin Otters acquired by the Vanuatu Government to support Air Vanuatu operations, reportedly cost USD3.77 million each.
Read the news report here.
JULY 17, 2026: Minister for Nauru Air Corporation Asterio Appi has taken a Nauru Airlines delegation to China to identify partnership and investment opportunities that will help improve the airlines' network and its operational capability.
Read the news release here.
JULY 17, 2026: Perth Airport (PER) has appointed global aviation fuel services provider Skytanking Australia Pty Ltd to operate and maintain its jet fuel infrastructure facilities, following a competitive tender process. The five year plus year contract will commence in August, with Skytanking responsible for the operation and maintenance of the airport’s fuel storage and distribution network.
Read the news release here.
JULY 16, 2026: Air New Zealand has released an initial timeline for previously disclosed plans to retrofit its B777-300ER fleet. The first refurbishment is due for completion in March 2027 with re-entry into service scheduled for May. The retrofitted aircraft will retain their 342-passenger capacity although there will be small tweaks to the premium economy and economy class cabin capacities,
Read the news release here.
JULY 16, 2026: Queenstown Airport (ZQN) has started work on its new heavy taxiway as part of a NZD65 million airport upgrade that will also include a complete overlay of the main runway. Other work includes an expansion and upgrade of the airport terminal, redevelopment of the public areas around the terminal, new baggage handling facilities, and a new head office building.
Read the news release here.
JULY 16, 2026: The Qantas Group has tapped Star Aviation to provide ground handling services for Qantas and Jetstar flights at Western Sydney Airport (WSI) when flights start in late October. The ground handling company is also operating the new Qantas Freight cargo terminal at WSI when it starts accepting flights later this month.
Read the news release here.
JULY 16, 2026: Queenstown Airport (ZQN) has appointed experienced infrastructure and capital delivery specialist Mike Simmers to the newly created Chief of Infrastructure role. He most recently served as chief infrastructure officer at Lyttelton Port Company. Simmers starts his new job in mid-August.
Read the news release here.
JULY 14, 2026: Melbourne Airport (MEL) says it processed a record 36,993,557 passengers in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, up 2.3% on the previous 12 months. Passenger traffic included 12,256,328 international and 24,736,829 domestic passengers. The last financial year also included Melbourne Airport busiest month on record. In December, the airport processed 3,421,195 passengers.
Read the news release here.
JULY 14, 2026: Vanuatu’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities has opened South Epi Island’s Lopeni Airport (NVSY). With a 1,200-metre unsealed runway, Lopeni is South Epi’s only airport. The ministry says the airport will bolster connectivity, trade, and access to essential services. Air Vanuatu has not yet announced scheduled flights to the airport.
Read the news release here.
JULY 13, 2026: Air Kiribati will not operate any flights on Monday July 13 in observance of the Independence Day public holiday.
Read the news release here.
JULY 10, 2026: Fiji Airways has ended its long-standing MOU with the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) and shifted to direct commercial relationships with individual hotels and resorts. The airline says the change is part of its strategy to better manage costs amid economic pressures.
Read the news report here.
JULY 9, 2026: Robert Cole will retire from the Perth Airport Board as an independent non-executive director and chair. Cole was appointed to the board as a director in January 2023 and subsequently appointed chair in March 2023. He has decided to hand over the role of chair to new leadership as part of an orderly succession process.
Read the news release here.
JULY 8, 2026: An Air New Zealand A320-200 registered as ZK-OXJ (msn 6694) enroute to Auckland (AKL) returned to Christchurch Airport (CHC) on July 4 after smelling smoke onboard. The aircraft landed safely. Emergency services inspected the aircraft before clearing it to taxi to the apron.
Read the news report here.
JULY 8, 2026: New Zealand’s Hamilton Airport (HLZ) is introducing body scanners as part of its security screening processes, effective July 15.
Read the news release here.
JULY 6, 2026: Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation (NAC) and AG Investments recently signed a PGK24.7 million contract to begin the domestic terminal expansion project at Port Moresby Airport (POM). In this first phase, the NAC will extend the terminal by up to 110 metres outward from the landside face of the terminal building and running the full length of 110 metres. The project will also include upgrades to the airfield ground lighting and power supply systems.
Read the news release here.
JULY 6, 2026: Fuel for the last three months has cost Fiji Airways FJD150 million more compared to the same period last year, according to CEO Paul Scurrah, who recently told a local newspaper that the airline has already introduced a range of initiatives to strengthen financial discipline and manage rising global cost pressures.
Read the news report here
JULY 3, 2026: Texel Air Australasia (Texel Air) has signed on to operate its charter air cargo services from the 24-hour cargo precinct at Western Sydney Airport (WSI) after it opens later this month.
Read the news release here.
JULY 3, 2026: On July 1, 2026, a UPS operated B737-300F travelled beyond its runway holding point and entered the runway at Singapore Airport (SIN) while an Air New Zealand operated B777-3000ER was commencing its take-off roll. No damage or injuries were reported
Read the investigation summary here.
JULY 3, 2026: The Government of New Caledonia has approved scheduled passenger flights operated by Air Oceania between Nouméa Magenta (GEA) and Ouvéa (UVE) and Maré (MEE) Airports in the Loyalty Islands from July 18. Protesters continue to prevent Air Calédonie aircraft from using Ouvéa and Maré Airports.
Read the news report here.
JULY 3, 2026: The Cook Islands Government has renewed an agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency for its aircraft to continue their aerial surveillance of the country’s waters.
Read the news report here.
JULY 3, 2026: Northern Mariana Islands based Star Marianas Air has cancelled all flights between the afternoon of July 4 and the morning of July 7, 2026, in response to approaching Tropical Storm Bavi.
Read the news release here.
JULY 3, 2026: The US Department of Transportation has approved an application by Polynesian Airlines, trading as Samoa Airways, to continue operating its inter-island flights within American Samoa between July 6, 2026, and January 1, 2027.
Read the USDOT filing here.
JULY 2, 2026: The New Zealand Government has appointed Aedeen Boadita-Cormican as Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) Commissioner until May 31, 2031. TAIC investigates all aviation accidents and incidents in New Zealand.
Read the news release here.
JULY 2, 2026: Auckland Airport (AKL) has released its finalised Master Plan showing how the airport precinct could evolve through to 2040 as travel and trade demand changes. It does not commit Auckland Airport to specific projects or timing, but identifies the land, development corridors and infrastructure options that may need to be safeguarded.
Read the news release here.
JULY 1, 2026: Solomon Airlines has delayed the start of its weekly A320-200 operated Honiara (HIR) – Port Moresby (POM) round-trip to July 7, saying all infrastructure approvals are now in place and operations are ready to start.
Read the news release here.
