News briefs from June 2026
JUNE 30, 2026: Air New Zealand has tapped internal candidate Kris Cudmore to be its new chief financial officer, with effect from August 3, 2026. He succeeds outgoing CFO Richard Thomson.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 29, 2026: The Tasmanian Government’s Tasmanian Access Strategy 2040, released last week, identifies the establishment of direct seasonal flights from a key Asian hub as a top priority in creating a sustainable and affordable air network for the state. The proposal would be pursued in partnership with Hobart Airport (HBA) and with support from the Australian Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund.
Read the strategy paper here.
JUNE 26, 2026: Lobby group Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) has criticised the rising taxes, fees, charges and regulatory costs imposed on airlines across the region. The organisation says these increasing costs, together with weaker-than-expected demand, contributed to Jetstar’s decision to axe two trans-Tasman routes this week.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 26, 2026: Fiji Airways has responded to calls for airlines to launch international services from Suva Nausori Airport (SUV). CEO Paul Scurrah said such flights are not commercially viable without government support and, unless that support is forthcoming, the airline will not begin international operations from Suva.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 25, 2026: Air Oceania is in talks to resume flights between Nouméa Magenta (GEA) and Ouvéa (UVE) in the Loyalty Islands. Ouvéa is one of two Loyalty Islands airports blockaded by protesters since early March, specifically targeting Air Calédonie services. Air Oceania says resumption talks with customs authorities and other agencies have progressed well.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 25, 2026: Perth Airport (PER) has hired Duratec Limited and West Coast Civil Pty Ltd to deliver early contractor involvement (ECI) services for the airport’s Jet Fuel Expansion Program. The ECI phase will steer the project through concept design, supporting the development of critical aviation fuel infrastructure as part of Perth Airport’s multi‑billion-dollar expansion program.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 25,2026: Dunedin Airport (DUD) says almost 50,000 passengers have travelled between Dunedin and Coolangatta/Gold Coast Airport (OOL) since Jetstar started its thrice-weekly (rising to four per week in peak periods) A320-200 operated round-trips 12 months ago.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 24, 2025: Deutsche Bank has committed AUD100 million as sole lender in the 12-year tranche of a refinancing package for North Queensland Airports, owner and operator of Cairns (CNS) and Mackay (MKY) Airports. The broader refinancing was structured as a multi-tranche debt facility, bringing together a consortium of lenders across three to 12-year tenors.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 24, 2026: Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation says work on the upgrade of Hoskins Airport (HKN) has passed the halfway mark. The contractor has recently completed airside works on stages 1 to 7, and is awaiting approval to commence stage 8, which will result in the available runway length being limited to 1,090 metres. When complete, the work will see the current 1,960-metre runway extended by 60 metres to 2,050 metres.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 23, 2026: Air New Zealand and Taiwan’s EVA Air have expanded their codeshare partnership, with Air New Zealand placing EVA’s flight designator on its Queenstown (ZQN) – Brisbane (BNE) flights and EVA Air placing Air New Zealand’s flight designator on its Taipei (TPE) – Busan (PUS) flights. The change took effect in mid-June.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 23, 2026: Air Oceania has resumed flights from Nouméa Magenta Airport (GEA) after suspending all flights to and from the airport last week due to a fuel shortage.
Read the travel advisory here.
JUNE 22, 2026: A fully loaded Air New Zealand A320-200 registered as ZK-OJS (msn 04926) became “stuck in the mud” at Christchurch Airport (CHC) early on June 21 after its main landing gear veered onto the grass area beside the taxiway during the pushback procedure. As of early on June 22 (local time), the aircraft remained off the apron. The aircraft was operating NZ582 to Auckland (AKL).
Read the news report here.
JUNE 22, 2026: Wendy Bowden has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Nauru Airlines, replacing interim CEO Robert Eoe. Bowden was chief financial officer at Nauru Airlines between 2010 and 2018 but was most recently financial controller at Alliance Airlines. Bowden took up the role in May.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 22, 2026: The president of the New Zealand Fiji Business Council has called for the resumption of flights from Suva’s Nausori Airport (SUV) to Australia and New Zealand. Chandar Sen told a conference in Fiji last week that carriers such as Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand and Qantas should respond to commercial demand rather than waiting for ideal airport conditions.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 19, 2026: New Caledonia’s Air Oceania will suspend flights to and from Nouméa’s Magenta Airport (GEA) due to a shortage of AVGAS fuel stock. The airline says flights will restart as soon as fuel becomes available at the airport once again.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 19, 2026: Christchurch Airport (CHC) has officially opened its new NZD40 million freight apron. Covering an area larger than six rugby pitches, the apron includes more than 11 kilometres of underground services. The new apron expands the airport's freight handling capacity and flexibility, helping meet growing demand from freight operators while creating room for future growth.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 19, 2026: Air New Zealand has released its monthly investor update, saying that in May 2026, group capacity decreased 0.1% compared to May 2025. Long haul capacity fell by 1.3% while domestic capacity rose by 2.9%, largely due to two additional A321s. International short haul capacity also increased by 1.6% on the back to two additional A321s. However, all this was partly offset by targeted capacity reductions in the first half of calendar 2026.
Read the stock exchange filing here
JUNE 18, 2026: The Australian Government has approved the Brisbane Airport Master Plan 2026, which outlines how Brisbane Airport will develop its land use over the next two decades. The plan also explores improved transport access to accommodate significant passenger growth, with the airport wanting to be able to handle more than 50 million passengers annually within 20 years.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 18, 2026: The Australian Government has announced AUD15 million in grant funding for Round 5 of the Regional Airports Program. The funding can cover up to 50% of the cost of essential works valued between AUD20,000 and AUD5 million, including runway resurfacing, fencing, lighting installation and upgrades, or projects supporting the transition of air services to net zero aviation technology.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 18, 2026: Australia’s International Air Services Commission has allocated Qantas two additional weekly frequencies on the Brisbane (BNE) – Manila (MNL) city pair to allow the airline to operate daily A321-200XLR round trips by November 30, 2026. The determination is valid for five years.
Read the determination here.
JUNE 18, 2026: A Virgin Australia B737-800, VH-VUR (msn 36606), was climbing out of Melbourne (MEL) on a flight to Perth (PER) on June 15, 2026, when the crew stopped the climb at 5,000 feet following a left-hand engine fire indication and returned safely to Melbourne. The aircraft stopped on the runway while emergency services carried out an inspection. However, no evidence of fire was found. The aircraft subsequently taxied to the apron and has since returned to service.
JUNE 17, 2026: Papua New Guinea Department of Transport has granted Solomon Airlines an air services licence ahead of the planned start of scheduled Honiara (HIR) – Port Moresby (POM) round trips on June 30.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 17, 2026: Polynesian Airlines, trading as Samoa Airways, has asked the US Department of Transportation for an extension of its existing cabotage rights to fly between Pago Pago (PPG) and the Manu’a Islands from July 5, 2026, through January 1, 2027. Samoa Airways has operated what are essentially US domestic flights for several years because no US carrier operates on American Samoan inter-island routes.
Read the filing here.
JUNE 15, 2026: Plans by Western Samoa’s government to relaunch Samoa's national airline and acquire two jet aircraft has not resonated with investors, with just WST459,000 (USD170,350) raised through a special investment fund and nearly 77% of that amount coming from local investors rather than the overseas Samoan community the would-be airline is targeting.
Read the news article here.
JUNE 15, 2026: Launceston Airport (LST) has recorded the busiest May in its history with 108,230 passengers passing through the terminal, up 3.2% on last year. It’s the ninth time in twelve months the airport has seen record passenger numbers.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 15, 2026: Origin Air will continue to operate between Westport/Carters Beach (WSZ) and Wellington (WLG) until at least August 24 after receiving short term support from Development West Coast. The airline had previously indicated it would stop flying on the route because it was losing money.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 12, 2026: The precision approach path indicator and runway end identifier lights at Chuuk International Airport (TKK) on Micronesia’s Weno Island are out of service until June 30, 2026, requiring commercial carriers servicing the airport, including United Airlines, to reschedule flights to avoid night time operations there.
Read the travel advisory here.
JUNE 9, 2026: Private jet operator Australian Corporate Jet Services has added Hangar 86 to its facility at Melbourne’s Essendon Airport (MEB).
Read the news release here.
JUNE 8, 2026: Reuters is reporting that Qantas is in talks about ordering approximately 20 widebody aircraft and is looking at B787 and A350 variants.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 5, 2026: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti have commenced a codeshare agreement signed in December 2025. This partnership allows Air Tahiti Nui to place its TN code on selected inter-island flights operated by Air Tahiti and issue a single ticket through to various airports around French Polynesia.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 5, 2026: The City of Albany has issued a tender for qualified parties to undertake rehabilitation work at Albany Airport (ALH), including improving its runway, taxiways and aprons to accommodate heavier aircraft. The AUD41.6 million cost is being jointly met by the Australian Government, Western Australia Government, and City of Albany.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 5, 2026: Cairns Airport (CNS) has launched a major retail tender after a AUD55 million upgrade of its international terminal. The request for tender (RFT) relates to multiple sites within both the international (T1) and domestic (T2) terminals, offering more than 2500 square metres of space for duty free, retail, and food and beverage opportunities.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 3, 2026: A consortium led by Barings will pay around AUD1.5 billion to buy Melbourne’s Moorabbin Airport (MBW) from Goodman Group. The consortium includes Aware Super, Rest Super, and Barings entities Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and MS&AD. Goodman will retain a minor interest in the 294-hectare airport site. The deal remains subject to approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Read the news report here.
JUNE 3, 2026: Air New Zealand has released its April 2026 investor update saying group capacity had increased by 2.4% that month compared to April 2025. Long haul available seat kilometres rose by 0.3% and domestic capacity increased 2.2%, largely due to two additional A321s in service compared to the previous April. Short haul international capacity rose 6.9%, due to the introduction of two new A321s.
Read the stock market filing here.
JUNE 3, 2026: Papua New Guinea’s Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) has released its final report following its inquiry into the state of the aviation industry in the country.
Read the final report here.
JUNE 3, 2026: PNG Air has advised the Papua New Guinea Stock Exchange about a “few printing errors” in its recently released 2025 Annual Report. The errors included referring to the 2024 financial year in a paragraph detailing the material uncertainty related to going concern, an incorrect heading about the valuation of the group’s owned aircrafts, and an incorrect auditor’s signature date.
Read the stock market filing here.
JUNE 2, 2026: Sydney Airport (SYD) has issued a major food and beverage request for proposal. The RFP includes more than 3,000 square metres of potential retail F&B opportunity and a total of 20 sites at both the T1 international and T2 domestic terminals.
Read the news release here.
JUNE 1, 2026: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its final report into a January 29, 2026, incident where a Link Airways Saab 340 lost a landing gear wheel during take-off at Canberra Airport (CBR). The aircraft returned to land safely and the report has praised the pilots’ effective communication and decision-making.
Read the final report here.