News Briefs from March 2026
MARCH 31, 2026: Air Niugini has commenced A220-300 services on the Port Moresby (POM) – Sydney (SYD) city pair. The inaugural flight took place on March 29. POM – SYD is the second international city-pair serviced by Air Nuigini’s A220s. The aircraft commenced operations on the Port Moresby – Cairns (CNS) city-pair last week.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 31, 2026: China’s Ministry of Transportation has approved the continuation of an alliance between Air China and Air New Zealand through to 2031.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 31, 2026: The Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill 2026 has been tabled in Nauru’s Parliament. The Bill aims to addresses cases relating to passengers who use e-cigarettes or smoke on an aircraft. It has been difficult to charge and prosecute offenders because of the gaps in the Act especially in regard to e-cigarettes.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 30, 2026: Aero Dili has launched its twice weekly Dili (DIL) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) flights. The inaugural March 28 service was operated by Aero Dili’s A319-100, 4W-AAO (msn 02825).
Read the news release here.
MARCH 30, 2026: Air Niugini has deployed the A220-300 onto the Port Moresby (POM) – Cairns (CNS) city pair, effective March 27. The aircraft replaces the B737-800s and Fokker jets previously operating on the route. POM – CNS is the first international city-pair that Air Niugini had used the A220 on.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 30, 2026: Isaac Regional Council says there will be no refuelling services at Clermont Airport (CMQ) from March 23 to April 20, 2026. The temporary closure is due to staff availability. The remote airport normally has Jet A1 and AvGas fuel available.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 27, 2026: Air New Zealand and Air Chathams have commenced an interline agreement that offers passengers same-ticket connections when travelling to and from Whakatāne onto the wider Air New Zealand domestic network.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 27, 2026: The Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu says Pele Airport TGH) will re-open after maintenance and safety upgrades are carried out. The airport, on Tongoa Island, has experienced closures and service suspensions in the past due to unsafe runway conditions, including damage, lack of fencing, and livestock roaming the runway.
Read the news report here.
MARCH 26, 2026: Due to ongoing airports blockades in the Loyalty Islands and Île des Pins since, Aircalin is suspending the sale of flights operated by the domestic carrier Air Calédonie until May 31, 2026, inclusive.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 26, 2025: Adelaide Airport (ADL) achieved record passenger numbers for February 2026, with 692,000 people passing through the terminal, a 4.7% increase on the previous year. This included 105,000 international passengers passing through the airport in February, a 33.1% increase on the year prior.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 25, 2026: Wellington Airport (WLG) has completed installation of new runway safety zones today, with energy absorbing blocks now in place at each end of the airport runway. The work extends the usable length of the runway by optimising space between the safety zones, providing a landing distance increase of 143 metres and a take-off distance increase of 37 metres.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 25, 2026: The New Zealand Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund will provide a NZD6.5 million loan to Hamilton Airport (HLZ) to help pay for a 255-metre runway extension, expansion of the runway’s apron and turning bay, and upgrading the approach and runway lights. When complete, the runway’s length will increase to 2,450 metres.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 24, 2026: Tonga’s Lupepau’u International Airport (VAV), better known as Vava’u Airport, has received a USD1.3 million category 5 aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle from New Zealand’s Aviation Fire Services, with funding provided by the World Bank. The vehicle is delivered as part of Tonga’s Climate Resilient Transport Fund.
Read the news report here.
MARCH 24, 2026: Solomon Airlines has announced the appointment of SISI Travel as its Passenger Sales Agent for the airline in Santo, Vanuatu. In this role, SISI Travel will provide sales, marketing, and sales support services tailored to the Vanuatu market.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 23, 2026: The New Caledonia Government has negotiated a so-called health corridor with protestors blockading airports, allowing an Air Calédonie ATR to land at Ouvéa Airport (UVE) on March 21 to repatriate 50 patients, medics, and medical supplies.
Read the news report here.
MARCH 23, 2026: Fiji’s Labasa Airport (LBS) is due to re-open on March 27 after a month-long closure that allowed engineers to carry out major runway pavement strengthening works.
Read the news report here.
MARCH 23, 2026: LifeFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) have opened a shared AUD34.4 million aeromedical hub at Mount Isa Airport (ISA). The facility will help the medical retrieval specialists deliver lifesaving, primary and preventative healthcare services across Queensland’s north and northwest.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 20, 2026: An upgrade of New Zealand’s Masterton Airport (MRO) is complete. The work included resurfacing and widening the runway, improving lighting, upgrading water and electrical networks for 27 new hangar sites, and building new access roads.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 19, 2026: Fiji’s Ministry of Civil Aviation wants to continue discussions with Australia about accessing bulk sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The 2026-2031 Civil Aviation Master Plan launched last month suggested that Fiji strengthen talks and develop a certification scheme consistent with international standards to verify the emissions from SAF.
Read the news report here.
MARCH 19, 2026: Hinterland Aviation intends to move from the general aviation terminal at Cairns Airport (CNS) to the main domestic terminal later this year. The airline also anticipates delivery of their first Cessna Skycourier later this year.
Read the news article here.
MARCH 19, 2026: Australian regional airports are operating under significant financial pressure according to a new Regional Airports Financial Sustainability Survey 2026, commissioned by the Australian Airports Association. Among the 22 airports that provided detailed financial data, the median financial result was a loss of AUD192,000 in FY2024/25, with nearly 60% operating at a deficit.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 18, 2026: Air Calédonie has furloughed around half its 200 employees to preserve cash. Ongoing airport blockades have forced the airline to cancel its scheduled domestic flights since March 2.
Read the news article here.
MARCH 18, 2026: Ahead of the arrival of Cyclone Narelle, Hinterland Aviation has cancelled scheduled services to Coen (CUQ) and Lockhart River (IRG) on March 20, 2026, and flagged the possible cancellation of flights to Cooktown (CTN).
Read the travel advisory here.
MARCH 17, 2026: Aircalin says it will temporarily raise fares up to 6% depending on the destination and travel class, in response to rising fuel costs. The increased prices will apply to ticket sold on and after March 17. The airline calls the increase "limited and controlled.”
Read the news story here.
MARCH 17, 2026: Fiji Airways CEO Paul Scurrah says the airline has no plans to cut frequencies or routes in response to rising fuel prices. He also says the airline is undecided about whether to apply a fuel levy to fares but is monitoring the situation.
Read the news story here.
MARCH 12, 2026: The Tongan Government is re-examining ground handling services at Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) after a failed attempt to renationalise the service last year. Ministry of Public Enterprises CEO Fotu Fisiiah says the government has identified “shortcomings” in how the process was handled.
Read the news story here.
MARCH 12, 2026: Papua New Guinea’s PM, James Marape, says the long overdue upgrade of the Madang Airport (MAG) passenger terminal will soon be complete. Work on upgrading the airport has been underway since 2008 but has experienced several delays, including contractual defaults.
Read the news story here.
MARCH 11, 2026: Alaska Airlines has appointed Andrew Stanbury as its South Pacific managing director. The Sydney-based Stanbury will oversee the performance of all routes across Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 11, 2026: New Zealand’s Air Chathams has added a NZD20 fuel surcharge to its ticket prices as it warns rocketing fuel prices could add NZD1.6 million to its annual fuel bill. The Air Chathams announcement follows Air New Zealand increasing its ticket prices earlier this week because of fast rising fuel prices.
Read the news story here.
MARCH 10, 2026: Air New Zealand is suspending its earnings guidance for the six months to June 30, 2026, due to global jet fuel market volatility. Jet fuel prices, which were around USD85 to USD90 per barrel prior to the conflict, have increased sharply to between USD150 to USD200 per barrel in recent days. Air New Zealand is 83% hedged against Brent crude for the second half of the 2026 financial year. However, like most global airline peers, it remains exposed to movements in the crack spread.
Read the stock exchange filing here.
MARCH 10, 2026: Fiji’s Bureau of Statistics says international carriers filled 76.3% of their seats on flights in and out of the country in 2025 – a 0.4% improvement on the 2024 figure.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 10, 2026: Air Calédonie continues to cancel most or all of its domestic flights, with the latest update saying all domestic flights scheduled for today, March 10, are cancelled. The cancellations are due to airport blockades.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 10, 2026: Vanuatu’s deputy prime minister, Johnny Koanapo, says the government has signed a deed of guarantee to clear Air Vanuatu’s remaining debt to the Vanuatu National Provident Fund by December 2027.
Read the news story here.
MARCH 9, 2026: Work has started on the upgrade of Papua New Guinea’s Wewak Airport (WWK). The 24-month project will see the runway extended to 2,010 metres, improved aeronautical lighting to support safe night and adverse-weather operations, and a new passenger terminal built. The National Airport Corporation is undertaking the work through the Civil Aviation Development Investment Project II.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 9, 2026: The International Air Services Commission has received an application from Qantas seeking an allocation of unlimited freight capacity on the Singapore route for 99 years. From April 2,2026, Qantas plans to commence all-cargo services between Sydney (SYD) and Shanghai (PVG) through to Singapore (SIN), using Airbus 330F aircraft operated under a wet lease arrangement with wholly-owned subsidiary Express Freighters Australia.
Read the application here.
MARCH 6, 2026: Korean LCCs t’way Air and Jeju Air have agreed to continue flights to Saipan (SPN) until at least the end of October, having previously planned to suspend them at the end of March. In Jeju Air’s case, Seoul - Saipan flights will stop between March 29 – April 29, 2026, because of operational constraints, before resuming.
Read the news article here.
MARCH 6, 2026: PNG Air has released a list of its top 20 shareholders. The biggest is Mineral Resources Development Company Limited, with 1,557,425,861 shares, or 15.93% of the airline’s issued shares. Cumulatively, the top five shareholders own 66.48% of the airline.
Read the stock exchange filing here.
MARCH 6, 2026: The Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Airways, and QAI UK have reduced their stake in Virgin Australia from 545,783,569 ordinary shares to 529,039,288 ordinary shares - a 2% reduction. The Qataris acquired a 22% interest in Virgin Australia Holdings Limited for approximately AUD800 million (USD565.4 million) in early 2025. The sale follows the release of shares from escrow after the relisting of Virgin Australia in mid-2025.
Read the stock exchange filing here.
MARCH 6, 2026: Auckland Airport has switched on a fleet of 11 industrial scale heat pumps in its 141,000m² international terminal. The NZD15 million project will reduce natural gas use for heating and cooling by an estimated 40% and marks a milestone in the airport’s plan to phase out natural gas and cut carbon emissions from its operations.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 5, 2026: A Texel Air Australasia B737-800 freighter, ZK-TXB (msn 29644) aborted take-off having reached around 140 knots at Melbourne Airport (MEL) on February 17, 2026, after ATC alerted the pilots of a vehicle at the intersection of the airport’s two runways. The jet (safely) crossed the intersection during the slowdown and continued its flight to Adelaide around 60 minutes later.
See the news story here.
MARCH 4, 2026: Tonga’s Civil Aviation Office has appointed Shanonn Wandmaker as technical advisor for aviation security to support the country’s aviation sector. Wandmaker is engaged through the Pacific Aviation Safety Office with funding support from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Wandmaker will provide technical guidance and advisory support to better align Tonga’s aviation security framework with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
See the news release here.
MARCH 4, 2026: Following a competitive tender, Sydney Airport (SYD) has appointed ExecuJet as the sole Fixed Base Operator within the airport’s general aviation precinct. Part of the Luxaviation Group, ExecuJet will deliver ground handling services including aircraft handling and coordination, passenger and crew services, ramp operations and concierge support.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 4, 2026: Virgin Australia Holdings Limited has released 14,780,061 escrowed shares (representing around 1.89% of the total issued share capital) held by escrowed executive leadership team legacy plan-holders and 1,964,200 escrowed shares (representing around 0.25% of the total issued share capital) held by escrowed group leadership team legacy plan-holders.
Read the stock exchange filing here.
MARCH 3, 2026: The receivers handling the Airwork Holdings insolvency say they expect to sell the New Zealand freight airline by mid-2026 and confirm that they sold aircraft related surplus assets worth NZD3.6 million in the six months to December 31, 2025.
Read the updated receiver’s report here.
MARCH 3, 2026: Air Calédonie cancelled all flights on March 2, 2026, after protestors blocked access to several airports around Vanuatu. March 2 was the day Air Calédonie switched its Nouméa operations from Magenta Airport (GEA) to La Tontouta (NOU). The move has been met with strong resistance from many islanders.
Read the travel advisory here.
MARCH 2, 2026: Adelaide Airport (ADL) experienced its busiest ever January with 771,814 people travelling through the terminal in January 2026. International passenger numbers achieved double-digit growth with 128,000 travellers, an increase of 21.6% on the year prior. Domestic and regional passenger numbers were in line with last year.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 2, 2026: New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission is investigating a November 8, 2025, incident at Hamilton (HLZ) in which a Jetstar A320-200, VH-A5E (msn 12556), backtracking on a runway was overflown by an Ardmore Flying School Cessna 172 landing on runway 18L. The Cessna landed safely and the Airbus continued on Sydney (SYD).
Read the news release here.
MARCH 2, 2026: Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation has temporarily suspend operations at Wewak Airport (WWK) following a recent security breach and damage to airport infrastructure, including airline offices and passenger processing facilities. Air Niugini has separately confirmed the suspension of its flights to the airport.
Read the news release here.
MARCH 2, 2026: At the Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit held in Hawai’i last week, the US Trade and Development Agency announced funding for project scoping to start infrastructure development processes and to examine deploying trusted US technology to projects that would strengthen airport security in Kiribati, improve the reliability of Tonga’s fuel supply, and upgrade Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ) in the Marshall Islands, among other funding announcements.
Read the news release here.
