JUNE 4, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Successful first test flight for Qantas A350-1000ULR
Airbus has completed the first test flight of Qantas’s Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR. The three-hour and 43-minute flight took place above France on June 2, 2026.
JUNE 4, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
ICCC issues final report into Papua New Guinea’s aviation sector
Papua New Guinea’s ICCC has released its final report into the country’s aviation sector, recommending the economic regulation of the National Airports Corporation and NiuSky, as well as the establishment of a steering committee to oversee airport infrastructure spending.
JUNE 3, 2026. NEW CALEDONIA
Air Calédonie resumes flight to Lifou after blockade ends
Air Calédonie is resuming flights to Lifou after a high chief ordered the end of a three-month airport blockade. Flights restart today, June 3, in what the airline calls a gradual resumption of services.
JUNE 3, 2026. VANUATU
Norsup Airport upgrade work stops amid payment delays
Work on Vanuatu’s Norsup Airport upgrade has stalled amid government payment delays. However, the government says it is catching up on payments and that the Chinese contractor will restart work once equipment arrives on Malakula Island.
JUNE 2, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Microflite buys Hobart’s Cambridge Airport, Airlines of Tasmania
Australian charter business Microflite has acquired Airlines of Tasmania, known as Par Avion, along with Hobart’s Cambridge Airport, in two separate transactions only publicly disclosed late last week.
JUNE 2, 2026. FIJI
Not interested in Seoul flights says Fiji Airways CEO
Fiji Airways CEO Paul Scurrah says flights to Seoul are not financially viable after Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka told the country's parliament that he wanted Korean Air to resume flights to Fiji to bring in more European tourists.
JUNE 1, 2026. FRENCH POLYNESIA
French Polynesia’s Motu Link Airline starts revenue flights
Eight years in the making, French Polynesian cargo start-up Motu Link Airline has begun revenue flights using its ATR72 500 freighter, becoming the territory’s first dedicated cargo airline.
JUNE 1, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Papua New Guinea local landowners buy three ATR42-600s
PNG Air has started taking delivery of three ATR42-600s owned by Papua New Guinea landowner companies, marking the start of an unusual aircraft leasing partnership in the country that will see the benefits flow back to local residents.
MAY 27, 2026. AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
Singapore Airlines amends flights to Australia & New Zealand
Singapore Airlines has scheduled several service changes across its South West Pacific network for the upcoming northern winter 2026/27 season. The changes will see frequency increases on four routes and several aircraft swaps
MAY 26, 2026. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PNG Air ATR72 bursts tyres during aborted take-off
Papua New Guinea’s National Airports Corporation has temporarily closed Goroka Airport (GKA) after a PNG Air ATR72-600 burst two tyres during an aborted take-off yesterday, May 25, and subsequently blocked the runway.
June 2026 Aircraft Movements
MAY 26, 2026. AUSTRALIA
Supply chain issues delay Project Sunrise flights - again
Airbus has pushed back delivery of the first Qantas ultra long-range A350 to April 2027, citing supply chain issues, and again delaying the start of the airline’s Project Sunrise flights.
MAY 25, 2026. AUSTRALIA
REX cuts Bass Straight flights as former directors face court
REX is axing two Bass Strait routes, citing reduced demand and increased fuel costs. Meanwhile, ASIC has commenced its prosecution of four former REX directors over the airline’s 2024 collapse.