Passengers on the first commercial flights at Western Sydney International Airport have described the experience as seamless. Jetstar flight JQ362 left for the Gold Coast just before 11:30am on Sunday, one of three domestic services to use the runway first. Air New Zealand flight NZ165 from Auckland became the first international arrival, followed by flight NZ166 back to Auckland. Passengers praised the toll-free drive, short walk to the terminal and digital check-in. Airline and airport officials say more destinations will be added over the next year.
The first passenger flight has taken off from Western Sydney International Airport, a new facility in Sydney's west. Jetstar flight JQ362 is carrying passengers to the Gold Coast, the first service linking the two cities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the airport is the first major new airport opened in Australia in more than 50 years. The airport is part of an $18 billion investment, with planned rail and road projects to follow. Airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways will operate services from the site.
The first passenger flight took off from Western Sydney International Airport this morning, about 20 minutes behind schedule. Jetstar flight JQ362 headed for the Gold Coast. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened the airport, which was first chosen for Sydney's second airport at Badgerys Creek 40 years ago. Politicians from all sides attended the opening. Airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways will operate from the airport, and the first international flight to New Zealand is due tomorrow.
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The first passenger flight took off from Western Sydney International Airport this morning, about 20 minutes behind schedule. Jetstar flight JQ362 headed for the Gold Coast. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened the airport, which was first chosen for Sydney's second airport at Badgerys Creek 40 years ago. Politicians from all sides attended the opening. Airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways will operate from the airport, and the first international flight to New Zealand is due tomorrow.
A social media influencer has been banned from flying with Qantas and Jetstar after inflating a life jacket inside a plane cabin. Hugh Lovett, one of four brothers behind the TikTok account The Lovetts, inflated the vest on a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Adelaide on Friday, October 16. Video of the incident shows the vest rapidly filling with a loud noise during a pre-flight safety demonstration. Jetstar said customers must follow crew safety instructions and must not tamper with safety equipment. Australian Federal Police officers met the aircraft in Adelaide.
Two Chilean nationals who flew from Melbourne to Bali on a Jetstar flight have allegedly been caught with 4.5kg of cocaine, worth about $2 million. Indonesian authorities allegedly found the drugs hidden in backpacks at Denpasar International Airport on October 3. A 23-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man are alleged to have carried the drugs, and told authorities they were on holiday. Police also arrested a 27-year-old Indonesian man who allegedly received the drugs at a Kuta hotel, acting on instructions from a suspected wider drug network. Jetstar said it would co-operate with authorities.
Air safety investigators have launched a probe after a Jetstar passenger plane passed about 15 metres above a white van at Townsville Airport in north Queensland. The Airbus A320 was flying from Brisbane on October 7 when a vehicle entered a restricted area beside the runway as the aircraft came in to land. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident as a serious incident. Jetstar said the flight landed normally and without incident and that it is working with the bureau.