Qantas engine that sparked Sydney fire was weeks from retirement

Samantha Mostyn was recommended for the role by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the decision was approved by King Charles.

The increased demand will be a boon to the Queensland airport, which has seen a dramatic collapse in its network since the carrier entered administration a month ago.

Flight JQ136 from Christchurch touched down in Cairns at around 10:40am on Wednesday aboard the A320-200 VH-VQL. The flights will operate three times per week, adding an estimated 70,000 trans-Tasman seats.