A merger of Qantas and British Airways must involve control of the “Flying Kangaroo” remaining in Australia, officials in the country insisted today, as Qantas shares surged on hopes a deal would see it emerge a stronger competitor to big regional rivals like Singapore Airlines.

Jason Donovan has signed up to star in the stage adaptation of 'Priscilla Queen Of The Desert'.

A passenger was caught with a knife and an extendable baton on board a domestic flight today in the latest breach of Australian airline security.