Australian Aviation Podcast Network

New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson had been conspicuous by her absence since taking the top job in aviation. However, last Friday, she recorded a video message to consumers, apologising for the Flying Kangaroo's performance and pledging to improve the situation. Adam, Chris and Jake discuss how well she came across and whether her intervention will help stop the endless waves of bad publicity. Plus, wi...

Last week, Qantas lost its High Court appeal over the outsourcing of around 1,700 ground workers during the pandemic. The decision means the airline is facing a hefty compensation bill – and yet more bad publicity. Adam, Chris and Jake discuss the latest and ask how Qantas can say sorry to ex-employees  when it fought so hard in court to defend its decision.  Plus, what's going on with Google Wing...

It's one week PJ (that's post-Joyce), but Qantas's critics don't seem to be letting up. Whether it's the row over Qatar, frequent flyer points, slots, delays or the Chairman's Lounge, the bad news keeps coming for the Flying Kangaroo. This week, Jake, Chris and Adam discuss the latest revelations and ask how the airline can stem the tide of bad news. Plus, they ask, just where has Vanessa Hudson b...

This week, Alan Joyce stepped down as Qantas CEO early, bringing to an end his 15-year spell in aviation's top job. It came days after the ACCC revealed it was taking the airline to court over allegations it sold tickets to flights it already cancelled.  But as the vultures circle, was he really that bad a leader? Adam, Jake and Chris reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly. Plus, with the Austr...

Qantas has confirmed it will order 12 new 787 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A350s to replace the bulk of its ageing A330 fleet. The news means outgoing CEO Alan Joyce will leave the company having overseen what is likely the last significant aircraft order for a decade. But should Joyce have left that announcement to his successor rather than take the plaudits himself? Adam, Chris and Jake discuss. Pl...

This week, both Qantas and Virgin weighed in on Qatar being blocked from adding more flights to Australia's major airports. But Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka has skin in the game because her airline is a codeshare partner of Qatar, and, of course, a fellow rival of Qantas. So what's going on? And does anyone really have Aussie travellers' best interests at heart? Adam, Chris and Jake discuss the lates...

Qantas has officially thrown its weight behind the Yes campaign for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The Flying Kangaroo has unveiled a new livery for three of its aircraft – a Qantas 737-800, a Jetstar A320, and a QantasLink Dash 8 – featuring the Yes campaign's logo, saying it has long supported reconciliation and a "fair go". But is the national carrier right to take a side in a political di...

Air traffic control provider Airservices Australia finally admitted it's not delivering the service people expect – on a Friday afternoon. The statement, significantly, didn't contain an apology and came after repeated assurances that the organisation did actually have enough staff. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss and latest and ask whether the apparent mea culpa will calm anger across the...

Weeks ago, Bonza announced a surprising cut to its network despite only launching in January. But on Monday, the point-to-point carrier revealed it is setting up a third base in the Gold Coast, from where it will fly to 11 destinations. Adam, Jake and Chris discuss what this means for Bonza's strategy and what might be going on with its wet lease agreement. Plus, the team talk slots (again), Brisb...

This week, Sydney Airport's CEO told major airlines to use their take-off slots or let other carriers have them as domestic traffic continues to languish. It comes after the ACCC in June argued that larger airlines "can exploit" slot rules to stifle competition from smaller carriers, with both Bonza and Rex claiming the system is putting them at a severe disadvantage. Adam, Jake and Chris discuss...

Last week, Bonza said it would axe five of its 27 routes just months after their launch in a move the airline said would reduce cancellations across its network. Chief customer officer Carly Povey admitted to Australian Aviation the decision to cut back services had been made earlier than Bonza would have liked and added the company was compelled to take out routes where there wasn't "sustainable...

Australia's biggest pilots' union last week claimed air traffic control staffing issues are making skies less safe for pilots and passengers. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) has told Australian Aviation that its members have encountered "chronic" and "systemic" staffing problems at Airservices dating back to before the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after reports emerged earlier this y...

This week, Bonza has blamed the industry's ongoing talent shortage for a rash of cancellations that have left passengers stranded. They weren't the only ones, with controversy surrounding whether or not Australia has enough air traffic controllers following delays and cancellations affecting NSW's school holiday getaway. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake ask what's going wrong and what can be done t...

To its detractors, the noise from overhead aircraft will hugely affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents, but for avgeeks, living under the flight path is a privilege. In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether we should care about the 'purring' of an aircraft overhead. The team also chat about whether airlines handled COVID-19 credits ethically, a massive investment in su...

Qantas has unveiled the first photos of the unique stretching area located on its Project Sunrise A350-1000s that will fly for up to 20 hours. The 'Wellbeing Zone', accessible to all passengers, will feature "sculpted wall panels" and "integrated stretch handles" as well as a guided on-screen exercise program. But is it a smart solution to surviving an ultra-long-haul flight or a gimmick that will...

The Australian Aviation Awards 2023 are on course to be the biggest in our history. In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss why you need to take this last chance to enter and share their tips for becoming a nominee. Plus, the team discusses the biggest news stories of the week, including the latest on noise for locals near Brisbane Airport, WSI's first airlines and hydrogen planes in Queensl...

Aeromedical charity CareFlight, which delivers aeromedical services in urban, regional, and remote areas around Australia, has partnered with AMSL Aero on a new electric VTOL air ambulance – the Vertiia.   CEO Mick Frewen talks with Australian Aviation's Jake Nelson on how the Vertiia will be added to CareFlight's fleet and what it means for aeromedical services in the future.

This week, the ACCC claimed airlines "can exploit" the rules around airport slots – effectively hoarding the best take-off times to indefinitely block out rivals. But what on earth are the rules, and why have they proved so controversial? In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether the system is helping maintain the duopoly of Qantas and Virgin. Does the industry have room for more major...

Four months after its launch, low-cost carrier Bonza has wrapped up its initial 27-route network rollout and is now eyeing future growth. CEO Tim Jordan joins us again on the Australian Aviation podcast to discuss Bonza's early successes, the challenges of launching a new domestic airline in today's environment and what might be in store for Bonza as it looks beyond the eastern seaboard – potentia...

With aviation continuing to emerge from the COVID-19 slump, YouTubers like Jeb Brooks of GreenerGrass.com are making a living bringing the flying experience – especially business and first-class travel – to people who may never sit in the pointy end of the plane themselves. Jeb tells Jake Nelson how he's made a thriving career out of sharing "the miracle of flight" with almost 600,000 subscribers...

As drone technology advances by leaps and bounds, Sydney-based drone training company Aviassist has brought another new innovation to Australian shores, with the country's first AI-operated drone flight recently taking place on Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. In this episode, Aviassist's Ross Anderson talks to Jake Nelson about the Skydio Dock technology that made it possible, as well as the potent...

Air New Zealand has finally released more details around its much-hyped Skynest.    This week, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether the bunk bed design is a revolution or PR stunt.    Plus, the team discusses reports we'll soon be flying between London and Sydney in two hours.    Can it possibly be worse than 18 hours in economy?

This week, it emerged Alan Joyce's successor at Qantas, Vanessa Hudson, will be paid significantly less than the airline's long-serving CEO.   In this episode, Adam, Jake and Chris ask whether that's a blow for industry equality – or still a handsomely-paid chief executive.   Plus, the team discusses the latest instalment in the bizarre and confusing battle over FIFO flights.

This week, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce shocked the industry by announcing he was set to step down from his role – in November. While it was well known he would be leaving, the announcement came far earlier than expected, alongside the news of new chief and current CFO Vanessa Hudson. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake ask whether the succession plan will work and analyse Joyce's legacy. Was he the man who...

This week it emerged Melbourne Airport's decades-talked-about rail link is set to miss its competition date. It looks like the project will now to open until the next decade, with the state blaming the airport, and the airport pushing back on the government. In this episode, hosts Adam Thorn, Chris Fenton and Jake Nelson discusses how much longer the city can rely on the SkyBus. The team also disc...