When America sneezes…
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
As tariffs and border crackdowns continue stateside, the number of Australians taking trips to the US has slumped, with travel to Asia surging instead – a trend noticed by Flight Centre, which is taking a hit to its bottom line. It’s not just passengers that are causing a headache for aviation amid the US uncertainty, however: if the trade war causes a Chinese slowdown, the resulting drop in demand for resources could have a knock-on impact on the FIFO sector, with NJE’s Lim Kim Hai already looking to cut spending. Adam and Jake discuss what the Trump administration’s policies abroad...
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Is pay-on-delay a ‘win-win’?
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
It’s one of the biggest political bunfights in Australia’s aviation sector – should the government force airlines to compensate passengers for delays within their control, above and beyond the usual refunds or flight credits? If you listen to the airlines, the answer is a resounding no, with representatives at the Senate committee hearings on proposed legislation warning it could drive up costs and lead to more delays and cancellations. But according to customer advocate Adam Glezer of Consumer Champion, that’s not the case – and, in fact, there are some hidden upsides in the idea...
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Trade war clips Boeing’s wings
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
As if Boeing needed more bad news, the US-China trade war has delivered another body blow to the planemaker with Beijing ordering a halt on new Boeing plane deliveries to Chinese airlines. As China’s aviation industry is upended by the news, what does it mean for one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world – not to mention Boeing’s competitors, and other countries looking to get their hands on scarce planes? Adam and Jake examine the fallout and how the tit-for-tat tariffs could squeeze more industries than just aviation. Plus, Australia hits new heights for international...
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ASIC closes the book on Bonza
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Almost a year after the swift and sudden demise of Bonza, some relief for its directors came this month with ASIC confirming it would take no further action against them. Absent any further evidence, the decision effectively draws a line under the collapse of a carrier that started with dreams of uniting “Allstralia” and ended in a storm of tears, recriminations and misfortune – but did it ever have a shot to begin with? Adam and Jake look back at the Bonza saga and what could have been. Plus, surprising news from Western Sydney as Qantas clarifies just which of its airlines will be...
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Fool us once…
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Another April Fool’s Day is behind us, and unfortunately for everyone excited about driving in a 737 from Sydney to Melbourne, it turns out “Wombat Groundways” isn’t actually real – sorry. Between Virgin Australia allowing you to check your “emotional baggage” and Mad Mex’s move into in-flight catering, aviation April Fool’s fans ate well this month – but it turns out one supposed prank may have been the real deal after all. Adam and Jake discuss a surprise move by Emirates that the airline insists is no joke. Plus, vale Val Kilmer – in the wake of Iceman’s passing, how...
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On location at Avalon Airshow
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
It’s the biggest event in Australian aviation: the biennial Avalon Airshow, which this year ran over six days at the end of March. Featuring static and aerial displays, as well as trade exhibitors and networking events, the 2025 show attracted more than 200,000 people in total across the six days, including 60,000 industry visitors. Around 350 aircraft were on show, either in the air and on the ground, with 902 participating exhibitor organisations from 28 countries contributing to the event. On the ground at the airshow, Adam and Jake get an up-close look at some military hardware as they...
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How Mission Aviation Fellowship is helping remote communities
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Mission Aviation Fellowship uses its aircraft and volunteers to help people living in the most isolated communities in Australia and around the world. In this episode, the charity’s new local CEO, Chris Barnes, talks about their vital work, and what you can do to support them. The pair also discuss the organisation’s history, its fleet and stories of how their team are making a real difference to people that need it most.
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Infrastructure Week for Australia’s airports
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
As the “big four” airports – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth – bring in record revenues for their aeronautical operations, they’re starting to splash a lot of that cash on future-proofing their infrastructure. Between third runways, terminal renovations, new safety technologies, and of course the ongoing construction of a second Sydney international gateway, airports on both sides of the Tasman are set to spend billions on upgrades over the next decade. Adam and Jake look at some of the latest projects in the spotlight and what they mean for the sector as it continues to...
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A bad week to be a nervous flyer
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Between tropical cyclones, cockpit medical episodes, and airport security breaches – and all of those just in Australia – one could perhaps be forgiven this week for having a sudden bout of aerophobia. There’s been a harsher spotlight on aviation safety stateside, too, with staffing cuts threatening the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as SpaceX’s latest Starship explosion forcing the closure of four major airports in Florida. Adam and Jake look back at a wild week in the skies and discuss some of the safety concerns that have been brought to the forefront. Plus, some...
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Qantas threads the needle
Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Since the departure of Alan Joyce in late 2023, new Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has largely eschewed her predecessor’s bombastic camera-friendly style, instead keeping her head down and focused on rebuilding Australia’s trust in the Flying Kangaroo. Passenger experience has become the watchword, with the recent announcement of another solid half-yearly profit being accompanied by the promise of a cabin refit for 42 aging 737-800s as the airline awaits more of its new-generation Airbus fleet – but is Hudson’s approach bearing fruit? Adam and Jake discuss the delicate balancing act and...
info_outlineIt’s BITRE season again, and while domestic aviation still lags the long-term averages, there’s one figure where the industry is unexpectedly ahead: in a rare showing, cancellations for September were below the long-term average even as on-time performance continued to struggle.
Meanwhile, in another mixed-bag month for the major airlines, which was ultimately the most reliable – and what were some of the other surprises?
Adam and Jake reveal this month’s winner of the newly-christened Huey Award (as well as why it’s called the Huey Award).
Plus, is Rex’s 30-year-old Saab fleet putting it in danger of going the same way as Bonza?