Australian Aviation Podcast Network
The official podcast network of Australian Aviation – where we unpack all the latest insights and developments plus the big issues impacting Australia’s aviation sector.
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Flying in the line of fire
08/05/2026
Flying in the line of fire
As Australian helicopters head north to help with wildfires in Europe, a deadly crash in Greece – and new regulations following a crash in WA two years ago – have once again put the spotlight on how dangerous it can be to fight fires from the air. While national standard operating procedures are cutting down on confusion, and unmanned drones are taking surveillance crews off the front lines, it’s clear that there will always be some danger for those who fly out to battle the increasingly common mega-blazes around the world. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at the risks borne by aerial firefighters, and ask what more can be done to keep our flying firies safe. Plus, Australia’s airports celebrate a rip-roaring financial year, with passenger traffic breaking records at gateways both large and small.
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Cargo (but plane go faster)
07/29/2026
Cargo (but plane go faster)
We don’t talk about it too often on the podcast, but cargo is a huge sector of the aviation industry – and with big news out of both Western Sydney and Avalon Airports this week, it found itself unexpectedly in the spotlight. WSI has at last opened its doors to freight ahead of its passenger launch in October, while Avalon Airport is seeing its first direct cargo services to Saudi Arabia –good news for both the Western Sydney and Geelong areas. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David unpack the crate expectations being placed on Australia’s secondary airports as freight operations ramp up. Plus, Project Sunrise arrives in Australia (sort of); a look at the inside of Jetstar’s new 787-8 cabins (and also Osaka and Kyoto); and why haven’t illegally sacked Qantas ground workers seen all their compensation money yet?
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Qantas in the clear
07/22/2026
Qantas in the clear
Qantas has frequently found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past few years – but it got a much-needed win when the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) found last year’s data breach wasn’t caused by the Flying Kangaroo’s own negligence. With high marks for its swift response to the fiasco, and no need determined for any further investigation, Qantas can take the OAIC’s findings as a sign that the fallout of the cyberattack is mostly behind it – but can it recover from the PR hit it suffered? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David unpack the official verdict on the Qantas data breach, and ask if the national carrier really deserves all the flak it gets. Plus, half a year on from the Air T-Rex deal, when will we actually see more Saabs back in the air?
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The future of pilot training, with UNSW
07/17/2026
The future of pilot training, with UNSW
As the aviation industry grapples with ongoing talent shortages, the question becomes: are current training methods the right model for creating skilled pilots at the rate the sector needs? Cockpits are becoming increasingly automated, while next-generation training technologies such as VR, XR, AR, and advanced simulation are potentially able to boost safety without increasing risk exposure – so are current competency-based models keeping up with the new reality? In this special Australian Aviation Podcast, UNSW and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots present a thought-provoking panel discussion on the evolution of pilot training and how industry, regulators, and academia can collaborate to deliver the best possible outcomes. Join moderator Captain Adrian Young, as well as Churchill Fellow and former CASA Aviation Safety Advisory Panel member Adrianne Fleming, Qantas Group’s Andrew Stead, and UNSW’s Malcolm Good to discuss how pilot training can best meet the new realities of flying.
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A red card for the yellow card
07/15/2026
A red card for the yellow card
If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for a pen on the plane to fill out one of those pesky paper cards before you reach Customs, fear not – after a two-year trial and much lobbying by the tourism industry, there will soon be a digital alternative to the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). Rolling out over the next 12 to 18 months, the Australia Travel Declaration will make the bane of every groggy passenger’s tray table a thing of the past, streamlining the border process and bringing Australia in line with other countries in the region and around the world. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and special guest host Hannah Dowling discuss the end of the paper IPC era, and what it will mean for passengers, airports, and government agencies. Plus, another big milestone for WSI with the arrival of its first freighter just two weeks from the official launch of commercial cargo flights.
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Good morning, Vietjet?
07/08/2026
Good morning, Vietjet?
When it rains, it pours – after the collapses of Bonza and Rex left Australia once more in thrall to the domestic airline duopoly, now no fewer than three new contenders, including Koala, Zinc, and another new kid on the block, seem to be planning to step up and take on the big boys. The latest player? Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet, which has sparked rumours of a new Australian subsidiary with reports of an AOC application with CASA as well as a pile of slot allocations at Sydney Airport. Is a Vietjet entry really on the cards … and can it exorcise the ghost of Tigerair? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dissect the rumours of Vietjet’s impending tilt at the Australian domestic market, and why it might be the best-placed challenger to hit the skies running and make the major carriers sweat. Plus, a war of words between Airservices and the air traffic controllers’ union over delays in Sydney – who’s really to blame?
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The hidden danger of stress
07/01/2026
The hidden danger of stress
When we think of safety concerns in aviation, it’s easy to become fixated on the mechanical issues – but the human factor is also a major issue, and stress and burnout in such a high-pressure industry can only make it worse. It’s easy to ignore the early warning signs of stress and try to push through, but according to neuroscientist Annett Koenig, that can only compound the issue, leading to neurological issues that can even mirror the symptoms of epilepsy. As engineering-related incidents continue to improve, the human factor is still lagging behind – so what kind of safety issues can stress cause, and how can they be addressed? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Koenig about the causes, effects, and solutions to chronic stress in the aviation sector.
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Robinson’s helicopter revolution
06/29/2026
Robinson’s helicopter revolution
For 50 years it’s been one of the most popular civil helicopter companies in the world, with more than 15,000 aircraft delivered around the globe – and Robinson is a household name among Australian buyers, too, thanks to their use in agricultural applications like cattle mustering. The R22 and R44 are now being joined in Australia by the new R88, showcased by Robinson at Rotortech on the Gold Coast in May, and with an unmanned division having recently launched, the company is set to bring even more new products to the Australian market. On this Australian Aviation Podcast, we talk to Robinson Helicopter Company's president and CEO, David Smith, about the company’s plans for Australia, its new and upcoming product lines, and how it’s building on its safety and maintenance record.
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Here comes the (Project) Sun(rise)
06/24/2026
Here comes the (Project) Sun(rise)
After much anticipation, Qantas has revealed the first destination for Project Sunrise – and in case there was any doubt, it’s London, with flights from Sydney to start next October in the next evolution of the 80-year-old “Kangaroo Route”. With Sydney-New York to follow by Christmas 2027, and Qantas sharing more details of the ultra-long-haul planes’ cabin configuration, it seems the non-stop flights are closer than ever, despite all the delays – but how popular will they be, and when will Melbourne see them? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David prepare to step inside the A350-1000ULR and fly halfway around the world as Project Sunrise finally starts to firm up. Plus, the first speakers are revealed for this year’s Australian Aviation Summit, and we congratulate the winners of the 2026 Australian Space Awards.
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Western Sydney Airport spools up its engines
06/17/2026
Western Sydney Airport spools up its engines
It’s been a long, hard road for Western Sydney International Airport, but after decades of the can being kicked down that road, the wait is finally almost over: Sydney’s newest gateway will open its doors to freight next month, and to passengers in October. With Jetstar given the honours of the inaugural passenger flight, and Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and QantasLink to follow over coming months, other pieces of the puzzle are also falling into place as road networks open and the new metro lays its final tracks. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David arm doors and cross-check as Western Sydney Airport finally begins taxiing out and prepares for its take-off roll. Plus, as the Iran conflict (hopefully) nears its end, has the impact of fuel price shocks on airfares been as simple as we’d all thought?
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What will replace the A380?
06/10/2026
What will replace the A380?
After almost 20 years in service, the end is approaching for Qantas’ fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos, with the Flying Kangaroo slated to retire the aircraft type in the 2030s in favour of smaller and more efficient wide-body twinjets. As rumours swirl that Qantas is in talks with Boeing and Airbus to buy more 787s or A350s, could these potential orders be the replacement for its A380s – and how soon will the double-decker leviathans of the sky vanish completely? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David compare the options for Qantas’ wide-body fleet renewal and ask whether a smaller plane can do the work of the A380. Plus, a major milestone for Project Sunrise as the first A350-1000ULR takes to the skies for its rigorous testing program.
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The buzz on drones
06/03/2026
The buzz on drones
It’s been a big week for drones, with news that Wing has quietly pulled its drone delivery operations from Australia, Vivid Sydney has pulled its drone show after 89 of them not-so-quietly fell in Darling Harbour, and Australian and Ukrainian troops are jointly training in counter-drone tactics. With a report for Airservices a couple of years ago predicting Australia could see 60 million drone flights per year by 2043, it’s clear drones are here to stay in our airspace – the only question is, in what forms? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David ask whether drone delivery will come back to Australia and if drone show technology is truly ready for the big time, and examine how drone warfare is reshaping the modern battlefield. Plus, airlines push back on the government’s aviation consumer legislation – but do their arguments pass the pub test?
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The long wait for Sunrise
05/27/2026
The long wait for Sunrise
If the darkest hour is just before the dawn, it’s going to be a long night for anyone looking to fly non-stop from the east coast to London or New York – yet another delay has pushed back the launch of Qantas’ 22-hour “Project Sunrise” flights to later in 2027. With the first of the Flying Kangaroo’s specially-fitted A350-1000ULRs now not slated to arrive until April next year due to supply chain issues at Airbus, how much longer will Australians have to wait for the game-changing ultra-long-haul services? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look into the latest Project Sunrise delays and what’s still needed before the flights can get off the ground. Plus, welcome news for regional airports hit by the Rex collapse, while ASIC wins a surprising mea culpa from the airline’s former boss.
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Will Australia have its own ‘Ryanair’?
05/21/2026
Will Australia have its own ‘Ryanair’?
t’s been two years since the collapse of Bonza and Rex – and while Koala Airlines is yet to launch, another aviation contender could be entering the market before long. Dubbed Zinc Airlines, the ultra-low-cost-carrier would pursue a business model similar to European airlines Wizz Air and Ryanair, with its founder saying Western Sydney Airport would offer a unique opportunity for new contenders – but is he right? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at Zinc’s plan to shake up the domestic aviation market, whether it can avoid the fate of failed carriers before it, and how it might take the fight to the big boys. Plus, the 2026 budget is out – what’s in the government’s $731.1 million aviation package, and what’s got the GA and tourism sectors all riled up?
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Is it worth complaining about flight delays?
05/13/2026
Is it worth complaining about flight delays?
We’ve all been delayed at the airport at some point, or know someone who has – but still, to learn that 55 per cent of Aussie travellers in a recent government survey were hit by a flight delay or disruption between August 2024 and 2025 puts the whole issue in sharp relief. And yet, perhaps more surprising is how few of them have complained – not because of how happy they were with the service, but because they didn’t think their complaints would go anywhere. That might be set to change with new government regulations and an independent ombudsman … but is it too little, too late for our trust in the airline industry? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David swap war stories of flight delays and examine just how satisfied Australians are with our airlines and airports. Plus, amid scandals and stoushes galore, could Western Sydney Airport’s metro line end up delayed until 2028?
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How Deb Lawrie blazed the trail for equal flights
05/06/2026
How Deb Lawrie blazed the trail for equal flights
In the 1970s, a young pilot called Deborah Lawrie did something nobody had thought possible: took on the might of Ansett, at the time one of Australia’s two big airlines, all the way to the High Court – and won. Her goal? To overturn Sir Reginald Ansett’s long-standing ban on women in the cockpit and become Australia’s first female commercial airline pilot. Her landmark case – and her incredible subsequent career – paved the way for female aviators after her to make their mark on Australian skies. Now working for Virgin Australia, Deb is the oldest and longest-serving female pilot at any commercial airline in the world, and has just released a new memoir, Touching the Sky, recounting her fight against Ansett and what came next. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Deb sits down with Jake to discuss how she caught the flying bug at an early age, how she took down the aviation titan that was Sir Reg Ansett, and the highs and lows of more than four decades of flying.
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From washing planes to flying them
05/01/2026
From washing planes to flying them
When he was just 12 years old and growing up near Shellharbour Airport, Riley McDonald knew he wanted to fly – so he started spending his free time heading down to the airport and washing people’s planes in exchange for lessons. At age 16 he was flying solo and earning his pilot’s licence, and now at 25, he works as a professional skydiving pilot and aircraft maintenance engineer, and has taken out a National Advanced Champion title for aerobatics. Mentored by none other than Paul Bennet, Riley is now gearing up to fly with the Paul Bennet Airshows team at Wings Over Shellharbour this month, and says airshows and open days are the perfect entry point to bring more young enthusiasts into the industry. On this Australian Aviation Podcast, Riley tells Jake Nelson how he chased his dream of a career in aviation – and how we can encourage other aspiring pilots and engineers to do the same.
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Iran war turns our skies upside-down
04/29/2026
Iran war turns our skies upside-down
With the Iran conflict driving up fuel prices amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, you might expect international travel to plummet and airfares to soar – but it turns out the real picture is a touch more complicated than that. While airlines have been pruning services and hiking prices, both Qantas and Virgin have launched huge domestic sales to try to woo customers with millions of discounted seats, while Sydney Airport just saw the best quarter for international travel in its history. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David try to make head or tail of the unexpectedly topsy-turvy outcomes of the Middle East crisis on our aviation sector, and examine how the world’s airspace is being reshaped – for now or for good. Plus, Western Sydney Airport’s new flight paths are locked and loaded – what can Sydneysiders expect when the first cargo planes arrive in July?
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Fixing the talent pipeline, with Anntonette Dailey
04/24/2026
Fixing the talent pipeline, with Anntonette Dailey
It’s well-known that the aviation and aerospace sector has been suffering under a talent shortage for some time now – not to mention the challenge of promoting greater diversity in the workforce. One potential solution? To encourage more young people to enter the industry – to cultivate a love of aviation from an early age, and help kids realise it could hold their dream job. Together with the CSIRO’s STEM in Schools program, industry bodies like Aviation/Aerospace Australia are doing just that by going into schools and holding talks and workshops on what an aviation career could mean for students’ futures. On this Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Anntonette Dailey of Aviation/Aerospace Australia about the root causes behind the talent crisis, what the industry is doing about them, and the support it needs to bring young people along for the ride.
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The future of Australia’s air defence
04/22/2026
The future of Australia’s air defence
The government has rolled out its 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, and there’s plenty to dissect for aviation – an early sunset for Tiger helicopters, the retirement of the C-27J Spartan, and a $7 billion boost to counter-drone defences, just to start with. While the RAAF alone is slated to get between $34-41 billion over the next 10 years, as the world becomes more unstable and traditional alliances get shakier, is Australia doing enough to bolster its own air defences? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David are joined by aerospace and defence lead Stephen Kuper to discuss what Australia is doing – and could be doing – to safeguard its skies. Plus, the Iran conflict has driven Australian traffic to the Middle East off a cliff – which hubs are picking up the slack, and what’s happening to our domestic capacity?
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Who killed Bonza?
04/15/2026
Who killed Bonza?
When plucky start-up airline Bonza collapsed in 2024, everyone was quick to point the finger at its business model as the reason for its failure – yet often overlooked was the role its financiers, 777 Partners, played in its demise by abruptly cutting off funding without warning. With the Miami-based investment firm now drowning in lawsuits and criminal investigations, Bonza’s former chief executive, Tim Jordan, this week came out swinging in an Australian Aviation interview where he pointed the finger squarely in its direction over the carrier’s fate. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dissect the Tim Jordan interview, examine how 777 Partners pulling the plug spelt the end for Bonza, and look at the lessons for Australia’s next potential domestic airline. Plus, as the Qantas-Virgin duopoly continues to squeeze the domestic market, we ask: how much of it is actually the major airlines’ fault?
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Bonza’s Tim Jordan breaks his silence
04/13/2026
Bonza’s Tim Jordan breaks his silence
When Bonza burst onto the scene in 2023 with its bright purple tails, its budgie smugglers, and its unique “point-to-point” business strategy, the scrappy start-up airline – and its chief executive Tim Jordan – looked to be sparking a revolution in the domestic market. Just over a year later, however, the lofty goal of being “here for Allstralia” lay in ruins, with Bonza’s financier 777 Partners abruptly pulling funding and letting its aircraft be repossessed, leaving Jordan and the rest of the airline’s staff and passengers holding the bag. It’s easy in hindsight to say that the idea was doomed from the start, that there was no market for Bonza’s idea of connecting regional centres and holiday destinations without connecting through big hubs, but according to Jordan, that’s far from the real story. In this exclusive interview with the Australian Aviation Podcast, his first since his airline’s collapse, Jordan tells Jake Nelson how the Bonza dream turned into a nightmare – and why he still thinks there’s room for more domestic airlines in Australia’s skies.
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Is Kuala Lumpur the next Changi?
04/08/2026
Is Kuala Lumpur the next Changi?
As Gulf travel remains dicey and Australian travellers rush to connect through Asia, the usual hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong are being joined by other contenders eager to take a slice of the layover pie – and Malaysia Airlines is jockeying to make Kuala Lumpur one of them. A stone’s throw from Singapore and with a raft of connections into Asia and Europe, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, to its friends) has the backing of Malaysia’s flag carrier, generally lower airfares, and room to grow – but can it take on the might of Changi? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, fresh from a long weekend in Kuala Lumpur at the MATTA travel expo, Jake delivers his trip report on Malaysia Airlines and KLIA’s offerings for travellers, and he and David discuss how viable KL could be as an alternative to the bigger hubs. Plus, what’s in the federal government’s new consumer protection legislation – and how does it stack up?
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Aviation’s clash of the titans
04/01/2026
Aviation’s clash of the titans
We often talk about the duopoly in Australia’s airline sector – but if you ever needed proof of its power, you’ll find it in the latest eye-popping data from the ACCC, which shows Qantas Group and Virgin between them operated almost 99 per cent of all domestic flights in the back half of 2025. With Rex’s domestic jets and Bonza’s point-to-point flights a distant memory, we return to the age-old question: can any new contender hope to carve out a niche for itself in a market dominated by the two warring giants of the skies? In this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dissect the ACCC’s newest domestic airline competition report and once again ask who – if anyone – could break the duopoly’s stranglehold on Australia’s airspace. Plus, the first tickets go on sale at Western Sydney International Airport, and how many regional markets have room for more than one carrier?
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Is Australia on a Bali high?
03/25/2026
Is Australia on a Bali high?
Australians’ love affair with Bali is nothing new, but it sure does seem we’re seeing a lot of new and expanded flights there over the past few months – from Jetstar to AirAsia, Avalon to Newcastle, our biggest overseas holiday destination seems to be enjoying a real moment in the sun. But as Jetstar begins flights connecting through Bali to Singapore and AirAsia offers a smorgasbord of onward fly-through services, could Denpasar become more than just an endpoint for Australian travellers and evolve into a hub in its own right? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David take a (metaphorical) trip to Bali and examine just why it appears to be so popular lately – and what it can offer for aviation beyond just the Aussie tourism crowd. Plus, a caveat emptor from the ACCC for anyone who might be planning to fly through the Gulf any time soon, and will Australia finally ditch the notorious yellow incoming passenger card?
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Is our jet fuel supply in dire Straits?
03/18/2026
Is our jet fuel supply in dire Straits?
It’s a safe bet that before a few weeks ago, not a lot of us would have been able to name the Strait of Hormuz, let alone point to it on a map – but now that it’s become one of the biggest geopolitical headaches on the planet (and the reason petrol prices are skyrocketing), suddenly that unassuming body of water is a household name. More pressingly for aviation, of course, is the fact that the conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil has been choked off, meaning jet fuel is suddenly harder to come by. Airlines are raising costs and slashing services to compensate, and there are worried noises from some corners about how much exactly we have in reserve – so, how concerned should we be, exactly? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David drill into the Middle East oil crisis, how it’s affecting Australian airlines, and whether sustainable aviation fuel might help safeguard against future shocks. Plus, the first report is out into slot usage at Sydney Airport – so are the big airlines really “gaming the system”?
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Bonza boss bites back
03/11/2026
Bonza boss bites back
High airfares are a continual thorn in the side of Australian travellers, and especially those in the regions – which is one reason why Tim Jordan embarked on his ill-fated attempt to be “here for Allstralia” with Bonza, flying point-to-point regional services with a low-cost ethos. After a couple of years out of the limelight, Jordan has put his head back above the ramparts with a submission to the Productivity Commission pointing the finger squarely at the dominance of the big airlines – particularly Qantas – as a major contributor to the high cost of flying from the regions. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David examine Jordan’s arguments and ask once again how Australia can bring more competition to its skies – and bring those soaring ticket prices back to earth. Plus, updates from the Gulf as limited commercial flights resume and the RAAF sends reconnaissance planes to ward off Iranian strikes.
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Should airlines say goodbye to Dubai?
03/04/2026
Should airlines say goodbye to Dubai?
There is, as a wise journalist (no, not us, we said “wise”) has pointed out, always an aviation angle. As Iranian bombs rained down across the Gulf following strikes by the US and Israel, countries like the UAE and Qatar suddenly found themselves uncomfortably less insulated than they thought, with even airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi being damaged in the crossfire. Unfortunately, these countries also happen to be major global aviation hubs, and thousands of flights over the past few days have been cancelled, leaving passengers stranded – which raises the question: in the wake of the chaos, will cautious flyers start avoiding Europe flights through places like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi in favour of less volatile hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and guest host Bethany Alvaro examine the Iran conflict’s impact on aviation and ask whether Australian airlines and travellers have put too many of their eggs in the Gulf’s basket. Plus, half-yearly results are out for airlines on both sides of the Tasman – which carriers had a better six months than the others?
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Are high-speed trains the new planes?
02/25/2026
Are high-speed trains the new planes?
After decades of will-they-won’t-they, the government seems determined to press on with high-speed rail from Sydney to Newcastle (honestly pinky promise for real this time) as the first stage of an ambitious plan to connect the eastern corridor all the way from Melbourne to Brisbane. If all goes ahead, then, what will that mean for aviation on the east coast? Could Australia finally see more competition on the Golden Triangle from an entirely different source – and will airports reap the benefits nonetheless? On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dig into the government’s business case for high-speed rail and discuss whether it will actually happen – and whether it would be friend or foe to the air transport sector. Plus, Daniel Croft from AI Daily returns to the show to go through some of the latest forays into aviation from our ever-present robot overlords.
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Revenge of the sky kittens
02/18/2026
Revenge of the sky kittens
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the airport, the debate over noisy aircraft – excuse us, “sky kittens” – has reared its head once again, with community advocates calling for a curfew in Brisbane. According to the Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA), curtailing the sky kittens’ purring with a nightly curfew would boost residents’ well-being and property values at minimal economic cost – but the airport has pushed back, saying it could be disastrous for Queensland residents. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David wade into the continuing stoush around aircraft noise in Brisbane, and discuss how the health and comfort of locals should be balanced with the need for reliable and affordable air transport. Plus, Qantas wins bronze in the on-time Olympics – and could Addis Ababa be the next Dubai?
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