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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E2, flown home
09/17/2025
E2, flown home
After almost 30 years in service, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines is finally allowing its old Fokkers to retire with the arrival of the Embraer E190-E2, the first of which touched down from Brazil this month. With an improved range, a new cabin, and more efficient engines, the E2 might just be what Virgin’s regional arm needs to expand its operations across WA – and potentially even further east. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake is back to deliver his full trip report on the ferry flight from Canberra to Perth, and to look at where the new E-Jets could fit in to Virgin’s larger network… as well as to reveal his new co-host at the thrilling conclusion of the “Game of Thorns”! Plus, Sydney Airport unveils plans to link its two domestic terminals – could the T2/T3 “Franken-terminal” set it up to compete with its new western rival?
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‘Keep going until you can’t’
09/10/2025
‘Keep going until you can’t’
From joy-rides in a Mirage III fighter jet at age seven, to selling her home to help pay for flight lessons, to flying for Rex and eventually becoming one of the faces of Virgin Australia, Captain Michelle Huntington has had a truly astonishing journey. She’s flown solo in a Beechcraft Bonanza from Arizona to Bankstown, been struck by lightning in mid-air, battled unruly passengers, and stared down industry sexism – but through it all, never lost her sense of adventure. After leaving the industry during the height of COVID-19, Michelle has taken to the speaking circuit to share the lessons she’s learned, many of which also feature in her new book Lady MacGyver: Unbelievable stories with altitude. On this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake sits down with Michelle to talk about her career, her book, whether there’s life after the sky – and how to keep your internal organs in their proper place at 30,000 feet.
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The most wonderful time of the (financial) year
09/03/2025
The most wonderful time of the (financial) year
The sound of investor presentations and ASX releases can only mean one thing: results season has come again, bringing joy and cheer to all the good shareholders of the land – especially those who’ve invested in airlines. Qantas has posted another bumper profit as it looks to snap up even more A321XLRs, Virgin Australia has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a healthy result, Alliance is flying more hours than ever, and across the Tasman, even Air New Zealand is still in the black despite its many headaches. Jake and guest host Benjamin Foster unpack all the major airlines’ results and take a look ahead to the prospects for 2026. Plus, it’s the end of the line for Gold Coast Airport’s light rail – what might replace the controversial project as the Olympics draw ever closer?
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Should Qantas trim back its beard ban?
08/27/2025
Should Qantas trim back its beard ban?
As it recovers from massive fines and reputational headaches, Qantas has a new hairy problem to deal with over its move to make QantasLink flight crews adopt the same grooming standards as mainline Qantas and Jetstar pilots: namely, no beards allowed. Qantas insists this is for safety reasons, with a report saying facial hair can interfere with oxygen masks – but hirsute Qantas pilots are crying “not by the hair on our chinny-chin-chins,” and pointing to studies showing beards shave hardly anything off the safety margin. So, who’s right? Jake is joined by special guest host and fellow facial hair enthusiast Keith Ford of the ifa and SMSF Adviser podcasts to look at the arguments for and against the beard ban, and to take a brave stand against pogonophobia. Plus, a bunfight erupts over government frequent-flyer perks, and Koala Airlines responds to our challenge – were we wrong about the scrappy start-up?
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Has Qantas learned its lesson?
08/20/2025
Has Qantas learned its lesson?
It’s the largest corporate fine for industrial relations breaches in Australian history: a mammoth $90 million, handed down to Qantas for the illegal outsourcing of around 1,800 ground workers during the pandemic – on top of $120 million already imposed in compensation. At 75 per cent of the maximum penalty, it will doubtless put the fear of God (and the unions) into other large companies who might be considering similar moves, and the national carrier has offered an apology – but is it really sorry, or, as Justice Michael Lee speculated, only sorry it got caught? Jake and special guest host Emilie Lauer of Smart Property Investment unpack the ramifications of the fine and ask whether a leopard ... or a Flying Kangaroo ... really can change its spots. Plus, between ageing planes, razor-thin margins and soaring airfares, what can be done about the ongoing travails of regional aviation?
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Shaping the future of air traffic management with Daniel Wang and Rodney Sciortino, Rohde & Schwarz
08/19/2025
Shaping the future of air traffic management with Daniel Wang and Rodney Sciortino, Rohde & Schwarz
The latest episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast spotlights two finalists in the 2025 Australian Aviation Awards, with host Steve Kuper joined by Daniel Wang, head of programs for ATC and air defence at Rohde & Schwarz, and Rodney Sciortino, head of civil air traffic control. Together, they explore how the global technology company is delivering cutting-edge solutions across both the defence and civil aviation sectors, from deployable ATC towers to AI-driven technologies, cyber security safeguards, and the growing role of drones in airspace management. One of the standout capabilities they discuss is the transportable air operations tower (TAOT), a mobile system supporting both the Australian Defence Force and civilian organisations. The TAOT provides critical flexibility for operations in austere environments, disaster relief zones, and even during major events like the Avalon Airshow. As Wang says, the system allows the ADF to project air power and sustain operations from remote airfields, while Sciortino highlights its civil applications, from ensuring continuity after natural disasters to supporting firefighting aircraft and temporary tower upgrades. The trio also discuss Wang and Sciortino's journey to Rohde & Schwarz, and how the company's blend of global innovation, local experience, and cross-sector expertise is helping shape the future of air traffic management in Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific. Enjoy the Podcast, The Australian Aviation Team
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Confronting the Tiger in the room
08/13/2025
Confronting the Tiger in the room
It’s been five years since a Tigerair plane last graced Australia’s skies – and the aviation ecosystem is still coping with Tigerair’s extinction. That’s according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which has found that domestic capacity has still not recovered to June 2019 levels though demand is now back where it was before the pandemic, as the loss of Tigerair created a hole of around 400,000 monthly seats made worse by later reductions from Rex. Jake Nelson and guest host Daniel Croft of Cyber Daily take a look at the ACCC’s report and ask who – if anyone – could fill the gap Tigerair left behind. Plus, how can we solve the growing mental health crisis in general aviation?
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A new coat of paint for Skytrans
08/06/2025
A new coat of paint for Skytrans
After 30 years criss-crossing regional Queensland, it’s the end of the road for Skytrans – not for the airline itself, which will keep flying, but for the name. New owner Avia Solutions Group is rebranding the carrier as SmartLynx Australia, echoing some of its other brands overseas. Along with the name change will come a new paint job for the airline’s existing aircraft, with the Skytrans livery to be covered in neutral white, allowing the planes to be more easily used for wet leasing and charter flights when needed – but for Queenslanders who know and love the Skytrans brand, will the change prove a turn-off? Jake and guest host David Hollingworth examine the pros and cons of the change, and whether all-white planes are an appealing prospect for passengers. Plus, scrappy upstart Koala Airlines is back in the news – but does its ambition of launching domestic services by the end of next year hold much water?
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Farewell, Adam Thorn
07/30/2025
Farewell, Adam Thorn
It’s the bombshell the aviation industry never saw coming, one that has shaken the sector to its core: after five and a half years at Australian Aviation, renowned luminary and thought leader Adam Thorn is leaving Momentum Media. Over the course of his tenure, Adam has seen COVID-19 shutdowns, travel chaos, and the collapse of multiple Australian airlines – and while he’ll still be leading the print magazine, in many ways it’s the end of an era, a seismic shift rivalling even the exit of Alan Joyce from Qantas in 2023. Co-hosts Jake Nelson and Benjamin Foster join Adam to reflect on half a decade at the helm of Australian Aviation and what comes next. Plus, the Ansett brand has been resurrected – but is an “AI-powered” travel booking site really the best use for it?
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Are power banks a flight risk?
07/23/2025
Are power banks a flight risk?
They’ve become an indispensable part of our modern digital lives, but airlines are increasingly wary of portable lithium batteries and power banks, which can have an alarming tendency to catch fire if damaged or short-circuited. Though power banks are already required to be carried in cabin luggage to ensure easy access if something goes wrong, some carriers have gone further, banning their use and charging entirely during flights – and Virgin Australia may be next, after a bag burst into flames in an overhead locker on a flight to Hobart. As in-seat charging ports become more common, Adam and Jake plug in to the issue and ask: is banning in-flight power bank use a reasonable safety step or an overreaction? Plus, regional airports are becoming international gateways as travellers and airlines look to bypass the big city hubs, and how can we bring the “glamour” back to aviation careers?
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Qantas hits the jackpot on Sydney slots
07/16/2025
Qantas hits the jackpot on Sydney slots
Sydney Airport has a new slot manager, one with no ties to the big domestic airlines … and yet, Qantas Group has still nabbed the majority of available take-off and landing slots over the end-of-year peak, with Virgin a distant second. With 52 per cent of the slots allocated to Qantas and Jetstar, the Flying Kangaroo’s dominance at Sydney continues – but might this put to bed the idea that the old slot manager was too cosy with the major airlines? Adam and Jake dig into the data and ask whether the great Sydney slot debate will ever go away. Plus, what went wrong in a disastrous Melbourne drone show two years ago that saw 427 drones plummet into the Yarra?
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Scattered Spider catches Qantas in its web
07/09/2025
Scattered Spider catches Qantas in its web
It’s been just over a week since Qantas suffered a major data breach, with cyber criminals stealing a trove of customer data from a call centre including names, email addresses and frequent flyer numbers. The reputational shellacking is one the Flying Kangaroo certainly didn’t need, but has the backlash been fair, and what has Qantas been doing to protect customers in the wake of the attack? Adam and Jake are joined by special guest David Hollingworth from Cyber Daily to discuss the impact and aftermath of the hack, and how you can protect your data. Plus, Huey Award laureate Hinterland Aviation is up for sale – who might snap up the much-loved regional carrier?
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Qantas XLR-ates its fleet renewal
07/02/2025
Qantas XLR-ates its fleet renewal
After a long wait and a marathon ferry flight from Hamburg, Qantas’ first A321XLR, VH-OGA, has finally touched down in Australia, a significant step in the Flying Kangaroo’s “Project Winton” fleet renewal. It’s the beginning of the end for Qantas’ ageing 737-800 fleet, even as the airline looks to acquire a few more “mid-life” 737s to tide it over as it waits – and with a range of 8,700km, compared to around 5,000km on the 737-800, might the A321XLR fleet fly internationally as well as domestically? Adam and Jake discuss the latest on Qantas’ fleet changes, including plans to replace QantasLink’s Fokker 100s with Embraer E190s, and what the A321XLR might do for the national carrier beyond Australia’s shores. Plus, a “rain bomb” blows a massive hole in Sydney Airport’s schedule – is the new two-hour recovery period enough to mitigate the disruptive effects of wild weather?
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Smooth landing for Virgin at ASX
06/25/2025
Smooth landing for Virgin at ASX
It was a day five years in the making for Virgin Australia, and it went off without a hitch: Australia’s second-largest airline group is finally back on the ASX, with CEO Dave Emerson ringing the bell for its IPO on Tuesday. The relisting caps off a remarkable turnaround for Virgin Australia after it collapsed into administration in 2020 during COVID-19 – but now that the long road back to public trading is over, what’s next for the carrier? Adam and Jake discuss how Virgin got back on its feet, how it’s changed its business model, and where its future might take it. Plus, with tensions in the Middle East playing havoc with flights through the region, should airlines be looking at more connecting hubs between Australia and Europe?
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The return of TAA?
06/18/2025
The return of TAA?
Almost 40 years after its rebranding as Australian Airlines – and just over 30 years after its merger with Qantas – a consortium is planning to bring back Trans Australia Airlines, or TAA, with an ambitious plan that would see Rex become the resurrected airline’s regional arm. While Rex’s administrator has knocked back Renaissance Partners’ dark-horse bid a second time, the firm is not yet giving up on its goal of turning Darwin into a hub for incoming flights from Australia’s north – but could it actually work? Adam and Jake discuss the plan for the new TAA, what it might do for passengers, and whether it could avoid Australia’s ever-growing airline graveyard. Plus, Virgin’s IPO finally hits the runway next week, big milestones at Western Sydney International Airport, and why the Air India crash doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the Dreamliner.
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3 Australian astronauts answer questions from schoolkids
06/12/2025
3 Australian astronauts answer questions from schoolkids
With co-host Jake Nelson off sick, Australian Aviation has had to improvise for this week’s podcast. But what a treat we have for you. Two weeks ago, Australian Aviation’s sister brand, Space Connect, hosted its Australian Space Summit & Exhibition, otherwise known as AusSpace 25. In our best panel, regular host Adam Thorn moderated a panel with three Australian astronauts, with the questions asked by schoolchildren. Paul Scully-Power was Australia’s first-ever astronaut, who went to space in 1984. Eric Philips blasted off to space on a private SpaceX mission in April, while Katherine Bennell-Pegg was the first astronaut to formally qualify under the Australian flag.
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Is Newcastle the next Gold Coast?
06/04/2025
Is Newcastle the next Gold Coast?
With Western Sydney International Airport still a year and a half from opening, an unexpected alternative might be about to hit the congested NSW market: Newcastle Airport, a couple of hours north of Sydney, will soon have flights to Perth and Bali with more routes potentially on the way. The news will not only allow Hunter Region residents to travel further afield without having to make the trek down to Sydney, it could also give Sydneysiders an alternative to the city’s own crowded airport while WSI finishes construction, providing to Sydney what Gold Coast Airport does to Brisbane. As Newcastle Airport nears completion on its ambitious international terminal redevelopment, Adam and Jake look at what it might do for commercial aviation on the east coast. Plus, after the tumult of the last few years, is Qantas finally climbing its way out of a massive public trust deficit?
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A life-changing solo flight
05/28/2025
A life-changing solo flight
On 2 July, associate professor Andrew Kornberg, senior neurologist at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, will set off from Moorabbin Airport on a journey around Australia in his own single-engine plane to raise $4.5 million for children with rare and complex neurological conditions. The “Fly for the Kids” campaign – similar to Andrew’s previous flight in 2017 – will see him cover 27,000 kilometres over more than 50 hours in the air, in the hopes of establishing dedicated facilities and staff at the RCH for advanced therapies. Along the way, Andrew will visit patients who have been given these new treatments in an effort to raise awareness of how kids with rare conditions can be given longer and happier lives. Andrew spoke to the Australian Aviation Podcast ahead of his journey.
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‘It’s a lot easier to shut it down than to start it up’
05/21/2025
‘It’s a lot easier to shut it down than to start it up’
After five tumultuous years as head of Air New Zealand, CEO Greg Foran is preparing to hang up his wings this October. Between COVID-19 border closures, fleet delays, maintenance issues and other problems, it’s fair to say the Kiwi flag carrier has had a rough half-decade – but how well has it weathered the storm? On location in Auckland, Australian Aviation’s Jake Nelson talks to Foran about his tenure, what he might have done differently, and what might be next for the airline. Plus, Adam and Jake discuss the rest of the week’s news, including Qantas’ ongoing attempts to draw a line under the Joyce era. Jake Nelson travelled as a guest of Air New Zealand.
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Lord of the Wings: Return of the King
05/14/2025
Lord of the Wings: Return of the King
She’s back – after Labor secured a thumping majority in this month’s federal election, Catherine King has been reappointed to her portfolio as minister for transport and infrastructure. In her first term, the minister released an Aviation White Paper, pushed ahead with reforms to Sydney slots, backed the new Western Sydney Airport, ended the war over Melbourne’s airport rail link, and pledged to save Rex from going under – so what can we expect this time around? Adam and Jake look at what the government – and the minister – might prioritise for aviation over the next three years and potentially beyond. Plus, Australia’s busiest day for air travel in five years – and we promise we’ll stop talking about America eventually, but seriously, what’s the go with America?
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When America sneezes…
05/07/2025
When America sneezes…
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 could do – and have already done – to aviation in Australia. Plus, is there a culture problem at general aviation businesses?
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Is pay-on-delay a ‘win-win’?
05/01/2025
Is pay-on-delay a ‘win-win’?
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 for industry as well as consumers. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson speaks with Glezer about his work and why he supports more robust passenger protections.
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Trade war clips Boeing’s wings
04/23/2025
Trade war clips Boeing’s wings
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 travel, and a dark-horse candidate takes home the coveted Huey.
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ASIC closes the book on Bonza
04/16/2025
ASIC closes the book on Bonza
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 operating from the new airport at launch – and it’s not the ones we expected.
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Fool us once…
04/09/2025
Fool us once…
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 well does Top Gun hold up?
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On location at Avalon Airshow
04/03/2025
On location at Avalon Airshow
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 discuss the news of the previous week.
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How Mission Aviation Fellowship is helping remote communities
03/25/2025
How Mission Aviation Fellowship is helping remote communities
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
03/19/2025
Infrastructure Week for Australia’s airports
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 recover from the lingering effects of the pandemic. Plus, does the government’s proposed aviation charter of customer rights go too far – or not far enough?
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A bad week to be a nervous flyer
03/12/2025
A bad week to be a nervous flyer
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 long-awaited white smoke at Virgin Australia as a new chief executive is announced just hours before the carrier is awarded its coveted 28 weekly flights to Doha – so what will Jayne Hrdlicka’s legacy be as she finally bows out of the top job?
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Qantas threads the needle
03/05/2025
Qantas threads the needle
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 whether Qantas is beginning to climb out of the trust deficit the old management left behind. Plus, Qatar Airways’ bid for a stake in Virgin gets the all-important green light from the government, and how can the aviation sector address the lingering gender pay gap?
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