Australian Aviation Podcast Network

With the cost of jet fuel showing no signs of coming down any time soon as the situation in the Middle East drags on, the major domestic airlines are again planning to shave back capacity and "adjust" airfares, meaning customers are probably going to keep feeling the pinch.

For now, the big carriers' bottom lines are holding steady – so is the latest round of fare hikes and capacity cuts just an attempt to squeeze a bit more out of the travelling public?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, Hannah and David examine how the ma...

It's never welcome news when a travel company is hacked – but especially not when it handles bookings, check-in systems, and other IT needs for around 140 airlines worldwide.

As carriers like Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Japan Air Lines and Malaysia Airlines all work to find out how much of their information was taken, what does this say about the state of cyber security in the industry, and could the airlines have even done anything to prevent it?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David examine the fallout of the Amadeus data breach, what it means fo...

It had once seemed like it would never happen – but after decades of waiting, at long last, Western Sydney International Airport is open for business, with the first passenger flights taking off on Sunday and international services beginning on Monday.

Amid all the hype and celebrations, CEO Simon Hickey has forecast 10 million passengers per year by the mid-2030s and said WSI could supplant Kingsford Smith as Sydney's main airport. Is he right, or is it just wishful thinking?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and Hannah recap the trials and triumphs of Western Sy...

What began with a bang now ends with a whimper – Joshua Wander, former CEO of Bonza financier 777 Partners, has pleaded guilty in the US to a half-billion-dollar fraud scheme, thus ending the sorry tale of what once seemed a promising new contender in Australia's aviation market.

Wander now faces a maximum of 40 years in prison after the collapse of the 777 Partners "house of cards" – cold comfort, perhaps, to everyone left out of work and out of pocket by its role in the demise of the airline it had once bankrolled.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podc...

While aviation has plenty of security safeguards in place to keep passengers with sinister intent away from the cockpit, last month's attempted flydubai hijack – by one of the pilots – was a sobering reminder that sometimes, the sinister intent is already in the flight deck.

While the aircraft and its passengers escaped unscathed this time, the incident raised the spectre of disasters like Germanwings Flight 9525 and LAM Mozambique Airlines Flight 470, which both saw the aircraft's own pilots bring down their planes in horrific murder-suicides.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, David and Hannah examine the dang...

As the aviation industry continues to clamour for talented engineers, fostering talent in the next generation is ever more important.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' annual Design/Build/Fly competition – held this year in Wichita, Kansas – attracted young engineers with the challenge of designing, building, and testing a banner-towing bush plane that could carry mock passengers and cargo.

Among the teams was a contingent from RMIT University in Melbourne, including aerospace engineering and logistics supply chain student Viviene Beins and aerospace engineering (honours) student Marcus Serong.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podc...

Speculation has been swirling for months, and now the tea leaves have thrown up their clearest sign yet that Vietjet is planning a move into Australia, with the registration of a shiny new 737 MAX 8 owned by the low-cost carrier and registered to a mysterious "Cherrie Aviation".

While Vietjet is remaining tight-lipped about its plans, it's hard not to think we'll see a grand unveiling sooner rather than later – and not to draw comparisons with Tigerair, the last Asian low-cost carrier that had a crack at the Australian market.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, Da...

Another week, another set of bad headlines about Sydney Airport – this time, eye-popping figures from Airservices showing ground delays were almost 40 per cent higher than average in the month of August.

With high rates of sick leave putting strain on an already overburdened and understaffed air traffic control workforce, is there any relief in sight for Sydney passengers?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David welcome Hannah Dowling back to the show as they discuss the ongoing travails at Australia's busiest international gateway.

Plus, Virgin Australia flight attendants revolt over the re...

It's been a quarter of a century since the most seismic shock to hit Australia's aviation sector before COVID-19: the dramatic collapse of Ansett Australia, which had been one of the country's two domestic airline giants.

With 16,000 people out of work and a sudden vacuum left in the domestic market, Ansett's demise sent shockwaves through both the sector and the nation at large, and its impact is still felt today.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at what Ansett Australia left behind, 25 years after the airline went bust – and ask what mi...

It's one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on Earth – but even in Antarctica, aviation is still a vital connection for those living on research stations across the frozen continent.

Skytraders has worked with the Australian Antarctic Division for almost a quarter of a century to provide aviation support and logistics to scientific missions in often challenging conditions, far from the nearest airport.

In July, the airline carried out a rare midwinter mission to McMurdo Station, in pitch darkness and temperatures as low as −43°C, to evacuate a medical patient to Christchurch – a mission which s...

It's a sad day for those who love big planes – after 20 years in the sky, Qantas will begin retiring its mighty A380s from 2028, with smaller and more fuel-efficient twinjets like the 787 and A350 set to replace them.

Beloved by passengers, but with fuel and maintenance bills to match its massive size, the A380 may no longer make sense for Qantas' business model, but it'll always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of avgeeks – and for bigger hub airlines like Emirates, where it's arguably a better fit.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podc...

From the founding of Jetstar to his 15 years at the helm of our largest airline group, Alan Joyce is undoubtedly one of the most consequential figures in the last quarter-century of Australia's aviation history.

He became one of Australia's most well-known CEOs, famed for his advocacy on social causes and his work to transform Qantas – but at the same time, attracted plenty of criticism on industrial relations, as well as contentious decisions made during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, three years after handing over the reins to Vanessa Hudson, Joyce has released his me...

As the Iran conflict drags on, it's easy to be pessimistic about the effects on aviation, including high fuel prices and geopolitical headaches – but at least in the Asia-Pacific, things may not be as bad as they seem.

According to a new report from S&P Global Ratings, Asia-Pacific airlines are expected to stay the fastest-growing airline market in the world, with strong balance sheets, fleet renewals, and solid demand expected to buoy the region despite economic pressures.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at the ups and downs of Asia-Pacific's av...

Another week, another hair-raising near mishap at Sydney Airport, this time with a Virgin 737 almost taking off as a Qantas plane was crossing the runway ahead of it. Airservices has again come under the magnifying glass for the incident – so, what happened?

More importantly, with air traffic controllers still feeling the squeeze and hundreds of flights passing through Sydney every day, how can it be fixed? Can new technologies help bolster safety on the tarmac at Australia's busiest gateway – and what about Western Sydney?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dissect the ongo...

We've all danced the airport suitcase shuffle, moving item after item back and forth between our cabin bags and our checked bags in a desperate hope to get in under those pesky weight limits.

Now, Jetstar says it's offering a solution – no more scales, no more luggage Tetris, just bring an under-seat bag for free. Simple, right? The only catch: overhead bin space will now cost you extra. So, is Jetstar's new policy convenience, cash grab, or a little bit of both?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David weigh in on the pr...

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...

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 A...

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...

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, re...

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.

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...

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 s...

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...

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...

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...

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 fl...

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 de...

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 an...

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 befo...

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 li...

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...

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...

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...

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 coul...

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 le...

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...

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 doom...

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...

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 Au...

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, Ja...