It's a tug-of-war as old as aviation itself – airlines and airports wrangling over fees – and now, the airlines have the ACCC (at least partially) on their end of the rope.

The consumer watchdog and the airline industry are both pushing for an overhaul to the current regulations which they say benefit "geographic monopoly" airports like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and lead to higher fees and airfares – but are they right?

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David wade into the eternal stoush and examine the arguments on either side – as well as what the airports need all that money for.

Plus, the latest in the saga of Western Sydney Airport's delayed metro line; passenger numbers continue to surge; and what's the latest on China's answer to Boeing and Airbus?