Australian Aviation Podcast Network

It’s been three-and-a-half months since Rex went into administration, and while the planes are still flying, so far the administrators have yet to find a buyer for its regional turboprop operations despite securing a deal to sell off the profitable aeromedical wing Pel-Air.

Enter the federal government, which has extended its support for the airline to the tune of $80 million in financing, which the administrator has indicated it wants to use to keep the lights on until at least mid-2025 while growing the operational fleet.

Adam and Jake discuss whether this latest effort from the government is likely to bear fruit, and what it might mean for Rex’s regional rivals.

Plus, Qantas objects to Virgin’s wet-leasing deal with Qatar – but does the Flying Kangaroo have a leg to hop on? 

It’s the book that’s sent shockwaves through the aviation world: The Chairman’s Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out, a deep dive into the Alan Joyce era and how Qantas went from one of the most trusted brands in the country to one of the least. Covering the decisions made during COVID-19 – including the illegal outsourcing of ground handlers and the controversial “flight credits” scheme – as well as the perception of undue influence on politics, failures in customer service, and other topics, author Joe Aston lays out the case against Joyce in a book that has put a national spotlight on aviation. In this Australian Aviation podcast, Jake Nelson speaks to Aston about the revelations in his book, his verdict on Joyce as a whole, and whether he believes new CEO Vanessa Hudson can right the ship.

Alan Joyce may be gone, but his ghost continues to haunt the halls of Qantas HQ at Mascot, with new chairman John Mullen saying at last week’s AGM that the Flying Kangaroo “might well have not survived” COVID-19 without the colourful former CEO and ex-chairman Richard Goyder.

His remarks came, however, as a new book from former columnist for The Australian Financial Review, Joe Aston, gave Joyce a good kicking, calling him “increasingly autocratic” and arguing that Qantas “sold [Australia] out”. At the same time, the notorious “Chairman’s Lounge” is in the spotlight again amid fresh controversy over the Prime Minister’s perceived cosy relationship with the airline.

On this week’s episode, Adam and Jake discuss what happened at the AGM and whether politicians should think twice about accepting the invitation to the Chairman’s Lounge. Plus, Virgin Australia’s deal with Qatar is threatening to kneecap codeshare partner Etihad – where will the UAE carrier go if its biggest Australian partnership is axed?

It’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?

Following the publication of the Aviation White Paper, Transport Minister Catherine King has introduced Sydney slot reform legislation to Parliament.

The amendments make up a number of changes to procedures at Australia’s most important airport, but how much of a difference will they make?

This week, Adam and Jake discuss the latest developments, while also introducing a new member to the team.

Plus, with Rex still struggling to find a buyer, should the government step in? 

It’s been a big news week for the two major domestic airlines, with Virgin confirming long-held speculation that Qatar Airways is looking to take a 25 per cent stake (and announcing wet-leased flights to Doha), while Qantas tries to resolve engineering strikes as it increases its international capacity and launches a slick new North American ad campaign. Rex couldn’t escape the headlines either – on the ABC’s Four Corners, chairman John Sharp revealed it had tried to sell its beleaguered domestic jet arm to Virgin before it collapsed; meanwhile, no “obvious” buyers have emerged for its regional operations, according to one source. Adam and Jake digest the week’s news and what it all means for the airlines and their passengers. Plus, Air New Zealand last week briefly had the best flight deals in the skies – but were trans-Tasman flights for under $10 too good to be true?

Between Qantas and Jetstar, Qantas Group is undoubtedly the biggest name in Australia’s skies, with Virgin Australia a fairly distant second – which has led some, including opposition transport spokesperson Bridget McKenzie, to call for its break-up.

In a recent poll, almost half of those surveyed thought Qantas should be made to sell its low-cost arm and an overwhelming majority wanted more competition in domestic aviation – but could, and should, it happen?

Adam and Jake examine the arguments and ask if there’s any way for a new player to break into the crowded domestic market.

Plus, the return of the “sky kittens” – will changes to parallel runway operations at Brisbane to route more flights over the water help keep “purring” over residential areas to a minimum?

It’s been almost two months since Rex collapsed into administration and scrapped its domestic jet services, and the latest BITRE data shows that airfares – both sale prices and standard economy seats – have seen a sharp increase. With the Qantas-Virgin duopoly once again ruling Australia’s skies, how much of this increase can be attributed to loss of competition versus normal seasonal factors? Adam and Jake look at the figures and what the experts are saying. Plus, Embraer says it could have more than 200 E-Jets in Australia by the end of this decade – could this be the key to a regional jet renaissance?

Amanda Harrison attempted to recreate the first solo flight by a woman from England to Australia in 1930.

That original journey was undertaken by the pioneering Amy Johnson in a Gipsy Moth, so Harrison, attempting to be as true to the challenge as possible, undertook hers in a 1942 Tiger Moth.

Unfortunately, she had to abandon her mission due to airspace restrictions in 2019, but she did have some adventures on the way.

In this special podcast, Harrison talks to host Adam Thorn about her incredible flight – and what’s next.