Australian Aviation Podcast Network

Qantas has officially thrown its weight behind the Yes campaign for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Flying Kangaroo has unveiled a new livery for three of its aircraft – a Qantas 737-800, a Jetstar A320, and a QantasLink Dash 8 – featuring the Yes campaign's logo, saying it has long supported reconciliation and a "fair go".

But is the national carrier right to take a side in a political discussion with the public split down the middle? Adam and Chris discuss the latest.

Plus, the pair discuss the life and legacy of the fantastic Max Hazelton – the last of aviation's mavericks.

Air traffic control provider Airservices Australia finally admitted it's not delivering the service people expect – on a Friday afternoon. The statement, significantly, didn't contain an apology and came after repeated assurances that the organisation did actually have enough staff. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss and latest and ask whether the apparent mea culpa will calm anger across the industry. Finally, the podcast welcomes a special guest to review QF1 – and discuss how it compares to British Airways' equivalent business-class service.

Weeks ago, Bonza announced a surprising cut to its network despite only launching in January. But on Monday, the point-to-point carrier revealed it is setting up a third base in the Gold Coast, from where it will fly to 11 destinations. Adam, Jake and Chris discuss what this means for Bonza's strategy and what might be going on with its wet lease agreement. Plus, the team talk slots (again), Brisbane sky kittens and the Australian Aviation Awards.

This week, Sydney Airport's CEO told major airlines to use their take-off slots or let other carriers have them as domestic traffic continues to languish. It comes after the ACCC in June argued that larger airlines "can exploit" slot rules to stifle competition from smaller carriers, with both Bonza and Rex claiming the system is putting them at a severe disadvantage. Adam, Jake and Chris discuss the latest as take-off technicalities become national news. Plus, after another month of delays, is air traffic control really understaffed? Who's to blame?

Last week, Bonza said it would axe five of its 27 routes just months after their launch in a move the airline said would reduce cancellations across its network.

Chief customer officer Carly Povey admitted to Australian Aviation the decision to cut back services had been made earlier than Bonza would have liked and added the company was compelled to take out routes where there wasn't "sustainable demand at present".

Does this mean the end of Bonza's dream to fly point-to-point routes, cutting out capital cities? Or is this just a sensible restructuring of its network? Adam, Chris and Jake discuss.

Plus, the team put the boot into a bizarre union negotiation, discuss the latest chapter in the row over slot rules and ask what's the solution to the staffing issues at air traffic control.

Australia's biggest pilots' union last week claimed air traffic control staffing issues are making skies less safe for pilots and passengers. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) has told Australian Aviation that its members have encountered "chronic" and "systemic" staffing problems at Airservices dating back to before the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after reports emerged earlier this year that there were 340 instances of "uncontrolled airspace" from June to April 2023, with Airservices admitting to "staff availability issues". What's going on? And who's to blame, if anyone? Adam, Chris and Jake navigate the PR spin to explain.

This week, Bonza has blamed the industry's ongoing talent shortage for a rash of cancellations that have left passengers stranded.

They weren't the only ones, with controversy surrounding whether or not Australia has enough air traffic controllers following delays and cancellations affecting NSW's school holiday getaway.

This week, Adam, Chris and Jake ask what's going wrong and what can be done to fix it.

Plus, Air New Zealand jumps in to help spurned Taylor Swift fans reach the singer's concert in Australia.

To its detractors, the noise from overhead aircraft will hugely affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents, but for avgeeks, living under the flight path is a privilege.

In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether we should care about the 'purring' of an aircraft overhead.

The team also chat about whether airlines handled COVID-19 credits ethically, a massive investment in sustainable fuel and how exactly you pronounce Virgin's new MAX, 'Monkey Mia'.

Qantas has unveiled the first photos of the unique stretching area located on its Project Sunrise A350-1000s that will fly for up to 20 hours.

The 'Wellbeing Zone', accessible to all passengers, will feature "sculpted wall panels" and "integrated stretch handles" as well as a guided on-screen exercise program.

But is it a smart solution to surviving an ultra-long-haul flight or a gimmick that will make little difference? Adam, Chris and Jake discuss.

Also on the episode, Qantas takes on Air New Zealand flying to New York, Perth to Rome gets renewed, and Australian Aviation embraces video.

The Australian Aviation Awards 2023 are on course to be the biggest in our history. In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss why you need to take this last chance to enter and share their tips for becoming a nominee. Plus, the team discusses the biggest news stories of the week, including the latest on noise for locals near Brisbane Airport, WSI's first airlines and hydrogen planes in Queensland. Finally, with Qantas overhauling its uniform policy, was it ever a good idea to make women working as cabin crew wear high heels on long-haul flights?