Australian Aviation Podcast Network

Aeromedical charity CareFlight, which delivers aeromedical services in urban, regional, and remote areas around Australia, has partnered with AMSL Aero on a new electric VTOL air ambulance – the Vertiia. CEO Mick Frewen talks with Australian Aviation's Jake Nelson on how the Vertiia will be added to CareFlight's fleet and what it means for aeromedical services in the future.

This week, the ACCC claimed airlines "can exploit" the rules around airport slots – effectively hoarding the best take-off times to indefinitely block out rivals.

But what on earth are the rules, and why have they proved so controversial?

In this episode, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether the system is helping maintain the duopoly of Qantas and Virgin.

Does the industry have room for more major players?

Four months after its launch, low-cost carrier Bonza has wrapped up its initial 27-route network rollout and is now eyeing future growth.

CEO Tim Jordan joins us again on the Australian Aviation podcast to discuss Bonza's early successes, the challenges of launching a new domestic airline in today's environment and what might be in store for Bonza as it looks beyond the eastern seaboard – potentially including new bases, new routes, and new aircraft.

With aviation continuing to emerge from the COVID-19 slump, YouTubers like Jeb Brooks of GreenerGrass.com are making a living bringing the flying experience – especially business and first-class travel – to people who may never sit in the pointy end of the plane themselves. Jeb tells Jake Nelson how he's made a thriving career out of sharing "the miracle of flight" with almost 600,000 subscribers around the world – and why he almost enjoys flying economy even more than the expensive seats.

As drone technology advances by leaps and bounds, Sydney-based drone training company Aviassist has brought another new innovation to Australian shores, with the country's first AI-operated drone flight recently taking place on Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. In this episode, Aviassist's Ross Anderson talks to Jake Nelson about the Skydio Dock technology that made it possible, as well as the potential applications for AI drones as they become more widespread.

Air New Zealand has finally released more details around its much-hyped Skynest. This week, Adam, Chris and Jake discuss whether the bunk bed design is a revolution or PR stunt. Plus, the team discusses reports we'll soon be flying between London and Sydney in two hours. Can it possibly be worse than 18 hours in economy?

This week, it emerged Alan Joyce's successor at Qantas, Vanessa Hudson, will be paid significantly less than the airline's long-serving CEO. In this episode, Adam, Jake and Chris ask whether that's a blow for industry equality – or still a handsomely-paid chief executive. Plus, the team discusses the latest instalment in the bizarre and confusing battle over FIFO flights.

This week, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce shocked the industry by announcing he was set to step down from his role – in November.

While it was well known he would be leaving, the announcement came far earlier than expected, alongside the news of new chief and current CFO Vanessa Hudson.

This week, Adam, Chris and Jake ask whether the succession plan will work and analyse Joyce's legacy.

Was he the man who saved, or broke, the Flying Kangaroo?

This week it emerged Melbourne Airport's decades-talked-about rail link is set to miss its competition date.

It looks like the project will now to open until the next decade, with the state blaming the airport, and the airport pushing back on the government.

In this episode, hosts Adam Thorn, Chris Fenton and Jake Nelson discusses how much longer the city can rely on the SkyBus.

The team also discuss the 'death' of the last Qantas A380 in the desert, international capacity returning, and more good news for Bonza.

Dario Valenza is the co-founder of Australian drone company Carbonix.

His extraordinary career saw him create world championship-winning sail boats before taking his know-how into the world of drones.

In this episode, Valenza talks about how the sector has evolved over the last decade, and how flying drones beyond the line of sight could revolutionary for how we lead our lives.