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 Podcast, Jake and David bid a fond early farewell to the Qantas A380 fleet as the superjumbos get ready to fly off into the sunset. Plus, results season is upon us – which airlines came out ahead in the 2026 financial year, and which ones took a beating from the ongoing geopolitical and economic storm?

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 Podcast, Jake and David bid a fond early farewell to the Qantas A380 fleet as the superjumbos get ready to fly off into the sunset. Plus, results season is upon us – which airlines came out ahead in the 2026 financial year, and which ones took a beating from the ongoing geopolitical and economic storm?

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 Podcast, Jake and David bid a fond early farewell to the Qantas A380 fleet as the superjumbos get ready to fly off into the sunset. Plus, results season is upon us – which airlines came out ahead in the 2026 financial year, and which ones took a beating from the ongoing geopolitical and economic storm?

See you late-y, A380

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, David and Hannah dig into the details of Vietjet's first Australian aircraft and ask what the next moves might be for the potential challenger. Plus, part two of Project Sunrise is revealed, with Qantas to fly non-stop to New York in 2028 – so what can passengers expect?

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, David and Hannah dig into the details of Vietjet's first Australian aircraft and ask what the next moves might be for the potential challenger. Plus, part two of Project Sunrise is revealed, with Qantas to fly non-stop to New York in 2028 – so what can passengers expect?

Is Vietjet the next Tigerair?

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 revolting state of aircraft cabins.

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 revolting state of aircraft cabins.

Delays, delays, delays

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 might have happened if it hadn't. Plus, it's also been 25 years since 9/11 reshaped the face of global aviation – so how has the industry changed since the towers fell?

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 might have happened if it hadn't. Plus, it's also been 25 years since 9/11 reshaped the face of global aviation – so how has the industry changed since the towers fell?

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 might have happened if it hadn't. Plus, it's also been 25 years since 9/11 reshaped the face of global aviation – so how has the industry changed since the towers fell?

The ghost of Ansett

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 succeeded thanks to the skill and experience of the pilots and their supporting teams. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Skytraders pilots Dan Colborne and Louise Robertson share their tales of flying to Antarctica – the highs, the lows, and the challenges of operating in the isolated southernmost reaches of the planet.

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 succeeded thanks to the skill and experience of the pilots and their supporting teams. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Skytraders pilots Dan Colborne and Louise Robertson share their tales of flying to Antarctica – the highs, the lows, and the challenges of operating in the isolated southernmost reaches of the planet.

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 succeeded thanks to the skill and experience of the pilots and their supporting teams. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Skytraders pilots Dan Colborne and Louise Robertson share their tales of flying to Antarctica – the highs, the lows, and the challenges of operating in the isolated southernmost reaches of the planet.

Flying to the bottom of the world

<div>Is there a pilot shortage in Australia? In our second podcast episode we talk to aviation recruitment specialist Kirsty Ferguson of <a href="https://www.pinstripesolutions.com/pilot-jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinstripe Solutions</a> and AOPA Australia executive director Ben Morgan about pilot training and recruitment, while long-time Australian Aviation contributor and airline pilot Owen Zupp discusses his experiences flying the RAAF’s new <a href= "http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/12/the-raafs-quiet-revolution-in-pilot-training/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pilatus PC-21</a>.</div>

Is there a pilot shortage in Australia? In our second podcast episode we talk to aviation recruitment specialist Kirsty Ferguson of Pinstripe Solutions and AOPA Australia executive director Ben Morgan about pilot training and recruitment, while long-time Australian Aviation contributor and airline pilot Owen Zupp discusses his experiences flying the RAAF’s new Pilatus PC-21.

Is there a pilot shortage in Australia? In our second podcast episode we talk to aviation recruitment specialist Kirsty Ferguson of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinstripesolutions.com/pilot-jobs/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinstripe Solutions</a>&nbsp;and AOPA Australia executive director Ben Morgan about pilot training and recruitment, while long-time&nbsp;Australian Aviation&nbsp;contributor and airline pilot Owen Zupp discusses his experiences flying the RAAF’s new&nbsp;<a href="http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/12/the-raafs-quiet-revolution-in-pilot-training/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pilatus PC-21</a>.

Is There a Pilot Shortage?

In the first edition of Australian Aviation Radio, we talk to the magazine's new owner Christian "Boo" Boucousis & editor Gerard Frawley about the brand's transition into digital. Boo also talks about his former career as a fast jet pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. We also speak with managing editor of our sister publication, Australian Defence Business Review, Andrew McLaughlin, about current issues in local military aviation, including the F-35 program.

In the first edition of Australian Aviation Radio, we talk to the magazine's new owner Christian "Boo" Boucousis &amp; editor Gerard Frawley about the brand's transition into digital. Boo also talks about his former career as a fast jet pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. We also speak with managing editor of our sister publication, Australian Defence Business Review, Andrew McLaughlin, about current issues in local military aviation, including the F-35 program.

Welcome to Australian Aviation Radio

<div>In the first edition of Australian Aviation Radio, we talk to the magazine's new owner Christian "Boo" Boucousis & editor Gerard Frawley about the brand's transition into digital. Boo also talks about his former career as a fast jet pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. We also speak with managing editor of our sister publication, Australian Defence Business Review, Andrew McLaughlin, about current issues in local military aviation, including the F-35 program.</div>

In the first edition of Australian Aviation Radio, we talk to the magazine's new owner Christian "Boo" Boucousis &amp; editor Gerard Frawley about the brand's transition into digital. Boo also talks about his former career as a fast jet pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. We also speak with managing editor of our sister publication, Australian Defence Business Review, Andrew McLaughlin, about current issues in local military aviation, including the F-35 program.

The official podcast network of Australian Aviation – where we unpack all the latest insights and developments plus the big issues impacting Australia's aviation sector.

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