On Thursday, 26 May, a Chinese-built J-16 fighter jet “cut across the nose” of a RAAF P-8 Poseidon, getting so close that the fighter’s chaff was “ingested” into the aircraft’s engine. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling reveal what they know so far about the incident, the aircraft, and the message being sent by China.  Plus, the team discusses Virgin’s latest move to show support and recognition towards its workforce after two years of hardship. Finally, Adam shares the very exciting story of Qantas’ last Boeing 747 being finally moved out of the California desert and a possible future return to Australian shores.

Australia’s close call with a Chinese fighter jet

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Richard (Rick) Garner is a non-executive director on the board of Qantas Superannuation and an A330 pilot.  He’s also, incredibly, an award-winning mortgage broker who worked in financial services and now runs his own firm, Crew Financial.  In this crossover podcast with Australian Aviation’s sister podcast brand The Adviser, Rick discusses his love of flying – and how he juggles so many different jobs. 

How this Qantas A330 pilot is flying high with his brokerage

A week after Bonza’s fleet was abruptly seized in a move that sent shockwaves through the Australian aviation sector, the airline is still yet to get back in the air as its administrator fights to save it. With a big question mark over the future of its planes, and all eyes turning to its parent company 777 Partners, who is to blame for Bonza’s predicament, and what’s next for the airline that promised to be “Here for Allstralia”? Adam and Jake discuss whether there’s any hope for the purple tails to return to the skies, and examine the conventional wisdom around Bonza’s collapse. Plus, Qantas cuts a deal with the ACCC on the “ghost flights” case – is this a savvy move from new CEO Vanessa Hudson to jettison old baggage?

What next after Bonzageddon?

It was as sudden as it was brutal: grounded planes, stranded passengers, and chaos across the east coast as Bonza suspended its services without warning. With reports that its entire fleet had been repossessed in the dead of night, emergency talks about the ongoing viability of the business ended in Bonza entering voluntary administration – so what went wrong? In this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, recorded before the voluntary administration was announced, Adam and Jake discuss the shock collapse of Bonza and what might be next for the stricken low-cost carrier. Plus, Australia’s wet-leasing market gets bigger as the new owner of Skytrans lays out its plans to bring a fleet of A319s and other A320-family aircraft into Australia.

Is it all over for Bonza?

Bonza has come out swinging after reports in The Australian Financial Review that consultant KordaMentha had been called in to advise the airline. In one of the more blunt denials we’ve seen, the low-cost carrier’s CEO, Tim Jordan, has insisted KordaMentha “has not been appointed as financial advisors to Bonza, or in any other capacity” – so what’s the real story? Adam, Jake and Ben discuss the article and Bonza’s forceful response, as well as the upcoming route changes from its Gold Coast base. Plus, Qantas’ new chairman steps into the job earlier than expected – and are the major airlines finally getting back to pre-COVID reliability?

Bonza sets the record straight

With tensions flaring between Israel and Iran, Qantas has paused its non-stop Perth–London services, adding a new stop in Singapore on the northbound journey.  Given the difficulties of avoiding Iranian airspace between Perth and London while staying within the safe range of a 787-9 Dreamliner, is the Flying Kangaroo hurting for the lack of its new A350-1000 fleet?  Adam and Jake look at the implications for Qantas, including its future services from Perth to Rome and Paris.  Plus, a big week for airport infrastructure aficionados, with builds at Western Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle all getting a turn in the spotlight.

Australia’s close call with a Chinese fighter jet

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