This week, the RAAF’s attempts to evacuate thousands of Australians from Kabul Airport in Afghanistan became mainstream news. In this episode, Phil and Adam talk about the latest updates and discuss whether the war in Afghanistan was always unwinnable. Plus, COVID and aviation stories intertwine again as state premiers appear to diverge on when the country should open up. Finally, the pair talk through the latest issue of the Australian Aviation print magazine. 

RAAF’s great escape from Afghanistan

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It wasn’t the news more than 300 Bonza employees wanted to hear – but after a buyer for the grounded carrier failed to materialise, administrator Hall Chadwick has sacked all staff and cancelled every future flight. With Bonza now seeming to be running on borrowed time, is there now any hope for a miracle rescue or a silver lining for hundreds of dedicated staff members now out of a job? Adam and Jake examine the bad news and ask what’s next for Bonza, its erstwhile staff – and its administrator. Plus, Rex embarks on a major leadership shake-up, putting a local CEO in charge for the first time – so who is the Aussie set to lead Australia’s third largest airline group?

End of the runway for Bonza’s staff

It was meant to be the crowning achievement of the budding British airship industry: R101, a majestic “ocean liner of the skies” that would ferry passengers all across the world in style and comfort. Yet on its maiden international flight in October 1930, the dreams of an empire went up in flames as R101 crashed and exploded in a field in the north of France. On board was one Australian VIP: William Palstra, a key figure in the early days of the RAAF. The tragic demise of R101 with all but six hands led to the UK pulling out of the airship arena – and left an indelible mark on Palstra’s family for generations afterwards. On this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Cecilia Thornton, author of Airship of Dreams: The Man Who Rode the Titanic of the Skies, talks to Jake Nelson about the disaster that claimed her grandfather’s life and spelled the end of the British airship age.

The final flight of the ‘airship of dreams’

Will Bonza fly again? That’s the question that has been on the mind of the aviation sector ever since the low-cost carrier went into voluntary administration at the end of April, with its planes seized and its employees stood down without notice.  Administrator Hall Chadwick certainly believes it can get Bonza back in the skies, winning another two months to find a buyer for the airline with the argument that doing so would be better for creditors than winding it up – though that’s cold comfort for employees who will now be left without pay until at least the end of July.  On location at the 2024 Australian Space Summit, Adam and Jake examine the facts as they stand and discuss whether the administrators’ optimism is well-placed.  Plus, Rex heads for the Golden West – and takes NJE’s E190s along for the ride. Could Australia see more E-Jets fly between capital cities?

A fresh reprieve for Bonza

For 19 months, Qantas reigned as Australia’s most reliable airline group – but no more, with Virgin Australia last month knocking the Flying Kangaroo off its perch in a clean sweep of on-time arrivals, on-time departures and cancellations.  With both major domestic airline groups now at or approaching long-term averages for reliability, will the trend hold, or could the “bad old days” of 2022 make a comeback?  Adam, Jake and Ben crunch the numbers and cross their fingers that the era of domestic airline havoc is finally behind us.  Plus, frustration abounds for Bonza staff still stuck in a holding pattern as administrators fight to save the airline – will stood-down employees get what they’re owed?

Virgin dethrones Qantas as most reliable Aussie airline

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. 

RAAF’s great escape from Afghanistan

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