Australian Aviation Radio

Almost 40 years after its rebranding as Australian Airlines – and just over 30 years after its merger with Qantas – a consortium is planning to bring back Trans Australia Airlines, or TAA, with an ambitious plan that would see Rex become the resurrected airline's regional arm. While Rex's administrator has knocked back Renaissance Partners' dark-horse bid a second time, the firm is not yet giving up on its goal of turning Darwin into a hub for incoming flights from Australia's north – but could it actually work? Adam and Jake discuss the plan for the new TAA, what it might do for passengers, and whether it could avoid Australia's ever-growing airline graveyard. Plus, Virgin's IPO finally hits the runway next week, big milestones at Western Sydney International Airport, and why the Air India crash doesn't necessarily spell doom for the Dreamliner.

With co-host Jake Nelson off sick, Australian Aviation has had to improvise for this week's podcast. But what a treat we have for you. Two weeks ago, Australian Aviation's sister brand, Space Connect, hosted its Australian Space Summit & Exhibition, otherwise known as AusSpace 25. In our best panel, regular host Adam Thorn moderated a panel with three Australian astronauts, with the questions asked by schoolchildren. Paul Scully-Power was Australia's first-ever astronaut, who went to space in 1984. Eric Philips blasted off to space on a private SpaceX mission in April, while Katherine Bennell-Pegg was the first astronaut to formally qualify under the Australian flag.

With Western Sydney International Airport still a year and a half from opening, an unexpected alternative might be about to hit the congested NSW market: Newcastle Airport, a couple of hours north of Sydney, will soon have flights to Perth and Bali with more routes potentially on the way. The news will not only allow Hunter Region residents to travel further afield without having to make the trek down to Sydney, it could also give Sydneysiders an alternative to the city's own crowded airport while WSI finishes construction, providing to Sydney what Gold Coast Airport does to Brisbane. As Newcastle Airport nears completion on its ambitious international terminal redevelopment, Adam and Jake look at what it might do for commercial aviation on the east coast. Plus, after the tumult of the last few years, is Qantas finally climbing its way out of a massive public trust deficit?

On 2 July, associate professor Andrew Kornberg, senior neurologist at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, will set off from Moorabbin Airport on a journey around Australia in his own single-engine plane to raise $4.5 million for children with rare and complex neurological conditions. The “Fly for the Kids” campaign – similar to Andrew's previous flight in 2017 – will see him cover 27,000 kilometres over more than 50 hours in the air, in the hopes of establishing dedicated facilities and staff at the RCH for advanced therapies. Along the way, Andrew will visit patients who have been given these new treatments in an effort to raise awareness of how kids with rare conditions can be given longer and happier lives. Andrew spoke to the Australian Aviation Podcast ahead of his journey.

After five tumultuous years as head of Air New Zealand, CEO Greg Foran is preparing to hang up his wings this October. Between COVID-19 border closures, fleet delays, maintenance issues and other problems, it's fair to say the Kiwi flag carrier has had a rough half-decade – but how well has it weathered the storm? On location in Auckland, Australian Aviation's Jake Nelson talks to Foran about his tenure, what he might have done differently, and what might be next for the airline. Plus, Adam and Jake discuss the rest of the week's news, including Qantas' ongoing attempts to draw a line under the Joyce era. Jake Nelson travelled as a guest of Air New Zealand.

She's back – after Labor secured a thumping majority in this month's federal election, Catherine King has been reappointed to her portfolio as minister for transport and infrastructure. In her first term, the minister released an Aviation White Paper, pushed ahead with reforms to Sydney slots, backed the new Western Sydney Airport, ended the war over Melbourne's airport rail link, and pledged to save Rex from going under – so what can we expect this time around? Adam and Jake look at what the government – and the minister – might prioritise for aviation over the next three years and potentially beyond. Plus, Australia's busiest day for air travel in five years – and we promise we'll stop talking about America eventually, but seriously, what's the go with America?

As tariffs and border crackdowns continue stateside, the number of Australians taking trips to the US has slumped, with travel to Asia surging instead – a trend noticed by Flight Centre, which is taking a hit to its bottom line. It's not just passengers that are causing a headache for aviation amid the US uncertainty, however: if the trade war causes a Chinese slowdown, the resulting drop in demand for resources could have a knock-on impact on the FIFO sector, with NJE's Lim Kim Hai already looking to cut spending. Adam and Jake discuss what the Trump administration's policies abroad could do – and have already done – to aviation in Australia. Plus, is there a culture problem at general aviation businesses?

It's one of the biggest political bunfights in Australia's aviation sector – should the government force airlines to compensate passengers for delays within their control, above and beyond the usual refunds or flight credits? If you listen to the airlines, the answer is a resounding no, with representatives at the Senate committee hearings on proposed legislation warning it could drive up costs and lead to more delays and cancellations. But according to customer advocate Adam Glezer of Consumer Champion, that's not the case – and, in fact, there are some hidden upsides in the idea for industry as well as consumers. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson speaks with Glezer about his work and why he supports more robust passenger protections.

As if Boeing needed more bad news, the US-China trade war has delivered another body blow to the planemaker with Beijing ordering a halt on new Boeing plane deliveries to Chinese airlines. As China's aviation industry is upended by the news, what does it mean for one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world – not to mention Boeing's competitors, and other countries looking to get their hands on scarce planes? Adam and Jake examine the fallout and how the tit-for-tat tariffs could squeeze more industries than just aviation. Plus, Australia hits new heights for international travel, and a dark-horse candidate takes home the coveted Huey.  

Almost a year after the swift and sudden demise of Bonza, some relief for its directors came this month with ASIC confirming it would take no further action against them. Absent any further evidence, the decision effectively draws a line under the collapse of a carrier that started with dreams of uniting “Allstralia” and ended in a storm of tears, recriminations and misfortune – but did it ever have a shot to begin with? Adam and Jake look back at the Bonza saga and what could have been. Plus, surprising news from Western Sydney as Qantas clarifies just which of its airlines will be operating from the new airport at launch – and it's not the ones we expected.

Another April Fool's Day is behind us, and unfortunately for everyone excited about driving in a 737 from Sydney to Melbourne, it turns out “Wombat Groundways” isn't actually real – sorry. Between Virgin Australia allowing you to check your “emotional baggage” and Mad Mex's move into in-flight catering, aviation April Fool's fans ate well this month – but it turns out one supposed prank may have been the real deal after all. Adam and Jake discuss a surprise move by Emirates that the airline insists is no joke. Plus, vale Val Kilmer – in the wake of Iceman's passing, how well does Top Gun hold up?

It's the biggest event in Australian aviation: the biennial Avalon Airshow, which this year ran over six days at the end of March. Featuring static and aerial displays, as well as trade exhibitors and networking events, the 2025 show attracted more than 200,000 people in total across the six days, including 60,000 industry visitors. Around 350 aircraft were on show, either in the air and on the ground, with 902 participating exhibitor organisations from 28 countries contributing to the event. On the ground at the airshow, Adam and Jake get an up-close look at some military hardware as they discuss the news of the previous week.

As the “big four” airports – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth – bring in record revenues for their aeronautical operations, they're starting to splash a lot of that cash on future-proofing their infrastructure. Between third runways, terminal renovations, new safety technologies, and of course the ongoing construction of a second Sydney international gateway, airports on both sides of the Tasman are set to spend billions on upgrades over the next decade. Adam and Jake look at some of the latest projects in the spotlight and what they mean for the sector as it continues to recover from the lingering effects of the pandemic. Plus, does the government's proposed aviation charter of customer rights go too far – or not far enough?

Between tropical cyclones, cockpit medical episodes, and airport security breaches – and all of those just in Australia – one could perhaps be forgiven this week for having a sudden bout of aerophobia. There's been a harsher spotlight on aviation safety stateside, too, with staffing cuts threatening the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as SpaceX's latest Starship explosion forcing the closure of four major airports in Florida. Adam and Jake look back at a wild week in the skies and discuss some of the safety concerns that have been brought to the forefront. Plus, some long-awaited white smoke at Virgin Australia as a new chief executive is announced just hours before the carrier is awarded its coveted 28 weekly flights to Doha – so what will Jayne Hrdlicka's legacy be as she finally bows out of the top job?

Since the departure of Alan Joyce in late 2023, new Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has largely eschewed her predecessor's bombastic camera-friendly style, instead keeping her head down and focused on rebuilding Australia's trust in the Flying Kangaroo. Passenger experience has become the watchword, with the recent announcement of another solid half-yearly profit being accompanied by the promise of a cabin refit for 42 aging 737-800s as the airline awaits more of its new-generation Airbus fleet – but is Hudson's approach bearing fruit? Adam and Jake discuss the delicate balancing act and whether Qantas is beginning to climb out of the trust deficit the old management left behind. Plus, Qatar Airways' bid for a stake in Virgin gets the all-important green light from the government, and how can the aviation sector address the lingering gender pay gap?

More than 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 in the Indian Ocean, the plane has yet to be found despite two search efforts – and the families of those who lost their lives still have no answers. But a new search effort, led by Ocean Infinity, has once again raised hopes that the wreckage may yet be uncovered – this time, by examining four potential “hotspots” west of Perth that were missed on previous expeditions. The question is, are these hopes just an illusion? Adam and Jake are joined by special guest Hannah Dowling to discuss the search and whether or not there is any chance for a breakthrough. Plus, Chinese naval exercises in the Tasman Sea spark concerns about air safety – why did pilots only find out after they had already started?

In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn speaks with Jeff Shaknaitis, the customer sustainability leader at GE Aerospace, about the industry's push toward net-zero emissions by 2050. Jeff shares his career journey and how his passion for sustainability led him to play a key role in GE's efforts to help airlines decarbonise, including its groundbreaking 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel test flight. They explore innovations like the Open Fan engine, hybrid-electric propulsion, and the challenges of scaling SAFs in future.

As Rex has limped on in administration over the past half-year, with prospects for a sale dimming, the question has occasionally been asked: might the government step in more forcefully to keep its essential services in the air? Now we have our answer: if the administrators can't find a buyer, the government is looking at the option to buy Rex itself, which would make the carrier the first in Australia to be publicly owned since the privatisation of Qantas around 30 years ago. But what would await the government if it were to stump up the cash for the ailing airline – and is it a good idea in the first place? Adam and Jake discuss what might be behind the decision, and whether it's scuppered any chance for a commercial sale. Plus, with the ACCC looking to wave the Qatar deal through, are Virgin Australia flights to Doha now all but inevitable?

The news came like an assassin in the night: Paul Jones, the long-rumoured frontrunner to replace Jayne Hrdlicka as CEO of Virgin Australia, was out of contention following pushback by the powerful TWU. With no further word on who might be under consideration for the top job – and with Hrdlicka still saying she intends to leave the airline – when might we know who will sit in the captain's chair of Australia's second-largest airline group? Adam and Jake discuss what might be next for Virgin as the CEO search continues. Plus, will a Finnair pilots' strike throw a spanner in Qantas' works?

It's been a few months since the announcement of one of the biggest deals in recent Australian commercial aviation history: the purchase of 25 per cent of Virgin Australia by Qatar Airways, and with it, the return of Virgin international wide-body services through a wet-lease agreement for flights to Doha. Approval for those services currently rests with the International Air Services Commission, a government body that will decide whether to award Virgin the necessary 28 flights per week to Qatar – and Virgin has said in a letter to the IASC that there is essentially no reason to block the proposal, which has received widespread support and is not being contested. Adam and Jake revisit the politics at play and ask when the airlines – and punters – could see the new flights greenlit. Plus, is the federal government on a path to nationalising Rex, and could we see the return of commercial supersonic travel sooner than we expected?

The Spitfire, the Hurricane, the Kittyhawk – when asked to name the fighter planes that won World War II, most people would place these legendary machines high on the list. Yet largely absent from these lofty histories is the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation's CA-13 Boomerang – Australia's home-grown fighter plane, adapted from a training aircraft design and deployed in the Pacific theatre. Though it was plagued with teething problems and never took down an enemy aircraft, the Boomerang carved out its own niche working with the Army in battlefields like the dense jungles of New Guinea. In this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson talks to Don Williams, author of The CAC Boomerang: Australia's Own WWII Fighter, about the unique role played by the Boomerang in Australia's aviation history – and how it can be better remembered.

In the wake of Bonza's collapse and Rex's administration last year, another prospective domestic carrier – Koala Airlines – was suddenly garnering media attention despite not yet having aircraft or a clear business plan. While its website, filled with glossy renders of 737 MAX 8s, promised to “carve out a unique niche” in Australia's aviation sector, a winding-up application filed against it in Victoria last week has raised questions about whether it would ever actually get off the ground. Adam and Jake discuss whether Koala's lofty ambitions of “creating a lasting impact on the industry” are over before they even began. Plus, Perth Airport booms as it invests big in the future, transport links to Western Sydney Airport take shape, and how many podcast hosts does it take to assemble a model plane?

As water bombers try to contain the dramatic wildfires besieging Los Angeles, there are fresh warnings that longer fire seasons overseas may prevent other countries from sending their firefighting aircraft to help Australia in future. Though the bushfire seasons since 2019–20's Black Summer have been comparatively mild, it's likely only a matter of time before the conditions are right for a repeat – but will Australia's sovereign firefighting fleet be ready? Adam and Jake discuss the progress that has been made since the royal commission and whether successive governments have done enough to prepare for the next catastrophic bushfires. Plus, as Jetstar continues to expand its Sunshine Coast operations and Launceston looks for new entrants to take over Bonza's former routes, will other airlines try – or be able – to fill the void the low-cost carrier left behind?

Last year ended in another aviation tragedy, with the horror crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216 in Muan, South Korea, killing all but two people on board. As investigators sift through the plane's wreckage and the black boxes to figure out what went wrong, light aircraft crashes closer to home are raising questions about whether our own transport safety watchdog, the ATSB, should expand its remit. Adam and Jake examine once again the issue of aviation safety and look at what might have gone wrong in Muan. Plus, the government's proposed charter of customer rights is out – will it actually improve the passenger experience?

It's been five decades since the year “Santa never made it into Darwin”, when Cyclone Tracy devastated the Northern Territory capital in the wee hours of Christmas morning 1974. In the wake of the disaster, the city – and all of Australia – pulled together to make sure its 40,000 people could safely rebuild. This included the nation's aviation industry, with Darwin Airport becoming a vital lifeline as airlines and the RAAF brought much-needed people and supplies to and from the Top End in one of the biggest airlifts in Australian history. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson talks to Paul Boyce, who was TAA's Darwin manager when the cyclone hit in 1974, for his firsthand account of the disaster – and what came next.

Twelve months is a long time in aviation, and 2024 has been longer than most – not least because of the ignominious collapse of two domestic airlines, Rex and Bonza, which a year ago had seemed in far better shape than they actually were. Of course, these weren't the only major developments, with Qatar and Virgin announcing a big new tie-up, the government releasing its highly-anticipated Aviation White Paper, and supply chain issues continuing to squeeze aircraft production. In this final regular Australian Aviation Podcast for 2024, Adam and Jake break down the biggest stories of the year and look ahead to 2025. Plus, speculation abounds that the government might buy out the biggest share of Rex's debt – but would it get its money's worth?

A few months after the government's Aviation White Paper promised action on disability access in airports and planes, a new advocacy campaign is calling for faster change in the industry. Led by disability rights spokesperson Shane Hryhorec, the campaign says there are significant systemic problems around access that are leaving disabled passengers at risk of humiliation or injury, and that people with disabilities should get a seat at the table to push for improvements. Adam and Jake unpack the issue and ask whether the industry – and government – are doing enough to make sure disabled passengers can travel safely and comfortably. Plus, airports make the jump to 100 per cent renewable energy, the problem with Qantas' new Christmas livery, and from Florida with love – will Sydney Airport's “woman with the golden gun” fly another day?

Virgin Australia's tie-up with Qatar Airways is gathering steam, with the ACCC giving interim approval to sell tickets on 28 weekly wet-leased services to Doha, while the airline has officially applied to the IASC for all the available capacity. There may be turbulence ahead, however, with the influential Transport Workers' Union hinting it might take back its support for the deal if ex-Qantas executive Paul Jones – who played a part in the illegal outsourcing scandal – is tapped to replace Jayne Hrdlicka as CEO. Adam and Jake go over the latest news, including which airports will be first to see Virgin's Doha flights if the deal goes ahead. Plus, calls are growing for Qantas to bring back international flights from Adelaide – but is the juice worth the squeeze for the Flying Kangaroo?

Think your airfares are bad? Spare a thought for the people of Darwin, who according to a recent ABC Stateline report, are having to pay thousands of dollars – even months in advance – for an interstate flight. Both Qantas Group and Virgin have denied any accusations of price gouging, with Qantas blaming various regional and seasonal factors while Virgin is pointing the finger squarely at Darwin Airport and its high fees – but are they right? Adam and Jake take a look at the situation up north and whether a bit more competition could cool down prices in the tropical Top End. Plus, who won this month's coveted Huey Award for reliability – and is it better to delay a flight than cancel it?

It's official – after more than 10 years codesharing with Virgin Australia, Etihad has called it quits, announcing the tie-up will end next June irrespective (it seems) of whether the exclusivity arrangement between Virgin and Qatar Airways is approved. With codesharing on Singapore Airlines services beyond Asia also looking likely to get the chop – but not Velocity frequent flyer benefits on those same services – what will this mean for passengers? Adam and Jake try to unpick the details and ask whether the exclusive code-sharing arrangement needs to be restricted. Plus, with regional airports owed millions after Rex went into administration, and rivals rebuking the government's bailout, is it time to let the airline go?

It's been three-and-a-half months since Rex went into administration, and while the planes are still flying, so far the administrators have yet to find a buyer for its regional turboprop operations despite securing a deal to sell off the profitable aeromedical wing Pel-Air. Enter the federal government, which has extended its support for the airline to the tune of $80 million in financing, which the administrator has indicated it wants to use to keep the lights on until at least mid-2025 while growing the operational fleet. Adam and Jake discuss whether this latest effort from the government is likely to bear fruit, and what it might mean for Rex's regional rivals. Plus, Qantas objects to Virgin's wet-leasing deal with Qatar – but does the Flying Kangaroo have a leg to hop on? 

It's the book that's sent shockwaves through the aviation world: The Chairman's Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out, a deep dive into the Alan Joyce era and how Qantas went from one of the most trusted brands in the country to one of the least. Covering the decisions made during COVID-19 – including the illegal outsourcing of ground handlers and the controversial “flight credits” scheme – as well as the perception of undue influence on politics, failures in customer service, and other topics, author Joe Aston lays out the case against Joyce in a book that has put a national spotlight on aviation. In this Australian Aviation podcast, Jake Nelson speaks to Aston about the revelations in his book, his verdict on Joyce as a whole, and whether he believes new CEO Vanessa Hudson can right the ship.

Alan Joyce may be gone, but his ghost continues to haunt the halls of Qantas HQ at Mascot, with new chairman John Mullen saying at last week's AGM that the Flying Kangaroo “might well have not survived” COVID-19 without the colourful former CEO and ex-chairman Richard Goyder. His remarks came, however, as a new book from former columnist for The Australian Financial Review, Joe Aston, gave Joyce a good kicking, calling him “increasingly autocratic” and arguing that Qantas “sold [Australia] out”. At the same time, the notorious “Chairman's Lounge” is in the spotlight again amid fresh controversy over the Prime Minister's perceived cosy relationship with the airline. On this week's episode, Adam and Jake discuss what happened at the AGM and whether politicians should think twice about accepting the invitation to the Chairman's Lounge. Plus, Virgin Australia's deal with Qatar is threatening to kneecap codeshare partner Etihad – where will the UAE carrier go if its biggest Australian partnership is axed?

It's BITRE season again, and while domestic aviation still lags the long-term averages, there's one figure where the industry is unexpectedly ahead: in a rare showing, cancellations for September were below the long-term average even as on-time performance continued to struggle. Meanwhile, in another mixed-bag month for the major airlines, which was ultimately the most reliable – and what were some of the other surprises? Adam and Jake reveal this month's winner of the newly-christened Huey Award (as well as why it's called the Huey Award). Plus, is Rex's 30-year-old Saab fleet putting it in danger of going the same way as Bonza?

Angela Garvey recently won the Excellence Award at our Australian Aviation Summit, the title we grant to the overall winner from our nine individual categories.   However, she is best known for ‘Navigating Aviation', a confidential counselling and support service she started following a fatal plane crash in her skydiving business in 2006.    More recently, she launched a mental health survey aimed at current and former employees working in the general aviation sector.   Here, she speaks to host Adam Thorn at this week's Safeskies Conference in Canberra.     

Following the publication of the Aviation White Paper, Transport Minister Catherine King has introduced Sydney slot reform legislation to Parliament. The amendments make up a number of changes to procedures at Australia's most important airport, but how much of a difference will they make? This week, Adam and Jake discuss the latest developments, while also introducing a new member to the team. Plus, with Rex still struggling to find a buyer, should the government step in? 

It's been a big news week for the two major domestic airlines, with Virgin confirming long-held speculation that Qatar Airways is looking to take a 25 per cent stake (and announcing wet-leased flights to Doha), while Qantas tries to resolve engineering strikes as it increases its international capacity and launches a slick new North American ad campaign. Rex couldn't escape the headlines either – on the ABC's Four Corners, chairman John Sharp revealed it had tried to sell its beleaguered domestic jet arm to Virgin before it collapsed; meanwhile, no “obvious” buyers have emerged for its regional operations, according to one source. Adam and Jake digest the week's news and what it all means for the airlines and their passengers. Plus, Air New Zealand last week briefly had the best flight deals in the skies – but were trans-Tasman flights for under $10 too good to be true?

Between Qantas and Jetstar, Qantas Group is undoubtedly the biggest name in Australia's skies, with Virgin Australia a fairly distant second – which has led some, including opposition transport spokesperson Bridget McKenzie, to call for its break-up. In a recent poll, almost half of those surveyed thought Qantas should be made to sell its low-cost arm and an overwhelming majority wanted more competition in domestic aviation – but could, and should, it happen? Adam and Jake examine the arguments and ask if there's any way for a new player to break into the crowded domestic market. Plus, the return of the “sky kittens” – will changes to parallel runway operations at Brisbane to route more flights over the water help keep “purring” over residential areas to a minimum?

It's been almost two months since Rex collapsed into administration and scrapped its domestic jet services, and the latest BITRE data shows that airfares – both sale prices and standard economy seats – have seen a sharp increase. With the Qantas-Virgin duopoly once again ruling Australia's skies, how much of this increase can be attributed to loss of competition versus normal seasonal factors? Adam and Jake look at the figures and what the experts are saying. Plus, Embraer says it could have more than 200 E-Jets in Australia by the end of this decade – could this be the key to a regional jet renaissance?

Amanda Harrison attempted to recreate the first solo flight by a woman from England to Australia in 1930. That original journey was undertaken by the pioneering Amy Johnson in a Gipsy Moth, so Harrison, attempting to be as true to the challenge as possible, undertook hers in a 1942 Tiger Moth. Unfortunately, she had to abandon her mission due to airspace restrictions in 2019, but she did have some adventures on the way. In this special podcast, Harrison talks to host Adam Thorn about her incredible flight – and what's next. 

It's results season, and Qantas, Air New Zealand and Alliance have all posted profits – though the narrative around them is very different. Qantas is slightly down on last year, but still above pre-COVID profits, while Air New Zealand has seen its own profit slashed in half due to economic headwinds – and while Alliance posted the smallest profit in absolute terms, the record high has it celebrating a successful year. Adam and Jake cut through the spin and discuss what the year's results say about how the airlines are really doing. Plus, there's been a lot of buzz in recent weeks about “Koala Airlines” – but are we genuinely going to see a new domestic carrier any time soon?

It's been a long time coming, and at last, this week saw the release of the federal government's Aviation White Paper. The government has pushed consumer protections to the forefront of its agenda, with a new independent ombudsman to take over from the industry-funded Airline Customer Advocate, and a Charter of Customer Rights on the horizon. Adam and Jake dig into some of the white paper's provisions and examine what they might mean for the sector. Plus, as the Rex administration saga rolls on, what has the government been doing to keep the beleaguered airline's regional services afloat – and could it be doing more?

Joel Neeb is a former F-15 pilot who flew thousands of missions for the US Air Force, including escorting Air Force One and patrolling the skies in the days after 9/11. Rising to become lieutenant colonel, he trained hundreds of others to do the same as chief instructor pilot. More impressively, after he left the military, he became a hugely successful business leader. In this special episode, Neeb, visiting Sydney from the US, talks through his amazing career and the secret sauce that makes the best fighter pilots.  

Later this month, we will host our first Australian Aviation Summit in partnership with Leidos Australia. The event will tackle the biggest topics in the industry, including how the sector can begin to fix its chronic talent shortage. In this special episode, Jesse Young, head of flight operations at Leidos, and Lea Vesic, CEO of RMIT's Aviation Academy, talk candidly about what it will take to build and retain our future workforce. They examine its causes, effects and what more needs to be done to solve this ongoing challenge. Plus, they also discuss their pioneering collaboration that will see Leidos provide $120,000 worth of scholarship funding to final-year students at RMIT.

With Bonza gone and Rex fighting for its life in voluntary administration, the spotlight has once again turned to an old argument: that slot allocation at Sydney Airport unfairly advantages the major players. As the federal government looks to put Sydney slot management out to tender, do Qantas and Virgin really have their thumbs on the scales, as former ACCC chair Rod Sims has suggested? Adam and Jake look at the arguments on each side and the other factors that played into Bonza and Rex's respective failures. Plus, Boeing appoints an engineer as its new CEO – is this a positive sign for the planemaker's culture, or will the same old failures continue?

In a matter of months, a second Australian airline has gone into voluntary administration: this time it's Rex, whose ambitions of challenging Qantas and Virgin on capital city flights with 737-800s have dramatically hit the rocks. But with its regional Saab 340B flights still running, and the federal government signalling it doesn't want to see Rex fail, there's still plenty of hope that the airline won't completely go the way of Bonza – or, for that matter, its predecessor Ansett. Adam and Jake discuss what went wrong at Rex, the possible paths forward, and whether something needs to be done about the dominance of the Qantas-Virgin duopoly. Plus, Air New Zealand scraps its 2030 sustainability target – are dreams of a greener sky in danger?

In one of the most dramatic tech outages in history, a botched update by cyber security company CrowdStrike last Friday crippled computers around the world – and Australia's aviation sector did not escape unscathed. Airlines were left unable to check in customers and their baggage, airports were swamped with passengers on delayed and cancelled flights, and planes were grounded across the country, with Jetstar in particular not back to normal until early Saturday morning. Adam and Jake look at what went wrong and whether aviation has put too many of its eggs into one cyber security basket. Plus, as major east coast gateways still lag behind pre-pandemic passenger levels, what's still holding Australia's domestic aviation recovery back?

With the ashes yet cooling on Bonza's funeral pyre, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson made an eyebrow-raising suggestion at the Flying Kangaroo's Perth–Paris launch last week: that Australia can't sustain more than, say, three major domestic airline groups (coincidentally, the number it has now). As the country reacquaints itself with the old familiar Qantas–Virgin equilibrium – and as Rex continues its push to disrupt the duopoly – will Hudson be vindicated, or will another challenger eventually prove her wrong? Adam and Jake examine the state of play and whether Bonza is truly just another data point against airline competition in Australia. Plus, Rex's new leadership faces a boardroom coup from the old boss, Melbourne Airport waves the white flag on the long-overdue rail link, and Emirates thumbs its nose at “too clever by half” safety videos.

Australian Aviation is gearing up to host our third annual awards next month in association with UNSW and its School of Aviation. The university recently hosted a panel examining sustainability in the sector, featuring some of the most influential figures in the industry. The panel included Rex's Ron Bartsch, Qantas' Harry Jobberns and Jet Zero's Ed Mason. In this episode, we let you listen in to the debate.

In the end, it was all but inevitable – after losing its planes, cancelling its flights, sacking its staff and failing to find a buyer, Bonza is no more, with creditors making the decision to wind up the airline and put an end to what were once lofty dreams of bringing low-cost airfares to destinations that had never seen them before. As its purple tails join those of Ansett, Tigerair, Compass and hundreds of others on the Australian aviation ash heap, what will become of Bonza's former routes? Should we expect to see more rivals like Jetstar step in to pick up where it left off? Adam and Jake discuss the fallout from, and reasons for, Bonza's demise. Plus, who will be the next CEO of Virgin Australia? Could a controversial codeshare partner step in to take a stake in our second biggest airline group?