Show Notes
We don't talk about it too often on the podcast, but cargo is a huge sector of the aviation industry – and with big news out of both Western Sydney and Avalon Airports this week, it found itself unexpectedly in the spotlight. WSI has at last opened its doors to freight ahead of its passenger launch in October, while Avalon Airport is seeing its first direct cargo services to Saudi Arabia –good news for both the Western Sydney and Geelong areas. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David unpack the crate expectations being placed on Australia's secondary airports as freight operations ramp up. Plus, Project Sunrise arrives in Australia (sort of); a look at the inside of Jetstar's new 787-8 cabins (and also Osaka and Kyoto); and why haven't illegally sacked Qantas ground workers seen all their compensation money yet?
More from Australian Aviation Podcast Network
What began with a bang now ends with a whimper – Joshua Wander, former CEO of Bonza financier 777 Partners, has pleaded guilty in the US to a half-billion-dollar fraud scheme, thus ending the sorry tale of what once seemed a promising new contender in Australia's aviation market. Wander now faces a maximum of 40 years in prison after the collapse of the 777 Partners "house of cards" – cold comfort, perhaps, to everyone left out of work and out of pocket by its role in the demise of the airline it had once bankrolled. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, David and Hannah take a magnifying glass to the financial skulduggery of 777 Partners as we close the book on the Bonza saga. Plus, with a global asset freeze slapped on the low-cost carrier, are Vietjet's plans for Australian expansion over before they began?
While aviation has plenty of security safeguards in place to keep passengers with sinister intent away from the cockpit, last month's attempted flydubai hijack – by one of the pilots – was a sobering reminder that sometimes, the sinister intent is already in the flight deck. While the aircraft and its passengers escaped unscathed this time, the incident raised the spectre of disasters like Germanwings Flight 9525 and LAM Mozambique Airlines Flight 470, which both saw the aircraft's own pilots bring down their planes in horrific murder-suicides. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, David and Hannah examine the dangers that can arise when the pilots – the people we entrust with our lives in the air – are also the people posing the biggest risk to passenger safety. Plus, a rocky few weeks for industrial relations as Jetstar, Virgin, Qantas, and Sydney Airport have all faced protected action.
As the aviation industry continues to clamour for talented engineers, fostering talent in the next generation is ever more important. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' annual Design/Build/Fly competition – held this year in Wichita, Kansas – attracted young engineers with the challenge of designing, building, and testing a banner-towing bush plane that could carry mock passengers and cargo. Among the teams was a contingent from RMIT University in Melbourne, including aerospace engineering and logistics supply chain student Viviene Beins and aerospace engineering (honours) student Marcus Serong. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Defence Connect's Robert Dougherty speaks with the duo at ICAS 2026 in Sydney on what the Australian aerospace and defence industry can do to attract and retain the next generation of engineers.
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?
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.