Show Notes
We've all been delayed at the airport at some point, or know someone who has – but still, to learn that 55 per cent of Aussie travellers in a recent government survey were hit by a flight delay or disruption between August 2024 and 2025 puts the whole issue in sharp relief. And yet, perhaps more surprising is how few of them have complained – not because of how happy they were with the service, but because they didn't think their complaints would go anywhere. That might be set to change with new government regulations and an independent ombudsman … but is it too little, too late for our trust in the airline industry? On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David swap war stories of flight delays and examine just how satisfied Australians are with our airlines and airports. Plus, amid scandals and stoushes galore, could Western Sydney Airport's metro line end up delayed until 2028?
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.