The widely accepted estimated figure for a second Sydney airport is $15 billion. But where the hell did this figure come from and accurate and reliable is it? asks Alan Davies.
Aviation industry
L-3: the $15b defence contractor that will be scanning us
The company that will get $28 million for providing airport body scanners is a huge US defence contractor with a scandalous history.
The $28m pantomime of airport body scanners
Airport body scanners have no demonstrated value, but the government is spending $28 million on them.
Qantas mixes oil surcharges and carbon pricing as agents continue doing deals
It is intriguing to see the media regurgitate announced Qantas surcharges for oil prices and carbon taxes when deals have made them irrelevant in terms of international flights, writes Ben Sandilands.
Rating agency drops Qantas to one notch above junk status
Despite having a huge percentage of the domestic market Qantas is bleeding away its reputation, market share and effectiveness in international air transport, writes Ben Sandilands.
Why a smoking plane provided good news for Qantas
The diversion of a Qantas 767 to Mt Isa yesterday when smoke was smelled in the cockpit provides proof that the airline’s emergency drill procedure works, writes Ben Sandilands.
A reality check for the ‘everything is cheaper’ in China apologists
There is a parallel argument about the importance of China to the future of any Australian airline, and the last two Qantas CEOs have convincingly endorsed that.
Ice legends, polar heroes and planes
There have seen some superb insights into life in Antarctica in a series of reports by ABC journalist Karen Barlow, among them some glimpses of aviation in the icy region, writes Ben Sandilands.
Virgin Australia goes happy hours for the cheap seats
Virgin Australia did more than launch a class war with its nation wide business class, but a drinks war, with free alcohol for the cheap seats, writes Ben Sandilands.
Has Qantas been mislead on the 787, or is it just too dumb to know or care?
It is one thing for the media to witlessly parrot Boeing press releases about the super light weight benefits of 787 Dreamliner, but are the airlines really that stupid? asks Ben Sandilands.
Little Sydney and Mega-Melbourne: comparing airport ambitions
It speaks much for the centre of growth and vision in this country to compare the political difficulties that arise over plans for a 2nd Sydney Airport, and the general enthusiasm for a 3rd Melbourne Airport, writes Ben Sandilands.
Air France avoids the dead obvious in new plan
Air France KLM has released a summary of a new three year transformation plan to the end of 2014 to achieve profitability, but it doesn’t mention how its going to restore its dismal image, writes Ben Sandilands.
Media silly season shenanigans: a tax on fatty flyers?
Qantas chief economist Tony Webber is a worthy contender for best silly season story spawner for 2011-2012, writes Ben Sandilands.
Darwin, Jetstar and survival of the fittest
Jetstar has fired its no doubt first of many return shots following earlier announcements by Virgin Australia of their expansionary plans for Darwin-Sydney and Darwin-Singapore services, writes Ben Sandilands.
Is this Boeing’s most important project?
A biofuels research agreement between Boeing and the CSIRO is arguably the most important research effort being made in transport, writes Ben Sandilands.
Cracks appear in public understanding of metal fatigue
Something of a case study in aviation media communications is taking shape, or rather, cracking up, in relation to ‘minor’ cracks found in the wings of some Airbus A380s, writes Ben Sandilands.
Pilot losses at Qantas and the battle for the public ear
An AFR story on the probability of extensive pilot cutbacks in Qantas long haul sets the scene from a fresh struggle for public, political and investor ears, writes Ben Sandilands.
Why is the media silent about problems on the 787 line?
There is a deafening silence from the aviation industry and the general media on problems regarding the delivery of 787s. Just what is going on? asks Ben Sandilands.
Jetstar Japan and Air Australia in financial trouble
Jetstar Japan couldn’t fail if it tried, could it? And Air Australia is right as roses, right? Well, no. Both need more money, writes Ben Sandilands.
Pilot skills and safety regulation the big aviation issues for 2012
Whatever else happens to the business of airlines in 2012, the big issues than can be seen in advance are pilot training and safety regulation, writes Ben Sandilands.
Air Australia customers need certainty now
Travel agents are said to be asking potential buyers of Air Australia fares to sign product disclosure statements acknowledging that they know that the retailer’s insolvency insurance cover for the airline has been withdrawn or doesn’t apply, writes Ben Sandilands.
Great Christmas Comet surprises red eye flyers
Pilots and passengers have reported the appearance of a great comet in the pre dawn skies from flights between Perth and the eastern cities. The ghostly crescent tail is that of Comet Lovejoy, writes Ben Sandilands.
Visions of future flying machines: a 200 mile high club, a zero G bridal suite…
How about a zero G bridal suite in earth orbit, or an inter-city tilt rotor aircraft with room for thousands of commuters? These are among the latest visions of future flying machines by the Yelken Octuri design studio, writes Ben Sandlands.
The awesome eeriness of planes
Why is that so many awe-inspiring feats of engineering hare so hard to separate from deliberate mass death and misery? asks Robin Cameron.
The axing of America’s Joint Strike Fighter: a timely warning
If the US axes its Joint Strike Fighter (or JSF) program, there will be dire consequences for Australia’s defences, writes Ben Sandilands.
