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.
Aviation industry
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statements acknowledging that they know that the retailer’s insolvency insurance cover for the airline has been withdrawn or doesn’t apply, writes Ben Sandilands.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.
Sydney to become Two Alliance Airport
In a breakthrough for commonsense, Sydney Airport is to replace its international (western) and domestic (eastern) divisions, reports Ben Sandilands.
American Airlines makes Qantas dispute look like a tea party
Anyone who’s bagged Qantas for being hard-nosed in grounding their fleet in the recent dispute should think again and take a look at what the parent company of the huge American Airlines did overnight…
Red Q, Un-Dead Q, where does Qantas go now?
Are claims by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce that it has not dropped its Red Q Asia based carrier credible? It appears to be like the parrot in the Monty Python sketch, not dead, just not talking, writes Ben Sandilands.
All eyes on Joyce, Jetstar, HNA and Cathay Pacific
There is speculation that points to an interesting situation arising in Hong Kong in which Qantas may find a way to leverage itself into a Hong Kong or lower Pearl River delta based new Jetstar franchise, reports Ben Sandilands.
Airport security measures: inadequate and designed by morons
The announcement of the end of the ban on liquids, aerosols and gels at international airports in Australia by 2013 leaves a number of difficult questions unanswered. Our airport security processes were designed by morons, writes Ben Sandilands.
A quick guide to the latest domestic air fare battle
Air Australia nominated the Brisbane-Melbourne route for the latest domestic air fare blood bath today, launching a new web site and one way economy fares from $69, writes Ben Sandilands.
The A340 becomes a travel collectible
Although Airbus has closed the A340 production line, it is likely to continue serving several routes of importance to Australian travellers for some years to come, explains Ben Sandilands.
How busy was the Qantas Club lounge last week?
The Qantas Club in Brisbane was an empty affair last week. Qantas premium travel bookings on the main east coast routes were down 40% in October. Alan Joyce blamed the threat of industrial action. Is that fair? asks Ben Sandilands.
Qantas Can Qantas be forced to Still Call Australia Home?
This week’s Qantas Senate Inquiry has set up a fierce debate about the current management of Qantas and its off shore strategies, reports Ben Sandilands.
Qantas takes off, into skies dark with uncertainties
It looks like stormy skies ahead for Qantas and its pilots, licensed engineers and ground staff after the first of its grounded jets returned to service yesterday following an emergency ruling by Fair Work Australia, writes Ben Sandilands.
Inside the first 787 passenger flight
The first paying passenger flight by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took place yesterday between Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong and spectacular photos are being posted by many of those on board, reports Ben Sandilands.
A closer look at Qantas tourism strike claims
Comments being made about sponsor Qantas’s industrial problems by Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive John Lee need to be critiqued, writes Ben Sandilands.
Qantas grounds jets as the highway becomes a traveller option
Qantas is grounding five domestic jets (four 737s and one 767) from Monday, effectively cancelling 97 flights a week in a move its group CEO Alan Joyce says will allow it to maintain schedule reliability across the rest of its network.
Qantas pilots enlist shareholders in campaign against management
Qantas pilots are enlisting shareholders in a campaign against management, who they say is ruining the airline, reports Ben Sandilands.
ACCC seeks real powers to restrain overpricing at airports
The costs of car parking at major Australian airports, and the fees they charge airlines per passenger could be cut under a new proposal by the ACCC, writes Ben Sandilands.
