Australian Aviation Podcast Network

High airfares are a continual thorn in the side of Australian travellers, and especially those in the regions – which is one reason why Tim Jordan embarked on his ill-fated attempt to be "here for Allstralia" with Bonza, flying point-to-point regional services with a low-cost ethos.
After a couple of years out of the limelight, Jordan has put his head back above the ramparts with a submission to the Productivity Commission pointing the finger squarely at the dominance of the big airlines – particularly Qantas – as a major contributor to the high cost of flying from the regions.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David examine Jordan's arguments and ask once again how Australia can bring more competition to its skies – and bring those soaring ticket prices back to earth.
Plus, updates from the Gulf as limited commercial flights resume and the RAAF sends reconnaissance planes to ward off Iranian strikes.

There is, as a wise journalist (no, not us, we said "wise") has pointed out, always an aviation angle. As Iranian bombs rained down across the Gulf following strikes by the US and Israel, countries like the UAE and Qatar suddenly found themselves uncomfortably less insulated than they thought, with even airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi being damaged in the crossfire.
Unfortunately, these countries also happen to be major global aviation hubs, and thousands of flights over the past few days have been cancelled, leaving passengers stranded – which raises the question: in the wake of the chaos, will cautious flyers start avoiding Europe flights through places like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi in favour of less volatile hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and guest host Bethany Alvaro examine the Iran conflict's impact on aviation and ask whether Australian airlines and travellers have put too many of their eggs in the Gulf's basket.
Plus, half-yearly results are out for airlines on both sides of the Tasman – which carriers had a better six months than the others?

After decades of will-they-won't-they, the government seems determined to press on with high-speed rail from Sydney to Newcastle (honestly pinky promise for real this time) as the first stage of an ambitious plan to connect the eastern corridor all the way from Melbourne to Brisbane.
If all goes ahead, then, what will that mean for aviation on the east coast? Could Australia finally see more competition on the Golden Triangle from an entirely different source – and will airports reap the benefits nonetheless?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dig into the government's business case for high-speed rail and discuss whether it will actually happen – and whether it would be friend or foe to the air transport sector.
Plus, Daniel Croft from AI Daily returns to the show to go through some of the latest forays into aviation from our ever-present robot overlords.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the airport, the debate over noisy aircraft – excuse us, "sky kittens" – has reared its head once again, with community advocates calling for a curfew in Brisbane.
According to the Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance (BFPCA), curtailing the sky kittens' purring with a nightly curfew would boost residents' well-being and property values at minimal economic cost – but the airport has pushed back, saying it could be disastrous for Queensland residents.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David wade into the continuing stoush around aircraft noise in Brisbane, and discuss how the health and comfort of locals should be balanced with the need for reliable and affordable air transport.
Plus, Qantas wins bronze in the on-time Olympics – and could Addis Ababa be the next Dubai?

With Productivity Commission and Senate inquiries set to spin up later this year, it's been a blockbuster week for regional aviation in the news.
From support for regional cities left in the lurch by the Rex administration, to calls for a "fairer" system for the regions, to rebrands and axed routes, the headlines have been dominated by turboprops and council-owned airports, shining a much-needed spotlight on the country.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, special guest host and former Rex and Virgin Australia pilot, Captain Michelle Huntington, returns to lend Jake her regional aviation expertise as they unpack all the big news from outside the big smoke.
Plus, will the government's new consumer protection measures drive up airfares as the airlines claim, and is Qantas trying to destroy the competition on a Pacific island route?