Australian Aviation Podcast Network

This week, Rex and Qantas are back to their old tricks, resorting to name-calling and finger-pointing over key network decisions. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling give you the run-down of what's going on, and why two of the country's major airlines continue to battle it out in the media. Plus, the team discusses where we stand in our domestic and international travel recovery, and what to expect over the coming months. Finally, the crew discusses Bonza's latest update and what to expect from Australian Aviation's newest digital magazine.

In April, aerospace composite business and MRO provider Quickstep signed a pioneering $30 million long-term maintenance contract with Jetstar. It was hugely significant for our industry because it was the first time a deal of this nature had been awarded to a local, independent MRO provider after an extensive global tendering process. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, the business' executive general manager of aftermarket services, Tim Gent, talks about the deal's importance. He also chats with host Adam Thorn about how the country competes to secure global deals, how to fix engineering skill shortages and Quickstep's investment in unmanned aircraft.

As aviation awakens from its COVID hibernation, it's facing a huge shortage of skilled workers across multiple professions. In this special podcast episode, host Adam Thorn speaks to William Horrocks and Leif Mawson from training organisation Aviation Australia. Their business knows all about the industry's issues first-hand, as they work nurturing up-and-coming pilots, cabin crew, drone operators and aircraft maintenance engineers. The pair discuss why enthusiasm for the industry has never been higher among new recruits, why aviation companies need to invest more in developing talent and how Aviation Australia has evolved over its 20-year history.

After sitting in storage for over two years, a Virgin-branded Boeing 777 has taken to the skies again, being ferried from Wellcamp to Brisbane. In this episode of the Australian Aviation podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling are back in the studio to discuss the possible explanations behind this curious move. Plus, the crew reveals the details of a new lawsuit taken against Virgin's pre-administration management team by angry, "gypped" bondholders. Finally, the team dives into international aviation's recovery trajectory, and what to expect in the next edition of the Australian Aviation magazine.

The Flying Kangaroo dominated the headlines again this week in the aftermath of its Project Sunrise A350 order, as well as a major bid to take over Alliance Aviation, and a loss in court. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss Qantas' moves this week, and the possibility of a more sinister story bubbling underneath. Plus, the team fleshes out the details of Qantas' lost bid to overturn a Federal Court ruling that states its decision to outsource 2,000 workers was illegal, Finally, the crew discusses the next edition of the Australian Aviation magazine, including a mammoth feature into the upcoming launch of budget start-up Bonza.

Qantas this week announced a record-breaking order for aircraft, after firming up an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s, alongside up to 134 A321XLR and A220s to replace its domestic fleet. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss Qantas' major Project Sunrise milestone and what this means for future passengers. Plus, the crew talks through the current state of domestic aviation, Virgin's new 737 MAX order, and Qantas' Project Winton deliveries. Finally, the team reveals new insights into the slow recovery of the international travel sector and shares their predictions for what to expect next.

In the last two weeks, headlines have been filled with concerning insights into the corporate culture of both Qantas and Virgin, as customers grow increasingly frustrated with the current state of affairs. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss this week's viral story of photos showing Qantas A330 crew sleeping across economy passenger seats onboard a flight from Brisbane-LA. Plus, what do these photos have in common with ongoing EBA disputes between Qantas and its cabin crew, eight-hour long customer service hold-times, and chaotic scenes at airports? Finally, the team discuss their thoughts on Virgin's ongoing corporate culture problems, and whether they think there's more to this story.

The COVID crisis may have receded, but with soaring inflation and war in Eastern Europe, aviation professionals are gearing up for more challenging years to come. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation podcast, MGD Wealth's Alec Berry and Richard Marsden discuss what they're hearing from their clients working in frontline aviation roles. They talk through how it's easier than you think to plan for unplanned events and why it's important to set short and long term goals for your finances. Finally, the pair consider how young professionals entering the industry and even older hands can be prepared for future events that inevitably lead to disruption in the aviation industry. The information in this podcast is current as at the date of the recording. Please note that past performance is not an indication of future performance. Any advice included in this podcast is general and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to these factors before acting on it. Any tax information refers to current laws, is not based on your unique circumstances and should not be relied on as tax advice. Before you make any decision about whether to acquire a certain financial product, you should obtain and read the relevant product disclosure statement.

Australians are finally getting back in the air, as seen during scenes of chaos at Australia's airports this week. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss the ins and outs of travelling overseas in a post-COVID world, in light of Hannah's recent trip to Bali. Plus, the team discusses the outrageous hours-long lines seen at Australia's major airports ahead of the Easter holiday season, and questions if the industry should accept any blame following two years of stand downs and redundancies. Finally, New Zealand's borders are set to open this week to Australians and visa holders, in what should be another major win for Oceania's airlines.

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) is finally being recognised by Australia's aviation regulators in recent days. On this week's episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Bella Richards chats with UPRT Australia's founders Shane Tobin and Jeremy Miller. The company began last year and provides specialist training for pilots on how to avoid and recover from an aircraft upset. The trio discusses what UPRT is, why it's important to teach pilots how to emotionally deal with an upset, the recent mandate and what more could be done. Finally, the group chats about the future of UPRT, and how it is even more needed coming out of the pandemic.

More than two years since our Black Summer, Australia is beginning to rethink how we fight bushfires in the air. On this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn speaks to Wayne Coulson, the CEO of one of the world's leading aerial fighting companies. He talks about why we should be fighting fires at night; why companies, not governments, should lead innovation; and how technology is already helping us predict how fires will spread. Finally, the pair describes how seasons are becoming more intense and longer, and why we can't count on other countries for help.

How do big Australian primes work with smaller businesses in the supply chain? In this special podcast, host Adam Thorn interviews Chris Hess, Head of Industrial Development at Lockheed Martin Australia and Gavin New, the general manager of Ronson Gears. The pair have been working together on a range of projects across defence and aerospace and reveal the secrets behind making the relationship work, as well as dispelling some myths behind supply chain collaboration. Finally, Chris discusses the importance of Australia boosting its sovereign industry capability as industries emerge from the pandemic.

In this bonus episode of the Australian Aviation podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and MAJGEN (Ret'd) Marcus Thompson discuss the importance of Australian business, including the aviation sector, preparing for possible cyber threats. The pair begin by discussing MAJGEN (Ret'd) Thompson's recent opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, which dives into Russia's history of cyber and information warfare, and the threat of Russian cyber-attacks being weaponised in reprisal against Australia for supporting Ukraine during the recent conflict. Both hosts continue by discussing the impact of cyber warfare on Australian businesses, and how many malicious actors work in concert with state-sponsored groups to exploit the cyber domain. The pair wraps up the podcast by analysing how cyber remains an integral part in both hybrid and greyzone warfare, and that foreign actors will continue to use cyber as an essential attack vector in future conflicts.

After missing out on our usual news-loaded podcasts for a few weeks, the team sure had plenty to catch up on this week. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling give you the run-down, spanning everything from flash floods, tensions in Europe and financial results. Plus, Bonza has seen turbulent times this week with the shock departure of its chief operating officer just months ahead of its planned launch and increasing scepticism from across the industry. Finally, learn more about how Australian Aviation is gearing up for its inaugural awards ceremony in what is going to be the industry's post-pandemic "night of nights".

In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Phil Tarrant and guest Air Vice Marshall (Ret'd) John Quaife, AM, sit down to discuss John's new book Viking Boys. A former Air Commander Australia, John spent nearly three decades in the Royal Australian Air Force as a fighter pilot. After retiring from the force, he became a member of the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal, where he learnt incredible stories of untold and remarkable bravery and honour from Australian forces. Viking Boys tells the story of Beaufighter pilot James Hakewill and his navigator Fred Sides, who died on 5 December 1944 when their aircraft slammed into a German gunboat in a fjord in Norway. While official records contain no mention of the aircraft hitting the ship, John reveals what truly happened on 5 December 1944.

This week, start-up budget carrier Bonza lifted the lid on its initial route offerings, which includes 25 routes to 16 destinations, with base operations split between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne. In this special bonus episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Hannah Dowling sits down with Bonza CEO Tim Jordan to talk through the airline's initial network, and learn more about the processes behind those tough decisions. Plus, Jordan shares insight into the negotiation process with airports, and where Bonza intends to go next. Finally, the CEO eases fears that some Bonza destinations aren't built for the 737 MAX, and reveals what he's most excited to see come launch day.

This week, the industry responded to the massive news that Australia will reopen its borders to tourists from 21 February, with airlines ramping up Australian schedules, and Tourism Australia dropping $40 million on a new campaign to drum up tourism interest. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss where we stand in terms of the mass return of international airlines to Australian shores, and which carriers are acting with caution. Plus, the "David versus Goliath"-esque network battle between Rex and Qantas is back in the headlines over the Flying Kangaroo's new Sydney-Broken Hill route. Finally, learn a little more about the newest job opening right here at Australian Aviation, and a feel-good story about a man who saved Victoria Police's first helicopter.

This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison finally revealed that Australia's last international borders restrictions would be eased, allowing double-jabbed tourists and other visa holders back into the country. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling excitedly discuss the move, and what this means for travellers and airlines alike. Plus, the crew talks about the latest blow-up between Qantas boss Alan Joyce and WA Premier Mark McGowan, over the western state's indefinite hard border. Finally, the team reveals Google Wing's latest development, dropping KFC directly to front doors via drone.

This week, the Prime Minister hinted that tourism is soon to be back on the cards for Australia, while Qantas faced the Fair Work Commission again over its ongoing pay dispute with its international cabin crew. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss the Prime Minister's announcement, and what this could mean for local and foreign airlines. Plus, the crew debate Qantas' desire to lock in the return of Perth-London flights, or risk losing their direct London route altogether. Finally, the team reveals the details of a robbery gone wrong at Mackay Airport, after a man abandoned his plans to steal a helicopter, for a high-speed getaway on a tractor.

This week, the Western Australia government backflipped on its promise to reopen its borders on 5 February, while Queensland opened its international border for the first time since March 2020. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss the current border situation, as well as changing entry requirements for international travellers coming to Australia. Plus, the team reveals the details of an ongoing feud between Qantas and its international cabin crew over post-pandemic pay and working conditions. Finally, the crew talks about the historic Victors Vimy making its way to its new home inside Adelaide Airport.

This week, Qantas swiftly followed in Virgin Australia's footsteps to announce it has been forced to slash capacity by up to 30 per cent from January through to March due to the current COVID outbreak. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the decision and the struggle for airlines in navigating the current operating environment. Plus, the crew reveals the latest updates in Australia's journey towards electric air taxi travel, with new and exciting deals taking place across the country, as well as Queensland's dwindling vaccination rollout and Western Australia's plans to reopen. Finally, the crew reveals the details of a new Australian start-up hoping to change up the LEO satellite game with their supersonic space plane.

After being elected as president of the Australian Federation of Air Pilots in 2018, Louise Pole became the first woman in Australia to lead a pilots' union, and the second female pilot union boss in the entire world. In this episode of Sky's The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling speak with Louise in one of our most frank and honest conversations of this series to date – about the real challenges that she and her female colleagues have experienced since she began flying in the 1980s. Louise tells us about her career path and the solidarity she built with other female aviators, as well as all the forums and programs she has been involved in to support women in aviation, including the AFAP Women's Network. Plus, the crew discusses how the female experience in aviation has changed over the past three decades, and talks about practical solutions for moving ahead.

After a brief period of open borders, this week, airlines have again been forced to cancel hundreds of flights and slash their flight schedules as the Omicron surge continues to send staff into isolation. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss Virgin's proactive decision to announce dramatic flight schedule changes amid ongoing staff shortages, that are sure to be similarly impacting the other airlines. Plus, the team talks about Qantas' major decision to pivot away from previously preferred planemaker Boeing, and head towards a nearly all-Airbus fleet over the next two decades. Finally, Adam eagerly raises the topic of Labour's new plan to make the lucrative Golden Triangle redundant, by means of high-speed rail.

As the news cycle begins to slowly but surely pivot away from constant COVID-19 reporting, the ideas of sustainability, electric aircraft and urban air mobility solutions have once again emerged as key themes in 2021. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Hannah Dowling sits down with David Rottblatt, the vice-president of business development at Eve Urban Air Mobility – an Embraer subsidiary focused on bringing electric air taxis to the mainstream. David and Hannah discuss the current state of play in the global air taxi market, how far we are from seeing eVTOL taxis flying overhead, where we can expect the rollout of such technologies to be focused on and the opportunities of flying taxi technologies in growing cities. The two also discuss Eve's major focus on the Australian market, its growing myriad of partnerships with local Aussie SMEs – more of which have been announced since this episode was recorded – and what this means for the future of eVTOLs in Australia.

What's it like to be a senior executive in a major international airline when a once-in-a-century pandemic grounds the industry In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Singapore's regional manager for public affairs, Karl Schubert, talks host Adam Thorn through the dramatic moments the team made the crunch decisions. He reveals why the airline kept flying despite low demand and stringent arrival caps, whether COVID was worse than they thought and whether he thinks the industry will bounce back to 2019 levels. Finally, the pair discuss the future of the A380. Can it really survive in a world of smaller long-haul aircraft?

Jodie Bevan is a woman of many talents. After training as an aerobatic pilot early in her career, she jumped ship into business aviation and made her way up the ladder at Textron. In this episode of Sky's The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling sit down with Jodie to hear about the opportunities and challenges of her varied career after learning to fly and starting her own business in her 20s. Plus, Jodie shares her insights as Textron's regional sales director for turboprops in South-East Asia, into what we can expect to see out of the region as we emerge from the pandemic. Finally, Jodie and the team discuss the significant contributions of women "behind the scenes" in aviation – leading the charge in aviation business consulting, communications, media and senior executive positions.

In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn talks to Bell Flight's Terry Miyauchi, who previously headed up Arizona Police's Aviation Unit. The former pilot discusses how law enforcement agencies use helicopters in 2021 and how the technology onboard has evolved over the years. Plus, he explains why both emergency services and defence still favour the Bell 429, which first flew more than a decade ago. Finally, with drone uptake increasing and electric aircraft on the horizon, what is the future of parapublic aviation?

Queensland has opened its borders and Australia is planning to further lift international restrictions. But with Omicron lurking around the corner, could our progress be held back? In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Phil Tarrant and guest Adam Thorn talk about what all this means for our aviation industry. Plus, new airline Bonza sprung a major surprise last week when it announced it was to quadruple its fleet of 737 MAXs. Should Qantas, Virgin and Rex be worried? Finally, the team discusses the surprising return of the Albatross, which will be built in the NT.

Australia has recently accepted its latest delivery of F-35s – the fifth-generation fighter that represents the biggest upgrade in RAAF's capability in a generation. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Lockheed Martin Australia's Andy Doyle tells host Adam Thorn how they onboarded the platform to the country. The pair discuss what makes the aircraft so special, the scale of the program globally and how pilots, engineers and support staff were selected and trained to help with the transition. Finally, they also chat about keeping the F-35 program going during two challenging years of COVID.

This weekend's Wings Over Illawarra was probably the biggest gathering of fans of flight in two years, as attendees bid goodbye to the retiring Classic Hornet and welcomed its replacement, the F-35. Australian Aviation's Adam Thorn was there to interview some of the key industry figures in attendance. In this special episode, Adam records our podcast onboard a C-130 Hercules with one of its pilots, Flight Lieutenant Brendan Smith, who talks us through how this evergreen aircraft has adapted to the times.

Australia's unique geography arguably makes it more reliant on parapublic aviation services than most countries in the world. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn talks to Bell Flight's Dan McQuestin about how these services have evolved over the years. A helicopter pilot himself, McQuestin talks through the modern uses and advances in both police and search and rescue aircraft. Finally, he explains how the business is embracing and transitioning into the future, with remotely piloted and electric aircraft on the horizon.

The last fortnight has seen Qantas return the first of 10 Airbus A380s due to return to service for the airline by 2023, while Rex threw ice water on Bonza's fiery launch plans. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss the triumphant return of Qantas A380 VH-OQB, a move predicted by Hannah long before the news was made public. Plus, the team talks about comments made by Rex's John Sharp about upcoming budget competitor Bonza, and debates whether or not Bonza will take off. Finally, the crew reveals where we now stand on borders reopening, and what to expect from the latest edition of the Australian Aviation magazine.

Australia and New Zealand's aviation industries are nearly at the end of our COVID nightmare. But now what? In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Adam Thorn and Oceania Aviation's Dwayne McCalman discuss the challenges of the last 12 months and how we can work together to conquer them. They discuss difficulties over supply chains, freight shortages and border closures, and McCalman explains how Oceania has found ways to mitigate those issues to keep essential aircraft in the air. Plus, insight into how the industry should work harder to encourage the next generation to take up careers in engineering, as we battle tough skill shortages.

Where were we? Oh yes, COVID, border closures, lockdowns, thousands upon thousands of redundancies, lawsuits and the worst two years in aviation since World War II. But on the Australian Aviation podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and Adam Thorn celebrate, if not the very end of the pandemic, certainly the moment the corner has been turned. On today's episode, the team discusses just what the opening of international borders means for a weary nation, as Qantas operates its iconic QF1 flight from Sydney to London once again. Plus, we ask, can new airline Bonza really find lucrative new routes in a market already dominated by three main players?

Earlier this month, startup airline Bonza broke cover to reveal a plan to fly "point-to-point" leisure routes not serviced by Qantas, Virgin and Rex with a fleet of two to three new 737 MAXs. Now founder Tim Jordan tells the Australian Aviation Podcast host Adam Thorn how he plans to find a niche for his business against stiff competition. The pair also talk about why Bonza has chosen the MAX, what he'll do if rivals decide to compete on their routes, when it will launch and how the industry will recover from COVID. Plus, ex-Virgin Blue executive Jordan reveals why he's passionate about budget travel.

This week saw huge announcements out of NSW and Queensland confirming their plans to reopen international borders before the end of this year. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporters Hannah Dowling and Bella Richards discuss the NSW Premier's bombshell announcement to drop all quarantine requirements for returning overseas travellers. Plus, the team ponders all the remaining unanswered questions surrounding exactly how Australia will emerge from its 18-month hibernation from the rest of the world. Finally, the crew unveils CASA's new mandate for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training and what this means for the industry.

Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Aimee Heal is the second-ever female member of the RAAF's aerobatic display team The Roulettes, currently serving as Roulette Seven. In this episode of Sky's The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling sit down with Aimee to hear about her adrenaline-fuelled days piloting Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, and her role as the only full-time Roulette. Plus, Aimee shares her experience rising through the ranks of the RAAF after first enrolling in the Australian Defence Force Academy straight out of high school. Finally, she shares the best advice she'd give to her younger self, and to younger women looking to take on a future career in the RAAF and aviation.

It's been a long, 18-month COVID pandemic, but it looks like commercial international flights to Australia could return sooner than we would have thought. This week, a returning Phil Tarrant and guest Adam Thorn talk through what a restart could mean for our industry. Will the announcement of a firm date spark more carriers into joining Qantas from 14 November? Plus, the pair talk about the other big topics, including NSW's new Premier, the RAAF replacing its damaged Growler and a record 17-hour repatriation flight. Finally, what are the ramifications from Google's announcement that it is sending delivery drones from a shopping mall roof direct to people's homes?

It seems like an age ago now, but pre-COVID, Australia was battling another crisis with its 'Black Summer' bushfires – the worst in living memory. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, former NSW fire commissioner Greg Mullins explains why climate change means bigger fires will soon be a regular reality. He also talks to host Adam Thorn about the state of play with our aerial firefighting fleet and why the federal government must do more to prevent another disaster. Finally, Mullins speaks about the reality of fighting fires on the front line, and why it runs in his blood.

This week, debate continued to wage over the state of Australia's domestic and international borders, as Queensland and Western Australia stand strong on their hard borders. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss where we stand in our journey towards the re-opening of state and international borders. Plus, the team reveals NSW's roadmap out of lockdown, and how this will impact the aviation sector. Finally, the crew discusses Qantas' major move away from Perth, as the state's borders cause the airline to reconsider its flagship London-Perth route.

As Victoria and NSW's long lockdowns linger on, the aviation industry is quietly readying itself for the quicker-than-thought return of international travel. In this week's episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling ask if the industry is prepared to get planes flying again, with confusion over how COVID-safe protocols will work. And with foreign airlines circling to snap up locked-down Aussie aviation workers, does the industry have a plan to keep hold of its best people? Finally, the pair discuss the future of vaccine passports as Rex opts in as the UK opts out.

As chief remote pilot at the CSIRO, Amanda Meys has trailblazed through a very impressive career in risk management, drone piloting, maintenance and military aviation, just to name a few In this episode of Sky's The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling sit down with Amanda to discuss her early career in military aviation, and her sheer determination to pursue avionics engineering. Plus, Amanda shares her insight to the next generation of drone pilots hoping to find their way in the RPAS space. Finally, she unveils why Australia has played such a critical role in the development of drone technologies, and become a global leader in the RPAS space.

Australian states are gearing up to end lockdowns and we're being told we'll soon have to learn to live with the virus. But are we ready to? In this episode, Phil and Adam discuss what needs to be done for airports to be ready to open borders domestically and, crucially, internationally. The pair also ask why major foreign airlines are so keen to hire Aussie pilots, and whether we'll be left short in a post-COVID world? Finally, what actually goes on in desert boneyards, and why is the work so secret?

This year's R U OK? Day serves as an important reminder to open up the conversation on mental health, both in the workplace and at home, according to David Coleman, member for Banks and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. In this special episode, join Momentum Media director Alex Whitlock as he speaks to Mr Coleman. Together, the pair discuss the importance of shining a spotlight on mental health issues, share why the consequences of stigmatising mental health are significant, and reveal how you can make a difference to your workplace, community, family and friends.

While COVID has generated headlines for grounding commercial airlines, it's also forced those in the MRO sector to quickly innovate to keep their clients airborne. In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn speaks to the CEO of Salus Aviation, Greg Edmonds. He talks about the group's New Zealand owned and operated business Oceania Aviation, which offers nose-to-tail MRO support for rotary and fixed-wing operators. The pair discuss the challenges of the past year, closed borders, expanding across the Tasman, and sourcing the best talent globally. Plus, with hybrid aircraft and eVTOLS on the brink of breaking through, what's next for the industry as a whole?

After two months in a COVID slumber, Qantas finally poked its head up to reveal its full-year financial results. And while the loss was predictable, far more interesting was its ambitious plan to get flying again this year, and bring its A380s back earlier than expected. In this episode, Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss the politics behind the story, and which of its A380s will be the first to leave the desert to return. Plus, why has Qatar's Hamad airport been named the best in world despite the invasive search of Australian women returning home last year?

This week, the RAAF's attempts to evacuate thousands of Australians from Kabul Airport in Afghanistan became mainstream news. In this episode, Phil and Adam talk about the latest updates and discuss whether the war in Afghanistan was always unwinnable. Plus, COVID and aviation stories intertwine again as state premiers appear to diverge on when the country should open up. Finally, the pair talk through the latest issue of the Australian Aviation print magazine.

Starting first as an aeronautical engineer, and then a flight test engineer for the Canadian Armed Forces, Kristen Raby has climbed the ranks of both the public and private sectors, to now be Nova Systems' general manager of operations. In this episode of Sky's The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling sit down with Kristen to discuss her early fascination with the aviation industry, and how it shaped her future career path. Plus, Kristen reveals how she demonstrated her capabilities to kickstart her early career progression, how decisions she made early on affected her later down the road, and the way she climbed up the corporate ranks. Finally, she shares the greatest advice she would give to a younger woman looking to take on a similar path.

As NSW's near two-month lockdown rumbles on, state and territory leaders seem to be backing out of their national cabinet promise to open borders when most of us have been vaccinated. On this week's episode, Phil and a very recently jabbed Adam discuss how COVID politics is keeping domestic aviation grounded. Plus, the team discuss a screwdriver incident, Alliance's amazing profits and stand downs at Rex and Virgin. Finally, the pair chat about the imminent launch of the new issue of Australian Aviation's print magazine.

This week, Qantas announced it would stand down 2,500 employees, just one day after the government revealed its plan to provide additional financial support to the airline industry. In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the conveniently-timed move, and speculate as rival Virgin bides its time. Plus, the team reveals the details of that booze-fuelled Japan Airlines flight that saw some Australian Olympians end up in hot water with the international media. Finally, the crew talks of one lucky frequent flyer that spent 2 million points on two used Qantas A380 seats.