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australianaviation.com.au
Australian Aviation
@australianaviation.com.au
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Market intelligence, information and insights for Australia’s aviation sector. www.australianaviation.com.au
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australianaviation.com.au
Air Force Training Group (AFTG) has seen a change of command, with Air Commodore Brett Williams formally taking command of the AFTG at RAAF Base Point Cook. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/45oKJjO
Air Force Training Group sees change in command
Leaving the position is Air Commodore David Strong, who says he is “confident that under Air Commodore Brett Williams’ leadership, Air Force Training Group will continue to thrive”.
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January 5, 2026 at 3:32 AM
australianaviation.com.au
The former chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has been appointed as Boeing's president for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/3N53Ysv
Ex-Lockheed Martin boss takes helm at Boeing Australia & Pacific
Air Vice-Marshal Steve
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January 5, 2026 at 2:35 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Air New Zealand was the Asia-Pacific’s second most on-time airline in 2025, with both Qantas and Virgin Australia also placing in the region’s top 10. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4q7oLub
Air New Zealand wins silver in Asia-Pacific on-time performance
The Kiwi carrier saw 79.29 per cent of its flights arrive on time last year, data from analyst Cirium has revealed, placing it behind only Philippine Airlines (PAL) at 83.12 per cent. Virgin and Qantas placed eighth and ninth in the Asia-Pacific regi...
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January 5, 2026 at 1:31 AM
australianaviation.com.au
The Queensland Government is expanding the Sunshine Coast’s police helicopter service. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/3N72FJu
Qld invests almost $23m into Sunshine Coast police helicopters
Under a $22.8 million investment over three years, the Sunshine Coast POLAIR base will be bolstered, with aerial operations to be extended into the Moreton Bay region. The base has seen 449 helicopter flights since January last year.
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January 5, 2026 at 12:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
In this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Captain Richard de Crespigny tells Jake Nelson the story of QF32, 15 years on – and what it taught him about the value of resilience. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/49qbx5u
Video Podcast: How QF32 beat the ‘black swan’
In this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Captain Richard de Crespigny tells Jake Nelson the story of QF32, 15 years on – and what it taught him about the value of resilience.
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December 24, 2025 at 5:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
North Pole cargo airline JingleJet has been rescued from administration by a Halloween-based firm. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4pRnBCE
Halloween giant buys Santa Claus’ collapsed freight airline
Buyer Scare T has scooped up JingleJet’s gift-delivery operations – including its sole reindeer-powered sleigh aircraft – for an undisclosed sum that is thought to have involved several buckets of candy, with insiders telling Australian Aviation that...
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December 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
australianaviation.com.au
A RAAF Hercules has delivered early Christmas presents to disabled children in the Philippines. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4qhH5Ag
RAAF brings wheelchairs to kids in need
Working in partnership with Wheelchairs for Kids Australia, the Air Force in November flew 48 all-terrain children’s wheelchairs from RAAF Base Richmond to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, where they were distributed by Angeles City RSL.
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December 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
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The captain of flight QF32 has dubbed the Airbus A380 “the most extraordinary aircraft ever built”. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/3Y7aiSw
Hero QF32 pilot defends the A380’s legacy
Speaking to Australian Aviation 15 years on from QF32, which saw an engine on board Qantas A380 VH-OQA explode shortly after take-off from Singapore, Captain Richard de Crespigny said that while the superjumbo is less efficient than it could be, it i...
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December 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Western Australia will invest an extra $13.8 million into its aerial firefighting fleet over the next three years, including securing a pair of Black Hawk helicopters until 2028-29. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/496x7eh
WA Govt secures 2 more firefighting Black Hawks for 3 years
The Black Hawks, based in Gingin and commencing operations on 20 December, are the second of two pairs that will operate around the state. They join a firefighting fleet of 38, which also includes the Large Air Tanker (LAT), based in Busselton, and o...
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December 19, 2025 at 6:30 AM
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China Southern Airlines will fly year-round from Perth following the success of its seasonal Guangzhou service. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4pNCfuR
China Southern to fly year-round from Perth
The carrier, one of China’s “big four”, will fly three times per week between Perth and Guangzhou using 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, providing a total of 85,800 inbound and outbound seats per year. The news comes after the return of its existing season...
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December 19, 2025 at 5:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
The ATSB says it is focusing on several key factors in the fatal crash of a floatplane off Rottnest Island earlier this year as it releases an interim report. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4ap9lfK
ATSB publishes interim report into January seaplane crash
Three people, including the pilot, were killed when the Cessna 208 Caravan, VH-WTY, hit the water during an attempted take-off from Thomson Bay on 7 January. According to the ATSB, survivability, the Cessna’s crashworthiness, and procedures and risk ...
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December 19, 2025 at 4:00 AM
australianaviation.com.au
The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of C-130J Hercules aircraft has achieved final operational capability (FOC) following the block upgrades they underwent earlier this year. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/3YBHim0
Fleet upgrade for C-130J Hercules finalised
The upgrades included major improvements to communications and navigation, with new datalink capability, integrated satellite voice, upgraded high-frequency radios and enhanced instrument approach systems.
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December 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Rex has officially left voluntary administration, with US firm Air T taking full control of the airline. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4j1wTJM
Rex administration officially over as Air T takes the helm
In a letter to creditors seen by Australian Aviation, administrator EY Australia confirmed that the deed of company arrangement (DOCA) implemented last month is now complete, and all shares in the Rex Group have been handed over to Air T.
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December 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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Fiji Airways is set to launch a new service from the Gold Coast to Nadi next year. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/48Mq8bi
Fiji Airways to fly to the Gold Coast in mid-2026
Starting 11 June, flights will operate three times per week every Monday, Thursday and Saturday on 737 MAX 8 aircraft, offering connections through Fiji to and from North America via Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and Vancouver.
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December 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
An ATSB report into a lithium battery fire on board a Virgin Australia flight has validated major airlines’ move to ban the use of portable power banks. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4j9wd5m
Thermal runaway confirmed in Virgin power bank fire
In its final report into the incident on 21 July, which saw a fire break out in overhead bins on board flight VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart, the ATSB found that a power bank in a passenger’s backpack had failed and entered a dangerous “thermal runaway...
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December 18, 2025 at 5:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
The US government has admitted partial fault in January’s deadly Washington DC mid-air collision as litigation continues. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4qjwFjN
US government admits responsibility for deadly Washington crash
A total of 67 people were killed when an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 passenger jet and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on 29 January this year.
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December 18, 2025 at 3:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Brisbane Airport has opened its new international security screening point ahead of the Christmas rush. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/491jBse
Brisbane Airport opens new international security lanes
Passengers began using the new level four screening point on Wednesday, which features eight lanes equipped with Rapiscan CT (Computed Tomography) screening technology. A temporary pathway is in use from the screening point to passport control on lev...
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December 18, 2025 at 2:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Finnair has chosen Melbourne as its first Australian destination, with a daily Helsinki service via Bangkok to launch late next year. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4p1jDpV
Finnair to launch first Australian service in 2026
The Finnish carrier will operate the new Melbourne route using its A350 fleet, which features business, premium economy, and economy seating. Flights will commence on 26 October subject to government approvals, with passengers able to book to Bangkok...
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December 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
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Australian airlines are preparing for a busy holiday season, with load factors expected to reach 98 per cent over the coming end-of-year peak. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4pJ6oeM
Airlines gear up for massive holiday peak
Between them, the major Australian airlines are expecting to fly more than 13 million passengers over the Christmas holidays, while November saw the strongest monthly year-on-year growth for Australian aviation in 2025, with load factors reaching 85 ...
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December 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM
australianaviation.com.au
On the final regular Australian Aviation Podcast for this year, Jake and David reflect on what 2025 brought and what 2026 is set to bring – and wish you all the best for the holiday season. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4aT0cMs
Video Podcast: The highs and lows of 2025
On the final regular Australian Aviation Podcast for this year, Jake and David reflect on what 2025 brought and what 2026 is set to bring – and wish you all the best for the holiday season.
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December 17, 2025 at 5:04 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Karratha Airport in WA’s Pilbara region is angling for international flights, with an application submitted to the Federal Government last month. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4s1M8GK
Karratha Airport makes pitch for international services
The airport, more than 1,500km north of Perth, is seeking to become the only regional gateway in Western Australia to host international routes to destinations such as Singapore and Bali, with previous services to Broome and Port Hedland having been ...
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December 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Webjet has responded to allegations it fired a general counsel for blowing the whistle on issues concerning its chief executive, instead claiming she was let go due to “ongoing underperformance”.
https://bit.ly/3MNGRCq
Webjet denies firing lawyer for whistleblowing
In a statement of claim filed with the Federal Court in October, former Webjet company secretary and general counsel Meaghan Simpson alleged she was unfairly fired in June for raising concerns about the chief executive and managing director, Katrina ...
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December 16, 2025 at 11:30 PM
australianaviation.com.au
Qantas workers who were illegally fired or redeployed during COVID-19 will receive a further $40 million between them from the mammoth fine imposed on the Flying Kangaroo earlier this year. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/3MDRjN2
Illegally sacked Qantas ground workers to share in extra $40m
Almost 1,800 former ground workers, whose jobs were outsourced in 2020 in contravention of the Fair Work Act, will receive emergency payments of $3,333 each before Christmas, with the remainder to be paid pro-rata based on individual entitlements.
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December 16, 2025 at 6:30 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Virgin Australia will ramp up Perth-Broome services in the new year with its 737 and E190-E2 fleet. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/3YARCup
Virgin Australia to boost Broome capacity with 737s and E190-E2s
Starting on 1 April, the airline will increase Broome flights to 17 per week due to high demand, up more than 40 per cent on existing capacity, with new services timed to enable connections from capital cities on the east coast.
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December 16, 2025 at 5:45 AM
australianaviation.com.au
Launceston Airport has officially opened its new Taxiway Foxtrot, which can accommodate aircraft as large as the Airbus A321. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4j1nmlV
Launceston Airport opens new reinforced taxiway
The $5 million taxiway, which began construction in April, required more than 6,000 cubic metres of material to be excavated, as well as the laying of 2,200 square metres of specialist concrete. It has now opened in time for Christmas freight, with Q...
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December 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM