Yesterday
Budget gives $1.7b boost for green aviation fuel but still no mandate
While the EU, Singapore and Japan have all signed on to sustainable fuel mandates, the Albanese government will study the idea for another two years.
- Ayesha de Kretser
This Month
- Exclusive
- Airports
Virgin Australia goes to war over airport ‘gold plating’
The airline’s chief financial officer, Race Strauss, says much of the $15 billion being spent by major airports on infrastructure is unnecessary.
- Jenny Wiggins
April
Qantas, Virgin flight delays are starting to ease
The latest official figures show the best on-time performance among major airlines since the easing of travel restrictions introduced in the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ayesha de Kretser
This airline has a rewards seat to Europe every day in July
Qantas has a frequent flyer program competitor nagging at its heels, with Aussies signing up to Virgin Australia’s Velocity in droves.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Exclusive
- Aviation
Make green fuel the new hydrogen, airlines and airports urge Labor
Qantas and Virgin are among those lobbing the federal government to set aside $2 billion at next month’s federal budget to reduce dependency on fuel imports.
- Ayesha de Kretser
The country’s busiest airport still hasn’t hit pre-pandemic levels
High airfares and a reluctance by bosses to fork out money for business class seats are hurting demand for domestic flights, says the boss of Sydney Airport.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Opinion
- Aviation
What’s worse than old planes? Not having any at all
Qantas and Virgin Australia face long waits for new jets – a crucial part of their strategy to bring down costs and keep customers happy.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Opinion
- Political leadership
A governor-general from the Chairman’s Lounge
The PM is truer than he knows when he says Sam Mostyn represents modern Australia. It’s a nation of talkers, not doers.
- John Roskam
Sydney Airport earnings more than double to $1.2 billion
Australia’s biggest airport, now privately owned by big global infrastructure funds, is benefiting from the resurgence in flying in Australia and around the world.
- Jenny Wiggins
March
Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program is getting a run for its money
The airline is on the verge of unveiling the biggest change to the popular loyalty scheme in years, but savvy customers are increasingly shopping around.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin set to ditch troubled Max 10 for smaller Boeing plane
Virgin Australia is sticking with plans to streamline its fleet, opting for smaller Max 8s over shifting to an Airbus equivalent, and with it, fewer seats.
- Ayesha de Kretser
How a nervy market grounded Bain’s Virgin before IPO take-off
Jayne Hrdlicka always faced an uphill battle. Investors were encouraged to push her hard on the airline’s strategy. The doubts could not be overcome.
- Anthony Macdonald and Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin set to follow Qantas in raising fares
Airlines are increasing airfares as domestic demand remains robust and both carriers chase margin growth.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Why boosting women pilots will be a ‘decades-long’ project
Women make up just one in nine new pilots graduating each year, stalling efforts to bring down the sector’s high pay gaps.
- Hannah Wootton
Virgin Australia records higher revenues, warns of headwinds ahead
The airline’s chief executive, Jayne Hrdlicka, did not provide additional detail about why was leaving the company later this year.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Qantas pushes for 40pc female cadet pilot intake within four years
The dominance of men in lucrative pilot jobs globally is pushing some Australian airlines’ gender pay gaps as high as 53.5 per cent, prompting promises of change.
- Hannah Wootton
February
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Hrdlicka departure reminds us who’s really flying Virgin
Jayne Hrdlicka ran a good race at Virgin Australia. But it turns out this is a marathon, not a sprint.
- James Thomson and Anthony Macdonald
- Updated
- Aviation
Hrdlicka to leave Virgin Australia, putting IPO plans on ice
The CEO has not provided a leaving date or any reason for her exit, and will stay on until a replacement is named.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser and Kylar Loussikian
Four ways to work your frequent flyer and airline loyalty points harder
The more you fly, the more you need to care about selecting the right program.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Opinion
- Aviation
Compensating travellers for cancelled flights long overdue
The draft ‘Pay for Delay’ Bill will require airlines to improve their operations instead of having free rein to cancel flights and lose baggage.
- Dean Smith and Bridget McKenzie
