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Aviation

Major searchNepalese plane missing with 22 on board

A plane operated by a private airline in Nepal has gone missing with 22 people on board, airline and government officials told Reuters.

Webservice User

Twin tragedies PremiumBoat company’s founder killed in 2020 Broome chopper crash

The tourism company embroiled in the horror boating incident at Horizontal Falls was struck by tragedy in 2020 when its founder and a child were killed in a Broome helicopter crash.

Briana Fiore

Shocking lossPremiumReport reveals details of tragic Norseman plane crash

A preliminary report has revealed details of a tragic plane crash that killed Hugh Sterle, the nephew of Labor senator Glenn Sterle, while he was carrying out aerial surveys for a mining project in Norseman.

Kellie Balaam

Industry stretchedPremiumQantas pilots warn of air safety risks as travel rebounds

The union representing Qantas pilots has warned of looming risks to flight safety as a travel rebound stretches an industry still fragile from the pandemic.

Angus Whitley

Pressure failure?Virgin flight issues mayday, returns to Perth

A Virgin Australia Regional Airlines flight VA 9275 to West Angeles issued a mayday 7700 code and has returned to Perth.

Geoffrey Thomas

Aviation disasterPremiumWA pilot killed in ultralight plane crash near Manjimup

A 62-year-old man has died after the aircraft he was flying in the State’s South West crashed shortly after take off.

Jacinta Cantatore

AviationCloud engulfed aircraft before fatal crash

A Victorian pilot was told to turn around minutes before a fatal helicopter crash at Mt Disappointment, a preliminary report says.

Tara Cosoleto

‘He’s gone incoherent’CommentsPremiumPassenger miraculously lands plane after pilot falls ill

A passenger with ‘no idea how to fly’ has defied the odds to land a private plane safely at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida after the pilot descended into incoherence partway into the flight.

Geoffrey Thomas

analysis
analysis
Stormy skiesCommentsPremium
analysis
How national treasure Qantas became lost in transit

Crippled by COVID, Qantas promised a new dawn when the skies re-opened but many passengers say it has failed to deliver that - or their luggage. James Salmon examines the fallout.

James Salmon  

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Back in the airCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
AirAsia promises refunds as Bali flights resume

AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes has promised the airline will settle all of its outstanding refund requests as it prepares to resume its four-times a week service between Perth and Bali. 

Geoffrey Thomas

Flagship route CommentsQantas sets earlier return date for Perth-London flights

Qantas has brought forward the resumption of its Perth to London non-stop flights due to increasing demand for the airline’s most popular service.

Geoffrey Thomas

Labour disputeQantas going to High Court to avoid outsourcing compo

An appeal court has backed a ruling that Qantas does not have to reinstate workers whose jobs were outsourced illegally, but it may have to pay penalties.

Staff writers

Service safeCommentsPremiumThe big upgrades coming to Qantas’ Perth-London aircraft

Qantas boss Alan Joyce has put paid to suggestions the non-stop service between Perth and London is in jeopardy as the airline sets a launch window for a non-stop link between Sydney and the UK capital.

Geoffrey Thomas

Shock revelationCommentsPremiumQantas was weeks from bankruptcy amid COVID crisis: CEO

The startling admission came as the carrier announced demand was now outpacing pre-COVID levels and the airline had placed the biggest order in its 102-year history for up to 146 aircraft worth $34 billion.

Geoffrey Thomas

Clearer skiesCommentsPremiumQantas’ $34b aircraft order to give Project Sunrise wings

Qantas has announced a massive order with Airbus that will carry the airline towards net zero — and help it launch its COVID-delayed Project Sunrise non-stop service between Sydney and London. 

Geoffrey Thomas

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Sky high targetComments
The West Australian exclusive
Jumbo jet order: Qantas lines up record buy of 150 Airbuses

Qantas will place the largest order in its 102-year history on Monday signing up for over 150 Airbus jets to take the airline towards its target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Geoffrey Thomas

Vital stepCommentsPremiumFIFO flights in WA set to get a major upgrade

Virgin Australia has just announced full details on a major upgrade of its Perth-based fleet which is used to carrier a growing FIFO workforce.

Geoffrey Thomas

Mid-air scare CommentsPremiumPerth Qantas flight turns back amid ‘warning light’ scare

Perth passengers on a Qantas flight to Sydney had a short-lived scare moments after take-off when a pilot announced there was an issue with the aircraft.

Kellie Balaam

Touching tributesVideoPremiumNurse killed in plane crash remembered as ‘humble, caring’

The nurse killed in a horror plane crash in WA’s far north has been remembered as ‘humble and hard-working’. 

Briana Fiore

Air disasterMale nurse dead, pilot critical after horror plane crash

A man in his 50s has died and another man is fighting for his life after a fiery plane crash in the State’s north-east.

Sarah Steger

Culture rowCommentsPremiumVirgin insist culture is strong, healthy amid bullying claim

Virgin Australia has denied there are longstanding cultural issues in the company after a bullying allegation was levelled at chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka earlier this week.

Cheyanne Enciso

AviationPilot error cause fatal crash: inquest

Pilot error was responsible for a helicopter crash near Newcastle in 2019 that killed five people, a coroner has found after an inquest probing the accident.

Tiffanie Turnbull

Get ready PerthCommentsPremiumEaster long weekend to cause more airport mayhem

Chaotic scenes at domestic airports are set to continue over the Easter long weekend, prompting a call for patience and early pre-flight arrivals at Perth Airport.

Rebecca Le May

AviationFamilies slam 'reckless' pilot at inquest

The families of four people killed in a helicopter crash off the coast of NSW have slammed the aircraft's "reckless pilot" at an inquest into the accident.

Tiffanie Turnbull