Air (Aviation)

737 clipped againTrust in beleaguered model shaken by latest tragedy

Boeing’s slow climb back to credibility in the flying public’s eyes after the 737 MAX tragedies has been dealt a major blow with the crash of yet another 737 on Saturday.

Geoffrey Thomas, Aviation Editor

exclusive
exclusive
‘Disappointing’
exclusive
Jetstar pushes back Busselton to Melbourne service

Budget airline Jetstar has delayed the start of its long-awaited Busselton to Melbourne service by four months but says it remains ‘committed’ to the route.

Geoffrey Thomas

Aviation disasterIndonesian plane missing with 57 passengers on board

An Indonesian airliner is missing and is believed to have crashed shortly after take-off from Jakarta’s international airport.

Cindy Wockner and Komang Erviani

‘Pie in the sky’Overseas travel ‘likely two or three years away’

Qantas has been slammed for offering international flights for sale as early as July this year with health experts calling it a ‘pie in the sky’ idea that Australia's borders will be open by then.

Annabel Hennessy

Holding patternNothing’s plane sailing as COVID strikes back

New COVID outbreaks and lockdowns threaten more turbulence for the struggling airline industry in 2021.

Geoffrey Thomas

Pack your bagsOptimistic Qantas reopens international bookings

Qantas is betting the roll-out of coronavirus vaccines across Australia could soon spell the end of global travel restrictions and has reopened bookings on its international network.

Daniel Newell

Sneak peekEmirates adds extra class to premium travel

TAKE A LOOK: Emirates has unveiled arguably the world’s most luxurious A380 super jumbo which showcases its new premium economy offering.

Geoffrey Thomas

Deadly crashAuthorities scour Serpentine plane wreckage

Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are combing the scene of a crash involving an amateur-built light plane which came down south of Perth on Monday, killing the pilot.

Tim Dornin

investigation underway‘Outstanding’ pilot dies in light plane tragedy

A pilot has died in a light plane crash south of Perth after a suspected engine failure after take-off.

Geoffrey Thomas & Sarah Steger

Contract showdownBoeing and Airbus face off to secure $6.6b Qantas order

The aviation behemoths are gearing up for their biggest showdown in two decades as both look for a competitive edge to win an order for 75 new aircraft.

Geoffrey Thomas

Grand dame of aviationPlane that helped WA mining industry take off turns 85

Before the fast jets, fancy lounges and frequent flyer points that are staples of fly-in, fly-out travel today, WA prospectors travelled in a noisy, slow but dependable 21-seat plane.

Geoffrey Thomas

Regional demandQantas reveals new domestic flight routes

The country’s major airline has revealed new flight routes for 2021, which will help city slickers go on holiday in regional Australia.

Gerard Cockburn

Watchdog’s sprayRex cops fundraising limits over disclosure failures

The airline has been taken to task by ASIC for failing to tell investors of ambitious plans to spread its wings into capital city services before they were reported in national media.

Daniel Newell and Geoffrey Thomas

Frequent flyers warGloves off as Virgin targets Qantas loyalty partners

Virgin Australia has launched a new attack on Qantas, expanding offers for frequent flyers — and those on linked airlines — to move over with more benefits than ever.

Emily Cosenza

National firstFace-scanning tech to follow you through Perth Airport

Biometric facial recognition technology that will follow passengers from self check-in to boarding will be rolled out as part of plans to develop the country’s first common departure lounge.

Geoffrey Thomas

Back in serviceBoeing shares sprout wings as MAX returns to skies

Shares in Boeing have soared more than 50 per cent in the past six weeks as the plane maker’s best-selling but troubled 737 MAX return to service and new orders roll in.

Geoffrey Thomas

christmas gift ideasFlight Centre announces Mystery Holidays

An Australian mystery holiday could make the ideal Christmas gift for hitherto-grounded travellers

Will Yeoman

In favourVirgin pilots agree pay freeze to keep flying

The future of Perth-based Virgin Australia Regional Airlines is now secure after pilots and cabin crew agreed to major concessions.

Geoffrey Thomas

New dealVirgin Australia shakes up 737 MAX orders

The airline has announced a new agreement with the US plane maker to restructure its B737 MAX order and delivery schedule.

Geoffrey Thomas

Jetstar to fighter jetsADF lifeline for sacked Jetstar staff

Former Jetstar workers who lost their jobs because of the pandemic will be rescued by a Federal Government deal with defence firm BAE to hire them to sustain fighter jets.

Sarah Ison

exclusive
exclusive
Direct to SW
exclusive
New flights offer tourist bonanza for WA’s South West

The South West could be in line for a tourism boost, with Jetstar set to announce three flights a week from Melbourne to Busselton Margaret River Airport — the first of its kind on offer.

Geoffrey Thomas

Christmas miracleFlood of flights expected as WA border reopens

Tens of thousands of West Australian families are making plans to reunite over Christmas after Premier Mark McGowan announced quarantine-free travel with NSW and Victoria would resume from December 8.

Josh Zimmerman and Peter Law

opinion
opinion
Airport development
opinion
Perth parallel runway will ensure our State’s future

After decades of research and analysis, WA’s economic development is future-proofed with a second parallel runway approved for Perth Airport.

Geoffrey ThomasAviation Editor

exclusive
exclusive
up and away
exclusive
$520m parallel runway plan approved for Perth Airport

WA’s economic future is assured after the Federal Government approved plans for a parallel runway at Perth Airport to support the resource industry and its $129 billion development pipeline.

Geoffrey Thomas