It’s one of the biggest political bunfights in Australia’s aviation sector – should the government force airlines to compensate passengers for delays within their control, above and beyond the usual refunds or flight credits? If you listen to the airlines, the answer is a resounding no, with representatives at the Senate committee hearings on proposed legislation warning it could drive up costs and lead to more delays and cancellations. But according to customer advocate Adam Glezer of Consumer Champion, that’s not the case – and, in fact, there are some hidden upsides in the idea for industry as well as consumers. On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson speaks with Glezer about his work and why he supports more robust passenger protections.
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41:39
Trade war clips Boeing’s wings
As if Boeing needed more bad news, the US-China trade war has delivered another body blow to the planemaker with Beijing ordering a halt on new Boeing plane deliveries to Chinese airlines. As China’s aviation industry is upended by the news, what does it mean for one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world – not to mention Boeing’s competitors, and other countries looking to get their hands on scarce planes? Adam and Jake examine the fallout and how the tit-for-tat tariffs could squeeze more industries than just aviation. Plus, Australia hits new heights for international travel, and a dark-horse candidate takes home the coveted Huey.
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42:39
ASIC closes the book on Bonza
Almost a year after the swift and sudden demise of Bonza, some relief for its directors came this month with ASIC confirming it would take no further action against them. Absent any further evidence, the decision effectively draws a line under the collapse of a carrier that started with dreams of uniting “Allstralia” and ended in a storm of tears, recriminations and misfortune – but did it ever have a shot to begin with? Adam and Jake look back at the Bonza saga and what could have been. Plus, surprising news from Western Sydney as Qantas clarifies just which of its airlines will be operating from the new airport at launch – and it’s not the ones we expected.
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40:11
Fool us once…
Another April Fool’s Day is behind us, and unfortunately for everyone excited about driving in a 737 from Sydney to Melbourne, it turns out “Wombat Groundways” isn’t actually real – sorry. Between Virgin Australia allowing you to check your “emotional baggage” and Mad Mex’s move into in-flight catering, aviation April Fool’s fans ate well this month – but it turns out one supposed prank may have been the real deal after all. Adam and Jake discuss a surprise move by Emirates that the airline insists is no joke. Plus, vale Val Kilmer – in the wake of Iceman’s passing, how well does Top Gun hold up?
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44:48
On location at Avalon Airshow
It’s the biggest event in Australian aviation: the biennial Avalon Airshow, which this year ran over six days at the end of March. Featuring static and aerial displays, as well as trade exhibitors and networking events, the 2025 show attracted more than 200,000 people in total across the six days, including 60,000 industry visitors. Around 350 aircraft were on show, either in the air and on the ground, with 902 participating exhibitor organisations from 28 countries contributing to the event. On the ground at the airshow, Adam and Jake get an up-close look at some military hardware as they discuss the news of the previous week.
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