Is Australia's domestic airline market full?

Is Australia's domestic airline market full?

Author: Momentum Media July 17, 2024 Duration: 34:48

With the ashes yet cooling on Bonza's funeral pyre, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson made an eyebrow-raising suggestion at the Flying Kangaroo's Perth–Paris launch last week: that Australia can't sustain more than, say, three major domestic airline groups (coincidentally, the number it has now).

As the country reacquaints itself with the old familiar Qantas–Virgin equilibrium – and as Rex continues its push to disrupt the duopoly – will Hudson be vindicated, or will another challenger eventually prove her wrong?

Adam and Jake examine the state of play and whether Bonza is truly just another data point against airline competition in Australia.

Plus, Rex's new leadership faces a boardroom coup from the old boss, Melbourne Airport waves the white flag on the long-overdue rail link, and Emirates thumbs its nose at "too clever by half" safety videos.


You'll find the Australian Aviation Podcast Network right at the intersection of runway tarmac and boardroom strategy. Produced by Momentum Media, this collection of shows digs into the stories that define flight in this part of the world, moving well beyond the headlines. Each episode feels like a hangar chat with the people who know the industry best-pilots, engineers, executives, and analysts-offering a grounded perspective on everything from the engineering marvels of new aircraft to the complex logistics of running an airline. We explore the sheer joy and freedom of recreational flying just as deeply as the tough commercial decisions that keep the sector aloft. Whether it's a discussion on sustainable fuel technologies, the revival of regional routes, or the history behind a beloved aircraft type, the conversation is always driven by genuine curiosity. Tune in for clear, informed talk that connects the dots between the business of aviation and the passion that fuels it, all delivered with a distinct Aussie lens. This podcast network is for anyone who feels that lift of anticipation when an aircraft throttles down the runway, or who simply wants to understand the forces that shape how we connect across this vast continent and beyond.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Podcast Episodes
Sky-high demand sends airfares soaring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:06
If there's one issue that never really goes away for Australia's aviation sector, it's airfares. Massive demand has pushed prices up, according to the ACCC, with October airfares at their highest since 2022, despite both…
A320s eighty-sixed – what's the 411? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:10
If you were looking to fly anywhere in Australia this past weekend: we're so sorry to hear it. Between a fire at Melbourne Airport, the grounding of half of Jetstar's A320 fleet, and a nationwide passport processing outa…
Smashing the aviation data silos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:29
With outdated and confusing systems and processes common across the aviation industry, safety and compliance can be a thorny problem for many businesses, with "data silos" holding up procedures. OneReg, a New Zealand-bas…
Major airlines charged with assault on batteries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
After months in the works, it's official – from December, you'll be banned from using or charging your portable power bank on flights with any major airline in Australia. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin, which already require…
What makes a good air incident investigator, with UNSW [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:10
It's said that every accident makes aviation safer – but that doesn't happen on its own. Across the globe, air incident investigators are on the scene whenever something goes wrong with an aircraft, finding out the root…
Jetstar's Singapore fling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
It's only been a few months since the end of Jetstar Asia, but now Jetstar is looking to make a bigger push back into the Singapore market. Starting next March, the low-cost carrier will fly between the Lion City and Bal…
A big step towards Project Sunrise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:59
A few short years ago, Project Sunrise – Qantas' plan to fly non-stop from the east coast to London and New York – was a mere gleam in Alan Joyce's eye. Now, however, as the first A350-1000ULR gets ready to have its engi…
How a 'Teen Pilot Down Under' conquered the world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:50
Last month, a remarkable journey came to an end when 16-year-old Byron Waller touched down at Brisbane Airport following 67 days circumnavigating the globe in a light aircraft. Covering 41,700km in his Sling TSi, Byron's…
Air T-Rex deal met with raptor-ous applause [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:13
After more than a year fossilised in amber, Australia's third largest airline looks to have avoided extinction – American firm Air T has agreed to buy Rex, prompting roars of approval from government and industry as well…
Book thrown at Bonza backers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:50
A year and a half after the abrupt collapse of Bonza, its erstwhile financier, Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners, is under the microscope again – and for all the wrong reasons. Its co-founder and former CFO have b…