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The money has gone in ‘get rich quick schemes’ in failed attempts like Red Roo, Jetstar Asia/Japan and now Jetstar HK which can’t even get approval to operate but have aircraft and crews being paid for and just sitting there.

Mainline Qantas Domestic and International is paying for this.

Everything is for short-term gain and there is no long-term planning, the fleet and the decisions about the fleet being made are a classic example.

What was once an airline that lead world trends now has to play catch-up but they are still living in the dream that they know best.

‘World’s Best Practice’??? Patrick Kilby says: I suspect the 787-9s will start appearing in 2016 and 2017 (5-10); one-two A380s in 2018 so all the 747s can go (at last), then more 787‑9s, as required and as the A330-300s retire.

Review for Airservices, CASA spared in Commission of Audit report

Peter Gardiner says: Once again we see the private sector advocating the transfer of publicly-funded, not-for-profit services into their hands so they can squeeze a margin out of the provision of these essential services to the community.

It hasn’t worked for prisons, it isn’t working for immigration detention, it isn’t working for electricity distribution, it doesn’t work for health care, why would air traffic control be any different?

Air superiority has a high cost to control the high ground.

Qantas daily Perth-Singapore service ends

Gocat says: I tried to support the flying kangaroo having booked my family of five on QF 77/78 to celebrate my wife’s 40th birthday.

Unfortunately Qantas pulled the route giving me two options, go via the east coast or get a refund.

Took the refund thanks and am now going with Singapore Airlines.

I’m not sure why we Perthites did not support Qantas as I picked up a fare of $2,500 for my family of five which was as competitive as the other full service provider.

Perhaps airfares of $2,500 are not sustainable in covering the higher costs of running an airline out of Australia?

Airbus celebrates A300’s 40th anniversary of service entry

Greg says: All of TAAs A300 are still operational, converted to freighters several years ago: VH-TAA\TAC\TAD\TAE all fly with Midex Airlines of the UAE as A6‑MDF\MDA\MDB\MDC, respectively.

VH-TAB is now registered EP-IBI and flies with Iran Air.

Also Compass Mk I leased two A300s from Monarch Airlines.

These aircraft (VH-YMJ/K) were still flying with Monarch until last year when they were withdrawn and scrapped.

Not bad for 30 year old aircraft!

Turkey approves F-35 acquisition

Stephen says: I often wondered about the F-35 potential for lower costs at higher production rates.

Maybe it shall come to be realized with these latest demonstrations of interest and commitment.

Air superiority has a high cost to control the high ground as we said in the infantry.