iscover
Issue #392: Southern Cross & The Great Escape
The next generation is closer than you think
It was the aviation story of the year, and for once, it was a (mostly) positive one. In January, a Japan Airlines A350 burst into flames at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, but astonishingly, everyone on board survived. It was the first serious incident involving Airbus’s new A350 – the aircraft set to launch Qantas’ Project Sunrise and become the backbone of its international operations. (Hold your emails: I know we’re mixing the A350-900 with the A350-1000 and the A350-1000 ULR, but stick with me.) The incident was notable because the European planemaker received almost unanimous praise from the world’s press for creating an aircraft that could survive those flames long enough for everybody on board to get out. It was one of three huge stories to cross our news desks over the Christmas period. The other being the arrival of Qantas’ first A220 on Australian shores, hailing the start of its monster fleet renewal program and, of course, a door (plug) flying off a 737 MAX in the US.
In other words, next-generation aircraft are the talk of the town.
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This issue, therefore, we’ve dedicated some hefty real estate to profiling each one and telling the story of how these aircraft will change how we fly in Australia. (Breaking down the different variants, see above.) We’ve also examined how the MAX incident will affect Boeing’s already shattered reputation and how, exactly, all those passengers managed to get off that Airbus in Japan. But from the next generation, we also swing to where the story began. Weeks ago, the Southern Cross replica took to the skies again after a painstaking restoration program from the dedicated volunteers at HARS. Jake Nelson was there to tell its incredible story and collect some even more incredible images.
Finally, how did you celebrate the Bonzaversary? Not our term – we can thank the airline’s ‘Legends’ for that – but the first anniversary of Australia’s Scrappy Doo carrier. One year ago, every airline CEO poured scorn on its ability to make its point-to-point model – skipping out capital cities – work. But so far, it seems to be proving its doubters wrong. But there are still questions over its long-term future after CASA delayed its launch from the Gold Coast in December. Jake speaks to Tim Jordan, Bonza’s CEO, to get the answers directly.
Oh, and there’s all our regulars: traffic, warbirds, register, and a particularly excellent insight from our resident jobs expert, Kirsty Ferguson.
Enjoy the issue,
Adam Thorn,
Editor
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Opinion: COVID blunted Gen Z applicants’ social skills
Kirsty Anne Ferguson Pinstripe Solutions
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Opinion: Time to put Boeing’s engineers back in charge
Jake Nelson, Senior Journalist, Australian Aviation
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Opinion: Game, set and match for Qantas’ reputation
Adam Thorn Editor, Australian Aviation
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Opinion: Aviation needs to do more with less to fix its post-COVID problems
Alexander Robinson, Co Founder, Airly
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