Issue #399: The Sky Is the Limit For Aviation’s Next Gen

Adam’s contribution is difficult to summarise neatly: he took the reins during one of the most volatile periods in global aviation history and never once shied away from the hard stories or the uncomfortable truths.

Through border closures, the gradual restart of domestic travel, the rebuild of international capacity, and an increasingly complex defence and aerospace landscape, Adam’s work has been defined by clarity, curiosity, and a genuine love for aviation in all its forms.

His ability to cut through noise and explain the big picture, whether in a breaking news story, a long-form investigation, or a weekly podcast episode, has shaped the way Australians understand their aviation sector.

More than that, he has mentored a generation of writers, encouraged open debate, and left this magazine stronger, sharper, and more connected to its audience than ever before. Adam, from all of us: thank you for the altitude, the attitude, and the course you’ve set for us moving forward.

This issue represents the beginning of our next chapter, one defined not by recovery but by ambition. Australian aviation has emerged from the survival mode of the early 2020s and is now grappling with deeper strategic questions: who we want to be in the region, how we remain globally competitive, and what kind of technological footprint will sustain us into the 2030s and beyond.

We open with “From survival to strategy – Alan Joyce’s blueprint for Australia’s aviation future”, a piece examining the former Qantas CEO’s vision for an industry that must evolve faster than ever. His roadmap, whether you agree with it or not, is already shaping conversations in Canberra and boardrooms across the sector.

Next, in “Soaring into the next generation”, we delve into the aircraft that will define Australia’s skies for the next two decades. From the next wave of fuel-efficient narrow-bodies to long-range platforms enabling direct-to-Europe and North America flights, the choices being made today will reshape airline economics and passenger expectations alike.

Turning to the commercial disruptors, “Can a Koala learn to fly?” tracks the surprisingly rapid rise of Australia’s newest upstart airline, a carrier combining cheeky branding with a sharp strategic edge. Its emergence signals that the domestic duopoly may finally have a real challenger.

On the defence side, we look at the growing Apache fleet and ask a hard but essential question: what is the future of survivability for attack helicopters in increasingly lethal environments?

And in a major industry update, Northrop Grumman outlines what comes next for Triton production following the platform’s successful debut at Exercise Talisman Sabre – a milestone shaping both Australian and US planning.

Rounding out the issue is a wide-ranging Q&A with Michelle Huntington, whose leadership and insight continue to influence thinking across commercial aviation, advanced air mobility, and defence aerospace integration.

As we turn the page into a new year and a new era for this publication, thank you for flying with us. Here’s to clear skies, ambitious thinking, and the excitement of what comes next.

Enjoy the magazine,

Steve Kuper