Australian Aviation

On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake has a full trip report of the inaugural flight of the Qantas A321XLR, and he and David discuss what it will do for the airline both domestically and internationally.

The NSW Rural Fire Service’s 737 Large Air Tanker, N138CG “Marie Bashir”, will take part in a multi-agency, full-scale aerodrome emergency exercise on 28 and 29 October, including a simulated aircraft incident, as WSI prepares to open late next year.

Pilot and cabin crew bases in Hobart, Canberra and Mildura will be shuttered in April 2026, with around 70 employees moved to larger bases in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, following a review conducted by QantasLink.

The recent signing of a sustainment contract with Kellogg Brown & Root will deliver critical integration enhancements to the Air and Space Operations – Command and Control System, which allows Defence personnel to plan and conduct air operations.

As reported in The Australian, 21-year-old Courtney Sewell said she felt forced to resign from her part-time work for Emirates with dnata at Perth Airport earlier this year after a sexual harassment complaint against a male co-worker was closed with no disciplinary action.

Operating from Misawa Air Force Base, the exercise will see eight RAAF F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from No. 3 Squadron train alongside Japanese and US aircraft. Traditionally a bilateral exercise between Australia and Japan, the 2025 program is the first time the US has participated.