Australian Aviation

This week, Jake, Chris and Adam discuss the fallout from the exit of Alan Joyce, and analyse how well his replacement’s first week has gone.

The move is hugely significant for Australia, with the first delivery of the uncrewed aircraft set for next year and an inaugural flight imminent.

While Jetstar operates flights from Adelaide to Denpasar, Adelaide has not seen a Qantas-branded international service since the Flying Kangaroo ended its Singapore route in 2013, a situation Premier Malinauskas labelled a “disappointing state of play” at a press conference on Wednesday.

Brisbane is expecting 1.65 million people through its terminals over the two-week period, with 70,000 on 29 September alone, while Melbourne is tipping an average of 100,000 passengers per day, including 110,000 on 15 September.

China Eastern will fly return three times per week between Brisbane and Shanghai using 232-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft from 29 October, increasing to daily seasonal flights from 8 December. China Southern will also operate daily Guangzhou flights between 8 December and 25 February.

The sixth-generation bomber is currently undertaking engine testing in California that has been described as an “essential milestone” on the path to an eventual first flight.