Australian Aviation Podcast Network

After almost 20 years in service, the end is approaching for Qantas' fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos, with the Flying Kangaroo slated to retire the aircraft type in the 2030s in favour of smaller and more efficient wide-body twinjets.
As rumours swirl that Qantas is in talks with Boeing and Airbus to buy more 787s or A350s, could these potential orders be the replacement for its A380s – and how soon will the double-decker leviathans of the sky vanish completely?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David compare the options for Qantas' wide-body fleet renewal and ask whether a smaller plane can do the work of the A380.
Plus, a major milestone for Project Sunrise as the first A350-1000ULR takes to the skies for its rigorous testing program.

It's been a big week for drones, with news that Wing has quietly pulled its drone delivery operations from Australia, Vivid Sydney has pulled its drone show after 89 of them not-so-quietly fell in Darling Harbour, and Australian and Ukrainian troops are jointly training in counter-drone tactics.
With a report for Airservices a couple of years ago predicting Australia could see 60 million drone flights per year by 2043, it's clear drones are here to stay in our airspace – the only question is, in what forms?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David ask whether drone delivery will come back to Australia and if drone show technology is truly ready for the big time, and examine how drone warfare is reshaping the modern battlefield.
Plus, airlines push back on the government's aviation consumer legislation – but do their arguments pass the pub test?

If the darkest hour is just before the dawn, it's going to be a long night for anyone looking to fly non-stop from the east coast to London or New York – yet another delay has pushed back the launch of Qantas' 22-hour "Project Sunrise" flights to later in 2027.
With the first of the Flying Kangaroo's specially-fitted A350-1000ULRs now not slated to arrive until April next year due to supply chain issues at Airbus, how much longer will Australians have to wait for the game-changing ultra-long-haul services?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look into the latest Project Sunrise delays and what's still needed before the flights can get off the ground.
Plus, welcome news for regional airports hit by the Rex collapse, while ASIC wins a surprising mea culpa from the airline's former boss.

t's been two years since the collapse of Bonza and Rex – and while Koala Airlines is yet to launch, another aviation contender could be entering the market before long.
Dubbed Zinc Airlines, the ultra-low-cost-carrier would pursue a business model similar to European airlines Wizz Air and Ryanair, with its founder saying Western Sydney Airport would offer a unique opportunity for new contenders – but is he right?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at Zinc's plan to shake up the domestic aviation market, whether it can avoid the fate of failed carriers before it, and how it might take the fight to the big boys.
Plus, the 2026 budget is out – what's in the government's $731.1 million aviation package, and what's got the GA and tourism sectors all riled up?

We've all been delayed at the airport at some point, or know someone who has – but still, to learn that 55 per cent of Aussie travellers in a recent government survey were hit by a flight delay or disruption between August 2024 and 2025 puts the whole issue in sharp relief.
And yet, perhaps more surprising is how few of them have complained – not because of how happy they were with the service, but because they didn't think their complaints would go anywhere. That might be set to change with new government regulations and an independent ombudsman … but is it too little, too late for our trust in the airline industry?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David swap war stories of flight delays and examine just how satisfied Australians are with our airlines and airports.
Plus, amid scandals and stoushes galore, could Western Sydney Airport's metro line end up delayed until 2028?