Aviation
Qantas, Virgin backflip on support for airline customer ombudsman
Australia’s biggest airlines are inching towards support for a customer ombudsman that would deal with passenger complaints and compensation claims.
- by James Massola and Amelia McGuire
Latest
Updated
Iran
Helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister crashes
Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told state TV that rescue teams were having trouble reaching the site due to difficult weather and terrain.
Storms, scenery and espressos mark re-enactment of pioneer 1924 flight
Pilot Michael Smith has completed an aerial circumnavigation of Australia in tribute to the first such feat 100 years ago.
- by Carolyn Webb
Michael Smith completes his 100th anniversary circumnavigation of Australia
Adventurer Michael Smith touches down after 44 day circumnavigation of Australia in a seaplane, 100 years after it was first done.
Qantas scraps direct flights to Shanghai as Chinese tourists stay away
The airline will suspend all flights from Sydney to Shanghai at the end of July, citing a lack of demand since the route relaunched after COVID border closures.
- by Amelia McGuire
Exclusive
Newcastle
Hero pilot battled bad weather, feared pelican strike
Peter Schott circled the airport in his small passenger plane for hours, burning fuel after a landing gear failure.
- by Jessica McSweeney and Christopher Harris
Analysis
For subscribers
The undoing of Bonza: Can Bazza, Sheila and Bruce be rescued?
Bonza has farewelled the first of its five seized aircraft as it sets off for less financially stricken pastures. Now, the company’s administrators turn to facing its 60,000 creditors and $100 million in unpaid debts.
- by Amelia McGuire
‘There is trepidation’: Why business owners like Jared are worried about their future
Spiralling costs, high interest rates and lower spending are driving more businesses into insolvency.
- by Andrew Taylor
Air Vanuatu in liquidation following fleet issue, poor trading
Liquidators say they intend to resume normal trading as soon as possible, while considering all opportunities to place the airline on a stronger footing.
- by Amelia McGuire
Opinion
For subscribers
Sorry, not sorry: Qantas perfects the art of the non-apology
To suggest that the airline’s settlement over the ghost flights matter makes Qantas a trustworthy company is to be wilfully blind to its recent history.
- by Joe Aston
Bonza’s lessors push ahead with plans to remove planes from Australia
Lawyers told the Federal Court that Bonza’s aircraft leases had been terminated last week, while emails confirm its backers knew in March of a plot to shut it down.
- by Amelia McGuire