Unions to fight Qantas consolidation
An alliance of trade unions has launched an effort to lobby the government to save thousands of engineering jobs threatened by Qantas plans to consolidate its heavy maintenance operations. The unions – the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the Australian Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union – say they will join forces to push state
Virgin overhauls baggage allowance
Virgin Australia will switch from a weight-based checked baggage allowance to a per piece system, the airline announced yesterday. The changes, which will affect tickets purchased after May 16, applies to domestic and international short haul flights. International long haul and carry-on baggage policies will not change. Under the airline’s current system, economy passengers are
Japanese C-130 visits Richmond
Japanese military aircraft have not always been so welcome in Australia, but a visit by one of the country’s C-130H airlifters to RAAF Base Richmond last week was billed as an historic symbol of strengthening military ties between the two nations. The transport aircraft arrived at Richmond on Wednesday for a three day visit aimed
Sixth C-17 official
Australia has finalised a deal to buy a sixth Boeing C-17A Globemaster for about $280 million, the government announced yesterday. The aircraft, purchased through the US Foreign Military Sales program, is expected to arrive in Australia early next year. In a joint statement, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Material Jason Clare said
Albanese defends govt on regional aviation
Federal Infrastructure & Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has pushed back on suggestions that the carbon tax and other government policies unfairly hurt an already threatened regional aviation industry. During remarks to a summit of industry leaders in Canberra on Monday, Albanese acknowledged “some real challenges” to regional aviation in Australia but said the industry as
Air New Zealand grounds ATR 72s over window cracks
Air New Zealand subsidiary Mount Cook Airline has been forced to cancel dozens of flights after discovering hairline cracks around the cockpit windows of an ATR turboprop. The carrier grounded all 11 of its ATR 72-500s on Sunday as it inspected the aircraft. That forced the cancellation of more than 50 flights, mostly to regional
