JSF partners to march on Washington
International partners in the F-35 JSF program are set to meet with US Defense officials in Washington next week to express their dissatisfaction at the continual slowdown in US service acquisition numbers. Many of the partners slated to buy F-35s early in the production run – including Canada, Australia and Italy – reportedly are disappointed
Opinion – Where politics and capability collide
Defence Minister Stephen Smith’s comments at a conference in Canberra this week have reinforced this writer’s perception that Mr Smith either isn’t being properly briefed by his advisers on some of the major defence programs currently underway – specifically the Air 6000 New Air Combat Capability (NACC) project – or that he is ‘target fixated’
Opinion – The risk of inconsistency
Qantas executives are quick to point out the main influences on the airline’s international business are mainly external ones – competing subsidised foreign airlines, rising fuel costs or delays in the delivery of new aircraft. But these and many other risks are often beyond an airline’s control. Conversely, influences on the business such as quality
Vietnam Airlines becomes Jetstar Pacific controlling shareholder
Vietnam Airlines will take over majority ownership of Jetstar Pacific in a move that will see the struggling budget carrier get a $25 million cash injection. As part of the long rumoured deal, Qantas will increase its share in the airline from 27 to 30 per cent. Vietnam Airlines will take over the majority stake
Alliance adds 737 to fleet
Alliance Airlines has added a 737-400 to its fleet, with the ex Qantas and Qantas-Jetconnect aircraft now operated on Alliance’s behalf by New Zealand based Airwork. The aircraft, ZK-JTQ, arrived in Perth on Monday. It will be operate a twice daily mine charter between Perth and Karratha. It is pictured here transiting Adelaide on its
Air Australia grounded, in administration
The travel plans of hundreds of passengers have been thrown into disarray with the financial collapse of Air Australia, with the company’s director calling in John Park and Mark Korda of KordaMentha as Voluntary Administrators in the early hours of this morning. “It currently appears that there are no funds available to meet operational expenses
