Obama visit advance party lands
Air Force One isn’t set to arrive in Australia until Wednesday, but the Obama entourage is already on the ground. US military cargo jets have been seen arriving in Canberra in recent days, with a C-17 Globemaster touching down on Saturday and again on Monday, and a C-5 Galaxy arriving on Sunday. Among other things,
Little progress on Qantas union negotiations
Though both sides remain at the table, there is little sign of progress as Qantas and its unions near the deadline to resolve their industrial dispute. The October 31 ruling by Fair Work Australia gave the two sides 21 days to reach agreement or face binding arbitration, although Fair Work could also extend the deadline
Tenders open for ex Army Iroquois
Tenders are now being called for half a dozen ex Army Bell UH-1H Iroquois the government is offering to historical organisations interested in displaying the craft. Organisations wishing to display the aircraft can download application materials after registering on the AUSTENDER website www.tenders.gov.au citing reference DMOFD/RFO117/2011. The tender will close on January 27 2012. Priority
Emirates places record 777 order
Dubai based Emirates Airline has placed a record order for 50 Boeing 777-300ERs, in a deal worth US$18 billion at list prices, making it the largest in Boeing history by dollar value. Announced Sunday at the Dubai Airshow, it includes options for 20 additional 777s valued at US$8 billion. Fast growing Emirates is already the
From V to Virgin Australia
V Australia Boeing 777-300ER VH-VPE arrived in Sydney this morning wearing Virgin Australia titles but otherwise retaining its V Australia livery. The hyrbid livery is the first sign of V Australia’s adoption of the Virgin Australia name, as part of the airline’s strategy to rename all former Virgin Blue operations (bar Polynesian Blue) as Virgin
Hong Kong next for Qantas A380s
Hong Kong will be the next destination for Qantas’s Airbus A380 fleet, with the airline announcing plans to operate the double decker four times a week between Sydney and the key Asian financial hub. The airline says QF127 Sydney-Hong Kong will be operated by A380s on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with same days returns as
