A Qantas Boeing 767-300 returned to Sydney Airport shortly after takeoff after suffering a tailstrike during rotation on February 1. According to a Qantas spokesperson, the aircraft was operating QF453 to Melbourne, and encountered a wind gust which lifted the nose of the aircraft more than usual, leading to the tailstrike. There was minimal damage
Regional Express commenced its first nonstop service on the Townsville-Mount Isa route on February 1, one month after it suspended services from the Mackay-Townsville route, claiming predatory behaviour by rival QantasLink. Rex’s GM of network strategy and sales, Warrick Lodge, said, “We have started the direct Mount Isa to Townsville service in response to the
The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) has entered into an agreement with US firm Amyris Biotechnologies Inc to explore business opportunities for jetfuel derived from sugarcane. “This agreement positions the AIBN at the forefront of research into sustainable fuels of the future,” said AIBN director Professor Peter Gray. “Sustainable aviation
Qantas is reportedly considering removing first class from its fleet of Boeing 747-400s, leaving the product only on the airline’s A380s which fly to London and Los Angeles. According to a report in the Australian Financial Review, citing a leaked seating plan, the carrier would strip first on its 747-400s, leaving only 12 first seats
Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey has said that the airline has been involved in talks with Embraer as it looks to place an order for up to 50 aircraft later this year. “We are in the market for planes,” Godfrey told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Singapore. “We’ve got a whole bunch
Australian resource companies including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have adopted new standards for flight safety developed by the Australian office of the Flight Safety Foundation. Under the Basic Aviation Risk (BAR) Standard Program, a single set of standards and associated audits have been developed across the resources industry, which is aimed at increasing safety
