The World of Aviation

In the wake of a few years of significantly reduced budgets, a lot has been said of the lack of defence funding. Much of the argument surrounding the spending cuts have called for resourcing in line with what has been in place for the last ten or so years. But we do need to ask

For defence will it matter who wins the election? On paper there is little to split the two major sides of politics. Both are committed to growing defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP. Both are committed to big ticket items such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and building 12 submarines in Adelaide.

With a federal election tomorrow, it is timely to reflect on the role the federal government plays in Australian aviation. From CASA, to Airservices, to taxation levels, supporting research and development, to education policy, elements of the federal government, and its policies, touch aviation across a broad spectrum. But is it a force for good?

The two Hong Kong-based carriers Cathay Pacific and sister-company Dragonair have formally objected to the Hong Kong government over Jetstar Hong Kong’s application for a licence to operate, stating: “approval of (the) Jetstar Hong Kong application would violate basic law and undermine Hong Kong’s economy”. In strongly worded statements following gazettal by the government of Jetstar’s

Airbus and China’s Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate on modernising the country’s Air Traffic Management System and to implement the latest Air Traffic Management (ATM) technologies. The MoU focuses on improving capacity and efficiency by harmonising China’s ATM within its own boundaries and with regional air

In a noteworthy adjustment to its international network, Jetstar will redirect capacity from intra-Asian flights to launch nonstop flights between Melbourne and Phuket early December and add services to Honolulu and Singapore from Melbourne, while trimming services within Asia. Starting December 14, the direct flights from Melbourne to Phuket will operate every Saturday and Sunday