The World of Aviation

The F-35A Lightning II is the only aircraft able to meet Australia’s strategic needs, an inquiry by a Senate committee examining the acquisition has concluded. However, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee stated in its inquiry report that it “retains a healthy scepticism” about assurances from Defence regarding cost, schedule and capability, and

Tigerair Australia plans to add a fourth Boeing 737-800 to its fleet to assist with crew training and for additional domestic flights over the busy summer holiday season. The 737-800 from parent Virgin Australia is expected join the fleet in December, a Tigerair spokesperson told Australian Aviation via email. To be based in Melbourne, the aircraft

Qantas says its has received more than 500 applications, including from as far away as Europe, in its external pilot recruitment drive ahead of the arrival of the Boeing 787-9 in October 2017. In February, Qantas announced plans to hire 170 new pilots over the next three years to support growth on the back of

Air New Zealand is no longer a Virgin Australia shareholder after disposing of its remaining 2.5 per cent stake for A$65.7 million. On Wednesday, the company said in its monthly investor update for October the shares were sold in “off market transactions with investors, including Nanshan Group”. Indeed, a notice to the Australian Securities Exchange

Qantas is boosting its presence in China with a resumption of Sydney-Beijing nonstop flights from late January 2017. The daily flight will be operated with Airbus A330-200s and marks a return to the Chinese capital for the first time since Qantas withdrew from the route in 2009. It also comes ahead of Virgin Australia’s daily

Cathay Pacific has launched a “critical review” and issued a profit downgrade as weak demand and intense competition from rivals eats into revenues and pushed down yields. The company said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday night the outlook had deteriorated since its August 17 results announcement, when Cathay said