Yesterday
Surging international flights leave airports bullish for year ahead
A return of American and Chinese carriers has pushed overseas routes to their highest levels since the pandemic. It may not mean dramatically cheaper fares.
- Jenny Wiggins
This Month
Qantas, Virgin to resume flights to Vanuatu after earthquake
The two Australian airlines are both operating Port Vila-Brisbane services on Sunday and Jetstar is running a flight on the same route on Monday.
- Holly Hales
Qantas ‘pulling out all stops’ to get passengers home at Christmas
Chief customer officer Markus Svensson says Qantas is investing in making sure it’s able to get passengers where they need to go.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Qantas’ misdeeds shouldn’t scuttle Virgin-Qatar deal
The TWU stoush with Bain Capital over the next Virgin boss highlights corporate Australia’s wider reputational issues that have fuelled the populist backlash against business.
- The AFR View
- Updated
- Aviation
Union demands CEO veto in exchange for supporting Virgin’s Qatar deal
The powerful Transport Workers Union is concerned that a former Qantas executive involved in the illegal sacking of staff is the frontrunner for the top job.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser
November
Qatar still pushing for extra flights as ACCC gives interim approval
Giving the Middle Eastern airline extra landing rights would make life even more difficult for Qantas, which faces delays getting new planes and a hefty capex bill.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin will partner with Qatar for long-haul flights
ACCC gives interim approval for Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways’ agreement; the 11 Treasury bills that passed the Senate; Peter Dutton hugs Bill Shorten. How the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Lucy Slade
Virgin’s plan to fly Qatar planes poised for ACCC green light
The Bain-backed airline hopes to fly the Gulf carrier’s Boeing 777s to Doha in a return to long-haul international services from the middle of next year.
- Ayesha de Kretser
- Updated
- Aviation
Etihad rips up Virgin frequent flier partnership after Qatar deal
The Bain Capital-backed airline has told the ACCC that it will retain alliance arrangements with Singapore Airlines despite its new major shareholder.
- Updated
- Fiona Carruthers and Ayesha de Kretser
The mantra that keeps this CEO ahead of the game
Former Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah reveals how he avoids distractions, what he has learnt from the collapse of two airlines and why he doesn’t eat until midday.
- Sally Patten and Martin Peralta
- Analysis
- Aviation
There are plenty of dangers for Qantas in Virgin’s Qatar tie-up
The flying kangaroo says it welcomes competition – except from the Gulf airline – as investors fear the deal could cause havoc with its international division.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Airlines bristle at $20k fines for cancelling flights
A Senate inquiry is considering an overhaul of how landing slots are managed at Australia’s busiest airport.
- Andrew Tillett
Petro Australis Energy books non-deal roadshow for 2025 IPO
Petro Australis’s IPO preps come after the company raised $24 million by selling 25 per cent at an $84 million post-money valuation in June.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Virgin-Qatar tie-up could break Qantas’ grip on Canberra
Canberra Airport says the combination of Virgin and Qatar would help to end politicians’ preference for flying Qantas.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Airports say don’t cut Singapore Airlines out of Virgin-Qatar tie-up
The Australian Airports Association has warned the ACCC that passengers will lose a crucial route to Europe if the Qatar-Virgin tie-up is approved in the proposed format.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Why free upgrades are a thing of the past (except for politicians)
Feel like a complimentary leg-up into business class is no longer a thing despite your Platinum status? You’re not alone.
- Fiona Carruthers
October
Qantas sues former captain accused of spying for Virgin
A senior pilot accused of downloading sensitive information has been ordered to hand back documents before starting work for the rival airline.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin rewards big spenders with frequent flyer revamp
The airline hopes the changes will increase the use of points and keep passengers loyal, with higher tiers matching Qantas’ higher-end offerings.
- Ayesha de Kretser
MPs, staff favouring Qantas despite ‘best possible price’ rule
More than 90 per cent of air travel booked by parliamentarians and their offices were on the carrier and its low-cost subsidiary, the highest level in a decade.
- Ayesha de Kretser
ASX hits record; PM buys $4.3m coastal home; Markets’ hottest theme
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.