NewsBite

Airports

Yesterday

Qatar Airways’ purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia Airlines from its private equity owners Bain Capital is an important moment for Australian aviation. It’s also a good result for consumers.

Labor still lacks real aviation competition policy

The proposal to turn nationalised Rex into TWU Airlines is another sign that Labor remains all too open to political interventions in the aviation sector to suit vested interests.

This Month

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced $3.3 billion in funding for Victorian transport projects, including Melbourne’s airport rail link.

PM heaps praise on SRL East but promises money elsewhere

Anthony Albanese has called the controversial Suburban Rail Loop Melbourne’s “missing link” amid tensions between the state and federal governments over the project.

Your quick guide to Michelin-starred and other great airport eats

Delayed flights rarely make for happy travellers but a plate of wild, raw bluefin tuna or honey-glazed barbecue pork can ease the pain. Here’s where to look.

Before you buy duty-free at an airport again, read this

Retailers know that travellers can’t resist an impulsive purchase at a luxury retail precinct when flying. But can you find it cheaper elsewhere?

Perceval.

Meet Perceval, the robot dog who could inspect Metro tracks in Sydney

Sydney’s new Western Sydney Airport metro line could use a robot to inspect the cleanliness of trains and check rail tracks for faults.

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A Jetstar plane at Melbourne Airport, which is partly owned by Dexus’ DDIT.

Dexus’ infrastructure fund grounded as $1b redemptions hit

The trustee has kicked off a strategic review and slapped a six-month freeze on all withdrawals – or investments – pending its result.

Offshore private capital firms can lob a 100 per cent bid without having to draft in an Australian bid partner.

North Queensland Airports kicks off $3b sale

The auction is expected to play out over the next six months, with non-binding indicative offers said to be due by April.

January

Dnata baggage handlers previously threatened strike action over Christmas.

More disruption warning after strikes cause flight delays

Stoppages by 1000 baggage handlers caused hours of delays to international flights at Sydney Airport, with the union threatening further action.

Queues at Tullamarine Airport International Terminal in Melbourne.

Melbourne Airport flags $4.5b investment in international terminal

The airport’s capital expenditure program is set to ramp up, sparking tensions with big airlines over passenger charges.

A Jetstar plane on the tarmac at Launceston Airport in Tasmania.

Tiny airport beats Melbourne and Sydney to recover pre-COVID traffic

This regional airport says Bonza showed the big guys’ network planning teams that they should think differently about smaller markets.

December 2024

A Qantas Airbus A380 at Sydney Airport. A shortage of planes means airfares are unlikely to fall dramatically over the next year.

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.

Japan Airline’s new twin-aisle A350-1000.

Sojitz joins forces with JAL affiliate for North Queensland Airports

With earnings of some $115 million this financial year, North Queensland Airports is expected to be worth about $3 billion.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran.

Greg Foran goes hard to reverse Air New Zealand’s nose dive

He’s run Walmart and Woolworths supermarkets. Now the rugby-mad Kiwi plans to end half a decade of poor performance with an unusual move to retrofit old planes.

A chartered repatriation flight arrives at Brisbane Airport.

Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC acquires stake in Brisbane Airport

GIC has acquired about 5 per cent of Brisbane Airport at a time when it has posted record revenue and has a $5 billion spending plan over the next decade.

November 2024

Medevac Flights founder William Cassidy.

This is the fastest-growing company in Australia

Founded by an ex-banker, this air ambulance start-up has achieved 700 per cent revenue growth thanks to business from the cruise industry.

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Farewell, Macquarie … A plane takes off from Aberdeen Airport.

Macquarie makes 50pc gain in $3b British airport sell-off

The asset manager was forced to sell off three UK airports as it winds down a closed-end fund. It joins a slew of recent transactions in the frothy sector.

Qantas says it only seeks slots it intends to use for flights for Australia’s busiest airport.

‘Categorically, we do not slot hoard’: Qantas denies gaming the system

Executives have been challenged over the airline’s dominance at Australia’s busiest airport – Sydney – in peak periods.

Vesna Poljak AFR companies editor with Sydney Airport boss Scott Charlton and Qantas head of international and freight Cam Wallace on Monday.

Qantas claims network advantage will outgun bulked up Qatar

Qantas international boss Cam Wallace says the wet leasing arrangement that facilitates the partnership between Virgin and Qatar cannot be indefinite.

Import-export firms embrace disrupter Neolink

The Challenger winner of the Business-to-Business category uses AI to decipher thousands of pages of shipping paperwork and speed up deliveries.

October 2024

A piece of Melbourne Airport is up for grabs.

Sale docs out for Dexus’ stake in Melbourne, Launceston airports

Melbourne airport revenue grew 17 per cent to $1.2 billion in the 2024 financial year, while EBITDA rose 21 per cent to $82.1 million, according to the teaser.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/airports-huq