This Month
Sydney Airport takes $46m write-down on deferred hotel, transport hubs
It is postponing some projects as it overhauls its business strategy and prepares to deliver a new 20-year master plan.
C’est parti! France’s Vinci bids for $3b Cairns, Mackay airports
The French infrastructure player has lobbed a non-binding indicative bid for the North Queensland airports and is up against Sojitz Corporation and Japan Airlines.
Inside Virgin Australia’s pitch to kick off the airline’s IPO
Investors said the maiden pitch was light on numbers – likely deliberately so – with financial statements and forecasts not expected until next month, at the earliest.
March
Dexus Airport Fund raising to bid for 9.7pc of Melbourne, Launceston airports
Should DWAF’s bid be successful, it would be helping four investors – including two other Dexus-run funds – take money off the table.
Airport ‘super profits’ back as revenue hits record
Australia’s biggest airports were flush in 2023-34 despite the number of travellers remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
February
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.