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Aviation

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.

Vanessa Hudson is the chief executive of Qantas. She announced the resumption of dividend payments after years.

Qantas pays first dividend in six years after bumper profit

The airline also outlined plans to refurbish dozens of Boeing 737 aircraft as it grapples with high demand but a lack of new planes.

Jayne Hrdlicka says Virgin is ready to float when its owner, Bain Capital, chooses to do so.

Hrdlicka says Virgin ‘ready’ for float after FIRB approves Qatar deal

But the Bain Capital-owned airline’s chief executive would not provide a timeline for her departure, putting a major roadblock in front of a run at the ASX.

Mike Murphy, Bain Capital’s boss in Australia, is driven by a degree of difficulty.

Bain needs to float Virgin before it gets greedy

The private owner missed two chances to publicly list the airline. If it misses this third window, investors will question whether it is too ambitious.

Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson has pulled off an impressive balancing act.

This is the big winner from Qantas and Virgin’s battle for the skies

Competition is going to rise following the approval of the alliance between Virgin and Qatar Airways. The big winner is already emerging.

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Which first and business class does Joe Aston rate?

Aston wrote the definitive book on Qantas’ fall from grace. Then he flew Qantas first class to London.

Views over Hong Kong from restaurant Man Wah at the Mandarin Oriental.

How to nail a Hong Kong stopover

Many find the Middle Eastern stopover cities a tad too futuristic. But Honkers still charms.

This Month

How to fly green without the carbon offset ‘accounting trick’

Does ticking the carbon offset box and paying loose change to plant a few trees really make a difference?

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang.

Albanese accused of soft-pedalling on Chinese navy drills

Australian air traffic controllers only learnt of Chinese navy live-firing exercise thanks to a Virgin Australia pilot flying over the Tasman Sea.

Why airline execs don’t check bags (and stay hydrated)

When it comes to having a travel routine and packing for trips down pat, you can’t beat those employed in the airline industry for know-how.

How to nab a private jet ride for $3k a person

Tossing up flying private over commercial? More Australians are opting in for the thrill and convenience, despite the cost. The big bonus? No airport queues.

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang has been part of Chinese flotilla off Australia’s east coast.

Why China’s live-fire drills are legal, but not right

When Qantas pilots have to start worrying about the threat of potshots from Chinese warships, the stabilisation in ties has reached its limits.

Are you game enough to try this millionaire’s trick for jet lag?

Avoid fatigue, discover exotic destinations and tick the slow-travel box by recreating the kangaroo route – flying in legs of no more than three hours.

Travel bosses reveal their best (and worst) flight experiences

These Australian frequent flyers spend much of the year away from home. Here they recount some of their most memorable times in the sky.

‘Ninja-level’ skills: How to pack like a consultant

Plane-hopping professional services consultants know how to pack a bag, including carrying a spare set of the essentials – preferably in colour-coded cubes.

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The company that manages slots at the world’s busiest airport Heathrow has won a tender at Sydney Airport.

Heathrow slot manager beats Qantas and Virgin for Sydney control

UK-based Airport Coordination Limited will manage landing rights at Sydney Airport after wresting control from Australia’s major airlines.

A Qatar Airways Boeing 777, the same type of aircraft that Virgin will use to fly services to Doha and Europe.

ACCC gives the nod to Virgin’s Qatar-backed international flights

In a draft determination, the competition watchdog said the plan to resume long-haul services using leased planes would benefit travellers.

Delta plane flips on landing at Toronto airport

A jet has flipped upside down upon landing at Canada’s Toronto Pearson Airport amid windy weather following a snowstorm, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board.

How much exposure to business class is too much for children is one of the great first-world problems of our era.

How business class has changed since flat beds first appeared

As the gender, age and type of person travelling up the front of the plane evolves, interesting new patterns are emerging.

Cathay Pacific’s Aria cabin on a refurbished 777-300ER aircraft.

The trend fuelling business class wars

When Qatar Airways introduced its new suite with a door, frequent flyers joked it was better than first class. The revolution up front continues.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/aviation-5ut