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Robyn Ironside is The Australian’s aviation writer, and has twice been recognised by the Australasian Aviation Press Club (in 2020 and 2023) as the best aviation journalist. She has been with The Australian since 2018, and covered aviation for News Corp since 2014 after previously reporting on Queensland state politics and crime with The Courier-Mail.

@ironsider

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border closuresNation

30/08/20: Aquaduck captain Peter McCulkin and deckhand Ayla Notton24, and Jess Price 28 supervisor, with their cancelled and empty 4.15 tour, at the boat ramp on the Spit on the Gold Coast. Covid has decimated the tour industry on the coast. Pic Lyndon Mechielsen

Struggling to stay afloat

Gold Coast business owners are in a world of financial pain and they say the Queensland border closure is to blame.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

5th August 2020.Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah at his companyÃs Brisbane headquarters.Photo: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

High stakes for next Virgin vote: Scurrah

Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah has warned employees have a lot to lose if the sale to Bain Capital is not voted up next week.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Airline passengers wearing face masks wait to check in their bags at Heathrow Terminal 5 departures as the outbreak of coronavirus intensifies on March 15, 2020 in London, England. President of the United States, Donald Trump, has implemented a travel ban on European nations and has now extended it to include the United Kingdom and Ireland. The travel ban will begin at midnight EST on Monday as the UK is also set to ban mass gatherings and has already seen the cancellation of major sporting events such as the English Premier League. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Six month wait for stranded Aussies

Airlines say the cap on incoming passenger numbers means it could take up to six months to bring stranded Aussies home.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 16: An Air New Zealand plane is seen at Auckland Airport on March 16, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. Air New Zealand has announced it will reduce its international capacity by 85 per cent as a result of the current coronavirus pandemic and its impact on travel demand. The airline is suspending flights between Auckland and Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Buenos Aires, Vancouver, Tokyo Narita, Honolulu, Denpasar and Taipei from 30 March to 30 June. It is also suspending its LondonLos Angeles service from 20 March through to 30 June. Air New Zealand's Tasman and Pacific Island network capacity will significantly reduce between April and June, while domestic route capacity will be reduced by around 30 percent in April and May. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

COVID-19 hammers AirNZ with $900m blow

Air New Zealand says a recovery is looking anything but V-shaped after COVID-19 blew a $900m hole in its bottom line and brought its first annual loss in 18 years.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

Boeing has unveiled new technology for airlines trying to restore confidence in air travel after the COVID crisis, in the form of a UV light wand to disinfect surfaces thoroughly and quickly.,

Boeing hoping UV wand magic will clean aircraft

Technology being developed for self-cleaning toilets on planes is being put to use in other parts of the aircraft.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

5th August 2020.Virgin Australia wide-body aircrafts are seen grounded at the Brisbane Airport.Photo: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

Why Virgin Australia fell to earth

Virgin Australia’s transformation from budget to premium airline set the company on a path to financial ruin, say administrators.

Robyn Ironside

AVIATIONAviation

A QANTAS baggage handler prepares for a flight leaving Canberra for Sydney ahead of planned afternoon work strikes involving industrial action relating to baggage handlers, aircraft mechanics. Pic - Sam Mooy

Qantas outsources handlers, 2500 more jobs go

Qantas will outsource ground handling operations in a move that will see 2500 jobs go on top of the 6000 already announced.

Robyn Ironside

UpdatedAviation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos AUGUST, 6, 2020: A general view of Virgin Airlines domestic terminal in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Bain’s offer price for Virgin revealed

A report sets out Virgin Australia’s eye-watering sale price and shows unsecured creditors can expect only up to 13c in the dollar.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

Virgin Airbus A320. Picture: Virgin AustraliaSource: https://newsroom.virginaustralia.com/media-gallery/photo_gallery

Virgin regional arm battles US parts maker

Virgin Australia’s administration is not the only drama facing the carrier, with a bizarre court case being played out in the US.

Robyn Ironside

AviationAviation

Outgoing QANTAS Group CFO Tino La Spina poses for a portrait following the QANTAS Group's full year results announcement in Sydney, Thursday, August, 22, 2019. Mr La Spina will move to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Qantas International. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

Qantas International CEO’s wings clipped

Qantas International CEO Tino La Spina has become the airline’s highest ranking casualty of the COVID cuts.

Robyn Ironside

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/robyn-ironside/page/200