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Australian Aviation Podcast Network

Australian Aviation Podcast Network

Hosted by Momentum Media

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Episodes

408

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

The official podcast network of Australian Aviation – where we unpack all the latest insights and developments plus the big issues impacting Australia's aviation sector.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 12, 202644 min

Carrying on about carry-ons

We've all danced the airport suitcase shuffle, moving item after item back and forth between our cabin bags and our checked bags in a desperate hope to get in under those pesky weight limits. Now, Jetstar says it's offering a solution – no more scales, no more luggage Tetris, just bring an under-seat bag for free. Simple, right? The only catch: overhead bin space will now cost you extra. So, is Jetstar's new policy convenience, cash grab, or a little bit of both? On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David weigh in on the pros and cons of Jetstar's new cabin baggage policy and unpack what it will mean for passengers. Plus, Airservices is under fire again after disruptions and near-misses at Sydney Airport – so what's the solution?

August 5, 202639 min

Flying in the line of fire

As Australian helicopters head north to help with wildfires in Europe, a deadly crash in Greece – and new regulations following a crash in WA two years ago – have once again put the spotlight on how dangerous it can be to fight fires from the air. While national standard operating procedures are cutting down on confusion, and unmanned drones are taking surveillance crews off the front lines, it's clear that there will always be some danger for those who fly out to battle the increasingly common mega-blazes around the world. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David look at the risks borne by aerial firefighters, and ask what more can be done to keep our flying firies safe. Plus, Australia's airports celebrate a rip-roaring financial year, with passenger traffic breaking records at gateways both large and small.

July 29, 202643 min

Cargo (but plane go faster)

We don't talk about it too often on the podcast, but cargo is a huge sector of the aviation industry – and with big news out of both Western Sydney and Avalon Airports this week, it found itself unexpectedly in the spotlight. WSI has at last opened its doors to freight ahead of its passenger launch in October, while Avalon Airport is seeing its first direct cargo services to Saudi Arabia –good news for both the Western Sydney and Geelong areas. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David unpack the crate expectations being placed on Australia's secondary airports as freight operations ramp up. Plus, Project Sunrise arrives in Australia (sort of); a look at the inside of Jetstar's new 787-8 cabins (and also Osaka and Kyoto); and why haven't illegally sacked Qantas ground workers seen all their compensation money yet?

July 22, 202648 min

Qantas in the clear

Qantas has frequently found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past few years – but it got a much-needed win when the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) found last year's data breach wasn't caused by the Flying Kangaroo's own negligence. With high marks for its swift response to the fiasco, and no need determined for any further investigation, Qantas can take the OAIC's findings as a sign that the fallout of the cyberattack is mostly behind it – but can it recover from the PR hit it suffered? On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David unpack the official verdict on the Qantas data breach, and ask if the national carrier really deserves all the flak it gets. Plus, half a year on from the Air T-Rex deal, when will we actually see more Saabs back in the air?

July 17, 20261 hr 17 min

The future of pilot training, with UNSW

As the aviation industry grapples with ongoing talent shortages, the question becomes: are current training methods the right model for creating skilled pilots at the rate the sector needs? Cockpits are becoming increasingly automated, while next-generation training technologies such as VR, XR, AR, and advanced simulation are potentially able to boost safety without increasing risk exposure – so are current competency-based models keeping up with the new reality? In this special Australian Aviation Podcast, UNSW and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots present a thought-provoking panel discussion on the evolution of pilot training and how industry, regulators, and academia can collaborate to deliver the best possible outcomes. Join moderator Captain Adrian Young, as well as Churchill Fellow and former CASA Aviation Safety Advisory Panel member Adrianne Fleming, Qantas Group's Andrew Stead, and UNSW's Malcolm Good to discuss how pilot training can best meet the new realities of flying.

July 15, 202658 min

A red card for the yellow card

If you've ever found yourself scrambling for a pen on the plane to fill out one of those pesky paper cards before you reach Customs, fear not – after a two-year trial and much lobbying by the tourism industry, there will soon be a digital alternative to the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). Rolling out over the next 12 to 18 months, the Australia Travel Declaration will make the bane of every groggy passenger's tray table a thing of the past, streamlining the border process and bringing Australia in line with other countries in the region and around the world. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and special guest host Hannah Dowling discuss the end of the paper IPC era, and what it will mean for passengers, airports, and government agencies. Plus, another big milestone for WSI with the arrival of its first freighter just two weeks from the official launch of commercial cargo flights.

July 8, 202646 min

Good morning, Vietjet?

When it rains, it pours – after the collapses of Bonza and Rex left Australia once more in thrall to the domestic airline duopoly, now no fewer than three new contenders, including Koala, Zinc, and another new kid on the block, seem to be planning to step up and take on the big boys. The latest player? Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet, which has sparked rumours of a new Australian subsidiary with reports of an AOC application with CASA as well as a pile of slot allocations at Sydney Airport. Is a Vietjet entry really on the cards … and can it exorcise the ghost of Tigerair? On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dissect the rumours of Vietjet's impending tilt at the Australian domestic market, and why it might be the best-placed challenger to hit the skies running and make the major carriers sweat. Plus, a war of words between Airservices and the air traffic controllers' union over delays in Sydney – who's really to blame?

July 1, 202627 min

The hidden danger of stress

When we think of safety concerns in aviation, it's easy to become fixated on the mechanical issues – but the human factor is also a major issue, and stress and burnout in such a high-pressure industry can only make it worse. It's easy to ignore the early warning signs of stress and try to push through, but according to neuroscientist Annett Koenig, that can only compound the issue, leading to neurological issues that can even mirror the symptoms of epilepsy. As engineering-related incidents continue to improve, the human factor is still lagging behind – so what kind of safety issues can stress cause, and how can they be addressed? On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Koenig about the causes, effects, and solutions to chronic stress in the aviation sector.

June 29, 202629 min

Robinson's helicopter revolution

For 50 years it's been one of the most popular civil helicopter companies in the world, with more than 15,000 aircraft delivered around the globe – and Robinson is a household name among Australian buyers, too, thanks to their use in agricultural applications like cattle mustering. The R22 and R44 are now being joined in Australia by the new R88, showcased by Robinson at Rotortech on the Gold Coast in May, and with an unmanned division having recently launched, the company is set to bring even more new products to the Australian market. On this Australian Aviation Podcast, we talk to Robinson Helicopter Company's president and CEO, David Smith, about the company's plans for Australia, its new and upcoming product lines, and how it's building on its safety and maintenance record.

June 24, 202642 min

Here comes the (Project) Sun(rise)

After much anticipation, Qantas has revealed the first destination for Project Sunrise – and in case there was any doubt, it's London, with flights from Sydney to start next October in the next evolution of the 80-year-old "Kangaroo Route". With Sydney-New York to follow by Christmas 2027, and Qantas sharing more details of the ultra-long-haul planes' cabin configuration, it seems the non-stop flights are closer than ever, despite all the delays – but how popular will they be, and when will Melbourne see them? On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David prepare to step inside the A350-1000ULR and fly halfway around the world as Project Sunrise finally starts to firm up. Plus, the first speakers are revealed for this year's Australian Aviation Summit, and we congratulate the winners of the 2026 Australian Space Awards.

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