In 2023 the Australian Government started consultations on a new aviation policy statement. The final Aviation White Paper - Towards 2050 was released in August 2024.
Mount Cook Airlines and Taupō
2 days ago
Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts
21 March 2025
Airline On-Time Performance in New Zealand and across the Tasman
The New Zealand Ministry of Transport is now providing monthly reports of airline on-time performance on the main airline domestic routes and routes between New Zealand and Australia where there is more than one airline operating.
11 June 2023
Airline Competition in Australia
For the last three years the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been required to produce quarterly reports on airline competition in Australia. These reports are available here.
20 February 2017
New Zealand to join satellite-based augmentation systems trial programme
On Friday, 17 February 2017 the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand announced that the New Zealand would be joining a satellite-based augmentation system trial programme (see third to last paragraph on page 2).
Related announcements were made by Hon Simon Bridges, New Zealand Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Transport (here), and the Australian Ministers of Resources, Hon Matthew Canavan, and Infrastructure, Hon Darren Chester (here).
Additional information is available on the New Zealand web sites of:
Related announcements were made by Hon Simon Bridges, New Zealand Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Transport (here), and the Australian Ministers of Resources, Hon Matthew Canavan, and Infrastructure, Hon Darren Chester (here).
Additional information is available on the New Zealand web sites of:
- Land Information New Zealand - news item
- the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - see Summary of Initial Work Programme page 4
- the Ministry of Transport - positioning systems
- the Civil Aviation Authority - New Southern Sky UPDATED
13 February 2017
Australia funding a satellite-based augmentation systems test-bed and trial programme
Modern positioning infrastructure, such as the US-provided Global Positioning System (GPS), is something people are increasingly taking for granted yet it is also technology that is proving useful for many transport-related applications.
The accuracy and integrity of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), of which GPS is now but one example, can be improved through using satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that broadcast correction messages using geostationary satellites. SBAS coverage is already provided over North America (WAAS), Europe (EGNOS), Japan (MSAS) and India (GAGAN) but not over Australasia.
On 17 January 2017 the Australian Ministers of Infrastructure and Resources announced that the Federal Government would be providing A$12m to fund a SBAS test-bed and trial programme.
Further information about this was provided in a statement released on the same day by the Chief Executive of Geoscience Australia and related questions and answers.
On 10 February 2017 Geoscience Australia announced that the test-bed would be provided by a consortium of Lockheed Martin from the USA, GMV from Spain and Inmarsat from the UK. Both Lockheed Martin and GMV have made press releases about this news.
CRCSI is going to be involved in organising the trial programme.
The accuracy and integrity of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), of which GPS is now but one example, can be improved through using satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that broadcast correction messages using geostationary satellites. SBAS coverage is already provided over North America (WAAS), Europe (EGNOS), Japan (MSAS) and India (GAGAN) but not over Australasia.
On 17 January 2017 the Australian Ministers of Infrastructure and Resources announced that the Federal Government would be providing A$12m to fund a SBAS test-bed and trial programme.
Further information about this was provided in a statement released on the same day by the Chief Executive of Geoscience Australia and related questions and answers.
On 10 February 2017 Geoscience Australia announced that the test-bed would be provided by a consortium of Lockheed Martin from the USA, GMV from Spain and Inmarsat from the UK. Both Lockheed Martin and GMV have made press releases about this news.
CRCSI is going to be involved in organising the trial programme.
26 February 2012
Podcasts
A couple of years ago when I first got an iPhone I downloaded from iTunes and listened to an aviation podcast. I was not impressed as the speakers were amateur enthusiasts who were clearly not that well informed.
I then started listening to EconTalk, a series of excellent podcasts by economist Russ Roberts from GMU in Virginia (he also blogs at Cafe Hayek). Each week he interviews at length a distinguished economist in a manner that is not overly technical.
For lighter relief I have been listening to the Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4. These generally take the form of a quiz or short monologues focussed on the latest political news from the UK.
More recently, I have been listening to a couple of much more professionally done aviation podcasts.
They have turned out to be excellent with coverage of civil and miltary aviation, including aviation history and technology. I have been listening to older episodes and have even sent off a couple of possible "Grill the Geeks" questions to the USA.
These have all been great listening while walking our two dogs.
I then started listening to EconTalk, a series of excellent podcasts by economist Russ Roberts from GMU in Virginia (he also blogs at Cafe Hayek). Each week he interviews at length a distinguished economist in a manner that is not overly technical.
For lighter relief I have been listening to the Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4. These generally take the form of a quiz or short monologues focussed on the latest political news from the UK.
More recently, I have been listening to a couple of much more professionally done aviation podcasts.
- Airplane Geeks (@AirplaneGeeks) - from the USA
- Plane Crazy Down Under (@pcdu) - from Victoria, Australia
They have turned out to be excellent with coverage of civil and miltary aviation, including aviation history and technology. I have been listening to older episodes and have even sent off a couple of possible "Grill the Geeks" questions to the USA.
These have all been great listening while walking our two dogs.
04 October 2011
Australia concludes open air services agreement with Japan
On 30 September 2011 the Australian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Hon Anthony Albanese, announced that Australia had negotiated a new open air services agreement with Japan. For Australian airlines the arrangements include time-restricted access to Haneda airport in Tokyo and open access to Narita airport from 2013. While described as "open skies", some slot-related restrictions on access to these Tokyo airports remain for the time being. Also included are fifth freedom rights for Australian airlines beyond Japan to third countries.
On 16 August 2011 the Qantas group had announced that it will be entering into a new joint venture with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corporation to establish Jetstar Japan. Although announced as a domestic operation, this new joint venture could qualify to use Japanese international air rights.
On 16 August 2011 the Qantas group had announced that it will be entering into a new joint venture with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corporation to establish Jetstar Japan. Although announced as a domestic operation, this new joint venture could qualify to use Japanese international air rights.
18 September 2011
Australian Productivity Commission releases draft report on airport regulation
On 22 August 2011 the Australian Productivity Commission released a draft report on the Economic Regulation of Airport Services. The final date for submissions is 23 September 2011.
New Zealand Productivity Commission International Freight Transport Services Inquiry
The new New Zealand Productivity Commission (modelled on its Australian counterpart) is conducting an Inquiry into International Freight Transport Services. The Commission is looking at both aviation and maritime services, including air and sea ports (New Zealand has no land borders).
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were released in March 2011 and on 13 July 2011 the Commission released a 78-page Issues Paper with 79 specific questions.
Submissions are now being made available on the Commission's web site. To date those from the aviation industry have included submissions from the Aviation Industry Association, Board of Airline Representatives NZ, New Zealand Air Cargo Council, NZ Airports Association, and Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were released in March 2011 and on 13 July 2011 the Commission released a 78-page Issues Paper with 79 specific questions.
Submissions are now being made available on the Commission's web site. To date those from the aviation industry have included submissions from the Aviation Industry Association, Board of Airline Representatives NZ, New Zealand Air Cargo Council, NZ Airports Association, and Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.
04 September 2011
Australian draft report on the Regulation of Airport Services
On 22 August 2011 the Australian Productivity Commission released a draft report on the Economic Regulation of Airport Services.
An Issues paper was issued back in January 2011.
The Commission's final report to the government is scheduled to be made in December 2011.
An Issues paper was issued back in January 2011.
The Commission's final report to the government is scheduled to be made in December 2011.
03 July 2011
Seat capacity limit between Australia and Indonesia increased
On 1 July 2011 the Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Hon Anthony Albanese, announced UPDATED that Australia and Indonesia had reached an understanding to increase the seat capacity that may be operated by the airlines of the two countries by 86% to 27,500 seats per week.
The Minister's statement highlighted the 32% average annual growth in passenger demand between the two countries over the last three years.
The Minister's statement highlighted the 32% average annual growth in passenger demand between the two countries over the last three years.
26 June 2011
Qantas and American Airlines seek approval for Joint Business Agreement
Just two days after interim US DOT approval of the alliance between Delta and Virgin Blue was announced (see previous post), oneworld alliance members Qantas and American Airlines on 12 May 2011 filed with the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) for approval of a Joint Business Agreement (JBA). (The reference for the parallel filing made with the US Department of Transportation is DOT-OST-2011-0111.)
On 16 May 2011 Qantas announced that it had commenced direct flights from Sydney (SYD) to American's major hub Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) returning to SYD via Brisbane (BNE). Qantas uses its B747-400ER aircraft for this ultra-long-range operation. On 14 May 2011 Qantas ceased operating to San Francisco (SFO).
Interim approval was granted by the ACCC on 9 June 2011.
On 16 May 2011 Qantas announced that it had commenced direct flights from Sydney (SYD) to American's major hub Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) returning to SYD via Brisbane (BNE). Qantas uses its B747-400ER aircraft for this ultra-long-range operation. On 14 May 2011 Qantas ceased operating to San Francisco (SFO).
Interim approval was granted by the ACCC on 9 June 2011.
Virgin Blue alliance with Delta approved by US DOT
On 10 May 2011 the US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that, after substantial changes had been made to the application (docket DOT-OST-2009-0155), it proposed to approve anti-trust immunity for an alliance between Delta Air Lines and Virgin Blue Airlines (see previous post).
This came after a 2 May 2011 announcement that the two airlines were expanding their code-share arrangements.
Note that on 4 May 2011 Virgin Blue announced that it was changing its name to Virgin Australia.
On 10 June 2011 the two airlines announced that they welcomed final US DOT approval of the alliance.
This came after a 2 May 2011 announcement that the two airlines were expanding their code-share arrangements.
Note that on 4 May 2011 Virgin Blue announced that it was changing its name to Virgin Australia.
On 10 June 2011 the two airlines announced that they welcomed final US DOT approval of the alliance.
Royal Brunei ceasing operations to Auckland
On 21 June 2011 Royal Brunei Airlines (BI) announced that it is to cease operation to Auckland (AKL), Brisbane (BNE), Perth (PER) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at the end of October 2011.
On 29 March 2011 Royal Brunei commenced operations to Melbourne which in future will be the only airport in Australasia that it serves.
Royal Brunei has been operating to New Zealand since 2003 under the "open skies" MALIAT.
No doubt the commencement of operations to AKL in early 2011 by four new airline operators from East Asia (see previous post) will have influenced Royal Brunei's decision to withdraw.
On 29 March 2011 Royal Brunei commenced operations to Melbourne which in future will be the only airport in Australasia that it serves.
Royal Brunei has been operating to New Zealand since 2003 under the "open skies" MALIAT.
No doubt the commencement of operations to AKL in early 2011 by four new airline operators from East Asia (see previous post) will have influenced Royal Brunei's decision to withdraw.
06 June 2011
Australia signs new air services understandings with Saudi Arabia and Oman
On 21 April 2011 the Australian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport announced that Australia had signed new understandings with Saudi Arabia and Oman. Both provide for restricted access to Australia's main airports. The statement notes that work is continuing on finalising the associate air services agreements.
Alleged air cargo rate fixing case reaches court in New Zealand
The NZ Herald reported on court action taken by the Commerce Commission into alleged price fixing by nine international airlines serving the New Zealand market (see previous post) on:
9 May 2011 - "Airlines' price fix case starts in court"
11 May 2011 - "Air cargo cartel case opens in High Court"
12 May 2011 - "Qantas fined $6.5m for price fixing"
12 May 2011 - "Air NZ in court as price-fixing case gets under way"
13 May 2011 - "Qantas hit with record $6.5 million fine"
14 May 2011 - "Cartel case out of line, say airlines"
The Commerce Commission has made a number of media releases on the case:
20 March 2009 - "Commerce Commission procedure in accordance with standard best practice"
11 March 2011 - "Court of Appeal rules on use of confidentiality orders"
18 March 2011 - "Settlements in cartel case as Commerce Commission prepares for Court"
5 April 2011 - "$7.6 million imposed against two airlines in air cargo cartel case" - British Airways and Cargolux
20 April 2011 - "Commerce Commission narrows focus of air cargo cartel case before trial"
27 April 2011 - "Airlines' information request case resolved" - Singapore Airlines Cargo and Cathay Pacific
12 May 2011 - "Court awards highest penalty to date in price fixing" - this statement notes similar action taken in Australia, the United States, the European Union, Canada and South Korea
Air New Zealand has also issued related media statements:
18 March 2011 - in response to a Qantas media statement issued on the same day
20 April 2011
On 17 May 2010 the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it was taking action against Air New Zealand. On 18 May 2010 Air Transport World reported Air New Zealand's reaction.
On 11 November 2010 the NZ Herald reported that Air New Zealand had been dropped from similar action taken by the European Commission (see previous post).
9 May 2011 - "Airlines' price fix case starts in court"
11 May 2011 - "Air cargo cartel case opens in High Court"
12 May 2011 - "Qantas fined $6.5m for price fixing"
12 May 2011 - "Air NZ in court as price-fixing case gets under way"
13 May 2011 - "Qantas hit with record $6.5 million fine"
14 May 2011 - "Cartel case out of line, say airlines"
The Commerce Commission has made a number of media releases on the case:
20 March 2009 - "Commerce Commission procedure in accordance with standard best practice"
11 March 2011 - "Court of Appeal rules on use of confidentiality orders"
18 March 2011 - "Settlements in cartel case as Commerce Commission prepares for Court"
5 April 2011 - "$7.6 million imposed against two airlines in air cargo cartel case" - British Airways and Cargolux
20 April 2011 - "Commerce Commission narrows focus of air cargo cartel case before trial"
27 April 2011 - "Airlines' information request case resolved" - Singapore Airlines Cargo and Cathay Pacific
12 May 2011 - "Court awards highest penalty to date in price fixing" - this statement notes similar action taken in Australia, the United States, the European Union, Canada and South Korea
Air New Zealand has also issued related media statements:
18 March 2011 - in response to a Qantas media statement issued on the same day
20 April 2011
On 17 May 2010 the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it was taking action against Air New Zealand. On 18 May 2010 Air Transport World reported Air New Zealand's reaction.
On 11 November 2010 the NZ Herald reported that Air New Zealand had been dropped from similar action taken by the European Commission (see previous post).
16 April 2011
Australia negotiates air services agreement with Oman
The Oman Tribune reports that a Memorandum of Understanding with a draft air services agreement between Oman and Australia came into effect on 6 April 2011.
A notable feature is that, in line with new Australian policy (see previous post), there is no capacity restriction on capacity outside of the two main Australian cities. In practice this means Cairns and Darwin (see official list of Australia's international airports).
A notable feature is that, in line with new Australian policy (see previous post), there is no capacity restriction on capacity outside of the two main Australian cities. In practice this means Cairns and Darwin (see official list of Australia's international airports).
02 April 2011
Australia and Vanuatu expand air services opportunities
On 14 December 2010 the Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport announced that Australia had negotiated new air services arrangements with Vanuatu. As well as a phased increase in passenger seat capacity, the new deal includes open arrangements for freighter services.
27 March 2011
Australia signs first air services arrangements with Belgium
On 10 March 2011 the Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport announced that Australia had signed it first Memorandum of Understanding on air services with Belgium.
Australia and China expand route and capacity opportunities for their airlines
On 8 March 2011 the Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport announced that Australia had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on air services with China expanding passenger seat capacity and route opportunities for the international airlines of the two countries. Australia continues to seek an "open skies" agreement with China.
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