australian - VibeWire Magazine

Melbourne Airport makes disability access ‘hubs’ permanent

Guest authors
August 27, 2025
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Run in conjunction with not-for-profit Travellers Aid, the Melbourne Airport Assist service will provide buggies and powered wheelchairs to help travellers with disabilities navigate the airport, and will run seven days a week between 6am and 10pm star…

Rotor-Lift says loss of EMS contract will ‘spell the end’ of company

Guest authors
August 27, 2025
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Rotor-Lift, which has operated the Westpac rescue and Ambulance Tasmania helicopters in the state for around 25 years, said it was blindsided by the Tasmanian government’s decision to award a $354 million, 12-year contract to interstate operator StarFl…

Pilots take on Qantas in beard ban battle

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August 26, 2025
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Both mainline Qantas pilots and Jetstar pilots are required to be clean-shaven on duty, with Qantas recently looking to extend this mandate to regional arm QantasLink; pilots, however, have criticised the move, which cites a study conducted for Qantas …

RAAF Spartan deployed to Solomon Islands for Operation Solania

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August 26, 2025
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The C-27J Spartan mobility aircraft has participated in every iteration of Operation Solania in 2025, providing airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to scour the large maritime area for vessels conducting illegal, unreporte…

StarFlight takes over Tasmanian aeromedical contract

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August 26, 2025
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StarFlight, a joint venture between Fox Group Holdings and LifeFlight Australia, will begin Tasmanian services on 12 January 2026, taking over from current contractor Rotor-Lift Aviation, which has provided aeromedical and search-and-rescue flights in …

Virgin and Qantas clash over government loyalty benefits

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August 26, 2025
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While government travellers have been barred from accruing frequent-flyer points since 2010, they are still allowed to gain status credits from official travel, which Virgin Australia says should be dispensed with as it creates an uneven playing field …

TWU slams ‘dystopian’ Swissport surveillance plans

Guest authors
August 26, 2025
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The cameras, which will record video and audio of anyone in the vicinity, were meant to be installed in June but have been delayed following furious pushback from the union, which says they will “silence workers and increase safety risks which are alre…

Super funds wary of Qantas bonuses after outsourcing fine

Guest authors
August 25, 2025
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Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, Ed John, executive manager of stewardship for the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, said investors want to see that the Qantas board has “appropriately considered recent penalties” when determi…

Australia is a vital market for us, says Cathay Pacific

Guest authors
August 25, 2025
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Speaking to Australian Aviation at a media event in Sydney, Tom Kennedy, Cathay’s regional head of customer travel and lifestyle, Southwest Pacific, said Australia is “really important” for the carrier, which has recently launched its new 777-300ER Ari…

Auckland Airport opens international customs ‘express lane’

Guest authors
August 25, 2025
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The airport has opened a new “nothing to declare” express lane with detector dog screening, as well as new and expanded “back-of-stage” areas. Travellers with items to declare must still go through existing customs lanes.