Episodes
After 18 months of international border closures, the US has officially opened up for the fully vaccinated of 33 nations, including the UK, the EU and many more. On this week’s World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam and reporters Hannah and Bella discuss the long-awaited reopening of trans-Atlantic travel and what that means for major airlines. Plus, the crew chats about Ryanair’s ambitious rise of passenger targets amid dropping major aircraft deals with Boeing, and whether the Irish...
Published 09/22/21
As chief remote pilot at the CSIRO, Amanda Meys has trailblazed through a very impressive career in risk management, drone piloting, maintenance and military aviation, just to name a few In this episode of Sky’s The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling sit down with Amanda to discuss her early career in military aviation, and her sheer determination to pursue avionics engineering. Plus, Amanda shares her insight to the next generation of drone pilots hoping to find their way in...
Published 09/16/21
This past week, the United States’ sustainable aviation received a major boost, as the White House commites to producing 20 per cent fewer emissions by 2030. On this week's World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporters Hannah Dowling and Bella Richards chat about how the US plans to reduce its aviation emissions, and whether the nation has set goals it may not reach. Plus, the team discusses 2020’s largest carrier according to IATA, Emirates, and what it did to claim the...
Published 09/15/21
This year's R U OK? Day serves as an important reminder to open up the conversation on mental health, both in the workplace and at home, according to David Coleman, member for Banks and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.   In this special episode, join Momentum Media director Alex Whitlock as he speaks to Mr Coleman.   Together, the pair discuss the importance of shining a spotlight on mental health issues, share why the consequences of...
Published 09/09/21
This week we saw some of the most significant news about Boeing’s 737 MAX; Ethiopian Airlines has penned a deal with the planemaker to fly the jet yet again, after being involved in the deadly crash in 2019. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporters Hannah Dowling and Bella Richards discuss what that means for Boeing and Ethiopian, and if customers will be confident in the jet after all this time. Plus, the crew chats about Cathay Pacific’s...
Published 09/08/21
This week we saw Boeing encounter more scrutiny from the FAA, as the regulator does a deep-dive into the company’s culture. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporters Hannah Dowling and Bella Richards chat about why employees at the planemaker are concealing safety issues and whether there is more to it. Plus, the team discusses Italy’s new airline ITA, which this week requested a permit to fly into the United States, and whether the carrier will...
Published 09/01/21
This week, planemaker Embraer signed a landmarked deal that will see Uber-style flying taxis launch in major APAC cities by 2026. Well, possibly. Adam and Hannah discuss how likely this actually is, and what’s holding back the progress of eVTOLs. The pair also chat about the ongoing situation at Kabul Airport, as international air forces scramble to evacuate their citizens. Finally, the curious case of how Breeze Airways managed to raise so much money despite the world only just recovering...
Published 08/26/21
This week saw the first evacuations out of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops, which resulted in chaos in the capital. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the concerning images and reports coming out of Kabul Airport as frightened residents attempt to flee the country. Plus, the crew finally reveals the details of Norse Atlantic’s livery, which, somewhat surprisingly, does not take after its co-founder’s...
Published 08/18/21
This week, a number of US airlines announced that it was now mandatory for staff to have been vaccinated against COVID-19, while Azul signed a billion-dollar deal with Lilium over eVTOL vehicles. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the inevitability of airlines requiring staff to get vaccinated, and the implications of such a decision. Plus, the team reveal that the end of British Airways’ A380 fleet may not be as soon as...
Published 08/11/21
This week saw a slew of flight cancellations across the US due to weather, strikes, and labour shortages, as well as the return of LAX’s now-notorious jetpack man. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the current labour crisis with US carriers following a dramatic ramp-up in travel demand. Plus, the team unveils Airbus’ new A350 freighter development as the planemaker looks to take on Boeing in the ever-growing cargo...
Published 08/05/21
This week, Russia revealed the prototype of its newest fighter jet set to rival the US F-35 for a fraction of the cost at its MAKS 2021 air show, as Italy’s newest state-owned carrier made moves towards a US$5.3 billion fleet renewal. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss what we know of Russia’s ‘Checkmate’ fighter jet, and just how this new fighter could cause a stir globally. Plus, the team talks of ITA, Italy’s newest...
Published 07/28/21
This week, Malaysia Airlines posted a LinkedIn advertisement to sell off its six remaining A380s for scraps, while Airbus strengthened its foothold in the narrow-body market. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling take you through the data of Airbus’ new ‘monopoly’ over narrow-bodied jets, how it managed the feat, and what this means for the industry moving forward. Plus, the crew discusses Malaysia Airlines’ latest attempt to bring...
Published 07/21/21
With nations across Europe introducing new policies that give fully vaccinated people more freedom to travel, how is this set to impact the industry? In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling kick off by discussing whether or not Sir Richard Branson, on his inaugural spaceflight, actually made it into space. Then, the team explore the impact of the current state of travel restrictions in Europe and changing policies on vaccination...
Published 07/14/21
This week saw some pretty extreme highs and lows, with two unfortunate plane crash incidents, as well as some major moves in the industry’s recovery prospects. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling reveal exactly what we know so far on two unfortunate plane crashes that occurred over the weekend – one in Hawaii and one in the Philippines. Plus, the crew discusses Boeing’s latest hold-up in its 777X program, as well as United...
Published 07/07/21
This week, the aviation industry in the UK took to airports across Britain to push the UK government to open its borders, and, just days later, the government announced a new plan to allow the free movement of vaccinated Britons. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss changing global policies on travelling for vaccinated people, as well as airline workers begging for stronger deterrents against in-flight abuse. Plus, the team...
Published 06/30/21
Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa are working with Airbus to reduce the number of pilots required in the cockpit during high altitude cruise on long-haul flights to cut costs, but what are the implications of having just one pilot responsible for a plane-load of people? In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling mull the potential consequences of airlines moving to reduce the number of pilots in the cockpit as planes become ever-more...
Published 06/23/21
United Airlines announced this week it is locked in to purchase up to 50 supersonic commercial airliners from Boom Supersonic, in a ground-breaking multibillion-dollar deal. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the details of the deal, and its significance following the recent demise of rival supersonic jet-maker Aerion. Plus, the team shares their thoughts on a senior FAA safety official who finally stepped down from his...
Published 06/09/21
Our top story this week revolved around the state-backed ‘hijacking’ of a Ryanair flight that was forced to land in Minsk, escorted by a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet no less, in order for authorities to arrest a wanted political reporter. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the global fallout of the Belarus hijacking, and what the next stages of the investigation could look like. The crew also discuss IATA’s discreet...
Published 06/01/21
This week, former US President Barack Obama spilled his insider knowledge on UFO sightings, and other unexplained flying phenomena, at the highest levels, while Ryanair finally saw a win against EU nations bailing out their national carriers. On this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling delve into Obama’s internet-breaking confession, and share their insights into what all this could mean. The team also discussed Ryanair’s historic win in...
Published 05/25/21
After a gruelling lockdown, the one thing weary Britons – and wearier budget airlines – need is a travel bubble between the UK and Spain. Yet, this week it looks further away than ever. In this week’s episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and guest Hannah Dowling discuss the latest on why the UK is still refusing to open up to much of the EU and US, and what this means for the industry. The team also discusses the latest on the MAX’s electrical issues, which saw nearly a...
Published 05/19/21
It was another big week here on World of Aviation, with financial results, travel corridors and, of course, the latest Mars Helicopter update. On this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling give you the latest information on the status of Ingenuity, as NASA’s Mars-based rotorcraft hit its very first roadblock. The team also discusses the latest update on Europe’s travel corridors, ahead of the UK’s upcoming announcement of its border...
Published 05/04/21
This week saw NASA’s Mars Helicopter successfully complete its second flight test, while back on Earth, the FAA’s new drone regulations officially came into play. On this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling talk all things drones in light of the FAA’s newest regulations that will see humans begin to experience life in shared spaces with semi-autonomous drones. The team also discusses the latest update on NASA’s Mars Ingenuity Helicopter,...
Published 04/27/21
It’s one for the history books! In an exceptional feat of engineering, NASA has flown the first rotorcraft on the surface of another planet, with its solar-powered and remotely operated helicopter Ingenuity taking to the Martian skies for 39 seconds. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the history-making event, as well as Ryanair’s cheeky ploy to stop traditional airlines from being bailed out by European countries. ...
Published 04/22/21
This week saw a lot of discussion around the long-fabled industry pilot shortage, particularly in the US, as well as the emerging trend of international travel bubbles. In this episode of the World of Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporter Hannah Dowling discuss the current state of the perceived shortage and its short-term impact on the industry in light of Delta’s dramatic cancellation of 100 flights. The team follows it up with debate about United’s announcement to launch a...
Published 04/13/21