News
Media releases and aviation articles which communicate the views of the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) and the Australian Airline Pilots’ Association (AusALPA), of which AIPA is a cofounding partner, are available below. You can also catch up on the latest aviation industry news.
Journalists should contact AIPA’s media consultants, Horton Advisory by calling Charlie Moore on + 61 452 606 171 or Anil Lambert + 61 416 426 722.
AIPA’s Submission for Aviation Green Paper
AIPA has submitted a response to the Aviation Green Paper, expressing support for green goals while emphasizing the economic and connectivity role of aviation.
30 Nov 2023 |
Author: AIPA
Passengers reject single-pilot flights: new poll
A total of 89% of Australians would feel less safe boarding a flight with one pilot at the controls instead of two or more, according to a Redbridge Group poll of 1,022 Australian adults.
10 Nov 2023 |
Author: AIPA/Horton Advisory
AIPA Annual Report 2022-2023
FY23 marked the first full financial year of full time flying for most of our members.
02 Nov 2023 |
Author: Second Officer Glen Hunter, AIPA Treasurer
AIPA Statement Regarding the Qantas Chairman
The Board’s Chairman, Mr Richard Goyder has overseen what may well be one of the most damaging periods in Qantas’ history. It has included the illegal sacking of 1,700 workers which the Chairman continues to try and justify as a “sound commercial...
25 Sep 2023 |
Author: Captain Tony Lucas, AIPA President
AIPA Statement re The use of Drones
The impact of a collision between a drone and an aircraft has the potential to be catastrophic, and all opportunities to mitigate this risk must be explored by the regulator.
08 Aug 2023 |
Author: AIPA/Horton Advisory
'Qantas is outsourcing the Spirit of Australia'
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) is bitterly disappointed and frustrated by Qantas' decision to wet lease two Finnair aircraft. The Finnair aircraft will take Qantas passengers from Sydney to Singapore and Sydney to Bangkok...
19 May 2023 |
Author: AIPA
AIPA Media Release on Vanessa Hudson
“The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) wishes to congratulate Vanessa Hudson on her appointment as Qantas CEO from November.
02 May 2023 |
Author: AIPA
Jetstar JBIDS Update - 27 April '23
The proposed short-term improvements to JBID that have now been announced, based on the recent Jetstar pilot survey, with the aim to offer improvements to the bidding process as from the June roster period.
27 Apr 2023 |
Author: Jetstar AIPA Team
Op Ed for The Guardian on the return to flying
Qantas pilots love our airline and we love what it stands for. We are proud to be a part of the Spirit of Australia. Yet how Qantas treats its workforce when it comes to industrial relations is in marked contrast to the emotions of the “Spirit of...
05 Sep 2022 |
Author: Captain Tony Lucas, AIPA President
Tough restrictions on 'quarantine free' travel...
Victoria and NSW have wound back some of the restrictions on fully vaccinated overseas arrivals after an outcry over a week-long ban on visiting restaurants and bars.
02 Nov 2021 |
Author: Robyn Ironside for The Australian
Shopping Centres More Important than Aviation Safe
Australia’s Professional Pilots respond to the ATSB investigation update into the approval process for Bulla Road Precinct at Essendon Fields Airport
16 Sep 2020 |
Author: AusALPA
Airspace Protection Around Australian Airports
The legal basis of failed protections and the need for reform
16 Sep 2020 |
Author: AusALPA
QANTAS PILOT UNION BACKS COVID-19 TRACING APP
“Our pilots are out of work like hundreds of thousands of other workers and we all need to do everything we can to get back to our normal lives and get Australia working again.” Mark Sedgwick voices AIPA's support of the COVID-19 tracing app.
26 Apr 2020 |
Author: MediaNet
Qantas pilot warning as ULH flight vote looms
With voting on the offer expected to begin this week, fierce infighting erupted within the Australian and International Pilots Association as those advocating a “no” vote called a special general meeting on Friday. It follows emails to members from...
09 Mar 2020 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
Qantas 'threat' to pilots spurs progress in talks
Last week Qantas informed its pilots it was determined to push ahead with the flights from 2023 and if it could not get agreement on a pay deal by the end of March it would create a new employment entity to operate the services.
21 Feb 2020 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
Qantas issues ultimatum to force Project Sunrise
AIPA President Mark Sedgwick said the letter from Mr La Spina was “unfortunately characteristic of the long haul discussions”. “It shows how this business would apparently prefer ultimatums to building consensus at this critical juncture,”...
14 Feb 2020 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
Suspected Tail Strike and Speedy Flight Amid Storm
Qantas’ flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner service – QF10 from London Heathrow to Perth International Airport – returned to Heathrow on 9 February due to a suspected tail strike, while taking off in adverse weather conditions at the UK hub.
10 Feb 2020 |
Author: Chris Frame writer for the Australian Aviation
Qantas Update on Project Sunrise - 13 Dec 2019
Airbus A350 selected as preferred aircraft (no order placed) | Deadline for confirming delivery slots extended by one month | Regulatory support for ultra long haul routes, pending formal application | Discussions with pilots ongoing
13 Dec 2019 |
Author: © The Official News Room of Qantas Airways Limited
AIPA's Annual Report 2018-19
AIPA's Annual Report 2019
31 Oct 2019 |
Author: Glen Hunter, Treasurer
Qantas pilots urge 'significant caution'...
The union representing Qantas' international pilots says data collected on three test flights to assess potential non-stop services from New York and London to east-coast Australia will not be enough to fully understand the risk of pilot fatigue on...
17 Oct 2019 |
Author: Patrick Hatch
Qantas 747 gets second life
When one door closes another one opens. After a near 20-year career with Qantas, Boeing 747-400 VH-OJU will have a second life flying as a Rolls-Royce test aircraft...
16 Oct 2019 |
Author: Jordan Chong for the Australian Aviation
AIPA and Qantas Conduct Special Flights
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), representing pilots employed by the Qantas Group, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the airline to conduct three special flights to assess ultra long-range flying (ULR). The...
16 Oct 2019 |
Author: John Hill
IATA CEO says airline collapses show fragility...
This article, from Australian Aviation, highlights the fragility of the aviation industry. IATA CEO, Alexandre de Juniac shares his thoughts on this topic amid the recent collapse of UK-based Thomas Cook and two European airlines folding.
02 Oct 2019 |
Author: Australianaviation.com.au
AusALPA Response to CASA on Fatigue Report
AusALPA reply to CASA response on the independent report on fatigue rules
24 Sep 2019 |
Author: AusALPA
Challenges for Pilots in Ultra Long Range Flying
OpEd by Mark Sedgwick, AIPA President Qantas has been understandably enthusiastic about the airline’s non-stop flights between Perth and London, with bookings showing the 17-hour flights are very popular with passengers and highly profitable for...
06 Sep 2019 |
Author: Mark Sedgwick
Pilots keen for aviation policy certainty
When operating smoothly, the aviation industry largely remains outside the political limelight. This was certainly the case at the recent federal election.
07 Jun 2019 |
Author: Mark Sedgwick
AIPA Team at IFALPA 2019 Conference in Berlin
The 2019 IFALPA annual conference held in Berlin this year. AIPA was represented by our President and some of the Safety and Technical team, along with other AusALPA delegates flying the Safety and Technical flag for Australia.
30 Apr 2019 |
Author: AIPA Communications
Aviation industry losing appeal
Aviation should be an attractive industry for young Australians to join. And yet the number of Australians learning to fly continues to drop. Read the rest of Mark Sedgwick's article in The Australian here.
26 Apr 2019 |
Author: Mark Sedgwick
Amendments to the AIPA Rules
AIPA is undertaking a multi-stage approach to amending the AIPA Rules, read more about this here.
12 Apr 2019 |
Author: AIPA Legal
Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 737 Max crash findings
Australian and International Pilots Association President Mark Sedgwick said further investigation was needed but the preliminary crash report's findings were worrying. Read the rest of The Australian's Robyn Ironside's article here.
06 Apr 2019 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
Time to review Australia’s aviation safety regime
This is the unedited version of the article by Mark Sedgwick that was published in The Australian today. The version that appears on their website and in the paper was edited by their editorial team: 'Whenever an airliner accident happens, pilots...
29 Mar 2019 |
Author: Mark Sedgwick
AIPA submission to Proposed CAO 48.1 Instrument
AIPA President Mark Sedgwick has put in a submission to CASA’s proposed CAO 48.1 on behalf of the membership.
28 Feb 2019 |
Author: Mark Sedgwick
CASA 'ignores pilots' in fatigue trial
"No one knows fatigue like pilots - they live and work it every single day of their lives and we're best placed to inform the regulator on the actual effects oflong-range flying," Mr Sedgwick said. Read more from The Australian's Robyn Ironside.
22 Feb 2019 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
Qantas Trials New Fatigue System
Qantas has been given the go-ahead from the Civil Aviation Authority for a 12-month trial of a new fatigue risk management system.
15 Feb 2019 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
Pilots on long-haul flights fatigued, says report
One in four long-haul pilots gets less than five hours sleep the day before a commercial flight .... AIPA's Safety and Technical Director Shane Loney said the report’s findings were timely, with the CASA due to finalise new fatigue risk management...
23 Jan 2019 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, Aviation Writer for The Australian
AIPA & ATSB sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
On Friday 16 November 2018 the ATSB signed new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian and International Air Pilots Association (AIPA) and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP). Chief Commissioner Greg Hood signed for the...
30 Nov 2018 |
Author: AIPA Communications
AIPA Annual Report 2017-18
AIPA's Annual Report for the year 2017-2018
09 Oct 2018 |
Author: AIPA Communications
AusALPA reply to CASA's response on Fatigue Rules
In reply to the release of the CASA's response to the Independent Report on Australia’s Fatigue Rules, the Australian Air Line Pilots Association (AusALPA) has expressed disappointment in CASA’s ability to conduct itself as an Independent Regulator.
25 Sep 2018 |
Author: Murray Butt
CASA Response to CAO 48.1 Independent Review
The CASA Board commissioned an independent review of Australia's fatigue rules for operators and pilots in 2017, to provide an informed basis for CASA to continue with a reform of the rules.
21 Sep 2018 |
Author: CASA
Qantas switches NY flights from 747 to Dreamliner
The 747-400 will disappear from the route completely from December 1, with the 787-9 to operate on Brisbane-Los Angeles 11 times a week.
03 Sep 2018 |
Author: Australianaviation.com.au
AIPA responds to the 2018 Record Bonus
Following my Altitude Magazine Article on Friday, we did not have to wait long to see Qantas management’s intentions around rewarding employees for their efforts to achieve yet another record result.
27 Aug 2018 |
Author: Murray Butt, AIPA President
Next generation aircraft under evaluation
Qantas says next generation aircraft such as the Embraer E2 and Airbus A220 plus Boeing’s proposed new mid-market airplane (NMA) are under evaluation as part of a fleet renewal program that is focused on “maintaining competitiveness of technology”.
23 Aug 2018 |
Author: Jordan Chong for Australian Aviation
The 747 Clocks up 47 years in the Qantas fleet
Qantas took delivery of its first Boeing 747 on August 16 1971, which means the type has been in the airline’s fleet for 47 years.
16 Aug 2018 |
Author: Australianaviation.com.au
NASA app gives Qantas pilots fatigue test
Australian and International Pilots Association president Murray Butt said airlines had been left to self-manage fatigue, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority yet to enforce new fatigue risk management guidelines.
10 Aug 2018 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, The Australian
Qantas pilots reject plan to hire foreign pilots
MEDIA RELEASE: The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) does not agree that the purported pilot shortage in Australia is sufficient to warrant an agreement struck between Qantas and the Federal Government to relax restrictions on...
08 Aug 2018 |
Author: AIPA
Risks attached to ‘two in the cockpit rule'
Australian International Pilots Association president Murray Butt said the rule’s introduction was an overreaction and the organisation welcomed CASA’s recommendation. “The rule was introduced without any analysis of the risk factors of having a...
03 Aug 2018 |
Author: Robyn Ironside, The Australian Business Review
JETSTAR SAYS A321LR TO OPEN UP POTENTIAL NEW ROUTE
Jetstar group chief executive Gareth Evans says there are a number of potential new routes that could be opened up with the addition of the Airbus A321LR to the fleet in two years time.
01 Aug 2018 |
Author: Australianaviation.com.au
Network brings the A320 to Qantas
A new flying kangaroo has taken to the skies with Qantas-branded Airbus A320s commencing services in Western Australia in April. Sourced from fellow Qantas Group subsidiary Jetstar, the aircraft are flown by Network Aviation under the QantasLink...
29 Jul 2018 |
Author: Chris Frame for Australian Aviation
Qantas plans Darwin to Hong Kong freighter service
Qantas plans to operate a once-weekly freighter service from Darwin to Hong Kong that can transport fresh produce from Australia’s Top End to Asia’s supermarket shelves and dining tables.
25 Jul 2018 |
Author: australianaviation.com.au
Qantas names HK as 787-9’s first Asian route
Qantas has scheduled Hong Kong as the first Asian destination with its Boeing 787-9 fleet, with flights to the Special Administrative Region to begin in mid-December.
24 Jul 2018 |
Author: australianaviation.com.au
Pilots in for the long haul on fatigue as CASA seeks input
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority should “urgently” outline rules on crew composition and rest requirements specific to ultra-long range flights, the Australian and International Pilots Association has declared.
20 Apr 2018 |
Author: Annabel Hepworth, The Australian
SBAS Position Paper - Benefits to Aviation
This paper outlines AusALPA's position on SBAS in Australia and its benefits to aviation.
28 Feb 2018 |
Author: AusALPA
Senate ignores pilots to screen ground crews
The government has passed on a call by unions, pilots and terrorism experts to require airside staff — including baggage handlers, caterers and cleaners — to go through the same personal and baggage security screening as air crew and passengers. ...
11 Aug 2017 |
Author: Ean Higgins, The Australian
Terror plots sets course for security overhaul
Australian Airline Pilot’s Association (AusALPA) Safety and Technical Director Shane Loney said while increased security and restrictions have been part of international flight procedure for some time, domestic flights remained vulnerable. “The...
07 Aug 2017 |
Author: Farrah Plummer, Fairfax
Pilots worried about aircraft security
The Australian Airline Pilots Association is questioning why its 5000 members are subjected to stricter screening than others with aircraft access, including baggage handlers, cleaners and catering staff. "It's an inconsistency that needs to be...
04 Aug 2017 |
Author: Dan McCulloch, Australian Associated Press
Pilots call for additional airport security
Australia’s airline pilots are calling for changes to airport security to bring our aviation security regime up to world’s best practice. Australian Airline Pilots’ Association (AusALPA) president, Captain Murray Butt said while airline crews,...
02 Aug 2017 |
Author: AIPA Press Release
CASA extends deadline to review fatigue rules
The aviation regulator is delaying its deadline for compliance with new pilot flight and duty time limits for the second time in 14 months, instead holding an independent review into the necessity of the rule changes. The Civil Aviation Safety...
17 Oct 2016 |
Author: Michell Bingemann, The Australian
AusALPA Media Release Re CAO 48.1 Delay
AusALPA Media Release CAO 48.1 Delay
17 Oct 2016 |
Author: AusALPA