Virgin Australia suspends Doha flight until mid-June

All of Virgin Australia’s wet-leased Qatar Airways services to Doha have been cancelled for at least the next two months.

Virgin Australia flights VA1 through VA22, including services from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, are cancelled up to and including the 15th of June as Qatar Airways continues to operate a limited schedule amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Doha services, operated by Qatar Airways 777-300ERs, normally fly 28 times per week and were intended as a way for Virgin to test the waters for a return to long-haul travel. According to Virgin’s website, “affected guests are being contacted directly, and where possible, alternative flights are being provided”.

“Qatar Airways is gradually increasing flights to and from Doha through dedicated flight corridors established in coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority,” the airline said.

“Qatar Airways is posting updates on its website. Anyone planning to travel to the region should check the Australian government’s Smartraveller website for the latest travel advice.

“For guests booked on Virgin Australia’s Doha services with original travel dates up to and including the 15th of June 2026, where an alternative provided flight is unsuitable, we are offering free booking changes to the same destination for travel up to the 31st of October 2026, or a travel credit or refund.”

Qatar Airways is currently operating Australia services only to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with Brisbane to recommence on the 16th of May as it gradually rebuilds its destination network.

17-Year-old pilot flies around Australia for Little Wings

A 17-year-old Melbourne pilot will fly solo around Australia in support of Little Wings.

Melbourne student Rose departed Essendon Airport on Easter Monday to begin a solo circumnavigation of Australia in a Cessna 172, raising awareness and funds for Little Wings, a volunteer-led charity providing free, professional air and ground transport for seriously ill children across regional NSW, ACT and QLD.

Rose will fly more than 15,000 kilometers, landing at 26 airports and touching down around the Australian coastline, attempting to set a Guinness World Record as the youngest female pilot to complete the journey in a General Aviation Aircraft, demonstrating that age and gender are no barriers to achieving bold dreams.

Throughout her journey, Rose will document her progress on Instagram at@pilotrose.au, sharing daily flight logs, weather and visibility updates, safety checks, and reflections from the cockpit. A short introduction video is also available on YouTube for media use.

Rose says her motivation is simple "Little Wings helps families when they need it most. If my endeavor can shine a light on the work they do and help raise funds so more kids can get to the care they need, then every hour planning and in the air is worth it."

Flying under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions, Rose will make all decisions based on safety, visibility, and weather windows. Her journey includes daily pre-flight checks, strict weather assessments, and planned stops at regional airports across the country to inspire supporters, sponsors and other young pilots.

I’m thrilled to share that Rose flew right over my house yesterday on her way from Tamworth to Archerfield.

INTERAIR CESSNA 172M SKYHAWK VH-DWE (MSN 17264267) 52 YEARS

Airports Rose will be flying into 

NEW SOUTH WALES
Bankstown
Tamworth

QUEENSLAND
Archerfield
Caloundra
Shute Harbour
Tully
Cooktown
Horn island
Karrumba
Hells gate

NORTHERN TERRITORY
Daly waters
Darwin

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Kununurra
Broome
Karratha
Coral bay
Geraldton
Jandakot
Esperance

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Forrest
Ceduna

Parafeild

VICTORIA
Warnambool

Mallacoota

Essendon

TASMANIA
Hobart

If you’d like to donate to Little Wings or support Rose in reaching her goal, the links are provided below.

Little Wings | Children's Charity Australia

GiveNow - Pilot Rose - Fundraising Mission For Little Wings

Looking back on the Algerian Air Force crash

On the 11th of April 2018, an Ilyushin Il-76 military transport aircraft belonging to the Algerian Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff from Boufarik Air Base (DAAK), heading to Tindouf Airport (TIN/DAOF). The crash occurred near Boufarik, Algeria, close to Blida and southwest of Algiers. All 257 individuals on board perished, marking this event as the deadliest aviation disaster on Algerian soil.

The aircraft went down at 07:50 local time (06:50 UTC), just outside Boufarik Airport's perimeter, from where it had taken off. Before the crash, witnesses observed the aircraft's wing on fire. The plane was en route to Tindouf Airport, with a scheduled stop at Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport in Béchar. The crash claimed the lives of all 10 crew members and 247 passengers, including 176 members of the Algerian People's National Army, many of whom were accompanied by family members.


Aircraft Information:
Airline: Algerian Air Force
Aircraft: Ilyushin Il-76TD
Registration: 7T-WIV
Serial Number: 1043419649
Engines: Aviadvigatel PS-90A-76

Thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends as they remember loved ones today 

Man arrested after inappropriately touching a female flight attendant.

A video capturing a passenger being handcuffed and escorted off a Malaysia Airlines flight has gone viral, following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a female cabin crew member.

Videos shared across social media show airport security and police boarding the aircraft before removing a man, reportedly from China, while fellow passengers watch in shock. According to descriptions accompanying the clips, the man is accused of inappropriately touching a female flight attendant.

In the footage, he appears to resist as authorities escort him off the plane, while other passengers remain seated during the incident. Some social media posts also allege that the man made comments referencing “China-Malaysia relations” during the confrontation. However, the context and accuracy of these claims have not been independently verified.

At this stage, neither Malaysia Airlines nor relevant authorities have issued an official statement confirming the details of the incident.

The incident is believed to have taken place on the 8th of April.

747 heaven at Brisbane airport inc Cathay retro

Yesterday was an incredible day for plane spotting in Brisbane. I started the morning taking photos from home, and later in the afternoon, my wife, daughter, and I headed to the airport to witness not one, not two, but three 747 jumbo jets arriving. Two plain white Boeing 747s from Terra Avia, arriving from Hong Kong, landed about 15 minutes apart around sunset. Then, the Cathay Pacific 747, sporting its green retro livery, arrived from Melbourne, running 30 minutes late and touching down at 7:33 pm. This was the first visit to Brisbane in this livery.

Another highlight of the day was seeing the Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 in the All Blacks’ colour scheme fly over our home, and later at the airport, watching the All Blacks A321 arrive.

CONAIR AVRO RJ85 C-GVFK (MSN E2268) 30 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZE (MSN 34334) 
NZ145 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 11 YEARS

CESSNA 172N SKYHAWK VH-CEO (MSN 17270363) 48 YEARS

CESSNA 404 TITAN VH-LAD (MSN 404-0224) 48 YEARS

ROBINSON R44 VH-HYI (MSN 2570) 7 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 100 VH-UQN (MSN 11361)

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHU (MSN 469)
SQ265 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNH (MSN 36241)
QF126 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

LINK AIRWAYS SAAB 340B VH-VEP (MSN 340B-377)
LR661 OFF TO TAMWORTH (TMW) 30 YEARS

TERRA AVIA BOEING 747-444 ER-BYK (MSN 25152)
T84714 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 34 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-XVB (MSN 1900058)
QF1933 ARRIVING FROM EMERALD (EMB) 19 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271 ZK-NNA (MSN 8596)
NZ271 ARRIVING FROM WELLING TON (WLG) 7 YEARS

TERRA AVIA BOEING 747-409 ER-BAS (MSN 24311)
T84712 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 34 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-XSJ (MSN 5482)
JQ635 OFF TO AVALON (AVV) 13 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OYQ (MSN 12020)
JQ965 ARRIVING FROM PERTH (PER) 1 YEAR

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNB (MSN 8542)
NZ147 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UZQ (19000211)
QF358 ARRIVING FROM HONIARA (HIR) 18 YEARS

ALLIANCE FOKKER 100 VH-FGB (MSN 11446) 33 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YIG (MSN 38711)
VA1026 ARRIVING FROM ALICE SPRINGS (ASP) 13 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHA (254)
SQ245 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 7 YEARS

CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 747-867 B-LJE (MSN 39242)
CX028 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 14 YEARS

The hijacking of Fedex 705

FEDERAL EXPRESS McDONNELL DOUGLAS MD11 N602FE (MSN 48402)

 

On the 7th of April 1994, Federal Express Flight 705, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 cargo aircraft, was involved in a hijacking attempt by Auburn R. Calloway, a Federal Express employee. Facing potential dismissal for falsifying his flight hours, he boarded the flight from Memphis, Tennessee (MEM/KMEM) to San Jose, California (SJC/KSJC) with a guitar case hiding hammers and a speargun.

He attempted to disable the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) before takeoff and, once in the air, tried to murder the crew with hammers to stage the incident as an accident. However, the CVR was reactivated by the flight engineer who thought he had forgotten to turn it on.

Calloway's plan was to crash the plane, making it seem like an accident, so his family could claim a $2.5 million life insurance policy from Federal Express. His attempt to incapacitate the crew failed; despite their severe injuries, they overpowered him and safely landed the plane.

At his trial, prosecutors contended that Calloway aimed to commit suicide. His defense claimed insanity, but he was convicted on multiple counts, including attempted murder and aircraft piracy, and received two life sentences without the possibility of parole. Calloway managed to overturn the interference conviction on appeal, as it was considered a lesser included offense of the piracy charge, but his life sentence remained intact.

The Flight 705 crew endured the assault but sustained serious injuries. First Officer Tucker's skull was gravely fractured on the left side, impairing motor function in his right arm and leg. Additionally, Tucker's jaw was dislocated by Calloway, who also tried to gouge out one of his eyes and stabbed his right arm. Captain Sanders received multiple deep lacerations on his head, necessitating surgical reattachment of his right ear. Flight Engineer Peterson suffered a fractured skull and a cut temporal artery. 

The aircraft sustained damages amounting to $800,000.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Federal Express

Code: FX/FDX

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F

Registration: N306FE

Serial Number: 48287

Engines: 3 x CF6-6K

First Flew: 28th November 1985

Age: 38.5 Years

Hundreds abandoned across Australia as passengers face flight delays and cancellations

This would be every traveler’s worst nightmare, and having it happen on Easter Sunday would make it even more frustrating.

Australia’s aviation scene faced major chaos yesterday, with hundreds of passengers left stranded or dealing with very long delays. Key domestic and international airports like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide saw a total of 168 flight delays and 23 cancellations.
The operational challenges were felt across the board, with primary carriers such as Qantas and Jetstar, alongside regional and charter operators like Alliance Airlines and Network Aviation, being impacted by the logistical turmoil.

For many travelers, what was meant to be a simple trip across Australia turned into a test of patience as schedules were reshuffled. The disruption hit the country’s main gateways in different ways, with each location experiencing its own level of impact. Here’s a quick look at how each major hub was affected:

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
Sydney saw the most disruption, with 11 flights cancelled outright and an incredible 57 delays, making it the hardest-hit terminal in the country.

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) 

Victorian infrastructure faced heavy strain as 7 flights were cancelled at the Melbourne hub. On top of that, 53 services were delayed, leaving hundreds of passengers dealing with a frustrating and chaotic flight board.

Brisbane Airport 

Though not as heavily affected as cities further south, Brisbane still encountered some operational challenges. There were 2 flight cancellations and 20 delays, all handled by ground staff over the course of the day.

Perth Airport  

Perth had two flights taken off the schedule, causing a ripple effect that led to 22 delays, affecting both interstate travelers and those depending on regional connections.

Adelaide Airport 

The disruption reached South Australia, with Adelaide seeing one flight cancellation. Operations were further slowed by 16 delays, adding to the nationwide total of 168 delayed flights.

When such widespread disruption occurs across Australia, the long-term sentiment of both domestic and international tourists is often brought into question reliability is considered a cornerstone of the travel industry and the concentration of 23 cancellations in a single day may lead to a temporary softening of consumer confidence.