Airlines

Qantas unveils ‘Yes23’ livery for three planes, in support of Indigenous referendum

The national carrier today announced special livery on three Qantas Group aircraft in support of the Yes campaign ahead of the impending referendum for an Indigenous Voice in Parliament.

The Yes23 campaign logo will be featured on three aircraft, including a Qantas Boeing 737, a QantasLink Dash 8 Turboprop, and a Jetstar Airbus A320. The national carrier’s long-standing commitment to reconciliation and, more broadly, the idea of a “fair go” was preserved, according to Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who supported an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

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“Qantas has a long history of promoting reconciliation with First Nations people, starting with the inclusion of Aboriginal artwork in our in-flight magazine in the 1960s and on our aircraft starting in the 1990s, to our support for constitutional recognition in 2014, public endorsement of the Uluru Statement of the Heart in 2019, and First Nations employment and supplier commitments.

“We’re backing the Yes23 campaign because we think giving First Nations people a formal say in government will help bridge the gap in crucial spheres like health, education, and jobs. These aircraft will fly around the nation promoting a “Yes” vote, much as our Flying Art livery aircraft that showcase First Nations culture to a global audience.

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The Qantas Group is assisting the Yes23 campaign and the Uluru Dialogue teams with travel in addition to decorating three aircraft with the Yes livery so that they can interact with Australians in regional and remote areas before the referendum.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.