Qantas and Virgin Australia are fighting over two rare and lucrative new landing slots for Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Meanwhile, four European airlines have gone bankrupt in a matter of weeks as this year's European summer draws to a close. Speaking of summer in Europe, you won't want to miss this fortnight's interview with Bronwyn Turner from Award Flight Assist as she explains how to redeem your frequent flyer points and find award availability from Australia to Europe during the peak European summer season.

 

Episode contents:

0:59 - Fortnightly news round-up
7:43 - The battle for Tokyo Haneda slots
14:07 - Why are so many European airlines going bankrupt?
17:57 - Interview with Bronwyn Turner on summer award travel to Europe

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions
Virgin Australia to Fly to Haneda, Partner with ANA
600,000 Stranded as Thomas Cook Collapses
Adria Airways Files for Bankruptcy
When is the Best Time to Book Award Flights? [Airline award seat release times]

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

LATAM Exit Leaves Huge Hole for Oneworld
Woolworths Rewards Boosts Qantas Points
First Look: Refurbished Qantas Airbus A380
Virgin Australia Increases Carrier Charges
Virgin Axes Samsung In-Flight Entertainment Tablets
Jetstar Abandons Regional New Zealand, China
Jetstar Adds Flights to Margaret River
The Trans-Tasman Airline Battle
New Beijing Daxing Airport Opens