Visitors to Alice Springs, a town in Australia's red centre, have been greeted by an unusual sight since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The town is also now the temporary home of Singapore Airlines A380s, Cathay Pacific 777s, and many other airliners grounded by the pandemic. In total, there are now around 150 planes parked beside Alice Springs Airport at the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage (APAS) facility, which takes advantage of Alice Springs' ideal climate for long-term aircraft storage. This episode takes a deep dive into what's been dubbed the Alice Springs "plane graveyard".

Also in this episode, Rex begins Boeing 737 services connecting Australia's capital cities. What's the Rex in-flight experience like, and does the new entrant have what it takes to reshape Australia's domestic aviation market?

And Matt explains what Australian Consumer Law says about your legal right to a refund if an airline cancels your flight in Australia.

 

Episode contents:

1:05 - Fortnightly news round-up
13:47 - The Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage (APAS) facility at Alice Springs
24:28 - Rex begins Boeing 737 flights between Australian capital cities
28:26 - Virgin Australia's new Adelaide lounge
29:57 - Are you legally entitled to a refund for cancelled flights?

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions
Entrepreneur builds an aircraft ‘boneyard’ in centre of Australia (Financial Times article)
Inside the abandoned rotting Thomas Cook planes that were so mouldy they had to be torn apart (The Sun article)
Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions webinar - "New Opportunities to Buy Airline Miles in 2021", at 8pm on 24 March 2021

 

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

Rex Melbourne-Sydney 737 Flights Start
Rex to Launch Boeing 737 Flights to Adelaide & Gold Coast
Rex Shakes Up Regional Network in Response to Qantas “Predatory Moves”
Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Has Begun
Australia Extends Outbound Travel Ban Until 17 June 2021
Qantas Now Plans to Restart International Flights in October 2021
Qantas Wine Sales Boomed During COVID-19 Lockdowns
Virgin Australia Opens New Lounge in Adelaide
Get 30% off Qantas Sydney-Melbourne Reward Flights [March 2021]
Qantas Launches “Mystery Flight” Adventures