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Chris Zappone

Chris Zappone

Chris Zappone is a senior reporter covering aviation and business. He is former digital foreign editor.

Qantas and Virgin said they won’t see a major impact from the refinery fire.

Geelong Viva refinery fire exposes fragility of Australia’s jet fuel supplies

The blaze comes after Qantas disclosed a $600-$800 million blowout in fuel costs, the latest carrier to flag an impact from the US-Israel war on Iran. 

  • Chris Zappone

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Airline apps.

Navigating turbulent times, airlines look to apps to keep travellers happy

Airlines now use AI-powered tools to explain flight delays and offer automatic rebooking for cancellations. Apps are becoming an increasingly important feature in improving their customer service.

  • Chris Zappone
A Qantas flight lands.

Fewer flights, $800m fuel blowout as Iran crisis hits Qantas

The airline’s surging fuel prices are hitting its profits, forcing it to trim domestic routes and step back investments.

  • Chris Zappone
The first Project Sunrise plane has rolled off the assembly line in France.

Qantas plane that can leapfrog Middle East rolls off assembly line

The new Airbus A350 is about to start its testing program in France – it could change the way Australians travel around the world.

  • Chris Zappone
An Etihad Airways A350.

Iran-US ceasefire fails to lower airfares – for now at least

If peace prevails in the Mideast, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad “will be very keen to motivate” passengers to venture back through the region, one travel expert said.

  • Chris Zappone
United will soon roll-out Wi-Fi for flights to and from Australia.

Zoom meetings at 35,000 feet: How superfast Wi-Fi is changing flying

United planes flying to and from Australia will begin featuring superfast internet later this year.

  • Chris Zappone
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Qantas is ramping up its schedule to tap into travellers’ scramble for flights to Europe amid the Iran war.

Qantas steps up flights to Europe as travellers scramble for options amid Iran war

The airline taps into strong demand for tickets after the war in the Middle East has led to thousands of flight cancellations by airlines using the Persian Gulf as a transit hub. 

  • Chris Zappone
A Jetstar flight in February.

Jetstar cuts Australia-New Zealand flights amid oil price shock

The airline said 12 per cent of scheduled services – including Auckland-Sydney and Auckland-Brisbane flights – have been cut, a move described as “temporary”.

  • Chris Zappone
A Delta Air Lines flight.

Sydney-bound Delta flight hit by extreme turbulence, crew members taken to hospital

A number of people have been injured on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to Sydney this morning.

  • Chris Zappone
Qantas business class lounge, Adelaide

Jetstar flyers booted from Qantas lounge in rule change

The change brings an end to the era of easy Qantas lounge access for customers of the low-cost carrier.

  • Chris Zappone