Plans for the building of the second airport in Sydney are underway. As a result, some 60,000 to 70,000 families may not be able to have their dream homes in the favored location. 

The Transport Department has looked into Wilton as the location and discussions with the Sydney Airport Corporation will be initiated soon. With the said site being considered for housing development, the impact of having an airport in this very same area will definitely have a huge effect on its potential residents. 

About five sites in and around the Wilton area are being considered for housing.  

Premier Barry O’ Farrell is said to be opposing the project, saying that a second airport facility in Canberra with high-speed rail link to Sydney should be better. 

Meanwhile, NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard suggested a rezoning of the Wilton sites so that the housing industry remains unaffected and development can begin by June. 

Housing projects in a neighboring area in Badgerys Creek have been abandoned because of politicking. The worry is that this rezoning on Wilton may arrive at the same results.  

The proposed rezoning may also raise problems with providing new infrastructure, considering the expansion will come at a rapid pace. 

Developers in major sites in the Wilton airport area include the Walker Corp, Lend Lease and Mir Group.

Mark Korda said that more than 350 employees of Air Australia were not compensated from December to February. Korda is the administrator of KordaMentha and one of Australia’s experts on business recovery. 

But this is not even half of it. Employees who made their contributions for top-up payments to their superannuation also lost their money. The total loss amounted to more than $1.3 million. 

And if that wasn’t enough, it looks like James will not be charged criminally. Korda said the compensation scheme of the Federal Government does not cover payments for superannuation. 

Korda said that James may owe its staff as much as $4 million in entitlements. 

Air Australia has suffered losses in the last few months. Shaun Aisen, the airline’s executive director, left the company in February 2011. With Aisen’s departure, Michael James assumes solo ownership of the company. 

A few months later, however, six more employees left the company, including those that hold critical positions like chief operating officer, commercial manager, and the chief executive. These employees left reportedly due to differences in opinions on James’ ability to fix the company after Aisen’s departure. 

On April 2011, the company announced that it would change its airline name and implement a rebranding campaign by the end of the year. By December 2011, it also added new service to Honolulu coming from Brisbane and Melbourne. 

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said the issue on the superannuation is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Taxation Office.

Reports showed that the credit card debts include hotel accommodations at $118,255, taxi fares at $2,432, food at $61,940, and more than $60,000 in parking, car rentals/repairs and fuel.

Russell was appointed by the Federal Government to head the aviation body. The body is in charge of different air operations like aviation rescue services, air traffic tower, among others. He earns close to $800,000 annually.

The aviation body is under Transport Minister Anthony Albanese’s responsibility. Levies from airlines using the country’s airports fund the aviation body. These, in turn, are carried by airlines passengers. The corporate credit card is also funded by passengers.

Credit card statements showed that Russell visited the Ottoman Cuisine restaurant more than 20 times, where he spent $21,355.

He also stayed in posh hotels like Cable Beach Club Resort, Hotel Sofitel, Grand Hyatt in Singapore, and Millenium Hotel in New Zealand. These accommodations were part of domestic and international conferences that Russel attended.

Airservices Australia, however, issued a statement stating that Russell’s use of the corporate credit card is justified. As an officer and representative of the aviation body, he travels internationally and meets with other aviation officials.

The statement further said that all purchases are thoroughly checked. The agency maintains that the charges made to the corporate credit card are all appropriate.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released a statement stating which airports in Australia are the best and the worst.

Sydney is judged the worst airport in Australia. It scored the lowest for service quality even though it improved almost six percent. Brisbane is judged the best airport, followed by Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

Passengers, border agencies and airlines were asked to rate the different airports. Size and availability of facilities were also taken into consideration.

It is also worthy to note that car parking prices have increased. Sydney and Melbourne charge the most at $15 an hour. For a 24-hour parking, the two airports charge as much as $52.

Brisbane, meanwhile, has the most expensive charge for seven-day parking at $140. Sydney costs $122 followed by Pert at $88, Melbourne at $77 and Adelaide at $70.

The report showed that airports continue to earn a profit from their operations. The industry remains resilient despite global financial challenges and calamities.

Statistics also indicated that passenger numbers are up in all airports. Sydney posted the highest passenger rate with more than 36 million. Melbourne follows with more than 28 million passengers. Brisbane posted 20 million, Perth at 11.5 million and Adelaide at 7 million.

Perth is showing promise as it continues to enjoy increasing passenger growth. Last year, it posted more than 9-percent growth.

The report of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was commission to monitor the performance of Australia airports. It also monitors cost, profits, prices, and service quality.