As the aviation sector enters an exciting new decade, Australian Aviation can today reveal a new-look team to support the ongoing development of the brand.
The expansion into aviation is the realisation of Momentum Media's strategic plan to build a suite of products across the aerospace and defence sectors. Phillip Tarrant, director - defence and aerospace.
Established in 1977, Australian Aviation has been instrumental in supporting the expansion of the aviation sector in Australia – and championing its capabilities globally.
The strengthened team arms Australian Aviation with the resourcing and talent to propel the brand into the future, backed by the capabilities and balance sheet of one of Australia’s leading media organisations, Momentum Media.
Momentum was revealed as the new custodian of the brand in early February 2020, acquiring the assets of Australian Aviation and World of Aviation from Aviator Media Pty Ltd.
Australian Aviation will be led by Momentum Media’s director – defence and aerospace, Phillip Tarrant, in conjunction with head of strategy – defence and aerospace, William Magee, supported by a highly-talented and passionate team of media and broadcast professionals.
The addition of the new aerospace vertical augments Momentum’s already strong suite of products in the interconnected defence and space sectors: Defence Connect and Space Connect. It also provides a bridgehead for the business to expand internationally.
According to Tarrant, the expansion into aviation is the realisation of a strategic plan to build a suite of products across the aerospace and defence sectors.
“The acquisition of these aviation assets puts us in a comprehensive position to deliver immense value to both the Australian and global aviation sectors as they enter a new decade that will be defined by speed and access to information to make more informed business decisions,” Tarrant said.
Australian Aviation has been the trusted source of market intelligence and situational awareness for Australia’s aviation sector for nearing five decades. Throughout the industry globally, it is considered the benchmark for long-form aviation journalism.
The brand spans the digital platform, which includes the leading website www.australianaviation.com.au; Australian Aviation podcast; substantive and influential social channels; as well as the best-selling 40+-year-old Australian Aviation magazine.
As part of the transaction, Momentum Media also acquired World of Aviation, a newer brand created in 2018 to support the global aviation industry, which is valued at $4 trillion annually, or 3.6% of global GDP.
Momentum is a leading market intelligence and information business for a range of industry sectors, including legal, professional and financial services, real estate, investment, retirement, wealth, defence, national security and space.
“Our initial strategy is to build out a new team to support the brand’s growth drawing on deep editorial relationships that have been developed over many years and inject our energies and efforts to amplify Australian Aviation’s current operations. We’ll then seek to expand based on our experiences in the other markets in which we operate,” Tarrant said.
“The defence, space and aviation industries are enormous and of immense value to Australia as well as globally. We’re excited by the opportunity to support stakeholders right across the aviation sector and quickly cement our position as the trusted source of information, market intelligence and situational awareness.”
The domestic aviation industry is valued at over $46 billion and adds an additional $18 billion to the Australian economy through enabling tourism, business and other trade.
The industry employs 93,000 people directly, servicing 60 million domestic passengers each year and 27 million inbound seats to Australia across 1,930 inbound weekly international flights. International scheduled freight traffic is estimated at over 1 million tonnes each year.
In transitioning the media brand to Momentum, director of Aviator Media Christian “Boo” Boucousis said there wasn’t a better custodian of Australian Aviation.
“Australian Aviation is in its ascendancy, driven by an aviation sector, both at home and abroad, in need of up-to-the-minute information and intelligence.
“Momentum is a forward-leaning organisation; it understands the disruptive effect of digital in today’s world. Rather than fighting this disruption, Momentum has embraced it and I’m impressed with their deep understanding of community,” Boucousis said.
“This deal brings high-quality information to the industry, with a focus on enhancing situational awareness across multiple platforms. It also delivers a meeting place to celebrate the successes and the people that also have a passion for aviation and I’m excited to see where Momentum will take things considering their established events business.”
Leveraging his deep understanding of aviation, and a decade serving the Royal Australian Air Force as a fast-jet pilot, Boucousis will continue to support Australian Aviation as an ambassador, co-host of the podcast and chief pilot.
“My passion for aviation is limitless; as a child I dreamed of flight and I’m very fortunate to have made aviation a lifelong career. After 15 years out of the cockpit, I’m looking forward to reconnecting ‘hands-on’ as a professional pilot,” he said.
“I have the utmost trust in Phillip and his team, and I’m excited to stay connected in a meaningful way with the brands on an ongoing basis. I‘ve read Australian Aviation all my life, so it’s been a real privilege to have steered these two brands over the last number of years.
“Under Momentum’s leadership, Australian Aviation will support the ongoing growth and development of the domestic aviation sector. The organisation’s strategic approach to delivering timely news and detailed insights will secure its place as a valued asset to the industry as it enters an exciting new decade of growth and development.”