Here are the answers to the questions you've asked.

Is there any reason why Skyscanner leaves out Air Mauritius on their list? I All I get is the 'long way' to get to say Kenya via Doha, KL Dubai etc from Brisbane where I live. It's baffling when there's direct route from Perth. Nicky

Hi Nicky, that's a great question. We have taken a look and see what you mean. Skyscanner is a meta search engine meaning it searches over 1200 sites for you the user to find the best fares. It also has direct connections with the airlines however the airlines do not always update their changes for Skyscanner to see. We have a great relationship with Skyscanner and will take your finding to them.

How soon do you believe the industry will move to a 1 pilot cockpit? Will "AI" be used as the reason this will be pushed through? Tony

I doubt that the industry will ever move to a one-pilot or no-pilot cockpit. While it is technically possible passengers will not support it. Simple as that. However, cargo airlines may go for one pilot operation.

Why are the wheels of Russian military aircraft painted green, and why are the cockpits of such aircraft often a light turquoise color? Robert

Interesting question. Nobody seems to know why the wheel hubs a green but the cockpit colour relates to eye strain with green being softer on the eyes. Your next question is why don't all aircraft have the same green for the same reason and I am still researching for you.

Why is AirlineRatings promoting AirAsia when they have been selling tickets on many, many flights that are cancelled and giving people, many of whom have spent thousands of dollars, the run around for several years trying to get their money back? David

Our clear understanding is that all credits have been honoured or are about to be.

What do you think of the new Chinese airlines? Michael

What’s your thoughts on the Chinese built Comac C919 - could you see an Australian or western airline adding to their fleets in years to come? Philip

It appears to be ok with western engines and avionics. It is too early to say whether western airlines will add this aircraft to their fleet, certainly in the short term no.

Why do airlines refer to non-stop flights as direct? There is a clear difference from my experience. Ian

A non-stop flight is just that no stops and a direct flight is also direct to the destination. Airlines vary in how they term these flights but the general industry term is non-stop.

What are the minimum separation distances for passenger aircraft flying in Australia? Neville

In Australia, aircraft flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) in controlled airspace up to 29 000 ft (8800 m) must be separated by 1000 ft (305 m) vertically unless they are separated horizontally. Above 29 000 ft, the vertical separation increases to 2000 ft (610 m). When aircraft are separated vertically, horizontal separation can be reduced without compromising safety. In controlled en-route airspace, the horizontal separation standard between aircraft flying at the same altitude is 5 nm (9260 m). In terminal area airspace, the minimum separation is 3 nm (5500 m).

I would like to know how AirAsia can cancel my flight on March 16 and still not refund me by today June 13th ! What should I do about it? Al

Al, the airline industry is still struggling with a range of issues and it will be another 12 months before "normal" operations are achieved. Ticket refunds are a huge issue with no simple solution just yet.

Currently, Qantas won't use the international terminal at Perth airport and this is creating a problem for border services. I note Jetstar do for 2 flights a day so it can't be a labour issue. Sydney requires transfers from domestic to international terminals. Why can't Qantas do the same in Perth? I assume Qantas could then operate more flights from Perth, eg. Johannesburg, Djakarta, Paris and India. Ron

Great question Ron, and it is a very complex issue involving passenger processing charges, an agreement to move to the far side of the airport and also an agreement on an additional runway. I expect the very messy situation to be resolved by December.

With the PER to DPS route bring a busy, profitable route, why do Virgin Airlines not fly there? Ben

The simple answer is that while it is busy it is not profitable for full service Australian airlines with the much higher cost base than Indonesia AirAsia and Citilink. Even Garuda has pulled out as it cannot compete with its lower cost local rivals. Certainly from the Eastern States, which require longer range aircraft it is more viable for Australian airlines and Garuda to operate to DPS.

How often are aeroplanes serviced? Joseph

The age of the aircraft, the number of hours it’s flown, the number of take-offs and landings and requirements by aviation regulators determine when and what type of maintenance we do. There are four types of “checks” that cover hundreds of tasks – Line Maintenance, A Checks, C Checks and D Checks.

Line Maintenance

Inspecting wheels, brakes and oil and hydraulic levels are done during transit checks. Also any running repairs that the aircraft requires usually via thousands of on-board sensors. According to Qantas most aircraft receive about 12 hours of line maintenance per week.

A Check

Every eight to 10 weeks, a more comprehensive check is done of aircraft systems as prescribed by the manufacturer. A typical A Check on a 737 takes between six and 24 hours.

C Check

This happens every 18 months to two years (depending on type of aircraft) and takes about three weeks. 

The D Check

This check is performed every six years and the entire aircraft is basically dismantled and put back together. Everything in the cabin is taken out (seats, toilets, galleys, overhead bins) so engineers can inspect the metal skin of the aircraft, inside out. The engines are taken off. The landing gear is removed and overhauled with the aircraft supported on massive jacks.  All of the aircraft systems are taken apart, checked, repaired or replaced and reinstalled. Each D Check costs several million dollars and takes about three to six weeks.

However for newer types such as the 787 and Airbus A350 the D Check is required every 12 years

I am flying with British Airways next month to go to Vancouver can you let me know if they are good company? Theresa

They are a great company scoring 7/7 stars for safety on our airline safety ratings. They will also offer on board comforts such as meals, drinks, in flight entertainment, blankets and pillows

Considering the principles of Bernoulli's Theorem, how do fixed wing aircraft fly up-side-down....taking into consideration the specific profile of the wing design? Lance

Fighter aircraft and aerobatic aircraft can fly upside down because they are designed to do so. The design of a stunt or fighter plane's wings is different compared to those of conventional aircraft as they are designed to generate lift in both the normal and inverted flight positions. The shape, size, and angles of the wings, as well as their airfoils are all different. Not only do the wings play a key role in allowing them to fly upside down, but other factors like wing shape and air pressure also come into play. Another aspect is the thrust to weight ratio of these types of aircraft.