At Strategic Air, we provide trusted, authoritative aviation media expert services to national and international media outlets, government bodies, and organisations requiring accurate, timely commentary on aviation, aerospace, and safety-related issues. Backed by deep operational, regulatory, and academic expertise, our team delivers clear, credible insights when public understanding and accuracy matter most.
As respected aviation experts, we support journalists, producers, and editors with media-ready expertise that cuts through complexity, explains technical issues in plain language, and stands up to scrutiny.
For enquiries, contact us via our online form, call 1300 399 426, or email info@strategicair.com.au to speak with our aviation consulting experts.
For urgent matters please contact Dr Tony Stanton on WhatsApp +61 407 704 055 - 24/7.
What We Offer Media Networks
Dr Tony Stanton provides expert commentary, on-air interviews, guest analysis, and media-ready statements on aviation, space, and safety issues. We work directly with broadcasters, publishers, and producers to ensure fast access to reliable insight, even with minimal notice.
We are regularly engaged as both an aircraft media expert and aerospace media expert, supporting breaking news coverage, in-depth investigations, and expert panels across television, radio, print, and digital platforms. Our commentary is designed to be accurate, balanced, and accessible to both specialist and general audiences. We understand the pressures of live broadcasting and deadline-drive journalism, and we deliver concise, informed responses that can be relied upon in high-profile environments.
In addition to reactive media engagement, we also support proactive media planning for organisations operating in complex or high-risk aviation environments. This includes briefing journalists ahead of scheduled announcements, preparing expert commentary for anticipated regulatory or operational changes, and developing clear talking points that ensure consistency across media channels.
Our aviation media expert services help reduce misinformation, improve public understanding, and protect organisational credibility during sensitive or high-visibility events, particularly where safety, compliance, or public confidence are involved.
Live ON CNN
Experience You Can Trust
At the core of our aviation media expert service is Dr Tony Stanton, who possesses extensive experience in providing subject matter interviews for major media outlets worldwide. He has appeared live on-air numerous times with CNN International and other global networks, as well as radio and print media.
With senior experience as a former aviation regulator, airline-level pilot, flight examiner, and published academic, Dr Stanton is uniquely positioned as a leading aviation media expert. His ability to translate complex aviation and safety issues into clear, engaging commentary makes him a trusted voice during fast-moving news events.
Dr Stanton’s background includes senior executive roles within Australia’s aviation regulator, authorship of key regulatory materials, and the development of recognised academic models in compliance behaviour. This depth ensures our aerospace and aircraft media expert commentary is grounded in both real-world operations and regulatory insight.
Current Pilot & Examiner
Tony's aviation experience includes appointments as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Pilot, Chief Flying Instructor, Head of Operations, and Board Member.
Tony is a highly experienced pilot, holding the highest level of licence - an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Tony is a Flight Examiner, meaning he is authorised to conduct flight tests for pilot licences and ratings.
Former Safety Regulator
Tony was a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the Australian Aviation Regulator - the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). At CASA he held various senior roles, such as Senior Manager of Flight Standards (policy and regulations) and Senior Manager of National Operations and Strategy (national operational teams).
Published Academic
Dr Tony Stanton (PhD, MAvMgmt, PGDipMgmt, FAIM) holds a range of tertiary qualifications including; a Doctorate (PhD), a Master of Aviation Management Degree, a Post Graduate Diploma of Management, and two Certificate IV's in Workplace Training & Assessment. Tony has published academic journal articles, including establishing a psychological model known as the Compliance Behaviour Model.
Board Member
Tony serves as a Board Director of a major aeromedical and humanitarian aviation organisation, contributing governance oversight and strategic guidance to support critical care and retrieval aviation services. Drawing on extensive regulatory and operational aviation experience, he provides board-level insight on aviation safety, operational risk, and regulatory compliance.
Safety Expert
Tony is an experienced aviation safety expert with a strong background in operational risk, regulatory compliance, and safety assurance across complex aviation environments. He has worked extensively in the assessment of aviation operations, pilot standards, and organisational safety systems, with a focus on practical risk controls, human factors, and continuous improvement. His expertise enables him to provide clear, evidence-based advice that supports safe, compliant, and effective aviation operations.
Former Chief Pilot
Tony has served as a Chief Pilot in fixed wing operations, responsible for the safe and compliant conduct of flight operations, operational standards, and pilot supervision. In this role he oversaw flight crew training, operational procedures, and safety management systems while ensuring operations met regulatory and organisational requirements.
Latest Media
Dr Tony Stanton, was interviewed by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal in relation to Gulf aviation performance, regional airspace disruption, and the contrasting FY2025/26 results of Emirates and Qatar Airways. His commentary framed the issue through the lens of aviation resilience.
Analysis of the SQ321 airflow incident: Weather radar alone is insufficient; operators should adjust maintenance procedures. Link | Here |
Interviewed by Helen Regan regarding emerging information about the accident | Read Here |
Interviewed by Niraj Chokshi (NYT Aviation Writer) regarding how Emirates, Etihad and Qatar are managing operational chaos. | Read Here |
Interviewed by John Power regarding "UAE resumes limited flights amid travel chaos across Middle east". | Link - | Read Here |
Live on MMM Perth breakfast radio with Xav and Katie to talk about Australians 'stuck in the UAE' and flight disruptions.
Interviewed by Edward Robertson about "Why Middle East conflict could have lasting impact on travel and tourism". | Read Here |
Interviewed by Luca Ittimani regarding Middle East Airspace and the options of diversion and turning back.
Interviewed by Leighton Smith regarding "Townsville's international flight drought" and how to get international flights back to Townsville Airport. | Click Here |
Interviewed by Franscsca Street regarding the risks of being left stranded due to aviation fuel shortages.
Interviewed by Jason On on Australia's ABC 7:30 report regarding the airspace issues with the closure of Tehran OIIX airspace.
Interviewed by Francesca Street - The hole in the sky: How Middle East airspace closures are reshaping global aviation.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/02/travel/middle-east-airspace-closures-global-aviation-map
Tony was interviewed by Al Jazeera on the Airbus A320 issue, focusing on how avionics/software reliability can drive real-world disruption across large fleets. We discussed what “in-service” technical issues look like in a fly-by-wire aircraft, why operators may need inspections, procedural mitigations and staged software updates, and how risk is managed through redundancy, change control, and disciplined fault reporting while fixes are rolled out.
Tony spoke with ABC Radio about the Airbus A320 issue and the knock-on impacts for airlines and passengers. We unpacked what a modern “software problem” looks like in a fly-by-wire aircraft, why it can trigger inspections, operational restrictions and schedule disruption, and how manufacturers and regulators manage risk while fixes are rolled out. The discussion focused on practical aviation safety: layered redundancies, clear fault reporting, disciplined change control, and why “safety” and “reliability” are related—but not the same thing
Live on Air at 6pm with Denham Hitchcock and Georgie Tunny, Dr Tony Stanton provided independent expert analysis of the 4 November 2025 UPS Airlines Flight 2976 MD-11 crash at Louisville, examining the engine-separation event, associated loss of control and the broader lessons for cargo-jet safety oversight.
ABC News Interview - Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Frequency Inference (RFI) and the Russian attack on EU President Ursula von der Leyen's aircraft.
LIVE on air with Dareen from Aljazeera News to talk about the Air India Flight 171 Preliminary Report - How do B787 fuel cut-off switches work?
More explanation about how do B787 fuel cut-off switches work?
Dr Tony Stanton was interviewed by CNN Korea regarding the effect of the Iran - Israel conflict on air routes.
Dr Tony Stanton was interviewed live on air with CNN international only an hour after the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad.
Dr Tony Stanton was interviewed live regarding the closure of Heathrow Airport due to the fire outbreak in an electrical substation.
Regarding the tragedy in Washington, Dr Tony Stanton was interviewed numerous times, live on air, with CNN international regarding his expert opinions.
Whilst in Japan, Dr Tony Stanton was recently interviewed by News Corp regarding his expert opinion regarding the spate of aviation accidents in North America. His opinions were published in the Daily Telegraph which has a readership of 4 Million people per month.
CNN Anchors
Thank you Dr Stanton, your insight has been fascinating...
Brianna Keilar and Boris Sanchez
CNN Producer
Thanks so much for your time today. We really appreciate your time and expertise!Maeva Labbe-Maalouf
CNN Anchor
Thanks Dr Stanton. You have provided us with a really insightful perspective.Christina Macfarlane
Aljazeera News Producer
Tony, Thank you so much, we would love to have you back!
Mariia Kvantrishvili
CNN Producer
Thanks Tony! Great that was very helpful thank you! We love having you on!Jessie Jezewski
Media Networks We Have Worked With
Channel 10 News
Live with Denham Hitchcock and Georgie Tunny, Tony provided expert analysis of the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash at Louisville.
CNN International
LIVE on air numerous times. CNN International reaches more than 347 million households worldwide.
News Corp
Interviewed whilst in Japan by Network News, syndicating to state mastheads across News Corp.
Sky News
Perspective on the Minister's Media Release regarding the Western Sydney International Airport and Reciprocal Runway Operations for noise abatement.
Newsweek (USA)
Interviewed regarding the issues at Newark International Airport. Is is safe to fly?
ABC News Radio
LIVE on air. Breakfast radio. How do extreme weather events effect airlines and airports?
Aljazeera News
LIVE on air with Dareen from Aljazeera News to talk about the Air India Flight 171 Preliminary Report - How do B787 fuel cut-off switches work.
5AA Breakfast Radio
LIVE on air with Michael & Angie from Adelaide's 5AA Breakfast Radio to talk about how the B787 fuel cut-off switches work.
Daily Telegraph
An opinion - Is it safe to fly in America?