I would add going into the Pandemic we had two airlines, both...

I would add going into the Pandemic we had two airlines, both should have been profitable. One was doing OK and one was doing a bit better than surviving but had a bit of upside. The pandemic ended one and it went into receivership. The other was only a dozen weeks from running out of funds. The taxpayer paid plenty to both airlines and also to their employees, much like many other employees in the country. Yes there were some aviation specific handouts voted for by both sides of politics.

The governments also restricted severely how these businesses could operate for almost 3 years.

The insolvent one found a second white knight, apart from the government and is now set up for success and a future float but hell they took a big risk but had deep pockets to ride it through.

The other airline took a punt made some big calls and set itself up for future success. It is now reaping those rewards. It also, like most other businesses in its space, rightly took advantage of the laws of supply and demand whilst not breaking and competition laws. It has taken some leaps forward and strengthened itself. It says that airfares (not profits) will come back as supply is returned.

Both airlines are now making record margins and profits. I know Qantas will start to pay tax on those profits. I am not sure of Virgins carry forward loss position.

I really wonder what some of you capitalists on here think success looks like for these two companies in this space should have looked like.

Actually reading the comments above it looks like there are plenty of socialists on here on a share trading forum...go figure.