One of the world’s most respected aviation journalists, Geoffrey Thomas, has died in Perth aged 74 after a short illness, ending a career that spanned more than five decades and made him one of the most recognised commentators on aviation safety, airlines and aircraft technology.

Thomas was known to millions through television, radio, newspapers and, more recently, his widely followed YouTube channel, where he continued producing aviation analysis until days before his death. His final work included coverage of the renewed search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, a story he followed with unmatched persistence for more than a decade.

For Canberra audiences, Thomas was a familiar and trusted voice, frequently called upon to explain complex aviation incidents, airline developments and safety investigations. He maintained a close interest in the work of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and was a regular contributor to national media whenever major aviation events occurred.

Born with what colleagues described as an unquenchable passion for flight, Thomas became the aviation industry’s “go-to” commentator, combining deep technical knowledge with an ability to explain difficult concepts in plain language. His expertise was sought by media outlets across Australia and internationally, including CNN, the BBC, Sky News and Channel Seven’s Sunrise. He was a regular contributor to 2CC’s CityNews Sunday Roast program.

2CC and veteran radio broadcaster and journalist Rod Henshaw said: “I’ve had many on-air conversations with Geoff over many years. But the off-air engagements with him were a lot longer and often more revealing and insightful than what could go to air, obviously because of legal implications.

“He had a lot of inside stories which only saw light of day when they eventually appeared in official reports. In short, Geoff lived and breathed aviation and his contact book was endless.

“I rang Geoff a few weeks ago, not sure if he’d pick up because he and Christine were due to head off to Europe on holiday. He did answer to tell me he was in hospital in Perth and due to be released that day. He’d just undergone a double heart valve replacement. He said it was a lifesaving operation.

“His words have haunted me for the past few days: ‘I dodged a bullet’.

“Like the many thousands who either knew Geoff, or simply followed his work, I will miss him immensely and my heartfelt thoughts are with Christine and his family. To coin a phrase, he was the best friend I never met.”

Over his career he served as chief editor of the influential airline management publication Air Transport World, South-East Asian contributing editor for Aviation Week & Space Technology, aviation editor of The West Australian, editor-in-chief of AirlineRatings.com and founder of aviation website 42kft.com.

His work earned 47 national and international journalism awards, including multiple Aerospace Journalist of the Year honours, four Australasian Aviation Journalist of the Year awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Aeronautical Society in London in 2018. In 2020 he received an Outstanding Achievement Award for his reporting on the MH370 disappearance.

Away from journalism, Thomas was also an author, co-writing 17 books with his wife Christine and aviation colleagues. He lectured on aviation topics, appeared in documentary series and became a respected advocate for improving aviation safety and environmental performance.

Former ABC presenter and CityNews aviation writer Scott Mayman said he had known Thomas for nearly two decades after interviewing him regularly on radio.

“We clicked straight away because we had so much in common and our discussions were always a breeze,” Mayman said.

“He had a unique way of delivering information on aviation matters and was respected not just in Australia but around the world.”

Earlier this year, the pair spoke about Thomas’s renowned collection of aircraft models, which he was reluctantly beginning to downsize.

Tributes have flowed from across the aviation and travel industries, with colleagues remembering him as generous, approachable and endlessly enthusiastic about aviation. Luxury Escapes communications executive Amanda Bolger described him as “a true gentleman”.

Thomas died on June 3 surrounded by family and loved ones in Perth. He is survived by his wife Christine and family.

His funeral will be held at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, on June 17.