Celebrating Eiffel Tower Day

Something a little different from planes today. Today we celebrate the Eiffel Tower.

My wife and I have been to Paris and below are some of the photos we took.

Eiffel Tower Day is celebrated on the 31st of March to commemorate the inaugural anniversary of the Eiffel Tower. Unveiled to the world on this day 1889, this iconic monument has withstood the test of time and remains one of the most remarkable wonders of the world. Standing at 1,063 feet, the Eiffel Tower overlooks the city of Paris and symbolizes the triumph of modern engineering and western civilization.

Being one of the most recognizable monuments of the world, Eiffel Tower Day is a day of celebration for millions of people. From all over the world, people come together to raise a toast to this architectural masterpiece.

As the country completed a century of the French Revolution, the government of France planned an international fair to display the industrial advancement of the 19th century. A design competition was held in central Paris and more than 100 artists turned in their ideas.

Among the contributors was Gustave Eiffel, who proposed an open-lattice iron tower that would be higher than 1,000 feet. With a loaded resume that included the Statue of Liberty, he was able to convince the Centennial Committee that this unimaginable feat was possible. The contract for building the tower was handed to him in 1887.

Countering years of skepticism, criticism, and even protests, he began working on the project on January 28, 1887. In the short span of two years, two months, and five days he completed the tower and presented it to the French government for exposition. The rest is history.

Gustave’s vision breathed new life onto the streets of Paris and transformed it into the city of love as we know it, although that wasn’t the intention. In his own words, he wanted the tower to be a symbol of the “great scientific movement of the eighteenth century and the Revolution of 1789.”

Today, the tower sits at the heart of Europe and is visited by millions of visitors every year. Since 2000, the golden grandeur of the tower has been complemented with 20,000 6W bulbs, flashed on and off in quick succession for five minutes every hour from 7 pm to midnight. 

Unique facts about the Eiffel Tower include:

Construction: 

The Eiffel Tower began construction on the 28th of January in 1887.
It was completed on the 15th of March in 1889.

It was completed in just two years, two months, and five days.

Materials: 

It used 7,300 tons of iron and 2.5 million rivets.

Design: 

The tower stands on four lattice-girder piers that taper inward and join to form a single large vertical tower.

Romantic spot: 

It is considered one of the most romantic spots in the world, and we can vouch for that.

Lighting: 

Over 20,000 light bulbs illuminate the Eiffel Tower each night.

Canadian Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation join forces

Porter Airlines (P3/PTR) has announced a new strategic partnership with regional airline Pascan Aviation (P6/PSC) to enhance access to air travel across Eastern Canada.

The agreement, revealed on the 26th of March 2025, aims to expand travel options for passengers by connecting Porter’s extensive North American network with Pascan’s regional services in Québec and the Maritimes. This collaboration is designed to offer seamless connections and increase regional connectivity across Canada.

The partnership between Porter Airlines and Pascan will allow for year-round connections on cross-continental routes such as Vancouver to Sydney Nova Scotia, and Orlando to Saint John, New Brunswick. Other key routes include Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, to Bonaventure, Quebec, and Gaspe, Quebec, to Timmins, Ontario.

The primary connecting airports for interline connections will be Halifax-Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Québec City-Jean Lesage International Airport (YBQ), with other hubs offering secondary connection options.

As part of this partnership, passengers will have access to more than 90 connecting routes, allowing for easier and more convenient travel between Pascan’s destinations in Eastern Canada and Porter’s extensive network across North America.

Pascan Aviation was established in 1999, it is a regional carrier based in Longueuil, Quebec, with its operational base at Montreal-Metropolitan Airport. The airline operates scheduled flights within Quebec and the Atlantic region of Canada, alongside charter services. 

Pascan currently maintains a fleet of BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft and Saab SF340B turboprops.

Porter Airlines was established in February 2006 and began operations in October 2006. It is a Canadian airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Toronto. Owned by Porter Aviation Holdings, formerly known as REGCO Holdings Inc., Porter operates regularly scheduled flights from its bases in Eastern Canada, primarily Ottawa, Toronto–Billy Bishop and Toronto–Pearson airports, to locations across North America using a fleet of De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 turboprop and Embraer 195-E2 jet aircraft. It is the third largest airline in Canada, behind Air Canada and WestJet.

Citilink Airlines cancels all flights between Perth & Bali indefinitely

Citilink Airline has permanently cancelled all flights between Perth (PER/YPPH) and Bali (DPS/WADD) for the remainder of 2025 and will revisit the route in the new year.

Anyone who booked their flights directly through Citilink have been notified or will be notified. Passengers who booked through a third party will be notified soon, once Citilink formally advises all travel agents of the cancellation of the route.

Citilink, an Indonesian low-cost airline headquartered in Jakarta, stopped flying to Perth early March, and first only suspended the flights until May.

As a Jakarta-based budget airline, Citilink has long been a key player in regional air travel. Originally established in 2001 as a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, the airline has expanded its reach across domestic and international markets. However, the decision to discontinue the Perth-Bali service reflects shifting operational priorities.

With this route no longer available, passengers will need to explore other airlines for travel between Perth and Bali. 

Citilink Airlines can be contacted on 1300 781 747 and refund details are at citilink.co.id/en/refund.

Plane crashes during aerial display at Avalon Airshow

A pilot has been seriously injured after his plane crashed into the ground while performing an aerial demonstration at the Avalon Australian International Airshow south-west of Melbourne.

Footage from the event late on Friday afternoon shows the plane appear to lose control before it loops around and dives towards the tarmac, Shocked spectators jump to their feet as it hits the ground amid plumes of dust and smoke.

Images show the crumpled orange plane from the Paul Bennet Aerobatics team surrounded by fire rescue vehicles and ambulances while patrons watched on from behind barricades.

The events had been cancelled for the rest of the day, according to signage at the airport.

Victoria Police said in a statement that officers had responded to the crash.

'Emergency services were called to reports the plane, which was conducting a demonstration during an airshow, had lost control and crashed into the tarmac about 5.15pm," police said.

"The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft sustained serious injuries. Reports coming in say the pilot was saved by the fact the plane was almost on its belly when it met the ground.

"The incident occurred a significant distance away from spectators and there have been no reports of further injuries.

Aircraft Information 

Owner / Operator: Paul Bennet Aerobatics 

Aircraft: Wolf Pitts S1-11X

Registration: VH-PVX

Serial Number: UB001

First Flew: 2010

Age: 15 Yrs 

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and we wish him a speedy recovery. 

Woman drowns dog in airport bathroom

The below story may offend or upset some people, (including me) so I do apologise in advance.

A woman has drowned her dog in an airport bathroom after an airline denied her from boarding with the dog. The 57-year-old woman was arrested on the 23rd of March after allegedly drowning her dog in an airport bathroom when she was unable to bring the pet on her flight. 

Alison Lawrence had arrived at Orlando International Airport on the 16th of December intending to travel to Colombia. However, her airline, LATAM Airlines, required specific paperwork for her 9-year-old white schnauzer, Tywinn, to travel with her on the plane, which she did not have.

Unable to board with her dog, she later entered an airport restroom, where tragic events unfolded. A janitor at the airport discovered Lawrence inside a handicapped stall, cleaning up a large amount of water and dog food. After stepping away for another cleaning duty, the worker later returned to find the mess had been cleared, but a heavy trash bag was hanging on the stall's wall. 

According to the arrest affidavit, inside the bag was a mixture of trash, a dead dog, and a collar bearing Lawrence's name and phone number. An autopsy later confirmed that Tywinn had been drowned, as the dog's body was still wet from the head to the front legs when it was found.

Following the incident, Lawrence successfully left Orlando and traveled to Colombia before continuing to Ecuador. The affidavit does not detail how or when she returned to the United States, but authorities arrested her in Lake County, Florida, on Tuesday. She was later released after posting a $5,000 US bail. Lawrence, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, now faces charges of aggravated animal abuse, according to inmate records.

Laws around aggravated animal abuse in the USA change from state to state.

Examples of state laws I could find in the US are:

• Pennsylvania: Aggravated cruelty, which occurs when a person kills, maims, or disfigures an animal, is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to seven years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine.
• 
  
• Florida: Aggravated animal cruelty is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

• Oregon: Aggravated animal abuse in the first degree is a Class C felony.

• Maryland: Aggravated animal cruelty is a felony with a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison.

• Tennessee: Aggravated cruelty to animals is a Class E felony.

Should you pay more for an aircraft ticket if you are overweight

A debate is emerging and gaining support over whether airlines should implement weight-based pricing, a model that would charge passengers according to their weight in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

The discussion aligns with a broader trend in the airline industry, where U.S.carriers introduced checked baggage fees in 2008, beginning with American Airlines, a practice that has since become standard. While Samoa Air's 2013 attempt at a weight-based fare structure did not gain traction, Finnair recently conducted a three-month voluntary data collection initiative, recording passengers' weight alongside their carry-on luggage.

A separate study of over a 1,000 U.S. adults assessed public sentiment toward three pricing models: the current standard fare with a luggage limit, a "weight threshold" model that imposes extra charges on passengers over 160 pounds (72 kilo), and a "body weight" model where pricing is based on individual weight.

Lighter passengers expressed greater support for weight-based fees, whereas heavier passengers favored the current system, though nearly half of the latter group remained open to adjustments.

Support for weight-based pricing was also higher among younger travelers, frequent flyers, and individuals with higher incomes.

KLM / Pam Am disaster - 48 years on

KLM BOEING 747-406 PH-BFT (MSN 28459)

 

On the 27th of March 1977, 48 years ago today, two Boeing 747 passenger jets, KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736, collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport on the Spanish island of Tenerife, killing 583 people, and making it the deadliest accident in aviation history. 61 passengers survived the accident. KLM had 248 POB (234 Pax and 14 crew) Pan Am had 396 POB (380 Pax and 16 crew, 335 Pax died 61 survived). At 12:30pm a bomb explodes in the Las Palmas passenger terminal. Because of warnings of a possible second bomb, the airport was closed. 

A large number of flights were diverted to Tenerife. Like KLM Flight 4805 from Amsterdam and PanAm Flight 1736 from Los Angeles and New York. Las Palmas Airport re-opened to traffic again at 15:00. Because the PanAm passengers remained on aboard it was possible to leave Tenerife at once. The taxiways were congested by other aircraft, however. This meant the PanAm crew had to backtrack on runway 12 for take-off on runway 30. The entrance to runway 12 however, was blocked by the KLM Boeing. The PanAm flight had to wait for almost 2 hours before all KLM passengers had reboarded and refueling had taken place. The KLM flight was then cleared to backtrack runway 12 and make a 180deg. turn at the end. Three minutes later (at 17:02) Pan Am 1736 was cleared to follow the KLM aircraft and backtrack runway 12. 

The PanAm crew were told to leave the runway at the third taxiway and report leaving the runway. At 17:05:44 KLM 4805 reported ready for take-off and was given instructions for a Papa beacon departure. The KLM crew repeated the instructions and added "We are now at take-off". The brakes were released, and KLM 4805 started the take-off roll. Tenerife tower, knowing that Pan Am 1736 was still taxiing down the runway replied "OK ...... Stand by for take-off, I will call you." This message coincided with the PanAm crew's transmission "No ... uh we're still taxiing down the runway, the Clipper 1736". These communications caused a shrill noise in the KLM cockpit, lasting approx. 3.74 seconds. Tenerife tower replied: "Papa Alpha 1736 report runway clear.", whereupon the Pan Am crew replied: "OK, will report when we're clear". This caused some concerns with the KLM flight engineer asking the captain: "Is he not clear then?" After repeating his question, the captain answers emphatically: "Oh, yes". 

A number of second before impact the KLM crew saw the PanAm Boeing still taxiing down the runway. The crew tried to climb away and became airborne after a 65 feet tail drag in an excessive rotation. The PanAm crew immediately turned the aircraft to the left and applied full power. The KLM aircraft was airborne, but the fuselage skidded over the Pan Am's aft fuselage, destroying it and shearing off the tail. The KLM aircraft flew on and crashed out of control 150 m further on, sliding another 300 m bursting into flames.

PROBABLE CAUSE:

"The KLM aircraft had taken off without take-off clearance, in the absolute conviction that this clearance had been obtained, which was the result of a misunderstanding between the tower and the KLM aircraft. This misunderstanding had arisen from the mutual use of usual terminology which, however, gave rise to misinterpretation. In combination with a number of other coinciding circumstances, the premature take-off of the KLM aircraft resulted in a collision with the Pan Am aircraft, because the latter was still on the runway since it had missed the correct intersection." KLM Flight 4805 was a charter flight for Holland International Travel Group and had arrived from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands. Its captain was Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten, age 50. At the time of the accident, Veldhuyzen van Zanten was KLM's chief flight instructor, with 11,700 flight hours, of which 1,545 hours were on the 747. 

The first officer was Klaas Meurs, age 42. At the time of the accident, Meurs had 9,200 flight hours, of which 95 hours were on the 747. Flight engineer was Willem Schreuder, age 48. At the time of the accident, Schreuder had 15,210 flight hours, of which 540 hours were on the 747. The aircraft was a Boeing 747-206B, registration PH-BUF, named Rijn (Rhine). The KLM jet was carrying 14 crew members and 234 passengers, including 52 children. Most of the KLM passengers were Dutch, while also on board were 4 Germans, 2 Austrians and 2 Americans. After the aircraft landed at Tenerife, the passengers were transported to the airport terminal. One of the inbound passengers, who lived on the island with her partner, chose not to re-board the 747, leaving 234 passengers on board.

Pan Am Flight 1736 had originated at Los Angeles International Airport, with an intermediate stop at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The aircraft was a Boeing 747-121, registration N736PA, named Clipper Victor. Of the 380 passengers (mostly of retirement age, but including two children), 14 had boarded in New York, where the crew was also changed. The new crew consisted of captain Victor Grubbs, age 56, first officer Robert Bragg, age 39, flight engineer George Warns, age 46, and 13 flight attendants.
At the time of the accident, captain Grubbs had 21,043 hours of flight time, of which 564 hours were on the 747. First officer Bragg had 10,800 flight hours, of which 2,796 hours were on the 747. Flight engineer Warns had 15,210 flight hours, of which 559 hours were on the 747.


Aircraft 1 Information
Airlines: KLM
Code: KL/KLM
Aircraft: Boeing 747-206B
Flight Number: 4805
Registration: PH-BUF
Serial Number: 20400
First Flew: 14/9/1971
Age: 6 Years Old

Aircraft 2 Information
Airlines: Pan Am
Code: PA/PAA
Aircraft: Boeing 747-121
Flight Number: 1736
Registration: N736PA
Serial Number: 19643
First Flew: 24/12/1969
Age: 8 Years Old

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY

Story sourced from Wikipedia 

Pilot fined for radio silence

SAS CRJ 900LR EI-FPV (MSN 15440)

An SAS Connect pilot has been fined $5,800 in the first prosecution of a new 2016 law that requires pilots to keep in radio contact with ATC. Capt. Christopher Hollands didn't check in for more than 30 minutes as he commanded an A320 with 58 passengers aboard from Oslo (OSL/ENGM) to Manchester (MAN/EGCC). 

It resulted in a hijacking scare that led to two RAF Typhoons being scrambled to escort the airliner to Manchester. After landing it was ordered to an isolated area of the airport so law enforcement could investigate.

Hollands' gaffe violated a section of the Air Navigation Order of 2016, and the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority says it takes the law, and violations of it, seriously. "Aviation is one of the safest methods of transportation, and it relies on pilots maintaining radio communication with air traffic control through the standard channels during flight," 

CAA's head of flight operations said in a statement. 

"We continue to work with pilots, airlines, and the Government to reduce similar incidents, including by prosecuting offenders when appropriate to maintain confidence in UK aviation's safety and security."

He also noted that Hollands could have gone to jail for two years.

Story sourced from here 

Pilot Fined For Radio Silence - AVweb

United flight turns around after pilot forgets passport

UNITED BOEING 777-322 N2341U (MSN 63721)

A United Airlines Boeing 787 jetliner flying from Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) to Shanghai PVG/ZSPD) had to turn around last weekend after it was discovered one of the pilots had taken off without a passport, the airline told the media in a statement.

Flight UA 198 departed LAX at around 2 p.m. on Saturday from runway 25 right with 257 passengers and 13 crew onboard and headed northwest over the Pacific Ocean, bound for Shanghai.

Almost two hours into the flight the plane turned around and was redirected to San Francisco (SFO/KSFO), where it landed at 4.55 p.m. local time, on runway 28 left according to Flightradar24.

“The pilot did not have their passport onboard,” United said in the statement. “We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening. Customers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation.”

The flight with the new crew took off around 9 p.m. from runway 28 left and landed in Shanghai about six hours behind schedule. Yang Shuhan, a Chinese passenger on board, told reporters that she heard the pilot’s “very frustrated voice” over the intercom, saying he “forgot his passport.”

The disruptions didn’t stop with UA 198; passengers on the returning flight, UA 199 from Shanghai to Los Angeles, were also affected due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft.

A Shanghai-based business traveler, who requested to stay anonymous over privacy concerns, said that their LA-bound flight was also delayed for about six hours, forcing them to change their ticket to catch a connecting flight.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: United Airlines

Code: UA/UAL

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 

Registration: N35953

Serial Number: 36404

Engines: 2 x GENX-1B75/P2

First Flew: 7th February 2015

Age 10.1 Years

Passenger forcefully pulled from aircraft toilet with his pants down

A passenger is attempting to sue United Airlines, claiming a pilot got him arrested after forcefully pulling him out of the bathroom with his pants still down because he was taking too long while constipated.

New Jersey traveler Yisroel Liebb, was 30 minutes into a flight from Mexico to Texas when he got up to use the bathroom. His seatmate Mr. Sebbag raised concerns with the crew when Liebb not returned 20 minutes later, according to the lawsuit.

Mr. Liebb told the flight attendant he was merely “experiencing constipation” and would be out very shortly — but 10 minutes later, the pilot demanded he leave immediately, the filing said.

In a fit of rage, the pilot forcibly broke down the door and pulled Mr. Liebb out, leaving his pants down and exposing his genitalia to the passengers close by, according to the lawsuit.

As Mr. Liebb embarrassingly adjusted his pants, the pilot stated that he would have him and his seatmate arrested, claiming it was typical behavior for “Jews,” according to the lawsuit.

After landing, both men were arrested by five US Customs and Border Protection agents who boarded the plane and brought them to a detention facility inside the terminal, according to the lawsuit also against the border agency as well as Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration.

The agents allegedly handcuffed Mr Liebb so tight that he yelled out due to the pain, the lawsuit said.

Mr. Liebb and. Sebbag were released without charges following the altercation but missed their connecting flight home. The flight departed for New York while they were still detained, according to the complaint. They were rebooked on another flight leaving the next day for free, but the pair still had to pay additional charges for a hotel and food, the lawsuit stated.

Mr. Liebb and Mr. Sebbag both claim the handcuffs caused persisting “severe wrist pain” and Mr. Liebb suffered injuries to his head and legs when forcefully removed from the bathroom. The pair are seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial, plus lawyer fees.

United Airlines refused to comment only saying “it did not “have anything to share with the media on the lawsuit.”

Remembering Germanwings flight 9525

Germanwings flight 9525 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN/LEBL), Spain to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS/EDDL), Germany.

The flight was operated by Germanwings, a low-cost carrier owned by the German airline Lufthansa. On the 24th of March 2015, the aircraft, an Airbus A320-211, crashed 100 km (62 miles) north-west of Nice in the French Alps. All 144 passengers and all six crew members were killed. It was the only fatal crash involving a Germanwings aircraft during the company's 18 years in operation.

The crash was deliberately caused by the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, who had previously been treated for suicidal tendencies and declared unfit to work by his doctor. Lubitz kept this information from his employer and instead reported for duty. Shortly after reaching cruise altitude and while the captain was out of the cockpit, Lubitz locked the cockpit door and initiated a controlled descent that continued until the aircraft hit a mountainside.

The collision with the ground was due to the deliberate and planned action of the co-pilot who decided to commit suicide while alone in the cockpit. The process for medical certification of pilots, in particular self-reporting in case of decrease in medical fitness between two periodic medical evaluations, did not succeed in preventing the co-pilot, who was experiencing mental disorder with psychotic symptoms, from exercising the privilege of his licence.
The following factors may have contributed to the failure of this principle:

• the co-pilot's probable fear of losing his ability to fly as a professional pilot if he had reported his decrease in medical fitness to an AME.
• the potential financial consequences generated by the lack of specific insurance covering the risks of loss of income in case of unfitness to fly 
• the lack of clear guidelines in German regulations on when a threat to public safety outweighs the requirements of medical confidentiality.

Security requirements led to cockpit doors designed to resist forcible intrusion by unauthorized persons. This made it impossible to enter the flight compartment before the aircraft impacted the terrain in the French Alps.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Germanwings

Code: 4U/GWI

Airline: Airbus A320-211

Registration: D-AIPX

Serial Number: 0147

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-5A1

First Flew: 29th November 1990
Age: 24 years 4 months

It made its first flight on the 29th of November 1990 and was delivered to Lufthansa on the 5th of February 1991. The aircraft was leased to Germanwings from the 1st of June 2003 until mid-2004, then returned to Lufthansa on the 22nd of July 2004 and remained with the airline until it was transferred to Germanwings again on the 31st of January 2014. The aircraft had accumulated about 58,300 flight hours on 46,700 flights.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY

Southwest Airlines tries to depart on taxiway

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BOEING 737-8H4 N8548P (MSN 36968)

The pilots of a Boeing 737 commenced a takeoff from a taxiway at a Florida airport on Thursday before instructed to halt by an air traffic controller the Federal Administration announced, stating that it was investigating the serious incident.

Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 was cleared to take off on runway 17R at approximately 9.35 am at Orlando International Airport (MCO/KMCO), bound for Albany, New York (ALB/KALB), the FAA said in a statement. The plane, however, started to accelerate on a parallel taxiway instead, prompting an air traffic controller to cancel the takeoff clearance.

“3278 stop, 3278 stop. Stop Southwest 3278, stop!” air traffic control said from the tower, according to audio shared online. “Cancel takeoff clearance. You’re on taxiway Hotel Southwest 3278.”

Pilots then slammed the brakes to stop. “Southwest 3278, yes, sir. We have stopped,” the pilot replied.

“The crew mistook the surface for the nearby runway,” the airline said in a statement. Southwest is engaged with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and FAA to understand the circumstances of the event.

The aircraft’s top speed was 70 knots at the time, (or approximately 80 mph,) according to flight data tracker FlightRadar24. Airplanes typically travel AT about 35 mph on taxiways. A Boeing 737 would need to accelerate to about 150 mph for takeoff.

The plane was meant to be on Runway 17R but was on taxiway Hotel – which runs the same length and parallel to it.

The 737 stopped safely and no other aircraft were involved, Southwest said. 

The airline later flew the passengers to Albany on a different plane, leaving almost 4 hours later, at 1.19 pm. (N8820Q MSN 65437)

Taxiways are used by planes to travel between gates and runways and are not intended for take offs or landings.

Aircraft Information

Airline: Southwest Airlines 

Code: WN/SWA

Aircraft: Boeing 737-8H4

Registration: N8315C

Serial Number: 38811

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B27E

First Flew: 06/07/2012

Age: 12.7 Years 

Overhead bin fire at 30,000 feet

HONG KONG AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-343 B-LNQ (MSN 1668)

A Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A320-200, traveling from Hangzhou (HGH/ZSHC) to Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH) had a fire erupt in an overhead bin while cruising at 30,000 feet.

While the cabin crew acted quickly to fight the fire, the flight crew initiated a diversion to Fuzhou FOC/ZSFZ). Cabin crew succeeded in extinguishing the fire. None of the 168 passengers and crew on board were reported injured.

Many airlines are now implementing new rules. The risks associated with portable power banks have come into greater focus after an Air Busan plane caught fire in January, with a hand-held battery re charger the suspected cause of the blaze.

South Korean authorities responded by ordering travelers to seal up ports on chargers or place them in separate plastic bags. Earlier this month, a Batik Air flight filled with smoke from a burning power bank.

Aircraft Information

Airline: Hong Kong Airlines 

Code: HX/CRK

Aircraft: Airbus A320-232

Registration: B-LPC

Serial Number: 5147

Engines:  2 x CFMI CFM56-5B4/P

First Flew: 07/05/2012

Age: 12.10 Years 

Jetstar outage causes chaos across Australian airports

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VGF (MSN 4497)   

Jetstar customers have once again faced long lines at check-in across Australia after the airline suffered another major system outage yesterday. This is the second time this has happened in less than a month. 

The carrier's check-in and bag-drop systems went offline on Thursday morning, forcing staff to manually enter traveller's details at the desk and process their luggage.

Long queues were reported at Melbourne Airport and it's understood several more facilities were affected by the outage across Australia.

A Jetstar spokesman said  "We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience as our teams worked hard to check them in manually for their flights."

The last time Jetstar faced a complete outage was on the 23rd February this year. 

Remembering China Eastern flight 5735

China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG/ZPPP) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN/ZGGG) in China.

At 14:23 CST (06:23 UTC) on the 21st of March 2022, the Boeing 737-89P aircraft descended steeply mid-flight and struck the ground at high speed in Teng County, Wuzhou, Guangxi, killing all 132 passengers and crew on board. Multiple reports say that the airplane was deliberately crashed, but the official investigation by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) seems to be still ongoing. 

ADS-B flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft at 29,100 feet, flying along Airway 599 towards Guangzhou. ADS-B data released by Flightradar24 suggest the descent started between 06:20:43 and 06:20:59. Altitude datapoint show the descent stopped about 06:22:00 around 7,400 feet and the aircraft climbed to about 8,600 feet before the aircraft again entered a steep descent. The last recorded datapoint was at 06:22:35 at 3,225 feet. CCTV footage and dashcam appears to show the aircraft in an extremely steep descent before it crashed in a wooded mountainous area.

This is the third deadliest aviation accident in China after China Southern Airlines Flight 3943 in 1992 and China Northwest Airlines Flight 2303 in 1994, the deadliest in the history of China Eastern Airlines, and was the deadliest plane crash in 2022.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: China Eastern 

Code: MU / CES

Aircraft: Boeing 737-89P

Registration: B-1791

Serial Number: 41474

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B24

First Flew: 05/06/2015

Age: 6.8 Years

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY

Qantas to switch on free Wi-Fi on international flight

Qantas will introduce Wi-Fi on flights to Asia by the end of this month as the airline strives to catch up with its competitors, which already keep travelers connected above the clouds.

• First to come online will be the Airbus A330 jets which mainly fly into South-East Asia, with selected routes active by late March.
• Satellite coverage across the Tasman to New Zealand will become available from mid-year.

Most of Qantas' domestic fleet – including Boeing 737s, Airbus A220s and A330s – are already equipped for the Australian NBN Sky Muster satellite network, with a nation-wide coverage footprint. So, whenever those planes are assigned to international routes the SkyMuster system provides Wi-Fi only while the aircraft are over Australia; once your flight leaves the Australian coastline behind, you can wave goodbye to Wi-Fi.

Qantas is now in the process of upgrading this sky-high Wi-Fi service through its partner Viasat, to tap into what Viasat describes as “capacity from various owned and partner satellites in the region.”

This will serve as a stop-gap measure until the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite comes online in early 2026, completing a global constellation which is already delivering upwards of 100Mbps to individual passengers on the initial Americas-focused F1 bird – and “we are anticipating even better performance with F2 and F3,” the company says.

Once the Viasat kit has been installed and activated across the international A330, the Qantas 787s and A380 superjumbos will follow.

In addition, the nimble Airbus A220s already work with Australian NBN and international Viasat satellites, switching between networks depending on where the aircraft is flying – which will be put to the test when the A220 begins flying to Singapore in October 2025.

The Airbus A350s intended for non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York will come with ViaSat-3 tech already installed; the same will apply to the A350s and 787s replacing the aging A330s from 2027-2028.

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airline all offer free Wi-Fi to varying degrees.

Jetstar will also introduce onboard Wi-Fi on its international 787 fleet from 2026, as part of a refresh which will include new business and economy seats.

AirAsia Malaysia launches a new non-stop service between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur

AIRASIA X AIRBUS A330-343 9M-XXT (MSN 1549)

AirAsia Malaysia has announced that they will launch a new non-stop service between Darwin (DRW/YPDN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL/WMKK) from the 27th of June, a route the region has not seen since Jetstar exited in 2022, with the airline spruiking overseas fares from just $189.

Operating four times each week, the new route will give residents of the Northern Territory direct service to Asia, with connections to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India.

The route between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur would mark the carrier’s second Australian route since launching March 2024, with the first operating between Kuala Lumpur (KUL/WMKK) and Perth Airport (PER/YPPH).

Meanwhile, its sister airline AirAsia X, offers flights to Melbourne Airport, Perth, and Sydney.

“We welcome this important milestone for AirAsia to reconnect Darwin with the global capital city of Kuala Lumpur,” Robyn Cahill OAM, Australian Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations said.

“This will not only improve air accessibility and affordability for Territorians, but will make it easier to invest, visit and do business in the Territory.”

CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, said the new route will create “greater opportunities” for both leisure and business Travellers to “explore one of Australia’s most vibrant and unique destinations”.

The new route, which will operate on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, will see almost 100,000 seats annually between Darwin and Kuala Lumpur

Qantas warns if customer compensation is introduced, they would raise ticket prices

Qantas has warned a Senate committee that any passenger refund laws brought into Australia would result in higher prices for tickets. Qantas domestic CEO Markus Svensson told an inquiry into passenger rights on Monday that an EU-style compensation-based scheme would not help consumers in terms of reduced delays or cancellations.

“Compensation-based regimes such as those in Europe and Canada have shown these schemes do not deliver better outcomes for consumers in terms of reduced delays and cancellations, and they increase the cost of travel,” he said.

“The potential effect on fares, implications for low-cost carriers and the likely negative effect on economically marginal routes – particularly on Australia’s regional network – should all be closely considered.”

Svensson said that when delays or cancellations were “within our control”, Qantas already provided a refund, rebooking or any other remedies required by law.

The inquiry into the airline passenger protections bill, designed to ensure “concrete protections” for passengers, was brought on by a series of Qantas scandals that have infuriated the travelling public.

In 2024, Qantas was ordered to pay $120 million in fines and compensation for booking customers on already-scrapped services. Qantas also forced passengers to accept flight credits for pandemic disruptions rather than the refunds they were entitled to.

The so-called “pay on delay” legislation, introduced last year by the Coalition and separate from a planned Ombuds Scheme supported by the Albanese government, would establish penalties for Australia’s airlines in the event of flight delays, cancellations or denials of boarding.

Virgin Australia government affairs spokesman Stephen Beckett said his airline supported a “beefed up” complaint-handling body with the ability to make binding decisions, as well as “building greater awareness” of consumer law to “make remedies more accessible to the travelling public”.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, sponsor of the “pay on delay” bill, cited Qantas’ sale of tickets for already-cancelled flights – so-called “ghost flights” – as a reason for creating a mandatory compensation system.

“That was an explicit breach of consumer trust,” McKenzie said. 

“If Qantas was willing to knowingly sell those ‘ghost tickets’, why should passengers trust that the voluntary consumer protections that you offer in your own policies are enough?”

The ability for Australian airlines to cancel flights with little or no penalty has emerged as a feature of the industry.

Planes over Parkinson

Yesterday runway 01 was in use in Brisbane, so that meant it was time to set up camp outside for the morning.

Below are some of the many photos I took.

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-224 N37018 (MSN 31680)
UA96 ARRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO 22 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHD (MSN 1234
SQ35 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE 9 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YIT (MSN 38717)
VA303 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 12 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VZU (MSN 34187)
QF120 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 13 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-5965 (MSN 1593)
CZ381 ARRIVING FROM GUANGZHOU (CAN) 10 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYK (MSN 19000089)
QF1926 ARRIVING FROM ADELAIDE (ADL) 18 YEARS
FLYING FOR QANTAS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFH (MSN 40996)
VA307 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 13 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FVLQ (MSN 38357)
AC35 ARRIVING FROM VANCOUVER (YVR) 7 YEARS

CESSNA 441 CONQUEST VH-TAZ (MSN 441-0005) 47 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VYG (MSN 33995)
QF506 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 19 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 100 VH-UQF (MSN 11456)
VA1101 ARRIVING FROM NEWCASTLE (NTL) 31 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VFI (MSN5270)
JQ562 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 12 YEARS

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-321J (MSN 423)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 4 YEARS

CONAIR DASH 8 Q400 C-FFQF (MSN 4315)
FGD391 ARRIVING FROM AVALON (AVV)

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZL (MSN43218)
NZ145 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 777-367 B-KQL (MSN 41431)
CX153 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 11YEARS

CIRRUS SR20 VH-YQB (MSN 8722) 3 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS BOEING 737 MAX 8 DQ-FAH (MSN 64311)
FJ921 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 4 YEARS

ASIANA AIRBUS A350-941 HL-7771 (MSN198)
OZ602 SYDNEY TO SEOUL (ICN) 7 YEARS

AIR POWER AUSTRALIA ROBINSON R44 RAVEN II VH-TEM (MSN 14453) 4 YEARS

FLIGHT TRAINING ADELAIDE DIAMOND DA-40 VH-YTH (MSN 40.780)

NAURU AIRLINES BOEING 737-83N VH-AN2 (MSN 30660)
ON805 ARRIVING FROM TARAWA (TRW) 21 YEARS

FLIGHT TRAINING ADELAIDE DIAMOND DA-40 VH-YTB (MSN 40.891)

Scoot Wins ‘Value Airline of the Year’ two years in a row

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of the Singapore Airlines, has been awarded the title of 'Value Airline of the Year' at the 51st ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, hosted by Aviation Week Network’s Air Transport World (ATW). 

Widely regarded as one of the most esteemed accolades in the aviation industry, the ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards are among the most coveted in the air transport industry, with the recipients selected by a panel of editors and analysts from Aviation Week Network’s ATW, CAPA, and Routes.

Scoot will officially be presented with the award at the ATW Awards Gala Dinner in New Delhi, India, on the 30th of May 2025. The award reflects the airline’s continued commitment to delivering outstanding value, exceptional customer service, and operational excellence in the low-cost airline sector.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Scoot said, “We are honored to be named ‘Value Airline of the Year’ for the second consecutive year, a recognition that reaffirms our position as the leading value airline in the region and inspires us to continue setting new industry benchmarks. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of the entire Scoot team, whose commitment to excellence has been instrumental in our success.”

With a growing presence in India and Asia-Pacific, Scoot has been a preferred choice for travelers seeking budget-friendly yet comfortable air travel options. This award further solidifies the brand’s reputation as a leading value airline in the industry.

“As we look ahead, we remain focused on innovating for the future, pushing boundaries, and redefining value travel – ensuring that more people can experience meaningful and accessible journeys around the world,” Mr. Thng added.

For an enhanced travel experience, including priority check-in and boarding, spacious seating with ample legroom, 15kg cabin baggage and 30kg checked baggage allowances, and 30MB of Wi-Fi, passengers from Amritsar and Chennai can also book Scoot Plus seats on the Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SCOOT ON THIS AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT

Power banks on aircraft

I have come across numerous stories on the internet about airlines banning power banks while others do not. Therefore, I decided to conduct some research to clarify which airlines have or are banning the power bank.

Over the last decade, compact chargers have become a go-to solution for this all-too-common mishap. However, airlines are reassessing the safety of handheld power banks, with many outright banning their use during flights.

Portable battery chargers are among the most commonly owned travel devices, and many long-haul passengers consider them essential. However, a recent aviation safety report from ULSE Inc., the Standards & Engagement division of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), found that they accounted for 16 percent of incidents on passenger flights.

The primary risk associated with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway — a self-heating, uncontrollable reaction that can result in fire. Damaged or defective batteries are particularly vulnerable, while counterfeit versions pose an even greater threat due to lower manufacturing standards. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries spread faster and more aggressively than other types of fires, making them a serious concern for aviation safety. Most incidents occur near passenger seats, where stored power banks are prone to damage or overheating.

According to the Transport Ministry of South Korea, the country documented 13 aircraft fires caused by electronic device batteries between 2020 and 2024, with power banks responsible for nine incidents. These fires have surged in recent years, rising from one in 2020 to six in both 2023 and 2024.

Most recently, an Air Busan Airbus A321 aircraft at Gimhae International Airport caught fire on the 28th of January 2025, with investigations pointing to a power bank as the likely cause. 

AirAsia reports spare batteries, including power banks, are only allowed in carry-on baggage and must not be checked in, passengers are not allowed to use or charge Power Banks during the flight.

Air Busan updated its carry-on guidelines, requiring passengers to keep power banks in their hand luggage while prohibiting their storage in checked baggage or overhead compartments. Charging power banks during flights is banned. Passengers may carry up to five power banks under 100Wh without approval, while those between 101Wh and 160Wh require airline approval. Power banks over 160Wh are forbidden.

Cathay Pacific Airways is one of the few carriers that does not outright ban the use of power banks inside the flight cabin. Their website says, “Power banks are permitted for use inside the cabin.” But, “it is strictly prohibited to recharge them using the in-seat power outlet or USB port at any time due to potential safety hazards.”

China Airlines has updated its travel advisory, introducing new regulations for carrying power banks from the 1st of March 2025. Passengers departing from Incheon Airport must cover power bank ports with insulating taps and protective covers or place them in transparent zip-lock bags or pouches, keeping them in person or the seat pocket. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are banned in checked baggage, must be securely packed in carry-on luggage, and cannot be used or charged in flight. 

Eva Air announced a ban on using or charging power banks and spare lithium batteries in flight from the 1st of March 2025, for safety reasons. The airline recommended that passengers fully charge their devices before boarding. They can also use the AC outlets and USB Type-A ports if needed to plug in directly.

Singapore Airlines cited safety concerns and banned power bank charging via onboard USB ports. Passengers may carry power banks of up to 100Wh without approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline authorisation. Scoot issued a similar statement. From the 1st of April 2025, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot passengers will be prohibited from using power banks to charge devices in-flight.

Thai Airways International stated that effective from the 15th of March, “passengers are not allowed to use or charge Power Banks during the entire flight.” However, the restriction does not extend to carrying power banks in hand luggage.

I couldn't find any restriction here in Australia or New Zealand.

Check directly with your airline before you fly, but here are the general rules.

• Portable power banks must still be packed in your carry-on luggage, even if you can’t use them while flying.
• They are not permitted in checked baggage.
• Power banks up to 100Wh don’t require you to notify the airline.
• From 100Wh to 160Wh, airline approval is required. It is suggested that these travel in the original box, which clearly shows the total wattage.
• Above 160Wh are not allowed on flights.

Plane spotting from the loop at Brisbane airport

For all the interstate and international viewers on this blog, Brisbane airport has a dedicated open viewing area on Acacia Street, but it is locally known as the loop. It is a dead-end road with a circle at the end where you can park for free and watch the aircraft movements. Regular viewers would know I usually go to the top floor of the carpark, but yesterday I thought I'd give the loop a try, as I hadn't been there for some time. 

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-32A8 (MSN 540)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 3 YEARS

QANTASLING EMBRAER E190AR VH-UZK (MSN 19000198)
QF1963 OFF TO NEWCASTLE (NTL) 17 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-203 VH-EBG (MSN 0887)
QF6156 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 17 YEARS

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N836AA (MSN 40654)
AA8 OFF TO DALLAS (DFW) 6 YEARS

LINK AIRWAYS SAAB 340B VH-VED (MSN 340B-442)
SF34 OFF TO WOLLONGONG (WOL) 26 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-231 VH-VWX (MSN 3899)
JQ562 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 15 YEARS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SIB (MSN 2445)
IE715 OFF TO MUNDA (MUA) 19 YEARS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-QOM (MSN 4217)
QLK362D OFF TO WAGGA WAGGA (WGA) 16 YEARS

LINK AIRWAYS FAIRCHILD METRO 23 VH-VEK (MSN DC-845B)
SW4 OFF TO ARMIDALE (ARM) 31 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNC (MSN 8573)
NZ272 OFF TO WELLINGTON (WLG) 6 YEARS

BATIONAL JET EXPRESS DASH 8 Q400 VH-8QB (MSN 4323)
NC442 OFF TO MORANBAH (MOV) 15 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBAER E190AR VH-UYR (MSN 19000100)
QF1918 OFF TO GLADSTONE (GLT) 18 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZD (MSN 41989)
NZ141 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 11 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-YXS (MSN 5732)
JQ930 OFF TO CAIRNS (CNS) 11 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OFQ (MSN 11189)
JQ57 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 2 YEARS 
(NOTICE THE PAINT MISSING OFF THE RUDDER)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBO (MSN 1169)
QF119 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 14 YEARS

GULFSTREAM G650ER B-655N (MSN 6526)
OFF TO CAIRNS (CNS) 2 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YWE (MSN 41015)
VA925 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 7 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZM (38180)
NZ145 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 70 VH-NUU (MSN 11532)
QQ3363 ARRIVING FROM ROMA (RMA) 30 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 100 VH-UQG (MSN 11520)
VA1102 OFF TO NEWCASTLE (NTL) 30 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

CESSNA 510 CITATION VH-KXM (MSN 510-0387) 14 YEARS

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AIRBUS A321-271N RP-C9933 (MSN 8242)
PR221 ARRIVING FROM MANILA (MNL) 6 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHY (MSN 494)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 3 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FRSA (MSN 37135)
AC36 OFF TO VANCOUVER (YVR) 8 YEARS

DELTA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 N513DZ (MSN 277)
DL92 OFF TO LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YEARS

LIFEFLIGHT CHALLENGER 604 VH-OFB (MSN 5534)
OFF TO MOUNT ISA (ISA) 23 YEARS

CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 777-367 B-KPW (MSN 39234)
CX153 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 13 YEARS

DASSAULT FALCON 900 VH-CAD (MSN 36)
ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 38 YEARS

AUSTRALIA POST AIRBUS A321-231 VH-ULD (MSN 0835)
QF6143 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 26 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKJ (MSN 36236)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 9 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNG (MSN 36240)
QF51 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 6 YEARS