Two Australian firefighting helicopters collide midair in Greece

Two firefighting helicopters owned by McDermott Aviation, an Australian company, collided in midair as they were battling a wind-driven wildfire west of Athens, sending one aircraft crashing to the ground. Two crew members, a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer, died in the crash.

The collision happened on Sunday (Athen's time) laid bare the danger at the most volatile front of Europe’s wildfire emergency. Video posted online and reported in Greek media appeared to show two helicopters crossing paths at low altitude, before the main rotor of the lower helicopter struck the underside of the other. The lower one then crashed in flames.

The second helicopter then dumped its load of water and flew away. Reuters has not yet verified the authenticity of the footage. The two crew members who were recovered alive were a British pilot and another Greek coordinator. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed “sorrow for the tragic accident” and extended condolences to the families of the firefighters killed in the crash.

“The loss of the Greek coordinator and the Danish pilot at the time they were attempting the major fire in Porto Gremeno fills us all with grief,” Mitsotakis said in a statement.

The aircraft were Bell helicopters operating over the Psatha area west of Athens, each with a two-person crew. Foreign firefighting and helicopter crews are often deployed in Greece to help tackle wildfires during the country’s hot, dry summers.

McDermott Aviation, a company based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, confirmed it owned both aircraft. The company leases aircraft fitted out for firefighting, construction and emergency response in multiple countries.


Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, friends and colleagues of those affected by this tragic incident.

Looking back on the crash of an Emirates 777

EMIRATES BOEING 777-21H A6-EWE (MSN 35582)

On the 3rd of August 2016, EK 521 carrying 282 passengers and 18 crew crashed while attempting a go round at Dubai International Airport. Emirates Flight 521 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV/VOTV), India to Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB), United Arab Emirates.

All 300 people on board survived the accident; 32 were slightly injured, 4 were seriously injured. 

An airport firefighter died during the rescue operation and another seven firefighters were injured. 

The aircraft departed Trivandrum, India at 05:06 hours UTC. The captain was the pilot flying (PF), and the copilot was the pilot monitoring (PM). As the flight neared Dubai, the crew received the automatic terminal information service (ATIS) Information Zulu, which included a windshear warning for all runways.

During the approach, at 08:36:00 UTC (12:36 local time), with the autothrottle system in SPEED mode, as the aircraft descended through a radio altitude (RA) of 1,100 feet, at 152 knots IAS, the wind direction started to change from a headwind component of 8 knots to a tailwind component.

At 08:37:07, 159 knots IAS, 35 feet RA, the PF started to flare the aircraft. The autothrottle mode transitioned to IDLE and both thrust levers were moving towards the idle position. At 08:37:12, 160 knots IAS, and 5 feet RA, five seconds before touchdown, the wind direction again started to change to a headwind.

At 08:37:23, the aircraft became airborne in an attempt to go-around and was subjected to a headwind component until impact. At 08:37:27, the flap lever was moved to the 20 position. Two seconds later the landing gear lever was selected to the UP position. Subsequently, the landing gear unlocked and began to retract.

At 08:37:28, the air traffic control tower issued a clearance to continue straight ahead and climb to 4,000 feet. The clearance was read back correctly.
The aircraft reached a maximum height of approximately 85 feet RA at 134 knots IAS, with the landing gear in transit to the retracted position. The aircraft then began to sink back onto the runway. Both crewmembers recalled seeing the IAS decreasing and the copilot called out "Check speed." At 08:37:35, three seconds before impact with the runway, both thrust levers were moved from the idle position to full forward. The autothrottle transitioned from IDLE to THRUST mode. Approximately one second later, a ground proximity warning system (GPWS) aural warning of "DON’T SINK, DON’T SINK" was annunciated.

One second before impact, both engines started to respond to the thrust lever movement showing an increase in related parameters.

At 08:37:38, the aircraft aft fuselage impacted the runway abeam the November 7 intersection at 125 knots, with a nose-up pitch angle of 9.5 degrees, and at a rate of descent of 900 feet per minute. This was followed by the impact of the engines on the runway. The three landing gears were still in transit to the retracted position. As the aircraft slid along the runway, the No.2 engine-pylon assembly separated from the right hand (RH) wing.

The aircraft continued to slide along the runway on the lower fuselage, the outboard RH wing, and the No.1 engine. An incipient fire started on the underside of the No.1 engine.
The aircraft came to rest adjacent to the Mike 13 taxiway at a magnetic heading of approximately 240 degrees. After the aircraft came to rest, fire was emanating from the No. 2 engine, the damaged RH engine-pylon wing attachment area and from under the aircraft fuselage. Approximately one minute after, the captain transmitted a "MAYDAY" call and informed air traffic control that the aircraft was being evacuated.

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 777-31H with registration A6-EMW, serial number 32700, and line number 434. It was equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engines and was thirteen years old, having made its first flight on the 7th of March 2003. It was delivered new to Emirates on the 28th of March 2003.

The accident is the only hull loss of an Emirates aircraft.

Stranded passengers face uncertainty as WestJet cancels 81 flights

On Saturday, travelers stuck at Calgary International Airport (YYC/CYYC) described the atmosphere as chaotic, with panic, frustration, and confusion in the air as the airline canceled flights ahead of a possible flight attendant strike that could start as early as Sunday.

WestJet cancelled 81 flights on Saturday as it scaled back parts of its operations ahead of potential job action. In a statement posted to its website Friday evening, the Calgary-based airline said it had begun an “organized take-down” of its network and would start notifying guests of cancellations after receiving a strike notice from the union representing its flight attendants.

“This action is in response to the union’s notice to strike and the inability to reach an agreement,” WestJet said.

More than 60 WestJet flights in and out of the Calgary International Airport on Saturday and Sunday were listed as cancelled as of Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon, a steady lineup of traveler's passengers seeking help from WestJet customer service agents began to grow in the international departures area at Calgary International Airport.

James Boyle and Sinead Walsh of Donegal, Ireland, said they felt hopeful they’d be able to make it home after just learning their scheduled evening flight to Dublin was cancelled.
Article content. James Boyle and Sinead Walsh from Donegal, Ireland were stranded in Calgary after their flight to Dublin was cancelled. They were initially scheduled to depart at around 8 p.m. but the flight was cancelled due to potential strikes, leaving them searching for alternative flight options at the airport Saturday afternoon.

“We’re trying to see if we can organize another flight. So, we’re hopeful at the moment,” Boyle said.

“WestJet agents said they’re going to try and rebook us on the next flight, but that’s obviously pending the decision to actually strike or not,” Walsh said. “We’re just trying to figure out what our options are, I suppose.

“It’s not ideal, but what can you do?”

A few photos from our walk at New Farm

Once a month, my wife, our two daughters, and I, along with our daughters’ Cavoodle, head to New Farm Park, a heritage-listed riverfront park just outside the city, where we enjoy a relaxed stroll along the waterfront before grabbing a coffee along the way and then walk back to the car. I usually bring my big camera to capture departing aircraft, but this time I opted for our little pocket camera. In hindsight, that was a mistake—it was tough to spot the planes through the reflective screen. Here are a few photos I thought I’d share.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTG (MSN 1318)
MH134 OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 14 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHF (MSN 305)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 7 YEARS

SUPERB FAIRY WREN (DIDN'T WANT ITS PHOTO TAKEN)

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-8IF (MSN 66647)
VA045 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 2 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VGO (MSN 4356)
JQ834 OFF TO PROSERPINE (PPP) 16 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-9 VH-VKB (MSN 36228)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 12 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A330-323 B-5966 (MSN 1625)
CZ382 OFF TO GUANGZHOU (CAN) 11 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBP (MSN 1174)
QF61 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 15 YEARS

Koala Airlines now eyes charter niche

Koala Airlines is steering clear of direct competition with Qantas and Virgin Australia by focusing on charter flights that connect with international airlines serving Australia, bundling domestic legs into overseas travel itineraries. CEO Bill Astling told Bloomberg the Melbourne-based start-up is in discussions with over 10 foreign carriers and aims to kick off operations by the end of 2026 with three B737 MAX aircraft.

Astling explained that the airline’s business model is different from typical domestic carriers, relying mainly on partnerships with international airlines instead of direct ticket sales. Koala also plans to avoid selling tickets through its own website to sidestep fare competition with larger, established competitors.

It seems the strategy has shifted from last year, when Astling mentioned Koala would target leisure and business travelers, particularly on routes between Sydney Kingsford Smith, Melbourne Airport, and Brisbane International. The carrier, whose launch plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic after an initial 2020 target, is now considering routes including Adelaide International and tourist destinations such as Ayers Rock, Astling said.

In August 2025, Koala Airlines announced it had secured lease arrangements for three B737 MAX aircraft to be delivered this year, targeting a late-2026 launch for commercial operations. Astling said the plan was to start with three aircraft and add two to three more shortly after. The aim was to grow the fleet to 20 aircraft in a few years.

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) previously told ch-aviation that while Koala Airlines holds a valid air operator's certificate (AOC), it is "subject to a direction not to operate" because "the previous operations conducted under this AOC were considerably different to those which Koala is now proposing - air transport operations with large jet aircraft."

According to ch-aviation research, Koala Airlines inherited its AOC from Desert-Air Safaris Pty Ltd, a pioneering company in air tours and charter flights that had been operating for over 50 years throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands. Astling acquired Desert-Air Safaris in 2019 and changed the name to Koala Air. The company was then rebranded to Koala Airlines in October 2022.

In a social media post this week, Astling commented on the renewed media interest in the start-up: "To be clear, Koala has had discussions with a number of key aviation and industry participants as part of developing its plans. We have always had a policy of keeping our progress under wraps, and Koala does not comment on market speculation or confidential commercial discussions."

He added: "What I can say is that we remain firmly committed to establishing a credible third-airline presence in Australia, and we continue to make headway towards that objective."

According to the company website, Astling has more than 45 years of experience in aviation and tourism, specialising in airline management, restructuring, operations, chartering, strategy, and customer service. Since the early 1990s, he and his consultancy team have advised 12 established and start-up airlines across the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore Airlines, Air India, Malaysia Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines, and served as aviation consultant to the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

Family sues Qatar Airways for death of their son

A Pennsylvania family has filed a lawsuit against Qatar Airways after the death of their 16-year-old son, Jason Hu, who suffered a severe allergic reaction during a flight from Doha to New York on the 21st of August 2024. The complaint states that Jason, who had life-threatening allergies to milk, peanuts, and fish, told the cabin crew about his condition before accepting a sandwich. The family claims a flight attendant assured him the meal was safe, but shortly after eating it, he went into anaphylactic shock.

The lawsuit claims the airline’s emergency response was inadequate and that critical onboard medical equipment, including oxygen cylinders, failed to work properly during the medical emergency. Despite attempts to save him, Jason’s condition quickly worsened, and he died before the plane landed at New York’s JFK Airport. The family also alleges they had to remain seated next to his body for the rest of the flight, adding to their emotional distress.

Filed in Pennsylvania, the lawsuit accuses Qatar Airways of negligence, failing to protect a passenger with known food allergies, and shortcomings in its onboard emergency procedures. The case is expected to examine both the handling of severe allergy risks and the availability and reliability of emergency medical equipment on board. 

Qatar Airways has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.

Emirates passengers sit on the ground for 10 hours after diverting

An Emirates Airbus A380 flying from Dubai, UAE (DXB/OMDB) to Shanghai, China (PVG/ZSPD) with 373 passengers had to divert to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH/ZSHC) due to severe weather blocking its arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Passengers ended up stuck on board the aircraft for over 10 hours without working air conditioning. The situation with Emirates Flight EK302 has caught a lot of attention after travelers shared stories of unbearably hot cabin conditions, long waits to get off the plane, and scarce updates while it sat parked overnight.

Reports say the A380 touched down safely in Hangzhou around 9:00 PM local time on the 22nd of July after thunderstorms disrupted flights at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. While the diversion itself wasn’t out of the ordinary, passengers had to stay on the plane until about 7:30 AM the next day due to delays with border control and airport coordination. Emirates later apologised to those affected, stating that passenger welfare was its top priority throughout the incident.

Reports suggest that Chinese border checks and airport protocols kept the plane’s doors closed until immigration staff arrived several hours later. By around 6:00 AM, passengers were told they’d have to stay on board until border officials wrapped up the required arrangements, with deplaning starting roughly three hours after that. While long ground delays after international diversions are rare, they can happen when airports aren’t equipped to handle an unplanned international arrival outside their usual processes.

Several passengers told local media that cabin temperatures rose significantly during the overnight delay, with one traveler reportedly fainting before receiving assistance. Others criticized the limited amount of drinking water and food and communication during the wait, saying they received few updates about when they would be allowed to leave the aircraft. Although modern airliners can typically maintain cabin ventilation on the ground using auxiliary power units or airport ground equipment, prolonged delays, operational limitations, or equipment issues can affect cabin comfort depending on local circumstances.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: Emirates 

Code: EK/UAE

Aircraft: Airbus A380-861

Registration: A6-EDV

Serial Number: 101

Engines: 4 x GP7270

First Flew: 28th October 2011

Age: 14 Years