Emirates and Qatar cancel flights

Dubai and Doha have suspended all flight operations at both of its major airports after regional airspace closures triggered by escalating Middle East tensions on the 28th of February.

Dubai Airports confirmed that all arrivals and departures at Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB) and Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central Airport (DWC/OMDW) have been cancelled until further notice. Travelers have been strongly advised not to go to the airport and to contact their airlines directly for updates as authorities monitor the situation.

The shutdown follows a decision by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority to partially close national airspace as a precaution. The move comes amid rapidly developing security events involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, with several neighboring countries including Qatar, Bahrain, and Iraq also restricting or closing their airspace

Qatar​ Airways​ Group has also confirmed the​ temporary​ suspension​ of​ its​ flights​ to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The​ airline​ is​ working​ closely​ with​ government​ stakeholders​ and​ the​ relevant​ authorities​ to​ support​ impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace 

The suspension has brought operations at Qatar, Emirates and flydubai to a standstill, while dozens of international flights have been canceled, diverted, or forced to return to their departure airports. Ground teams are assisting passengers already in terminals, though congestion is expected to increase.

With Dubai acting as a critical global transit hub, the disruption is likely to ripple across long haul networks worldwide, the disruptions could go on for days.

LATEST UPDATE

Dubai's airport, the world's busiest, has suffered "minor damage" in an apparent missile strike as Iran retaliated to the United States and Israel's attacks.
Four people were injured at Dubai International, which handles around 350,000 passengers daily and 95 million a year.

Australians warned that Iran attacks increase risk of flight cancellations in region

Australia’s department of foreign affairs has warned of the risk of “reprisal attacks and further escalation” across the Middle East after Israel and the US launched an attack on Iran on Saturday.

Shortly after the attacks began, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, (Dfat) updated its “Smartraveller” website’s entry on Iran, confirming that “there have been airstrikes on Iran, including in Tehran and other locations”.

“There is a high risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation across the region,” the website said.

An hour later, the department also updated its warnings for Israel, highlighting a specific “risk of reprisal attacks on Israel” and advising people there to “try to get to an underground shelter if possible, or at minimum seek a shelter close to ground level”.

It noted reports that Israeli airspace was closed.

The department’s Iran update noted that “Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations. We continue to advise do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it’s safe to do so. Regional tensions remain high and there continues to be a risk of military conflict.

“If you remain in Iran, be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period. Make sure you have supplies of water, food and medication. The security situation in Iran is extremely volatile. Avoid public gatherings and protests. Australians, including dual nationals, are at a high risk of being detained.”

Just a few hours before the attack began, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong reposted on X the latest updated warnings for Australians in the Middle East.

The warnings advised of the “risk of military conflict”.

“If you’re in Israel or Lebanon, consider leaving while commercial options to depart are still available,” the advice said. “Conflict could lead to airspace closures, flight cancellations and other disruptions.”

On Wednesday last week, Australia announced it was withdrawing all the dependents of Australian officials from Israel and Lebanon “due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East” and offered voluntary evacuation for the dependents of officials in Jordan, Qatar and the UAE.

Story sourced from here

Australians warned that Iran attack increases risk of ‘further escalation’ and flight cancellations in region | Australia news | The Guardian

Government owned airports worldwide

A few days ago, I posted a story about the world's busiest single runway airports. Then that got me thinking, who owns the airports around the world and how many government owned.

Many major airports worldwide are owned by national, regional, or local governments. These airports are either managed directly through government ministries or operated by state-owned enterprises. Although a global trend toward privatization continues, substantial government ownership persists—particularly across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe.

Below is a list of prominent government-owned or majority government-owned airport operators and their primary hub airports:

Major Government-Owned Airport Operators 

• Airports Authority of India (AAI): Owns and operates the majority of airports in India (approx. 100+), including Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune.

• Airports Company South Africa (ACSA): Owns/operates 9 airports, including Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo), Cape Town, and Durban.

• Avinor (Norway): State-owned company operating 44 airports, including Oslo Gardermoen.

• Aena (Spain): 51% owned by the Spanish government (ENAIRE). Operates 46 airports, including Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Palma de Mallorca.

• Airports of Thailand (AoT): State-owned public company operating Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and others.

• Groupe ADP (France): Majority (50.6%) state-owned. Operates Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Le Bourget.

• Royal Schiphol Group (Netherlands): 92% government owned. Operates Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

• Fraport (Germany): Majority owned by the state of Hesse, city of Frankfurt, and government-owned banks. Operates Frankfurt Airport.

• Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK): Fully owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

• Incheon International Airport Corporation (South Korea): Owned by the South Korean government.

• Iran Airports Company: Operates most civil airports in Iran.

• Israel Airports Authority: Operates Ben Gurion International Airport and others.

• Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) (Mexico): Federal agency operating numerous regional airports.

• Infraero (Brazil): Government company managing regional airports.

• Singapore Changi Airport: Owned by the Government of Singapore.

Government-Owned Airports by Region 

Canada: 

While many large airports are managed by local authorities, many smaller, regional, and remote airports are owned directly by Transport Canada, such as Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Waskaganish.

USA: 

Most U.S. airports are publicly owned by municipal or state governments (e.g., city or county), even if they are operated by private companies. Examples include LAX, JFK (via Port Authority of NY & NJ), and Chicago O'Hare.

Australia: 

Major gateways (Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne) are leased from the Commonwealth government to private consortiums, but the land remains under government ownership.

Egypt: 

Most international airports are managed by the government, including Cairo International (CAI), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), and Luxor (LXR).

Qatar:

Hamad International Airport is operated by Qatar Airways Group, which is state-owned.

UAE: 

Dubai Airports Company operates Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC).

The end is near for the Alliance Fokker aircraft

Big changes are underway at Alliance Airlines.
The Brisbane-based carrier has announced a substantial AUD $160 million (USD $113.2 million) non-cash impairment charge tied to its long-serving Fokker fleet and associated spare parts.

In practical terms, the airline is formally recognizing that its Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft are approaching the end of their useful economic life. These distinctive T-tail jets will be progressively retired as the company continues its transition to the more modern Embraer E190.
The Fokker Era at Alliance

Current fleet in service: 

12 Fokker 70s 

24 Fokker 100s 

Impairment breakdown: AUD $130 million attributed to the aircraft themselves, plus AUD $30 million related to engines and spare parts inventory.

While the Fokkers are being phased out, Alliance’s growing E190 fleet has recently been valued at AUD $67 million above book value, underscoring its central role in the airline’s future strategy.

For years, Alliance Airlines has been one of the last major operators keeping the Dutch-built Fokker 100 flying—especially across Australia’s rugged interior, long after the type disappeared from many other markets. Watching these workhorses enter their twilight years marks the end of a remarkable chapter in regional aviation, and it’s sure to stir mixed emotions among aviation enthusiasts.

Baby dies on Air France flight

AIR FRANCE AIRBUS A320-214 F-HBNB (MSN 4402)

A tragic medical emergency has unfolded onboard an Air France long haul flight after an infant travelling for urgent treatment passed away mid-flight.

Air France confirmed that the incident occurred on flight AF815 from Nairobi (NBO/HKJK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG/LFPG), which landed in France at 06:09 CET on the 25th of February. The infant reportedly suffered a fatal respiratory arrest while the aircraft was en route. 

According to the airline, the child had a serious heart condition and was travelling specifically to France to receive specialist medical care. As soon as the emergency became apparent, the cabin crew followed established medical protocols. The flight deck contacted Samu de Paris via satellite communications while the crew issued a call for medical professionals onboard. Several doctors responded and attempted resuscitation, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

The Boeing 787 9 involved in the incident continued to Paris, where authorities and medical teams met the aircraft on arrival. Air France said the child was accompanied during the journey and expressed its deepest condolences to the family, declining to share further details out of respect for their privacy.

Deepest condolences to the immediate family and friends. May you find strength, comfort, and peace as you navigate this difficult time.

Worlds busiest 'single runway' airports

A few days ago, I was watching James from Only Planes Network (OPN) filming at Gatwick Airport in London. During the live stream, he mentioned that Gatwick is the second busiest 'single' runway airport in the world. That immediately got me curious — if Gatwick is number two, then which airport holds the number one spot? And more interestingly, which other airports make it into the top ten busiest single-runway airports worldwide?

Place - City - Airport - Passengers in 2024 (millions) Runway length (ft)

01. Mumbai - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (BOM/VABB) 54.8m   11,302
02. London - Gatwick (LGW/EGKK)                                  43.2m    10,879
03. Lisbon - Humberto Delgado (LIS/LPPT)                     35.1m     12,156
04. London - Stansted (STN/EGSS)                                  29.8m     10,003
05. Xiamen - Gaoqi Intl (XMN/ZSAM)                                27.9m     11,155
06. Urumqui - Tianshan Intl (THQ/ZLTS)                          27.8m     11,811
07. San Diego - International (SAN/KSAN)                      25.2m       9,401 *
08. Shenyang - Taoxian Intl (SHE/ZYTX)                          23.7m     10,499
09. Sanya - Phoenix Intl (SYX/ZJYS)                                 21.4m     11,155
10. Jinan - Yaoquiang Intl (TNA/ZSNJ)                             20.0m     11,814


* Busiest single-runway airport in North America.

Saying goodbye to the much-loved Acacia Street turning circle

On Sunday afternoon, my wife and I made our way out to the airport to spend a few hours there, knowing it would be our last chance for a while. The much-loved Acacia Street turning circle — better known to locals as the loop road — was closing for its long-awaited reconstruction.

The closure marks the beginning of work on a brand-new, upgraded aircraft viewing area. When it reopens in mid-2026, the space will be known as Fellowship Place, offering an improved experience for plane spotters and visitors alike.

In the meantime, aviation enthusiasts keen to capture a few photos can still head to other designated viewing areas while construction is underway.

• Boronia Road (best before 10:00 am) or
• Da Vinci Boulevard (best from 11:00 am onwards)
• DFO carpark (best from 10am onwards)
• Level nine carpark P1 (to save money - booking online is strongly advised)

One of our local YouTube streamers, Only Plane Network (OPN), was on site for their usual Sunday evening live stream, capturing the final moments of the loop road before its closure. The familiar setup — cameras pointed toward the runway and viewers tuning in from around the world — added to the significance of the afternoon.

Members of the plane-spotting community gathered together, many bringing along snacks to share. Between aircraft movements, we swapped stories and reminisced about memorable arrivals, special liveries, rare visitors, and the countless sunsets we’d watched from that very spot. It felt less like a farewell and more like a celebration of the community and the moments that made the place special.

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EOF (MSN 171) 11 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES EMBRAER E190AR VH-A2S (MSN 19000082)

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YIS (MSN 39926)
VA960 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 13 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 70 VH-NKU (MSN 11555)
VA1246 ARRIVING FROM ROKHAMPTON (ROK) 30 YEARS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 400 VH-QOE (MSN 4125)
QLK325D ARRIVING FROM BUNDABERG (BDB) 19 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPE (MSN 593) 21 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYZ (MSN 19000222)
QLK1937 OFF TO ADELAIDE (ADL) 18 YEARS

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZRM (MSN 340B-100) 
ZL5738 OFF TO ROMA (RMA) 29 YEARS

LINK AIRWAYS FAIRCHILD METRO 23 VH-VET (MSN DC-839B)
LR551 OFF TO COFFS HARBOUR (CPS) 33 YEARS

LIFE FLIGHT BOMBADIER CHALLENGER 604 VH-OFC (MSN 5538) 24 YEARS

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A220-300 VH-X4E (MSN 55312)
QF1273 OFF TO MELBOURNE (MEL) 1.3 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-7K2 VH-NVW (MSN 30369)
VA1006 OFF TO HOBART (HBA) 15 YEARS

ALLIANCE FOKKER 100 VH-XWO (MSN 11280)
VA1106 OFF TO NEWCASTLE (NTL) 36 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

QANTAS AIRBUS A321-271NY VH-OGD (MSN 12668)
QF6045 ARRIVING FROM BANGKOK (BKK)
DELIVERY FLIGHT

AIRCALIN AIRBUS A320-271N F-ONEA (MSN 11882)
SB150 ARRIVING FROM NOUMEA (NOU) 2 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A320-271 ZK-NHA (MSN 8715)
NZ204 OFF TO CHRISTCHURCH (CHC) 7 YEARS

NAURU AIRLINES BOEING 737-83N VH-AN2 (MSN 03669) 22 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-VUX (MSN 37823)
VA962 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 15 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-XZH (MSN 39372)
QF125 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 12 YEARS

QATAR AIRWAYS BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BAH (MSN 37662)
QR898 ARRIVING FROM DOHA (DOH) 16 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A321-271NY VH-OGA (MSN 12323)
QF541 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 10 MONTHS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHR (MSN 445)
SQ265 DEPARTING FOR SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS