Countries with the most airports

As the year comes to and end it got me thinking about air travel and people moving around from city to city. Then I thought I wonder how many airports there are in the world and which country has the most. 

My research shows there are over 40,000 airports globally and the United States leads the list by a huge margin, followed by Brazil, and then our very own country  Australia,  finishing of with Mexico, and Canada.

The top 20 list is dominated by large landmass countries or those with extensive regional air travel, including Russia, Argentina, Colombia, China, and South Africa, though precise numbers aren't exactly correct as they varied slightly from site to site.

01. United States: ~ 15,873 

02. Brazil: ~ 4,919

03. Australia: ~ 2,180 

04. Mexico: ~ 1,485 

05. Canada: ~ 1,425

06. United Kingdom: ~ 1,043

07. Russia: ~ 904

08. Germany: ~ 838

09. Argentina: ~ 756

10. France: ~ 689

11. Colombia: ~ 662

12. Italy: ~ 636

13. South Africa: ~ 575

14. Papua New Guinea: ~ 535

15. China: ~ 531

16. Indonesia: ~ 513

17. Venezuela: ~ 502

18. Chile: ~ 374

19. Kenya: ~ 370

20. Spain: ~ 363

For us here in Australia here's a breakdown by region, based on data I could find. 

• Queensland (QLD): 737
• New South Wales (NSW): 577
• Western Australia (WA): 525
• Northern Territory (NT): 335
• South Australia (SA): 279
• Victoria (VIC): 235
• Tasmania (TAS): 77
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): 9 

The vast majority are small, unpaved airstrips crucial for remote communities, not just large commercial hubs. 

Two helicopters crash midair in US, one pilot killed

One person has been killed and another critically injured when two helicopters collided midair in New Jersey on Sunday. Police said they received a rescue call for an aviation crash at around 11:25 a.m.

Reports indicate an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C collided over Hammonton Municipal Airport. One pilot from the two aircraft died, while the other suffered critical injuries and is being treated in the hospital. Witnesses said both helicopters took off before one started spiraling quickly toward the ground, followed by the other. Police and fire crews later put out flames that engulfed one of the helicopters.

Hammonton Municipal Airport (FAA LID: N81) is a public airport situated about three nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) northeast of Hammonton’s downtown in Atlantic County, New Jersey. 

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: M&M Charter LLC
Aircraft: Enstrom 280C Shark
Registration: N280MG
Serial Number: 1135Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-E1AD
First Flew: 1978
Age: 47 Years

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Private
Aircraft: Enstrom F-28
Registration: N520H
Serial Number: 325Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-A1A
First Flew: 1975
Age: 50 Years

We’re keeping the family and friends of the deceased in our thoughts and prayers during this tough time.

Remembering those on Jeju Air flight 2216

Jeju Air flight 2216 was an international passenger flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK/VTBS), Thailand, to Muan International Airport South Korea (MWX/RKJB). On the 29th of December 2024, as the flight neared Muan, it experienced a bird strike, with both engines ingesting birds and the right engine completely losing thrust.

JEJU AIR BOEING 737 - MAX 8 HL8553 (MSN 66541)

The pilots sending out a mayday call, attempted a go-around, and then on their second try, the landing gear failed to deploy, causing the plane to perform a belly-land far past the usual touchdown point. It sped off the runway, smashed into the approach lighting system, and crashed into a berm surrounding a concrete structure holding an antenna array for the instrument landing system (ILS). The crash claimed the lives of all 175 passengers and 4 of the 6 crew members. The two surviving cabin crew, seated at the back of the plane which broke away from the fuselage, were rescued with injuries.

Just seconds before the mayday call, both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) stopped working. Investigators later found evidence of a bird strike involving a species of migratory duck in both engines, with the right engine taking heavy damage. In July 2025, South Korean media reported that the investigation board concluded the crew had accidentally shut down the relatively undamaged left engine instead of the badly damaged right one. Less than a month before the crash, Jeju Air had resumed regular international services at Muan International Airport following a suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the airline was operating four flights a week between Muan and Bangkok.

The aircraft involved was manufactured in 2009 and was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-8AS registered as HL8088 (MSN 37541) and was equipped with two CFM International CFM56-7B26 engines. It was acquired by Jeju Air in 2017 after previously operating for Ryanair. 

We’re keeping the families and friends in our thoughts as they honor and remember their loved ones today.

Remembering Indonesian AirAsia Flight 8501

INDONESIA AIRASIA AIRBUS A320-216 PK-AXE (MSN 3715)

Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 was an international passenger flight operated by AirAsia from Surabaya, Java, Indonesia (SUB/WARR), to Singapore (SIN/WSSS). On the 28th of December 2014, the Airbus A320 flying the route crashed into the Java Sea, resulting in the deaths of all 162 people on board. When search operations concluded March 2015, only 116 out of the 162 bodies had been recovered.

The flight proceeded normally until 06:00 when an Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) memo was displayed, accompanied by a master caution light, indicating a fault with the rudder limiter system. Captain Iriyanto followed the prescribed actions to rectify this issue and rebooted the aircraft's two Flight Augmentation Computers (FACs). The same fault reoccurred at 06:09, and the captain addressed it in the same manner.

At 06:11, the pilots turned fifteen degrees to the left avoid inclement weather and contacted Jakarta ATC to request a climb to 380 at 12,000 meters (38,000 ft) for the same reason. The controller could not grant immediate permission due to other aircraft in the vicinity and instructed them to wait.

While waiting for permission to climb, the rudder limiter problem occurred for third time, and for the time, the captain reset the FAC computers. the memo displayed for the fourth time, Captain Iriyanto decided to reset the FAC circuit breakers (CB). He had seen this action performed by a ground engineer and believed it was acceptable to do so in flight.

The FAC circuit breakers were reset at 06:16:45, with immediate consequences, as this action not only reset the FAC computers but also disconnected the autopilot and autothrottle, and the flight control law changed from Normal to Alternate. It allowed the aircraft to roll to the left, and by the time First Officer Plesel reacted to this it was banked at 54 degrees.

Plesel, possibly spatially disoriented due to the roll sensation, over-corrected twice: first by making a sharp right bank input and then a sharp left bank input. After that, at 06:17, Plesel made a nose-up input on his sidestick, causing the aircraft to enter a steep climb at a 24-degree nose-up pitch. The captain gave a confusing direction to "pull down", which 'bears an internal contradiction as “pull” suggests up, while “down” means down. In just 54 seconds, the aircraft climbed from 32,000 feet to 38,500 ft (11,700 m), exceeding a climb rate of 10,000 ft/min (50 m/s). It then entered a stall, at around 06:17:40, descending at a rate of up to 20,000 ft/min (100 m/s). The aircraft also began a turn to the left, forming at least one complete circle before disappearing from radar at 06:18:44. At 06:20:35 the flight data recorder stopped recording. The CVR stopped recording one second later, at 06:20:36. The aircraft crashed into the Java Sea and was destroyed. All 162 people on board were killed instantly upon impact. 

Its last recorded position was over the Java Sea, Karimata Strait, between the islands of Belitung and Kalimantan (3.3708°S 1096911°E). The aircraft crashed in the Java Sea, Karimata Strait, between the islands of Belitung and Borneo (3.623°S 109.712°E). The cockpit voice recorder captured multiple warnings, including a stall warning, sounding in the cockpit during the final minutes of the flight. No distress signal was sent from the aircraft. and rescue (SAR) operations were activated by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) from the Pangkal Pinang office.

This is the first and only fatal plane crash of any of the AirAsia associates.

Aircraft Information
Airline: Indonesia Air Asia
Code: QZ/AWQ

Aircraft: Airbus A320-216 
Registration: PK-AXC
Serial Number: 3648
Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-5B6/3
First Flew: 25th September 2008
Age: 6.3 Years 

We’re keeping the families and friends in our thoughts as they honor and remember their loved ones today.

Brisbane Airport to create iconic plane spotting area

This is truly exciting news, not only for me and my family, but for everyone who loves aviation here in Brisbane.

Brisbane Airport is wrapping up its 100th anniversary celebrations by unveiling plans for a brand-new plane spotting area that honours aviation history while inspiring future generations of aviators.

The centerpiece will be the tail of a decommissioned Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft, installed as a feature, ensuring it will be a must-visit destination for aviation fans from around the world, as well as serving as a new local attraction.

“It’s our birthday, but the present is for Brisbane. We want to create something that celebrates our past and inspires the future, and this iconic plane spotting area will be the place to visit,” Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said.

“We have growing demand from people who want to come and have a front-seat view of aviation, and we know the children watching aircraft today will be the pilots and aircrew of tomorrow."

The 50-year-old F28 tail donated by Aviation Australia forms a symbolic link to another iconic aircraft on display at Brisbane Airport: the century old Southern Cross, famously flown across the Pacific in 1928 by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, alongside co-pilot Charles Ulm, navigator Harry Lyon, and radio operator James Warner.

Both aircraft were built by Fokker, underscoring the enduring legacy of the Dutch manufacturer in shaping Queensland’s aviation heritage. Brisbane Airport is now home to the world’s largest Fokker fleet, operated by Alliance Airlines.

Fokker F28 Fellowships played an important role in pioneering regional jet travel in Queensland, linking major cities and serving as the first jet aircraft flown by many passengers in Queensland through operators such as Flight West Airlines.

Key features of the new area:

· Fokker F28 tail sculpture — a dramatic and rare tribute to jet-age design

· Elevated viewing platform — offering less obstructed views

· Proximity to taxiways — providing closer views of aircraft, ideal for photographers

· Shading and seating – providing better facilities for families.

The new location will be closer to the Zulu and Yankee taxiways than the current position, providing less obstructed views of aircraft taxiing to and from the western runway, as well as aircraft landing and taking off on the eastern runway.

Lloyd Fox has been visiting Brisbane Airport to photograph planes for 65 years. As a 10-year-old he rode his bike to the old Eagle Farm airport. When the modern Brisbane Airport opened in 1988, his passion continued from the current plane spotting area.

Lloyd estimates he’s visited Brisbane Airport to take photographs 5,500 times, and has an image collection of almost 30,000 photographs, which he shares via his Instagram account @tourismman189

“This new area is something I could never have imagined as it will get people a lot closer to the action,” says Lloyd.

“It’s not just about taking photographs, it’s talking to people. I see parents here all the time with their kids sharing a love for aviation.”

Construction will occur in 2026 and will require the temporary closure of the current viewing area. During this time, 927 cubic metres of fill will be trucked in to establish the foundations.

“We thank people for their patience during this time and we’re confident the wait will be worth it, and can’t wait to open this new area in 2026,” notes Gert-Jan de Graaff.

Visitors will be able to view aircraft taxiing and departing for 35 international destinations. Brisbane Airport is Australia’s most connected domestic port, with connections to 62 destinations around the country, half of them in Queensland.

Story taken from the Brisbane Airport website
Brisbane Airport to create iconic plane spotting area

Merry Christmas

As the year is fast coming to a close, I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read and support Madaboutplanes. Whether you're celebrating holidays, observing traditions, or simply enjoying a quieter moment at the end of the year, I hope this season gives you the chance to slow down and spend meaningful time with loved ones- family, friends, and those who matter most. 

May it bring calm skies, good conversations, and inspiration for the journeys ahead.

And for those who do celebrate it, I wish you a very Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The hijacking of Air France Flight 8969

AIR FRANCE AIRBUS A220-300 F-HZUO (MSN 55193)

As we get ready to spend time with loved ones over this holiday season, spare a thought for the passengers that were on this aircraft. This would be a Christmas they will never forget.

On the 24th of December 1994 four armed men boarded Air France Flight 8969 which was due to depart Algiers-Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG/DAAG) for Paris-Orly Airport (ORY/LFPO) at 11:15 am. The men were dressed as Algerian presidential police; they wore blue uniforms with Air Algérie logos. Their presence originally did not cause any alarm. Two of the men began inspecting the passengers' passports while one went into the cockpit and the fourth stood guard. Claude Burgniard, a flight attendant, recalled noticing that the "police" were armed and one of them had dynamite showing, which she considered to be unusual as the Algerian police were not normally armed when carrying out checks. The Algerian military felt suspicious on noticing that the Air France flight appeared to have an unauthorized delay, so they began surrounding the aircraft. Zahida Kakachi, a passenger, recalled seeing members of the Special Intervention Group (GIS), known as "ninjas", outside the aircraft. Kakachi recalled hearing one of the "police" say "taghut," an Arabic word for "infidel", upon seeing the GIS men gathering outside the A300; she then realized that the four men on board the plane were terrorists. 

The four hijackers then revealed that they were not police, but mujahideen seeking to establish an Islamic state in Algeria. They had assault rifles, submachine guns, pistols, homemade hand grenades and two 10-stick dynamite packs. Later, at one point during the flight, the men placed one pack of dynamite in the cockpit and one pack under a seat in the middle of the aircraft, then linked them with detonator wire. They also took the uniforms of the pilots to confuse Algerian army snipers.

The hijackers were walking through the plane yelling.
Allah has chosen us to die, and Allah has chosen you to die with us. Allah guarantees our success, Insha'Allah.

They had hijacked the aircraft because the national airline Air France was a symbol of France, which they viewed as infidel foreign invaders. 24 hours in, the hijackers released some of the passengers, mainly women with young children and those with severe medical conditions. Over 170 people still remained on board the plane. The hijackers offered to release the remaining Algerian passengers, but the Algerians refused to leave the aircraft. Delhemme recalled that one passenger who was refusing to leave said that he thought the crew would be killed if he did, and Delhemme believes that the passengers' motives were sincere. By the end of the 25th of December, the hijackers had freed a total of 63 passengers. The terrorists murdered three passengers, and their intention was to blow up the plane over the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The terrorists demanded the plane be flown to Marseille. When the aircraft reached Marseille, the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), a counter-terror unit of the French National Gendarmerie, stormed the plane and killed all four hijackers. The remaining passengers and crew survived the 20-minute gun battle. Of the remaining passengers, 13 received minor injuries. 9 of the 30 GIGN operatives received injuries; of them, 1 received serious wounds. 3 crew members received injuries. 138 of the 220 passengers were Algerian citizens. A significant number of the passengers were French people leaving Algeria. Captain Bernard Delhemme said that the hijackers, who had extensively planned the operation, did not anticipate that most of the passengers would be Algerians.  The whole incident from start to finish lasted 54 hours.

Aircraft Information

Airline: Air France

Code: AF/AFR

Aircraft: Airbus A300B2-1C 

Registration F-GBEC

Serial Number: 104

Engines: 2 General Electric CF6-50C2R
First Flew: 28/02/1980

Age at Incident: 14 Yrs 10 Mts

Rex officially leaves voluntary administration

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZLJ (MSN 340B-380)

Rex (Regional EXpress)  has officially exited voluntary administration, with US firm Air T now taking full control of the airline. In a letter to creditors obtained by Australian Aviation, administrator EY Australia confirmed that the Deed Of Company Arrangement (DOCA) finalised last month is complete, and all Rex Group shares have been transferred to Air T.

“We are pleased to confirm that, on the 18th of December 2025, all conditions precedents to the DOCA were met and the transaction has completed, effective that same date,” the administrators wrote.

“As a result, the Rex Group has now exited deed administration, the shares in REX have been transferred to the purchaser and a new board of directors have been appointed to provide oversight and accountability for the Rex Group’s businesses going forward.

“Rex Group management is focused on minimising any disruption to the business operations of the Rex Group from completion on a go-forward basis and accordingly, continues to trade on a business-as-usual basis.

“Invoices relating to goods and/or services received by the Rex Group after completion will be paid by the Rex Group directly under its new ownership.”

Rex’s current employees have retained their entitlements, except for any outstanding superannuation from before administration, which falls under eligible employee claims in the creditors’ trust; former employees are also still eligible beneficiaries. The administrators noted that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will claim any pre-appointment superannuation owed to both current and former employees on their behalf, so continuing staff don’t need to take any action for this amount.

Rex Airlines was founded on the 11th of July 2002 and commenced operations on the 2nd of August 2002, formed from the acquisition and merger of two other Australian regional airlines, Hazelton and Kendell. The original airlines, Kendell and Hazelton, went into administration following the collapse of the Ansett Group in September 2001. The assets of both airlines were purchased by the Australia wide Airlines consortium, which then merged them to form Regional Express.

Rex is also the world's largest operator of the Saab 340, historically maintaining a significant fleet, often around 60 aircraft, making it by far the biggest user of this regional turboprop globally.

Sunday spotting at Brisbane Airport

It was an extremely hot day with lots of heat haze so some of the photos aren't as sharp as I'd like.

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-222 N204UA (MSN 28713)
UA96 ARRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 26 YEARS

KOREAN AIR BOEING 787-9 HL8392 (MSN 37390)
KE408 OFF TO SEOUL (ICN) 4 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTM (MSN 1431)
MH134 OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 12 YEARS

CHINE EASTERN AIRBUS A350-942 B-324W (MSN 470)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 4 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHG (MSN 309)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 6 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZK (MSN 43217)
NZ145 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 9 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPG (MSN 603)
QF61 OFF TOTOKYO (NRT) 21 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OYK (MSN 11960)
JQ150 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 1 YEAR

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYF (MSN 19000038)
QF1971 OFF TO ALBURY (ABX) 19 YEARS

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AIRBUS A321-271N RP-C9936 (MSN 8619)
PR221 ARRIVING FROM MANILA (MNL) 6 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VFH (MSN 5211)
JQ812 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 13 YEARS

BATIK AIR BOEING 737-MAX 8 9M-LRJ (MSN 43018)
OD158 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 6 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YVD (MSN40998) 
VA447 OFF TO DARWIN (DRW) 14 YEARS

QANTAS PRIDE AIRCRAFT
NEWLY PAINTED BOEING 737-838 VH-VYK (MSN 34183)
OLD COLOUR SCHEME AIRBUS A330-2202 VH-EBL (MSN 976)

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-7K2 VH-NHW (MSN 39257)
VA931 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 14 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHU (MSN 469)
SQ255 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 4 YEARS

VIRVIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8SA VH-IJU (MSN 44223)  
VA1495 OFF TO HAMILTON ISLAND (HTI) 11 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYR (MSN 19000100)
QF1904 ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA (CBR) 18 YEARS

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A22-300 VH-X4C (MSN 55288)
QF1256 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 5 MONTHS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-32EE (MSN 619)
CZ382 OFF TO GUANGZHOU (CAN) 2 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS BOEING 737-MAX 8 DQ-FAF (MSN 64310)
FJ921 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 6 YEARS

AMERICAN BOEING 787-9 N844MC (MSN 66009)
AA8 OFF TO DALLAS (DFW) 9 MONTHS 

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZRM (MSN 340B-400)
ZL5724 OFF TO CHARLEVILLE (CTL) 29 YEARS

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRBUS A350-941 B-LQE (MSN 401)
CX153 ARRIVING FROM HONH KONG (HKG) 5 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKF (MSN 36231)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 11 YEARS

CHINA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 B-18910 (MSN 151)
CI53 ARRIVING FROM TAIPEI (TPE) 8 YEARS

DELTA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 N575DZ (MSN 282)
DL92 OFF TO LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPA (MSN 553)
QF51 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 22 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FEGI (MSN 66993)
AC36 OFF TO VANCOUVER (YVR) 9 MONTHS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VYK (MSN 34183) 
QF6124 COMPLETED A TEST FLIGHT 

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 70 VH-NUU (MSN 11532)
VA1239 OFF TO ROCKHAMPTON (ROK) 30 YEARS

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N822AN (MSN 40642)
AA43 OFF TO LOS ANGELES (LAX) 9 YEARS

QATAR AIRWAYS BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEL (MSN 64063)

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EOG (MSN 172)

Remembering Pan Am Flight 103

37 Yrs ago today Pan Am 103 blew up over Lockerbie killing everyone on board.

Pan Am Flight 103 was a regular scheduled transatlantic flight from Frankfurt (FRA/EDDF) to Detroit (DTW/KDTW) via London (LHR/EGLL) and New York (JKF/KJFK). At 19.03 on the 21st of December 1988, N739PA, (the aircraft operating the fight) was destroyed by a bomb, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew in what became known as the Lockerbie bombing. Large sections of the aircraft crashed onto a residential street in Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 11 people on the ground. With a total of 270 people killed, it is the deadliest terror attack in the history of the United Kingdom. 

Following a three-year joint investigation by Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), arrest warrants were issued for two Libyan nationals in November 1991. In 1999, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi handed over the two men for trial at Camp Zeist, Netherlands, after protracted negotiations and UN sanctions. In 2001, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, a Libyan intelligence officer, was jailed for life after being found guilty of 270 counts of murder in connection with the bombing. 

In August 2009, he was released by the Scottish Government on compassionate grounds after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He died in May 2012 as the only person to be convicted for the attack. In 2003, Gaddafi accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and paid compensation to the families of the victims, although he maintained that he had never given the order for the attack. Acceptance of responsibility was part of a series of requirements laid out by a UN resolution in order for sanctions against Libya to be lifted. Libya said it had to accept responsibility due to Megrahi's status as a government employee.  Some relatives of the dead, including the Lockerbie campaigner Dr Jim Swire, believe the bomb was planted at Heathrow airport and not sent via feeder flights from Malta, as the US and UK claim. A cell belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (General Command) had been operating in West Germany in the months before the Pan Am bombing.

After a three-year joint investigation by the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation indictments for murder were issued on the 13th of November 1991, against Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, a Libyan intelligence officer and the head of security for Libyan Arab Airlines (LAA), and Lamin Khalifah Fhimah, the LAA station manager in Luqa Airport, Malta. United Nations sanctions against Libya and protracted negotiations with the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi secured the handover of the accused on the 5th of April 1999.
On the 31st of January 2001, Megrahi was convicted of murder by a panel of three Scottish judges and sentenced to 27 years in prison. Fhimah was acquitted.

Aircraft Information.

The aircraft was a Boeing 747–121, registered N739PA (CN 19646) and was named "Clipper Maid of the Seas". It was the 15th 747 built, it first flew on the 25th of January 1970 and was delivered in mid-February 1970. It had PW JTD-7A engines.
The aircraft was 18yrs old at the time of the Lockerbie incident.

We’re keeping the families and friends in our thoughts as they honor and remember their loved ones today.

Finnair to launch A350 service to Melbourne

Finnair is set to start flights to Melbourne next autumn, marking the Nordic airline’s first-ever regular route between Finland and Australia.

Starting on the 25th of October 2026, daily flights between Helsinki (HEL/EFHK) and Melbourne (MEL/YMML) will run with a stop in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK/VTBS), using Airbus A350 aircraft. The service is pending government approvals.

“By connecting Helsinki and Melbourne, two cities on opposite sides of the world, we can offer a truly unique bridge between the northern and southern hemispheres,” Finnair Chief Revenue Officer Christine Rovelli says. “We expect that this new route will appeal to travelers from Europe heading to Australia, as well as Australians exploring northern Europe and beyond.”

At this stage the proposed schedule is as below, 

The outbound flight, AY145 will leave Helsinki at 00.10, and arrive in Bangkok at 16.30, after a short stop the flight will depart at 18.15, arriving in Melbourne the next morning at 07.15. 

The return trip, AY146, will depart Melbourne at 15.35, arrive in Bangkok at 20.45, it will depart for Helsinki at 22.30, arriving Helsinki early the following day at 06.05. 

Finnair says the timetable is set to match its first wave of morning departures across Europe while making the most of A350 usage.

Finnair has already been operating a pair of A330-300s for Oneworld alliance partner Qantas under a wet-lease agreement, flying Sydney-Bangkok and Sydney-Singapore services. The arrangement has helped Qantas bolster capacity while allowing Finnair to utilize A330s that are less optimal for its own network following the closure of Russian airspace.

Finnair will become the third European carrier to serve Australia, joining British Airways and Turkish Airlines. Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus says the new route marks a big win for the state of Victoria.

Oman Air returns to Singapore after almost a decade

Oman Air is growing its network with the launch of nonstop flights to Singapore, marking its return to the market after nearly a decade away.

OMAN AIR BOEING 737-MAX 8 A40-MF (MSN 

Starting on the 2nd of July 2026, the four-times-weekly route will link Muscat International Airport (MCT/OOMS) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS) and will be operated by a Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The airline last flew between these destinations in May 2017, and since then, there have been no nonstop flights.

As demand rises for unique destinations and top-notch travel experiences, this service offers more options for both leisure and business travelers, says Oman Air CEO Con Korfiatis. It also strengthens Muscat’s position as a key hub between east and west, providing smooth connections between Asia-Pacific markets and Europe, supported by our Oneworld partners.

The 3,429 mi. (2,980 nm) Muscat–Singapore sector will become Oman Air’s farthest narrowbody route and its fifth-longest overall. The carrier’s current farthest 737-8 service links Muscat with Kuala Lumpur, at 3,235 mi. (2,811 nm), according to OAG Schedules Analyser data.

The Singapore launch comes as Oman Air continues a multi-year transformation aimed at improving profitability and shifting its network toward higher-quality point-to-point traffic.

Oman Air’s upcoming route addition comes after several recent network changes. The Oneworld member began a twice-weekly Muscat-Baghdad-Copenhagen service on the 16th of December and plans to launch three weekly Muscat-Taif flights in January 2026, boosting its footprint in Saudi Arabia. The airline has also upped flights to London Heathrow and brought back services to Zurich.

Air New Zealand launches new route and grows current routes

Air New Zealand will introduce a new nonstop seasonal route linking Queenstown (ZQN/NZQN) and Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) from mid 2026. 

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZE (MSN 34334)

Air New Zealand will begin operating the Queenstown to Brisbane route on the 22nd of June 2026, with flights running three times a week until the 23rd of October 2026. The schedule targets travellers looking for mid-year holidays or early spring escapes, supporting seasonal peaks in both regions.

Air New Zealand will also expand its capacity across major Trans-Tasman routes. The airline will add 63,000 extra seats next year by upgrading aircraft and increasing frequencies to meet rising demand from both leisure and business travelers. 

Brisbane Airport (BNE/YBBN) confirmed that New Zealand remains its leading international two-way market, reinforcing importance of this expansion. The added capacity will support growing travel flows between Brisbane and key New Zealand gateways, including Auckland (AKL/NZAA), Christchurch (CHC/NZCH), and Wellington (WLG/NZWLN).

Air New Zealand will grow Brisbane- Auckland capacity by 12 percent from March to October 2026. The Brisbane-- Christchurch and Brisbane-Wellington routes will each see a 7 percent increase reflecting stable and sustained demand.

United 803 losers engine on takeoff.

Just seconds after takeoff, United Airlines Flight 803, travelling from Washington (IAD/KIAD) to Tokyo (HND/RJTT) experienced a frightening incident when its left engine failed during the climb from Washington Dulles, due to an engine spark/surge on departure from runway 1C. With nearly 300 passengers on board, the pilots declared a Mayday almost right away, reporting a loud bang followed by the engine failure.

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-224 N78002 (MSN 27578)

According to air traffic control audio, the aircraft stayed at a low altitude while the crew went through emergency checklists, and the captain later told passengers the problem was likely caused by a bird strike. On the ground, airport staff reported smoke, several small fires near the runway, and debris scattered along the departure path, leading to a temporary runway closure.

With more than 16 hours of fuel onboard for the long-haul flight to Japan, the pilots climbed to 5,000 feet and entered a holding pattern south of the airport to dump fuel before returning. After completing the fuel jettison, the crew lined up for an ILS approach and safely landed back at Dulles less than an hour after departure. The aircraft stopped on the runway after touchdown as the crew reported a possible blown tire, switching to emergency frequencies while fire crews responded. 

All passengers and crew made it back safely, and the FAA has confirmed it is investigating the engine failure. Once again, quick decision making in the cockpit turned what could have been a disaster into a safe outcome, leaving many passengers shaken but grateful to be on the ground.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: United Airlines

Code: UA/UAL

Aircraft: Boeing 777-224

Registration: N78004

Serial Number: 27580

Engines: 2 x GE GE90-92B

First Flew: October 1998

Age: 27.2 Years

Hong Kong Airlines launches Melbourne flight

HONG KONG AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-343 B-LNP (MSN 1398)

Melbourne has gained a new long-haul international route with Hong Kong Airlines starting services to Melbourne Airport, making it the airport’s 41st airline partner. The first flight celebrated a significant boost in air links between Australia and East Asia, enhancing connections between Victoria and the Greater Bay Area.

The new route links Melbourne (MEL/YMML) with Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH)), a major financial and aviation hub in Asia. Its launch highlights the increasing demand for international travel to Australia, as airlines adapt to greater market access and growing passenger numbers.

The first Hong Kong Airlines service, flight HK013, touched down in Melbourne last Saturday at 11.17 am (local) and received a ceremonial water cannon salute on arrival. The flight symbolized the airline’s formal entry into Australia’s largest 24-hour international gateway and its first operation to the city.

Flights will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 

The inaugural flight was serviced by an Airbus A330-343 - B-LHL (MSN 1686) 

Mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi

This is not aviation related, but I wanted to post this in support of the Jewish Community

Fifteen people have lost their lives, and many others were injured when two gunmen opened fire on a crowd at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. It has now been reported it was a father and son behind the guns. Naveed, 24, was critically injured and is under police guard in hospital, while his father, Sajid, 50, was shot dead by police at the scene. 

I am writing this with a heavy heart, struggling to find words that can truly capture the sorrow and devastation caused by this horrific act of violence at Bondi in Sydney. The loss of fifteen lives, and the suffering of so many others who remain in critical condition, is heartbreaking beyond measure.

Among the victims were 10-year-old Matilda, a Rabbi and father-of-five Eli Schlanger, 41, a French national Dan Elkayam in his 20s, a Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, businessman Reuven Morrison, and former police officer Peter Meagher. 

Our thoughts are with the victims whose lives were taken far too soon, with the families who are now living a nightmare and with those who are fighting to survive. There are no words that can ease this pain, but we wanted to acknowledge it, to say that this loss matters, and that these lives mattered.

This tragedy has left our family feeling shocked, heartbroken, and overwhelmed with grief. It is devastating to witness such senseless violence and to know the lasting trauma it leaves behind—for families, friends, first responders, and the entire community. 

ANA is world's largest operator of the 787

All Nippon Airways stands alone as the world's largest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Japanese carrier operates 87 Dreamliners across all three variants, a figure no other airline comes close to matching.

Boeing 787-8     33
Boeing 787-9     44
Boeing 787-10   10

ANA's dominance traces back to its role as the 787's launch customer. The airline received the first Dreamliner in 2011 and steadily expanded the fleet as the type proved itself on both domestic and long-haul routes. Today, ANA flies 787-8s on high-frequency Japanese trunk routes, while the larger 787-9 and 787-10 anchor services to Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

The aircraft's fuel efficiency and flexibility have allowed ANA to open thinner long-haul routes while maintaining dense schedules from Tokyo Haneda and Narita.

More deliveries are still to come, ensuring the Dreamliner remains central to ANA's network well into the next decade.

 
Other airlines with large fleets of 787s include:
United Airlines with 64
American Airlines with 51
Japan Airlines with 47

China Southern signs codeshare with Virgin Australia

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-30EA (MSN 398)

China Southern and Virgin Australia have officially signed a new codeshare agreement. This partnership is set to significantly enhance China Southern’s route network coverage in Oceania, offering passengers traveling between China and Australia a more diverse, convenient, and efficient travel experience.

The codeshare cooperation is scheduled to launch in early 2026, allowing passengers to travel on China Southern flights into major Australian gateways including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Darwin. Upon implementation of the codeshare cooperation, travelers can connect efficiently onward via Virgin Australia extensive route network, enjoying convenient access to 17 popular destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. 

These destinations not only include industrially and commercially developed cities like Newcastle, Townsville, and Mackay but also major vacation hotspots such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Queenstown, and Port Vila in Vanuatu, catering to the diverse travel preferences of all passengers.

As a major player in boosting air connectivity between China and Australia, China Southern currently operates seven trunk routes with flights from Guangzhou to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin, and from Shenzhen to Sydney. During peak seasons, the airline offers up to 77 weekly flights, ensuring stable and efficient air travel and facilitating exchanges between the two countries.

Through its cooperation with Virgin Australia, China Southern will further enhance the density of its route network in Oceania, providing passengers with more convenient connections, a wider range of flight options, and greater flexibility in travel planning. Looking ahead, China Southern will continue to collaborate with global partners to promote route network integration and service upgrades, enabling more people to enjoy exceptional air travel experiences. 

United Airlines adds Adelaide to its network.

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N29981 (MSN 66142)

Starting today, United Airlines launched direct flights between Adelaide and San Francisco, marking the first-ever nonstop route connecting South Australia with the United States. In a historic milestone for South Australia, the new link between the two countries is set to give a major boost to the economy through tourism and trade, as well as business events and conferences.

It also means South Australians will no longer have to endure travelling to Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney, often catching a bus to an international terminal just to connect to a US flight.

Commencing as a seasonal service UA207 departed San Francisco on the 11th of December, the 15-hour flight will operate three times per week until March – with a possibility to increase in the future as demand grows. The first flight will depart Adelaide for San Francisco on the 13th of December 2025.

The inaugural flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N29975 (MSN 66134) and after departing San Francisco 30 minutes late at 23.35, it touched down in Adelaide right on schedule at 9:30am. The service will arrive in Adelaide on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and departing the same day for San Francisco at 2:55pm as UA 208.

UNITED 207 OVERFLYING BRISBANE ON ITS WAY TO ADELAIDE

With this new flight, United will become the only airline with nonstop service to four Australian cities — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide — offering more routes between the two countries than any other carrier.

San Francisco is a major hub for United Airlines in the US, acting as the airline's primary West Coast and transpacific gateway, and as a major maintenance facility.

Travellers from Adelaide can take advantage of one-stop connections to more than 75 US destinations previously only reachable with two connections from the airline’s San Francisco hub, including New York City, Orlando, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

The flight also serves as a one-stop connection for travellers from Perth, who are currently not served by a US direct route.

Since 2022, United and Virgin Australia have teamed up, offering codeshare flights and mutual loyalty perks for Velocity Frequent Flyer and United MileagePlus members. 

The US is an important partner for South Australia, especially through the AUKUS agreement, but trade ties run deep, with major exports like wine, beef, fruit, vegetables, and nuts heading across the Pacific.