Pilot Unions Form Coalition to Oppose Single-Pilot Operations, Citing Safety Concerns and Profit-Driven Motives

MONTREAL, CANADA — Pilot unions are strongly opposing single-pilot operations for commercial aircraft, labeling these automation-dependent concepts as profit-driven and posing significant safety risks. The Air Line Pilots Association International, European Cockpit Association, and International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations have formed a coalition to counter such initiatives and are committed to protecting the safety of passengers. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Emirates Launches A380 Service to Bali

Two of the world's most popular tourist destinations will now be connected through an Airbus A380 service. The direct flight between Dubai and Bali with Emirates will start on June 1 and replace a Boeing 777 service. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

The most Chicago thing ever happened 20 years ago — an airport was bulldozed overnight

When the sun came up over Chicago on March 31, 2003, it shone down on six large Xs that were bulldozed overnight into the runway of a small downtown airport. (www.wbez.org) More...

Delta Air Lines Relaunches Minneapolis Tokyo Flights With The Airbus A330neo

After a three-year pause, Delta Air Lines and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) celebrated over the weekend by resuming its Tokyo Haneda (HND) connection on Saturday 25th. The connection joins five other Delta flights that now operate to Tokyo Haneda, with two more expected to join the list this year, as noted further in this article. With the Minneapolis / Saint Paul region seeing 17,000 passengers travel directly between MSP and Japan annually, Brian Ryks, CEO of the… (www.msn.com) More...

A321XLR programme completes second cold-weather testing campaign

This week the A321XLR development flight-test aircraft (“FT3”, MSN11080) dedicated to the cabin returned from its four-day cold-weather ground testing at Iqaluit in northern Canada. A few weeks earlier, one of the other A321XLR test aircraft (“FT2”, MSN11058) made a similar visit to Iqaluit. On that initial occasion the mission was to test the operation of the hydraulics and other systems at extreme cold temperatures – after an overnight soak at minus 40 degrees Centigrade. (www.airbus.com) More...

Russia threatens to destroy Ukraine jets given by Slovakia and Poland.

After Poland and Slovakia have transferred jets to Ukraine to help in the war, Russia has threatened to destroy these aircraft to help themselves advance in the war. (www.bbc.com) More...

Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Man Allegedly Drinks Liter of Vodka, Causes ‘Two Hours of Chaos’

On Monday, an Easyjet flight traveling from Manchester to Antalya was forced to make an emergency landing in Hungary following “two hours of chaos” that involved a particularly rowdy passenger and the alleged drinking of “at least” a liter of vodka, reported The Scottish Sun. According to The Scottish Sun, the unnamed man had purchased the booze duty-free at the airport and reportedly attempted to disguise it from staff by pouring it into a soda bottle. “He started annoying the girl in front, so… (www.msn.com) More...

Billionaire Branson sits out Virgin Orbit’s costly flameout

Richard Branson was long a force to be reckoned with in the booming private space business. The British serial entrepreneur beat fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos to the first cosmic tourist trip with his Virgin Galactic venture. Branson’s second space foray, Virgin Orbit, strapped rockets under the wing of a jumbo jet to launch satellites on their flight path, complete with mission monikers like “Start Me Up” that reflect his distinctive blend of business and bravado. (www.seattletimes.com) More...