Air India finds ‘no issues' with fuel switch mechanism in Dreamliners
The probe into the June 12 crash that killed 260 people shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad is focused on the fuel control switches of the Boeing 787 jetliner, with a final report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) expected within a year of the disaster.
The switches control fuel flow to aircraft engines, allowing pilots to start or shut them down on the ground, or manually intervene during in-flight engine failures.
It was reported last week that a cockpit voice recording indicated first officer Clive Kunder had asked captain Sumeet Sabharwal why he had turned off the fuel switches, which a preliminary AAIB report into the crash said senior pilot had denied.
Officials are probing whether it could be the result of a failure of the plane's systems or human error.
Air India began voluntary inspections of the switches on July 12. India's aviation regulator soon ordered all domestic carriers to conduct similar checks, prompting some foreign airlines and regulators to follow suit.
'In the inspections, no issues were found with the said locking mechanism,' the airline said in a brief statement posted on its website. 'The same has been communicated to the regulator.
'Air India remains committed to the safety of passengers and crew members.'
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West Australian
30-07-2025
- West Australian
Scooting to Vienna on a budget
There's a new option for travellers looking for an alternative, cheaper way to fly to Europe. Scoot last month launched its first flight between Singapore and Vienna, flying three times a week with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. From Perth, it's a comfortable five hours to Singapore on the 6.25pm flight, landing in Singapore just before midnight with a short three-hour layover. We board the inaugural flight at 3am, landing in Vienna just over 11 hours later (after a special onboard performance of classical music by the T'ang Quartet) at about 9am local time. And while it's a budget airline — there are no screens, you have to pay for wifi and water and pre-order meals — our advice is to book Scoot Plus (the airline's version of premium economy) with its spacious leather seats. Scoot chief operating officer Ng Chee Keong says the route opens up opportunities for travellers from the Asia-Pacific to explore Eastern Europe and vice versa. Flights connect to other cities via short flights or train. 'We hope that this new connection helps to bridge cultures and inspire more customers to explore new destinations and create memorable travel experiences,' he says. Vienna Tourist Board chief executive Norbert Kettner says Vienna is the 'heartland of European history'. It also has a centuries-old musical heritage and was home to composers Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms. And until earlier this year, Vienna held the mantle for the world's most liveable city. 'Vienna is the fifth biggest city in the European community and one of the youngest cities,' Mr Kettner says. 'And, of course, you have the great combination of what we call northern European efficiency and southern European lifestyle.' After arriving in Vienna we check into the impeccable Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel. From the moment we walk in, the hotel screams luxury. It is also a perfect location for exploring, being on the edge of the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard built in the mid 1800s that surrounds the city's historic centre and its most famous landmarks. Rebel Tours owner Basti Knobl tells us it replaced the fortress that once surrounded the city and soon became where the rich and noble built their palaces. From the hotel, Basti takes us to the city's ninth district (Vienna is broken up into 23 districts, each with different traits) which is known by locals as 'little Paris'. It also has a rich Jewish history, with this district home to the city's biggest Jewish population before, in 1938, thousands were forced out of their homes by the Nazi regime. The devastating aftermath is still evident today. At points, Basti tells us to look up at the buildings, the architecture makes it obvious where the original buildings were firebombed and destroyed. The next day, we visit the Heidi Horten Collection — a private gallery which houses works from the likes of Pablo Picasso to Andy Warhol. The Wien Museum is next on the agenda, which provides an immersive way to learn about the city's history from its imperial heritage to modern life. And you can't visit Vienna without a taste of its famous Wiener schnitzel. We have ours at Skopik & Lohn in the second district, and it melts in the mouth. Our night rounds off with a visit to Votive Church to see Light of Creation, which is a 30-minute light show accompanied by classical music — a feast for the ears and eyes. The Belvedere Museum is a must. It's home to Gustav Klimt's famous painting The Kiss, painted in the early 1900s and depicting a couple in a golden embrace. The art and history inside the museum is breathtaking, and the grounds are just as beautiful, walking through them makes you feel as though you're in a scene from Bridgerton. The weather in early June was quite warm, and we took public transport or walked everywhere. It is surprisingly easy and stress-free for a visitor to navigate. The public transport system is so efficient most residents opt to pay an annual fee to take the tram, train or subway rather than own a car because it's easier, cheaper — and faster. It is soon time for a spot of shopping, and our personal guide Lucie takes us behind the scenes of the imperial shops that have been the choice for the royals for generations. First stop is R Scheer & Sohne, where seven generations have been making shoes for kings and kaisers since 1860. The shoemakers only make bespoke shoes — your first pair will set you back €10,000 ($17,930). Next, we visit one of the oldest jewellers in Vienna, A.E Kochert. The family has been creating beautiful jewels for more than 200 years, particularly for the royals. 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Sydney Morning Herald
25-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fewer seats, more legroom as Air NZ revamps Dreamliner cabins
It is makeover time at Air New Zealand, where the entire fleet of Boeing 787-9s is being retrofitted with new cabin interiors, including new seats in every class. The first plane to undergo the $NZ35 million ($32 million) redo took to the skies in May, flying routes from Auckland to Brisbane, San Francisco and Vancouver. Six more aircraft are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with the remaining seven undergoing retrofitting in Singapore in 2026. Travellers in every class will notice the differences. Economy passengers will gain an extra inch (2.54 cm) of personal space thanks to new slimmer seats and will also have additional storage options, including a small snack table and an elastic holder for passports. More good news: the new entertainment screens are 50 per cent larger, at 13.3 inches (34 cm). With Bluetooth now in every cabin, you will be able to use your own wireless headphones. Premium economy seats retain the generous 41-inch (104 cm) pitch but enjoy more storage space and additional privacy thanks to side wings on the seat. The new seats feature a fixed outer-shell, allowing the seat to move forward in a cradle motion instead of reclining into the space of the person behind. The new business Premier seats include a lie-flat bed, a 24-inch (61 cm) screen, sliding privacy screens, more storage space and a wireless charging pad for personal devices. The front row of each business cabin will also include business premier luxe seats, which offer even more privacy thanks to fully closing doors, larger beds and a shared space for two to dine together.
The Age
25-07-2025
- The Age
Fewer seats, more legroom as Air NZ revamps Dreamliner cabins
It is makeover time at Air New Zealand, where the entire fleet of Boeing 787-9s is being retrofitted with new cabin interiors, including new seats in every class. The first plane to undergo the $NZ35 million ($32 million) redo took to the skies in May, flying routes from Auckland to Brisbane, San Francisco and Vancouver. Six more aircraft are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with the remaining seven undergoing retrofitting in Singapore in 2026. Travellers in every class will notice the differences. Economy passengers will gain an extra inch (2.54 cm) of personal space thanks to new slimmer seats and will also have additional storage options, including a small snack table and an elastic holder for passports. More good news: the new entertainment screens are 50 per cent larger, at 13.3 inches (34 cm). With Bluetooth now in every cabin, you will be able to use your own wireless headphones. Premium economy seats retain the generous 41-inch (104 cm) pitch but enjoy more storage space and additional privacy thanks to side wings on the seat. The new seats feature a fixed outer-shell, allowing the seat to move forward in a cradle motion instead of reclining into the space of the person behind. The new business Premier seats include a lie-flat bed, a 24-inch (61 cm) screen, sliding privacy screens, more storage space and a wireless charging pad for personal devices. The front row of each business cabin will also include business premier luxe seats, which offer even more privacy thanks to fully closing doors, larger beds and a shared space for two to dine together.
