Latest news with #A319
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
New Zealand's odd couple in deputy PM job share
New Zealand is on the cusp of an orderly yet highly unusual transition of political power, swapping the deputy prime minister position between coalition parties. On Saturday, Winston Peters, the wily veteran first elected in 1979, will hand over the reins to David Seymour, the rising star of the right. The odd spectacle was agreed upon 18 months earlier, when both men argued to be deputy to Prime Minister Chris Luxon in coalition talks. Mr Coughlan said Mr Peters would relish a return to the role of retail politician. "Peters has travelled a lot during the first half of the term. I think he'll ease up a bit and spend more time in the heartlands leading up to the election," he said. The switch will not cost Mr Peters any staff, but it will hit his wallet: Mr Peters' annual salary dropping from $NZ344,000 ($A319,000) to $NZ304,000 ($A282,000) and Mr Seymour enjoying the bump in reverse.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Qantas announces direct flights between Newcastle and Perth
Qantas has announced its first direct flights between Perth and Newcastle, cutting out a lengthy drive for travellers commuting between the cities. The New QantasLink route launching on September 8 will make it easier for Aussies looking to travel to and from the east and west coast, with flights operating three times a week on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. The five-hour direct flight is set to save commuters time, as a flight or lengthy drive between Newcastle and Sydney will no longer be required. The route will be chartered by a 150-seat Airbus A319, meaning that 900 seats are available per week and more than 45,000 annually to and from Western Australia. Perth is the fifth most travelled-to destination for people in the Newcastle Airport catchment, and a Newcastle Airport survey in July last year revealed that an overwhelming 97 per cent of respondents said they would likely travel to Perth if direct flights were available. The new Perth service is forecast to inject about $21.7m into the Newcastle economy each year and create 74 new jobs. Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the 'direct to Perth' service was necessary for the region. 'We've worked hard to secure this route because it's one our community and extended region needs,' Mr Horton said. 'The five-hour service saves travellers a lengthy drive to Sydney and connects Newcastle and the Greater Hunter directly with WA's resources sector, creating enormous potential for business travel and fly-in fly-out operations. 'It also brings loved ones together and unlocks international one-stop connections via Perth to cities like London, Paris, Johannesburg and seasonal to Rome. 'Western Australia is a vital part of Australia's economy, and this service gives the Hunter's businesses and workers faster, easier access to it. It also supports our strategy to strengthen the airport's role as a key economic enabler for the region. 'The benefits aren't just outbound. With direct access to the Hunter, Perth-based travellers now have easier reach to a region known for wine, coastlines, defence and energy innovation.' Port Stephens Mayor and Newcastle Airport director Leah Anderson said the region deserved direct flights to Perth. 'It's about time saved, convenience gained and opportunities unlocked. For the people of Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Greater Hunter and south through to the Central Coast, whether it's for FIFO work, family reunions or seeing more of Australia – this new route makes travel easier and more accessible,' she said. Qantas will also reinstate a direct Perth-to-Hobart service for the first time since 2023, operating three times a week most months of the year. Flights between Perth and Hobart will begin from September 26 and will be available year-round outside of May, June and August. The flights, also chartered by A319 aircraft, are available on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays and will add an additional 32,000 seats annually. The services will be available for booking on from Thursday morning, with economy launch fares starting from $299 Perth-Newcastle one-way and $299 Perth-Hobart one-way. The sale ends 11.59pm AEST on Monday, June 2, unless sold out prior. QantasLink chief executive Rachel Yangoyan said the company was proud to be supporting WA's resource and tourism sector. 'These direct services will not only boost inbound visitors to WA but offer more opportunities for those working in the resource sectors across the country with improved options for their travel,' she said.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top FAA air traffic control official stepping down
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The head of the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic organization is stepping down after 40 years of federal government service, an agency spokesperson said on Tuesday. Tim Arel, who is chief operating officer of the FAA Air Traffic Organization, is taking part in the U.S. Transportation Department's voluntary deferred retirement program, the spokesperson said. "He has committed to stay for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition," according to the spokesperson, who said he had originally planned to retire by the end of 2025. His departure comes as lawmakers have been examining why the agency did not address concerns about close calls between helicopters and airplanes near Reagan Washington National Airport before a January 29 fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter that killed 67 people. Arel did not respond to an email seeking comment. Separately, the FAA said it has installed a new management team to oversee air traffic control at Reagan National, confirming a Washington Post report. The FAA brought in a new management team at Reagan "to ensure strong support for the workforce" and added priorities include reviewing safety data trends, performance management "and ensuring facility training is robust and consistently meets national standards," the agency said. The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and a series of near-miss incidents has raised concerns in recent years. A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights and, at many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks. "There is no question that we are seeing too many close calls," Arel told employees in 2023. Senators last month pressed the FAA for failing to act on thousands of reports of helicopters in dangerous proximity to airplanes near Reagan. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau acknowledged the data was troubling and said "clearly something was missed." In March, the FAA imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter traffic around the airport, which has the single busiest runway in the United States. The FAA has mandated a halt to air traffic when essential helicopters are operating near Reagan. Last week, the FAA said it may slow flight arrivals at Reagan after the collision. It is also increasing operational supervisor staffing from six to eight and an FAA stress management team will visit the airport offering confidential support for staff. The FAA is reviewing the airport's "arrival rate of aircraft per hour, which is disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour." On March 28, a near-miss between a departing Delta Air Lines A319 and a group of Air Force jets approaching Arlington National Cemetery triggered a cockpit collision warning for the Delta plane, leading to renewed safety concerns. Also last month, a fight occurred in the Reagan air traffic control tower and an employee was arrested and placed on leave, the FAA said.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryanair organises 'rescue flights' amid Heathrow Airport closure
Ryanair has organised eight 'rescue flights' between the UK and Ireland for passengers affected by the closure of Heathrow. The flights are now available to be booked on the Irish airline's website. It comes as Heathrow Airport is closed all day today (Friday, March 21) after a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power. At least 1,351 flights to and from the airport in west London could be cancelled today, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24. ‼️RYANAIR LAUNCHES 8 RESCUE FLIGHTS FOR PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY HEATHROW CLOSURE‼️ Friday: 2 x Dublin to Stansted 2 x Stansted to Dublin Saturday: 2 x Dublin to Stansted 2 x Stansted to Dublin Available from 9.30AM at ✈️ — Ryanair (@Ryanair) March 21, 2025 Ryanair announced earlier this morning that extra flights would be available to book. In a statement, the airline said: 'Ryanair will operate four extra flights between Dublin and Stansted on Friday afternoon as well as four extra flights on Saturday morning. 'These flights can be booked on from 9.30am this morning.' The flight path between Heathrow and Dublin is one of the busiest international routes in Europe with 34 flights scheduled for today. In total around 70 flights to and from the island of Ireland could be cancelled. EasyJet, which does not operate at Heathrow, said it will use larger than planned aircraft on key routes on Friday and over the weekend to accommodate disrupted passengers. Several flights between the UK and Milan, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Paris, Munich and Madrid will have A320 aircraft with capacity for 186 passengers, instead of A319 aircraft which can only carry 156 passengers. Recommended reading: This is how you can claim compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed Heathrow Airport will be closed all day following electrical substation fire The 10 best value UK airport lounges, as voted by Tripadvisor customers Heathrow has warned of "significant disruption" over the coming days, telling passengers not to travel "under any circumstances" until it reopens. Heathrow handled just under 84 million passengers last year, nearly double the number of the next busiest airport in the UK. Some 83,857,000 passengers were recorded at Heathrow's terminals in 2024, according to data from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The Independent
21-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Heathrow flights map: Where are planes being diverted to after substation fire closes airport
Nearly 300,000 passengers will experience flight disruption to and from Heathrow, with the airport closed for the whole day following a massive fire at a nearby electrical substation. A transformer within the North Hyde electrical substation caught fire in west London on Thursday night, leaving thousands of homes without power. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said the airport was scheduled to have 665 departures today, equating to over 145,094 seats. A further 669 flights were due to arrive today, with some 145,000 passengers expected to land in the UK's busiest airport. Heathrow was due to see more than 1,330 scheduled flights on Friday, flying some 291,000 passengers, Cirium said. British Airways had the largest share of flights from the airport (51 per cent), followed by Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa, the aviation analytics firm found. Online flight tracking service FlightRadar24 said 120 flights to the airport were in the air when the closure was announced. Online tracking services showed flights were diverted to Gatwick, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and Ireland 's Shannon Airport. Several flights were also turned around and returned to airports in Canada and the United States. Gatwick Airport confirmed it had accepted seven diverted flights from Singapore, Johannesburg, Lagos, Cape Town and Doha which were originally destined for Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic passengers from Barbados had their flight diverted to Cardiff Airport. Shannon Airport in Co Clare confirmed it had accepted six diverted flights from Toronto, Atlanta, Bridgetown Barbados, Boston, Orlando and Newark. AGS Airports, which operates Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, said all flights to and from London Heathrow had been cancelled for the rest of the day. Edinburgh Airport also advised any British Airways passengers with flights to Heathrow not to travel to the airport. The airport added it has not been asked to take any diverted flights. Budget airline Ryanair announced it will be launching eight 'rescue flights' for passengers affected. The Irish airline said in a statement: 'Ryanair will operate 4 extra flights between Dublin and Stansted on Friday afternoon as well as 4 extra flights on Sat morning. EasyJet, which does not operate at Heathrow, said it will use larger than planned aircraft on key routes on Friday and over the weekend. Several flights between the UK and Milan, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Paris, Munich and Madrid will have A320 aircraft with a capacity for 186 passengers, instead of A319 aircraft which can only carry 156 passengers. A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage across the airport due to a large fire at a nearby electrical substation. Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored. 'To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23h59 on 21 March 2025. We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens. 'We will provide an update when more information on the resumption of operations is available. We know this will be disappointing for passengers and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation.'
