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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
We'll need 217 acres of TN land to expand Puducherry airport: Centre
PUDUCHERRY: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has prepared a comprehensive master plan for the expansion of Puducherry Airport, paving the way for the operation of larger aircraft, including the Airbus A-320, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, said in reply to a question raised by Puducherry Lok Sabha member V Vaithilingam. The plan includes extending the runway to 2,300 metres in length and 45 metres in width to handle larger flights, he said. As per the proposal, a total of 402 acres of additional land will be required for the expansion. Of this, 217 acres fall under the jurisdiction of Tamil Nadu, while the remaining 185 acres are located within Puducherry. The Master Plan has already been shared with the Government of Puducherry for further implementation. The runway alignment is being altered by a rotation of around 20 degrees in the master plan. This would facilitate the expansion of the present runway 1500 x 30 metres (which is capable of handling smaller aircrafts only) to get a total runway of 2,300x45 metres (suitable for operations of Airbus 321 and similar type of aircrafts). The reorientation would not require huge earth filling as required in the previous master plan and would save cost and prevent environmental issues, government sources said. Currently, Puducherry Airport offers flight services to only two destinations—Hyderabad and Bangalore. Following the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, airlines now enjoy full freedom to expand operations, said the minister, answering another question on whether flights would be operated from Puducherry to Kochi and Shirdi. AAI is in the process of engaging a consultant for preparing a land plan schedule, which will be shared with the centre and UT for land acquisition.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Time of India
AI flight aborts takeoff at IGI due to tech issue
New Delhi: An Air India flight to Kolkata aborted take-off at Delhi airport on Monday evening after a technical issue was detected. The flight, which was on the runway, returned for taxiing with passengers and the crew who safely disembarked. The flight, with 160 passengers on board, was scheduled to depart at 7.30am. An Air India spokesperson said, "Flight AI2403, operating from Delhi to Kolkata on July 21, has been rescheduled to depart later this evening, necessitated by a technical issue detected during the take-off roll. The cockpit crew decided to discontinue the take-off, following standard operating procedures." The spokesperson said all passengers disembarked and our ground colleagues in Delhi are extending support to them. "Inconvenience caused to the passengers due to this unforeseen disruption is sincerely regretted. At Air India, the safety and well-being of our passengers remain top priority," the spokesperson said. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi An airport official said: "The aircraft was an Airbus 321.... However, following a technical problem, the flight aborted." TNN
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Straits Times
Vietnam aviation authority urges heightened flight safety following aircraft collision in Hanoi
On June 27, a Boeing 787 preparing to take off for HCM City collided into the tail of an Airbus 321. PHOTO: NOI BAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HANOI - The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has issued an urgent directive to aviation units nationwide, calling for strengthened flight safety measures during the summer peak travel period and in anticipation of adverse weather conditions such as thunderstorms. The move comes in response to a recent ground collision involving two Vietnam Airlines aircrafts. On June 27, a Boeing 787 preparing to take off for HCM City collided into the tail of an Airbus 321 waiting to take off for Dien Bien City, at the intersection of taxiways S and S3 at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. The two airplanes and the four pilots have been suspended, while investigation into the cause is underway. The incident is rated level B in aviation incident assessment, second out of five levels. The CAAV instructed all relevant entities to strictly implement directives on maintaining aviation safety in poor weather conditions and to adhere fully to operational procedures and crew rest regulations. Airlines and aviation organisations are required to step up awareness campaigns among staff, especially pilots and air traffic controllers, on compliance with safety protocols. Pilots must strictly follow standard operating procedures, particularly during critical flight phases such as taxiing, takeoff and landing. Prior to departure, pilots are advised to conduct thorough briefings on taxi routes, use up-to-date airport charts and clearly assign tasks within the cockpit crew. During taxiing, heightened vigilance is required to identify key intersections, narrow taxiways and high-traffic areas. If unsure about clearance from obstacles such as other aircraft, vehicles, personnel or foreign object debris, pilots must immediately halt and inform air traffic controllers. Pilots are also required to employ a 'readback-hearback-confirmation' protocol with air traffic controllers to ensure accurate understanding of instructions. In cases of ambiguity, clarification must be sought before proceeding. Personal activities such as taking photos or filming are prohibited during operations. Internally, airlines must strengthen flight supervision, conduct regular reviews of operational procedures and promote a culture of continuous safety improvement. Air traffic controllers are likewise mandated to maintain full visual surveillance of aircraft movements during their shifts, utilising available technologies such as ground surveillance systems, binoculars and visual markers to monitor aircraft position, direction and spacing. Any abnormal or unauthorised movement such as incorrect taxiing or stopping in restricted areas must be detected and addressed promptly. Controllers must remain fully attentive, accurately relay instructions and repeat them when there is any indication of misunderstanding, especially with critical commands related to runway crossings or holding positions. Weather updates must be frequently communicated to pilots, enabling timely adjustments and informed decision-making. Airport operators have been told to intensify inspections of signage, ground markings, lighting systems and taxiway indicators to ensure optimal safety and service readiness. They are also encouraged to consider advanced surface movement guidance systems at high-traffic airports to prevent runway incursions and ground collisions. The CAAV emphasised that all units must remain vigilant and proactive to ensure aviation safety amid growing air traffic and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. VIET NAM NEWS / ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Forbes
16-04-2025
- Forbes
An American Airlines Flight Attendant Was Assaulted, Then Fired
Tillman Robinson joined US Airways in 2000 and is pictured in the airline's uniform around 2008. The case of Tillman Robinson is an unusual one that involves a flight attendant who was fired after he was assaulted by a passenger. Moreover, Robinson, 51, a 25-year Charlotte-based American Airlines flight attendant, who began his career with US Airways in 2000, says he was suspended twice, and called back twice, before he was fired for good in May 2024. He has the support of many co-workers, who have begun a GoFundMe page that so far has raised about $17,052 from 344 donations. In interviews this week, he said, 'The outpouring from not only my American Airlines family but other friends, family and even complete strangers have really given me fresh air to breath in my lungs and wind against my sails. It has really gotten me through my darkest of hours. I feel so much better today than I did three weeks ago.' However, he lost a job that pays about $80,000 annually and he now works parttime as a security guard at youth football game. After two hearings, he awaits an arbitration hearing sought by his union, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. No date has been set. Neither the union nor the airline has much to say about Tillman's case: their brief statements are included later in this story. Here is a review of the incident, based on the interview with Robinson, who is about 6'2' and 250 pounds. Perhaps his size weighed against him in the airline's evaluation of the case. On the afternoon of New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2023, Tillman was one of four flight attendants on an American Airbus 321 flying Charlotte-Las Vegas. When boarding started, he screened passengers as they boarded. He noticed a white man, medium build, bearded, with a hat pulled down over his face. The man, mouthing the word 'bathroom' repeatedly, made his way against traffic to the forward lav. Tillman asked him to allow passengers to board. The man complied. So nothing special happened, but a few hours later, as Tillman and another flight attendant served drinks, the man, seated in Row 18, ordered a small bottle of rum, drank it straight, and shoved the bottle back at the other flight attendant, who was not collecting trash at the time. 'I told her that was the same guy I was dealing with at boarding.' Tillman said. On landing in Las Vegas, 'people were in a festive mood,' Tillman said. The passenger and his female companion disembarked with considerable separation between them. As the passenger reached Tillman, standing in row eleven near the flight attendant jump seat, 'He turns to me sharply, sticks his finger in my face, and said, 'I should – you up, that was so – unnecessary.' I said, 'Back away, get off the plane.' He had his finger in my face. I used the back of my hand to move his finger out of my face. He pushed me; I pushed him back. 'Then he started trying to slug me. I was boxed in a corner: I had the jump seat to my right, passenger seats to my left. My only recourse was to protect myself in a defensive posture: in recurrent training they teach you self-defense so that when we need it, we can utilize it. Other passengers on the plane were yelling to the guy 'Leave him alone, get off the plane.' 'When he got to the front, I walked up there to make sure he got off with his female friend. The pilots were gone and the cockpit door was open and there was a female flight attendant at the front and it was my responsibility to protect the integrity of the aircraft. As I got close to the door, instead of stepping off, he turns around, his finger in my face again, and he continues his assault on me. He starts taking swings. So I started swinging back. One of the passengers broke it up. But then the passenger came at me again and the fight spilled onto the jet bridge. It was broken up again and he left. I asked the other passengers to let the gate agents know to send the police down. The police came. They asked me if I wanted to press charges: I did. They asked for a description and they found him in baggage claim. 'We all went to the station, I filed a police report. A passenger who witnessed everything gave a report. He appeared in court, was found guilty, and pled his case down: he had to take an anger management class and he was put on probation for a period of time and then everything was wiped clean.' As for Robinson, his trial continues, 15 months after the incident. The day after the incident, he deadheaded back to Charlotte. When he arrived, an inflight manager gave him a suspension letter. He was brought back to work a week later, then suspended on March 26, then brought back to work on May 1, then suspended on May 2. He was terminated on Oct. 15. A few days after the incident, Robinson filed an ASAP (Aviation Safety Action Program) report, which enables airline employees to voluntarily report safety incidents. It was accepted by a committee representing the airline, the union and the Federal Aviation Administration. Robinson had two hearings, the first on March 20 and the second on Nov. 26. He attended the first along with representations from APFA and the carrier. He did not attend the second. Now he awaits an arbitration hearing. How does Robinson explain the airline's actions? It is possible that his size weighs against him. Also, as a 25-year flight attendant, he is relatively highly paid and could be replaced by someone younger. Another factor, Robinson said, is that he did not get along with the Charlotte-based flight attendant who worked the Las Vegas flight as the lead: she has spoken against him in describing the incident to the airline, he said. Additionally, he said, 'My union feels like the company is using me as a sacrificial lamb to make a point after the union sent a letter to the FAA complaining about how little American does for flight attendants in cases of assault. There are so many incidents. They felt like America is always trying to sweep things under the rug because assaulting a flight attendant is supposed to be a federal offense. ' 'American doesn't protect their flight attendants in the way you would think they would,' he said. 'From my perspective, when they say they have your back, they must be way back.' In an email, American said, 'We take these matters incredibly seriously. After conducting a thorough internal investigation, it was determined the former team member acted in a manner inconsistent with our expectations and defined policies — prior to the altercation and throughout.' APFA said, in an email, 'This case is still ongoing and currently moving through the grievance process with the System Board of Adjustment. To respect Tillman's privacy and protect the integrity of the case, we're not able to share details or comment.'
Telegraph
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The £1m private jet flight that deported fewer than 50 illegal migrants to Albania
The deportation flight filmed by the Home Office was on a private jet going to Albania at an estimated cost of £1 million, The Telegraph can reveal. The Airbus 321, which can carry up to 240 passengers, On Monday, the Home Office released footage and photographs of the Albanians being led up the steps to the plane by security escorts, as part of efforts to show the Government's tough stance on illegal migration. But the estimated cost was £22,000 per deportee based on using an aircraft contracted from a private airline to remove 50 people with no right to remain in the UK, according to a Home Office impact assessment on enforced returns to safe countries. This includes the cost of paying for three privately contracted security escorts to travel with each migrant to prevent any disruption during the flight and on arrival, as well as monitoring and transporting individuals to any legal court sittings and to the airport. The previously secret, high-security deportation flights were filmed for the first time as part of efforts by The video and pictures showed up to five security escorts in high-vis yellow tabards with body-worn cameras surrounding each migrant as they were led up the steps onto the chartered Airbus. The Telegraph has been asked by the Home Office not to provide details of the name of the airline, its registration number or the location of the airport amid concerns that further deportation flights could be disrupted by protests. Other airlines previously used by the Home Office have been targeted by critics of the policy, including a high-profile flight to Jamaica in 2021, when celebrities and That flight finally left with only four criminals on board after 33 others were granted last-minute legal reprieves. The Airbus was contracted from a private airline that has previously used the same model of plane to carry well-known footballers and holidaymakers on special packages. A new Airbus A321LR, a longer-ranged version of the medium-haul airliner, is typically sold to airlines for about $71 million (£57.2 million), according to the aviation data company Cirium. The UK's use of private airlines for deportation flights stands in contrast to the US, where Donald Trump has deployed military aircraft to enact his plans to remove thousands of illegal migrants. Unlike the UK, all the US migrants are The Home Office said that it had commercial arrangements with private airlines and would only use the military as a last resort. The Ministry of Defence has reportedly previously resisted its transporter planes being diverted from military duties to carry migrants. Labour published data on Monday showing that 18,987 people have been deported since the party entered government in July, the highest number in any six-month period since 2017, as it tries to demonstrate to voters it is acting to tackle illegal immigration. Three quarters of the deportees left the UK voluntarily on commercial flights and only a fraction had arrived on small boats. Thirty-nine charter flights – four more than in the same period last year – have taken people to countries including Brazil, Vietnam and Albania. Some 12,658 Albanians crossed the Channel to the UK by small boats in 2022, of which 16,000 applied for asylum. As a result, the UK struck a series of new agreements with the Balkan country to fast-track the return of illegal Albanian migrants to their home country. There are understood to be weekly flights to the country.
