Latest news with #Boeing737
Western Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Expert reveals simple trick that cure your fear of flying
But for the 1 in 4 Brits, the journey itself can be more panic than paradise (I'll include myself in that bracket). However, good news fellow panicky passengers! An expert has revealed a list of unusual but highly effective tips that are already helping nervous flyers feel calmer at 30,000 feet. From why you should smile like your life depends on it, to the unspoken trick flight attendants use to stay calm during turbulence and how an app can trick your brain into thinking it's all under control. Travel Expert, Jane Bolton from tailor-made package ski holiday operator, Erna Low shares six practical tips to help anxious flyers feel more at ease before and during their journey. My fear of flying is so strong that I have nightmares being on planes and I wake up sweating. I hate this fear so much. — Sheena 📚🎮 (@m_sheena_) May 26, 2025 1. Understand what to expect A big part of fear comes from uncertainty. Not knowing what's normal during a flight, like strange sounds or sudden bumps can make every little thing feel like a red flag. Turbulence in particular is a big trigger for many, even though it's a totally routine part of flying. How to manage it? Think of turbulence like driving over a bumpy road, it might not feel great, but it's nothing to worry about. Planes are built to handle it, and pilots are trained to navigate it safely. Take the time to watch short videos that explain how planes work and what different in-flight noises mean. Download a flight tracker app before your journey to see how often your route flies safely every day, it's a helpful visual reminder that flying is routine and safe. 2. Reframe fear as excitement Fear and excitement trigger the same physical response, it's the brain's interpretation that makes the difference*. How to manage it? Smile, even if it feels silly. It sends a message to your brain that things are okay. Reframe nerves as excitement using mental tricks like the 'anxiety vs excitement' method. Try saying things like 'I'm excited' instead of 'I'm scared' to help shift your mindset*. Pair it with distractions like a great playlist, film, book, audiobook, or a calming podcast*. 3. Get in the right headspace early Nervousness about flying often starts days or weeks before boarding, leading to sleepless nights and exhaustion especially when left unchecked. How to manage it? Start preparing your mindset in the weeks before you fly to build calming habits. Gentle yoga or guided meditation can help build emotional resilience. Having a breathing tool like anti-anxiety necklaces, can also help centre you if panic starts to creep in. 4. Choose the right seat Feeling trapped or unsettled in your seat can make anxiety worse. How to manage it? Pick a seat over the wing, this is usually the most stable part of the plane. If you're claustrophobic or like to move around, opt for an aisle seat to avoid feeling trapped. Some find a window view soothing, pick what works for you. On common aircraft like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, seats between rows 12 and 25 are typically over the wings but checking seat maps on airline websites can help identify these seats*. Recommended reading: 5. Avoid common triggers Alcohol and caffeine can amplify anxiety, not reduce it. How to manage it? Skip the pre-flight drink and opt for water or calming herbal teas. Bring noise-cancelling headphones and familiar scents like lavender oil to soothe your senses and reduce stimulation mid-flight. 6. Timings and routine matter Too much waiting time on the day of your flight can allow nerves to build. How to manage it? Choose an early morning flight if you can, as this gives you less time to overthink.
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two Ryanair aircraft with 304 passengers and crew narrowly avoided a collision
Two Ryanair aircraft with a combined 304 passengers and crew on board narrowly avoided a collision at Las Palmas Airport on Gran Canaria last year due to a problem with equipment used by air traffic controllers, an investigation has revealed. A report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) detailed the serious incident on October 12, 2024 which resulted in two Boeing 737 planes – one making its final approach and the other taking off – flying over the runway at Las Palmas at the same time. At the closest point of separation when both aircraft were in the air, they were just 0.9 nautical miles apart at the same altitude over the runway and potentially just seconds away from a collision. The report revealed that there were no communications from the air traffic control tower for over three minutes during the critical incident. It found that air traffic controllers in the tower were unaware that their instructions were not transmitting and so did not use their 'last resort radio.' The investigation showed that a Ryanair-registered aircraft operated by Malta Air flying from Rome with 171 passengers and six crew was making its final approach to the runway at Las Palmas airport when another Ryanair aircraft with 127 passengers and six crew was cleared for immediate take-off. Just 42 seconds later, the Ryanair aircraft approaching the runway at an altitude of 350 feet decided to abort the landing and initiate a right turn after seeing the other plane starting its take-off run. The crew tried to call the control tower four times over 40 seconds without a response to state they were aborting the approach. The manoeuvre resulted in a loss of separation – the term used when aircraft breach the minimum safe separation distance between them either horizontally or vertically or both. The crews of both aircraft attempted to contact the control tower but got no response The report showed two air traffic controllers, one of whom was a trainee, were working in the control tower at Las Palmas airport with a normal workload. It found the control tower at Las Palmas warned that the regulatory separation between the two aircraft was not guaranteed and tried to communicate with the two aircraft to resolve the potential conflict but the instructions could not be transmitted. Both air traffic controllers described the situation as 'very tight.' A separate investigation by the Spanish air navigation service, ENAIRE, was not able to clarify the exact reason for the problem with the communications equipment but ruled out a technical failure. It revealed that a light on a communications panel was illuminated which indicated the equipment was working, although it believed the fault was linked to a stuck foot pedal used to transmit instructions. The CIAIAC report said the loss of separation between the two Ryanair aircraft was 'as a result of authorising a take-off when there was another aircraft on final with insufficient space between the two aircraft.' Investigators found the two aircraft did not receive any instructions from the control tower due to connection pins of a communications device 'being incorrectly connected for a period of time.' The CIAIAC said the problem had 'made it impossible for the messages issued from the tower to be transmitted outside.' It recommended that ENAIRE examine the possibility of including a section on its checklist which would include an obligation for air traffic controllers to check that communications equipment is working correctly. The report also noted that it was a third aircraft which was approaching Las Palmas that became aware of the communications problem and used an emergency frequency that alerted air traffic controllers to the situation. It observed that the crews on both Ryanair aircraft had 'adequately managed a solution to the conflict.'
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Interview: Air India CEO says airline looking to replace tie-up with Turkish aircraft maintenance company
Amid continuing military tensions with Pakistan, Air India is exploring alternatives to replace Turkiye-based aircraft maintenance provider, Turkish Technic, following boycott calls sparked by Ankara's support for Pakistan during last month's cross-border strikes. Simultaneously, the airline has requested the government for $600 million annual subsidy to counter losses from flight disruptions triggered by Pakistan's airspace closure since April. 'We are cognisant of the [public] opinion. As we can find alternatives, we'll try direct aircraft there. It's not an overnight or easy solution.' Air India CEO Campbell Wilson told The Hindu in response to a question on whether the airline would revisit its agreement with Turkish Technic amidst calls for boycott. The airline sends its Boeing 777, legacy as well as those leased from Delta Airlines and Etihad post privatisation, to Turkiye for maintenance operations. The airline is already grappling with a delay in the retrofit of its legacy narrowbody and widebody aircraft, and a complete retrofit or refurnishing of its 13 legacy Boeing 777 now stands postponed with the aircraft set to undergo a limited 'heavy refresh' next year that involves new carpets and seat covers. 'We've got a number of widebody aircraft that require maintenance, including the refit. There isn't the capacity in India to do that for wide-body aircraft and we've had to farm aircraft out to AIESL [Air India Engineering Services Limited- a government-owned MRO]. Obviously, they can't do all of it. We've sent some to Abu Dhabi, some to Singapore, and indeed some to Turkish,' Mr Wilson explained. Air India's low-cost arm, Air India Express, too has an agreement with the Turkish company for component support and solution needs of 190 Boeing 737 aircraft, that include services such as component pooling, repair, overhaul, modification, and logistics services of Turkish Technic. Recently, the DGCA also said that IndiGo has until August 30 to terminate its agreement for leasing two widebody Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines which the former has been using since 2023 to provide flights to Istanbul from Delhi and Mumbai after technical challenges in using its own narrow- body Airbus A320 and A321 that had to either take a mid-way fuel stop or carry less than the full load of passengers. The government has also revoked Turkish ground-handling company Celebi's security clearance across airports. But the impact of the military tensions on Indo-Pak border for two of the biggest airlines in India don't end here. Air India has also sought $600 million subsidy from the Indian government for every year Pakistan's airspace remains shut for Indian aircraft as it is forced to re-route its flights to Europe and North America and take a fuel-stop in Vienna for flights to Toronto, Washington DC, Chicago resulting in upto three hours of additional flight duration for some. 'At the time, that was our assessment of what the cost would be,' Mr Wilson said in response to a question. The demand was made after the government asked airlines to share their assessment of the impact of the airspace closure. Air India's flights are also grappling with an impact on passenger and cargo capacity in some cases. 'In order to operate non-stop with a longer flight route, we can't fill all of the seats or all of the cargo capacity,' the airline CEO said. As many as 20-30 seats have to be flown without passengers on some flights. 'We're getting better at optimising the flight route and mitigate the impact on our customers, operations and finances,' Campbell added. Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson speaks with Jagriti Chandra on a wide-ranging issues, including the impact of the closure of Pakistan airspace, the airline's financial performance, developing Indian airports as hubs, its partnership with Singapore Airlines as well as the airline's role in Indian aviation. With the U.S. government cracking down on immigrants, including halting visa appointments for foreign students and revoking citizenship, what is the impact of travel demand on your flights between Indian and the US. I wouldn't want to comment on those developments specifically. But there's a few other external events that have an impact on the U.S, operations, particularly the airspace constraint that we have to fly around. This has caused reduction in the payload, and in a couple of cases an enroute refuelling stop. So, it's hard to isolate one action from another but overall we still see very strong demand between India and North America bear in mind though that we're operating slightly less capacity because of the payload restrictions. What is the impact on capacity on these flights? It very much depends on the flight, and the day as it depends on the wind conditions of each day. It's a very dynamic situation. In some cases, we've actually been able to restore a lot of the capacity that we had originally cut as we are getting better at optimising our flight route. Initially, we took an intermediate refuelling stop on a number of routes, but we've since been able to reoptimise the flight paths such that we have reinstated non-stop service to nearly all of the cities in North America that we were previously operating to. Only Chicago, Washington DC, Toronto and San Francisco continue to be the ones to have a refuelling stop, which in some cases is only in one direction. On some North America routes as many as 20-30 seats have to be dropped, or there is a reduction in cargo capacity. You have earlier spoken of aircraft deliveries remaining slow in 2025. How many aircraft are you adding this year. The capacity growth for the last financial year was about 12% for Air India. This year it is going to be flat because we are only getting a couple of wide body deliveries. These include a Boeing 787 and an Airbus A350. But we are also taking out a number of the legacy aircraft in order to have their interiors completely refitted. In the financial year 2024 you were able to reduce losses by 60%. What do you think were the factors that contributed to that and how was your financial performance in financial year 2025? One of the factors was a significant increase in revenue. Revenue can come from expansion, but there is also the quality of revenue, which is revenue per kilometre which is from entering new markets, improved revenue management, improving pricing practice, ancillary revenues, cargo revenues, product improvement, attracting different clientele than you might have carried in the past. On the cost side, it's efficiency of deploying aircraft, IT systems for scheduling aircraft and scheduling crew. Next is the scale that comes with the benefit of reducing your unit cost. There was a real technical, product and training debt that we had to overcome. So, we have had to invest a lot in that to bring things quickly back to what we consider a more acceptable level. We have had to also build an infrastructure that supports not the sub-100 aircraft fleet that Air India used to have, or the 300 aircraft fleet that we now have, but the 500 aircraft fleet that we're going to have in three years time. So, we are incurring some costs there which will have benefit for future and allow us to lower the unit cost over time. So, it's very much transitioning at the moment. Whilst we're seeing progress, there are a lot of moving parts. And we don't want to be pennywise, pound foolish in robbing from the future to achieve numbers now. The company did that before. But how do you expect the financial year that has just ended to perform? Do you expect to better in terms of cutting down on losses? Certainly on the full service carrier side, we're very happy with the trajectory. It has been a good progress. The low- cost carrier went from 25 aircraft to over 100 aircraft in a very short span of time, and that rate of growth was quite astonishing. So, it does take a while to digest and optimise and they have a little bit more work to do. There is a concern from your long-haul international travellers who have to connect from cities like Hyderabad or Chennai or Cochin, who say they would prefer to fly either through Dubai or a European hub rather than take a connecting flight in Delhi and Mumbai which are inconvenient connecting points. Are you planning to address some of these pain points? I agree 100% on the connection experience for people travelling from within India. It's not as smooth as as I would like it to be. And there's a few reasons for that, including the security protocol that passengers need to go through, which is a regulator-mandated process. There is also a baggage screening process. In some cases it's language, and people are not comfortable speaking Hindi. So, we are working with the airport operator and the Ministry on how we might make this process simpler because we think it's actually in India's benefit. The more people that are transiting through an Indian hub on Indian soil benefits the Indian ecosystem, not just the aviation ecosystem. What are the specific suggestions that you've made? There was previously a regime called hub and spoke, and its reintroduction would be that someone coming in from a domestic point would go through a slightly different screening process, or go through an internal channel. Additionally, the customs and immigration can be done at the originating station instead of the hub station. That's how we can remove the friction and become comparable to Dubai or Qatar. What are the benefits of the Singapore Airlines partnership for Air India. Does the route expansion happen in conjunction with them? We are not constrained in where we want to fly to because of that relationship. The partnership with Singapore really allows us to to serve cities that really we aren't able to fly viably ourselves from India. They have 20 something destinations in Indonesia, and multiple destinations in Philippines and Malaysia. They also fly to seven or eight cities in Australia and New Zealand. In the medium term, we're not going to be able to operate to even half of those cities non-stop from India India ourselves and their partnership expands our reach to that part of the world, and then expands their reach into India and beyond India. Because of the strength they have in their markets, they can provide a distribution and sales network in Asia and Australasia that we don't have and we can do the same thing for Middle East and India. Are there also other aspects such as training, maintenance and operational aspects where their partnership will be of help to Air India. Will there also be manpower deputations between the two airlines. A lot of the inputs they've given is directly through Vistara. There were a lot of Singapore Airline processes and that was embedded in Vistara, and with the merger of the four airlines we have adopted the best practises from all those four airlines. Singapore Airline has also been very helpful in advising on engineering. We're working formally with SIA Engineering Company on the development of our maintenance, repair and overhaul base in Bangalore. And obviously now they have a 25% shareholder representation on the board. There is also information exchange, exchange of best practises exchange and deputation of people to be familiarised in both directions, which allows the two companies to corporate well together. Apart from representation on the Board, there are no deputation rights into Air India for Singapore Airlines. Since Air India's privatisation in January 2022, there has not just been new orders for 470 aircraft but also investments announced for pilot training, strengthening MRO capabilities. How do you see Air India's role evolving in the Indian aviation as well as the global aviation ecosystem over the next decade or so. I think the word I would use is key catalyst. Each flight that we operate has an Indian crew, and is supported by Indian engineers, and Indian ground-handlers. And the maintenance base that we have will facilitate original equipment manufacturer component providers and the people that we bring on our flights are going to be doing business with Indian businesses and building connections. So, the stronger we can make that Indian aviation ecosystem, the more the catalytic and multiplier effects on the rest of the Indian economy and society get strengthened. But it really comes from the airline's investment in the aircraft in particular, in network, in quality, and subsequently in all the support infrastructure. It's no secret that if you look around a number of the countries in the region, the perception of the country is driven by the perception of the airline in some respects. You can look west, you can look east. That's what I think, ultimately we want it to be. That when people see Air India, people can see that the attributes of Air India are India.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Glasgow Jet2 flight returns to airport after 'emergency'
The flight had been squawking 7700, a code used by pilots to indicate a general emergency to air traffic controllers. A Jet2 flight departing from Glasgow Airport was forced to return shortly after take-off. The brief journey, scheduled from Glasgow to Leeds, took off at 11.17am on Saturday (May 31). However, the flight soon began 'squawking' to signal an emergency, as reported by air traffic tracking service Flight Radar 24. The Boeing 737 aircraft initially headed towards Leeds over Kilwinning, but abruptly changed course over Dumfries and Galloway around 13 minutes into the flight. The plane then flew north, circling over Lanark, Larkhall and Wishaw for nearly ten minutes before heading north over Cumbernauld and turning back to land in Renfrew at Glasgow Airport at 11.59am. The flight never ascended beyond 9,000 feet. Typically, passenger flights cruise at altitudes exceeding 30,000 feet above sea level. Flight Radar confirmed that air traffic control recordings indicate no further safety concerns once the flight touched down at Glasgow Airport, reports Glasgow Live. The flight had been squawking 7700, a code used by pilots to signal a general emergency to air traffic controllers, according to Flight Radar.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Expert reveals simple trick that cure your fear of flying
But for the 1 in 4 Brits, the journey itself can be more panic than paradise (I'll include myself in that bracket). However, good news fellow panicky passengers! An expert has revealed a list of unusual but highly effective tips that are already helping nervous flyers feel calmer at 30,000 feet. From why you should smile like your life depends on it, to the unspoken trick flight attendants use to stay calm during turbulence and how an app can trick your brain into thinking it's all under control. Travel Expert, Jane Bolton from tailor-made package ski holiday operator, Erna Low shares six practical tips to help anxious flyers feel more at ease before and during their journey. My fear of flying is so strong that I have nightmares being on planes and I wake up sweating. I hate this fear so much. — Sheena 📚🎮 (@m_sheena_) May 26, 2025 1. Understand what to expect A big part of fear comes from uncertainty. Not knowing what's normal during a flight, like strange sounds or sudden bumps can make every little thing feel like a red flag. Turbulence in particular is a big trigger for many, even though it's a totally routine part of flying. How to manage it? Think of turbulence like driving over a bumpy road, it might not feel great, but it's nothing to worry about. Planes are built to handle it, and pilots are trained to navigate it safely. Take the time to watch short videos that explain how planes work and what different in-flight noises mean. Download a flight tracker app before your journey to see how often your route flies safely every day, it's a helpful visual reminder that flying is routine and safe. 2. Reframe fear as excitement Fear and excitement trigger the same physical response, it's the brain's interpretation that makes the difference*. How to manage it? Smile, even if it feels silly. It sends a message to your brain that things are okay. Reframe nerves as excitement using mental tricks like the 'anxiety vs excitement' method. Try saying things like 'I'm excited' instead of 'I'm scared' to help shift your mindset*. Pair it with distractions like a great playlist, film, book, audiobook, or a calming podcast*. 3. Get in the right headspace early Nervousness about flying often starts days or weeks before boarding, leading to sleepless nights and exhaustion especially when left unchecked. How to manage it? Start preparing your mindset in the weeks before you fly to build calming habits. Gentle yoga or guided meditation can help build emotional resilience. Having a breathing tool like anti-anxiety necklaces, can also help centre you if panic starts to creep in. 4. Choose the right seat Feeling trapped or unsettled in your seat can make anxiety worse. How to manage it? Pick a seat over the wing, this is usually the most stable part of the plane. If you're claustrophobic or like to move around, opt for an aisle seat to avoid feeling trapped. Some find a window view soothing, pick what works for you. On common aircraft like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, seats between rows 12 and 25 are typically over the wings but checking seat maps on airline websites can help identify these seats*. Recommended reading: 5. Avoid common triggers Alcohol and caffeine can amplify anxiety, not reduce it. How to manage it? Skip the pre-flight drink and opt for water or calming herbal teas. Bring noise-cancelling headphones and familiar scents like lavender oil to soothe your senses and reduce stimulation mid-flight. 6. Timings and routine matter Too much waiting time on the day of your flight can allow nerves to build. How to manage it? Choose an early morning flight if you can, as this gives you less time to overthink.
