Latest news with #CivilAviationAuthority
Zawya
a day ago
- Climate
- Zawya
Thundershowers, downdraft wind expected across parts of Oman
Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a weather alert, highlighting the development of thundershowers and strong downdraft winds over several parts of the Sultanate. According to the latest forecast, weather conditions will remain unstable over parts of the Al Hajar Mountains, adjacent areas in Al Wusta Governorate, and sections of Dhofar Governorate, beginning from 1:00 PM. Cumulonimbus clouds are actively forming over the Hajar range, bringing the likelihood of scattered rainfall, some of which may be accompanied by thunderstorms and strong downdraft winds. The strength of these weather systems is considered moderate but could still result in reduced visibility, particularly in areas affected by dust or fog. In southern Oman, the influence of the Khareef monsoon continues to dominate. Coastal areas of Dhofar and the adjacent mountain ranges are witnessing increased cloud cover with conditions favorable for light, intermittent drizzle. Simultaneously, clouds continue to flow over parts of both Al Wusta and Dhofar, maintaining a generally cloudy to overcast sky across those regions. Elsewhere in the Sultanate, the skies are expected to remain mostly clear. However, there is a chance of cloud formation over parts of the Al Hajar Mountains, with occasional isolated showers that may be accompanied by thunderstorms. The forecast also includes the possibility of low clouds and fog patches forming late at night and into the early morning, especially along the coastal zones of both the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman. Over desert and open areas, the rise of dust due to active wind conditions may further contribute to a drop in visibility. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
MAHB targets mid-2028 finish for RM1.55b Penang Airport upgrade
SEPANG, July 18 — Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) aims to complete the Penang International Airport (PIA) expansion project by June 2028, with several phases of work already underway, said group managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani. The expansion project, estimated to cost approximately RM1.55 billion, is designed to address long-term capacity constraints and enhance the passenger experience at one of Malaysia's busiest regional airports. Upon completion, the airport's handling capacity is expected to increase from the current 6.5 million passengers per year to 12 million. The project is being carried out in three phases, he said, with the first phase involving infrastructure works, including the relocation of government agency offices such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and the Malaysian Meteorological Department, which are currently situated within the airport compound. Mohd Izani said work on Phase One has already commenced, while Phase Two, focused on apron expansion, is also progressing, and Phase Three, involving the main terminal expansion, is in the final design stage, with board approval and contractor appointment targeted by year-end. 'The target completion date remains June 2028, and we are committed to meeting that timeline,' Mohd Izani told reporters during a media briefing on MAHB's strategic direction here today. Mohd Izani, who was appointed to the role in August last year, also confirmed that the government has approved the expansion of Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), which is nearing its maximum capacity of nine million passengers annually. MAHB is currently finalising the development plan to expand KKIA's capacity to 12 million passengers and aims to appoint a contractor by year-end. Other tier two airports in the MAHB network are also set for upgrades. These include Tawau, Miri and Kota Bharu. The Tawau and Miri projects will be financed through allocations in the federal development budget. In Kota Bharu, Phase One of the upgrade was completed in August last year and is already operational, while Phase two is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Commenting on the Sarawak government's proposal to develop a new international airport to replace the existing Kuching International Airport, Mohd Izani said the matter is still under discussion between the federal and state governments. Under MAHB's operating agreement with the federal government, the company has the first right of refusal to manage any new airport developments. 'We are aware of the state's intention and have been approached for technical assistance. However, any decision on operations will depend on the outcome of the federal-state dialogue,' he said. He noted that Kuching International Airport is not yet fully congested, and questions remain regarding the economic viability of operating two airports in the same city. Regarding Langkawi International Airport, Mohd Izani said recent upgrades have included enhancements to the VIP lounge, noting that he airport has won the award for Best Airport under the five million passengers category for four consecutive years. He said Langkawi's tourism potential remains underutilised, especially in terms of attracting international carriers. 'Langkawi is on par with destinations like Bali and Phuket, but air connectivity remains limited. We need a more collaborative marketing push involving MAHB, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and state tourism agencies,' he said. On Subang Airport, Mohd Izani said the terminal expansion, completed last year at RM22 million, has increased its capacity to three million passengers annually, although jet operations remain limited to 15 movements per day as stipulated by the government. With AirAsia relocating its jet operations to KLIA Terminal 2 and Firefly reportedly planning to end jet operations in Subang, MAHB is reviewing the available slots in consultation with the Ministry of Transport. 'Priority will be given to local carriers, but discussions are ongoing on the possibility of offering the slots to foreign airlines,' he said. — Bernama
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Pushes Ahead With Changes Despite Government's ‘Plan-Stop' Policy
Marlborough's council will charge ahead with changes aimed at airline safety, despite the Government pushing pause on plan amendments. The district council's environment plan changes aim to ensure buildings or objects that could compromise aircraft safety could not be built close to Marlborough's three airports. Resource Management Act (RMA) reform minister Chris Bishop announced on Wednesday the Government wants to stop councils from passing amendments to environment and land use plans. Councils should not be wasting resources on making changes to plans under the RMA, ahead of major reforms expected in 2027, he said. 'Even though councils know the RMA's days are numbered, many are required to continue with time-consuming, expensive plan-making processes under the RMA,' Bishop said. 'The Government's intention is that stopping plan requirements for councils will enable them to focus on critical work to prepare to transition to the new system.' Councils would be required to withdraw any planned changes that had not progressed to hearings within 90 days of the RMA Amendment Bill coming into effect in early August. The Marlborough District Council environment and planning committee unanimously voted to prepare a change to their Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan on Thursday, 24 hours after Bishop's announcement. Council strategic planner Clementine Rankin said the planned change would ensure buildings or objects that could compromise aircraft safety could not be built within the vicinity of Marlborough's three airports. 'For safety purposes, it's critical to provide protection for air corridors used in approaches to, and departures from, our airports,' Rankin said. 'It is a civil aviation safety issue when structures like buildings or frost fans penetrate into [air corridors].' Visual and structural objects that penetrated into an airport's approach air space were already prohibited under Civil Aviation Authority rules. But the council could not legally deny resource consents for people who wanted to build those objects without a change to the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan. Rankin said there were recently constructed frost fans that had become a safety risk. 'This issue has occurred due to the focus [in rural zoning] on noise only. 'The controlled activity rule does not include an airport protection standard.' Rankin said that the council would move forward with the plan change, despite Bishop's announcement, and would ask the Environment Minister for an exemption if they had to. Only private plan changes, natural hazard changes, and changes directed by the minister were automatically exempt. All other exemptions had to be requested from the minister within three months of the policy becoming law. Councillor David Croad greeted the announcement with a shake of his head, calling it 'disingenuous'. 'I don't often participate in politics, but yesterday's plan-stop thing, [saying] 'we're stopping that because we want to save ratepayers' money', it's a little bit disingenuous in my opinion,' Croad said. 'Ultimately it implies that the staff that we have in our planning departments are going to go home and go off payroll for a period of time. 'We have great people in this building and it takes a while to build good teams. 'We just don't get to turn these things on and off at will.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Fears over impact of wind farm lights on Dark Sky Park
Campaigners are concerned that the UK's first Dark Sky Park could see its status at risk if a proposed energy development is approved. The Galloway site was first recognised in 2009 as one of the best places to view the night sky with the naked eye. The proposed Lairdmannoch Energy Park sits outside the park's boundary and buffer zone but planning documents show wind turbines and safety aviation lights would be visible from the area. The new site's developer - Wind2 - says the company is "very aware" of the dark sky status and the value of "preserving the area's natural light skies." Aviation lights are an essential safety measure in tall developments to mitigate the risk of collision. The proposed development includes both red "medium-intensity" lights and infrared lights invisible to the eye. Developers say only four of the proposed nine 180m (590ft) wind turbines would include red aviation lights, after consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority. They also stress the energy park was not within the Dark Sky Park or its designated buffer zone. Matthew McFadzean is one of two dark sky rangers at the Galloway Forest Park. He said the project created a "detrimental" threat to night time visibility. "You can come to Dumfries and Galloway and experience a really good level of light quality at night and night vision across the region," he said. "But if you go into the Dark Sky Park, that's where you get the absolute best." Mr McFadzean believes visibility of the night sky has improved thanks to the lighting policies of the local authority over the two decades since the area secured its dark sky status. However, he said he concerned there had been an increasing encroachment of renewable energy developments on the park's boundaries. He said he understood the need to support the transition to renewable energy but added that red light - although it has a smaller impact than white light - could still harm night time visibility. "It will really impact things," he said. "In the Dark Sky Park, you can look up and see with the naked eye, thousands and thousands of stars on a clear night - more than people from the cities who come to visit can ever imagine. "The one word which people say the most when they actually experience looking up at a dark sky for the first time is wow and if we put red lights up there I think that can only be detrimental to that experience." His concerns are shared by by Fi McClelland of The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, which has plans to build a new facility in the park to replace the previous one, which was destroyed by fire. She said the red light effect could be scattered through the sky by clouds or cause a disruptive "sky glow" across the wider region. Campaigners say the elevated position of the turbines will see them dominate the landscape. "The combination of them both is over 1,300ft from sea level to the tip of the turbine - that's bigger than the Empire State Building without its antenna," resident Matthew James said. As well as the impact on the dark sky park, locals have raised concerns about the effect of the wind turbines on wildlife and the local water system. But developer Wind2 said it had been working with the community for two years and had taken steps to mitigate risks including potential threat to night time visibility and wildlife. It added it believed the area should see "tangible benefits from local renewable energy projects". It has estimated community benefit funding of £310,000 per year would add up to £12.4m over its operational life. It said the scheme - which also includes solar panels and battery storage - matched Scottish government's best practice guidance and could meet the energy needs of up to 67,000 homes. The company stressed it had taken every effort to make the turbines "as inconspicuous as possible from sensitive areas". The window for the public to comment on the proposals is about to close. The Scottish government - which will decide the fate of the scheme - said it would not be appropriate to comment on a live planning application. More like this story A decade of the UK's first Dark Sky Park
BBC News
2 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Fears proposed energy park could hurt Galloway's dark sky status
Campaigners are concerned that the UK's first Dark Sky Park could see its status at risk if a proposed energy development is Galloway site was first recognised in 2009 as one of the best places to view the night sky with the naked proposed Lairdmannoch Energy Park sits outside the park's boundary and buffer zone but planning documents show wind turbines and safety aviation lights would be visible from the new site's developer - Wind2 - says the company is "very aware" of the dark sky status and the value of "preserving the area's natural light skies." Aviation lights are an essential safety measure in tall developments to mitigate the risk of proposed development includes both red "medium-intensity" lights and infrared lights invisible to the say only four of the proposed nine 180m (590ft) wind turbines would include red aviation lights, after consultation with the Civil Aviation also stress the energy park was not within the Dark Sky Park or its designated buffer zone. Matthew McFadzean is one of two dark sky rangers at the Galloway Forest said the project created a "detrimental" threat to night time visibility."You can come to Dumfries and Galloway and experience a really good level of light quality at night and night vision across the region," he said."But if you go into the Dark Sky Park, that's where you get the absolute best." Mr McFadzean believes visibility of the night sky has improved thanks to the lighting policies of the local authority over the two decades since the area secured its dark sky he said he concerned there had been an increasing encroachment of renewable energy developments on the park's said he understood the need to support the transition to renewable energy but added that red light - although it has a smaller impact than white light - could still harm night time visibility."It will really impact things," he said."In the Dark Sky Park, you can look up and see with the naked eye, thousands and thousands of stars on a clear night - more than people from the cities who come to visit can ever imagine. "The one word which people say the most when they actually experience looking up at a dark sky for the first time is wow and if we put red lights up there I think that can only be detrimental to that experience." His concerns are shared by by Fi McClelland of The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, which has plans to build a new facility in the park to replace the previous one, which was destroyed by said the red light effect could be scattered through the sky by clouds or cause a disruptive "sky glow" across the wider say the elevated position of the turbines will see them dominate the landscape."The combination of them both is over 1,300ft from sea level to the tip of the turbine - that's bigger than the Empire State Building without its antenna," resident Matthew James said. As well as the impact on the dark sky park, locals have raised concerns about the effect of the wind turbines on wildlife and the local water developer Wind2 said it had been working with the community for two years and had taken steps to mitigate risks including potential threat to night time visibility and added it believed the area should see "tangible benefits from local renewable energy projects".It has estimated community benefit funding of £310,000 per year would add up to £12.4m over its operational said the scheme - which also includes solar panels and battery storage - matched Scottish government's best practice guidance and could meet the energy needs of up to 67,000 company stressed it had taken every effort to make the turbines "as inconspicuous as possible from sensitive areas".The window for the public to comment on the proposals is about to Scottish government - which will decide the fate of the scheme - said it would not be appropriate to comment on a live planning application.
