Latest news with #EmbraerE190
Time Out
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The new Western Sydney Airport will need regulations eased to make it a global gateway – here's an update
Sydney's transport systems are getting upgraded, and we're not just talking about the ones on and under ground. Western Sydney International (WSI) airport is set to open in late 2026, promising a state-of-the-art $5.3 billion aviation hub with 24/7 operations – yes, no curfews like the ones Kingsford-Smith has in place. As construction progresses in Badgerys Creek and the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport project remains on track to open by 2027, a key question remains: can WSI attract enough international airlines to make it a global gateway? Intrigued? We got a sneak peek at the huge new airport. Despite its round-the-clock operations, WSI faces a significant regulatory hurdle – because it shares the same 'primary gateway' classification as Sydney's existing Kingsford-Smith airport, international airlines that have already hit their cap on Sydney flights aren't permitted to land at WSI. In contrast, secondary airports like Adelaide and Darwin aren't subject to these limits – a fact that's frustrating international carriers like Qatar Airways that have called for reform. Internationally, only Singapore Airlines has committed to services from WSI and this won't be enough to establish it as a global player. Airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Turkish Airlines are all rumoured to be considering WSI since its catchment area aligns well with their core markets – with Western Sydney's growing multicultural population a key draw for a lot of international carriers. Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways could also benefit from the airport's round-the-clock operations, enabling smoother onward connections to Europe and the UK. On the domestic front, Qantas has confirmed it will start off with its QantasLink Embraer E190 regional jets, while its budget carrier Jetstar will operate 10 single-aisle aircraft from its Airbus A320 fleet. While specific routes haven't been announced yet, services to cities like Melbourne and Brisbane are likely. Translation? Western Sydney residents could save up to two hours on a same-day return trip, making it possible to be home in time for dinner with the family. Encouragingly, the federal government has promised a review of WSI's regulatory status a year after it opens, giving hope for more flexible rules in the future. However, many in the aviation industry believe that's too little too late. Without effective policy changes and better public transport connectivity, WSI risks falling short of its international ambitions. As anticipation builds, the pressure is on for WSI not just to open on time, but to convince international airlines that it's worth the journey.
The Independent
10-02-2025
- The Independent
Is it still safe to fly? What you need to know after Alaska and Washington DC plane incidents
Nine passengers and a pilot are missing after Bering Air flight 445 vanished in the rural western region of Nome in Alaska. The missing plane marks the third major air incident involving US personnel in 10 days. in Washington DC took the lives of 67 people on Wednesday 29 January. Two days later, a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, killing seven people, including all six passengers on board. These calamities follow two aviation tragedies within four days that killed more than 200 passengers and crew. The Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 was followed by the loss four days later of a Jeju Air Boeing 737. But these awful events should be set against a trend of ever-safer skies. Decade after decade, aviation is becoming safer. No scheduled passenger jets were involved in fatal crashes during 2023. Only two fatal accidents happened in that year, both involving propeller aircraft on domestic flights, with 86 people losing their lives. All the dramatic aviation events of 2024 and 2025 – fatal and otherwise – will be analysed minutely to understand what can be learnt to enhance future safety. The UK is uniquely placed for passenger safety. The world's two safest airines in the world, in terms of passengers carried without a fatal accident, are Ryanair and easyJet – who both have their main bases in Britain. Meanwhile, the pilot community are looking with concern at the Azerbaijan Airlines tragedy, in which 28 people died. A preliminary report concluded the jet was hit by shrapnel from an air defence system as it tried to land in Chechnya in southern Russia. A source told Reuters that preliminary results indicated that the plane had been struck by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system. 'No one claims that it was done on purpose. However, taking into account the established facts, Baku expects the Russian side to confess to the shooting down of the Azerbaijani aircraft,' the source said. As the rate of accidents due to human factors and mechanical failure slows, the dangers of flying in conflict zones may be rising.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- The Independent
Is it still safe to fly? What you need to know after Alaska and Washington DC plane crashes
Nine passengers and a pilot are missing after Bering Air flight 445 vanished in the rural western region of Nome in Alaska. The missing plane marks the third major air incident involving US personnel in 10 days. in Washington DC took the lives of 67 passengers on Wednesday 29 January. Two days later, a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, killing seven people, including all six passengers on board. These calamities follow two aviation tragedies within four days that killed more than 200 passengers and crew. The Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 was followed by the loss four days later of a Jeju Air Boeing 737. But these awful events should be set against a trend of ever-safer skies. Decade after decade, aviation is becoming safer. No scheduled passenger jets were involved in fatal crashes during 2023. Only two fatal accidents happened in that year, both involving propeller aircraft on domestic flights, with 86 people losing their lives. All the dramatic aviation events of 2024 and 2025 – fatal and otherwise – will be analysed minutely to understand what can be learnt to enhance future safety. The UK is uniquely placed for passenger safety. The world's two safest airines in the world, in terms of passengers carried without a fatal accident, are Ryanair and easyJet – who both have their main bases in Britain. Meanwhile, the pilot community are looking with concern at the Azerbaijan Airlines tragedy, in which 28 people died. The working assumption is that the jet was hit by shrapnel from an air defence system as it tried to land in Chechnya in southern Russia. As the rate of accidents due to human factors and mechanical failure slows, the dangers of flying in conflict zones may be rising.
