Latest news with #FlyingClub
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
HT This Day: April 29, 1935 -- Horrific plane crash at Dum Dum in Calcutta
Calcutta: The worst flying disaster witnessed at Dum Dum occurred this morning when four persons were killed as a result of a collision of two aeroplanes over the aerodrome. The victims were Mr. B. K. Das, who was flying his own machine, Mr. D. K. Roy, who was piloting a Bengal Flying Club machine and two joyriders Miss Ferguson and Mr. P. Gupta who was from Sylhet. The 'planes fell into a garden near the aerodrome and were completely wrecked. Mr. Das was one of the senior pilots of the Bengal Flying Club and Mr. Roy had recently obtained 'B' flying license from England. -A.P.I. Further details It transpires that Mr. Das's passenger was Miss Muriel Ferguson (22) from Middlesborough, Yorkshire, England. Mr. Das and Ferguson were both strapped in the machine and at the time of writing their bodies have not yet been extricated. It is believed that the other pilot. Mr. Roy and his passenger Mr. Gupta, jumped from the plane after the collision, which occurred about 500 feet above the ground. Their bodies were found about 50 yards from the wrecked machines. The machines used were both Gypsy Moth. The crash occurred in village Gouripur, two miles north of the aerodrome. The officials of the Flying Club immediately visited the place ad had the bodies removed. The body of Miss Ferguson was sent to the Presidency General Hospital, and those of Mr. Das, Mr. Roy and Mr. P. Gupta, were made over to their relatives in Calcutta for cremation. This is described as the worst aircrash on record of India.
Trade Arabia
10-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Virgin Atlantic 2024 results show record revenues, profitability
Virgin Atlantic has released its annual financial results for the year ending 31st December 2024. The airline reported a Profit Before Tax and Exceptional Items of £20 million ($25 million), returning to profitability for the first time since the pandemic. Record revenues of £3.3bn (up £183 million versus 2023) were fuelled by passenger capacity growth of 7.6%, continued demand for business and premium leisure travel and the launch of Unlimited Availability reward seats for members of Flying Club. Virgin Atlantic Holidays regained its number one position in Florida and reported revenue of £517 million, up 10% versus 2023. Continued cost discipline contributed to the airline achieving its highest ever Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) of £230 million, more than quadrupling the £48 million delivered in 20231 and bolstering progress towards sustainable profitability. Virgin Atlantic strengthened its balance sheet, ending the year with a cash position of £443 million (up £37m versus 2023), inclusive of paying down £174m of pandemic-related debt. Since 2022, the airline has paid down £500 million of debt incurred during the pandemic and in 2024 completed £485 million of debt financing on improved terms. Velocityx, the airline's four-year strategic plan, supporting its mission to become the most loved travel company and sustainably profitable, ends in December 2025. In Virgin Atlantic's 40th anniversary year, the 2024 financial, commercial and operational results illustrate the plan is working, setting firm foundations for the future. Full Year 2024 Financial Results Summary Virgin Atlantic carried 5.6m passengers in 2024, with a load factor of 77.3%. Passenger capacity (ASKs) ended the year 7.6% higher than 2023 with 24,832 sectors flown on 43 aircraft (average) – up from 23,551 sectors in 2019 on 45 aircraft, demonstrating enhanced fleet utilisation. 2024 passenger revenue of £2.6 billion – beating previous records and up £179 million versus 2023, with a record £1bn revenue originating from the US. Despite operational challenges, due to reduced availability of Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines, a flight completion factor of 98.6% was achieved and Virgin Atlantic was recognised as the most punctual airline in the UK. Virgin Atlantic Holidays met demand for premium sun destinations, carrying 255k holiday makers and delivering £517m revenue, up from £468m in 2023. Ending the year with a #1 market share position out of the UK3, Virgin Atlantic Cargo operated 199m tonnes of cargo and delivered revenue of £236m, exceeding 2023 revenue of £196m by capitalising on continued disruption to Red Sea freight and increased capacity out of India. Continued cost discipline resulted in total airline non-fuel costs of £2.0bn and non-fuel cost per ASK (NFCASK) of 3.99p, in line with 2023 and 16 points below CPI (indexed to 2019). Operating profit (EBIT) of £230m is four times greater than 20231 and double that reported in 1999, the airline's previous record. During 2024, Virgin Atlantic paid down £174m of pandemic debt, including a 2020 Davidson Kempner loan repaid in September 2024. The airline ended the year with a total cash position of £443m. Other Highlights from 2024 In July, the airline completed its fleet transformation, confirming an order for seven Airbus A330-900s, bringing its A330neo fleet to 19. By 2028, its fleet of 45 next gen aircraft will comprise 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 787-9s, with an average age of 6.9 years. In October, Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club launched Unlimited Availability, becoming the first UK loyalty programme to allow members to pay for any seat onboard with Virgin Points. A reimagined launched at the end of the year, unifying Flights and Holidays together in one place for the first time. For an eighth year running, the airline was recognised as Britain's only Five Star Airline by APEX. Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, commented: 'Our performance in 2024 marked a big step forward in our mission to become the most loved travel company and sustainably profitable, with record revenues and operating profit achieved in our fortieth year. We returned to profitability for the first time since the pandemic, repaid a large chunk of debt and faced into operational challenges by taking decisive action. 'Our teams do their absolute best, every day, to make our customers smile. It's that simple. I'm so proud to see their great efforts result in success, from the rollout of Unlimited Availability reward seats and unification of our Flight and Holiday business on to growth in India with the launch of flights to Bengaluru. '2024 was a turning point for Virgin Atlantic and the culmination of our transformation. We have a plan in place for 2025, with much to look forward to including a new app, new routes to Toronto, Riyadh and Cancun, a new clubhouse in Los Angeles and greater stability for our operation. In 2025, we dare to imagine an even better future. Let's make it happen.'
Express Tribune
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Pindi gets Green Biker Lane
The Punjab government has introduced a dedicated Green Biker Lane in Rawalpindi for motorcycle riders after Lahore to address traffic concerns. Motorcyclists will now be able to easily travel on a dedicated track from Gulzar-e-Quaid to the Flying Club and from the Flying Club to Korral Turn on Old Airport Road. As the City Traffic Police (CTP) is working on raising awareness among motorcyclists and also enforcing the rules, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Director-General Kinza Murtaza says reflectors and signals will be placed on the Green Biker Lane, especially at turns. Additionally, two monuments will be erected at specific points on the road to highlight the culture of Punjab and Rawalpindi, she adds. Following the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to ensure smooth traffic flow and safe travel on roads, the RDA has launched a pilot project. In the first phase, a five-kilometre track for motorcyclists has been developed on both sides of Old Airport Road at a cost of Rs45 million, with a 12-foot wide Green Biker Lane. The track, which stretches from Korral Chowk to the Flying Club and back, has been partially completed and is now operational on a trial basis. Work is still ongoing on one side of the road. Motorcyclists have already started benefiting from the dedicated lane. According to the RDA DG, a special type of paint has been used to ensure that bikers do not slip, even during rain. The facility will be gradually extended to other busy roads in the city, including Nur Khan Air Base and Murree Road. The CTP has deployed traffic wardens at specific points on the road to enforce traffic laws and provide awareness to motorcyclists regarding Green Biker Lane. Chief Traffic Officer Beenish Fatima believes that the Green Biker Lane will improve traffic flow and reduce accidents. She emphasise that violations of traffic laws will be addressed with strict action. Additionally, once the lane is fully operational, speed cameras will be used to monitor the traffic. After Ramazan, the roads will be declared for strict enforcement of seat belts, speed limits, and other traffic regulations. Motorcyclists in Rawalpindi have expressed their satisfaction with the newly introduced lane, but some citizens have raised concerns about the service road or link road along the track from Gulzar-e-Quaid to the Flying Club, as vehicles passing through this area can disrupt the smooth flow of traffic and increase the risk of accidents. Citizens have urged the authorities to address this issue as well. The Punjab government's initiative to create the Green Biker Lane by removing encroachments and focusing on citizens' convenience is praiseworthy, but the government needs to address any flaws in the pilot project in the next phase to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Punjab, they add.
