Latest news with #HobartAirport
New York Post
23-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Fire breaks out mid-air and fills cabin with smoke on Virgin Australia flight
This is the horrifying moment a fire erupted mid-air on a Virgin Australia flight bound for Tasmania. Flight VA158, which departed from Sydney on Monday morning, had begun its descent into Hobart just after 9am when smoke began filling the cabin of the Boeing 737-8FE. Advertisement According to witnesses on board, the crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames. Footage of the incident shows passengers scrambling to the back of the plane as a distressed flight attendant yells: 'All the way down to the back guys, keep moving, quicker.' 3 The crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames. Pulse Tasmania Another clip shows passengers passing bottles of water to a crew member as they attempt to contain the blaze. Advertisement Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully with water bottles after initial attempts with on-board fire extinguishes were unsuccessful. According to Pulse Tasmania, passengers described a moment of panic and were told not to film the incident by staff. Once the flight had safely landed in Hobart, Airservices Australia firefighters boarded the plane and removed the bag containing the battery. Advertisement Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker told Pulse that one person had received medical attention by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. 3 Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully. Helena Bilkova – 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. In a statement to Virgin ensured flight and cabin crew were checked over by paramedics as a precaution and subsequently cleared. Advertisement 'VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart landed safely at Hobart Airport yesterday (Monday) following a fire in an overhead locker during descent. 'The fire was extinguished by Virgin Australia cabin crew prior to landing. Airservices Australia firefighters attended the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker. All guests disembarked the aircraft, as per standard operating procedures. 3 Passengers were passing bottles of water to a crew member to try and extinguish the flames. Pulse Tasmania 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' they said. A replacement aircraft was sourced for the return flight for Sydney and Virgin's guest contact center is in the process of checking in with guests seated in the surrounding rows. The incident comes after a passenger plane in South Korea caught fire earlier this year, leaving three people with minor injuries. Local authorities believe a portable power bank likely caused the fire that destroyed the plane.
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Fire breaks out onboard Virgin flight in landing drama
Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of a fire that broke out in a plane's overhead locker. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of a fire that broke out in a plane's overhead locker. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP Cabin crew on a domestic flight have been forced to swiftly contain a fire that broke out in an overhead compartment. Virgin Australia flight VA1528 was travelling from Sydney to Hobart when smoke began to appear in the cabin shortly before landing. Crews opened an overhead compartment and discovered a fire, using water and a fire extinguisher to bring it under control. The flight landed safely on Monday morning at Hobart Airport. Firefighters met the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters," the spokesperson said. The aircraft is being assessed for damage to the overhead locker and a replacement aircraft was sourced for a return flight to Sydney. Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft, with one person assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of the fire.
The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Fire breaks out onboard Virgin flight in landing drama
Cabin crew on a domestic flight have been forced to swiftly contain a fire that broke out in an overhead compartment. Virgin Australia flight VA1528 was travelling from Sydney to Hobart when smoke began to appear in the cabin shortly before landing. Crews opened an overhead compartment and discovered a fire, using water and a fire extinguisher to bring it under control. The flight landed safely on Monday morning at Hobart Airport. Firefighters met the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters," the spokesperson said. The aircraft is being assessed for damage to the overhead locker and a replacement aircraft was sourced for a return flight to Sydney. Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft, with one person assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of the fire. Cabin crew on a domestic flight have been forced to swiftly contain a fire that broke out in an overhead compartment. Virgin Australia flight VA1528 was travelling from Sydney to Hobart when smoke began to appear in the cabin shortly before landing. Crews opened an overhead compartment and discovered a fire, using water and a fire extinguisher to bring it under control. The flight landed safely on Monday morning at Hobart Airport. Firefighters met the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters," the spokesperson said. The aircraft is being assessed for damage to the overhead locker and a replacement aircraft was sourced for a return flight to Sydney. Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft, with one person assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of the fire. Cabin crew on a domestic flight have been forced to swiftly contain a fire that broke out in an overhead compartment. Virgin Australia flight VA1528 was travelling from Sydney to Hobart when smoke began to appear in the cabin shortly before landing. Crews opened an overhead compartment and discovered a fire, using water and a fire extinguisher to bring it under control. The flight landed safely on Monday morning at Hobart Airport. Firefighters met the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters," the spokesperson said. The aircraft is being assessed for damage to the overhead locker and a replacement aircraft was sourced for a return flight to Sydney. Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft, with one person assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of the fire. Cabin crew on a domestic flight have been forced to swiftly contain a fire that broke out in an overhead compartment. Virgin Australia flight VA1528 was travelling from Sydney to Hobart when smoke began to appear in the cabin shortly before landing. Crews opened an overhead compartment and discovered a fire, using water and a fire extinguisher to bring it under control. The flight landed safely on Monday morning at Hobart Airport. Firefighters met the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters," the spokesperson said. The aircraft is being assessed for damage to the overhead locker and a replacement aircraft was sourced for a return flight to Sydney. Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft, with one person assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of the fire.
7NEWS
21-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Fire breaks out midair on Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart
A fire has broken out midair on a Virgin Australia flight. The blaze started in an overhead cabin on VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart about 9am on Monday, just as the plane began to land. Passengers reported smelling smoke, and when cabin crew opened the overhead compartment, they found a lithium battery on fire. The crew extinguished the fire before landing, and the bag containing the battery was removed once the plane was on the ground. The plane 'landed safely at Hobart Airport' after the incident, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said in a statement. 'All guests disembarked the aircraft, as per standard operating procedures,' the spokesperson said. No passengers required medical treatment. Crew members were assessed by paramedics, but no injuries were reported. The airline is following up with people who were seated nearby. The plane was checked for damage, and a different aircraft was used for the return flight to Sydney. This incident follows a similar one in January, when a fire believed to have started from a power bank in an overhead locker destroyed an Air Busan plane, forcing 179 passengers to evacuate. The horrific incident has prompted a number of airlines to completely ban power banks in its carry-on luggage to ensure passengers' safety. Back in April, Singapore Airlines went a step further, banning passengers from using their seat's USB charging port to juice up their power banks. 'Effective 1st April 2025, Singapore Airlines customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight,' the airline said. 'This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage. Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval. 'We seek customers' understanding that safety will always be our top priority.' Qantas has also cracked down on power banks. 'Baggage fitted with non-removable lithium batteries or power banks are forbidden,' the national carrier said. 'If in checked baggage, the lithium battery or lithium power bank must be removed from the bag. 'The removed lithium battery or power bank must be in carry-on baggage only. 'Non-lithium batteries/power banks can remain fitted in the bag and carried as carry-on or checked baggage.' Virgin Australia has similar rules. 'Spare/loose batteries (including power banks/packs must be in carry-on baggage only and must be protected against short circuit by, placing in its original retail packaging, placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch or insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals,' the airline said. Experts warn they are 'playing catch-up' with new lithium batteries flooding the market as Australia's consumer watchdog issues a safety alert to any Australian buying the popular wireless chargers. A lack of regulation and soaring demand has contributed to a growing number of wireless power banks getting recalled, experts added. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns 34,000 defective portable chargers are still being used by customers, after a surging number of recalls of the product. The competition watchdog has issued 17 different recalls of power banks since 2020, with more than half being made since 2024. Popular brands including Anker, Baseus and SnapWireless power banks were the most recent products to be recalled. Power banks are portable battery chargers designed to power devices on-the-go. They use rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries that are highly flammable, can explode or vent toxic gas, the commission says. The uptick in recalls is being caused by more products on the market, a lack of regulation and differing materials inside the models, University of Melbourne head of chemical biomedical engineering Amanda Ellis says. While most power banks are safe to use, a person's safety rests on how they use them, she said. 'We don't have Australian standards for batteries at the moment so that's one of the problems,' Ellis said. 'We don't really know what is in these batteries because it's all (intellectual property) protected, so it's challenging, and more and more people are using them than five years ago.' Some of the ways to lower the risk are following manufacturer instructions, not charging near flammable furniture and never using damaged or leaking power banks, the commission said. 'Some consumers have suffered serious burn injuries, and some have had their property damaged because of power banks overheating and catching fire,' the watchdog's deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. Suppliers offer a full refund or free replacement under the recalls, Lowe said.
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
This artist wants culture valued beyond NAIDOC Week
Each year the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people are recognised during NAIDOC Week. This year marks 50 years of the national celebration and features the theme The next generation: strength, vision and legacy. Awards and flag-raising ceremonies, community events and art exhibitions are held across the country during each edition of NAIDOC, with local councils, businesses and popular brand names taking the opportunity to showcase First Nations culture. For Wiradjuri artist Brandi Salmon, the uptick in commercial and community interest ahead of NAIDOC Week is something she braces for each year. She's grateful for the platform this attention can provide for her and fellow artists but Salmon says it can also be disheartening. "A lot of businesses come right at NAIDOC when they need something done or need an Aboriginal artist to come and paint for them or teach their staff," she told AAP "But it's very inauthentic." "They'll come maybe three or four days or a week before NAIDOC and it feels like it's an afterthought, like a tokenistic thing." After teaching herself how to paint 10 years ago, Salmon has made her name as an artist with her work featured at Hobart Airport and painting for musicians Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde. She started painting portraits of Aboriginal women as a way to express herself and connect to her culture while living off-Country in Victoria. Now Hobart-based, she's embraced many opportunities but has also found herself having to make the difficult decision to turn down jobs that don't feel right. "In the past I've been asked at NAIDOC to sit in the foyer and do dot paintings with staff, with earbuds," she said. "That's not even the art that I do. I don't do dot paintings." Salmon says many artists have similar stories, with some asked to create work or speak at events for free or asked to recommend another artist for a collaboration. As NAIDOC Week 2025 kicks off on Sunday, Salmon encourages businesses to do the right thing by artists, saying Aboriginal culture should be valued at all times of the year. But for those who want to make meaningful engagements with First Nations artists she has some pointers. She says using the Australian Indigenous Design Charter as a framework for approaching an artist would be a "green flag" for her. The charter outlines 10 points for working on projects representing First Nations culture, including ensuring the process is Indigenous-led, respecting community protocols and ensuring respectful, culturally-specific and personal engagement. "Approaching (artists) more than a week before NAIDOC is important- you need to make it a few months - and also ask what their rates are," she said. "Don't underpay them." Each year the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people are recognised during NAIDOC Week. This year marks 50 years of the national celebration and features the theme The next generation: strength, vision and legacy. Awards and flag-raising ceremonies, community events and art exhibitions are held across the country during each edition of NAIDOC, with local councils, businesses and popular brand names taking the opportunity to showcase First Nations culture. For Wiradjuri artist Brandi Salmon, the uptick in commercial and community interest ahead of NAIDOC Week is something she braces for each year. She's grateful for the platform this attention can provide for her and fellow artists but Salmon says it can also be disheartening. "A lot of businesses come right at NAIDOC when they need something done or need an Aboriginal artist to come and paint for them or teach their staff," she told AAP "But it's very inauthentic." "They'll come maybe three or four days or a week before NAIDOC and it feels like it's an afterthought, like a tokenistic thing." After teaching herself how to paint 10 years ago, Salmon has made her name as an artist with her work featured at Hobart Airport and painting for musicians Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde. She started painting portraits of Aboriginal women as a way to express herself and connect to her culture while living off-Country in Victoria. Now Hobart-based, she's embraced many opportunities but has also found herself having to make the difficult decision to turn down jobs that don't feel right. "In the past I've been asked at NAIDOC to sit in the foyer and do dot paintings with staff, with earbuds," she said. "That's not even the art that I do. I don't do dot paintings." Salmon says many artists have similar stories, with some asked to create work or speak at events for free or asked to recommend another artist for a collaboration. As NAIDOC Week 2025 kicks off on Sunday, Salmon encourages businesses to do the right thing by artists, saying Aboriginal culture should be valued at all times of the year. But for those who want to make meaningful engagements with First Nations artists she has some pointers. She says using the Australian Indigenous Design Charter as a framework for approaching an artist would be a "green flag" for her. The charter outlines 10 points for working on projects representing First Nations culture, including ensuring the process is Indigenous-led, respecting community protocols and ensuring respectful, culturally-specific and personal engagement. "Approaching (artists) more than a week before NAIDOC is important- you need to make it a few months - and also ask what their rates are," she said. "Don't underpay them." Each year the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people are recognised during NAIDOC Week. This year marks 50 years of the national celebration and features the theme The next generation: strength, vision and legacy. Awards and flag-raising ceremonies, community events and art exhibitions are held across the country during each edition of NAIDOC, with local councils, businesses and popular brand names taking the opportunity to showcase First Nations culture. For Wiradjuri artist Brandi Salmon, the uptick in commercial and community interest ahead of NAIDOC Week is something she braces for each year. She's grateful for the platform this attention can provide for her and fellow artists but Salmon says it can also be disheartening. "A lot of businesses come right at NAIDOC when they need something done or need an Aboriginal artist to come and paint for them or teach their staff," she told AAP "But it's very inauthentic." "They'll come maybe three or four days or a week before NAIDOC and it feels like it's an afterthought, like a tokenistic thing." After teaching herself how to paint 10 years ago, Salmon has made her name as an artist with her work featured at Hobart Airport and painting for musicians Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde. She started painting portraits of Aboriginal women as a way to express herself and connect to her culture while living off-Country in Victoria. Now Hobart-based, she's embraced many opportunities but has also found herself having to make the difficult decision to turn down jobs that don't feel right. "In the past I've been asked at NAIDOC to sit in the foyer and do dot paintings with staff, with earbuds," she said. "That's not even the art that I do. I don't do dot paintings." Salmon says many artists have similar stories, with some asked to create work or speak at events for free or asked to recommend another artist for a collaboration. As NAIDOC Week 2025 kicks off on Sunday, Salmon encourages businesses to do the right thing by artists, saying Aboriginal culture should be valued at all times of the year. But for those who want to make meaningful engagements with First Nations artists she has some pointers. She says using the Australian Indigenous Design Charter as a framework for approaching an artist would be a "green flag" for her. The charter outlines 10 points for working on projects representing First Nations culture, including ensuring the process is Indigenous-led, respecting community protocols and ensuring respectful, culturally-specific and personal engagement. "Approaching (artists) more than a week before NAIDOC is important- you need to make it a few months - and also ask what their rates are," she said. "Don't underpay them." Each year the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people are recognised during NAIDOC Week. This year marks 50 years of the national celebration and features the theme The next generation: strength, vision and legacy. Awards and flag-raising ceremonies, community events and art exhibitions are held across the country during each edition of NAIDOC, with local councils, businesses and popular brand names taking the opportunity to showcase First Nations culture. For Wiradjuri artist Brandi Salmon, the uptick in commercial and community interest ahead of NAIDOC Week is something she braces for each year. She's grateful for the platform this attention can provide for her and fellow artists but Salmon says it can also be disheartening. "A lot of businesses come right at NAIDOC when they need something done or need an Aboriginal artist to come and paint for them or teach their staff," she told AAP "But it's very inauthentic." "They'll come maybe three or four days or a week before NAIDOC and it feels like it's an afterthought, like a tokenistic thing." After teaching herself how to paint 10 years ago, Salmon has made her name as an artist with her work featured at Hobart Airport and painting for musicians Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde. She started painting portraits of Aboriginal women as a way to express herself and connect to her culture while living off-Country in Victoria. Now Hobart-based, she's embraced many opportunities but has also found herself having to make the difficult decision to turn down jobs that don't feel right. "In the past I've been asked at NAIDOC to sit in the foyer and do dot paintings with staff, with earbuds," she said. "That's not even the art that I do. I don't do dot paintings." Salmon says many artists have similar stories, with some asked to create work or speak at events for free or asked to recommend another artist for a collaboration. As NAIDOC Week 2025 kicks off on Sunday, Salmon encourages businesses to do the right thing by artists, saying Aboriginal culture should be valued at all times of the year. But for those who want to make meaningful engagements with First Nations artists she has some pointers. She says using the Australian Indigenous Design Charter as a framework for approaching an artist would be a "green flag" for her. The charter outlines 10 points for working on projects representing First Nations culture, including ensuring the process is Indigenous-led, respecting community protocols and ensuring respectful, culturally-specific and personal engagement. "Approaching (artists) more than a week before NAIDOC is important- you need to make it a few months - and also ask what their rates are," she said. "Don't underpay them."
