Latest news with #TwinOtter
Barnama
17-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Tanjung Manis Airport To Be Upgraded To Accommodate Larger Aircraft
SIBU, May 17 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government will upgrade the Tanjung Manis Airport in the Mukah Division, about 112 kilometres (km) from here, to enable larger aircraft to land. The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (PUSAKA) said today that the airport, which was opened in 2001, is currently only able to accommodate light aircraft like the Twin Otter and the upgrading project is estimated to cost between RM300 million and RM800 million, subject to the results of a feasibility study that is being carried out. 'With better facilities, the Tanjung Manis Airport is expected to be the main entry point to the Central Region, thus spurring economic growth and opening job opportunities for the locals,' it said in a statement today. The airport upgrading project involves the construction of a new terminal and air traffic control tower, runway extension as well as immigration, Customs and safety facilities. The airport upgrading project launch ceremony was officiated by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Dewan IKS PUSAKA, Tanjung Manis today. PUSAKA said the project is a key incentive in the development planning for the central region, comprising the divisions of Kapit, Sibu, Sarikei and Mukah, that is aimed at stimulating economic growth and improving the living standards of local communities. Under this initiative, the construction of the Rajang-Jalan Pasi Bridge has already been completed and was officiated by Abang Johari today, whereby this infrastructure cuts down the travel distance from Tanjung Manis to Sarikei from 122 kilometres (km) to just 53km. In addition, the Kampung Tanjung Manis Expansion Scheme, involving the construction of 69 semi-detached houses on a 6.92-hectare site, has also been planned to improve rural living standards by providing comprehensive basic amenities. The Sarawak government will also develop the 'Anjung Usahawan' project, which will feature seven double-storey commercial shoplots as modern business premises for local entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium enterprise (SME) operators.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM400mil upgrade for Tanjung Manis airport to accommodate bigger aircrafts
SARIKEI: Tanjung Manis Airport will be upgraded to accommodate larger aircraft at an estimated cost of RM400 million for the first phase, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg announced at the launch of the project in Tanjung Manis today. He said the upgrading works will include the construction of a new terminal, runway extension, air traffic control tower, as well as immigration, customs, and security facilities. "The project aims to enable larger aircraft to land at the airport, which currently only accommodates Twin Otter light aircraft," he said. Abang Johari added that the actual cost would only be determined after the completion of a RM5 million feasibility study currently being undertaken by the Sarawak Timber Development Authority (STIDC). Under the first phase, the airport runway will be extended from 1,200m to between 1,500m and 1,790m to accommodate ATR72 aircraft. This phase is expected to be completed within five years. In the second phase, the runway will be further extended to 2,500m to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320. With the enhanced facilities, the airport is anticipated to become the main gateway to the central region of Sarawak, thereby spurring economic growth and creating job opportunities for local residents. "The Sarawak government is committed to ensuring that this development is carried out in a sustainable and balanced manner, taking into account environmental and community interests," he added. Abang Johari said the project is a key initiative in Sarawak's development plans, particularly for the central region encompassing the Kapit, Sibu, Sarikei, and Mukah Divisions. "The central region has been identified as a strategic development centre that will serve as a catalyst for the state's socio-economic progress in line with Sarawak's Prosperity Vision and the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030)," he said. He added that the Sarawak government, through the Rajang Delta Development Authority (Radda), will continue to strengthen infrastructure development in the central region. "This includes the construction of roads, water and electricity supply, housing infrastructure, digitalisation projects, as well as industrial and commercial areas to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for the local population," he said. Among the notable projects already implemented is the construction of the Batang Rajang Bridge and Pasi Road, which were inaugurated earlier today. Abang Johari said the Pasi Road has reduced the travel distance between Tanjung Manis and Sarikei from 122km to just 53km. He said that the opening of the bridge is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of eco-tourism, agriculture, new investments, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, he said the Tanjung Manis Village Expansion Scheme (SPK), which involves the construction of 69 semi-detached houses on a 6.92-hectare site, is also being planned to enhance the quality of life for rural residents by providing comprehensive basic facilities. The airport, operated by STIDC, was opened in 2001 to facilitate logistics management for investors in the Tanjung Manis Economic Growth Area (T-Mega), formerly known as the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub.
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Newsweek
Awe As Traveler Films Plane Landing at Only Beach Airport in the World
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A viral video has drawn attention to one of the world's most-unique travel experiences—a commercial airport in Scotland where planes land and take off directly from a beach. The clip shared by TikTok user @carolinemcquistin been viewed more than 215,000 times and shows the breathtaking descent of a Loganair flight onto the sands of Barra Airport, located on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Text overlaid on the footage reads: "This is your sign to take a flight to the only airport in the world where the plane lands on the beach!" The moment captures a passenger looking out the window as the aircraft approaches the exposed tidal flats, offering a sweeping view of the turquoise water and white sand just before touchdown. Barra Airport holds the rare distinction of being the only airport in the world where scheduled flights utilize a tidal beach as the runway. The airport's official website says the flight schedule is dictated by the rhythms of the sea: "With its schedule governed by the ebb and flow of the tide, Barra is a breath of fresh air compared to other more conventional airports—and its spectacular scenery is second to none." Michael Galbraith, manager of the airport, told Newsweek: "Being the only airport in the world where passengers disembark from a plane onto the beach is something that we all really cherish here at Barra Airport. "Having such individuality and uniqueness is not something we take for granted, and seeing tourists step onto the sand with a smile on their face brings us all immense pleasure," Galbraith added. A Twin Otter aircraft flies onto the beach runway of Barra Airport. A Twin Otter aircraft flies onto the beach runway of Barra Airport. Barra Airport The small airport has served passengers since 1974. It now handles more than 14,000 passengers annually and logs approximately 1,400 aircraft movements each year, according to data published on its website. The airport operates two scheduled flights daily to and from Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, a route serviced by regional airline Loganair. In addition, it welcomes around 60 private light-aircraft landings each year. Beyond its operational novelty, Barra Airport also serves as a community space. The airport's website notes that, when the facility is closed and its windsocks are down, "members of the public are free to walk on the runways, which revert to a public beach enjoyed by surfers, dog walkers and families." An aerial view over Barra Airport in the Outer Hebrides, a chain of islands off the west coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom. An aerial view over Barra Airport in the Outer Hebrides, a chain of islands off the west coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom. Barra Airport 'Insane' A caption shared with the viral video reads: "The world's only scheduled commercial flight where the runway is a beach!! And it's just casually covered by the tide twice a day! What an experience!! @Loganair." The clip of the stunning airport setting sparked admiration and wonder among viewers, many of whom appeared unaware that such an airport even existed. "That's insane! Didn't know about this," commented Lucie Wilcock, while user @_enchanting_getaways wrote: "This is the dream." JojoGetOutRightNow said, "This is SO BEAUTIFUL," and Mary posted: "That is incredible." User @davidbooksandsidequests added: "Oh my word that's so cool!" Others shared personal memories, with user jem noting, "i did this last year. such a special moment x," and @a_la_mol said: "Incredible. This is top of our Scottish bucket list!" Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok and email. This video has not been independently verified. Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
‘Last chance for humanity': the cold reality of monitoring global heating on a glacier
Every time Dr Ricardo Jaña crosses the turbulent seas that separate Chile from Antarctica, it feels like his first time. The glaciologist at the Chilean Antarctic Institute (Inach) has sailed each year for 12 years through the Drake Passage, where the prevailing westerly winds, unimpeded by any land mass, raise the waters in chaotic waves that lash his boat. 'I feel powerless and resigned to the forces of nature,' says Jaña, who is the research chief at the Union Glacier Joint Scientific Polar Station. Union glacier, nearly a mile thick, sits at an elevation of more than 700 metres (2,300 feet), and were it not for the ice, it would be a fjord. The glacier's immense force has pushed out the sea entirely, creating a unique environment for scientific study. Jaña skis around the glacier making global navigation satellite system measurements Recent research has revealed unprecedented glacier retreat worldwide, with five of the last six years representing the most rapid loss on record. The period from 2022 to 2024 recorded the largest three-year loss of glacier mass ever documented. This trend is consistent across the Arctic and Antarctic regions, where rising atmospheric and ocean temperatures drive the ice melt. Unlike the wet maritime climate of the Antarctic peninsula, Union glacier is one of the driest deserts on the planet. The peaks of the Ellsworth mountains that hem in the glacier are often ice-free. Flying over the range in a Twin Otter aircraft, the top of the mountains to the far south side are visible, acting as a natural dam holding back the west Antarctic ice sheet. Glaciers pour over the passes of the Ellsworth mountains On Union glacier, the effects of the climate crisis on the Antarctic peninsula appear slightly more remote. Temperatures remain well below freezing, even in the austral summer. Still, scientists are vigilant for signs of warming creeping in from the coast to this pristine interior. According to scientific bodies including the World Meteorological Organization, rising temperatures are causing the Antarctic ice sheet to melt at an accelerated rate. If global temperature rises exceed 2C, large portions – including the Union glacier – may reach tipping points, resulting in irreversible retreat. Pack ice breaks up in the sea near Union Glacier There are signs that some large Antarctic glaciers have entered a state of irreversible loss, contributing to global sea level rise and altering ocean circulation patterns. Since 2014, the Chilean Antarctic Institute and the Chilean armed forces have maintained the Union Glacier Joint Scientific Polar Station from November to January. The station provides support for scientists from various nations to conduct their research. Living on the glacier is an experience unlike any other. Tents serve as homes for weeks, and daytime temperature highs barely reach -10C (14F). The base is sheltered by high mountains and bathed in desert sun 24 hours a day, making the tents relatively warm and comfortable. Clockwise from top: the Union Glacier Joint Scientific Polar Station; a transit point for arrivals; the mess hall; scientists use snowmobiles to conduct field experiments; and fog and snow descend on the camp Jaña's work involves measuring the glacier's movement and thickness and the influence of tides using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver. The data he collects will help future generations of glaciologists accurately measure changes in the ice over time. 'Twelve years of study is a short time, but my personal feeling is that the weather over the past five years has become less stable,' Jaña says. While Union glacier remains relatively calm, flying from Punta Arenas in Chile has become more challenging due to increased storms on the peninsula. Jaña measures the thickness and velocity of the nearby Schanz glacier with logistics staff German Aguilera, a Chilean researcher at the Military Geographical Institute, echoes Jaña's concerns. 'Global warming is a 'pandemic' silently affecting Union glacier,' he says. 'In the future, the glaciers that come together to form Union glacier may suffer melting quite soon, a process that will not only transform the glaciological surroundings but also alter the tectonic dynamics of the region.' As the ice sheet thins, the bedrock beneath could rise, altering the landscape. Antarctica lost up to 3tn tonnes of ice in the 25 years to 2017, mainly from the west Antarctic ice sheet. The bedrock under the ice sheet, compressed during the last ice age, is already beginning to move upward. Aguilera and fellow researcher from the Chilean Military Geography Institute, Angel Zapata, use GNSS to monitor the tectonic shift around Union glacier. Their measurements will be crucial in understanding the impact of melting glaciers on the region's geology. Angel Zapata, left, installs a GPS marker on bedrock that will help to study the movement and thickness of Union glacier; German Aguliera takes a GPS measurement from the bedrock Cold katabatic winds from the ice sheet expose the blue core of ice on Union glacier, making it a 'blue ice' glacier. José Jorquera, a researcher at the University of Santiago de Chile, and Noe van Alphen, a graduate student at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, launch a drone fitted with cameras to measure the albedo – the proportion of sunlight reflected into space – of the blue ice. The albedo of glaciers is typically more than 90%. As the climate warms, many glaciers lose winter snow, allowing particles such as black carbon from fossil fuel combustion to darken the ice surface. This increases heat absorption and accelerates melting. Scientists install a radio telescope on blue ice to measure the doppler effect of electromagnetic radiation generated after the big bang 'We're studying the deposition of heavy metals associated with energy-intensive activities and the growing Antarctic tourism industry,' says Dr Raúl Cordero, a professor at the University of Chile and van Alphen's adviser. Sampling the surface of blue ice also provides valuable insights into ancient atmospheric composition and past climate conditions. Large crevasses on Union glacier covered with snow bridges that conceal their presence At the beginning of the season in November, advanced logistics crews survey the glacier with snowmobiles fitted with ground-penetrating radar to chart safe routes. These routes, marked with flagged bamboo poles, help avoid deadly crevasses concealed under bridges of snow. One clear afternoon, with the blue ice shimmering in the sun, Jaña stops as he skies across Union glacier to make GNSS measurements. Asked if it's hard to readjust to ordinary life in Chile after his expedition, he replies after a long pause: 'It's terrible. Terrible.' He says Antarctica is a symbolic continent. 'Our human activities are accelerating the changes here because we are demanding more and more resources,' he says. 'It's the last chance for humanity to get it right.' A safe, crevasse-free route marked out across Union glacier
The Guardian
22-04-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
On thin ice: the brutal cold of Canada's Arctic was once a defence, but a warming climate has changed that
In early February, during the depths of winter, Twin Otter aircraft belonging to the Canadian military flew over the vast expanse of the western Arctic looking for sea ice. Below, sheets of white extended beyond the horizon. But the pilots, who were searching for a suitable site to land a 34-tonne (76,000lb) Hercules transport plane a month later, needed ice that was 1.5-metres (5ft) thick. They could not find any. The teams scoured 10 other possible spots, stretching as far west in the Arctic as Herschel Island, five miles off the coast of Canada's Yukon territory. In the end, no site proved suitable for a sea-ice landing area. The north, it seemed, was too warm. However, that same month, during the same mission, the cold was snarling plans to move soldiers across the tundra. It had grounded transport helicopters. It had broken snowmobiles and other equipment and, at times, spirits. The north, it seemed, was too cold for the materiel the military had hauled up to the tundra. For generations, the intense cold of the Arctic has served as the bulwark of a military defence of the north. But a rapidly changing climate, defined by extreme shifts in temperature in both directions, threatens to unspool that defence, replacing it with a land and seascape more volatile and far less predictable. Over February and March, hundreds of soldiers from several countries gathered in Canada's western Arctic for Operation Nanook, a military exercise meant to show that allied nations, including the US, Finland, Sweden, Belgium and the UK could 'sustain force' in the region, testing cutting-edge equipment in the unforgiving tundra. In recent months, political leaders have revived longstanding fears that Canada has only a tenuous hold over its northern border. Despite the spectre of hostile nations creeping over unseen borders, however, the biggest threat facing the troops was the freezing temperatures. 'In kinetic fight or a civil response, the primary enemy is the cold,' says Maj Matthew Hefner, who runs the US army's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in New Hampshire. 'Whether the bullets are flying or not, that's the thing that is going to eat people alive.' The American, commanding a team of military scientists, combat veterans and Arctic specialists, was in the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk on the crumbling Arctic Ocean coastline, as part of a community celebration to mark Operation Nanook. Members of Hefner's international cooperative engagement programme for polar research have brought cold-weather gear to show local people. The event is also a few miles from where teams have cut triangular holes in the sea ice so Belgian naval divers can plunge into the emerald waters. Visibility extends as far as your arm and the frigid murky waters can disorient even seasoned divers astonishingly quickly. For those new to the landscape, Arctic veterans say a lack of awareness for the capacity of the cold to degrade and disorient is one of the biggest dangers. It makes plastic as fragile as glass. It confounds the intricate machinery of modern military aircraft. And at its most deadly, it untethers those travelling in its deepest reaches from reality. Exposed skin can sustain lasting damage within minutes; confusion quickly sets in with hypothermia. The Inuit who call the land home have pushed the outer bounds of human limits, finding pattern and tempo in a landscape that, to outsiders, is an unappeasable adversary. That knowledge is a lifeline to Arctic forces that have long acknowledged that tundra is one of the most hostile theatres for warfare conceivable for its ability to render hi-tech equipment unusable. During Operation Nanook, Hefner's team went through periods of a cold-imposed communications blackout as their radios and satellite devices shut down, the result of 'smart' lithium-ion batteries that will not charge in the cold. 'Most equipment is metal, and if you touch it without a glove on, your hands go bad. But even if you don't take your glove off, they'll get soaking wet because everything's covered in snow. Then they get really, really cold. And your hands go bad. 'So everything is slower up here,' says Hefner. 'I've got some guys complaining that we're not doing a lot of tactical stuff – you can't do tactical until surviving is second nature.' But the cold, for all its power to degrade, is also a powerful natural defence. In summer, the western Arctic is a boggy, infuriating morass of rivers strewn across the landscape like spaghetti. Enemy forces on the attack would find it near impossible to navigate. In the winter, travel routes open up with few natural barriers. It has long been the cold, and its power to break machine and mind, that has served as the chief deterrent. This winter, however, the community of Inuvik saw rain in December for the first time in nearly half a century. The drizzle came in the second half of a year that saw a punishing heatwave settle over the town, with the temperatures hitting 35C (95F) more than 125 miles above the Arctic Circle. This year, more snowmobiles plunged through ice roads – transport corridors built on frozen rivers – than ever before. Hefner's team also lost two snowmobiles when they fell through the ice. 'I've never experienced this many warm fluctuations in a year,' says Justin Pascal, who lives in Inuvik and is a member of the Canadian Rangers, a paramilitary force of northern reservists drawn from Indigenous communities. 'This year it was jumping between -8C, -40C, back to -8C and then even above 0C at the beginning of the year. Call it what you want, but it's different than anything I've experienced.' These changes have long been predicted and thaws coming earlier in the year have already expanded travel routes through the north-west passage for cargo and tourist ships. But they have also had profound effects on the landscape. Thawing permafrost and the subsequent sloughing of land into the ocean means communities such as Tuktoyaktuk are disappearing. 'There's open water where traditionally there was ice,' Lt Col Darren Turner, commander of Operation Nanook's land forces, tells Canadian reservists. 'Regardless of your opinion on global warming, you will have your own modified opinion when you get out there.' The uncertainty surrounding these shifts has confounded local people and military units testing their capabilities in the north. After a series of reconnaissance flights failed to find suitable sea ice, the military chose to build a landing area on a frozen lake – the first time a Hercules had landed on fresh water. The landing was framed as 'enhancing operational flexibility' by giving the plane access to otherwise inaccessible areas. But challenge, and failure, to find sufficiently thick sea ice in the depths of winter highlights a reality military leaders have had to start planning for in earnest. 'Our first level of defence is leaving us,' says Turner.
