A Korean Airlines flight bound for Taiwan experienced a terrifying descent after developing technical faults, causing some passengers to swear off flying altogether. The flight, KE189, plunged nearly 27,000 feet in just 15 minutes, resulting in several passengers being hospitalized and others reporting ear pain and hyperventilation. The flight eventually landed safely back at its departure airport before finally reaching Taiwan 19 hours after its initial departure.
An incident occurred on May 21st on an Indigo flight from Indore to Hyderabad, where a 29-year-old passenger allegedly attempted to open the plane door mid-air. The passenger, under the influence of ‘bhang,’ exhibited erratic behavior and refused to comply with the flight staff’s instructions. Upon landing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, the flight staff reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the passenger. The passenger had reportedly traveled from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and was a resident of Chandragirinagar in Gajularamaram.
A SpiceJet flight from Delhi to an undisclosed destination returned to the national capital on Sunday morning due to engine vibrations. The 737-7 aircraft, carrying around 135 people, landed safely at the Delhi airport after taking off at around 10:30 AM and returning at about 11:00 AM. A full emergency was declared at the airport during the incident. SpiceJet has yet to comment on the matter.
On May 24th, Iberia honored the vital role of Aeronautical Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) in the aviation industry. AMTs are responsible for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, working diligently to maintain them in top condition. Iberia employs over 2,500 AMTs, who play a crucial role in the airline’s success and commitment to flight safety.
To prevent blood clots during long flights, consider the ‘alphabet’ hack: trace each letter with your foot, wear compression socks, and stand up and walk around every hour. Compression socks are available at Boots for £13.68 or on Amazon for as little as £7.99. Not Your Grandma’s offers fun and colorful compression socks for £15. Boarding on the left side of the aircraft is a tradition that originated from maritime lore.
Finnair has announced a temporary suspension of daily flights to Tartu, Estonia, from April 29th to May 31st, 2024. This pause is necessary to implement alternative approach methods at Tartu Airport that do not rely on GPS signals. Affected passengers will be notified of the cancellations and provided with further information regarding their options.
Passengers onboard a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) experienced a harrowing landing on April 12, 2023. The plane touched down but immediately bounced back into the air, prompting shocked reactions from the commentator recording the event live. The incident comes amidst ongoing concerns raised by the Allied Pilots Association regarding flight safety issues in the United States. The union has urged pilots to report any safety concerns they encounter without fear of intimidation.
A FlySafair flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town was forced to return to OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday due to a missing landing gear wheel. The aircraft landed safely, but the incident caused temporary runway closures. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the malfunction.
Since 2022, European airspace has experienced a surge in GPS interference, with over 46,000 planes reporting issues. Officials believe the interference stems from increased jamming in Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave bordering Poland and Lithuania. GPS jamming poses safety risks, as it can spoof an aircraft’s location, altitude, or speed. While commercial planes have redundancies to mitigate the impact, the threat of inadvertently crossing into conflict zones remains a concern. Airlines have adjusted their routes to avoid conflict areas, but GPS interference could still bring flights closer to danger.
