Author: Sharad Ranabhat

EDINBURGH – Edinburgh Airport could face significant flight disruptions during the festive season as tanker drivers employed by North Air threaten to strike amid pay dispute. Unite, the UK’s leading aviation trade union, confirmed on 2nd December that it may announce strike dates in the coming days if an agreement is not reached. North Air, which provides refueling services for domestic and international airlines at Edinburgh Airport, offered a 4.5% pay increase to its tanker drivers. However, Unite members overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, pointing to years of below-inflation pay rises and demanding a more significant offer. Efforts to resolve the…

KOLKATA – IndiGo Airlines (6E) has announced the launch of daily direct flights between Kolkata and Phuket, starting December 27, 2024. This marks the airline’s second direct route to Phuket, complementing its existing service from Delhi.  This new route is a part of the low-cost carrier’s (LCC) strategy to cater to the growing demand for travel between India and Thailand, further strengthening its presence in the Southeast Asia travel market. Expanding Connectivity to Thailand With the addition of the Kolkata-Phuket route, IndiGo will now operate 93 weekly flights between India and Thailand, including 11 weekly flights to Bangkok. This addition…

BANGKOK – Thailand is expected to resume direct flights to the United States in February 2025, following an anticipated upgrade in the country’s aviation safety rating by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This development comes after the American aviation watchdog’s recent audit of Thailand’s aviation sector, which showed major improvements in compliance with international safety standards. Category 1 Status Restored Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that Thailand is set to regain its Category 1 (CAT 1) safety rating early next year. The FAA inspection was conducted from November 11 to 15, during which the Civil…

SYDNEY – Qantas (QF) has reached an exciting moment in its fleet renewal journey, as its first Airbus A321XLR has entered the final assembly line at Airbus’ Hamburg facility in Germany.  This milestone sets the stage for the first Asia Pacific A321XLR’s anticipated delivery in April 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Qantas’ domestic and regional operations. Significance of the A321XLR The A321XLR is the centerpiece of the Australian flag carrier’s plan to replace its aging Boeing 737 fleet over the next decade. Qantas has 28 of these next-generation aircraft on firm order, with options for additional…

Thanksgiving, a quintessentially American holiday, is as much about gathering around a table as it is about traveling to be with loved ones.

PARIS – A runaway dog named Amalka caused a rare disruption at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), leading to the closure of two runways during a search operation on 26th November. The search operation lasted for nine days. Owned by an Austrian tourist traveling with Air France (AF) from Vienna, Amalka, an emotional support dog escaped from her carrier during unloading on 19th November. The incident led to a large-scale search across the second busiest European airport, involving both airport staff and police. Posters were put up to alert workers, while search operations extended into the night with her…

SYDNEY – On 29th November 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted interim authorization to Virgin Australia (VA) and Qatar Airways (QR), permitting them to collaborate under an integrated alliance. This authorization enables the two carriers to market and sell 28 weekly return flights between Doha and Australian cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, starting in June 2025. Moreover, the ACCC’s decision also includes a court-enforceable undertaking from both airlines to protect customers should the final regulatory approvals not be granted. Expanded Services on the Horizon Under the integrated alliance, Virgin Australia will launch new flights to Doha…

DUBLIN – On November 27, 2024, Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Atlanta (ATL) was forced to divert to Dublin and make an emergency landing at Dublin Airport (DUB) to remove an unruly passenger. The Airbus A330-300, registered N810NW, was operating flight DL83 from CDG to Atlanta. On Wednesday morning, flight DL83 took off from CDG at 9:13 AM local time, slightly delayed from its scheduled departure. However, approximately 90 minutes into the flight, the crew decided to divert to Dublin after one of the passenger’s disruptive behavior posed safety concerns. Diversion to Dublin…

DOHA – As the Global Partner and Official Airline of Formula 1, Qatar Airways (QR) is celebrating the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix with limited edition F1-themed in-flight experiences. Passengers across all classes can enjoy the exclusive loungewear, dining, and amenities, designed to reflect the innovation, luxury, and excitement of the sport. Taking place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, at the Lusail International Circuit, the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix is reported to be a major highlight of the Formula 1 season. First and Business Class Offerings Passengers traveling in Qatar Airways First and Business Class cabins will receive stylish F1-branded…

ISTANBUL – Turkish Airlines (TK) has announced that it will launch new flights to Sydney, Australia, and Santiago, Chile. These two routes, revealed by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, are aimed at enhancing the airline’s route map. Sydney Flights Begin November 28 Starting 28th November 2024, Turkish Airlines will launch its second Australian route, connecting Istanbul to Sydney. The route will be operated with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The inaugural flight, departing Istanbul at 1:15 p.m., will reach Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at 4:30 p.m. the following…