Len Varley

Perth is set to take center stage in the aviation world, hosting Routes Asia 2025 from March 25-27. The aviation conference promises to be a pivotal event for the Asia-Pacific region's air travel industry. With Singapore Airlines as the Official Airline Partner, the event will attract over 1,000 delegates from more than 170 airlines and 300 airports, positioning Perth as a critical hub in the region's aviation ecosystem. Asia-Pacific Aviation Market: A Context of Rapid Growth The timing of Routes Asia 2025 is particularly significant. The Asia-Pacific aviation market is experiencing unprecedented transformation. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the region is expected to account for 42% of global air passenger traffic by 2040. This is being driven by increasing economic prosperity, rising middle-class incomes, and enhanced connectivity. [xyz-ips snippet=

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released its report into an approach incident London Stansted Airport on 4 December 2023. The serious incident under review saw a Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8 descend below minimum altitude (a ‘level bust’) during a go around procedure following an unstabilised approach. The aircraft had entered an uncommanded nose down attitude at around 4000 feet, after the pilots commenced a go around whilst on approach to land, they regained control at around 1700 feet and landed safely. [xyz-ips snippet=

Snake on a plane! A Virgin Australia flight from Broome to Perth experienced an unexpected delay on Thursday morning when a python was discovered onboard. The incident, which involved a lone stowaway Stimson's python was handled calmly by a seasoned TV personality who happened to be aboard the flight. A TV Personality and a Stowaway Python Andre Rerekura, a well-known figure in Australian television, was among the passengers on the Virgin Australia flight. Rerekura has a background in conservation and stars on Disney's 'Shipwreck Hunters Australia'. When the snake was spotted slithering down the aisle of the Boeing 737, he stepped in to assist the crew. With a cool head and expert handling, Rerekura carefully captured the reptile and placed it in a bag. [xyz-ips snippet=

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), Jordan's primary aviation hub, faces temporary headwinds amid regional tensions while maintaining its position as a crucial economic driver for the kingdom. Recent traffic data reveals the complex landscape of post-pandemic recovery and regional challenges affecting this vital infrastructure asset. Recent Performance Metrics Show Regional Impact October 2024 brought notable challenges to QAIA's operations, with passenger traffic declining 8.6% year-over-year to 675,209 travelers. This decrease reflects the broader impact of ongoing regional tensions, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon. The airport also experienced reduced aircraft movements, recording 5,486 flights - a 16.2% decrease from the previous year. Cargo operations saw a similar trend, handling 6,021 tons, down 7.3% compared to October 2023. Year-to-date figures further illustrate these challenges, with total passenger traffic reaching 7,465,802, marking a 6.6% decrease from 2023. However, there's a silver lining in cargo operations, which showed impressive growth of 16.1%, totaling 63,774…

flynas, the Middle East's major low-cost carrier, is significantly expanding its Egyptian routes with new direct flights between Madinah and Cairo. This marks a further milestone in its ambitious growth strategy. Starting December 11, the airline will operate three weekly flights connecting Prince Muhammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Sphinx Airport. This both strengthens the airline’s presence in the Egyptian capital and also supports Saudi Arabia's progressive aviation sector goals. Network Expansion from Madinah Base The new flights, scheduled for Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, represent a strategic expansion of flynas' network from its Madinah Airport base. This development aligns perfectly with the airline's comprehensive

HK Express has successfully launched its newest route connecting Hong Kong with Penang International Airport (PEN). The inaugural flight departed Thursday 21 November, marking a return to the Malaysian market. This vibrant destination offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western influences. It showcases Malaysia's rich cultural heritage and modern developments. A Focus on Southeast Asia

London Gatwick Airport is celebrating a significant achievement this week. The London airport’s Accessibility Manager, Anna-Ruth Cockerham, has earned a spot on the prestigious Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list. This recognition makes her the only airport representative among the UK's top 100 most influential disabled people. Recognition for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 awards stand as the UK's premier recognition program for disabled leaders and change-makers. What makes these awards particularly meaningful is their democratic selection process. Nominees are publicly submitted and evaluated by an expert panel of 25 disabled champions. This includes notable figures such as international business leader Dr. Shani Dhanda, Paralympics GB Chief Executive David Clark, and Coronation Street actor Cherylee Houston. [xyz-ips snippet=

British Airways has announced a multi-million pound investment in its engineering maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport. British Airways is making a significant investment in its Cardiff-based engineering facility, British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC). This multi-million-pound commitment will enable BAMC to expand its capabilities and accommodate larger, long-haul aircraft like the Airbus A350. BAMC Cardiff Airport British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) is a major aircraft maintenance facility located at Cardiff Airport in Wales. It's a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways and a key part of British Airways Engineering. Heavy Maintenance: BAMC specializes in heavy maintenance for the carrier's long-haul fleet, including Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. Complex Repairs: The facility is equipped to handle complex repair and modification work. Technical Support: BAMC provides technical support and expertise to other parts of British Airways Engineering. The investment will see the expansion of one of BAMC's existing maintenance bays. This…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted the ban on flights to six airports in northern Haiti, including Cap-Haitien and Port-de-Paix. Although the flight restrictions have been lifted to those airports, the ban on flights to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince remains in effect until December 12, 2024. The FAA's decision comes after a period of increased violence and instability in Haiti. The unrest and unsafe conditions has led to the closure of several airports. Background Recent incidents involving US flights receiving gunshots have been primarily concentrated in the Haiti capital. Three commercial flights were struck by gunfire while operating in the country. This involved aircraft from US carriers American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue. Of these, the worst affected was a Spirit Airlines aircraft which was hit while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. The flight was forced to discontinue its approach and make a precautionary diversion. [xyz-ips snippet=

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will commission a review to aadress safety concerns related to the CFM LEAP-1B engines powering Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. This move follows two separate incidents where Southwest Airlines flights experienced smoke in the cockpit after sustaining birdstrikes. In 2023, two separate birdstrike incidents occurred on Southwest Airlines flights powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines, which are used on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The two incidents resulted in smoke entering the cockpit on both occasions, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate potential safety concerns with the engine design. While the FAA has emphasized that this is not an immediate flight safety issue, the agency is taking proactive steps to address the problem and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. [xyz-ips snippet=