India plane crash latest: Aircraft comes down near Ahmedabad airport
A plane has crashed at India's Ahmedabad Airport, according to local media. Follow the latest here.
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Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
People are just realizing why there are still ashtrays in airplane bathrooms
If you've ever noticed an ashtray in an airplane bathroom and wondered why it's still there despite the no smoking signs lighting up all around you - you're not alone. Even though smoking has been banned on all US flights for more than two decades since 2000, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still requires ashtrays to be present near airplane lavatories. The reason? Some passengers still just can't resist lighting up at 35,000 feet. The FAA says people still try to smoke onboard and airlines need a safe way for them to take the light out. 'The installation of an ashtray on or near the lavatory door will ensure that uninformed persons who find themselves with lighted smoking materials on the airplane will have an obvious location to dispose of smoking materials before entering the lavatory,' the FAA explains. The FAA believe it's better to have a designated place to extinguish a cigarette than risk a smoker tossing it into a trash bin full of paper towels and flammable waste. A European flight attendant, who previously worked for a major US airline, told Marketplace she has personally caught multiple passengers trying to sneak a smoke mid-flight. 'What people don't understand is that a fire on board is one of the most scary things to have,' she told the outlet. The FAA regularly investigates 'unruly passenger' reports and lighting up on the flight is included. In 2021, the FAA proposed a whopping $16,700 fine against one Allegiant Air passenger who was caught smoking in the bathroom. Although the FAA itself can't press criminal charges, it can refer extreme cases to the FBI. The agency also can impose civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation. Also in 2021, a woman on a Spirit Airlines flight to Fort Lauderdale was walked off by police after lighting up a cigarette on the tarmac, drawing scorn from fellow passengers. The unnamed woman pulled out a cigarette after the plane took more than an hour to make its way to the terminal after it arrived at the Florida airport from Detroit. It is not clear why it took that long to taxi. Alexa Majdalawi, 31, who was sitting behind her and has asthma, told Fox News at the time: 'She literally took out a cigarette and just started smoking.' Majdalawi said the woman 'turned around' and blew it in her face. And just this April, a brazen business-class passenger was caught on camera vaping on a flight - with footage showing the premium flyer sneakily tucking the device beneath a cushion between each inhale. The incident, which involved a male passenger seated in executive class, took place on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Jakarta to Medan, Indonesia, on March 27. A shocking clip shows the passenger, who had been filmed by a fellow flyer, subtly lifting the e-cigarettes to his lips from under a red cushion placed on his lap. A former flight attendant who worked on planes in the 1970s previously revealed to Daily Mail that the cigarette smoke on planes used to be so thick her makeup would drip down her face. Mary Mckenna recalled her memories of working on American Airlines from 1976 to 2010. While her career had many highlights, the now-outlawed act of smoking during flights posed various concerns for her. She recalled: 'The smoke was so intense on the plane that my eye makeup would be dripping down my face, I couldn't breathe.' Mary also explained that she would have to take extra caution to watch out for passengers falling asleep with lit cigarettes in their hands due to the fire risk.
Times
14 hours ago
- Times
How do we judge if a destination feels safe?
The question I'm most often asked at this time of year is: 'Where should I go on holiday?' But over the past week, more often than not it's been: 'Should I go on holiday?' When the world shifts even just a little on its axis, with events such as conflict and plane crashes, it can suddenly seem a much scarier place — and travellers' perceptions of 'safe' shifts with it. What was OK only hours or minutes ago is suddenly not. This was thrown into sharp relief earlier this month, when missile strikes led Iran, Israel and Iraq to close their airspaces to commercial air traffic and international aviation agencies to issue no-fly warnings, compounding the closure of Russian airspace as a result of the conflict with Ukraine. The UK Foreign Office travel advice, which not only informs us of entry requirements to any given destination but also gives a steer on health risks, cultural differences and, crucially at turbulent times, advice about how to stay safe, changed for many countries in the region. The proximity of Iran and Israel to holiday hotspots such as the United Arab Emirates or Turkey has worried travellers headed in that direction on their summer trips. So if you've booked to travel overseas this summer — or are about to book — but are suddenly feeling nervous, how do you make a considered decision? Understanding a little more about what your consumer rights are if things go wrong can help. For example, if the Foreign Office advises against all travel, it immediately renders most insurance policies invalid, helping the prudent travellers among us overcome any residual indecision. It's not just travel insurers who follow it to the letter — travel agents and tour operators also follow its lead. Members of the trade organisation Abta, for example, will give customers travelling to a destination suddenly deemed unsafe the options of deferring their date of travel, transferring to another destination or a full refund. • Is it safe to travel to the Middle East right now? But even if the Foreign Office doesn't advise against travel, or advises against all but essential travel, I've noticed a new level of wavering when the travelling public hear about delays, cancellations and airspace closures. We know we can go, but we're not sure we should. And everyone judges acceptable risk differently. My septuagenarian parents, for example, were first off the block once borders opened after Covid but are now feeling more nervous about travel. They had no plans to travel long-haul but the disruption across the Middle East since June 15 — when the UK Foreign Office advised against all travel to Israel and since updated its travel advice for all countries in the region — has introduced doubt about going overseas at all, even on the European river cruises they love. Fellow parents are concerned about taking children to European destinations that they worry may not be safe such as Cyprus or Turkey; other friends are worried about being delayed returning home after a trip to Dubai or Oman. No one likes the thought of being stranded anywhere and so passengers are easily spooked by cancellations and delays. Closed airspace, which is often a fluid situation that can change by the hour, will continue to factor in our international travel for the foreseeable. It also has a fundamental impact on airline operations, affecting fuel consumption, crew and aircraft displacement and even catering. Flights from Europe to Asia that would under normal circumstances have crossed Iranian, Iraqi, Jordanian or Israeli airspace are forced to reroute over Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. It means the number of what we call 'air corridors' from Europe to Asia has effectively shrunk from three to two, extending some flight routes from Istanbul to Abu Dhabi 'We understand that travellers may have concerns due to recent developments in the region,' a spokesperson from Visit Dubai said. • Turkey travel advice: is it safe to visit right now? 'Even a 20 to 30-minute increase in average flight time — typical of current reroutings — can have a significant operational impact,' the travel intelligence platform Skift said. 'For passengers this can mean missed connections, longer transit times and added stress.' And for passengers travelling to or through the Middle East last week, this was considerable. Most airlines have paused routes to Tel Aviv, and destinations in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. British Airways resumed flights to Doha on Friday but has cancelled all flights to and from Jordan and Bahrain up to July 10; while United Airlines and American Airlines have both cancelled routes to Doha and Dubai until early July. • Cyprus travel advice: is it safe to visit right now? Whether you choose to take this as a reason not to travel or an indication of the importance of passenger safety is up to you, but a look into the size and the complexity of airline crisis management may just inspire confidence rather than fear. Last week Qatar Airways gave an unprecedented look into what happened when Qatari airspace closed on Monday, swiftly followed by airspace in Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait. Doha's Hamad International airport, one of the world's most connected global hubs, was brought to a standstill, with over 10,000 passengers inside already in transit and almost 100 aircraft en route to Doha or preparing for departure. 'Qatar Airways flights carrying more than 20,000 passengers to Doha were forced to divert into airports across Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Oman and the United Arab Emirates,' said its chief executive, Badr Mohammed al-Meer. • Travel for the over-70s — everything you need to know about insurance and more 'The remaining aircraft were rerouted to major hubs including London, Barcelona and others across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.' Once Qatari airspace reopened shortly after midnight on June 24, diverted aircraft began returning to Doha, the number of passengers in transit needing support ranging from accommodation and alternative transport to food and drink surged to over 22,000. Unsurprisingly, we hear less about the flights that did operate. According to the aviation data agency Cirium, of 162 scheduled flights between London and the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain from Sunday to Tuesday last week, only 21 were cancelled (12 per cent). Emirates has carried over 1.7 million passengers in the past two weeks and Royal Jordanian is flying full capacity to Jordan. Dubai, which has long positioned itself as one of the world's safest cities, says flights have operated with minimal disruption. 'We understand that travellers may have concerns due to recent developments in the region,' the Dubai Media Centre said. 'However, Dubai remains fully open for business and tourism. Dubai's airspace, airport infrastructure and emergency response systems are among the most advanced globally, with air-traffic control teams managing route adjustments seamlessly in line with international safety protocols.' I spoke to some tour operators to ask how they're handling things. 'Our top priority is always to ensure that every journey feels both safe and enjoyable, so if a guest still feels unsure, we will always look at offering bespoke solutions — whether that's adapting the itinerary to focus on a different part of the country, suggesting alternative destinations or providing flexibility to travel at a later date,' said Andre Rickerby, Scott Dunn's UK executive vice-president. • Travel insurance guide: everything you need to know 'For guests who remain uneasy, our specialists are happy to suggest routing alternatives — whether that's switching to a different airline, considering a connection through a specific hub or discussing destinations that avoid longer-haul.' 'Things can change quickly and last-minute options are always available,' said Charlotte Wells, director of global tailormade product at Abercrombie & Kent. 'Travel specialists can offer advice and alternatives, ensuring that your journey matches your comfort level and the style of holiday you're after. Some destinations are quieter than usual, which means fewer crowds, better access to key sights and a more relaxed experience overall. Similarly, it could be an opportunity to explore somewhere completely different or out of season, giving you a new travel experience entirely.' Help make travel more seamless — and therefore fun! — by taking out comprehensive insurance at the time of booking, keeping an eye on Foreign Office destination advice, downloading relevant apps and knowing your consumer rights (see our advice about specific destinations, flight cancellations and refunds). At which point, hopefully, the answer will be: of course you should go on holiday. Are you concerned about travel right now? Let us know in the comments below
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Europe heatwave latest: Tourist ‘dies of heatstroke' in Spain while parts of Greece evacuated over wildfires
A Dutch tourist has died of heatstroke in Mallorca, according to local reports. The 34-year-old collapsed while hiking with friends in Camí de Son Sales, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to, according to the publication. Meanwhile, wildfires have ripped through Greece as Europe is braced for extreme temperatures of up to 40C in some popular holiday hotspots. Rome and Madrid are set to hit almost 40C on Saturday, and warnings are in place for cities including Paris and Rome over the weekend and into next week as a heatwave hits the continent. Five villages south of Athens were evacuated after a large wildfire, fanned by strong winds, raged near the capital. The fire department has deployed 90 firefighters, supported by eight water-dropping planes and five helicopters, to battle the inferno. Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon warned that southern and western Europe was experiencing a heatwave which was also extending into southeastern parts of the continent. Temperatures could hit 30C in England on Saturday amid amber heat health alert Temperatures could hit 30C on Saturday amid the second amber heat health alert in two weeks. On Friday, temperatures reached 29C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and the weather is forecast to climb over the next couple of days, according to the Met Office. It comes as a second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday. The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services. Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: 'The big talking point at the moment is the rise in temperatures we're going to be seeing over the next few days.' North-west England, parts of Northern Ireland and southern Scotland could see some rain on Saturday, and Scotland will see average temperatures for the time of year, but across England it could hit between 29C and 30C in the south east, the forecaster said. On Saturday, there will be some clouds and it will be quite blustery, but it will ease on Sunday. On Sunday, temperatures will pick up, north-western Scotland may still see rain, but everywhere else will be warmer, with expected highs of 30-31C in the south east. Jabed Ahmed28 June 2025 09:00 Tourist dies of heatstroke in Mallorca - reports A Dutch tourist has died of heatstroke in Mallorca, according to local reports. The 34-year-old collapsed while hiking with friends in Camí de Son Sales, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to, the publication reported. Jabed Ahmed28 June 2025 08:31 Recap: What we know about the wildfires and extreme heat across Europe Europe is bracing for a significant heatwave with temperatures expected to be 5-10C above average, potentially reaching over 40C in popular holiday destinations. The extreme heat will affect southern, western, and southeastern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany, extending from this weekend into next week. Major cities like Paris, Rome, Lisbon, and Frankfurt are forecast to experience peak temperatures ranging from 35C to over 42C. The heatwave poses risks such as heatstroke, Heat exhaustion, and increased wildfire danger, with Greece already experiencing blazes and France issuing severe fire risk warnings. Meteorological agencies across the continent are issuing warnings for high and persistent temperatures, urging caution for exposed and vulnerable individuals. Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 08:00 France issues orange alert for 'stifling' heatwave Paris is facing a heatwave from Monday, with temperatures peaking at 39C on Tuesday and forecasters urging caution for people who have to be outside for longer periods of time. Mr Nicholls said those temperatures at this time of year for Paris were not common, last occurring in 2022. In the south of France, temperatures are expected to reach 40C in some areas and authorities have issued a severe fire risk warning and an orange alert for extreme heat for nine departments across central- and south-east France by Saturday. In inland areas of those departments, temperatures could climb to 42C, Le Parisien reports. Meteo France warned that high surface temperatures on the Mediterranean Sea could also affect overnight minimum temperatures, 'making nights more stifling during the heatwave'. Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 07:00 Popular Italian destinations swelter in prolonged heatwave Several popular tourist destinations in Italy are expected to swelter through prolonged stretches of temperatures in the high 30s. In Rome, daytime highs won't dip below 37C until Thursday, according to Il Meteo, while temperatures in Florence will alternate between 38C and 39C from Monday. Naples will also reach highs of 37C on Saturday and Monday, while in the northeast, Venice will reach 36C on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures in other Italian destinations are forecast to be milder, reaching the mid-30s for Naples and high 20s for Bari in Puglia over the weekend. Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 06:00 Germany braces for temperatures to near 40C by the middle of next week As the heatwave moves north through next week, weather experts warn temperatures in parts of Germany could near 40C by Wednesday. Climatologist Dr Karsten Brandt from told German news outlet Bild 'the big heat is coming'. 'Up to 40 degrees Celsius is possible by the middle of next week,' Dr Karsten said. The forecasting site predicts the heat to remain above 30C for five days and above 35C for three during the upcoming German heatwave. Frankfurt is expected to reach 38C on Wednesday, while in Berlin temperatures will reach 35C. Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 05:00 Evacuations near Athens as another wildfire hits Greece during heat wave The entire wider Athens area are on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for the danger of wildfires. Evacuations near Athens as another wildfire hits Greece during heat wave The entire wider Athens area are on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for the danger of wildfires Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 04:00 Watch: Violent storms wreak havoc across France with two dead and dozens injured Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 03:00 How common are wildfires in Greece? Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames. But in recent years, climate change has led to longer and more severe heatwaves, as well as wildfires and destructive floods. Rebecca Whittaker28 June 2025 02:00 Recap: What we know about the wildfires and extreme heat across Europe Europe is bracing for a significant heatwave with temperatures expected to be 5-10C above average, potentially reaching over 40C in popular holiday destinations. The extreme heat will affect southern, western, and southeastern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany, extending from this weekend into next week. Major cities like Paris, Rome, Lisbon, and Frankfurt are forecast to experience peak temperatures ranging from 35C to over 42C. The heatwave poses risks such as heatstroke, Heat exhaustion, and increased wildfire danger, with Greece already experiencing blazes and France issuing severe fire risk warnings. Meteorological agencies across the continent are issuing warnings for high and persistent temperatures, urging caution for exposed and vulnerable individuals.
