Latest news with #Boeing747-400
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Open-air jet repair exposes Kathmandu airport's limitations
KATHMANDU: In a rare and rather dramatic sight for many at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the open-air engine replacement of a wide-body aircraft of Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific is captivating aviation enthusiasts, airport workers and travelers alike. For nearly two weeks, a Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 bearing the call sign 'Bravo-Lima Bravo Hotel' has been grounded at the TIA. Work of detaching its left engine has been completed in front of Nepal Airlines' maintenance hangar. The massive engine, weighing about 12 tonnes, had to be replaced after an unexpected malfunction during a routine departure to Hong Kong. On the night of July 11, the aircraft, carrying 310 passengers, had completed all pre-flight procedures and was being pushed back from the apron towards the taxiway. As the pilots powered both engines to move towards the runway, the left engine suddenly malfunctioned, forcing the crew to abort the takeoff. 'There was no prior report of engine trouble when the aircraft landed in Kathmandu from Hong Kong earlier that evening. The pilot reported the issue just before entering the runway and sought permission to return the aircraft to the apron,' said a senior air traffic controller at the TIA. Cathay Pacific sources confirmed the failure was entirely unexpected and it had not been flagged during previous servicing. The engineer on board attempted minor repairs but deemed the issue too complex. The captain recorded the engine problem in the aircraft logbook, and the plane was officially declared grounded. The passengers were deboarded and alternative travel arrangements began. With no immediate aircraft available to replace the grounded flight, Cathay Pacific arranged accommodation for passengers at Radisson Hotel in Lazimpat and at Soaltee Hotel in Kalimati. The 12-member crew, who were scheduled to rest at the Hyatt Hotel in Bauddha, also had to stay with passengers in Radisson due to room unavailability. Most of the stranded passengers were flown to Hong Kong over the next two days via scheduled and special ferry flights. On July 13, Cathay Pacific operated a dedicated ferry flight to accommodate remaining travelers. After nearly two weeks, on July 24, Cathay Pacific flew in a spare engine using one of its Boeing 747-400 cargo aircraft. The 747-400 is one of only six such cargo planes in Cathay's 179-aircraft fleet and is slightly smaller than the airline's larger 747-800 series. Kathmandu's airport cannot accommodate the newer 747-800 cargo jets due to limited parking space, making the older 747-400 a more feasible option. 'This particular cargo aircraft had been scheduled to transport electronics, garments, pharmaceuticals and machinery to destinations like New York, Milan and Toronto,' said a source familiar with the operation. 'Cathay Pacific rearranged its fleet to divert this aircraft to Kathmandu with the 12-tonne replacement engine on board.' Once delivered, Cathay's technical team began the engine replacement in front of Nepal Airlines' hangar. The removed engine, still considered airworthy, was sent back to Hong Kong on July 25 for maintenance at Cathay's state-of-the-art maintenance facility. The engine, a Rolls-Royce Trent model, is expected to be repaired and returned to service. The incident highlighted significant logistical challenges at Tribhuvan International Airport. The grounded wide-body jet occupied valuable parking space for 14 days, causing congestion and delays for other aircraft. Airport authorities tried to move the aircraft to various remote parking zones, including near the Nepal Oil Corporation depot and the northeastern apron area. However, Cathay Pacific declined these requests, opting instead to pay full parking fees to keep the aircraft on the main apron. 'After Cathay's cargo aircraft arrived carrying the spare engine, their grounded wide-body plane was moved in front of the Nepal Airlines hangar. The Nepal Airlines aircraft previously parked there was shifted to the parking space where the Cathay aircraft had been stationed,' said Hanshraj Pandey, general manager of Kathmandu Airport. Airport authorities did not allow Cathay Pacific to replace the engine at its original parking spot. This episode has stressed the urgent need for an international-standard hangar facility in Nepal for large aircraft maintenance. Due to the absence of such infrastructure, Cathay Pacific could not obtain approval to conduct a full engine overhaul in Kathmandu. Instead, technicians were allowed only to perform the basic installation under open skies—an operation rarely permitted, especially during monsoon. Aviation experts recall a similar incident before the Covid-19 pandemic, when an Etihad Airways aircraft remained grounded for several days after an engine issue. Although there are a few small workshops for foreign Maintenance, Repair and Operations within the seven-decade old Tribhuvan International Airport compound, they are primarily limited to light servicing. Spare parts and essential tools for wide-body aircraft are almost entirely absent in Nepal, leaving airlines with little choice but to fly in parts and equipment when technical emergencies arise. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Cloud nine wedding: Aviation enthusiasts say 'I Do' aboard 747 jumbo jet
FUJAIRAH: High above the clouds, aviation enthusiasts Sam Chui and Fiona Pang turned their dream into reality by tying the knot aboard a Boeing 747-400, transforming a symbol of flight into their wedding venue. The couple transformed their shared passion into an airborne celebration, marking a rare wedding held on a jumbo jet, according to Gulf News. Nearly 100 seats were removed to create an aisle, dance floor and event space inside the iconic aircraft. Pang, a former flight attendant, trained on the Boeing 747 at the start of her aviation journey and the couple chose the aircraft as a symbolic tribute to their love and careers. Chartered via Aquiline International, the only 747-400 passenger operator in the UAE, the 90-minute flight departed Fujairah and cruised over the Gulf of Oman as guests explored the cockpit and upper deck. While the final bill is still being calculated, Chui said that fuel for the jumbo jet alone cost about US$20,000 (RM85,000) per hour, not including airport charges, catering or décor.
CairoScene
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Aviation Influencer Marries Aboard Boeing 747 Over the UAE
In a rare airborne celebration, a Boeing 747 was transformed into a wedding venue as guests explored the aircraft mid-flight over the Gulf of Oman, complete with dancing, speeches, and surprises. If your wedding doesn't include a cockpit tour at 28,000 feet... is it even love? Aviation influencer Sam Chui and airline professional Fiona Pang just redefined high-flying romance by getting married aboard a chartered Boeing 747-400, mid-air over the UAE. Yes, really. The couple transformed the legendary 'Queen of the Skies' into a one-of-a-kind flying wedding venue. Nearly 100 seats were stripped out to make way for an aisle, dance floor, and enough space for cake-cutting, speeches, and a first dance — all during a 90-minute cruise above the Gulf of Oman. The flight took off from Fujairah International Airport, where guests checked in with custom boarding passes, sipped Arabic coffee, and lounged pre-boarding in true aviation style. Airport monitors flashed congratulatory messages, and once airborne, guests were encouraged to explore every corner of the plane — from the cockpit and upper deck to the crew rest area. The flight was operated by Aquiline International, the UAE's only operator of a passenger-configured Boeing 747-400. It was more than just a showstopper: the aircraft has deep personal meaning for the couple. Fiona once trained on the 747 as a flight attendant, while Sam built his entire career celebrating aircraft like this one. Weddings on commercial jumbo jets are exceedingly rare — especially in this part of the world. The final cost hasn't been revealed, but just the fuel alone can run over USD 20,000 per hour. And that's before you count airport fees, inflight catering, and those sky-high floral arrangements. Originally planned for April, the couple postponed the wedding due to personal reasons. But when the big day finally came, it soared.
India Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Aviation influencer's wedding aboard Boeing 747 takes love to the skies. Watch video
An aviation influencer and his partner celebrated the best day of their lives by exchanging vows aboard a Boeing 747-400 soaring above the United Arab Emirates on July 12.'Love is in the air. Welcome to our 747 Sky Wedding flight. Memories of a lifetime for both of us,' read the caption of an Instagram video post shared by Sam Chui and Fiona Pang, documenting highlights from their wedding held thousands of feet in the sky. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Chui (@samchui)advertisementAround 100 seats were removed from the aircraft as it was reimagined as an airborne wedding venue - complete with an aisle for the bridal walk, a dance floor, and a space for speeches and celebrations, Gulf News reports. Speaking to Gulf News about their love story, Sam said, 'We were very lucky that we both work in aviation, and this airplane - Boeing 747 - is the plane that introduced us to aviation and made us fall in love with it. It's synonymous with the golden age of aviation.'The festivities began on the ground at Fujairah International Airport, where around 60 guests were welcomed with Arabic coffee, personalised boarding passes, and congratulatory messages displayed on digital airport monitors. A private lounge was also arranged for the attendees, who also explored every nook and corner of the aircraft while on the 90-minute flight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Chui (@samchui)'We wanted our guests to really feel the aircraft and experience it as their own. Some had never flown on a 747. They explored the crew rest area, the aft galley, and the flight deck,' Sam about the cost involved in organising such an event, Sam said that fuel for a 747 might amount to $20,000 approximately every hour. Other expenses include airport fees apart from food and decor.'But the cost doesn't matter. The experience is priceless,' he added.- Ends
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Viral Video: Influencer Sam Chui Hosts 'Sky Wedding' Aboard Boeing 747: "Love Is In The Air"
Sam Chui, one of the world's most prominent aviation content creators, recently marked his special day with a 'Sky Wedding' aboard a chartered Boeing 747-400. Mr Chui and his bride-to-be, Fiona, a flight attendant, celebrated their union with a uniquely aviation-themed ceremony, flying high with friends and family onboard. The couple took off from Fujairah International Airport (FJR) in the UAE aboard a chartered Boeing 747-400 on July 12, Gulf News reported. With their guests on board, the plane took off at 6:30 PM and flew over the Gulf of Oman for approximately 95 minutes before returning to Fujairah by 8:04 PM. Mr Chui described the day as "the best day of our lives" and shared highlights on Instagram, showcasing the festive atmosphere on the plane. A video clip showed the couple, dressed in white, walking hand in hand down a red carpet before boarding the jumbo jet. "Love is in the Air. Welcome to our 747 Sky Wedding flight. Memories of a lifetime for both of us," the video was captioned. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Chui (@samchui) The Boeing 747-400 was transformed into an all-white wedding venue, where friends and family gathered to celebrate the couple's special day. To create a unique celebration space, nearly 100 seats were removed from the Boeing 747-400, making way for an aisle, a dance floor, and areas for cake-cutting, the first dance, and wedding speeches. Thousands of feet in the air, they danced, toasted, and played games together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sam Chui (@samchui) "We're very happy. It was really the best day of our lives. We were very lucky that we both work in aviation, and this airplane — Boeing 747 — is the plane that introduced us to aviation and made us fall in love with it. It's synonymous with the golden age of aviation," Mr Chui told Gulf News. "We wanted our guests to really feel the aircraft and experience it as their own. Some had never flown on a 747. They explored the crew rest area, the aft galley, and the flight deck," Mr Chui added. The couple received a flood of congratulatory messages from their nearly one million fans. Fans praised the unique celebration, with comments like "What a dream!" and "Love is really in the air."
