Latest news with #airlinesafety
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Asian Business Headlines at 10:44 a.m. GMT
Air India says no issues in locking mechanism of fuel control switches in Boeing fleet Solve the daily Crossword
CNA
15-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
SIA, Scoot carry out checks on Boeing 787 fuel switches following Air India crash preliminary report
SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot have checked the fuel switches of the Boeing 787 aircraft in their fleets, SIA said on Tuesday (Jul 15). This comes after the release of a preliminary report on Jul 12 into the Air India crash last month that killed 260 people, which thrust Boeing engine fuel cutoff switches into the spotlight. The report showed that the crash occurred because the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner's fuel control switches were moved from the "run" to "cutoff" position, starving the engines of fuel. It raised the question of how the switches could have been flipped, given the design of these controls. In response to CNA queries, SIA said: 'As a precautionary measure, SIA and Scoot have carried out and completed checks on the fuel switches of the Boeing 787 aircraft in our fleet.' 'The safety of our customers and staff is our top priority,' it added. CNA has contacted SIA to ask about the outcome of the checks, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) for comment. SIA's move follows that of other airlines inspecting the fuel switches of their own fleet. India on Monday ordered its airlines to examine fuel switches on several Boeing models after several Indian and international airlines began making their own inspections. South Korea said it would order a similar measure, while Japan's JAL said it would 'implement any necessary inspections based on its findings'. On Sunday, citing a document and sources, Reuters reported that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have privately issued notifications that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe. The FAA's notification to Civil Aviation Authorities, seen by Reuters, said: "Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787." THE REPORT The preliminary report showed that the switches to the engines were moved from the 'run' to the 'cutoff' position almost simultaneously which starved the engines of fuel. In the cockpit recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he cutoff the engine. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. The plane quickly began to lose altitude. The report did not say how the switches could have flipped during the flight. Both switches transitioned back from 'cutoff' to 'run' seconds later, but it was too late to stop the plane's descent. In a 2018 advisory, the FAA had recommended, but did not mandate, operators of several Boeing models, including the 787, to inspect the locking feature of the fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally. The Air India preliminary report said the airline had not carried out the FAA's suggested inspections as it was not a mandate. In an internal memo on Monday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said that the investigation into the crash is 'far from over'. He added that the airline is open to further inquiries and warned against 'premature conclusions'.
Khaleej Times
12-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Video: Man jumps into plane engine, dies on tarmac in Italy
In a tragic incident at Milan Bergamo International Airport in Italy earlier this week, a man bypassed security and got pulled into the engine of an aircraft. On July 8, eyewitnesses saw the man drive the wrong way down a road to enter the airport, abandon his vehicle, and make his way to the arrivals area, according to media reports. He then reportedly accessed the runway through an emergency exit before running toward the aircraft, which was preparing for departure. According to police, the man ran onto the runway and voluntarily approached the aircraft engine. He was not a passenger or an airport employee, a spokesperson for the airport said to media. Watch the video, below: Despite efforts by police and airport security to intercept him, they were unable to stop the man in time. The flight was grounded following the incident. Volotea, the Spanish low-cost airline, issued a statement on X: 'We regret to confirm flight V73511 from BGY to OVD was involved in an incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport at 10.35am. One individual not onboard and unaffiliated with the company was seriously injured. All 154 passengers and 6 crew members are safe. We are providing psychological support and are cooperating fully with Italian authorities.'
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
More airlines introduce strict ban on travel item in overhead lockers due to safety fears
POWER banks have been banned from even more airlines following concerns for passenger safety. China's aviation regulator and Japan's transport ministry have both announced new rules for carrying power banks on planes. 4 4 On July 3, 2025, Japan's transport ministry announced new air safety regulations requiring passengers to keep power banks in sight at all times while travelling. Japan will ban passengers from storing power banks in overhead compartments on all flights operated by All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and other domestic carriers. Under Japan's new regulation, the following rules will apply on all domestic flights and on international flights operated by Japanese airlines. The Japan Airlines website states that in accordance with the new rules "portable chargers (power banks) for smartphones and other devices cannot be checked in". It adds that they should be "carried onboard as carry-on luggage". It continues with two points that travellers should "avoid storing power banks in overhead compartments". In-flight charging is allowed, but passengers are required to keep devices under constant supervision and in sight in case there's a sign of overheating or malfunction. The new rules will come into effect on July 8, 2025, and are to lessen the risk of fire on planes. This will affect Brits travelling with the airlines, many of which operate from London Heathrow. Chinese authorities recently announced that passengers will be banned from carrying certain power banks on flights. Major airline introduces strict new luggage ban forcing travelers to keep item in 'plain sight' 4 China's aviation regulator has banned passengers from carrying power banks without Chinese safety certification markings on June 29. The rules apply to anyone boarding a flight in China, following a series of incidents globally involving lithium battery products, including power banks, overheating on planes. Earlier this year, Korean airline Air Busan banned passengers from having power banks in their hand luggage after a huge fire broke out onboard. While no-one was killed in the accident, the plane was badly damaged and taken out of commission. Back in March, Eva Air passengers announced it would no longer be able to use power banks onboard. Instead passengers need to use the onboard power outlets, with AC and USB-A ports available. China Airlines introduced the same rule from March 1. Starlux Airlines and Tigerair have already banned passengers from using power banks while in the cabin. They are still allowed in hand luggage. Thai Airways and AirAsia also don't allow passengers to use or charge their power banks onboard. And here's more information on the banning of power banks when flying from the UK.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Can I take my portable charger on a flight? The rules after several airlines ban using the device
With travel documents becoming increasingly digitised, knowing your phone has the charge to carry you from check-in through to customs is key for travellers. Although portable chargers may be vital to ensure a smooth journey, lithium-ion batteries commonly found inside power banks pose a fire risk to aircraft and confined cabin spaces if damaged. From 28 May, Southwest Airlines passengers must use their portable chargers and batteries in plain sight. The airline brought in the rule citing safety concerns after multiple overheating incidents. This means charging devices stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted. The carrier believes this new policy will allow crew members to respond faster to lithium batteries overheating or catching fire. As airlines move to contain fire risks in the cabin, we address the questions: can you fly with a portable charger? And what are the rules? Can I take my portable charger on a flight? Yes. Portable chargers and power banks are usually allowed on flights, but there are restrictions on where they can be packed. Most airlines allow portable chargers packed in your carry-on luggage but not in checked luggage or any bags that will go in the hold. Generally, power banks with a capacity of 100Wh or less are permitted in the cabin without requiring airline approval. Some carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways, prohibit the use of power banks to charge personal devices during a flight. Passengers travelling on these airlines are also not allowed to charge portable power banks themselves via the onboard USB ports. What do the UK authorities say? The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says 'spare batteries for portable electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh' are permitted in carry-on luggage for personal use. It adds: 'No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person may be carried.' Each lithium-ion cell or battery must also be 'individually protected so as to prevent short circuits'. Any spare batteries are not permitted to fly in checked baggage, warns the CAA. Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice recommends checking 'the restrictions on certain types of batteries with your airline if you're not sure what you can carry'. What are the portable charger rules in other countries? Alongside Southwest Airlines, carriers in China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore have also implemented new power bank regulations following safety concerns. From 1 March, South Korea implemented stricter rules on carrying portable batteries on flights following a fire on an Air Busan plane on 28 January. The revised rules state that a passenger can carry a maximum of five portable batteries, each with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours. Batteries exceeding 160 watt hours in capacity are strictly prohibited. On 7 April, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department banned passengers from using power banks on flights after a fire on a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou in China on 20 March. Passengers can still take power banks in carry-on luggage, but they must keep the devices under seats or in seat pockets and not in overhead compartments. Taiwan's EVA Airways similarly bans the use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries on flights. Passengers can carry them in their hand luggage if they are 'properly stored to prevent compression or damage'. In March, Singapore Airlines shared a post on X stating: 'Effective 1st April 2025, Singapore Airlines customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight.'
