Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, is set to revolutionize its in-flight dining experience with a significant menu transformation.

In response to customer feedback and to elevate the onboard culinary journey, Qantas has decided to bid adieu to lighter snack options and welcome a range of delectable hot foods on domestic flights lasting more than two hours.

Passengers can anticipate an array of tantalizing dishes featuring premium local ingredients sourced from Australian producers. From gourmet brekkie burgers to cauliflower bites and Mediterranean pizza, the new menu offerings promise to tantalize taste buds and provide a delightful culinary journey at 30,000 feet.

Among the exciting additions are scrambled egg brioche with tomato relish, ciabatta roll with Portuguese chicken and mango lime jam, and artisanal beef sausage rolls, all of which will be gradually introduced in the upcoming weeks.

But the enhancements don’t stop there. Qantas is extending its onboard tea and coffee service into afternoon flights until 4 pm, ensuring passengers stay refreshed throughout their journey.

For those with a sweet tooth, Weis ice cream bars will be a welcome addition on flights lasting over three and a half hours, such as the Sydney to Perth route.

Vegetarian options are also available, with offerings like Sunny Queen carrot and pumpkin fritters, cauliflower bites, or a mouthwatering Mediterranean pizza.

Phil Capps, Qantas’ executive manager of product and service, expressed the airline’s commitment to continuously improving the passenger experience. He emphasized that these hot menu items are crafted using the finest Australian ingredients, reflecting Qantas’ dedication to supporting local producers and offering passengers an elevated dining experience.

In a harrowing incident at an airport in Dakar, Senegal, Boeing 737 operated by Air Senegal’s Transair skidded off the runway just before takeoff, leaving 10 individuals injured.

The event unfolded late Wednesday, with 85 passengers onboard, bound for Mali. Passengers onboard the flight captured the terrifying moments and shared videos on social media, revealing flames engulfing one side of the plane and the distressing sounds of evacuation.

Transair Senegal Boeing 737-300 (6V-AJE, built 1994) was seriously damaged when it overran the landing runway at Dakar-Intl Airport(GOBD), Senegal. The left wing and engine caught fire but all 73 passengers were able to evacuate alive. There was unspecified number of injuries.… pic.twitter.com/SysgTSL3b8— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) May 9, 2024

Conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact count of passengers and injuries, with authorities indicating 78 passengers onboard and 11 wounded, while the transport ministry reported 79 passengers and 10 injuries, including one of the pilots.

Despite the confusion, swift action from the crew allowed for the deployment of side exit ramps, facilitating the evacuation of passengers as the aircraft began to burn. Authorities swiftly responded, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment while providing shelter to others at a nearby hotel.

Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, issued a statement expressing readiness to support investigations into the incident. The company referenced Transair for further inquiries, emphasizing their commitment to providing assistance to their customers. Notably, the ill-fated plane had previously experienced a tail issue during takeoff, returning to service a month later.

This incident adds to a string of recent challenges faced by Boeing, including heightened scrutiny following various incidents. In January, an Alaska Airlines flight encountered a mid-flight emergency when a door plug blew out, further amplifying concerns about aircraft safety and maintenance.

As investigations unfold, questions regarding aircraft maintenance, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight are likely to come under increased scrutiny, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring passenger safety in air travel.

In a significant move reflecting China’s growing ambitions in the aviation industry, the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is set to expand its production facilities for the indigenous C919 jets in Shanghai.

This expansion comes in response to a surge in orders, signaling a significant milestone for China’s efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market. According to reports from the China Aviation Planning and Design Institute (AVIC-CAPDI), a key contractor involved in the project.

COMAC has embarked on the second phase of the C919 large passenger aircraft batch production capacity construction project. The project, located in Pudong, Shanghai, boasts a substantial total construction area of 330,000 square meters.

The expansion project, as outlined by AVIC-CAPDI, primarily focuses on the construction of crucial infrastructure including an assembly plant, parts warehouse, and tarmac area. Such developments underscore COMAC’s commitment to ramping up manufacturing capabilities to meet the burgeoning demand for the C919 aircraft.

This move comes on the heels of major orders from leading Chinese carriers, including Air China and China Southern Airlines, each placing orders for 100 C919 jets. These substantial orders not only validate the growing confidence but also aim to challenge the dominance of industry giants Airbus and Boeing in the commercial aircraft market.

Despite primarily securing orders from Chinese airlines and aircraft lessors, the C919 has garnered significant traction, accumulating over 1,000 orders to date. Moreover, at the recent Fortune Innovation Forum held in Hong Kong, Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Pacific, hinted at the airline’s potential interest in adopting the C919 in the near future.