Airport

American Airlines jet catches fire on takeoff at Chicago airport .

CHICAGO – Flames and heavy black smoke poured from the side of an American Airlines jet that aborted takeoff and caught fire on the runway at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Friday, forcing 170 crew and passengers to evacuate and resulting in eight injuries, authorities said.

Pilots on American Airlines Flight 383 bound for Miami reported an engine-related mechanical issue, according to airline spokeswoman Leslie Scott. She said seven passengers and a flight attendant with minor injuries were taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

Footage from the scene showed the Boeing 767, which appeared to be damaged on its rear and along its right side, sitting on the runway with flames underneath and shooting from one side along with plumes of smoke. The right wing was drooping toward the ground and appeared to have partially melted.

Passengers came down emergency slides, hurrying across grass next to the runway as emergency vehicles surrounded the plane.

Buses were sent to pick up the passengers and bring them back to the terminal, the airline said. The passengers were to be placed on another flight to Miami Friday evening.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating, said in a statement that the plane made an emergency stop around 2:35 p.m. after experiencing a problem during takeoff. An earlier FAA statement said the plane had blown a tire.

The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation into the incident, with investigators expected to arrive on the scene Friday evening, spokesman Keith Holloway said.

The Chicago Fire Department tweeted that there was an extra-alarm emergency response at the airport. Fire officials couldn’t immediately be reached for further comment.

Passenger Sarah Ahmed told WLS-TV the plane was almost in the air when she heard a loud bang and saw a fire out the window.

“The plane comes to a screeching stop,” she told the TV station. “People are yelling, ‘Open the door! Open the door!’ Everyone’s screaming and jumping on top of each other to open the door.

Courtesy : News Day

Airport

Dubai Initiates ‘World’s Largest’ Airport Terminal Project

Image:HH Sheikh Mohammed

Dubai, known for its audacious projects and visionary ambitions, has set its sights on yet another groundbreaking endeavor.

On a Sunday announcement, the Gulf emirate revealed the commencement of construction on a colossal new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. With an estimated cost soaring close to $35 billion, this undertaking signals Dubai’s unwavering commitment to spearheading innovation and redefining the global aviation landscape.

Today, we approved the designs for the new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED 128 billion as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation's strategy.

Al Maktoum International Airport will enjoy the… pic.twitter.com/oG973DGRYX— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 28, 2024

The visionary behind this monumental project, His Highness, proclaimed that this future hub will surpass all precedents, becoming “the world’s largest” airport. Envisioned to dwarf the current Dubai International Airport by fivefold, it will boast a staggering 400 aircraft gates and feature a constellation of five parallel runways.

But more than just sheer size, the new terminal will serve as a crucible for pioneering aviation technologies, heralding a new era of efficiency and connectivity in air transport. Dubai’s ambitions extend beyond mere infrastructure.

As His Highness elaborated, the airport will catalyze the emergence of an entire city, a bustling metropolis in Dubai South. Anticipated to accommodate housing for a million residents, this urban nexus will magnetize leading companies in logistics and air transport, cementing Dubai’s status as a global economic powerhouse.

The master plan for the Airport of the Future unfolds across an expansive canvas, spanning a sprawling area of 70 square kilometers. With an ultimate capacity surpassing 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo per annum, it charts a trajectory for sustained growth and prosperity in Dubai’s aviation sector over the next four decades.

This visionary project is not just a testament to Dubai’s ambition; it is a cornerstone of its economic agenda. Integral to Dubai’s economic fabric, the new airport will fuel job creation and residential demand, with projections estimating requirements for over a million individuals living and working in Dubai South.

Aerospace

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN

Coutresy : Boeing planes

India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.

Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.

For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.

Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.

FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.

Airport

Hamad International Airport Recognised as the “World’s Best Airport” for 2024

Image:Skytrax

The World Airport Awards, which took place on April 17, 2024, in Frankfurt’s Passenger Terminal EXPO, have crowned Doha’s Hamad International Airport the World’s Best Airport 2024.

In addition, Hamad International Airport took home prizes for Best Airport in the Middle East and Best Airport Shopping in the World. Singapore Changi Airport, the 2023 Airport of the Year and 12-time winner, came in second in the world rankings and took home prizes for the Best Airport in Asia and the Best Airport Immigration Service Worldwide.

In 2023, Hamad International Airport saw an extraordinary increase in passenger volume, marking a noteworthy milestone. Serving more than 45 million travellers, the airport saw a startling 31% rise from the year before. The airport serves over 250 destinations with passenger, cargo, and chartered flights. It also welcomed new distinguished airline partners, such as Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Japan Airlines.

Hamad International Airport is looking forward to a busy 2024 as it enters its historic tenth year of existence. The airport wants to become even more of a leader in the aviation sector by investing in cutting-edge technologies and industry-first projects that will improve sustainability efforts.

A varied lifestyle destination itself is Hamad International Airport. The airport combines modern food and shopping options, leisure and entertainment venues, and a top-notch collection of artwork from globally known artists all within its single, spacious terminal. With the completion of the first phase of the airport expansion project, Hamad International Airport has improved its multi-dimensional offering and greatly boosted capacity.