Aviation

Qatar Airways bans these new Electronic Devices on plane

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Qatar Airways has implemented a strict ban on passengers flying from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on board.

This prohibition applies to both checked and carry-on luggage, as well as cargo, and will remain in effect until further notice. The decision follows a series of deadly explosions in Lebanon, triggered by tampered walkie-talkies and pagers, which killed 32 people and injured over 450.

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The ban, enforced at the directive of Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, was announced via qatar airways ‘ official post on X (formerly Twitter). Lebanese authorities have accused Israel of tampering with the devices, reportedly embedding small quantities of explosives in pagers imported into the country.

The New York Times reported that explosive material, placed near the battery in each device, was remotely triggered, causing the deadly blasts. The fallout from these explosions has been widespread, injuring nearly 3,000 people, including fighters from a militant group and an Iranian envoy to Beirut.

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In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched targeted strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, aiming to restore security in northern Israel.

qatar airlines’ precautionary ban is an immediate response to these escalating tensions and safety concerns. The airline is taking no chances, ensuring the safety of all passengers aboard its flights from Lebanon.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.