Aviation

PIA crew detained, plane searched for drugs in UK

Islamabad: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane flying to Heathrow Airport was thoroughly searched and its 14 member crew detained by British authorities after landing in London over information that there were narcotics on board the flight.
The incident happened on Monday when PK 785 from Islamabad to London arrived at the airport at 2:50pm. Upon landing, as passengers disembarked, the flight crew and aircraft were searched by authorities, PIA spokesman Mashood Tajwar said.

The 14 crew members were kept in detention for five hours and, according to UK Border Agency (UKBA) sources, information had been received from Pakistan that there were narcotics on board the flight, Geo TV reported. According to the information, there was suspicion that the crew might be involved and the narcotics were hidden in different panels and areas of the plane, the report said.

However, the National Crime Agency and UKBA agents, after searching the plane for approximately four hours, did not find anything. The crew was later released after being questioned but their passports were withheld by the UKBA, which stated that further questioning might take place.

According to UKBA officials, the inquiry is still ongoing and after they are satisfied the next steps will be announced regarding whether the passports would be released or charges filed, the report said. In a statement, the Metropolitan police said action against PIA crew members was taken by the UKBA which is directly dealt by the Home Office. “We have not been informed as to why was the crew detained?” said Tajwar.

PIA has been suffering huge losses and administration is trying to improve the situation but the airline is frequently facing embarrassment. In January, as many as seven passengers were forced to stand throughout the over three-hour flight from Karachi to Madina after the airline boarded excess passengers in a serious breach of air safety regulations.

In February, a Heathrow-bound PIA aircraft was intercepted and escorted by fighter jets to Stansted Airport in northeast London because of a “vague security threat”. Later, a suspect was arrested and charged with fraud and misrepresentation by Met Police. PTI

Aviation

China Eastern Receives Its Ninth C919 Aircraft, Marking a New Milestone

China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of its ninth COMAC C919 aircraft, continuing its lead as the launch customer for China’s domestic narrow-body airliner.

On Thursday, the airline received the latest addition to its fleet, registered as B-657T, marking another step in China’s ambitious efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market.

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This delivery is part of a major achievement for COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), which has now delivered a total of 10 comac c919 in 2024 alone, a remarkable increase from just three jets delivered by the end of 2023.

The C919 program represents China’s entry into the competitive market for commercial aircraft, aiming to rival the dominance of manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body sector.

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One standout feature of the c919 is its innovative in-flight technology, particularly its Wi-Fi system. Developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), this system allows passengers to connect to the “CEAIR-WIFI” wireless hotspot, providing seamless access to in-flight entertainment.

Through the website www.muflyer.com, travelers can enjoy a range of features including “Air Cinema” and “Air Games,” which enhance the flying experience.

Looking ahead, COMAC’s ambitions are not limited to narrow-body aircraft. At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, c919 aircraft price made waves with the announcement of over 100 new aircraft orders.

A significant highlight was a high-profile agreement with Air China for the development of the C929, a widebody aircraft set to compete c919 vs a320 and c919 vs 737 with these models.