Aviation

British Airways pilot pulled out of cockpit by armed police because he was so drunk

A British Airways pilot was dramatically pulled from the cockpit of a plane by armed guards after appearing to be drunk onboard.

Julian Monaghan, 49, was reportedly four times over the alcohol limit when he boarded the plane. Cabin crew members, who noticed his inebriated state and smell, called 999 before the plane was able to take off from Gatwick Airport.

Police then boarded the plane and removed him in handcuffs from the flight. The BA flight 2063, which was bound for Mauritius, was delayed by over two hours

Monaghan who has served the airline for a number of years was found to have 86mg of alcohol per 100ml of his blood, according to Sussex Police. The drink driving limit is 80mg, which he was over, whilst for pilots, it is just 20mg.

A passenger told Daily Mail: “Police rushed on to the plane and headed straight for the cockpit. “The first officer was cuffed and led away. A number of passengers were open-mouthed.“It’s terrifying to think what might’ve happened.”

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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.