Airlines

Air India’s 1st Airbus A350-900 Performs Maiden Flight

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In a historic moment for Air India and the aviation industry, the long-awaited maiden flight of the 1st Airbus A350-900 aircraft has finally taken place. The groundbreaking event marks a significant step forward for the national carrier as it continues to modernize and enhance its fleet, offering passengers a new level of comfort, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology.

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The Airbus A350-900 reportedly took off on its first flight, with plane spotters at Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS) taking images of the white-liveried aircraft.

F-WZFZ Airbus A350-941 554 Air India #avgeek First flight of @airindia A350 pic.twitter.com/PAwr2V7aEK— DigitalAirliners (@TLSWatch) August 4, 2023

At 10:14 AM local time (UTC +2), the aircraft, which is now registered as a test aircraft and goes by the code F-WZFZ, departed from TLS and was currently conducting testing. Just south of its point of departure, it reached its peak altitude of 43,000 feet (13,106.4 metres). According to the report, the aircraft’s Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) is 554, but it was not painted in Air India’s livery. In place of that, it was painted entirely white.

By the end of the year, six brand-new A350-900s are expected to be in operation for Air India; however, because the planes were originally intended for Aeroflot, they will have that airline’s interior. Customising this will take some time.

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The configuration will be 28 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and the rest 264 economy class seats since the aircraft will have Aeroflot’s interior. Due to scheduling issues and Air India‘s desire to fly these aircraft as soon as possible in order to meet its aggressive growth goals, the Indian airline primarily kept the Russian interior.

The Airbus A350-900, known for its cutting-edge design and superior engineering, promises to transform the travel experience for Air India passengers. Travelers can expect an outstanding level of luxury and leisure with a wide and comfortable cabin layout that includes the latest in ergonomic seating and entertainment systems.

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The inaugural flight also marks a significant turning point in the long-standing alliance between Air India and Airbus. An airplane that not only satisfies the strict criteria of modern aviation but also embodies the shared vision of innovation and advancement has been produced as a consequence of the partnership between the two giants of the industry.

Airlines

Federal Court Imposes $100M Fine on Qantas for “Ghost Flights” Scandal

In a major ruling, the Federal Court has confirmed a hefty A$100 million penalty against Qantas for its involvement in the “ghost flights” scandal. As reported by FlightGlobal.

The court found that Qantas misled consumers by offering and selling tickets for flights that the airline had already decided to cancel. Adding to the controversy, Qantas failed to promptly notify ticket holders about these cancellations.

The penalty follows Qantas’ admission of violating the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The airline agreed with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the penalty amount, aiming to deter Qantas and other businesses from similar breaches in the future.

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The ACCC emphasized that this substantial fine sends a clear message: misleading customers will lead to serious consequences, regardless of a company’s size. In addition to the penalty, Qantas has committed to paying approximately A$20 million to affected passengers who unknowingly purchased tickets for canceled flights.

This compensation comes on top of any refunds or alternative flight arrangements already provided. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb praised the penalty, underscoring the importance of robust compliance programs red energy qantas in large corporations like Qantas.

She pointed out that Qantas has since made changes to its operating and scheduling procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.