Airport

Apple Air Tag leads to arrest of Florida airline worker accused of stealing luggage.

An Apple AirTag assisted authorities in finding a traveler’s lost luggage, leading to the arrest of a Florida airline employee #Apple

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An Apple AirTag assisted authorities in finding a traveler’s lost luggage, leading to the arrest of a Florida airline employee. According to a statement released on Thursday by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Giovanni De Luca, a 19-year-old airline subcontractor at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, is accused of two charges of grand theft.

In July, a tourist complained that her suitcase, which was packed with goods worth more than $1,600, had vanished from her intended location. When questioned by officials, the tourist revealed that an Apple AirTag in her bag had last been active in Mary Esther, Florida.

Another traveller said that the jewellery in his suitcase, worth over $15,000, was missing. The lost items were found when investigators from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office made “consensual contact” with De Luca at his residence and utilized the airline database to cross-reference workers who lived close to the property where the AirTag was last activated.

De Luca acknowledged searching through the victim’s suitcase in July and removing the Apple AirTag, but her belongings have not been found. Sheriff Eric Aden stated in the release, “This arrest is evidence of good coordination by our Airport Security Unit, our Investigators, and the Airport to find the person responsible for these thefts and make sure he is held responsible.

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Airport

Western Sydney Airport Welcomes Its First Plane After 6 Years of construction

In a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation sector, the first plane has officially taken off and landed at Western Sydney Airport after six years of construction, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planespotters.

A test pilot made the inaugural landing using a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, successfully completing a series of take-off and landing runs on the newly built tarmac. This crucial test paves the way for larger passenger aircraft, which are expected to start using the runway in two years.

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The Piper PA-30 was employed to assess the airport’s approximately 3,000 Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) by executing operations in various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and evening. This testing ensures that the lighting system is fit for purpose and ready to welcome aircraft when the airport opens to commercial flights in late 2026.

The pilot also highlighted that the rapid exit taxiways have been designed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for quicker transitions on and off the runway. Once operational, the airport will feature a single runway capable of handling up to 10 million passengers annually right from day one.

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As the construction phase nears completion, the airport’s main terminal, apron, and supporting infrastructure will be ready to accommodate around 81,000 flights each year. This milestone marks a significant moment for Western Sydney Airport, the first new airport to open in Australia since Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport more than two decades ago.

Major airlines, including Qantas and Jetstar, have already committed to operating from the 24/7 facility, signaling strong support for this new hub. By 2033, the airport aims to handle up to 10 million passengers and facilitate extensive air traffic movements annually.