Aviation

BA forced to ground a plane after bedbug infestation

British Airways had to ground a jet after the cabin crew refused to fly on it due to a bedbug infestation. They walked out minutes before take-off and were beyond their working hours when a replacement plane was found. The flight to Ghana eventually left Heathrow four hours late.

It is the latest bedbug embarrassment to hit BA in recent months — amid protests that cheap cleaning contractors are not doing a proper job preparing jets for flights.BA has been battling to restore its reputation after being accused of poor customer service and cutting perks.

A BA source said: “The cabin crew saw bedbugs crawling over the seats — visible to the naked eye.“They said it was unacceptable to work on that aircraft.”The Sun can also reveal crew frequently complain of bedbugs on the route to Las Vegas.BA said it immediately took its jet out of service once the problem was raised.

Aviation

Airbus and French Aerospace Firms Growing Exports from India

In a significant move to bolster its supply chain, European aerospace giant Airbus has announced plans to ramp up component sourcing from India, tapping into the country’s vast opportunities.

During a press briefing in New Delhi on October 7, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the strategic importance of India within the Airbus supply chain, highlighting the company’s robust network of over 100 suppliers in the region.

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Faury, who also serves as Chairman of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), noted that there are abundant prospects for collaboration between Indian and French aerospace companies. Leading a high-level delegation from GIFAS, comprising more than 60 companies and over 100 representatives, Faury aims to foster deeper partnerships and enhance business opportunities between India and France.

“We will continue to grow our sourcing of components,” Faury stated, forecasting a doubling of component sourcing approximately every five years over the next decade. This stable growth trajectory underscores Airbus’s commitment to deepening its ties with India.

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Currently, Airbus holds an impressive order book of around 8,600 aircraft and anticipates producing about 770 planes this year. This ambitious production plan aligns with the expected surge in India’s domestic air passenger traffic, projected to reach 300 million by 2030, according to Union Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

During the briefing, Naidu also highlighted the substantial investments being made to develop India’s airport infrastructure, with $11 billion allocated for this purpose. The government plans to develop 200 additional airports over the next 20 to 25 years, significantly expanding the current count of 157 airports, heliports, and waterdromes. By the end of 2025, the number of operational airports is expected to reach 200.

“The potential for partnership between India and France is immense,” Naidu remarked, further reinforcing the collaborative spirit that Airbus and French aerospace firms seek to cultivate in India.