Airlines

BA passengers held hostage by Saddam Hussain prepare to sue

British Airways Flight 149, which was due to stop at Kuwait International Airport on August 2, 1990, had both its passengers and crew held captive by Iraqi forces. While the plane was in the air, Saddam Hussein’s forces invaded Kuwait, and the passengers were held for up to five months while being used as “human shields” against Western attacks during the Gulf War.

Now, those captives claim that although British Airways and the British government were aware that the invasion had already started, they still permitted the plane to land in Kuwait because the government wanted a black operations group of former special forces and security services to be there.

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The revelations followed years of study by New Zealand journalist Stephen Davis and the National Archives release of supporting documentation. The victims’ legal team said in a statement that they are taking steps to ensure that the whole truth is revealed, those accountable are held liable, and just compensation is given.

According to attorneys for the claimants, “evidence exists” that the jet was permitted to land because it was being used to transport a team to Kuwait “for a special military operation.” This claim was never accepted by the government.

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An official from the administration claimed that the country “always condemned the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the suffering that ensued, and the mistreatment of those aboard BA149.” The Iraqi government at the time bears sole responsibility for the occurrence of these events and the treatment of those passengers and crew.

BA said: “Our thoughts go out to all those who were affected by this tragic act of violence just over 30 years ago and who had to go through an extremely horrifying ordeal. “British Airways was not warned about the invasion, according to UK government records released in 2021.”

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.