Aviation

Brisbane Airport Shuts Down After Indian Granny’s ‘Bomb’ Luggage Causes Panic

Everybody knows the word “Bomb” better not be used in public areas. However, errors happen, yesterday a grandma traveling from India wrote on her bag “bomb” instead of Bombay which led to an investigation and shut down airport.

Venkata Lakshmi is the passenger who caused the commotion at the International Airport of Australia. 65 years old senior was traveling through Singapore from Mumbai to Brisbane. As she barely speaks English and not used to often flying, Venkata decided to indicate her destination on the bag in order to make sure it is not lost.

The problem occurred due to a very simple reason. Mumbai until 1995 was called Bombay, therefore, elder habitants still use this name in daily language. The careful passenger intended to write Bombay-Brisbane on the bag, however, she realized there is not enough space to do so. Only the first part of the word fitted and just by the accident it was „BOMB“.

Ms. Jothiraj the daughter of Ms. Lakshmi has revealed that her mother was very afraid of flying alone and with a tape with destinations on her bag she just wanted to help and make sure everything goes smoothly.

Airport Closed After Passenger Accidentally Wrote” Bomb” On Her Bag Instead Of Bombay

“She began writing Bombay before realising she had no space to fit it all in so she stopped at Bomb and wrote Bomb to Brisbane with Mumbai underneath” Ms. Jothiaj said and added that her mother has very limited English that is why she was very shy and scared of what is happening after she was taken to the room to be interviewed.

Ms. Lakshami’s whole family including her grandchildren were waiting for her at the Brisbane airport. They started to worry after she didn‘t show up for more than 1 hour after landing. However, most probably due to the passenger‘s age or too many matching details airport‘s officers believed a woman and released her after an hour.

The spokesperson of Australian Federal Police confirmed the incident “An area near a baggage carousel was cordoned off and the item was examined in accordance with routine protocols, and was not deemed to be suspicious.”.

Aviation

India Launches Its Medium-Lift Class Helicopter Program, chooses New Engine

India’s longstanding need for a Medium Helicopter may soon become a reality as the country has fully ramped up its engine development efforts. This new helicopter is set to replace the Russian-built models currently in service and will play a crucial role across various scenarios for the Indian Armed Forces.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) have launched a groundbreaking partnership to develop a state-of-the-art high-power engine named Aravalli.

This new engine will power the upcoming 13-ton Medium Lift Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), both of which are being designed and developed by HAL.

Named after the majestic Aravalli mountain range in India, the Aravalli engine symbolizes the country’s drive for self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, in critical engine technologies. This cutting-edge engine will be instrumental for the IMRH, a versatile 13-ton multi-role helicopter designed to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces, and the DBMRH, a 12.5-ton naval variant tailored for the Indian Navy.

The IMRH is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian armed forces over the next decade. With its first flight expected in 3 to 4 years, the IMRH is anticipated to begin induction by 2030, with plans to integrate between 300 to 400 units, and potentially more in the future.

The IMRH is envisioned as a highly versatile multi-role helicopter that will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian military. The DBMRH, designed for naval operations, will also face the challenges of high-altitude environments in regions such as Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—areas of strategic importance due to their proximity to the China border.

In addition to its military applications, the Aravalli engine is projected to enter the civil market, serving roles in offshore operations, utility services, and VVIP transport. The long-term vision includes Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities to further extend the engine’s utility and support the aviation industry.

This collaboration between HAL and SAFHAL builds on their successful history of working together on the Shakti engine, which powers several HAL helicopters, including the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and the Light Utility Helicopter. The proven success of this partnership lays a strong foundation for the development of the Aravalli engine, setting the stage for a new era in India’s helicopter capabilities.