Airlines

Etihad Airlines A380 is reactivated from storage, passengers may be able to enjoy a flying residence experience.

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, has stated that four of its A380 aircraft will begin service during the summer of 2023. The decision was made in response to an increase in demand for air travel across the airline’s network and passenger feedback that one of the most remarkable commercial flying experiences in the sky to return.

Etihad will increase frequency to twice daily between Abu Dhabi and New York-JFK starting in April 2023.(Opens in a new browser tab)

On March 9, 2023, the A6-APG-registered aircraft was seen departing Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport (LDE) in France, which is about 150 kilometres (93.2 miles) south of Toulouse, France, the home of Airbus. On March 10, 2023, at 2:51 AM local time (UTC +4), the Airbus A380 arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), the home airport of Etihad Airways, in the UAE.

We have redelivered the 1st @etihad #A380.
The big bird flew away from our #Tarbes facilities?
She has been carefully stored and maintained for 21 months in our #Teruel site. Then she moved to our Tarbes site to perform specific #aircraftmaintenance operations. #aircraftstorage pic.twitter.com/jGFKA9FVCv
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— TARMAC Aerosave (@TarmacAerosave) March 13, 2023

An ultra-luxurious travel experience, the Etihad A380 First Class Suite offers some of the most opulent amenities and services offered in air travel.

The suite has a completely private cabin with sliding doors, a cosy seat that can become a fully flat bed, a personal closet, and a minibar. A 32-inch LCD TV with on-demand entertainment, noise-canceling headphones, and a personal vanity unit with a mirror, hairdryer, and skincare items are included in each suite. The Etihad A380 offers first-class passengers a spacious lounge area in addition to the suite. The lounge offers a cosy seating area, a fully stocked bar, as well as a selection of gourmet snacks and beverages.

The first-class suite on the Etihad A380 offers passengers a premium dining experience with a range of gourmet meals and a carefully curated array of wines and champagne. Throughout the trip, guests can choose from a selection of snacks and beverages, and a dedicated onboard chef will cook meals.

The luxurious Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport is just one of the magnificent airport lounges available to Etihad’s A380 first-class customers. Aside from other attractions, the lounge has a spa, a fitness facility, a cigar lounge, and a fine dining facility.

Etihad’s A380s feature The Residence as well as three cabin classes on the double-decker aircraft, including 9 First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 405 Economy Smart Seats. This includes 80 Economy Space seats with a seat pitch of up to 36 inches.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.