Airlines

Los Angeles World Airports Prohibits Sale of Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles

As part of its ambitious sustainability plan to minimize plastic waste at LAWA facilities and progress towards zero waste, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

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According to the guidelines, single-use plastic water bottles must be replaced with containers made of sustainable alternatives, such as recyclable aluminium or glass, by LAWA and firms having lease or concession agreements at LAX and VNY. The policy also covers vending machine providers and airport activities in addition to restaurants, concessions, and lounges.

The policy applies to pre-packaged single-use plastic bottles of all sizes that contain non-carbonated, unflavored purified water, spring, mineral, artesian, well, or tap water. It also applies to bottles that contain electrolyte-enhanced water. Onboard bottled water is not subject to this rule.

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In order to ensure that travelers had easy access to drinking water in advance of the ban on single-use plastic water bottles, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power collaborated with LAWA to build additional hydration stations across LAX’s terminals. The LAWA Facilities Management Division currently looks after the hydration stations, and as part of a routine maintenance programme, they are inspected and repaired.

The LAWA Sustainability Action Plan includes plans for LAX and Van Nuys Airport to achieve net zero in the following areas by the year 2045: no potable water consumed for non-potable uses, and zero carbon emissions from LAWA operations. Waste reduction and water management are just two of the plan’s key components. By 2045, LAWA also intends to use only renewable energy.

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.