Airport

Passenger found carrying 22 snakes and a chameleon at Chennai Airport

On Friday, a female passenger was detained at the Chennai airport after 22 various types of snakes had been found on her luggage upon her arrival from Kuala Lumpur.

In her checked luggage, the snakes were kept in numerous plastic containers. Moreover, a chameleon was also taken from her luggage. The removal of the snake with a long rod is seen in an airport video as some snakes wriggle out of the floor-mounted containers.

The woman was detained by customs officers after arriving from Kuala Lumpur. Upon landing on flight AK13 from Kuala Lumpur on April 28, Customs apprehended a female passenger.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: On 28th April, a female passenger who arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Flight No. AK13 was intercepted by Chennai Airport Customs. On examination of her checked-in baggage, 22 snakes of various species and a chameleon were found & seized under the Customs Act,… pic.twitter.com/mRGKivczbA
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) April 29, 2023

On 28.04.23, a female pax who arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Flight No. AK13 was intercepted by Customs.
On examination of her checked-in baggage, 22 Snakes of various species and a Chameleon were found & seized under the Customs Act, 1962 r/w Wildlife Protection act, 1972 pic.twitter.com/uP5zSYyrLS
— Chennai Customs (@ChennaiCustoms) April 29, 2023

The Tamil Nadu forest department has increased its monitoring of the movement of alien species entering the state illegally and subsequently to other states and even international countries.

Owning alien species, including birds, animals, and rodents, will be a punishable offense under the modified Wildlife (Protection) Act, which will go into effect on April 1st, 2023. At the international airport in Chennai, numerous instances of smuggled alien species have been discovered.

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Airport

Western Sydney Airport Welcomes Its First Plane After 6 Years of construction

In a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation sector, the first plane has officially taken off and landed at Western Sydney Airport after six years of construction, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planespotters.

A test pilot made the inaugural landing using a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, successfully completing a series of take-off and landing runs on the newly built tarmac. This crucial test paves the way for larger passenger aircraft, which are expected to start using the runway in two years.

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The Piper PA-30 was employed to assess the airport’s approximately 3,000 Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) by executing operations in various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and evening. This testing ensures that the lighting system is fit for purpose and ready to welcome aircraft when the airport opens to commercial flights in late 2026.

The pilot also highlighted that the rapid exit taxiways have been designed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for quicker transitions on and off the runway. Once operational, the airport will feature a single runway capable of handling up to 10 million passengers annually right from day one.

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As the construction phase nears completion, the airport’s main terminal, apron, and supporting infrastructure will be ready to accommodate around 81,000 flights each year. This milestone marks a significant moment for Western Sydney Airport, the first new airport to open in Australia since Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport more than two decades ago.

Major airlines, including Qantas and Jetstar, have already committed to operating from the 24/7 facility, signaling strong support for this new hub. By 2033, the airport aims to handle up to 10 million passengers and facilitate extensive air traffic movements annually.