Airport

Retiring easyJet pilot surprised by his family on final ever flight

A pilot with over 42 years flying experience including 17 years at easyJet flew his last ever flight from Belfast to Liverpool last week, although there was one final surprise in store. What he hadn’t anticipated was that unbeknown to him, among the boarding passengers were eight members of his family including his two young grandchildren who had flown to Belfast earlier in the day to give him one last flight he’d never forget.

Captain Dave Eadon, 60, from Warrington, Merseyside had just completed the last of his final checks as he prepared flight EZY610 for the short hop across the Irish sea to complete the last of his 18,000 hours.

His two young grandchildren were the first to give the game away – running into cockpit to greet him – swiftly followed by the rest of his family.

WATCH: https://twitter.com/easyJet_press/status/927466182491459584

Captain Dave Eadon said:

“I really could not have imagined what was in store for me when I arrived for work yesterday morning. Seeing my family sitting there on the aircraft waiting to be flown back to Liverpool on my last ever flight gave me one of the nicest surprises I’ve ever had!”

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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.