Aviation

SpiceJet flight collides with electric pole at Delhi airport before take off

While being pulled back from the passenger terminal to the runway, a SpiceJet jet collided with an electric pole at Delhi airport on Monday. At the time of the incident, the passengers were on board.

The incident occurred as the Boeing 737-800 aeroplane was taxiing from the passenger terminal to the runway, according to reports. When the plane collided with the pole on its route to Jammu, the aileron, a moveable component of the trailing end of the wing, was destroyed. According to news agency ANI, the plane had to return to the hanger, and the passengers were moved to another plane. More details are awaited.

Confirming the incident, a SpiceJet spokesperson said, “Today, SpiceJet flight SG 160 was scheduled to operate between Delhi and Jammu. During push back, the right-wing trailing edge came in close contact with a pole, causing damage to the aileron. A replacement aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight.”

India’s Jet airways is in talks with Boeing and Airbus about a $12 billion order.

A SpiceJet flight (passengers) collided with an electric pole at the Delhi airport during pushback of the aircraft. The aircraft was changed for the passengers on board; investigations have been launched: Airport official

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2022

On January 7, 2012, a SpiceJet jet bound for Pune collided with an electric pole on the runway just before take-off, inflicting damage to its right wing.

Brazil’s Embraer says KC-390 goes off runway in test

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

Etihad Airways Unveils 10 Exciting New Routes for 2025

In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.