British Airways suma un nuevo destino a su red transatlántica con el lanzamiento de un servicio directo desde su hub en Londres/Heathrow (LHR) al Aeropuerto Internacional St. Louis Lambert (STL), en Misuri. Con esta incorporación, la ciudad se convierte en el destino número 27 de la aerolínea en Estados Unidos.Según un comunicado de British Airways, los vuelos comenzarán el 19 de abril de 2026 y operarán cuatro veces por semana durante la temporada de verano boreal. Este nuevo servicio posiciona a la compañía como la única en ofrecer una conexión directa entre el Reino Unido y St. Louis.El lanzamiento de la ruta coincide con la celebración del centenario de la icónica Ruta 66, la legendaria carretera que atraviesa St. Louis en su recorrido desde Chicago hasta Los Ángeles. Este contexto ofrece un atractivo adicional para los viajeros que buscan experimentar un clásico viaje por carretera estadounidense.La ciudad, conocida por su emblemático Arco Gateway, también cuenta con una destacada escena cultural, gastronómica y deportiva, siendo sede de equipos como los St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) y los Blues (NHL). Neil Chernoff, Director de Planificación y Estrategia de British Airways, comentó que "St. Louis es una fantástica adición a nuestra red en Estados Unidos, tanto como destino en sí mismo como puerta de entrada a otros lugares interesantes".<blockquote>Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)¿Cuándo comienzan los vuelos de British Airways a St. Louis? Los vuelos inaugurales están programados para el 19 de abril de 2026, operando durante la temporada de verano.¿Con qué frecuencia operará la nueva ruta Londres – St. Louis? La ruta tendrá una frecuencia de cuatro vuelos semanales, los días martes, miércoles, viernes y domingo.¿Qué importancia tiene St. Louis para los viajeros? Además de su valor cultural e histórico, St. Louis es un punto clave en la famosa Ruta 66, cuyo centenario se celebra en 2026, lo que la convierte en un punto de partida ideal para explorar el medio oeste de Estados Unidos.¿Es British Airways la única aerolínea que vuela directo desde el Reino Unido? Sí, con este lanzamiento, British Airways será la única aerolínea en ofrecer un servicio aéreo directo entre el Reino Unido y St. Louis.</blockquote><h3>Horarios y frecuencias del vuelo a St. Louis</h3>Los vuelos ofrecerán tres clases de servicio: World Traveller (económica), World Traveller Plus (económica premium) y Club World (business). En esta última, los pasajeros podrán acceder en vuelos seleccionados al asiento Club Suite, que ofrece acceso directo al pasillo y se convierte en una cama completamente plana.<figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Vuelo</th><th>Día</th><th>Aeropuerto de Salida</th><th>Hora de Salida</th><th>Aeropuerto de Llegada</th><th>Hora de Llegada</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>BA221</td><td>Mar, Mié, Vie, Dom</td><td>LHR</td><td>16:25</td><td>STL</td><td>19:30</td></tr><tr><td>BA220</td><td>Mar, Mié, Vie, Dom</td><td>STL</td><td>22:00</td><td>LHR</td><td>12:05 (+1)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Esta será la segunda ruta que conecta a St. Louis con Europa, después de Frankfurt, operada tres veces por semana por Lufthansa.<h3>Expansión en Estados Unidos</h3>La apertura de la ruta a St. Louis forma parte de una estrategia más amplia de fortalecimiento de la red de British Airways en Estados Unidos. A partir del verano de 2026, la aerolínea reintroducirá su doble servicio diario a Miami (MIA) y los vuelos diarios a Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/10/red_de_british_airways_en_estados_unidos_octubre_2025_cirium_schedule_mapper.jpg" alt="Red de British Airways en Estados Unidos - Octubre 2025 (Cirium Schedule Mapper)"><figcaption>Red de British Airways en Estados Unidos - Octubre 2025 (Cirium Schedule Mapper)</figcaption></figure>Adicionalmente, aumentará las frecuencias a Las Vegas (LAS) de 10 a 13 por semana, y tanto San Diego (SAN) como Austin (AUS) pasarán a tener 14 vuelos semanales. Por su parte, la ruta a Nueva York (JFK) operará exclusivamente desde Londres/Heathrow con nueve vuelos diarios.

British Airways volará a St. Louis, su 27° destino en Estados Unidos

An Ethiopian Airlines flight became a leading story on major Argentine news portals over the weekend after the aircraft performed low-altitude maneuvers over densely populated areas of Buenos Aires before landing at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE).The incident, involving a Boeing 777-200LR operating flight ET506 from São Paulo (GRU), was widely covered by local media outlets such as La Nación, Clarin, and other high-traffic news sites. The focus was on the aircraft's unusual flight path, which took it over the municipality of La Matanza, part of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, at an altitude of just 700 feet (approximately 213 meters), causing public surprise and quickly going viral on social media.The reason for the maneuver was a "minimum fuel" emergency declaration made by the crew to air traffic control. According to reports, this situation arose from flight delays associated with a storm affecting the Argentine capital on Saturday night.<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Que julepe !!!! por Tristan Suarez , el avion de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ethiopian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ethiopian</a> que se declaro en emergencia y paso rozando los tejados en medio de la tormenta 😵‍💫 <a href="https://t.co/UZLM8tB6Gf">pic.twitter.com/UZLM8tB6Gf</a>— la exocet 🚀 (@pampaIIIpelis) <a href="https://twitter.com/pampaIIIpelis/status/1969779176090583066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/09/la_nacion.jpg" alt="La Nacion"></figure><h4>The Incident Behind the News</h4>Flight tracking data, which formed the basis of the media coverage, showed that the flight was extended by nearly an hour beyond its schedule. Following the emergency declaration, air traffic control granted full priority to the Boeing 777, guiding it on its final approach, which included the noteworthy low-altitude flyover.<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/09/the_circuit_the_ethiopian_airlines_777_made_to_land_in_buenos_aires_ezeiza_airport.jpg" alt="The circuit the Ethiopian Airlines 777 made to land in Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport"><figcaption>The unusual circuit the Ethiopian Airlines 777 made to land in Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport</figcaption></figure><hr><blockquote>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Why did this flight become such a major news story in Argentina? A low-altitude flyover by a wide-body aircraft over a densely populated urban area is a very rare and visually striking event. This, combined with the emergency declaration, immediately captured the interest of the public and the country's mass media.Was the Argentine media coverage accurate? Overall, the coverage was based on factual and verifiable data, such as information from flight tracking portals (like FlightRadar24) and confirmation of the emergency procedure. The reports correctly described the events without resorting to alarmist speculation.What does a "minimum fuel" emergency actually mean? It informs air traffic control that any further delay could compromise the aircraft's regulatory final reserve fuel. It does not mean the engines are about to shut down, but it does guarantee absolute priority for an immediate and safe landing.Were special measures taken at the airport? Yes. As part of the standard protocol for this type of emergency, Ezeiza Airport closed its operations for 20 minutes to allow the priority and safe landing of the Ethiopian Airlines flight, with emergency ground crews ready to respond.</blockquote><hr>Argentina's National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) confirmed the activation of safety protocols. The landing was completed without incident at 8:59 PM local time. Hours later, the same aircraft departed for its return flight to Addis Ababa, operating as ET507, demonstrating that the situation was managed according to procedure without consequences for the aircraft or its occupants.Ethiopian Airlines operates a daily flight between Addis Ababa and Buenos Aires with a stop in Sao Paulo, Brazil.<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">✈️ Avión volando muy bajo sorprendió a vecinos de La Matanza 😱 Generó miedo y asombro en R. Castillo, Casanova y Laferrere 🌩️ Ocurrió en medio del temporal de hoy 🇪🇹 Se supo extraoficialmente que fue un Boeing de Ethiopian Airlines 🛬 Finalmente encontró pista en Ezeiza <a href="https://t.co/lkr27lzyYE">pic.twitter.com/lkr27lzyYE</a>— INFORBANO (@Inforbanodiario) <a href="https://twitter.com/Inforbanodiario/status/1969604787491459301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Details of the Ethiopian Airlines flight that flew over Buenos Aires and grabbed headlines

Arajet ransportó más de 2.4 millones de pasajeros desde que inició sus operaciones hace tres años, consolidando su modelo de negocio centrado en convertir a Santo Domingo en un nuevo hub de conexiones para el continente.&nbsp;La compañía celebró su aniversario con la incorporación de una nueva aeronave y el anuncio de una mayor expansión en mercados clave como Estados Unidos y Argentina.Víctor Pacheco Méndez, CEO y fundador de Arajet, detalló que la aerolínea proyecta cerrar 2025 con más de 1.5 millones de pasajeros transportados, de los cuales más de 200,000 utilizarán sus servicios en conexión.&nbsp;Y allí está el dato clave que muestra todo el potencial que tiene Arajet: mientras otros hubs similares tienen una muchísima mayor proporción de pasajeros en tránsito, la aerolínea dominicana se apoya sobre una amplia base de pasajeros que van a República Dominicana como destino final. Cuando éstos también utilicen Arajet para conectar a otros destinos, será el comienzo de una historia muy diferente para le conectividad interamericana."Desde el inicio, nacimos con una misión clara: democratizar los cielos de Las Américas para que más personas viajen, más veces y mejor conectadas, con una experiencia sencilla, segura y puntual", afirmó Pacheco Méndez.La flota de la aerolínea continúa creciendo para sostener esta expansión. Durante la celebración, Arajet destacó la llegada de su duodécimo avión, un Boeing 737 MAX bautizado "La Caleta". Adicionalmente, se espera la entrega de una decimotercera aeronave antes de que finalice el año. Los planes para 2026 incluyen la adición de seis aviones más.Este crecimiento en la flota permitirá fortalecer la red de rutas, que actualmente conecta más de 20 destinos en 16 países, ya programando su llegada antes de fin de año a Orlando, Chicago y Boston en Estados Unidos, y Córdoba en Argentina.<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/08/red_de_arajet.jpg" alt="Red de Arajet"></figure><blockquote><h4>Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)</h4>¿Cuántos pasajeros transportó Arajet en sus primeros tres años? Arajet transportó más de 2.4 millones de pasajeros desde el inicio de sus operaciones en septiembre de 2022.¿Qué tipo de aviones utiliza Arajet? La aerolínea opera una flota moderna compuesta exclusivamente por aeronaves Boeing 737 MAX de última generación.¿Cuáles son los nuevos destinos que Arajet sumará a su red? Arajet planea iniciar operaciones hacia Orlando, Chicago y Boston en Estados Unidos, y a Córdoba en Argentina.¿Cuántos aviones tendrá Arajet en 2026? La compañía proyecta aumentar su flota a un total de 19 aviones Boeing 737 MAX para el año 2026.</blockquote>"Nuestro objetivo es seguir ampliando frecuencias en rutas estratégicas y consolidar a Santo Domingo y Punta Cana como plataformas de conexión que acerquen negocios, turismo y familias en todo el continente", señaló Manuel Luna, Chief Communications and External Affairs Officer de Arajet.

Arajet cumple 3 años y acelera su plan para mover el eje de la conectividad interamericana

The Polish Air Force suffered the loss of one of its F-16C Block 52+ fighter jets today following an accident during training flights for the Radom Air Show 2025. The crash occurred on Thursday afternoon near Radom-Sadków Airport, located roughly 100 kilometers south of Warsaw, claiming the life of the aircraft’s pilot.The information was first reported through OSINT monitoring channels, which stated that the fighter was performing aerobatic maneuvers in preparation for the upcoming air show. Although training flights were scheduled for the day, Polish authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing the circumstances of the incident.<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Polish Air Force F-16 reportedly crashed this evening during training for the Radom Air Show. <a href="https://t.co/d2KivgSTjN">pic.twitter.com/d2KivgSTjN</a>— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1961125520696868902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">An F-16 jet crashed while performing at the Radom Air Show in Poland. <a href="https://t.co/NNMKLbZ3rm">pic.twitter.com/NNMKLbZ3rm</a>— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) <a href="https://twitter.com/PolymarketIntel/status/1961127793133264929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h3>Official reactions</h3>Polish Minister of Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz traveled to the crash site and confirmed the pilot’s death, describing him as “an officer who always served his homeland with dedication and great courage.” In a message shared on social media, he expressed his condolences to the pilot’s family and called the event “a great loss for the Air Force and for the entire Polish Armed Forces.”<blockquote>“I am at the scene of the tragedy. In the crash of the F-16 aircraft, a pilot of the Polish Armed Forces has died — an officer who always served his homeland with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to his memory. To his family and loved ones, I extend my deepest condolences. This is a great loss for the Air Force and for the entire Polish Armed Forces.” — Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz</blockquote><div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Jestem na miejscu tragedii. W katastrofie samolotu F-16 zginął pilot Wojska Polskiego – oficer, który zawsze służył Ojczyźnie z oddaniem i wielką odwagą. Składam hołd Jego pamięci. Rodzinie i bliskim składam najgłębsze wyrazy współczucia. To wielka strata dla Sił Powietrznych i…— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) <a href="https://twitter.com/KosiniakKamysz/status/1961134090373169645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h3>Poland’s F-16 fleet and the Radom Air Show</h3>Poland currently operates 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighter jets, delivered between 2006 and 2008, forming the core of its combat aviation fleet. These aircraft, equipped with AN/APG-68(V)9 radars and Pratt &amp; Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, are a cornerstone of the nation’s air defense and its integration into NATO operations.The incident comes just two weeks after Warsaw signed a $3.8 billion contract to upgrade its entire fleet to the F-16V Viper standard under the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program. Announced on August 13, the modernization package includes the installation of the AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar, a new mission computer, advanced electronic warfare systems, and improved communication and interoperability features.<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img style="aspect-ratio:2560/1701;" src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2021/05/F-16C-Block-50-Fuerza-Aerea-Polaca-scaled.jpg" alt="F-16 Poland missiles" width="2560" height="1701"></figure>The Radom Air Show, scheduled for next weekend, is Poland’s premier aviation event and one of the largest in Central Europe, serving as a platform for the Polish Air Force to showcase its capabilities both nationally and internationally.

Polish F-16C crashes during Radom Air Show training: What We Know

Polish F-16C fighter jet crashes near Radom-Sadków Airport during training for the 2025 Radom Air Show: What We Know

A helicopter from the Colombian National Police Air Service crashed in a rural area of the municipality of Amalfi, in the department of Antioquia, after being hit by a drone operated by an illegal armed group, according to police sources cited by regional media. The aircraft was participating in an operation to support ground troops engaged in the manual eradication of coca crops.Unfortunately, at the time of this publication, the death toll has risen to 10 people.According to information from preliminary reports, the helicopter, along with another aircraft, had deployed personnel in the area. Upon returning to their base, they received an alert that the ground units were under attack. During the extraction maneuver of the officers, one of the helicopters was struck by the unmanned aerial device, which caused it to go down.The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, confirmed the incident and directly linked it to recent actions against drug trafficking in the region. "We managed to seize a ton and a half of cocaine from the 'Clan del Golfo' in Urabá, and their reaction is happening in the area, during the eradication of coca leaf in Amalfi, Antioquia, they managed to shoot down a police helicopter, with so far one technician killed," the president stated.For his part, the governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, described the event as a painful act for democracy. "In a rural area of Amalfi, they shot down a @PoliciaColombia helicopter that was apparently providing security to officers in manual coca eradication tasks. The police were attacked by a drone," he stated through his social media.The model of the downed helicopter has not yet been specified, but tribute images from the Colombian National Police show a UH-60L Black Hawk, which has a length of 19.76 meters and can carry 12 equipped individuals.<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/08/homenaje_uh_60l_black_hawk_de_la_policia_nacional_de_colombia_derribado.jpeg" alt="Homenaje - UH 60L Black Hawk de la Policía Nacional de Colombia derribado"></figure>The region where the events occurred is a strategic corridor for drug trafficking, with a strong presence of FARC dissidents and the 'Clan del Golfo'. Authorities are investigating which of these criminal structures is behind the attack.

Narco-drone shoots down Colombian National Police helicopter

A LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration SP-LSA, operating as flight LO80 between Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) and Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), diverted to Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) in western China after experiencing an engine failure.The aircraft departed from the Japanese capital at 23:07 local time on August 13. The flight proceeded normally, following a trans-Siberian route through Chinese airspace. However, while at a cruising altitude of approximately 36,000 feet (11,000 meters), the flight crew detected a technical issue with one of the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.Following standard safety procedures, the pilots initiated a controlled descent. They decided to divert to the nearest suitable airport, landing without further complications in Ürümqi approximately 90 minutes after declaring the emergency. The Polish airline reported that passengers were attended to and rerouted on alternative flights to continue their journey to Warsaw.A Rolls-Royce spokesperson said: “Due to a low oil pressure reading from one of the engines on flight LO-80, the precautionary decision was made to land at Urumqi, with both engines still running.”&nbsp;“The issue which led to the low oil pressure reading was quickly identified and fixed. The aircraft has now returned to service.”, the company added.&nbsp;<blockquote><h4>In Summary</h4>What happened? A LOT Boeing 787-9 (flight LO80) made an emergency landing.Route: Tokyo (NRT) - Warsaw (WAW).Landing site: Ürümqi (URC), China.Cause: Technical failure in a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine.Aircraft status: Remains grounded in China awaiting repairs.</blockquote><h4>A History of Issues for the Trent 1000</h4>The aircraft involved, SP-LSA, was delivered to LOT Polish Airlines in March 2018 and is part of the carrier's long-haul fleet, which exclusively operates with Rolls-Royce engines. This incident brings the reliability record of the Trent 1000 engine back into focus.This engine, developed specifically for the Boeing 787 program, has faced several technical challenges throughout its operational life. In 2016, stress corrosion cracking was discovered on the intermediate-pressure turbine (IPT) blades of aircraft operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA), triggering a global program of inspections and replacements.The situation led aviation authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to issue airworthiness directives in 2018 that restricted ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) for 787s equipped with certain Trent 1000 variants. The ETOPS certification, which allows twin-engine jets to fly long routes over oceans or remote areas, was temporarily reduced from 330 to 140 minutes, impacting the operations of airlines such as Air New Zealand, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.Rolls-Royce has since worked on solutions, such as the Durability Enhancement Package, to redesign components and extend the engine's service life. Nevertheless, incidents like the one involving the LOT flight demonstrate that vigilance and maintenance of these power units remain a priority for Dreamliner operators. The aircraft SP-LSA remains in Ürümqi awaiting the arrival of a technical team and, most likely, a replacement engine before it can return to service.

Engine Failure on LOT Boeing 787 Forces Emergency Landing in China

Ryanair solicitó públicamente a la ministra de Transporte del Reino Unido, Heidi Alexander, la destitución del director ejecutivo de NATS, Martin Rolfe. La petición, que ya la ha realizado en varias ocasiones, surge después de que más de 7.000 pasajeros de la compañía experimentaran demoras de hasta 30 minutos en sus vuelos desde y hacia el Reino Unido el pasado jueves 14 de agosto.Según la aerolínea irlandesa, estos retrasos son consecuencia directa de una "mala gestión repetida y escasez de personal" en NATS, el proveedor de servicios de control de tráfico aéreo (ATC) del país.&nbsp;<blockquote>Información Clave¿Qué es NATS? NATS (National Air Traffic Services) es el principal proveedor de servicios de navegación y control de tráfico aéreo en el Reino Unido.¿Por qué Ryanair exige la renuncia de su CEO? La aerolínea lo acusa de mala gestión continuada que provoca demoras, citando un incidente el 14 de agosto que afectó a más de 7.000 de sus pasajeros.¿Es un problema nuevo? No. Este conflicto se enmarca en una serie de críticas de Ryanair y se produce tras el gran colapso del sistema ATC británico en agosto de 2023, que generó un caos generalizado.¿A quién se dirige la petición? A Heidi Alexander, la Ministra de Transporte del Reino Unido, instándola a intervenir.</blockquote>Un portavoz de la aerolínea expresó que “el servicio de control de tráfico aéreo del Reino Unido es un caos en manos del CEO de NATS, Martin Rolfe". Además, agregó que "es hora de que Heidi Alexander dé un paso al frente y lo despida por el bien de los pasajeros del Reino Unido, quienes deberían poder viajar sin sufrir demoras innecesarias por la repetida mala gestión y la escasez de personal de NATS".Este llamado de atención se produce casi exactamente dos años después del fallo masivo del sistema ATC de NATS en agosto de 2023, que provocó la cancelación de miles de vuelos y afectó a cientos de miles de viajeros. Aquel incidente ya puso bajo intenso escrutinio la gestión de Rolfe y la capacidad tecnológica de la organización.La escasez de controladores aéreos es un desafío que afecta a varios proveedores de navegación aérea en Europa. Sin embargo, Ryanair insiste en que la situación en el Reino Unido es particularmente aguda y que la responsabilidad recae directamente en la cúpula directiva de <a href="https://www.nats.aero/">NATS</a>.

"Por el bien de los pasajeros", Ryanair vuelve a pedir que despidan al director del tráfico aéreo británico

Aviation authorities in South Korea abruptly canceled the presentation of an intermediate report on the crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, which occurred last December 29. The decision was made following a tense confrontation with the victims' families, who disrupted a scheduled press conference at Muan International Airport.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="35587" data-title="Puede interesarte"></section>The conflict arose after a private briefing where investigators from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) presented their preliminary findings to the bereaved. According to the families, the report seemed to prematurely attribute responsibility for the accident, which claimed the lives of 179 of the 181 people on board, to the flight crew and a bird strike.Pillkyu Hwang, a lawyer representing the families, took the podium intended for the investigators to express the group's discontent, stating that "the families did not get an adequate explanation." In his remarks, the lawyer pointed out that the report, in its current wording, "in fact, depending on how you look at it, it kind of puts all the blame on the dead birds and the dead pilots."The lawyer, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/world/asia/jeju-air-crash-report-canceled.html">as reported by The New York Times</a>, criticized the lack of caution in the presented conclusions. Hwang added that while that might be the outcome of the investigation, "that requires tremendous rigor and very careful wording. And something came out that wasn’t careful at all."<blockquote>Frequently Asked Questions about the CrashWhat happened to the Jeju Air flight? A Boeing 737-800 crashed on December 29, 2024, during its approach to Muan Airport, South Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities.Why are the families protesting? They believe the ARAIB's preliminary report is inadequate and hasty in pointing to the pilots and a bird strike as the main causes before a thorough investigation is complete.Are bird strikes dangerous? Yes. A bird strike, especially with a flock, can cause severe engine damage, such as a loss of thrust. Managing such an emergency is a critical procedure for flight crews.</blockquote>The investigation team planned to publicly disclose that the analysis of the aircraft's CFM56-7B engines found no inherent technical faults, which shifts the focus of the investigation toward operational and external factors. However, the families fear that the release of a report with this focus would be interpreted by the media and the public as a final conclusion, stigmatizing the deceased pilots before all variables were thoroughly analyzed.In a statement, the families' delegation argued that the report's framing could imply a premature closure of the case. An aircraft accident investigation is a complex process consisting of several stages, including data collection, analysis of the black boxes (FDR and CVR), and the evaluation of all contributing factors.For now, the ARAIB has not announced a new date for the publication of its findings. The investigation continues as the aviation community and those affected await a complete and rigorous analysis to clarify the exact circumstances that led to the tragedy.

South Korea Halts Release of Jeju Air Crash Report Amid Protests from Victims' Families

An Iberia Airbus A321XLR, with registration EC-OOJ and in commercial service for just a few weeks, was forced to return to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) this Sunday, August 3rd, after colliding with a bird minutes after takeoff. The aircraft, operating flight IB579 to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), sustained visible damage to its nose and one of its engines.The aircraft, one of the newest in the Spanish airline's fleet and globally, had taken off from the Barajas runway when the impact occurred during the initial climb phase. The bird first struck the radome—the front cone of the fuselage that protects the weather radar—and was subsequently ingested by the left engine, a CFM International LEAP-1A.Following standard safety procedures for such incidents, the flight crew decided to halt the climb, declare an emergency, and immediately return to Madrid. The landing was completed without any issues approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board.Images and videos captured from the ground and quickly circulated on social media show the extent of the damage. The impact destroyed part of the aircraft's nose, exposing components of the radar. Additionally, damage is visible on multiple fan blades of the left engine, demonstrating the force of the collision.AirNavRadar data shows the flight path the aircraft made:<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" width="650" height="500" src="https://es.airnavradar.com/?widget=1&amp;z=7&amp;fid=2517089440"></iframe></div><blockquote>What happens when a bird hits an airplane? A bird strike is a relatively common event in aviation. Aircraft and their engines are designed and certified to withstand such collisions to a certain degree. The standard procedure, especially if engine damage is suspected, is for pilots to return to the airport of origin for a full technical inspection, as happened in this case. The greatest risk occurs during takeoff and landing, where altitude is low and bird concentration is higher.</blockquote>Iberia became the global launch customer for the Airbus A321XLR, receiving its first unit in late 2024. This model is notable for its ability to operate long-haul routes with a single-aisle aircraft, offering new efficiency for the company's transatlantic network. The involved aircraft, EC-OOJ, was delivered by Airbus in early July and had commenced commercial flights around July 10, 2025, making it one of the most recent units in operation worldwide.Bird incidents are a known and managed risk in the aviation industry. Airports implement various wildlife control measures to mitigate their presence near runways. Nevertheless, collisions are unavoidable. Jet engine certification includes rigorous bird ingestion tests to ensure that, even after a failure, the engine can be shut down safely without compromising the structural integrity of the wing or the aircraft.

Iberia's Brand-New A321XLR Suffers Engine Damage After Bird Strike, Returns to Madrid

The official narrative surrounding last Monday's serious incident at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is under intense scrutiny. Statements from President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) claiming that safety protocols worked correctly are directly contradicted by audio evidence suggesting that a potential tragedy was averted solely by the pilots' actions, without intervention from air traffic controllers.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="40608" data-title="Puede interesarte"></section>The official account began to take shape shortly after the July 21 event, where a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 aborted its takeoff to avoid colliding with an Aeroméxico Connect Embraer approaching the same runway, 05R. AFAC issued a statement asserting that "safety protocols were activated, which worked to prevent an accident."This version was reinforced by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stated at her press conference on July 23 that "fortunately, it did not escalate; all alerts were given in time to prevent any accident." However, the president also made a factual error by claiming the Delta aircraft was "parked" when it was actually in its takeoff roll.The government's version is confronted by a key piece of evidence: a 32-minute audio recording of control tower communications, reported by <a href="https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/">El Financiero</a>. According to the analysis of the recording, no alert or warning was issued by air traffic control (ATC) to the involved crews. The transcript reveals it was the Delta Air Lines crew that, upon visually noticing the Aeroméxico aircraft on a collision course, made the unilateral decision to abort the takeoff.This sequence of events is consistent with the airline's statement, in which Delta expressed gratitude for "the crew's actions in maintaining situational awareness and acting swiftly."<blockquote><h4>The Controversy: Two Opposing Versions</h4>Official Version (Government/AFAC): Control tower alerts and safety protocols functioned correctly, preventing the accident.Evidence-Based Version (Audio): There were no alerts from the control tower. The Delta crew identified the danger and acted on their own, avoiding a collision thanks to their own skill.What's at stake? The credibility of Mexico's aviation safety oversight and the transparency of its authorities.</blockquote>The discrepancy between the official account and the available evidence puts the spotlight on Mexico's Air Navigation Services (SENEAM), the entity that manages the controllers. While the president defended AFAC, the incident points to operational failures within SENEAM, an agency that, according to industry experts, faces a shortage of technical personnel and challenges from outdated communication equipment in a saturated airspace like AICM's.The ongoing investigation by AFAC now has a dual task: it must not only clarify the chain of errors that led to the runway incursion but also address the serious contradiction between its initial version and the facts that the audio evidence appears to demonstrate.

Near Collision at AICM: Audio Contradicts Official Narrative from Mexican President and AFAC

An Antonov An-24RV passenger plane belonging to the Russian airline Angara Airlines crashed this Thursday in a mountainous area of the Amur region, in the Russian Far East. The wreckage of the aircraft was located about 15 kilometers from the airport in the city of Tynda, its final destination. According to preliminary reports from emergency services, none of the 49 occupants survived the impact.The aircraft, with almost 50 years of service, was flying a domestic route that originated in Khabarovsk, with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk, before heading to Tynda.<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d42800.399001741804!2d124.7079160909411!3d55.151475353148776!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5c2117c3fe7d7b2b%3A0xae18d4bb2c34e795!2sTynda%2C%20%C3%93blast%20de%20Amur%2C%20Rusia!5e1!3m2!1ses-419!2sar!4v1753353419001!5m2!1ses-419!2sar" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>Communication with the crew was lost as the aircraft was making a second approach attempt to the airport in low visibility conditions, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.The governor of the Amur region, Vasily Orlov, confirmed that 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.A Mi-8 helicopter from the rescue teams located the burning wreckage of the An-24 on a mountainside, in an area of dense forest and difficult access, which complicates recovery efforts.<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="315" height="560" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oRRacB5wzFM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Angara Airlines operates a fleet of 31 aircraft with an average age of 41 years:<ul><li>12 Antonov An-24RV</li><li>3 Antonov An-26 100</li><li>12 Mi-8 T helicopters</li><li>3 Mi-8 AMT helicopters</li><li>One Mi-8 AMT helicopter</li></ul>From its base at Irkutsk International Airport, it serves a network of five destinations in the Amur region.The Antonov An-24 is a Soviet-era turboprop of which 1,300 aircraft were built between 1959 and 1979.&nbsp;According to data obtained by Aviacionline through <a href="https://www.cirium.com">Cirium Fleet Analyzer</a>, there are currently 77 Antonov An-24s in service, the vast majority with Russian airlines, with only a dozen distributed among North Korea, Cuba, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Somalia, and Ukraine.

Angara Airlines An-24 crash in Russia: What we know

Wednesday night was disrupted at Argentina's main airports after two bomb threats put authorities on high alert, affecting normal operations during the peak winter holiday season. The incidents involved one Aerolíneas Argentinas flight and another from FlyBondi.The threats, made through anonymous calls to the 911 emergency service, specifically targeted Aerolíneas Argentinas flight AR 1411, operating from Mendoza (MDZ) to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), and a service by low-cost carrier FlyBondi flying from Salta (SLA) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP).As a result of the alert concerning flight AR 1411, Ezeiza Airport was closed for approximately 20 minutes. This forced at least one international flight to divert to Carrasco Airport (MVD) in Montevideo, Uruguay. Other aircraft had to enter holding patterns until the terminal reopened.The Airport Security Police (PSA) immediately activated emergency protocols at both air terminals. The affected aircraft were moved to remote safety positions for thorough inspection by bomb disposal squads. Following the procedures, PSA sources confirmed that both threats were false alarms, as no suspicious devices were found.<blockquote>Snippet: What Happens in Case of a Bomb Threat? When a threat is received, the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) and the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA) activate an emergency protocol. The PSA is immediately involved to isolate the aircraft, inspect it with specialized teams and equipment, and secure the perimeter until the danger is completely ruled out.</blockquote>While air operations began to normalize after 10:00 PM, the focus has now shifted to the origin of the threats. Unofficial sources close to the Secretariat of Transport indicated that they are not ruling out a connection between the calls and recent labor disputes. "They come after the repeated failures of aviation unions to carry out their intended strikes," a source noted, suggesting the threats could be aimed at "disrupting operations, which are running very smoothly during the winter holidays."Both ANAC and EANA have confirmed they will file the corresponding criminal complaints for the justice system to investigate the origin of the calls and determine responsibility for a crime that carries severe penalties and, in this case, caused a significant disruption to the air transport system during a high-demand period.

Argentine Government Suspects Political Sabotage Behind Airport Bomb Threats

Aeroitalia anunció la firma de un nuevo acuerdo de interlínea y de prorrateo especial (SPA) con Qatar Airways, fortaleciendo de manera considerable las opciones de conectividad para los pasajeros que viajan desde y hacia Italia. El acuerdo, comunicado el 22 de julio de 2025, permite a la aerolínea qatarí expandir su alcance en el mercado italiano de una forma más cautelosa tras su anterior incursión.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="18589" data-title="Puede interesarte"></section>Gracias a esta alianza, los pasajeros podrán comprar un único billete a través de agencias de viajes para itinerarios que combinan vuelos de ambas compañías. Específicamente, el acuerdo conectará rutas de Aeroitalia desde los aeropuertos de Catania (CTA), Comiso (CIY), Cagliari (CAG), Olbia (OLB) y Palermo (PMO) con los principales centros de operaciones italianos de Roma Fiumicino (FCO) y Milán Malpensa (MXP). Desde allí, los viajeros podrán acceder a la extensa red de más de 170 destinos globales de Qatar Airways a través de su hub en el Aeropuerto Internacional Hamad de Doha (DOH).<a href="https://airinsight.com/qatar-airways-expands-italy-with-aeroitalia-agreement/">De acuerdo con lo reportado por AirInsight</a>, Massimo Di Perna, Director Comercial de Aeroitalia, destacó que este acuerdo representa un paso fundamental en el crecimiento internacional de la compañía. Esta colaboración llega poco después de que Aeroitalia activara, el 1 de julio de 2025, un pacto similar con el grupo Air France-KLM y Delta Air Lines, lo que demuestra una clara estrategia de la aerolínea italiana por posicionarse como un socio alimentador clave para los grandes operadores globales.<blockquote>¿Qué significa este acuerdo para los pasajeros? Permite comprar un solo billete para viajar en rutas de Aeroitalia y Qatar Airways, con el equipaje facturado hasta el destino final, simplificando las conexiones.¿Desde qué ciudades italianas se puede conectar? Desde Catania, Comiso, Cagliari, Olbia y Palermo, volando vía Roma (FCO) o Milán (MXP).¿Es la primera vez que Qatar Airways invierte en Italia? No, previamente tuvo una participación del 49% en Air Italy, la cual cesó operaciones en 2020. Este nuevo acuerdo es de naturaleza comercial, sin inversión de capital.</blockquote>Para Qatar Airways, esta alianza representa un movimiento estratégico para reforzar su presencia en Italia, un mercado vital para el turismo y los negocios. La aerolínea actualmente opera vuelos directos a Roma (FCO), Milán (MXP) y Venecia (VCE), pero carecía de acceso directo a las importantes ciudades y regiones turísticas del sur y las islas.Este enfoque, basado en una alianza comercial de bajo riesgo, contrasta fuertemente con su anterior y ambiciosa estrategia en el país. En 2017, Qatar Airways adquirió el 49% de AQA Holding, la matriz de la entonces Meridiana, con el objetivo de transformarla en una nueva aerolínea de bandera para Italia. En febrero de 2018, la compañía renació como Air Italy, con un plan agresivo para establecer un hub intercontinental en Milán Malpensa (MXP). La estrategia incluía el lanzamiento de rutas de largo radio a Norteamérica y Asia utilizando una flota de Airbus A330 arrendados por Qatar y la planned incorporación de Boeing 737 MAX y 787 Dreamliners.Sin embargo, el proyecto enfrentó obstáculos casi de inmediato. Las principales aerolíneas estadounidenses la acusaron de ser un vehículo para los supuestos subsidios del estado qatarí, generando una fuerte presión geopolítica. A esto se sumó la suspensión global de operaciones del Boeing 737 MAX en marzo de 2019, que desbarató sus planes de flota.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/06/air-italy.jpg" alt="air italy"></figure>Con pérdidas financieras que alcanzaron los 160 millones de euros en 2018 y se proyectaban en 230 millones para 2019, los accionistas, liderados por el socio mayoritario Alisarda, decidieron que el negocio era inviable. En febrero de 2020, justo antes de que la pandemia de COVID-19 paralizara la aviación, Air Italy fue liquidada, poniendo fin al audaz experimento de Qatar Airways en el mercado italiano.El nuevo acuerdo con Aeroitalia, al ser de tipo interlínea, no implica los mismos riesgos financieros ni el compromiso de capital. Permite a Qatar Airways aprovechar la red doméstica de un socio local para alimentar sus vuelos de largo radio, optimizando la ocupación y ofreciendo una red de destinos más robusta en Italia de una manera eficiente y flexible.

Aeroitalia, la nueva apuesta de Qatar Airways para el sur de Europa después del fiasco de Air Italy

Mexico's Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) is investigating a serious incident that occurred at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) on the morning of July 21, when a Delta Air Lines aircraft was forced to execute a rejected takeoff upon detecting an Aeroméxico Connect aircraft landing on the same runway.The event involved Delta flight DL590, an Airbus A320 that was beginning its takeoff roll on runway 05R bound for Atlanta (ATL), and Aeroméxico Connect flight AM1631, an Embraer E190, which was on its final approach.Communications between the Delta flight deck and the control tower captured the U.S. crew's shock. "Wow," the pilot is heard exclaiming, followed by "increíble" (incredible) in Spanish, highlighting the proximity of the conflict.Delta Air Lines confirmed the event in a statement, informing that it is cooperating with authorities in the investigation and adding that "we appreciate the crew's actions to maintain situational awareness and act quickly, as a result of the extensive training Delta provides."<blockquote>Key Incident InformationWhat happened: A runway incursion and near-collision.Aircraft: A departing Delta (Airbus A320) and a landing Aeroméxico Connect (Embraer E190).Location: Runway 05R at Mexico City International Airport (AICM).Evasive Action: The Delta flight performed a high-speed rejected takeoff. The Aeroméxico aircraft landed, overflying the Delta jet.Preliminary Cause: Air traffic control error in clearing two incompatible operations on the same runway.</blockquote>Sources with knowledge of the operation, cited by media outlets like <a href="https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/">El Financiero</a>, described the event as "more serious than the Volaris incident" of May 2022, given that on this occasion, the Aeroméxico aircraft completed its landing while the Delta jet was on the runway. In the 2022 incident, the approaching aircraft performed a go-around.The event occurred under complex operational circumstances. Minutes prior, the parallel runway 05L was temporarily closed due to a bird strike involving an Avianca aircraft. This concentrated all traffic onto runway 05R, likely increasing the workload for the personnel of Mexican Air Navigation Services (SENEAM).This incident again places a spotlight on the working conditions of air traffic controllers in Mexico. In a December 2024 letter, the controllers' union held the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) responsible for any consequences arising from the failure to address the shortage of trained technical personnel and overwork—issues that industry sources say persist.As of the writing of this article, neither AICM nor SENEAM have issued public comments on the incident.

Incident at Mexico City: Delta A320 Aborts Takeoff as Aeroméxico E190 Lands on the Same Runway

A F-7BGI combat trainer jet belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed today over an educational institution in a densely populated area of the capital, Dhaka, causing the deaths of at least 19 people and injuring over 160 others.The accident occurred at approximately 13:06 local time. The aircraft struck the Milestone School and College building in the Uttara neighborhood shortly after taking off from the nearby Kurmitola Air Base. The impact triggered a major fire, complicating rescue efforts.Many of the injured were students who were attending classes or taking exams at the time of the tragedy. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with emergency teams and civilians using all available means, including traditional rickshaws, to evacuate victims to the nearest hospitals.<blockquote>Frequently Asked Questions about the Dhaka CrashWhat plane crashed in Dhaka? A Chengdu F-7BGI fighter trainer from the Bangladesh Air Force.How many casualties were there in the accident? Initial reports confirm at least 19 fatalities and over 160 injuries.What is the origin of the F-7BGI? It is a Chinese-made aircraft, derived from the Soviet MiG-21 fighter.</blockquote>The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate <a href="http://www.ispr.gov.bd/press-release-example">confirmed in a statement</a> that the aircraft's pilot is among the deceased and that a committee of inquiry has been formed to determine the causes of the crash. Authorities have not yet released the official list of victims.The Chengdu F-7BGI is a modernized variant for Bangladesh of the Chinese J-7 fighter, which is itself a copy of the iconic Soviet MiG-21. The BAF uses these aircraft for airspace defense and as an advanced training platform for its fighter pilots. Bangladesh's F-7 fleet has already recorded <a href="https://www.thedailystar.net/news-archive-example">several accidents in recent years</a>, raising questions about the operational status of these older generation aerial systems.This event is the deadliest aviation accident in the city of Dhaka in recent memory, according to reports from <a href="https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh-news-example">local media</a>, and it highlights the dangers associated with military air operations in proximity to large urban centers. The government of Bangladesh is considering declaring a day of national mourning.

Dozens Killed as a Bangladesh Air Force Fighter Chinese-Built Jet Crashes Over School

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has issued a statement urging the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives regarding the crash of the Air India Boeing 787-8, registration VT-ANB. The agency described attempts by certain international media outlets to conclude as "irresponsible."<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="" data-title="Puede interesarte"></section>The Director-General of the AAIB, GVG Yugandhar, emphasized that the investigation into what is considered "the most devastating accident in recent aviation history" is being conducted rigorously and professionally. In the appeal, Yugandhar stated that "this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian Aviation Industry, particularly based on unfounded facts."The investigation is proceeding following the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. It fulfills the Government of India's obligations under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Since its inception in 2012, the AAIB has a flawless record of investigating 92 accidents and 111 serious incidents.<blockquote>What is ICAO Annex 13? Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation establishes the standards and recommended practices for aircraft accident and incident investigation. Its sole objective is the prevention of future accidents, not the apportionment of blame or liability. The State in which the event occurs is responsible for initiating the investigation.</blockquote>The AAIB clarified that the purpose of the preliminary report is solely to provide information about 'WHAT' happened and that it is too early to reach any definite conclusions. "The Final Investigation Report will come out with root causes and recommendations," the document specifies.The agency appealed to all concerned to respect the sensitivity of the loss faced by the family members of deceased passengers, the aircraft's crew, and other persons deceased on the ground.The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will also publish updates as and when required which have technical and public interest, while awaiting the publication of the final investigation report.The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is a centerpiece of Air India's long-haul fleet. The airline operates a substantial fleet of this model, which is used on international routes.

AAIB Urges Caution in Air India B787 Investigation, Criticizes International Media for "Irresponsible" Reporting

The crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, could be shaping up to be a critical case study in risk management in commercial aviation. The preliminary investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is reportedly directing attention toward a systemic issue: the interpretation and weight that airlines give to the various safety communications issued by regulatory authorities.A 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), which warned of a vulnerability in the fuel control switches, is now a central piece of the investigation. The fact that its recommendations had not been implemented on the crashed aircraft raises fundamental questions about safety-related decision-making processes.Flight recorder data from the Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANB) suggests an alarming sequence of events. Seconds after a normal takeoff, both engines reportedly lost power almost simultaneously. The EAFR (Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder) analysis showed that the fuel control switches moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF."<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="40410" data-title="Puede interesarte"></section>The conversation in the cockpit would indicate that this action was inadvertent, with the pilots showing surprise. This raises a fundamental question: if it was not a deliberate action, what could have caused such a critical control to move? The answer could lie in a document issued by the FAA almost seven years earlier.&nbsp;<h3>The Regulatory Ecosystem: Understanding SAIB, AD, and EAD</h3>To understand the context of the operator's decision, it is essential to differentiate the tools the FAA uses to communicate airworthiness issues.Airworthiness Directive (AD): This is a legally binding order issued when the FAA determines that an "unsafe condition" exists. Compliance is not optional.Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD): This is an AD with immediate effect to correct an extreme risk that cannot wait.Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB): This occupies a different space. It is issued to alert and recommend action on a concern that does not cross the legal threshold for an AD.SAIB NM-18-33, in particular, warned about the risk that the locking mechanism of the fuel switches could be inoperative. While it recommended a specific part replacement for certain Boeing 737s, the warning about the design was relevant to the Boeing 787 (with part P/N 4TL837-3D).What is an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD)? It is an order from the FAA for immediate compliance to correct a safety risk so serious that it cannot wait for the usual processes of a standard AD.Why would the FAA issue an SAIB instead of an AD? The FAA would do so when it identifies a safety concern but determines that it does not meet the legal threshold to be classified as an "unsafe condition," which is the requirement for an AD. The SAIB serves to recommend and inform, not to compel.What questions does this case raise about SAIBs? It raises how operators should assess the risks of an SAIB and what the expected standard of care is, even if the recommendations are not legally mandatory.&nbsp;<h3>The Regulatory Gap: "Not Mandatory" Does Not Mean "No Risk"</h3>The FAA's decision to issue an SAIB instead of an AD was reportedly based on the problem "not being an unsafe condition that would justify airworthiness directive action." This stance, in practice, transfers the burden of risk assessment to the operator. This is where a complex "gray area" of responsibility and safety management arises.Ignoring such a warning, however, would entail several risks that go beyond simple regulatory compliance. First, it would open the door to enormous civil liability. In a post-accident court scenario, a plaintiff could argue that the airline, having been notified by the FAA through an SAIB, was aware of the risk and had a simple and low-cost mitigation available. The argument would not be whether the action was mandatory, but whether a "reasonably prudent operator," with knowledge of the danger, would have acted.Second, and perhaps more importantly from an operational safety perspective, it would represent a potential failure of the company's Safety Management System (SMS). A robust SMS, a pillar of modern aviation, is designed to treat an SAIB as a formally identified hazard that requires an internal risk analysis, regardless of its regulatory status. The process would dictate that the hazard (a faulty fuel switch) be evaluated in a risk matrix. The consequence (a dual engine shutdown on takeoff) would always be catastrophic, so even a low probability would result in a level of risk that would, most likely, demand mitigating action.&nbsp;<h3>The Necessary Debate on the Limits of the Non-Mandatory</h3>The preliminary report from the AAIB, by indicating that the suggested inspection was not performed due to its "advisory and non-mandatory" nature, not only points to a decision but opens a profound debate for the industry:How should a Safety Management System (SMS) process, document, and act on a risk identified in an SAIB?What criteria would an operator use to determine that the risk described in a bulletin is acceptable and does not require the recommended action? Would this risk analysis be formally documented for future reviews and audits?If a non-mandatory recommendation could have been a factor in preventing an accident, where would the ultimate responsibility for managing that risk lie?Regardless of the final outcome of the investigation, the crash of flight AI171 must be the start of an urgent and honest conversation about the philosophy of safety. The debate would not just be about a switch, but about how the industry ensures that a "recommendation" from a safety authority receives the weight it deserves to prevent future tragedies.

Recommended versus Mandatory: The Potential Link Between an FAA Bulletin and the Air India Disaster

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has published its preliminary report on the crash of Air India Flight AI171 , which occurred on June 12. Data recovered from the flight recorder (EAFR) of the Boeing 787-8, registration VT-ANB , indicates that the catastrophic sequence began when the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position just three seconds after the aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (VAAH).The flight, bound for London's Gatwick Airport (EGKK), was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft crashed at approximately 08:09 UTC in a residential area 0.9 nautical miles from the end of runway 23 , resulting in the deaths of all crew members, 229 passengers, and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived with serious injuries.According to the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) data, the aircraft lifted off at 08:08:39 UTC. Three seconds later, upon reaching a speed of 180 knots, the fuel switches for the GEnx-1B engines were moved to the cutoff position, interrupting the fuel flow.The cockpit voice recording captured a crucial exchange between the pilots. One of them asked the other why he had cut off the engines, to which the second pilot replied that he had not done it. This conversation suggests the action was unexpected and unintentional by the crew.As a direct consequence of the loss of power from both engines, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) automatically deployed to supply emergency hydraulic power, a fact confirmed by both flight data and airport security camera footage.<blockquote><h3>What We Know So Far</h3>What was the main cause of the Flight AI171 accident? The preliminary report indicates that the fuel switches for both engines were moved to the "CUTOFF" position seconds after takeoff, causing a dual engine shutdown.Was it an intentional action by the pilots? The cockpit voice recording suggests it was not. One pilot expressed surprise, and the other denied having moved the switches.Was there a known issue with the aircraft? A 2018 FAA bulletin warned of a potential problem with the locking feature of the fuel control switches on this aircraft model. The recommended inspections were advisory and had not been performed on the aircraft.</blockquote>Twelve seconds after the initial cutoff, the crew attempted a relight by moving the switches back to the "RUN" position. Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, but Engine 2 failed to regain its core speed before the aircraft impacted several buildings of the BJ Medical College complex. The crew transmitted a "MAYDAY" call at 08:09:05 UTC, seconds before the recording stopped.The report also highlights a relevant contextual factor. In December 2018, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) NM-18-33. This document warned of the "potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature" on several Boeing models, including the 787. A disengaged locking feature could make the switches more susceptible to accidental movement.Air India confirmed to investigators that the inspections suggested in the SAIB were not carried out on VT-ANB because the bulletin was advisory and not a mandatory airworthiness directive.The investigation, led by India's AAIB, includes collaboration with the U.S. NTSB, as well as technical advisors from Boeing, GE Aviation, and the FAA. The team of investigators continues to analyze the evidence and, at this stage, has not issued safety recommendations for operators of Boeing 787 aircraft or GEnx-1B engines.

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