Aviation Sector

Cuba suspends flights to and from Mexico over flu

Cuba suspends flights to and from Mexico over fluHavana - Cuba suspended Tuesday all flights to and from Mexico for 48 hours to prevent spread of the flu virus which has caused 152 deaths in Mexico, including at least 20 from a newly emerging swine flu virus, Cuba's Public Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer said in a statement. The Cuban government said earlier Tuesday that no cases of swine flu had been reported in the country and that there were also no suspected cases, although they increased health surveillance at airports and ports.

British air stewardess sacked for refusing to wear an Islamic robe

British air stewardess sacked for refusing to wear an Islamic robeLondon, Apr 27: A British air stewardess was sacked for refusing to fly to Saudi Arabia after she was ordered to wear a traditional Islamic robe and walk behind male colleagues.

Lisa Ashton, who worked for BMI, was told that she was expected to wear in public in Saudi Arabia the abaya, a long black robe that leaves only the face uncovered.

She was also told that she should walk behind male colleagues irrespective of their rank, in order to conform with the social codes of the conservative country, The Telegraph reports.

Ambani chopper sabotage case: 52 of Air Works’ non-technical workers off duty

Ambani chopper sabotage case: 52 of Air Works’ non-technical workers off dutyAir Works has taken the attempted sabotage case of Anil Ambani’s Bell 412 helicopter - parked in the Air Works’ hangar for repair and maintenance - quite seriously. Till the time investigations do not reach their conclusive end, 52 of the non-technical workers of the company have been directed to stay off duty.  

US plane forced to land in incident with rampaging passenger

Delta AirlinesNew York - A Delta Airlines plane on a flight from New York to Tel Aviv was forced early Saturday to make an emergency landing in Boston after a passenger sought to force his way into the cockpit, the local television channel WCVB reported. The report said that some 2 hours after the fully-loaded Boeing 767 plane took off, a man tried to storm the cockpit.

Five passengers managed to overpower him and keep him tied down with a safety belt until the plane could land at Boston's Logan airport.

The man was described as a 22-year-old Israeli.

Airspace violation prompts brief evacuation of US Congress

Airspace violation prompts brief evacuation of US CongressWashington  - A pilot flying a small plane violated the tight airspace regulations around Washington, prompting orders to briefly evacuate Congress and parts of the White House, media reports said.

The US Senate adjourned into a quick recess but returned to session minutes later after the all-clear signal was given. MSNBC television reported that the pilot complied with demands to alter course.

Top dignitaries meet to decide about new chiefs of AI, AERA

Air IndiaIndia's national carrier, Air India, and the recently-created Airport Economic Regulatory Authority, AERA, will likely have new chiefs named on Friday, after a high-profile meeting - under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar - takes a decision regarding the persons to be at the helm of affairs of the two organizations.

Other known dignitaries to participate in the top-level meeting include Prime Minister's principal secretary TKA Nair, civil aviation secretary M Madhavan Nambiar, and public enterprises selection board chairman Naresh Narad.

Pages