May 8

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May 8

Thai Airways Boeing 777 turns back after takeoff from Bangkok due to technical defect

A Thai Airways Boeing 777-300ER, registered HS-TKU and en route to Frankfurt as flight TG922, was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday due to a technical problem with the main landing gear fairing. The aircraft dumped fuel over Samut Sakhon Province, while observers on the ground saw the aircraft circle three to six times before landing safely at 14:12 p.m. The flight had originally departed at 12:25 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Frankfurt at 21:00 p.m. local time. After maintenance work at Gate 120, the Boeing 777 was able to continue its journey at 15:20 p.m., with an estimated arrival time in Frankfurt of 21:56 p.m. This incident is one of a series of technical incidents that occur repeatedly in aviation. The crew's quick response and safe landing are a testament to established safety procedures. Passengers were able to continue their journey after the problem was resolved, albeit with a delay.

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Aeroflot Boeing 777 on flight from Bangkok to Moscow makes emergency landing in Delhi

A Boeing 777-300ER of the Russian airline Aeroflot, registered as RA-73142, operating flight SU273 from Bangkok to Moscow-Sheremetyevo with over 400 people on board, was forced to make an emergency landing in Delhi at around 15:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The reason for the emergency landing was a brief smell of melted plastic inside the aircraft. The airline confirmed that no smoke was observed and that the landing was carried out according to standard safety procedures. Following the unscheduled landing, the onward flight to Moscow was delayed due to a technical inspection and the crew exceeding their permitted duty hours. The onward flight to Moscow was later reported canceled. Discussions are currently underway with Indian immigration authorities to arrange accommodation and border clearance for the affected passengers. Aeroflot staff are providing meals and refreshments to the travelers. The passengers are expected to be rebooked onto alternative flights.

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Aer Lingus A330 en route to Orlando has to make an emergency landing in Shannon

An Aer Lingus UK Airbus A330-300 with the registration G-EILA (flight EG935) en route from Manchester to Orlando was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Shannon Airport in Ireland on Monday with 304 people on board. The crew reported a problem with one of its two engines when the aircraft was about 900 kilometers west of Shannon. The pilots issued a so-called "pan-pan" call, which indicates urgency but not imminent danger. Although both engines were operational for most of the flight, the crew announced a single-engine landing and requested clearance for an overloaded landing, which required a subsequent inspection of the landing gear and brakes. The aircraft landed safely at 14:46 p.m. local time and was met by emergency services, who cleared it to proceed to the terminal. The passengers deplanet and were temporarily accommodated in hotels while the aircraft was repaired. The same Airbus A330-300 continued its journey to Orlando the next morning as flight EG1035.

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Saudi Arabian airline Flynas announces IPO to finance expansion

The Saudi Arabian low-cost airline Flynas has announced an initial public offering (IPO) to raise capital for the expansion of its fleet and route network. According to the company, investors will be offered 51,3 million shares, corresponding to a 30 percent stake in the company. The timing and price per share of the planned IPO were not immediately disclosed. Flynas, considered Saudi Arabia's first low-cost airline, has experienced significant growth in recent years and has expanded its route network both domestically and internationally. The proceeds from the planned IPO are expected to enable the airline to further modernize and expand its fleet and add new destinations to its offering. This move underscores Saudi Arabia's ambitions to further develop its aviation sector as part of its "Vision 2030" and to promote tourism. The decision to go public follows a period of growth for Flynas, which has benefited from increasing demand for affordable air travel in the region. The IPO is expected to attract interest from national and international investors who wish to participate in the further development of the Saudi Arabian aviation market.

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Leonardo establishes new aviation division “Aeronautics” under new management

The Italian defense and aerospace group Leonardo has officially launched its new "Aeronautics" business unit and appointed Stefano Bortoli as its CEO. This new division combines the company's existing aerostructures and aircraft divisions and employs over 11.000 people. The aim of this merger is to strengthen Leonardo's competitiveness in both the civil and military aviation sectors, particularly by expanding its expertise in fixed-wing aircraft, aerostructures, and unmanned aerial systems. This step follows the strategic business plan presented by Leonardo in March 2024. The new structure is intended to promote international partnerships and advance the development of key technologies for future multi-mission aviation systems. Stefano Bortoli, who will lead the new division, was previously CEO of the aircraft manufacturer ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo. His experience will be instrumental in achieving the ambitious goals of the new Aeronautics division. The establishment of the Aeronautics Division is seen as an important step in Leonardo's strategic realignment to better position itself in a changing global market. The company expects the consolidation of its aerospace activities to result in more efficient development and production, as well as a stronger market presence.

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Series production of the modernized Dornier Do228 NXT started in Oberpfaffenhofen

Aircraft manufacturer General Atomics Aerotec Systems has begun final assembly of the first Do228 NXT. This further development of the well-known Dornier Do228 is being built at the Oberpfaffenhofen site, with key production steps being carried out in-house. According to the company, series production is proceeding according to plan, and delivery of the first aircraft is expected in the coming months. The Do228 NXT features various technical improvements. These include LED cabin lighting, modern air conditioning, improved braking systems, and an updated navigation system. According to General Atomics Aerotec Systems, the key components for this aircraft come from Germany and Europe. The fuselage of the NXT series is manufactured by the French company Potez Aéronautique and delivered to Oberpfaffenhofen for final assembly. The original Dornier Do228 completed its maiden flight in 1981 and was built until 1998. Since 2009, there has been a modernized version called the Do228 NG, whose production was taken over by General Atomics Europe in 2021 and further developed into the Do228 NXT currently in production. The Do228 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft with short takeoff and landing capabilities, making it suitable for a variety of missions due to its versatility.

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Norse Atlantic shortens flight schedule between Berlin and New York

The Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways is changing its current summer flight schedule and will discontinue its service between Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York earlier than planned. Instead of the originally planned date of October 24, 2025, the seasonal discontinuation of this route will now take place as early as September 26, according to information from Aeroroutes. This adjustment to the flight schedule indicates a strategic review of the young long-haul low-cost airline's route network. There had already been reports of a possible reduction in services from Berlin, including the cancellation of the service to Miami. The reasons given for the adjustments included the profitability of individual routes and the general conditions for transatlantic flights. The early discontinuation of the service to New York means a reduction in direct flight options to the United States for travelers from Berlin. Norse Atlantic Airways had only launched the service in August 2022. It remains to be seen whether and when the airline plans to resume these or other long-haul connections from Berlin.

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Spirit Airlines and Contour Airlines forge alliance

The US ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines and the regional airline Contour Airlines have announced a strategic partnership. The goal of the collaboration is to improve the connection of underserved US communities to the national air transportation system and offer them new, affordable travel options. For Spirit Airlines, this partnership offers a lower-risk way to expand its route network into new markets. Contour Airlines is the second-largest provider in the US Department of Transportation's (DOT) Essential Air Service (EAS) program. This program was established after air travel deregulation in 1978 to ensure that smaller communities continue to maintain a minimum number of scheduled air service. Contour currently serves 22 EAS cities throughout the continental United States and offers connections to larger hubs of partners such as American Airlines. Through the partnership with Spirit, Contour hopes to strengthen these smaller markets with new, leisure-oriented destinations. Contour Airlines was founded in 2016 as part of Contour Aviation. Last year, SkyWest Airlines acquired a 25 percent stake in the company. Contour is best known for operating EAS flights to 22 underserved destinations, subsidized by the DOT to typically provide two daily roundtrip flights to a major hub airport. Contour's primary hubs are Charlotte, Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Phoenix, reflecting its existing partnership with American Airlines. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that Contour operates over 2.200 flights monthly with a fleet of 26 regional jets, all configured with 30 economy-class seats. The fleet includes Bombardier CRJ-200, Embraer ERJ-135,

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Condor will use Airbus A321neo on Split flights this summer

The airline Condor will operate its modern Airbus A2025neo on selected flights to Split, Croatia, during its 321 summer flight schedule. As reported by the Aeroroutes portal, Condor will operate one of its three weekly flights from Düsseldorf to Split with this aircraft starting May 23. Additionally, the Airbus A321neo will be used on one of its four weekly flights from Frankfurt to Split from May 29 to October 16. The Airbus A321neo generally offers passengers greater comfort and is equipped with more efficient engines. Condor flies to Split from various German airports, and Croatia is a popular holiday destination. The decision to operate the newer aircraft on these routes could bring operational benefits to the airline as well as an improved travel experience for passengers. Condor serves several destinations in Croatia in its summer flight schedule, including Split, Dubrovnik, and Rijeka. The exact flight times and the days on which the Airbus A321neo will be operated can be viewed in Condor's flight schedules. This step underscores the airline's commitment to gradually modernizing its fleet and offering a contemporary travel experience on high-demand routes.

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India launches missile attacks in Pakistan and Kashmir – Pakistan responds by closing its airspace

India launched a military operation called "Sindoor" today, using missiles and fighter jets to attack several targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. According to the Indian Ministry of Defense, the attacks targeted suspected terrorist infrastructure, stressing that no military installations were hit. This escalation of tensions follows a terrorist attack on April 22 in Indian-controlled Kashmir, for which India blames Pakistan, although Islamabad denies this. In immediate response to the Indian attacks, Pakistan has closed its airspace for the next 48 hours. This led to the suspension of flight operations at several Pakistani airports, including the key centers of Islamabad and Lahore. More than 25 international flights have reportedly already been canceled, significantly impacting regional air traffic. Pakistan described the Indian actions as unprovoked and vowed a response in due course. The recent events represent a significant escalation of the already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed powers. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the escalation and called on both sides to exercise restraint. The international community is watching the developments with concern, as further escalation could have serious consequences for the region.

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