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A Qatar Airways Cargo 777F approaching to land.
Incident

Qatar Airways Cargo 777F Atlanta-Frankfurt: Unsecured Cargo Pallet

by Len Varley
written by Len Varley

A Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777-200 freighter operating scheduled service between Atlanta, Georgia and Frankfurt, Germany departed with an unsecured cargo pallet on board on 28 July 2024.

Qatar Airways flight QR8146 was being operated by a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777-200 freighter from Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Qatar Airways QR8146 Atlanta-Frankfurt

Flight track of Qatar Airways Cargo flight QR8146 from Atlanta to Frankfurt.

The long-haul cargo flight reportedly departed for the destination of Frankfurt Main International Airport with one unsecured pallet in the cargo hold.

The aircraft performed the flight and subsequent landing in Frankfurt as per the flight schedule, with the oversight detected after landing.
Flight track of Qatar Airways Cargo flight QR8146 from Atlanta to Frankfurt.

According to the Aviation Herald, some damage occurred to the aircraft. This was as a result of the loose cargo pallet moving in the main cargo deck.

The full extent of the damage incurred is not clear; however, the incident was not considered serious and will not be subject to a formal investigation.

Flight Details

Flight data shows that flight QR8146 made its departure out of Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 0206 local time.

The flight then proceeded normally, with the aircraft climbing to flight level FL350 (35,000 feet). It then carried out the transatlantic service to Frankfurt.

Descent and approach procedures were similarly conducted normally. It is understood that the oversight was detected in the post flight inspection after landing at the destination.
A Qatar Airways Cargo 777F approaching to land.
N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The aircraft conducting the QR8146 service from Atlanta was a Boeing 777F freighter registered A7-BFL. This is 7.4-year-old widebody freighter aircraft belonging to the carrier Qatar Airways Cargo. It has been operational service with the carrier since its initial delivery in March 2017.

Qatar Airways Cargo is a prominent player in the global air cargo industry. Based in Doha, Qatar, it operates a vast network spanning over 70 freighter destinations.

The airline operates a fleet of dedicated freighters, including Boeing 747-8, 747-400, and 777 models. In addition it also operates Airbus A310 freighters, providing overall ample cargo capacity.

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It has emerged that a Lufthansa Airbus A320 & A380 both suffered incidents in the same day at Munich Airport yesterday.
Incident

A Lufthansa Airbus A320 & A380 Both Suffered Incidents in the Same Day at Munich Airport

by James Field
written by James Field

It has emerged that a Lufthansa Airbus A320 & A380 both suffered incidents in the same day at Munich Airport yesterday.

Information has been released pertinent to both incidents from the airline, which we will get into in this article.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…


Incident #1 – Lufthansa Airbus A320…

It has emerged that a Lufthansa Airbus A320 & A380 both suffered incidents in the same day at Munich Airport yesterday.
Data provided by RadarBox.com.
It has emerged that a Lufthansa Airbus A320 & A380 both suffered incidents in the same day at Munich Airport yesterday.
MarcelX42, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Before we get into the incident involving the Lufthansa Airbus A380, let’s get into the A320 one first.

Lufthansa flight LH2263, operated by their Airbus A320, is a routine scheduled flight between Marseille and Munich Airport.

The aircraft involved in the incident is understood to be D-AIUJ.

As per data from Planespotters.net, D-AIUJ is a 9.8 year old Airbus A320 that was delivered to the airline in October 2014.


Of the A320ceo variant, Lufthansa has 49 in their fleet.

Furthermore, of that 49, all but one are in active service, with an average fleet age of 11.8 years.

LH2263 departed Marseille at 1402 local time yesterday and proceeded to Munich Airport uneventfully.

As per The Aviation Herald, it is understood this incident took place on landing.

During the roll out after landing, the aircraft’s nose gear rotated 90 degrees to the right.

Furthermore, this disabled the aircraft on the runway, resulting in that strip being closed for around two hours.

Eventually, the aircraft was towed to the apron, with D-AIUJ still grounded following this incident.

Incident #2 – The Airbus A380 Returned to Munich Airport…

Data provided by RadarBox.com.
Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Not long after the Lufthansa Airbus A320 incident, one of their A380 aircraft was affected with an issue.

This particular airframe was operating LH410 from Munich Airport to New York JFK Airport.

Furthermore, it is understood that D-AIMK was the aircraft involved in the incident.

As per data from Planespotters.net, D-AIMK is a 10.8 year old Airbus A380 that was delivered to Lufthansa in March 2014.

Of the A380 variant, the German carrier has eight of them in their fleet.


Moreover, of that eight, six are in active service, and two are parked, with an average fleet age of 12.3 years.

Lufthansa flight LH410 departed Munich Airport at 1435 local time yesterday afternoon and initially tracked west towards New York.

Near the Manchester & Liverpool area, the aircraft made a swift u-turn back to the German airport.

LH410 landed safely without further incident at 1747 local time.

The Aviation Herald reports that the cause of the diversion back to the airport was due to hydraulic problems.

D-AIMK re-entered commercial service earlier this morning, and completed the sector to New York.

Overall…

In conclusion, it was a busy day for Lufthansa out of Munich Airport with these two incidents.

They were able to get the Airbus A380 fixed pretty quickly, but the A320 still remains grounded at this present time.

It is key to note that the two incidents aren’t related to each other, and just happened to be a coincidence.

Looking ahead, all eyes will be on whether there will be anymore incidents involving their aircraft in the short-term.


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In the last few moments, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating LH440 between Frankfurt & Houston has declared an emergency.
Emergency

Lufthansa 747 LH440 Frankfurt to Houston Declares Emergency

by James Field
written by James Field

In the last few moments, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating LH440 between Frankfurt & Houston has declared an emergency.

D-ABYT is the aircraft involved in the incident.

Follow below for live updates.

Live Emergency: Lufthansa Flight LH440 Frankfurt-Houston…

In the last few moments, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating LH440 between Frankfurt & Houston has declared an emergency.
Data provided by RadarBox.com.

Welcome!

Welcome to our live updates! Keep refreshing for further updates.

U-Turning Back to Europe…

In the last few moments, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating LH440 between Frankfurt & Houston has declared an emergency.

LH440 appears to be u-turning back to Europe following the emergency declaration just now.

About D-ABYT: The Lufthansa Boeing 747 Involved in the Emergency on LH440 Frankfurt-Houston…

Also, D-ABYT is understood to be the aircraft involved in this incident.

As per Planespotters, D-ABYT is a 9.4 year old Boeing 747-800 that is painted in the retro livery, and was delivered to the airline in March 2015.

Furthermore, of the 747-8 variant, LH has 19 of them in their fleet.

Within that 19, all of them are in active service, with an average fleet age of 10.7 years.

Medical Emergency Understood to be the Cause…

As per @FlightEmergency & @johnmyles68 on X, it is understood to be a medical emergency onboard the aircraft.

Over The North Sea: Diversion Field Unclear Currently…

In the last few moments, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating LH440 between Frankfurt & Houston has declared an emergency.

LH440 is currently tracking over the North Sea. Furthermore, it is unclear where the diversion field will be with this medical emergency onboard.

Diverting to Amsterdam…

In the last few moments, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating LH440 between Frankfurt & Houston has declared an emergency.

Confirmation from RadarBox highlights that Lufthansa flight LH440, originally bound for Houston from Frankfurt, will be diverting to Amsterdam following the medical emergency onboard.

Descending into Amsterdam…

LH440 has now commenced it’s descent into Amsterdam, the diversion field of choice for this medical emergency.

Straight-In For Landing…

With the nature of the emergency being medical-related, it is expected that the aircraft will go straight into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for a fast landing.

Moreover, if they needed to burn any fuel, this would have likely been completed whilst over the North Sea and during the diversion itself.

Nearest Runway Available…

Furthermore, the nearest runway available for LH440 looks to be Runway 18R.

However, with the nature of the medical emergency, Runway 18R would require a long taxi to the main terminal, so they may opt for a different runway.

LH440 is passing through FL100 at present.

On Base Leg…

LH440 appears to be on the base leg, not for Runway 18R, but for either:

  • Runway 27
  • Runway 24

On Final…

LH440 is now on final into Amsterdam Schiphol.

TOUCHDOWN!

TOUCHDOWN! Lufthansa flight LH440, operated by one of it’s Boeing 747-800 aircraft, and originally bound for Houston from Frankfurt, has appeared to have touched down safely into Amsterdam Schiphol following it’s emergency declaration in UK airspace.

Furthermore, as soon as we have more information pertinent to the emergency, then we will update you accordingly.

For now, this remains a developing story pending additional updates.

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A line of parked aircraft at Frankfurt Airport
Airport

Frankfurt Airport Sees Steady Growth Amid Challenges in June

by Len Varley
written by Len Varley

Frankfurt Airport (FRA), one of Europe’s busiest air travel hubs, demonstrated steady growth in June 2024, highlighting the continued recovery of the aviation sector post-pandemic.

With approximately 5.6 million passengers passing through its terminals, FRA recorded a 1.4% increase compared to the same month in 2023.

This growth is particularly noteworthy considering the shift in the Whitsun holiday timing. This fell in May this year as opposed to June last year, potentially impacting travel patterns.

Passenger Traffic Still Below 2019 Levels

While the numbers show progress, it’s important to note that passenger traffic in June 2024 was still about 14.4% below the levels seen in June 2019.

This was notably before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global air travel. This gap underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry in fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels of activity.

Looking at the broader picture, the first half of 2024 saw Frankfurt Airport welcoming approximately 28.8 million travelers, marking a significant 7% increase year-on-year.

This half-yearly figure, however, remains 14.5% lower than the corresponding pre-pandemic period in 2019, indicating that while recovery is underway, there’s still ground to cover.

Graphic of June performance at Frankfurt Airport

Challenges Still Prevail

Dr. Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport AG, which operates Frankfurt Airport, provided insights into the current situation.

He highlighted that despite welcoming 1.8 million more passengers in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, the airport’s performance was hampered by numerous strikes early in the year.

These labor disputes resulted in about 500,000 fewer passengers than what could have been achieved.

Nevertheless, Dr. Schulte remained optimistic about reaching the projected annual passenger volume of between 61 million and 65 million for 2024.

Slower Recovery Compared to Other Regions

A critical point raised by Dr. Schulte was the slower recovery of the German aviation market compared to other regions.

He attributed this lag to high location-specific costs imposed by regulators, which are hindering growth and competitiveness.

This situation places Germany at a disadvantage in terms of passenger recovery rates within Europe.

In contrast, Fraport’s international portfolio, particularly airports in Greece, Antalya, and Lima, have shown more dynamic recovery, even surpassing their pre-crisis levels.

Aerial view across Frankfurt Airport apron area.
Photo Credit: Frankfurt Airport

Cargo Traffic Sees Growth

On a positive note, Frankfurt Airport saw significant growth in cargo traffic, with a notable 11.4% year-on-year increase to 178,324 metric tons in June.

This growth in cargo operations suggests a robust recovery in international trade and logistics.

Additionally, aircraft movements increased by 1.5% to 39,475 takeoffs and landings. Meanwhile, the accumulated maximum takeoff weights rose by 2.3% to about 2.5 million metric tons.

Lufthansa Cargo aircraft at Frankfurt Airport.
Radosław Drożdżewski (User:Zwiadowca21), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

International Performance: A Mixed Picture

The performance of Fraport’s international portfolio presents a mixed picture. Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia and Lima Airport in Peru showed impressive growth rates of 15.3% and 16% respectively.

However, the Brazilian airports of Fortaleza and Porto Alegre experienced a significant downturn, with combined traffic plummeting by 53.8%.

This decline was largely due to the suspension of flight operations at Porto Alegre since May 3, following severe flooding in the region.

In Europe, Fraport’s 14 Greek regional airports welcomed a total of 5.3 million passengers, marking a 5.9% increase year-on-year.

A view across Frankfurt Airport at sunset.
Photo Credit: Fraport

This growth indicates a strong recovery in tourism for the Greek islands. Conversely, the Bulgarian coastal airports of Burgas and Varna saw a 12.5% decrease in traffic.

Antalya Airport on the Turkish Riviera, however, achieved a notable 8.6% gain in passenger traffic, serving around 4.9 million travelers in June 2024.

Overall, the total traffic at airports actively managed by the Fraport Group grew by 2.2% year-on-year, reaching approximately 18.9 million passengers in June 2024.

This growth, while modest, signifies a continued upward trajectory in the aviation sector’s recovery.

Summary

In conclusion, Frankfurt Airport’s performance in June 2024 reflects the complex landscape of post-pandemic air travel.

While showing signs of recovery and growth, the airport, like many others, continues to navigate challenges. These includie regulatory pressures, regional disparities in recovery rates, and the lingering effects of the global health crisis.

As the industry moves forward, adaptability and strategic management will be key to bridging the gap to pre-pandemic levels and fostering sustainable growth.

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Incident

Heraklion-Bound Discover Airlines Flight Returns to Frankfurt

by Len Varley
written by Len Varley

A Discover Airlines flight bound for Heraklion, Greece made a return to Frankfurt due to a technical issue on 5 June 2024.

Discover airlines flight 4Y1204, an Airbus A320-200 operating out of Frankfurt Main Airport reported a technical fault whilst en route over Austrian airspace.

Discover Airlines 4Y1204 Frankfurt-Heraklion

According to the online source Aviation Herald, the aircraft experienced a failure of its Integrated Standby Instrument System (ISIS).

Flight crew elected to make a precautionary return to the origin airport at Frankfurt following the system’s failure.

The aircraft subsequently landed without further issue approximately one hour after the diversion was made.

Flight Details

Flight data shows that flight 4Y1204 made an on-time departure out of Frankfurt (FRA), at 0506 local time on 5 June.

The flight then set course normally for Heraklion International Airport (HER) Crete, climbing to flight level FL370 (37,000 feet) for the south easterly route.

The flight had passed into Austrian airspace when the decision was made to initiate a return to Munich. The diversion was made at approximately 0345 UTC, and a descent and direct return track was then initiated.

The aircraft conducting the flight 4Y1204 rotation to Heraklion was an Airbus A320-200, registered D-AIUQ. This is an 8.4 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the Lufthansa Group subsidiary carrier Discover Airlines.

The aircraft is operated with the carrier since July 2022. Prior to that it is operated with the main airline Lufthansa since its initial delivery in February 2016.

ISIS System

The Integrated Standby Instrument System (ISIS) on an Airbus aircraft is an electronic instrument that acts as a backup in case the main glass cockpit instruments fail.

This allows pilots to still see critical flight information even if the primary system malfunctions.

Traditionally, these backups were separate mechanical instruments for attitude, airspeed, altitude and heading.

The ISIS combines all this information into a single electronic display. This saves space on the instrument panel and can potentially improve information integration for the pilot.

Here are some of the things typically displayed on an ISIS:

  • Attitude (artificial horizon)
  • Airspeed and Mach number
  • Altitude
  • Barometric pressure
  • Landing gear status (landing gear selection and landing gear down indication)
  • Course deviation indicator for the Instrument Landing System (ILS)

The ISIS is essential for maintaining situational awareness during a situation where the primary instruments are unavailable. This allows the pilots to safely control the aircraft and navigate until the primary systems can be restored.

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Emergency

Lufthansa Flight Frankfurt-Dublin Declares Emergency

by Len Varley
written by Len Varley

A Lufthansa flight operating between Frankfurt and Dublin has declared an emergency whilst approaching the destination.

The flight, operated by an Airbus A321-200, is continuing under squawk code 7700.

Lufthansa flight LH976 from Frankfurt has declared an emergency, squawking transponder code 7700 approaching the destination of Dublin

Lufthansa LH976 Frankfurt-Dublin

Lufthansa flight LH976 declared an emergency with transponder code 7700 whilst on the approach into Dublin this morning.

The nature of the problem prompting the emergency declaration is not yet clear.

06:45 UTC

Having declared the emergency on the descent, flight LH976 is now in the final stages of its approach into Dublin, passing through 1,000 feet.

Landed Dublin (DUB)

Lufthansa flight LH976 inbound from Frankfurt has now landed at the destination airport of Dublin (DUB). The nature of the emergency is not yet known.

Flight crew declared the emergency whilst on the descent into Dublin earlier this morning. The aircraft had passed through FL290 (29,000 feet) when the emergency was declared.

Flight Details

Flight data shows that flight LH976 made an on-time departure from Frankfurt (FRA) today at 07:07 local time.

The flight then set course normally, climbing to FL360 (36,000 feet) for the service to Dublin, Ireland.

After transiting the mainland United Kingdom, flight crew selected transponder code 7700 as it approached Ireland.

Airbus A321-200 registered D-AIDD conducted this morning’s LH976 rotation from Frankfurt.

This is a 13.3 year old narrowbody aircraft belong to the carrier Lufthansa. It has been in service with the airline since February 2011.

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British Airways Flight Ingests Bird at London City Airport
Incident

British Airways Flight Ingests Bird at London City Airport

by James Field
written by James Field

It has been revealed that a British Airways BA Cityflyer flight had suffered a bird strike at London City Airport.

Information has been released pertinent to this incident, which we will detail in this article.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

British Airways Flight BA8474 – Malaga to London City…

British Airways Flight Ingests Bird at London City Airport
Data provided by RadarBox.com.
British Airways Flight Ingests Bird at London City Airport
OliverZenglein, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

British Airways BA CityFlyer flight BA8474 is a routine scheduled flight between Malaga and London City.

The aircraft involved in this incident is registered as G-LCYR.

As per data from Planespotters.net, G-LCYR is a 11.9 year old Embraer E190 that was delivered to the airline in August 2012.

Of the E190 variant, British Airways BA CityFlyer has 20 in the fleet.

Furthermore, of that 20, all but two are in active service, with an average fleet age of 12.6 years.

BA8474 departed Malaga at 1235 local time on May 26 and tracked northbound towards London City Airport.

Furthermore, the aircraft landed safely without further incident at 1509 local time.

Reporting from The Aviation Herald notes that the bird strike wasn’t noticed until the turnaround for the next sector to Amsterdam.

Furthermore, passengers had already boarded the aircraft when the discovery was made.

It was then decided that the passengers be disembarked and the flight cancelled due to this bird strike.

It is unclear whether the bird strike happened in London City or Malaga.

Aircraft Grounded Overnight…

Alf van Beem, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Data from RadarBox shows that G-LCYR, the British Airways BA CityFlyer E190 was grounded in London City following this bird strike.

The aircraft, which came from Malaga, eventually re-entered service on May 27 and operated the run to Ibiza.

Since then, no additional issues have been identified with the aircraft.

With everything in normal order, the airline considered the incident closed and solved.

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View of a Vistara 787 from terminal window
Travel

Trip Report: Vistara 787 Frankfurt-Bengaluru via Delhi

by AviationSource
written by AviationSource

After having flown with Air France on my last leg from Bengaluru to Berlin with Air France, I was left somewhat unsatisfied. Hence, I decided that I would try Indian carrier this time.

I had to fly to Bengaluru and Vistara was offering a better price compared to other airlines. However, Vistara only flies from Frankfurt, so I decided to catch a train from Berlin and fly with them.

So here is my trip report of flying with Vistara on their International service

Vistara: Frankfurt to Bengaluru via Delhi

Flight Details

  • Flight Number – UK 26 (FRA-DEL), UK 819 (DEL-BLR)
  • Departure Airport – Frankfurt International Airport (Frankfurt)
  • Arrival Airport –Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru) via Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi).
  • Registration – VT-TSH , 3.5 Years old and  VT-TNI, 6.2 years old during the time of flight.
  • Aircraft Type –Boeing 787-900 & Airbus A320neo.

Pre-Check-in Experience

I was able to pre-select my seats without paying anything extra – the Boeing 787-9 comes in 3- 3 -3 configuration whereas the A320neo comes in 3-3 configuration.

The application was very user friendly and easy to navigate. I was now all set to start new journey!

Arrival at Frankfurt Airport

I reside in Berlin, which is almost 4:45 hours away from Frankfurt International Airport. So, the simplest way for me was booking a train which runs between Berlin Central station and Frankfurt airport.

Once I arrived at the airport railway station, I had a long and very uncomfortable walk to the International Terminal.

The thing that I hated the most was that I had to go to different levels at the airportIt was a mix of escalators and lift, and I was carrying two suitcases with me. This made the entire 20 minute walk a big task.

Check-in at Frankfurt Airport

I headed towards my check-in, where I found out that there were two Vistara flights departing at almost the same time.

However, the number of counters for check-in was surpisingly less, which made the wait time for check-in longer.

Security Check at Frankfurt Airport

Immigration in most of the airports in Europe has always been a bad experience. Typically, there is a huge crowd of people waiting to clear immigration and only 1-2 counters open at any given point of time.

It took me nearly 40 minutes to clear immigration. The security check at Frankfurt airport was not as bad as immigration and the officers were very friendly.

Lounge at Frankfurt International Airport

I had pre-purchased lounge servcie from Vistara while I was making reservations for my flgiht and paid around Rs. 2,750.

I was not expecting much, but nonetheless, the lounge was a rather disappointing experience.

In my honest opinion it would best for the pasesngers to buy something from the outlets present at the airport than to spend money to access the lounge!

The only bright side of buying a lounge was I got a comfortable seat to rest before my flgiht. The food choices was very limited, in fact there was only rice and gravy for main course and 1 vegetarian starers and one non-vegetarian starter.

Boarding Experience

I thought that now that I have cleared most of the hurdles from here on it would be a comfortable expereince, but oh boy was I wrong!

Vistara has two of its flight to India boarding at the same time – flights to Mumbai and Delhi. All the passengers waiting to board these flights were asked to line up.

After checking documents passngers were made to sit in a rather small and congested area to wait for their flight to start boarding.

It was definitely a weird experience for me, and when more passengers arrived into the area, there were hardly any seats left for them to sit!

Though the temperature outside was very cold, I still felt like I was sweating because of the small space and too many people around.

This has to be by far the worst boarding experience to date. After an hour or so, the boarding actaully began and I just wanted to get to my seat.

The Seat

Vistara’s Boeing 787 comes in three class configuration which consist of Business class, Premium Economy, and Economy.

The economy class comes in 3-3-3 configuration, the seat looked fresh and there was a pillow and bedsheet waiting, alongside a not so good quality earphone!

The leg room was quite good for a 9-hour flight – my height is 5’11” and I did not face any discomfort during the duration of the flight.

The adjustable headrest was working fine, and the entertainment system had a good response with no lag!

The IFE of Vistara had a good selection of Hollywood and Bollywood movies along with some famous series.

Vistara is the first Indian airline which has in flgiht Wi-Fi and it worked perfectly fine. Wi-Fi was complimentary for Club Vistara members (only to send messages)

In-flight Service

Soon after take-off crew started snacks and drinks service; they had good and vast choices of alcholic beverages.

Soon after the beverage service they started with the dinner service, which was surprising considering the food trauma I experienced on my Air France flight. The food was so delicious and filling.

After this service, the lights were turned down for the passengers to settle in and sleep. The earphones were of poor quality, andeven on the highest volume one could still not get the audio output properly.

There was a snack service kept at the galley for passengers who wanted to grab a quick bite, and they had some veg and non-veg sandwich options along with some chocolates and choices of beverages.

The next breakfast service was again filled with great and tasty food! Overall in terms of service in-flight Vistara was outstanding.

Arrival in Delhi

We arrived in Delhi on time and the immigration was a breeze as we had so many counters open which helped passngers clear within minutes.

The real hassle was again at the check-in counter for my next flight to Bengaluru from Delhi.

In India any passenger arriving from Indian destination has to collect their checked-in baggage and clear the immigration after which they have to check-in again. There was only one counter open and more than 100-150 passengers.

Conclusion

Following my flight to Bengaluru, my honest opinion, as I have always said in my any reviews of Vistara: “They have a great hard product! Their in-flight service is best, and their food is amazing!”

The only thing they have to fix is their ground experience which has never been great for me especially in Delhi airport.

I have always found it to be mismanaged and rather chaotic experience. I would prefer Vistara over Air France any day for my travel abroad!

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Emergency

Lufthansa A340 Chennai-Frankfurt Declares Emergency

by Len Varley
written by Len Varley

A Lufthansa flight operating from Chennai, India to Frankfurt declared an emergency and diverted earlier this morning 30 April 2024.

Lufthansa flight LH759, an Airbus A340 en route from Chennai international airport declared an emergency with squawk code 7700 before diverting to nearby Kuwait.

Lufthansa LH759 Chennai-Frankfurt

The flight was in the cruise at flight level FL350 approaching Baghdad when it declared the emergency. Flight crew then backtracked for a diversion into Kuwait City (KWI).

The reason for the emergency declaration prompting the unscheduled diversion is unclear.

Flight data shows that flight LH759 made a departure out of Chennai international airport (MAA) at 0217 local time.

The flight set course normally for the route to Germany, climbing to a cruising altitude of flight level FL340 (34,000 feet).

Diversion to Kuwait City

Transponder code 7700 was squawked at 0154 UTC. Flight crew initiated a turnaround and a descent into the diversion airport Kuwait City (KWI).

The aircraft conducting today’s LH759 service to Frankfurt am Main International Airport (FRA) is an Airbus A340-300, registered D-AIGY.

This is a 24-year-old wide-body aircraft belonging to the German national carrier Lufthansa. The aircraft has been in service with Lufthansa Group since its delivery in June 2000.

Onwards Flight to Frankfurt

Following its diversion into Kuwait City earlier this morning, Lufthansa flight LH759 has continued en route to the destination Frankfurt.

The continuation of the flight service is being conducted by the aircraft D-AIGY, and is expected into Frankfurt at 1136 local time.

Whilst the nature of the emergency remains unclear, flights will typically declare a formal emergency to expedite a diversion in events such as onboard medical issues.

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Vancouver International Airport at dusk.
Airport

Vancouver YVR Reclaims Title of ‘Best Airport in North America’

by Len Varley
written by Len Varley

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has reclaimed the coveted title of Best Airport in North America. The recognition was awarded this week at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards held in Frankfurt, Germany.

Skytrax, widely recognized as the gold standard in airport evaluations, bases its rankings on the votes of over 13 million air travelers worldwide.

14th Title Award for YVR

YVR’s triumph marks its 14th time receiving this top honor, a testament to the airport’s unwavering commitment to passenger experience.

Since 2021, when it last held the title, YVR has navigated the challenges of the global pandemic with a clear vision. Their focus on strategic initiatives has benefitted travelers, the local community, and the airport’s supporting economy.

Alejandro Erickson, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO of Vancouver International Airport provided comment on the recent title award.

“Regaining this recognition as North America’s Best Airport is a direct result of the dedication and tireless efforts of our entire YVR team.”

“This award belongs to everyone who contributes to YVR’s success. From the welcoming faces greeting passengers at arrival to the security personnel ensuring a safe environment.”

“The cargo and baggage handlers keeping operations smooth, and the cleaning and maintenance staff who provide a spotless facility.”

“Our 26,000 employees come to work each day with a shared sense of purpose, and their hard work deserves immense credit.”

A crowd of passengers at Vancouver International Airport
Photo Credit: Vancouver International Airport

2023: Nearly 25 Million Passengers

In 2023, YVR facilitated travel for 24.9 million passengers. This period also saw the implementation of numerous operational improvements.

YVR prioritized collaboration with airlines and government entities to enhance travel efficiency and predictability.

Accessibility programs were a key focus, with initiatives like the new Curbside Greeting service and the addition of sign language displays at all departure gates catering to the diverse needs of travelers and staff alike.

Skytrax Awards

The Skytrax World Airport Awards hold immense weight in the aviation industry. The annual survey, the largest of its kind, gathers feedback from air travelers on their experiences across more than 550 airports worldwide.

Conducted independently and free from airport influence, the survey assesses various aspects of the customer journey, encompassing all areas of airport services and facilities.

YVR’s reign as North America’s Best Airport remains unmatched, solidifying its position as a leader in the region.

About YVR

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a major airport serving Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Second busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic.
  • Awarded “Best Airport in North America” 14 times at the Skytrax World Airport Awards.
  • Offers connections to numerous destinations worldwide, particularly strong links to Asia due to its westerly location.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is now a global hub for the movement of people, cargo, data, and ideas.

It serves as a vital platform for fostering connections and growth within the local community. YVR prioritizes supporting regional economic development and creating a positive impact on the lives of British Columbians.

Digital innovation, environmental responsibility, reconciliation efforts, and financial sustainability are at the core of their mission to serve passengers, partners, employees, and the broader community.

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