Taser stops armed man at Gatwick
"A man who was spotted carrying a handgun has been shot with a Taser stun gun by police at Gatwick Airport."
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Communist plane becomes luxury hotel
"A plane which was used by the leaders of communist East Germany, including Erich Honecker, is back in service - but not in the air.
A Dutch businessman bought the ageing Ilyushin aircraft and has turned it into a luxury hotel in Holland."
More pain for debt-hit BAA as travellers cut back on flying
"Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports owner BAA slumped to a loss of £545 million in the first six months of the year, as recession-hit travellers cut back on trips and its pension fund deficit ballooned."
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Mobile gadgets threaten in-flight entertainment
"Airlines around the world now spend millions of dollars annually upgrading their inflight entertainment systems, but iPods and other mobile entertainment gadgets could render all that useless.
Besides bland airline food, one other certainty for most long-haul travelers flying in economy class has always been time passed with movies and games on a minuscule 5-inch screen provided by the airline.
However, with USB ports and a power socket increasingly common even for economy class passengers on carriers such as Singapore Airlines Ltd and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, the concept of in-flight entertainment could change. "
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Besides bland airline food, one other certainty for most long-haul travelers flying in economy class has always been time passed with movies and games on a minuscule 5-inch screen provided by the airline.
However, with USB ports and a power socket increasingly common even for economy class passengers on carriers such as Singapore Airlines Ltd and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, the concept of in-flight entertainment could change. "
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America’s Best & Worst Airlines 2009
"An airline’s on-time performance can make or break your trip. Here are the best and worst performers for 2009."
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Out with Central Park, in with an airport
Quite amusing.. a group called The Manhattan Airport Foundation want to replace "underutilized" Central Park with an international airport.
Cyprus market at risk from unsold houses
"The ever increasing number of unsold apartments and houses in Cyprus is placing a heavy financial burden on the developers. As well as having to service their mortgages, developers have to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of their unsold properties.
.. THE SHARP drop in the demand for property in Cyprus has pushed the number of unsold apartments and houses up considerably, with some developers now offering discounts of up to 30% fearing that the situation will worsen in the coming months."
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.. THE SHARP drop in the demand for property in Cyprus has pushed the number of unsold apartments and houses up considerably, with some developers now offering discounts of up to 30% fearing that the situation will worsen in the coming months."
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Ryanair reduces Stansted flights
"Budget airline Ryanair has announced a significant reduction in its services at Stansted Airport.
Ryanair will reduce the number of aircraft it runs at the airport by 40% in its winter schedule, and will cut the number of flights by 30%, it said. "
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Ryanair will reduce the number of aircraft it runs at the airport by 40% in its winter schedule, and will cut the number of flights by 30%, it said. "
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Teenager wings it with a fake airline
"A TEENAGE boy from Yorkshire succeeded in persuading British aviation executives that he was a tycoon about to launch his own airline. Using the pseudonym Adam Tait, the smooth-talking 17-year-old told airport and airline executives that he had a fleet of jets.
Tait, who said he was in his twenties, even flew to Jersey to attend a 1½-hour long meeting with the director of its airport. Their talks were considered promising enough for a further meeting to be arranged, which was due to be held next week.
Other air industry bosses found themselves dealing by telephone or e-mail with Tait’s fellow executives, David Rich and Anita Dash, who proposed to launch a cut-price Channel Islands-based airline servicing most of Europe.
What no one realised was that Tait, Rich and Dash were all the same person: an aircraft buff with the gift of the gab and an overactive imagination. "
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Tait, who said he was in his twenties, even flew to Jersey to attend a 1½-hour long meeting with the director of its airport. Their talks were considered promising enough for a further meeting to be arranged, which was due to be held next week.
Other air industry bosses found themselves dealing by telephone or e-mail with Tait’s fellow executives, David Rich and Anita Dash, who proposed to launch a cut-price Channel Islands-based airline servicing most of Europe.
What no one realised was that Tait, Rich and Dash were all the same person: an aircraft buff with the gift of the gab and an overactive imagination. "
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Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam
"Bangkok's showcase new international airport is no stranger to controversy.
Built between 2002 and 2006, under the governments of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the opening date was repeatedly delayed.
It has been dogged by allegations of corruption, as well as criticism of the design and poor quality of construction.
Then, at the end of last year, the airport was shut down for a week after being occupied by anti-government protesters.
Now new allegations have been made that a number of passengers are being detained every month in the duty free area on suspicion of shoplifting, and then held by the police until they pay large sums of money to buy their freedom."
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Built between 2002 and 2006, under the governments of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the opening date was repeatedly delayed.
It has been dogged by allegations of corruption, as well as criticism of the design and poor quality of construction.
Then, at the end of last year, the airport was shut down for a week after being occupied by anti-government protesters.
Now new allegations have been made that a number of passengers are being detained every month in the duty free area on suspicion of shoplifting, and then held by the police until they pay large sums of money to buy their freedom."
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World's Shortest Scheduled Flight
What is probably the world's shortest scheduled flight is operated by Loganair and takes just two minutes...
No takers after Gatwick is forced to put itself on sale
"THE future of Gatwick has turned from the uncertain to the farcical after the forced sale of London's second airport was derailed by news that no one wants to buy it.
Gatwick has been put up for sale after the Competition Commission ruled that BAA's monopoly ownership of it, Heathrow and Stansted is giving consumers a raw deal.
However, an auction process kicked off by BAA and its Spanish owner Ferrovial appears to have fallen apart with the withdrawal from the process of the Manchester Airport Group."
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Gatwick has been put up for sale after the Competition Commission ruled that BAA's monopoly ownership of it, Heathrow and Stansted is giving consumers a raw deal.
However, an auction process kicked off by BAA and its Spanish owner Ferrovial appears to have fallen apart with the withdrawal from the process of the Manchester Airport Group."
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German plane drops out of sky
"A double-decker sports plane has crashed into a car after plunging from the air. The pilot was performing aerial acrobatic manoeuvres and struck the family car, which was parked on a road near the airfield."
Watch...
Watch...
Airport Expansion: East vs West
"By chance or design, two reports released today (13/7) advocate, respectively, the building of a new island airport and the expansion of Heathrow."
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Cyprus slips to seventh place
"The popularity of Cyprus amongst those searching for overseas property slipped two places last month moving it behind Turkey and Italy in the list of the top 10 overseas property searches on the PropertyAbroad.com website."
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Passenger numbers dive at BAA airports
"The number of travellers using major UK airports declined to its lowest level for nine months in June, BAA said today.
The airport operator said a total of 12.7m passengers passed through its airports last month, a reduction of 5.9% on the same period last year.
But the firm, which saw a 7.3% fall in May, said this was the best underlying figure since last September.
BAA had posted a 2.3% decline in passenger numbers in April but this rose to 6.8% when the effect of a late Easter was stripped out.
Heathrow recorded a comparatively modest fall of 3.1% because of its large number of transfer flights.
Stansted, the base for several low-cost carriers including Ryanair and easyJet, was the worst affected airport, falling 11.5%."
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The airport operator said a total of 12.7m passengers passed through its airports last month, a reduction of 5.9% on the same period last year.
But the firm, which saw a 7.3% fall in May, said this was the best underlying figure since last September.
BAA had posted a 2.3% decline in passenger numbers in April but this rose to 6.8% when the effect of a late Easter was stripped out.
Heathrow recorded a comparatively modest fall of 3.1% because of its large number of transfer flights.
Stansted, the base for several low-cost carriers including Ryanair and easyJet, was the worst affected airport, falling 11.5%."
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BA evacuates fume-filled US jet
"Hundreds of people have been evacuated from a plane in the US state of Arizona after the cabin filled with fumes, the Associated Press has reported.
The British Airways plane was due to depart for London from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. "
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The British Airways plane was due to depart for London from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. "
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European airlines see no signs of recovery
* Cargo slump continues, Lufthansa says
* Air France-KLM braces for possible temporary lay-offs
* Frankfurt airport slightly more optimistic on 2009
* New Iberia chairman seen boosting BA merger prospects
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* Air France-KLM braces for possible temporary lay-offs
* Frankfurt airport slightly more optimistic on 2009
* New Iberia chairman seen boosting BA merger prospects
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Cut Heathrow 'stacking', say MPs
"The government must reduce the number of planes that are allowed to "stack" over Heathrow Airport, MPs have said.
A report by the Commons Transport Committee says stacking - where planes queue up to land - needs to be cut if a third runway is to be built."
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A report by the Commons Transport Committee says stacking - where planes queue up to land - needs to be cut if a third runway is to be built."
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World's funniest airport names...
The weirdest:
1. Batman Airport (BAL) Turkey
2. Useless Loop Airport (USL), Australia
3. Black Tickle Airport (YBI), Canada
4. Beaver Creek Airport (YXP), Canada
5. Moron Airport (OZP), Spain
6. Ogle Airport (OGL), Guyana
8. Eek Airport (EEK), USA
9. Pickle Lake Airport (YPJ), Canada
10. Deadhorse Airport (SCC), USA
The rudest (warning - language may offend):
1. Fukui Airport (FKJ), Japan
2. Pratt Airport (PTT), USA
3. Ponce Airport (PSE), Puerto Rico
4. Fort Dix Airport (WRI), USA
5. Gaylord Airport (GLR), USA
6. Fak Fak Airport (FKQ), Indonesia
7. Brest Airport (BES), France
8. Dang Airport (DNP), Nepal
9. Shafter Airport (MIT), USA
10. Big Bell Airport (BBE), Australia
The scariest...
1. Mafia Airport (MFA), Tanzania
2. Slave Lake Airport (YZH), Canada
3. Asbestos Hill Airport (YAF), Canada
4. Desolation Sound Airport (YDS) Canada
5. Crooked Island Airport (CRI), Canada
6. Deception Airport (YGY), Canada
7. Battle Mountain Airport (BAM), USA
8. Rifle Airport (IRD), USA
9. Cue Airport (CWT), Australia
10. Danger Bay Airport (DGB), USA
And finally, a little fun with IATA Airport Codes:
1. DIK – Dickinson Airport, USA
2. NOB – Nosara Beach Airport, Costa Rica
3. KOK – Kokkola/Pietarsaari Kruunupyy Airport, Finland
4. BOG – Bogotá Airport, Columbia
5. BUM – Butler Airport, USA
6. PEE – Perm Airport, Russia
7. POO – Pocos De Caldas Airport, Brazil
8. SEX – Sembach Airport, Germany
9. FAT – Fresno Yosemite Airport, USA
10. DOH – Doha Airport, Qatar
1. Batman Airport (BAL) Turkey
2. Useless Loop Airport (USL), Australia
3. Black Tickle Airport (YBI), Canada
4. Beaver Creek Airport (YXP), Canada
5. Moron Airport (OZP), Spain
6. Ogle Airport (OGL), Guyana
8. Eek Airport (EEK), USA
9. Pickle Lake Airport (YPJ), Canada
10. Deadhorse Airport (SCC), USA
The rudest (warning - language may offend):
1. Fukui Airport (FKJ), Japan
2. Pratt Airport (PTT), USA
3. Ponce Airport (PSE), Puerto Rico
4. Fort Dix Airport (WRI), USA
5. Gaylord Airport (GLR), USA
6. Fak Fak Airport (FKQ), Indonesia
7. Brest Airport (BES), France
8. Dang Airport (DNP), Nepal
9. Shafter Airport (MIT), USA
10. Big Bell Airport (BBE), Australia
The scariest...
1. Mafia Airport (MFA), Tanzania
2. Slave Lake Airport (YZH), Canada
3. Asbestos Hill Airport (YAF), Canada
4. Desolation Sound Airport (YDS) Canada
5. Crooked Island Airport (CRI), Canada
6. Deception Airport (YGY), Canada
7. Battle Mountain Airport (BAM), USA
8. Rifle Airport (IRD), USA
9. Cue Airport (CWT), Australia
10. Danger Bay Airport (DGB), USA
And finally, a little fun with IATA Airport Codes:
1. DIK – Dickinson Airport, USA
2. NOB – Nosara Beach Airport, Costa Rica
3. KOK – Kokkola/Pietarsaari Kruunupyy Airport, Finland
4. BOG – Bogotá Airport, Columbia
5. BUM – Butler Airport, USA
6. PEE – Perm Airport, Russia
7. POO – Pocos De Caldas Airport, Brazil
8. SEX – Sembach Airport, Germany
9. FAT – Fresno Yosemite Airport, USA
10. DOH – Doha Airport, Qatar
Crawling turtles close down runway at JFK airport
"A runway at John F Kennedy International Airport was shut down briefly yesterday morning after at least 78 turtles emerged from a nearby bay and crawled onto the tarmac."
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United Airlines Breaks Guitars
United Airlines broke this guy’s guitar and he wrote a funny song about it (warning: it goes on a bit!)
Ice falls from plane and hits man
"A Bristol man has described how he was hit by a block of ice which fell from an aeroplane as he sat in his garden.
David Gammon lives under the flight path for Bristol International Airport.
He said: "We heard a plane going overhead and then a whistling sound and all of a sudden a piece of ice the size of a grapefruit fell on my thigh."
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David Gammon lives under the flight path for Bristol International Airport.
He said: "We heard a plane going overhead and then a whistling sound and all of a sudden a piece of ice the size of a grapefruit fell on my thigh."
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Passenger fixes faulty airliner
"Holidaymakers avoided a long delay to their flight home when a passenger fixed a mechanical problem with their plane.
Passengers on Thomas Cook flight TCX9641 from Menorca were told to expect an eight-hour wait while an engineer was flown out from the UK.
One passenger then identified himself as a qualified aircraft engineer and offered to try to remedy the fault.
He was successful, and the plane landed in Glasgow only 35 minutes late."
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Passengers on Thomas Cook flight TCX9641 from Menorca were told to expect an eight-hour wait while an engineer was flown out from the UK.
One passenger then identified himself as a qualified aircraft engineer and offered to try to remedy the fault.
He was successful, and the plane landed in Glasgow only 35 minutes late."
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Airplane toilet gobbles a whole roll of toilet paper
Behold the awesome suction power of the airplane toilet, capable of slurping up an entire roll of toilet paper in one go.
Nepal bans airline staff pockets
"Staff at Nepal's main international airport are to be issued with trousers without pockets, in an attempt to wipe out rampant bribe-taking.
The country's anti-corruption body said there had been growing complaints about staff at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport. "
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The country's anti-corruption body said there had been growing complaints about staff at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport. "
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New Planes Will Have Air Bags
"At one time, airline safety generally meant one thing: avoiding a crash. But safety regulators are increasingly focusing on surviving one.
Starting this fall, all new airplanes will be required to have seats that will stay in place when subjected to stresses up to 16 times the force of gravity. The old seats had to meet stresses of only nine times the force of gravity. And, in a safety measure borrowed from automobiles, some seats will be equipped with air bags.
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Starting this fall, all new airplanes will be required to have seats that will stay in place when subjected to stresses up to 16 times the force of gravity. The old seats had to meet stresses of only nine times the force of gravity. And, in a safety measure borrowed from automobiles, some seats will be equipped with air bags.
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