Aviation News: Air France’s Cadet Revolution, GNSS Jamming Drills, and Amazon’s Drone Leap

Aviation News Headlines
- Amazon's FAA BVLOS Approval for Drone Expansion
- Emirates' Challenges During Dubai Floods
- United Airlines Deep Cleaning After Passenger Illness
- Air India Express Smuggling Incident
- United Airlines Diverts Due to Passenger Disruption
- French Air and Space Force GNSS Jamming Exercise
- Qatar Airways to Announce Major Aircraft Order
- Air France Opens New Cadet Pilot Program
- Yakstars Pilot Dies at Beja Air Show
- Dubai International Airport Passenger Record
- IATA's Willie Walsh on Aviation Growth and Emissions
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Aviation News Summary:
Amazon Prime Air received FAA approval for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, enabling expansion in College Station, Texas. The new permissions allow remote pilots to oversee drones with onboard detect-and-avoid systems. Amazon aims to deliver 500 million packages annually by drone, competing with Wing and Zipline. Expansion plans include Arizona, the UK, and Italy.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark described the April floods in Dubai as "like being under attack," admitting the airline needs to be more dynamic in future extreme weather. At the IATA meeting, he highlighted Emirates' struggles, including 400 canceled flights. Clark also emphasized the importance of seatbelt use after a fatal turbulence event on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321.
United Airlines removed a plane for deep cleaning after up to 30 passengers fell ill on a flight from Vancouver to Houston. The sick passengers were part of a group returning from a cruise in British Columbia. The CDC is investigating norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, including the Celebrity Summit. No hospitalizations occurred, but two subsequent flights were canceled.
Air India Express flight attendant Surabhi Khatun, 26, was arrested in Kerala for attempting to smuggle nearly a kilogram of gold hidden in her rectum on a flight from Muscat, Oman. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence nabbed Khatun in a sting operation at Kannur Airport. Gold smuggling is rampant in India due to high import taxes and demand for cheap gold.
United Airlines flight UA998, a Boeing 787-10 from Brussels to Newark, diverted to Dublin due to an onboard passenger disruption. Initially, no formal emergency was declared. Upon landing, the HSE Infectious Disease Unit attended the flight due to a suspected infectious disease. The aircraft remains at a remote stand with passengers onboard for further tests.
The French Air and Space Force will conduct GNSS jamming during the Black Crow 24 exercise from May 27 to June 7, 2024, to train crews for disrupted GPS environments. The jamming, affecting areas in the Puy-de-Dôme region, will occur 2-3 hours daily. Notable impacts include Finnair suspending flights to Tartu, Estonia, due to GPS interference.
Qatar Airways is expected to announce an order for about 200 widebody aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow 2024. The order will likely include both Airbus A350s and Boeing 777Xs. This marks a significant development after resolving a dispute with Airbus and amidst Boeing's recent challenges. CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer expressed confidence in both manufacturers.
Air France has opened a new cadet pilot program for applicants of all ages and experience levels. Selected candidates undergo a 24-month training course, fully supported by Air France and partner schools, qualifying them to fly Airbus A220s, A320s, or Boeing 737s for Air France and Transavia. The campaign, promoting diversity and gender equality, runs until July 15, 2024.
A Yakstars aerobatic team pilot died on June 2, 2024, after colliding with a teammate at the Beja Air Show in Portugal. The crash occurred during a formation flight, witnessed by thousands. The deceased was a Spanish national, while the other pilot, a Portuguese national, survived with minor injuries. The incident is under investigation by GPIAAF.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) expects to break records in 2024 with 91 million passengers, driven by Emirates and flydubai network expansions. In Q1 2024, DXB saw 23 million passengers, an 8.4% increase year-on-year. CEO Paul Griffiths highlights DXB's crucial role in Dubai's economy, connecting to 256 destinations in 102 countries through 90 carriers.
Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, rejects limiting airline growth for emission reduction, calling it a European-centric view. Instead, he advocates for decarbonizing the industry with cleaner fuel, hydrogen aircraft, and electrification. Walsh highlights significant aviation growth in India and potential economic benefits for Africa, emphasizing a global focus on reducing the carbon footprint without stifling growth.

[@streammlock09]

Enjoying the multiple episodes a week

[@MichaelRWright]

I've also never gone on a proper cruise on a huge cruise ship; and I've never shoved a kilo of gold up my "anything."