Jet evacuated in Glasgow runway emergency

• Jet Evacuated In Glasgow Runway Emergency

Some of the 189 passengers on board Jet2 aircraft spoke of their terror as smoke filled the cabin just before take-off and their plane was brought to a shuddering halt on the runway at Glasgow Airport, according to SkyNews.

They said the pilot of the aircraft bound for Alicante, Spain, slammed on the brakes before they were evacuated from the plane using inflatable chutes.
The incident happened on a 737 plane destined at about 7.40am.
Strathclyde Police said five people were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and a further 15 were treated at the scene. No one was seriously injured, it is understood.
Passenger Jean Walker said some people had to jump from the aircraft wing to the ground.
She said: "It was terrifying. We were about to take off and the plane started shuddering and there were lights flashing and smoke and the crew started shouting 'Get out, get out'.
"We were sitting at the wing and the girl opened the door and we went out on the wing, but there wasn't a chute there.
"There were about eight or 10 of us on the wing and I was saying people couldn't come out because there was no chute.
"Two girls jumped off the wing on to the ground. They were OK.
"Other people got hurt coming down the chutes - they were inflated, but the hostesses were just shouting 'Jump, jump' and people were just banging into each other at the bottom, and about four people were taken to hospital."
Her husband Gordon Walker said: "You better believe it was terrifying.
"The stewardesses were panicking and shouting (at) people to go one way, then the other. It all happened really quick and I've never seen anything like it."
Glasgow Airport said flights were suspended until 10am but the runway has since reopened.
Six inbound flights were diverted and 19 others were cancelled or delayed.
Earlier this month, around 60 passengers had to evacuate a Thomas Cook plane by emergency chutes when the cabin filled with smoke after landing at Glasgow.
The flight from Dalaman, Turkey, touched down on October 11 as normal and was on the stand when the incident happened.

Foreign Airlines showcase at AKWAABA

                    

Foreign Airlines are all planning to showcase at the only international travel exhibition in West Africa, Akwaaba African Travel Market from the 22nd of October till the 24th at Eko Hotel Expo centre.

The Director General of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr Ikechi Uko said that, 'these airlines will be offering destinations, special fares and loyalty programs to travelers and travel agents. Delta, Air Namibia and Rwandair are newcomers to Akwaaba while Qatar and Egyptair will be returning to the global fair this year joining BA, South African Airlines, Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines. These airlines will be joined by the new Gambian Airline, The Gambian Bird and will be offering tickets as raffles to visitors to their stands.

According to him, 'this is as the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) is coming in as a partner to Akwaaba African Travel Market 2012 as a way of reaching out to the West Africa region in the areas of training.'

NCAT was recently rated by IATA as the best Aviation Training School in Africa and has seen tremendous growth in its services over the past 12months under the leadership of the first lady pilot in Nigeria, Capt Chinyere Kalu.

Akwaaba African Travel Market at its 8th edition is the only event in West Africa that brings together travel professionals from many countries, bringing together Airlines, Hotels, Resorts, Tourism Boards, National Parks, Destination Marketers, Travel and Tour operators under one roof for 3days.It will be taking place at Eko hotel and suites from the 22nd to the 24th of October 2012   

Airport agency hails govt on tariffs’ waiver on aircraft spares

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has welcomed the inclusion of zero tariffs on aircraft spare parts in the 2013 budget by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

A statement from the agency signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Yakubu Dati, said the step, ‘is a further confirmation of the Federal Government’s commitment towards transforming the aviation sector.’

‘We recall with delight that the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah made a case for the lifting of the tariff duty as part of an overall effort towards transforming the aviation sector. Her dogged determination and consistent pursuit of the aviation road-map is indeed yielding result already as evident in the remodeling of 11 airports across the nation,’ it said.

According to the statement, ‘when the minister met with airline industry players, she promised to pursue the issues bedeviling the airline industry, especially the cost of importation of spare parts which is a major component of the operational cost.

‘The Managing Director, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi believes that this action will turn around the industry and make aviation attractive to the much needed foreign investment. He said the ongoing remodeling exercise has already created a platform for the takeoff of Nigeria as a major hub in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.

‘Uriesi noted that the FG’s action has indeed inspired enthusiasm in the international investors who had indicated strong interest in doing business with the Nigeria aviation industry during the Minister’s recent road show. He expressed hope that the airlines will take advantage of this gesture, so that not only will it improve the economy but the benefit will trickle down to the travelling public in terms of cheaper transportation,’ said the statement.

Large amount of newly designed $100 bills stolen at Philadephia International Airport

The FBI has reported an unusual heist of some newly designed $100 bills that are not going into circulation until next year, according to Huffington Post.

FBI Agent Frank Burton Jr. said the cash was stolen from a plane that arrived at Philadelphia International Airport around 10:25 a.m. Thursday from Dallas.

Investigators said these Benjamins are easy to spot. The new bills have sophisticated elements to thwart counterfeiters, like a disappearing Liberty Bell in an orange inkwell and a bright blue security ribbon.

The FBI said a "large amount" of bills were stolen, but agents are not giving specifics.

The theft was reported by a courier service transporting the C-notes when the shipment arrived Thursday afternoon at the Federal Reserve Building in East Rutherford, N.J. Officials then discovered some of the money was missing.

Business Travel is a blogger

Thursday October 11, 2012, I was discussing my book, 80 Years of Aviation in Nigeria, and aviation issues with a friend and brother, Roy Goins, who had just finished reading the book and also he wanted to read my blog on aviation issues. I told him he can read it is on nigeriadebateblogspot.com. But after some explanations which were not convincing, even to me, for him to read my aviation issues on nigeriadebateblogspot.com, I thought on commenting on the issues through other site.  Roy is an American and lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Again while checking my mails on Friday October 12, 2012, my assistant in Lagos, Nigeria, Ariyo Akinfenwa, wanted to know when we will be resuming the publication of Business Travel magazine and my instinct was ‘Why?’  Truly, I do not wish to print or continue to print Business Travel magazine very soon. I did it for 11years and my evaluation of it is that the aviation industry, as presently composed in Nigeria, is really small to appreciate and sustain a publication such as ours, especially the weekly publication. Therefore, for economic reasons, I will not be printing Business Travel magazine, monthly or weekly, in the immediate. I may be tempted to do some SPECIAL edition. This does not affect our Business Travel Quarterly Flight Information Guide.

However, as a professional aviation communicator and analyst, I will always get my thoughts through on aviation issues and today I humbly announce the birth of the Business Travel magazine blog which spells ‘biznesstravelsblogspot.com’. I wish to run a commentary on aviation issues from relevant environments and look forward to contributions from all. It will be an open blog to every side of the aisle.