Aviation2Day

  The Real Dangers of Turbulence (And Why It's Not What You Think) For many air travelers, it’s a familiar and deeply unwelcome sensation, the sudden jolt, the shuddering of the cabin, and the tightening grip on the armrest as the plane encounters unexpected turbulence. That feeling of anxiety, of being suspended thousands of feet in the air with no control, is a universal experience. It’s a fear rooted in the dramatic, often-inaccurate portrayal of flying in movies and media. While this apprehension is common, it is largely based on fundamental misunderstandings of what turbulence actually is and what it means for the aircraft. Modern aviation is a marvel of engineering and procedure, designed around the predictable physics of the atmosphere. The forces that feel so alarming from your seat are, in fact, well-understood and routinely managed aspects of flight. This article will reveal several surprising and counter-intuitive facts about turbulence that will change how you think abo...

ICAO Assembly Elects New Council Member States Montréal, The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has announced the results of elections for Part I and Part II of its Council at the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly. The newly elected States will serve a three-year term on the 36-member governing body of the UN aviation agency. Part I – States of Chief Importance in Air Transport The following ten countries, recognized for their leading role in global air transport, secured seats under Part I: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Part II – States Contributing to International Air Navigation Twelve additional seats were filled under Part II, which recognizes countries making significant contributions to the provision of international civil air navigation facilities: Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland. Part...

FAA Proposes $3.1 Million in Fines Against Boeing  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed civil penalties totaling $3,139,319 against The Boeing Company for multiple safety violations tied to its 737 production line. The fines stem from issues that occurred between September 2023 and February 2024, including events connected to the January 5, 2024, 737 MAX door plug blowout and interference with FAA safety oversight. Quality System Failures The FAA said it found “hundreds of quality system violations” at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at Spirit AeroSystems’ 737 facility in Wichita, Kansas. According to the agency, Boeing failed to comply with its mandated quality control system and even presented two aircraft as airworthy when they were not in conformity with FAA standards. “These lapses undermine the integrity of the aviation safety system,” the FAA said, noting that it exercised its maximum statutory civil penalty authority in the case. Pres...

Spirit Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection September 11, 2025 — Spirit Airlines has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, marking its second filing in less than a year. The carrier says the move is part of a comprehensive restructuring effort aimed at ensuring long-term financial stability and operational sustainability. Spirit emphasized that flights, bookings, tickets, credits, and loyalty points remain unaffected during the restructuring process. Employees, including contractors, will continue to receive wages and benefits, while vendors and suppliers will be paid for goods and services delivered after the filing date. The airline outlined a transformation plan focused on four key areas: Redesigning its network by concentrating on profitable key markets while reducing its presence in weaker routes. Optimizing fleet size to better align capacity with demand, lowering debt ...

FAA Issued Safety Alert on Lithium Battery Risks in Aircraft Cabins Washington, D.C., – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25002) warning airlines about the growing risks posed by lithium batteries carried by passengers and crewmembers. The alert highlights the dangers of thermal runaway events and urges operators to strengthen risk management, firefighting procedures, and passenger education. Lithium batteries, found in portable electronic devices (PEDs), power banks, and chargers, are essential for modern travel but have also become a leading cause of in-flight fire incidents. FAA data shows a steady rise in reported cases where lithium batteries overheated, smoked, or ignited, with many events occurring in carry-on baggage or overhead bins—locations that can delay detection and firefighting. Thermal Runaway Risks The FAA stresses that traditional firefighting methods are not enough to stop a lithium battery in thermal ru...

Namibia Moves to Establish New National Airline, Leaves Air Namibia in the Past Namibia is pressing ahead with plans to set up a new flag carrier, but officials have made it clear the project will not bring back the Air Namibia brand. Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi confirmed preparations are advancing, with a more detailed roadmap expected in the coming months. “We are not reviving Air Namibia. We are reviving a national airline,” Nekundi told New Era . He stressed that the new airline will be built from scratch, with sustainability and accountability at its core. The Fall of  Air Namibia Air Namibia was grounded in 2021 after years of financial strain and mounting bailouts that cost taxpayers around NAD8 billion (USD453 million). The government cited mismanagement and poor oversight as the main drivers of its failure. Officials now say those mistakes will not be repeated. Nekundi argued that sound decision-making and proper governance will be essential if the n...

Kigali, Rwanda — RwandAir has unveiled ambitious growth plans under the government’s Transport Sector Strategic Plan 2024–2029, aiming to expand its fleet from 14 to at least 21 aircraft and more than double its annual passenger traffic to 2.1 million by 2029. The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Fouad Caunhye, told The New Times that the strategy will see the national carrier acquire additional Airbus A330s for long-haul routes, Boeing B737-800s for regional and medium-haul services, and De Havilland DHC-8-Q400s for shorter domestic flights. Fleet Growth and Stabilisation RwandAir is set to reinforce its fleet in 2025/26 with three new aircraft — two B737-800s and one A330-200 — as part of efforts to restore capacity after technical issues sidelined several jets. “These additions will give us the flexibility we need to pursue the route expansions that were previously put on hold,” Caunhye said. It is not yet clear whether these units will be purchased or leased. Currently, the airl...

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,  Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, has been awarded a $2.8 billion undefinitized contract action (UCA) to produce Lot 18 of F135 engines, the powerplant for all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet. The deal covers engines for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), carrier variant (CV), and short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft operated by the United States and allied customers. In addition to production engines, the contract also includes spares, spare modules, tooling, program management, and engineering support. Christopher K. Johnson, vice president of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 program, emphasized the engine’s role in ensuring operational success: “The combat-proven F135 engine delivers the power, safety, reliability, and low-observability to ensure operators can accomplish their most critical missions. This contract will enable our team to continue providing this critical capability to help t...

Korean Air has announced its largest-ever aircraft order, committing to purchase 103 Boeing jets in a landmark deal that will modernize its fleet and support the airline’s integration with Asiana Airlines. The agreement includes widebody and single-aisle aircraft designed to boost fuel efficiency and expand the carrier’s global network. The commitment, revealed during the Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable, comprises 20 Boeing 777-9s, 25 Boeing 787-10s, 50 Boeing 737-10s, and 8 Boeing 777-8 Freighters . Once finalized, it will be Boeing’s largest widebody order from an Asian carrier and is expected to support approximately 135,000 jobs across the United States. Modernization Strategy and Merger Plans Walter Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Air, described the order as a cornerstone of the airline’s modernization efforts: “Acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of our fleet modernization strategy, delivering significant gains in fuel efficiency and enhancing the passenger e...

Airbus is facing a significant industrial challenge in the United Kingdom, as more than 3,000 workers at its major sites in Broughton (Wales) and Filton (near Bristol) have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action. The move, backed by 90% of Unite union members, comes amid an ongoing dispute over pay and inflation pressures. The strike is scheduled to take place over 10 days in September, beginning with two-day walkouts on September 2–3 and September 10–11. Additional days will follow from mid-September, with the potential for further escalation if no agreement is reached. The affected employees are primarily aircraft fitters and engineers, critical to Airbus’s wing production for its commercial and military aircraft, including the A320, A330, A350, and A400M. Unite has argued that Airbus’s latest pay proposal does not adequately reflect the rising cost of living, with UK inflation standing at 3.8% in July 2025. The union says workers deserve a fairer deal, highlighting their ski...

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with nearly 10,000 flight attendants , represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) , bringing an end to a strike that grounded the airline’s mainline operations, stranded more than 130,000 passengers daily , and sparked a national debate over labor rights in aviation. The strike began on August 16, 2025 , when flight attendants walked off the job demanding higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground duties such as boarding, assisting passengers before takeoff, and deplaning. Cabin crew argued these tasks were essential but excluded from paid hours, leading to significant wage losses. CUPE leaders repeatedly emphasized that flight attendants are more than service staff they are trained to handle emergencies, in-flight disruptions, and evacuations. They insisted that fair pay was essential to morale, recognition, and the long-term safety culture of Canadian aviation. Defiance and Fallout The Canada Industrial Relatio...

In a devastating turn of events, an AMREF Flying Doctors air ambulance , a Cessna Citation XLS with a registration 5Y-FDM , crashed into a residential neighborhood in Mwihoko, Kiambu County just outside Nairobi killing six people and injuring others. The twin-engine medical jet departed from Wilson Airport at approximately 2:14–2:17 PM local time on Thursday, bound for Hargeisa in Somaliland. Merely three minutes into the flight, the aircraft lost radio and radar contact with air traffic control. Citation XLS 5Y-FDM. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene: “The plane started burning while in the air,” one resident recounted, while another said the aircraft “passed by our building shaking it,” before crashing into a house. The impact and ensuing blaze claimed the lives of all four people aboard and two individuals inside the home. Rescue teams, including those from the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Defence Forces, National Police, and aviation authorities, rushed to the scene.  AMREF ...

Cathay Pacific  a major international airline based in Hong Kong is doubling down on its commitment to modern, fuel-efficient long-haul travel with a fresh order of 14 Boeing 777-9 passenger jets, boosting its total order book to 35 aircraft. This strategic move cements the Hong Kong-based airline as the largest 777-9 operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The Boeing 777-9, the latest member of the renowned 777 family, is designed to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 20% while reducing noise by 40% compared to the older aircraft it will replace. With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the aircraft will allow Cathay Pacific to connect Hong Kong to key long-haul destinations worldwide with enhanced efficiency and comfort.   “We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub,” said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group CEO . “This order strengthens our partnership with ...

Airbus SE has announced its financial results for the first half (H1) of 2025, posting solid growth in earnings despite continued supply chain pressures and delayed aircraft deliveries. The aerospace giant reported revenues of €29.6 billion , a 3% increase from the same period last year, while EBIT( Earnings Before Interest and Taxes)  Adjusted surged 58% to €2.2 billion, reflecting improved performance in the Defence and Space division and a favorable financial environment. Net income jumped to €1.53 billion, up 85% year-on-year, with earnings per share of €1.93. “The commercial performance in the first half of 2025 has been strong across the Company,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. “While we face persistent engine supply issues, our financials reflect the progress of our transformation, particularly in Defence and Space.”

In professional aviation, time management and efficiency are critical. Pilots are expected to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, from managing flight systems to ensuring accurate documentation. One common situation that arises in both airline and corporate operations is whether the first officer (FO) can safely complete flight logs, load sheets, or other documents before takeoff. At first glance, it may seem like a harmless, time-saving task. But in reality, performing administrative work during the wrong phase of flight can create significant safety risks. This article explores the operational, regulatory, and human factors involved - providing a detailed guide for first officers and flight crews to manage this task without compromising safety.