Divers

🛫 A Vueling Airbus A320 en route from Barcelona to Amsterdam reported a possible misaligned door shortly after takeoff. The crew communicated with air traffic control and returned to Barcelona Airport over the Mediterranean, landing without further incidents. The event was monitored on Flightradar24, as confirmed by air traffic controllers on their X account.

🚨 On November 25, a Swiftair Spanish cargo 737 crashed near Vilnius Airport, Lithuania, killing the Spanish pilot and injuring the co-pilot and two passengers on board. Despite initial suspicions of Russian interference, the Lithuanian authority's 30-page report attributed the crash to human error, with no external factors involved. The hydraulic system B was off, the flaps were not deployed, and the anti-icing system was inactive. The aircraft was undamaged before the crash, which also led to a fire. Swiftair has a history of air incidents, with the worst in terms of human casualties occurring in Africa.

✈ Plus Ultra's Airbus A340, named Santa María Portugalete with registration EC-MQM, ends its service after eight years. It was the last one operating in Spain. The aircraft's final flights were documented before its dismantling in Enschede, Netherlands. Plus Ultra standardizes its fleet to use only A330s, enhancing operational costs and fuel efficiency.

✈ An Iberia Airbus A330 flying from Madrid to Miami was diverted last night to St John's International Airport in Canada after nearly five hours over the Atlantic Ocean due to a suspected medical emergency. The aircraft later continued to Miami without further issues, though confirmation is pending.

✈ A Wizz Air Airbus A321 on the Málaga-London route had to turn back after covering 600 kilometers due to a medical emergency onboard, prompting an urgent diversion to Madrid. Air traffic controllers facilitated a direct approach to runway 32L to minimize ground taxi and coordinated with the airport for ground medical assistance.

🌡 Myanmar (also known as Burma) was struck by an earthquake last Friday, causing the collapse of Naypyidaw International Airport's control tower and killing five air traffic controllers. The airport's runway also sustained significant damage. Air traffic in the region was temporarily suspended but has since resumed except for Naypyidaw, where the impact is minimal due to the low number of flights. Details on victims and the airport's reopening timeline remain undisclosed due to the Burmese military regime's lack of transparency.

🛫 Bottled water prices at Spanish airports increased from 1 euro to 2.50 and 3 euros, marking a 150% hike. The article questions how this aligns with salary increases, pension rises, or other known variables and criticizes state-owned airport management for the unexplained price surge.

🛫 Boeing has initiated brake system tests for the 777X certification process, overseen by the FAA. Real-world conditions, such as wet and dry runway braking, and crosswind landings, are part of these tests. Aiming for certification in 2025, Boeing has logged over 1,300 flights and 3,700 hours of trial. The 777X is scheduled for a 2026 service entry, with Lufthansa debuting the plane. Over 480 orders worldwide include Emirates' 205 and Lufthansa's 27 aircraft, both passenger and cargo versions.

🛫 A Binter Embraer E195 performed an impressive braking maneuver at San Sebastián Airport, stopping almost completely in just 13 seconds after its front landing gear touched down. The video owner, Spotting and more, described the event as "amazing.

✈️ Brussels-Zaventem International Airport cancels all departure flights for Monday, March 31, due to a general strike in Belgium. The ground and security personnel's expected participation prompts precautionary measures, also affecting Charleroi Airport operations. Brussels Airlines allows passengers to reschedule or cancel without extra fees. The strike, protesting economic measures by the new government, especially pension reforms, urges travelers to stay updated and contact airlines for flight information.