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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
The top 10 shortest runways in the world has one from an Indian hill station
Landing a plane might seem routine in the age of modern aviation, but not when the runway is barely longer than a football field, perched on a cliffside, or carved into the side of a mountain. Around the world, some airports test the absolute limits of pilot skill and aircraft performance with terrifyingly short runways. These airstrips demand razor-sharp precision, perfect timing, and nerves of steel. From the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to beachside strips that disappear at high tide, here's a look at the world's shortest and most thrilling runways, including one high up in India's hills. 📌 Lukla Airport, Nepal Runway length: 527 meters (1,729 feet) Altitude: 9,334 ft Often dubbed the most dangerous airport in the world, Lukla is the gateway to Everest. With one end of the runway dropping off a cliff and the other ending in a mountain wall, there's zero room for error, as per Aviation A2Z. 📌 Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, Saba (Caribbean Netherlands) Runway length: 400 meters (1,312 feet) Located on the tiny island of Saba, this is the shortest commercial runway in the world, according to Aviation A2Z. The strip is surrounded by cliffs and sea, leaving no margin for overshoot. 📌 Courchevel Altiport, France Runway length: 537 meters (1,762 feet) Nestled in the French Alps, this airstrip is known for its steep slope and lack of instrument approach procedures. Only specially certified pilots are allowed to operate here. 📌 Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Phaplu, Nepal Runway length: 600 meters (1,969 feet) Often overshadowed by Lukla, this is another perilous runway in Nepal with steep terrain and high-altitude winds. 📌 Shimla Airport, India Runway length: 1,230 meters (4,035 feet) India's contribution to the list, Shimla Airport in Himachal Pradesh, is perched on a hilltop with frequent weather disruptions. Though longer than others here, the elevation (5,072 ft) and surrounding terrain make it extremely tricky. 📌 Barra Airport, Scotland Runway length: Variable (on a beach!) Barra is one of the few airports where scheduled flights land on a tidal beach. Pilots must plan landings around the tide chart and there's literally no runway at high tide. 📌 Madeira Airport, Portugal Runway length: Originally 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) Built on stilts and cliffs, the original runway was notoriously short before being extended. It still remains a challenging landing zone due to ocean winds and turbulence. 📌 Heligoland Airport, Germany (1,575 feet) Düne Island, Heligoland Archipelago The main runway (15/33) at Heligoland measures just 1,575 feet (480 meters). Despite its size, it's approved for commercial use, barely, according to AeroXplorer. The airport is located on Düne Island in the North Sea, where crosswinds and weight restrictions make every landing a precision act. Only one carrier, OFD Ostfriesischer-Flug-Dienst, operates here with Britten-Norman Islanders. 📌 Doti Airport, Nepal (1,608 feet) In Dipayal Silgadhi Doti Airport's 1,608-foot (490-meter) runway lies in Nepal's rugged hills at an elevation of 1,893 feet. Originally opened in 1973, it was only paved in 2020. Nepal Airlines began scheduled flights to Dhangadhi in 2022, using Twin Otters that are specifically designed for such challenging strips, according to AeroXplorer. 📌 St. Mary's Airport, Isles of Scilly (1,722 feet) Located in England Serving as the only air link between the Isles of Scilly and mainland UK, St Mary's Airport has a mixed asphalt/grass runway measuring 1,722 feet (525 meters), according to the AeroXplorer. Operated primarily by Isles of Scilly Skybus, only small aircraft like Twin Otters and Britten-Norman Islanders can use the airfield. Interestingly, a pedestrian footpath crosses near the end of the runway, closed briefly during landings and takeoffs using warning lights and bells.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delta Air Lines Announces Important Change for Summer Travelers to South Korea
The busy summer travel season is here, and Delta Air Lines has announced something special that they haven't done in six years. Each year, Delta Air Lines gets 200 million travelers to more than 350 vacation spots. "We remain committed to ensuring that the future of travel is connected, personalized and enjoyable," the company says. Delta is headquartered in Atlanta and has hubs in key markets across America and around the world. They also have partnerships that enable them to serve travelers outside of their hubs, including with Aeromexico, Air France-KLM, China Eastern, Korean Air, LATAM, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. Delta was also No. 11 on the 2024 tally of Fortune's 50 Most Admired Companies, ranking higher than any other airline on the Top 50 list, and it was No. 1 on the roster of Fortune 50's Most Admired Airlines. Now, Delta is extending its footprint and offering a service that's back after a six-year hiatus. Delta has resumed direct fights between Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea, marking the first time those fights have been on the schedule in more than half a decade, according to Aviation A2Z. The outlet reports that "the newly launched Salt Lake City–Seoul route reflects Delta's broader strategic efforts to reinforce its trans-Pacific network." The flights are operated with Delta's partnership with Korean Air (KE) and give Korean travelers the ability to reach 35 U.S. cities through the Salt Lake City International Airport. Delta Air Lines and Korean Air began a joint venture partnership on transpacific routes back on May 1, 2018, offering travelers an enhanced and expanded network. The joint venture was approved by regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Korea. "Our expanded partnership means a host of new destinations and travel options across Asia and North America, with seamless connectivity, world-class reliability and the industry's best customer service," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said at the Air Lines Announces Important Change for Summer Travelers to South Korea first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 14, 2025
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crisis for Boeing as ‘Safest Airliner' Crashes for First Time
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed Thursday in India had been plagued with engineering issues—despite being hailed as one of the world's safest commercial aircraft. Having never previously had a fatal accident while transporting more then one billion passengers since entering service in 2011, the jetliner was praised for its safety Monday by air travel website AviationA2Z. It said: 'The aircraft's composite construction provides enhanced durability and fatigue resistance compared to traditional aluminium structures. 'The aircraft features sophisticated health monitoring systems that continuously assess component performance and predict maintenance requirements. This proactive approach to maintenance significantly reduces the likelihood of in-flight failures that could compromise safety.' Yet beneath the hype, the Dreamliner has had a long history of engineering concerns. In January 2013, two lithium‑ion battery fires—one in-flight with ANA and another while parked in Boston—prompted the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to ground the entire fleet, the first time that the FAA had grounded an airliner type since 1979. From about 2019, quality‑control alarms began sounding. Gaps and faulty shims—fillers used to plug the gaps—in tail sections prompted grounded aircraft and a temporary halt in deliveries. Then, in April 2024, Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour blew the whistle, claiming the company 'used shortcuts' and flagged issues such as 'drilling holes incorrectly' and forcing components into place—raising fears these defects could degrade structural integrity over time. Boeing disputed the allegations, insisting that the jets were safe. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast. Boeing's shares were down about 7.5 percent at $197.82 in premarket trading. 'It's a knee-jerk reaction (to the incident) and there's revised fears of the problems that plagued Boeing aircraft and Boeing itself in recent years,' said Chris Beauchamp, analyst at IG Group, quoted by Reuters.
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
British Airways bans cabin crew from taking certain photos on layovers
BA has cited security concerns over potential AI-powered location identification as the main reason for the ban, which follows another set of photo rules for staff that was introduced in 2023 British Airways staff have been banned from posting photos during layovers in popular destinations, it has been reported. The UK's flag carrier has implemented strict new social media restrictions aimed at stopping cabin crew from sharing layover snaps from their accommodation in locations such as the Maldives, Cape Town and Singapore. The airline has not implemented the ban in a bid to ruin all of the fun, but instead to mitigate any potential security risks. BA has cited security concerns over potential AI-powered location identification as the main reason for the ban. It claims that sophisticated computer software could analyze seemingly innocent background details to identify specific hotel locations and crew accommodation patterns, potentially putting the flight staff in jeopardy. Now, crew members must delete such photos and videos from their personal accounts, even private ones. Aviation A2Z reports that all British Airways members, including pilots and cabin crew, are affected. Get Ready With Me videos - in which people film themselves putting on their outfit for the day - filmed in hotel rooms and bathrooms are now banned. Outfit of the Day content showing off BA uniform is also on the scrapheap. Fun photos taken in hotel pools, at private beaches and in the lobby areas are also now forbidden. Back in February 2023, BA introduced a raft of new rules that stopped staff from posting videos and pictures while they were "professionally engaged' in their duties. That included workers on security checks, passenger service, and operational activities. Those rules were designed to clamp down on cabin crew members documenting their lives for TikTok and Instagram followers. A ban on sharing photos of crew sat inside aircraft engines was also brought in. Staff were unhappy at the time, with the following backlash leading BA to clarify that crew could still share photos in their uniform, so long as they weren't actively working. In April, a British Airways crew member was found dead in a hotel room during a stopover - although it is not clear if the new photo policy is connected to the tragic event. Concern was raised for Irfan Ali Mirza when the 45-year-old man failed to report for duty on Thursday after staying at the crew hotel in San Francisco, US. He had arrived there on a flight from London Heathrow and had a two-day layover before the return journey. Hotel managers eventually unlocked Irfan's room where they found the father of three dead on the bed. Police said the responding officers' investigation of the scene "did not discover any evidence of foul play" and the body was taken by the medical examiner. The BA 284 flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Heathrow due to depart at 4.20pm on Thursday April 17 was cancelled. One Mile At A Time reported that Mr Mirza's fellow crew members were too upset to fly. BA has been contacted for comment.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair, easyJet and BA - exact amounts you could earn as a flight attendant
Ever wondered how much the cabin crew of your favourite airline earns? See how much you could earn if you fly with easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2 and more Are you one of the people who have always wondered whether your true calling lies in jet-setting on an airplane from one exotic location to another? The most practical way to fulfil said calling — when you don't have thousands of pounds lying around to spend on leisure travel — is to apply for a job as the cabin crew of an airline. For those wondering just how well that job is going to fill your pockets (and feed you.. and pay your bills.. you get the gist) look no further, because we've collated a list of cabin crew salaries across some of the biggest airlines that operate in the UK. easyJet As per Aviation A2Z, easyJet crew are paid a basic standard salary which is likely to increase by 20 per cent from May 1, after a successful agreement was reached between the workers' union in the United Kingdom and the airline. Currently, the easyJet cabin crew is paid an overall salary that starts from £22,000 per year, with £2,000 average increments in each annual cycle. Each individual's salary largely depends on their overall experience, the total duration of their employment with the airline, the flight hours they clock, and the applicable taxes if they work in different EU countries. Beyond their base wages, easyJet cabin crew are entitled to layover allowances for meals, which vary depending on the destination. The airline also arranges transportation for the crew to and from the airport while they are in transit. Furthermore, cabin crew can earn a 10% commission on every sale made during a flight, which includes food, drinks, and duty-free items offered on board. Ryanair According to a 2024 Telegraph story — where one of their writers took part in a Ryanair recruitment day — it was found that cabin crew were paid an average salary of approximately £23,000. The starting salary stands at £15,750, but this doesn't account for flight payments (crew members earn a supplement for each hour they spend in the air) or commission. Additionally, staff are said to enjoy the benefit of unlimited standby tickets. British Airways As of 2024, Aviation A2Z reported British Airways cabin crew wages were relatively modest compared to other airlines in Europe and worldwide. Entry-level crew members at BA reportedly start with a salary of £16,800 a year, which can increase to around £28,000 annually, depending on flying hours and additional allowances. For senior cabin crew — known as in-flight managers at BA — those working on the airline's premium long-haul routes such as New York and Sydney (via Singapore), could earn up to £50,000. This would make the base pay for an entry-level cabin attendant at British Airways stand at just over £8 per hour, a number that is admittedly very low, assuming employees were clocking 40-hour work weeks for 52 weeks in a full year. In February this year, British Airways introduced a profit-sharing bonus for cabin crew and ground staff for the first time, as per PYOK. This move comes as part of the airline's newly approved three-year pay deal which will ensure a 10.5 per cent salary increase for thousands of employees of the airline. The agreement was reportedly supported by over 86 per cent of the workers at BA in a recent ballot and it guarantees an immediate pay rise and minimum bonus of £1,000. Profit sharing will be linked to the airline's annual operating margin, offering a maximum payout of 4% if performance goals are achieved. Additional perks: Cabin crew members are offered an optional £1,500 tech allowance, which is deducted in equal monthly instalments from their salary over a 12-month period. Employees also enjoy discounted tickets for themselves, as well as for their family and friends. Unlimited standby tickets are available, along with standby fares in premium cabins for designated beneficiaries. British Airways covers transportation expenses for its cabin crew while they're traveling. Crew members receive travel discounts on partner hotels and airlines. BA has partnered with various restaurant chains and retail brands both in the UK and internationally, providing further benefits to its employees. Jet2 As of 2023, British low-cost carrier Jet2 was hiring cabin crew members based at Manchester Airport with no previous experience required and an on-target earning salary of £30,000. There was also a 'generous commission scheme' in place and additional payments such as sector and duty pay, a free uniform and car parking at the airport, no upfront fees for the cabin crew training course, as well as discounts on Jet2holidays and holidays and flights being offered to the cabin crew. TUI As per Cabin Crew Wings, TUI offered an average fixed-term base salary of £18,000 per annum to cabin crew as of 2024, which could increase to £30,000 for more senior positions. Other perks included holiday benefits such as discounts, great foreign exchange rates, exclusive offers and insurance, and a pension scheme.
