Latest news with #Avic
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
‘Stress and hassle': Travellers scramble for flights to Singapore after cancellations due to Indonesia volcano eruption
Travellers waiting near the KLM counter at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on June 18 after their flight to Bali's capital Denpasar was cancelled.- ST SINGAPORE: Indian national Avic Hal was travelling in Bali the past week, when his trip - quite literally - almost went up in smoke. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on the eastern tourist island of Flores, Indonesia, erupted on June 17, causing volcanic ash to rain down on several villages surrounding the volcano, forcing the evacuation of at least one village. The eruption also caused at least two dozen flight cancellations to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Wednesday (June 18). 'It was really scary, I thought the whole trip would be ruined. I was scared for my health because of the pollution,' Avic told The Straits Times at Changi Airport following his arrival at 11.30am via an AirAsia flight on June 18. Asked about the situation at the airport in Bali, the 25-year-old business manager described the situation as 'very chaotic'. 'A lot of people were stranded and they were sitting on the benches because their flights were cancelled,' he said, adding that he will be transiting through Changi before flying back to Mumbai, India. Mexican student Miguel Angel Gallardo also arrived in Singapore via AirAsia, but unlike Mr Avic, he and his family had to scramble to get on the plane after their 9am Scoot flight to Singapore was cancelled. They were informed of the cancellation only after arriving at the airport in Denpasar in the morning, said the 21-year-old from Texas. The family then raced to get four tickets on AirAsia's 10.40am flight, but at an additional cost of about US$1,500 in total. 'It caused a lot of stress and hassle because we didn't know if there were any other available airlines once ours got cancelled,' Gallardo said. Despite the situation, some travellers told ST that they were unaware of the eruption, while others who knew about it said they were unconcerned as it occurred some distance away from Bali. According to travel website Travel Weekly Asia, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is about 800km east of Bali. French national Lucye Bouclyer arrived at Bali airport early on June 18, as her flight to Singapore was not affected by the eruption. She said she is not afraid of volcanic eruptions - 'It's just smoke, sometimes flights are cancelled, but they're not too dangerous,' she told ST at Changi Airport. The unemployed 23-year-old had spent two months in Indonesia, and will be spending three days in Singapore before leaving for Malaysia. Quinton Posthumus, a 29-year-old from Pretoria, South Africa, said that he had received alerts about the impending eruption two weeks prior, but decided to proceed with his trip as planned. He and his wife spent five days in Ubud, Bali, and said they 'didn't hear a thing about it from locals our whole trip'. They did not experience any disruptions, and did not notice any announcements regarding the eruption when boarding their SIA flight to Singapore. However, they remained worried for their two friends who will still be in Bali for the next three days. An Indonesian mining consultant living in Singapore who wanted to be known only as A.W. told ST that she had arrived at Bali's airport at 8am for her flight home, which was scheduled for 1pm. The 35-year-old observed that several flights there after 12pm had been cancelled, and was surprised to find that hers was still scheduled for departure. Amid the chaos, several friends had also checked in on her, asking if she was still flying home to Singapore. 'As Indonesians, we know there are a lot of volcano eruptions in Indonesia, but we trust that the government takes all necessary precautions,' she said. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
‘Stress and hassle': Travellers in Bali scramble for flights to S'pore after Indonesia volcano erupts
Travellers waiting near the KLM counter at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on June 18 after their flight to Bali's capital Denpasar was cancelled. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO 'Stress and hassle': Travellers in Bali scramble for flights to S'pore after Indonesia volcano erupts SINGAPORE - Indian national Avic Hal was travelling in Bali the past week, when his trip - quite literally - almost went up in smoke. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on the eastern tourist island of Flores, Indonesia, erupted on June 17, causing volcanic ash to rain down on several villages surrounding the volcano, forcing the evacuation of at least one village. The eruption also caused at least two dozen flight cancellations to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali on June 18. 'It was really scary, I thought the whole trip would be ruined. I was scared for my health because of the pollution,' Mr Avic told The Straits Times at Changi Airport following his arrival at 11.30am via an AirAsia flight on June 18. Asked about the situation at the airport in Bali, the 25-year-old business manager described it as 'very chaotic'. 'A lot of people were stranded and they were sitting on the benches because their flights were cancelled,' he said, adding that he will be transiting through Changi before flying back to Mumbai, India. Mexican student Miguel Angel Gallardo also arrived in Singapore via AirAsia, but unlike Mr Avic, he and his family had to scramble to get on the plane after their 9am Scoot flight to Singapore was cancelled . Student Miguel Angel Gallardo (second from right) with his family at Changi Airport Terminal 4 on June 18. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO They were informed of the cancellation only after arriving at the airport in Denpasar in the morning , said the 21-year-old from Texas. The family then raced to get four tickets on AirAsia's 10.40am flight , but at an additional cost of about US$1,500 (S$1,920) in total. 'It caused a lot of stress and hassle because we didn't know if there were any other available airlines once ours got cancelled,' Mr Gallardo said. 'It's just smoke' Despite the situation, some travellers told ST that they were unaware of the eruption , while others who knew about it said they were unconcerned as it occurred some distance away from Bali. According to travel website Travel Weekly Asia, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is about 800km east of Bali . Ms Azinam Rizieyana (second from left), 31, and her family waiting at Changi Airport Terminal 3 on June 18. Their original Scoot flight to Bali was cancelled, and they have been trying to secure another flight. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO French national Lucye Bouclyer arrived at Bali airport early on June 18, as her flight to Singapore was not affected by the eruption. She said she is not afraid of volcanic eruptions - 'It's just smoke, sometimes flights are cancelled, but they're not too dangerous,' she told ST at Changi Airport . The unemployed 23-year-old had spent two months in Indonesia , and will be spending three days in Singapore before leaving for Malaysia. Quinton Posthumus, a 29-year-old from Pretoria, South Africa , said that he had received alerts about the impending eruption two weeks prior, but decided to proceed with his trip as planned . He and his wife spent five days in Ubud, Bali , and said they 'didn't hear a thing about it from locals our whole trip'. They did not experience any disruptions, and did not notice any announcements regarding the eruption when boarding their SIA flight to Singapore. However, they remained worried for their two friends who will still be in Bali for the next three days. An Indonesian mining consultant living in Singapore who wanted to be known only as A.W. told ST that she had arrived at Bali's airport at 8am for her flight home, which was scheduled for 1pm. The 35-year-old observed that several flights there after 12pm had been cancelled, and was surprised to find that hers was still scheduled for departure. Amid the chaos, several friends had also checked in on her, asking if she was still flying home to Singapore. 'As Indonesians, we know there are a lot of volcano eruptions in Indonesia, but we trust that the government takes all necessary precautions,' she said. This is a developing story. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
China approves world's biggest amphibious plane, AG600, for mass production
China's home-grown AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, has been given the green light for mass production, marking a step forward in building an independent and globally competitive aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified the plane on Wednesday, confirming that its developer, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), has established a reliable system to consistently produce aircraft that meet safety standards, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Avic said the approval was a milestone towards a 'more high-end and standardised' civil aviation manufacturing sector, and that it 'strengthened China's ability to independently build a complete civil aviation ecosystem', CCTV reported. The development is part of China's broader push to build a self-reliant civil aviation industry and position itself as a major player in the global sector. The goal has gained urgency in light of the United States' recent technology curbs, including restrictions on jet engine exports. The AG600 is one of three large aircraft developed domestically, alongside the Y-20 strategic transport plane and the C919 narrowbody airliner – both in active service. China developed the AG600 to meet urgent needs in emergency rescue and natural disaster prevention and control, state media previously reported. With a maximum take-off weight of 60 tonnes and a practical range of 4,500 kilometres, the aircraft can carry up to 12 tonnes of water for firefighting missions. The AG600's development involved hundreds of supporting enterprises and tens of thousands of components, underscoring China's ability to coordinate the design and manufacturing of large specialised aircraft, as well as managing their complex supply chains, according to state news agency Xinhua. The project also provided 'replicable management experience and technical standards for future domestically developed aircraft', the report added. The AG600 entered batch production and final assembly in July last year, with the CAAC issuing a type certificate – confirming its design meets airworthiness standards – in April. Avic now plans to expand the AG600 product line and strengthen the country's aviation-based emergency response capabilities, according to Xinhua. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
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Business Standard
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
China clears world's largest amphibious aircraft AG600 for production
China's domestically developed AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, has received approval for mass production. This marks a major step forward in the country's aim to build a self-reliant and competitive aviation industry, the South China Morning Post reported. On Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified the AG600, confirming that its developer, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), has a dependable production system in place. According to state broadcaster CCTV, this means Avic can now consistently manufacture aircraft that meet national safety standards. Avic described the approval as a major breakthrough in advancing China's civil aviation sector. The certification would help create a 'more high-end and standardised' industry and 'strengthened China's ability to independently build a complete civil aviation ecosystem", CCTV reported. A push for aviation independence The AG600's clearance comes at a time when China is focused on building its own aviation capabilities. The government has been working to reduce reliance on foreign technology, especially after the United States imposed export restrictions, including limits on jet engine supplies. Designed for rescue and firefighting China created the AG600 to support emergency rescue missions and natural disaster management. State media have reported that the aircraft was designed with firefighting and relief operations in mind. The aircraft can carry up to 12 tonnes of water, with a maximum take-off weight of 60 tonnes. It has a flying range of up to 4,500 km, making it ideal for wide-area operations. According to state news agency Xinhua, the AG600 project involved hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of components. This highlights China's ability to manage large-scale, complex aviation programmes and coordinate extensive supply chains. Xinhua also noted that the aircraft's development has helped China create 'replicable management experience and technical standards for future domestically developed aircraft'. Production milestones and future plans The AG600 moved into final assembly and batch production in July last year. In April this year, the aircraft received its type certificate from CAAC, confirming that its design meets the required airworthiness standards. Looking ahead, Avic plans to expand the AG600 product line. It also aims to boost China's aviation-based emergency response systems, Xinhua reported.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China approves world's biggest amphibious plane, AG600, for mass production
China's home-grown AG600, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, has been given the green light for mass production, marking a step forward in building an independent and globally competitive aviation industry. Advertisement The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified the plane on Wednesday, confirming that its developer, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), has established a reliable system to consistently produce aircraft that meet safety standards, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Avic said the approval was a milestone towards a 'more high-end and standardised' civil aviation manufacturing sector, and that it 'strengthened China's ability to independently build a complete civil aviation ecosystem', CCTV reported. The development is part of China's broader push to build a self-reliant civil aviation industry and position itself as a major player in the global sector. The goal has gained urgency in light of the United States' recent technology curbs, including restrictions on jet engine exports. The AG600 is one of three large aircraft developed domestically, alongside the Y-20 strategic transport plane and the C919 narrowbody airliner – both in active service. China developed the AG600 to meet urgent needs in emergency rescue and natural disaster prevention and control, state media previously reported.
