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banThe US Embassy in Bangkok has posted this message on its website. However, many Americans have been complaining about the unhelpful nature of the embassy staff. More importantly are some contact numbers that may be helpful. American citizens travelling or living in Thailand should be aware that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has entered and forced the closure of …

PTI reports an anonymous e-mail threatening to blow up the international airport in New Delhi has prompted authorities to step up security by deploying additional forces inside and outside the facility. The information about the e-mail was passed on to higher officials of the CISF, which is handling security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), from Gujarat, CISF sources …

New Italian airline to be established – Lufthansa Italia to offer direct connections from Milan Malpensa to European destinations – Flights already available for booking from 99 euros Lufthansa has launched its new “Lufthansa Italia” brand in Italy. Lufthansa is to found its own Italian airline under the new brand early next year and apply for an Italian Air Operator …

The tiny U-Tapao Airport (UTP), also spelled Utapao and U-Taphao, is a public airport serving Rayong, a city in Thailand. Primarily a naval aviation base, it is approximately 90 miles (140 km) southeast of Bangkok, near Sattahip on the Gulf of Siam. It south of route 3 (Thanon Sukhumvit) at km 189, about a 45 minute drive from Pattaya (Thailand’s …

I thankful the situation in Mumbai is finally under control. I am sadder and angrier compared to 60 hours ago. I salute all the heroes of Mumbai, both in, and out of uniform. I stand in full support of the strong and defiant spirit of the people of Mumbai, who have promised to rebuild all that was damaged or destroyed, …

They are India’s Men in Black, the “Black Cats”, nicknamed after their black nomex coveralls, and balaclavas. They may not have the toys of Will Smith or Tommy Lee Jones, but with their specialised equipment and training, they far more deadly. They’re frequently seen guarding the high and the mighty of the land, forming a protecting ring around them with …

The troubles of Australian carrier Qantas just don’t seem to end. Qantas A330-300. Image Courtesy QantasEarlier today, the captain of a Qantas Airbus A330-300 flying to Singapore, had to shut down an engine and turn back to Perth, after an oil warning light flashed, according to the airline. The plane flew back to Perth, on the west coast of Australia, …

As Mumbai recovers from the dastardly terror attacks, all major airports across India, especially those in the western region, have been put on ultra high alert and extra vigil has been mounted.Image Courtesy FT.comExtra surveillance has been mounted, with additional Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police personnel being deployed to keep an eye not just around the terminals, but …

Nutplates are small anchoring devices generally attached to the inner skin surface to hold wire and cable bundles in place. These small devices are driving aircraft major, Boeing, nutty. Boeing 737-900ERDuring the recent 57-day long machinists’ strike, which has already led to a 10-week delay on deliveries of all Boeing aircraft, and pushed back the 787 programme into 2009, Boeing …

An Air New Zealand Airbus A320 passenger plane, on a test flight, crashed off France’s southern coast Thursday, killing all seven people onboard, authorities said. The plane plunged into the Mediterranean at 4:46p.m. local, officials said. A witness told French radio he saw the Airbus dive and plunge into the sea. “It was flying straight, then it turned brutally towards …

Singapore Airlines will suspend all its flights to and from Bangkok until further notice due to the security situation, and a lack of operational service staff, at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The suspension includes those flights scheduled between Tokyo Narita and Bangkok, in addition to flights between Bangkok and Singapore. Customers booked on flights in the near future are advised to monitor …

British Airways will resume flights to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from March 29, 2009. The airline will fly five times each week from Heathrow Terminal 5 to both Jeddah and Riyadh. Flights to Riyadh will operate on a Boeing 777 and Jeddah flights will be on a smaller Boeing 767. This is definitely unwelcome news to British Midlands …

As per media reports, a group of about 20 airline crew members, have been evacuated from Mumbai’s Oberoi hotel. Most of the rescued airline staff were in Lufthansa and Air France uniforms. A bus immediately whisked the guests away from the hotel. One crew member in a Lufthansa uniform who wore a name tag identifying her as L. Laurence said …

Ratan Tata’s words say it all We cannot replace the lives that have been lost and we will never forget the terrifying events of last night, but we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder as citizens of India, and rebuild what has been destroyed. We must show that we cannot be disabled or destroyed, but that such heinous act will …

The Deccan Herald reports that the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) consortium has filed a default notice about 10 days ago against the Union civil aviation ministry asking it to make good losses of Rs 23 crore. BIAL claims it had incurred the losses and indirectly held the ministry responsible for it — its complaint was the failure to clear …

Anti-government protests, in Thailand, which have been building for four months now, and have paralyzed the government, battered the stock market, spooked foreign investors, and dealt a serious blow to the tourism industry, sent Thailand in to a bigger tailspin. Thai authorities have shut down the Don Muang airport, which had been receiving some diverted flights from Suvarnabhumi airport. Till …

I like Blogger for its simplicity, but also wish for more features at Blogger. I stumbled upon a help page where you can inform the folks at Blogger on what features you would like added – a wish list of sorts. As the page puts it If we don’t offer it yet, let us know about it. We’re constantly working …

India’s top three airlines have withdrawn a transaction fee on air tickets effective today for tickets sold through their call centres, websites or offices. Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines have withdrawn the fee, which ranges from 350 rupees on a domestic economy ticket to 1,200 to 10,000 rupees on first class international tickets. Earlier this month, airlines had …

The Mint reports that Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd (DIAL), the operator running New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has sought relaxations on taxes from the Union government and permission to levy a new airport development fee (also called User Development Fee or UDF) on passengers that will together amount to a potential benefit of around Rs. 2,000 crore. …

Rampaging anti-government protesters forced the closure of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand’s main international airport, Tuesday. Photo:Wason Wanichakorn / Associated PressThousands of supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in a bid to pressure the current government to resign, breached police lines and stormed the airport, as a second day of demonstrations in Bangkok descended into violence with 11 …