Viet Nam News JAKARTA — Search and rescue efforts are underway in waters off Karawang, West Java, to locate survivors of Lion Air flight JT610, which crashed early Monday morning (Oct 29) minutes after taking off from Soekarno-Hatta airport. Tugboats and other vessels from state-owned oil company Pertamina which were near the crash site and first at the scene, found aircraft debris in the waters but no survivors yet. There were 189 people on board the plane. Local authorities confirmed that flight JT610 departed the airport near the capital Jakarta on schedule at 6.20am local time, but lost contact with air traffic controllers about 13 minutes later. The Boeing 737 MAX, one of the latest variations of the American-built aircraft, was originally scheduled to arrive at Pangkal Pinang, in Bangka Belitung Islands province, at 7.20am. Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency Basarnas chief Muhammad Syaugi said his agency was alerted to the incident at about 6.50am and … [Read more...] about Lion Air crash: Search and rescue efforts underway for sunken plane with 189 people on board
Reschedule air india flight
Indonesia says Lion Air passenger flight from Jakarta to Sumatra has crashed
By Reuters  October 29, 2018 | 09:37 am GMT+7 A Lion Air plane taxis after landing at Denpassar international airport in Bali. Photo by Reuters/Thomas White A Lion Air flight from Jakarta to the city of Pangkal Pinang off the island of Sumatra, had crashed into the sea on Monday. “It has been confirmed that it has crashed,” Yusuf Latif, a spokesman for the Indonesia's serach and rescue agency, said by text message, when asked about the fate of the Lion Air passenger plane. The plane lost contact 13 minutes after takeoff, according to the official. The jet was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, according to air tracking service Flightradar 24. It was not immediately clear how many people were on board. “We cannot give any comment at this moment, said Edward Sirait, chief executive of Lion Air Group. “We are trying to collect all the information and data.” … [Read more...] about Indonesia says Lion Air passenger flight from Jakarta to Sumatra has crashed
Focus shifts to rescues as rain abates in India’s flood-hit Kerala
But authorities feared an outbreak of disease among around 725,000 people crammed into relief camps. Incessant downpours since Aug. 8 have caused the worst floods in a century in the southwestern state, and close to 200 people have perished in the rising waters and landslides. The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall in only one or two parts of Kerala on Sunday and withdrew a red alert in several districts. Using boats and helicopters, India’s military led rescue efforts to reach people in communities cut off for days, with many trapped on roofs and upper floors, in desperate need of food and clean water. A Reuters photographer on a naval helicopter said water levels had receded in villages around the city of Kochi. Rescue teams were focused on the town of Chengannur on the banks of the Pamba River, where about 5,000 people are feared to be trapped, officials said. Kerala’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, said the total number of people taking refuge at … [Read more...] about Focus shifts to rescues as rain abates in India’s flood-hit Kerala
Flood toll in India’s tourist hotspot Kerala jumps to 67
Viet Nam News KOCHI — The flood toll in India’s southern tourist hotspot of Kerala jumped to 67 after another 25 deaths were reported on Wednesday, with more than 50,000 people seeking shelter in relief camps, a state official said. Kerala, famed for its pristine palm-lined beaches and tea plantations, is battered by the monsoon every year but the rains have been particularly severe this season, flooding hundreds of villages and prompting the authorities to suspend flights in and out of the region. "Twenty five deaths were confirmed earlier in the evening. The situation is bad in many parts of the state and the number (of deaths) will likely increase," a senior official from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said. Unconfirmed local media reports mentioned a much higher toll and cited ongoing efforts to reach many flooded areas. The official added that authorities had issued a "red-alert" warning in all 14 districts of the flood-ravaged state, with heavy … [Read more...] about Flood toll in India’s tourist hotspot Kerala jumps to 67
Air China flight from Paris turns back over ‘false’ terror alarm
An Air China flight from Paris to Beijing turned back on Thursday (Jul 26) over a terrorism threat, but Chinese state media later quoted the flag carrier saying it was believed to be a false alarm. An Air China flight returned safely to Paris after receiving a suspected terrorist threat on Thursday (Jul 26). (Photo: AFP/WANG ZHAO) Air China said flight CA876 had returned to Paris after the airline "received suspected terrorist information," giving no further information on the nature of the threat. "To ensure safety, CA876 flew back to Paris and landed safely," the airline said on one of its social media accounts. But state news agency Xinhua soon after issued a brief dispatch quoting the carrier's Paris office saying the terror alert was "considered false". The carrier had said earlier that it would arrange to resume the flight as soon as possible "after safety is ensured." The flight had been scheduled to depart Charles de Gaulle Airport at 12.30pm Paris time (1030 GMT). … [Read more...] about Air China flight from Paris turns back over ‘false’ terror alarm
Sale of debt laden Air India fails to take off
The Indian government's attempt to sell debt-laden national carrier Air India is in danger of hitting the skids as a key deadline looms with no bidder in sight. Beleagured national airline Air India's privatisation has stalled because the government's sale conditions are too restrictive, experts say AFP/Manan VATSYAYANA Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration announced in March that it would privatise the beleaguered airline. But the plan has struggled to get off the ground with several prospective buyers ruling themselves out. "Conditions put forth by the government with regards to debt and employee costs are restrictive and have put off investors," aviation expert Amrit Pandurangi told AFP. "The government needs to address the concerns of the private investors if the stake sale is to move forward," the independent analyst added. Air India, founded in 1932, was once the country's monopoly airline, known affectionately as the "Maharaja of the skies". But it has been … [Read more...] about Sale of debt laden Air India fails to take off
Bad weather affects Vietjet Air’s flights in Hai Phong, Hue
An airplane of Vietjet Air (Illustrative photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Many flights of the budget airline Vietjet Air from/to the northern port city of Hai Phong and the central Thua Thien-Hue province were affected by unfavourable weather on late February 17 and early February 18. The airline’s representative said one flight from Buon Ma Thuot and four flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hai Phong could not land at Cat Bi airport and had to be diverted to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport. Besides, two flights from Hai Phong to HCM City and vice versa were cancelled. The departure time of an international flight from Hai Phong to Incheon (the Republic of Korea) was nine hours later than its schedule. Meanwhile, two flights from HCM City to Hue city, Thua Thien-Hue province, had to land at an airport in Da Nang city. A number of Vietjet Air’s flights is projected to be affected due to bad weather in Hai Phong on February 18. Information has been updated at the … [Read more...] about Bad weather affects Vietjet Air’s flights in Hai Phong, Hue
Dozens of flights delayed because of fog
At least 50 Vietjet Air flights have been affected by fog on February 14, a phenomenon often occurs in the north from February to April. CAAV Deputy Director Vo Huy Cuong visits passengers at HCM City's Tan Son Nhat Airport According to Vietjet Air, one plane couldn't fly from Vinh to HCM City on February 13 and about 50 flights have been affected today. A flight from HCM City to Thanh Hoa was delayed 90 minutes due to bad weather in Thanh Hoa Province, Hue and Vinh cities. In Hanoi, Vietjet Air has at least seven delayed flights including flights to Seoul, Danang and Cam Ranh. The airlines have notified passengers via different methods. Passengers are advised to check their flight information frequently. "Delayed and cancelled flights because of bad weather have caused a huge damage to us but passengers are our first priority," Vietjet Air representative said. Many flights of Vietnam Airlines to Vinh and Da Lat, Vasco's flight to Dong Hoi City, Jetstar Pacific's flight to … [Read more...] about Dozens of flights delayed because of fog
India allows 49% foreign investment in state-run airline
Once the country's monopoly airline, Air India has slowly lost market share to new low-cost private players in one of the world's fastest-growing airline markets.The government said last June it was open to selling a stake in the state-owned airline, which has developed a reputation for delays, cancellations and poor service.On Wednesday the cabinet rubber-stamped plans to allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49 percent in Air India, subject to government approval.That was part of a series of moves to relax restrictions on foreign investment.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing government has sought to encourage foreign companies to invest in India since coming to power in 2014.The cabinet also cleared plans to automatically allow 100 percent foreign investment in single-brand retailers. Previously, this required special government approval.Air India ran losses for nearly a decade after a botched merger in 2007 and has debts of around $7.67 billion according to government … [Read more...] about India allows 49% foreign investment in state-run airline
South Korea’s Jeju Air opens flights to Da Nang
From this Friday to February next year it will arrange seasonal flights from Jeju international airport to Da Nang (Vietnam), Manila (the Philippines), and Chiang Mai (Thailand). South Korea’s Air Busan, Asiana Airlines, Eastar Jet, Jin Air, Jeju Air, Korean Air and Tway Air operate 168 flights per week from South Korea to Vietnam. … [Read more...] about South Korea’s Jeju Air opens flights to Da Nang