2024 Aviation Recap + Weekly News Debrief: 30 December - 5th January

 This week not only do we get a news debrief, but also, a recap for aviation's progress in 2024.


NEWS HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

  • Japan Airlines retires the B777, operating its last flight to London.
  • Air Kerala to start operating flights by mid-2025.
  • 'Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam' has been taken into effect and replaced the Aircraft Act on the 1st of January.
  • Air India introduces free-in-flight WiFi on domestic routes in India. This service can be availed on A350s, select A321-Neos, and B787-9.

2024 Aviation Recap:

  • Air India was taken over by the Tata Group. It launched flights on brand new A350s, connecting major Indian cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai), as well as international destinations such as LHR and JFK. It, as well as the new A321-Neos, features fresh business, premium economy, and economy-class cabins. The carrier is also revamping old aircraft. On the 12th of November 2024, Vistara, a full-service carrier owned by the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, ceased operations and merged with Air India. The airline currently has a fleet size of 128 aircraft and has ordered a record breaking 570 for the future.                              https://youtu.be/cuKF8-bBPTI?feature=shared  -> Vistara Farewell Video


  • Record Hoax bomb threats increase in India- 719 reported this year, an astounding ~3095.5% increase since the average per year (2020-2023).
  • Emirates introduced the A350 to its fleet, the second ever aircraft type it operates, the other two being the A380 and B777. The A350 will start operations in early 2025.

  • Aviation incidents and accidents in 2024:

    • Jeju Air Flight 7C2216: On December 29, 2024, a Boeing 737-800 crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities.


    • Voepass Flight 2283: An ATR-72 turboprop crashed on August 11, 2024, in Vinhedo, Brazil, killing all 62 occupants.


    • Japan Airlines Flight 516: On January 2, 2024, an Airbus A350-900 collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft upon landing at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. While all 379 passengers and crew on the A350 survived, five of the six crew members on the Coast Guard plane perished.


    • Mumbai Airport Near-Miss: On June 8, 2024, a near-collision occurred at Mumbai Airport when an Air India aircraft took off seconds before an IndiGo plane landed on the same runway. The incident prompted an investigation and the suspension of the responsible air traffic controller.


    • Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 Incident: In early January, an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 lost a rear door plug mid-flight due to missing bolts. This incident prompted increased scrutiny of Boeing's manufacturing processes. 


    • Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243: On December 25, an Embraer 190AR was struck by a Russian anti-aircraft missile near Aktau, Kazakhstan, while en route from Baku to Grozny, resulting in 38 fatalities out of 67 passengers.

  • The Airbus A321XLR, known for its extended range capabilities, began operations, enabling airlines to offer longer direct flights on narrow-body aircraft. Its advantages and disadvantages have been listed in a previous post on this blog (https://clearedtoapproach.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of.html)


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