Unite have announced their latest ballot dates for strike action of BA workers, the ballot will take place between 21st December and 21st January. The long running feud between BA and Unite appeared to be over in October when talks looked to be nearing a conclusion.
But a deal that BA say Unite have reneged on now looks to be lost, BA stated that Unites’s behaviour was dysfunctional and if a strike does take place its services at Gatwick and London airports will be unaffected and all long haul services at Heathrow would remain in place.
Unite claim there are 5 issues it has with BA, the first is the travel concessions removed from striking workers, second is binding arbitration on disciplinary cases for striking members, the third is repayment of docked wages from crew members who were genuinely off sick during previous strikes, fourth on the list full and proper discussion of the trade union facilities agreement at the company and finally they want to prevent BA from imposing wage reductions.
Thursday 16 December 2010
Monday 13 December 2010
Flybe door panel fell
A report by Air Accidents Investigation Branch has revealed that the engine door panel which fell off during take off from Southampton Airport on the 22 April 2010 had not been secured properly.
The Flybe aircraft had been inspected by the captain prior to departure.
The incident was noted and reported by a pilot who was sitting in a plane and saw the panel detach from the aircraft. Air traffic control was informed and the information was then passed on to the flight crew, who were unaware of the incident.
Thankfully the flight landed safely and no passengers onboard were injured.
Friday 10 December 2010
Oil Fires Blamed For Airbus Explosion
The first detailed report following a mid-air explosion on board a Qantas Airbus A380 has revealed the most likely cause was a crack in an oil pipe that ignited and caused an explosion. The resulting blast caused pieces of the engine casing and other shrapnel to penetrate the wing of the plane causing structural and system damage.
The report was carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau who have issued a safety recommendation to Qantas and other operators of the Airbus A380 Singapore airlines and Lufthansa, while other airlines do have A380’s in their fleet only these three have the Trent 900 engines which are made by Rolls Royce.
The ATSB also stated the damage was caused by fatigue and even extreme maintenance would have failed to spot the potential danger.
Qantas has made steps to take Rolls Royce to court over damages including the cost of grounded its Airbus fleet while tests were carried out, this is estimated at over $100m.
The report was carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau who have issued a safety recommendation to Qantas and other operators of the Airbus A380 Singapore airlines and Lufthansa, while other airlines do have A380’s in their fleet only these three have the Trent 900 engines which are made by Rolls Royce.
The ATSB also stated the damage was caused by fatigue and even extreme maintenance would have failed to spot the potential danger.
Qantas has made steps to take Rolls Royce to court over damages including the cost of grounded its Airbus fleet while tests were carried out, this is estimated at over $100m.
Thursday 9 December 2010
Transport comes to a standstill
Severe winter conditions affecting transport in Northern and Central Europe have caused problems for many travellers. Snow and ice have brought both road and air traffic to a standstill.
International and low cost flights at Paris' main airport Roissy Charles de Gaulle were cancelled last night and people were advised not to drive after 11cm of snow fell on the French capital. Stranded motorists were sheltered in Municipal halls and sports halls around Paris. As snow turned to slush the conditions got worse.
Fresh snow fell in the German capital Berlin and growing concern mounted as de-icing fluid at airports became scarce. Transport was also affected in Frankfurt with about 3,000 passengers' flights rescheduled.
Things are hoped to improve.
International and low cost flights at Paris' main airport Roissy Charles de Gaulle were cancelled last night and people were advised not to drive after 11cm of snow fell on the French capital. Stranded motorists were sheltered in Municipal halls and sports halls around Paris. As snow turned to slush the conditions got worse.
Fresh snow fell in the German capital Berlin and growing concern mounted as de-icing fluid at airports became scarce. Transport was also affected in Frankfurt with about 3,000 passengers' flights rescheduled.
Things are hoped to improve.
Monday 6 December 2010
Shark Attack Women Dies
Holidaymakers planning a trip to Sharm el-Sheikh have are being warned of potential shark infested waters, after a 70 year old women was killed by shark attack over the weekend and several others injured.
The 70 year old German woman who died after being bitten by an Oceanic white tip reef shark was snorkelling near a reef when the shark struck. The woman cried for help but when rescued by a lifeguard she was past resuscitation. The lifeguard confirmed her leg and arm was severed.
Other attacks include two Russian women and a man from the Ukraine one of which is critical though not yet confirmed which one. This has prompted the Egyptian tourism ministry to close the beach until the shark is killed.
Two sharks were caught and killed on Friday, however the description of the shark didn’t match the two that were slaughtered. Divers have called for the killing of any further sharks to stop.
The 70 year old German woman who died after being bitten by an Oceanic white tip reef shark was snorkelling near a reef when the shark struck. The woman cried for help but when rescued by a lifeguard she was past resuscitation. The lifeguard confirmed her leg and arm was severed.
Other attacks include two Russian women and a man from the Ukraine one of which is critical though not yet confirmed which one. This has prompted the Egyptian tourism ministry to close the beach until the shark is killed.
Two sharks were caught and killed on Friday, however the description of the shark didn’t match the two that were slaughtered. Divers have called for the killing of any further sharks to stop.
Friday 3 December 2010
Gatwick Re-Opens This Morning
All UK airports are open this morning after the snow eased yesterday allowing the likes of Gatwick and Edinburgh airport to open this morning. Staff worked through the night to clear the snow from the runways and taxi ranks at Gatwick allowing it to open.
However travellers have been warned it will take 2-3 days to clear the backlog from the previous 2 days of closure. Heathrow airport which has stayed open throughout also warned its customers of potential delays.
Overnight temperatures saw Aberdeen drop to -20°C while London and the midlands was still a chilly -7°C. Train services across the county continued to be hampered by the treacherous conditions with Euro Star announcing reduced services and Southern rail firms cancelling its service.
Police are still advising motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
However travellers have been warned it will take 2-3 days to clear the backlog from the previous 2 days of closure. Heathrow airport which has stayed open throughout also warned its customers of potential delays.
Overnight temperatures saw Aberdeen drop to -20°C while London and the midlands was still a chilly -7°C. Train services across the county continued to be hampered by the treacherous conditions with Euro Star announcing reduced services and Southern rail firms cancelling its service.
Police are still advising motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Thursday 2 December 2010
Gatwick Shut For A Second Day
Further lashings of snow throughout yesterday and last night have left Gatwick airport closed until tomorrow morning at the earliest and Edinburgh airport closed until 4pm. Southampton airport is also closed due to health and safety fears.
The weather has also caused delays at the majority of the other surrounding UK airports. Heathrow, Newcastle, Glasgow, Robin Hood, Aberdeen and London City airport are all operating this morning but have advised travellers to expect delays after a knock on effect will be felt from other closed airports.
Gatwick bosses described how they drafted in extra workers to clear the runways but the snow was settling faster than they could clear it. The decision was made as it became clear the runway was unsafe for aircraft to land or take off.
The weather has also caused delays at the majority of the other surrounding UK airports. Heathrow, Newcastle, Glasgow, Robin Hood, Aberdeen and London City airport are all operating this morning but have advised travellers to expect delays after a knock on effect will be felt from other closed airports.
Gatwick bosses described how they drafted in extra workers to clear the runways but the snow was settling faster than they could clear it. The decision was made as it became clear the runway was unsafe for aircraft to land or take off.
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