China: Flight delays result in rampage at airport

by Abha Malpani on

3 China Southern Airline flights were delayed because of bad weather conditions and the closure of one of the local destinations due to runway repairs. Result: 170 passengers were left at the airport in Kunming (southwest China) and landed up breaking desks and smashing computers in a state of outrage and frustration.

Beyond these facts, the story is a little blurry.

The airline denies they mistreated their passengers, they state that there were enough staff at the airport looking after them, and that 100 of their customers stayed in the hotel they were offered. Also, they have agreed to compensate each passenger with 100 Yuan (approx. $14). However, other media reports say that most passengers went to look for hotels with vacancies for the night without much luck, and they landed up sleeping on the aircraft or in the departure hall; no food was offered and not enough airline staff were around to fix the situation.

The situation was delicate and naturally volatile, but at the same time not an unfamiliar one. As for what happened at the airport, it’s the airline’s word against the passenger’s — two completely different perspectives — so what actually happened will only be clear to those who were there. It’s amazing how personal perceptions of a situation can be so relative, depending which side you are on.

Anyway, I think what’s important is that after 17 hours of waiting, all passengers were put on other flights to their respective destinations, as well as compensated (although miserably). However, many passengers still want a public apology printed in the newspaper. Sigh. What does it take for people to just let things go once they are fixed!

Airport reminder: Do not check-in people!

by Abha Malpani on

Authorities at Sweden’s Bromma Airport didn’t find it funny or entertaining when they were made the scapegoats of a stunt by private television station Kanal 5.

A heavy bag was brought to the check-in counter and during procedures, the bag was opened and a dwarf hopped out. A hidden crew was filming the incident, expecting to get a crazy reaction to the situation, something that could be aired on the comedy channel.

Other than feeling “shocked and humiliated” it is unclear how the airport staff actually reacted, and the channel promises that “extreme situation entertainment” footage is all they wanted.

I think it’s quite an original candid camera tactic, and since the airport isn’t pressing charges, looks like they’re not taking it too seriously either.

The things people do for a giggle. Sigh.

Northwest Flight Makes Emergency Landing

by Josh Lew on

Visitors to an air show at Dayton Int’l Airport got more excitement than they paid for when a Northwest Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing on the runway during the festivities.

The flight originated in Tampa and was bound for Detroit. The crew decided to land when one of the computers connected to an engine failed. The pilot landed at the nearest airport, which happened to be Dayton, as a precaution.

No one was injured.

The air show was stopped for about half-an-hour while the plane landed. Spectators were made aware of the situation over the air show’s public address system. They applauded when the plane landed (and no doubt had something extra to talk about on the way home).

The plane’s passengers were not able to hang around for the end of the show, however. They were whisked away to Detroit by bus.

Actually, the successful emergency landing might have been a welcome event for Northwest’s public relations department. They finally have something to talk about besides bankruptcy and their recent merger with Delta.

Photo: Flickr user Sakurako Kitsa

This year’s World’s Best Airports

by Grant Martin on

It’s hard to imagine that an airport is actually a place that you would want to spend some time when you’re stuck in Newark’s Northwest terminal, but believe it or not, there are actually a few really fantastic airports out there.

Domestically, San Francisco recently won the award for best airport facilities and my personal favorite is the Detroit McNamara Terminal, but Skytrax took an in-depth look at airport amenities and service around the world. And their winner for best airport on the planet?

Hong Kong International.

With sprawling, well-lit terminals, excellent connections to the city (you can check your luggage in HK before even getting on the train to the airport) and a friendly and efficient staff, it’s not hard to believe.

In fact, five of the top ten airports ranked were in Asia, with four more in Europe and the final airport in Cape Town, South Africa. Where are the American airports, you ask? San Francisco is at number eleven while Atlanta, Dallas and Dener. The top ten list (in no particluar order)?

  • Hong Kong
  • Singapore
  • Seoul, South Korea
  • Kansai, Japan
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Munich, Germany
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Zurich, Switzerland
  • Helsinki, Finland
  • Cape Town, South Africa

Click on the links below to see some images from the top ten.

Why are these the world’s best airports?



Click the image to find out!

Iraq opens Najaf airport, hopes to spur tourism

by Grant Martin on

The Dalmatian Coast and Marrakech are so 2007 — you aren’t a real hipster traveler until you’ve visited Iraq’s newly accesible tourist destination: Najaf.

Officially opening its doors this month, Al-Hamza airport was just revamped by Kuwaiti investors and is now geared towards bringing in tourist dollars. Najaf, a southern city in Iraq, is home to the shrine of Iman Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed, and apparently attracts over nine million pilgrims each year. Their hope is that this airport will increase tourism by an additional ten percent.

Know what else might increase your tourism? Not being at war.

But perhaps this is an indication of the state of affairs in the war stricken country. As a country, when you’re able to concentrate some effort on development, infrastructure and tourism instead of security and defense, perhaps things are looking a little brighter.

As a destination, Iraq has plenty to offer. Before the war, the Antiquities Museum was supposed to be among the richest in the world, while what remains of The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are allegedly in Al-Hillah.

Given the current conflict, I’m still a little hesitant to book my trip out to Iraq. Hopefully some day I’ll be able to take my children to see what’s left of Babylon.