According to the UK Home Office, a wider system network issue was detected at 19:44 local time and a 鈥渓arge scale鈥� contingency response was activated within six minutes. All e-gates were back online shortly after midnight.

The Home Office also said there was 鈥渘o indication鈥� of malicious activity behind the outage and border security was not compromised.

E-gates use facial recognition to check a traveler精东影业 identity and allow them to enter the country without having to be processed or spoken to by a Border Force officer.

During the outage, airport staff resorted to manually processing passengers. The incident came at a peak travel period with many travelers returning home from a long weekend. 

A number of passengers took to social media to upload photographs and video footage of the almost-five hour ordeal and the chaos experienced at airports across the country. 

Airports affected by the outage were London-Heathrow Airport (LHR), London-Gatwick Airport (LGW), London-Stansted Airport (STN), Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Birmingham Airport (BHX), Manchester Airport (MAN) and Bristol Airport (BRS). 

ATC outage in the UK causes flight disruptions on flights from/to the UK

• Airlines
• Airport

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-08-28

The incident occurred on December 26, 2023 during the busy holiday season. The man, identified as Craig Sturt, 46, allegedly tailgated unsuspecting passengers through several security checks at LHR airport精东影业 Terminal 5.

Sturt was able to sneak through the British Airways boarding gate without a passport or boarding pass by also sneaking behind other passengers. He was able to find a seat on the fully-booked flight because some passengers had missed their flights due to the chaotic travel period.

Sturt behaved normally during the six-hour transatlantic flight, so no suspicions were raised.

However, his tailgating tactics no longer worked when he arrived at JFK Airport where he failed to present travel documents to airport authorities. 

Sturt was then detained and subsequently charged with fraud and offenses under the Aviation Security Act. He was sent back to London on a chartered flight. 

Sturt was due to appear at a magistrate精东影业 court in January 2024, but failed to show.

A warrant for his arrest has since been issued and a missing person alert has been posted and circulated by the Thames Valley Incident Alert Facebook page.

Sturt is described as 182 cm tall and was last seen in Reading, but is from Slough. He also has links to Heathrow and the Tottenham Court Road area in London.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for LHR told 精东影业: 鈥淎ll people who go airside are subject to security screening, including the individual involved in this case. We are supporting the authorities with their ongoing investigation.鈥�

Passenger manages to go through airport security with boarding pass found in trash

• Airport

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-08-09

Saudi Arabia精东影业 Public Investment Fund (PIF) and private equity group, Adrian, were announced as the new stake holders on November 29, 2023.  

PIF will acquire 10% of Ferrovial精东影业 shareholding and the European investment firm will take 15%.  

The agreed sale is made through the purchase of shares in FGP Topco, the parent company of Heathrow Airport, and is worth 拢 2.4 billion ($3 billion) to Ferrovial.聽聽

The purchase is subject to regulatory approval and will need to be authorized by FGP Topco精东影业 additional shareholders.  

According to the , the current owners include the Qatar Investment Authority (20% stake), Singapore精东影业 GIC sovereign wealth fund and the Australian Retirement Trust (both of which own 11.2%).聽

鈥淥ver the last 17 years, we have been contributing to Heathrow精东影业 transformation, together with our fellow shareholders, achieving some excellent milestones throughout our long-term role as investor. These include overseeing an investment of 拢12 billion pounds, expanding its capacity with the construction of Terminal 2, and improving its operational performance. We are very pleased to have made Heathrow one of the world精东影业 most connected airports and the busiest airport in Europe,鈥� Luke Bugeja, CEO of Ferrovial Airports, said. 

Ferrovial still holds a 50% share in Aberdeen (ABZ), Glasgow (GLA) and Southampton (SOU) airports in the United Kingdom, a 60% in Dalaman Airport in Turkey and 49% in JFK Airport New Terminal One in New York. 

Among its plethora of global investments, PIF has ploughed billions into the aviation industry, most notably the yet to be launched Riyadh Air and Riyadh-based King Salman International Airport. 

鈥淧IF is pleased to be investing in Heathrow, a world-class airport, which acts as a key gateway to the world. PIF’s investment in Heathrow is in line with its strategy to support the business as a long-term partner. Heathrow is one of the largest air traffic platforms, connecting the UK with global trading partners to help stimulate economic growth,鈥� PIF said in a statement. 

Adrian has investments in London-Luton Airport (LTN) and significant stakes in six Italian Airports.聽

Plans to revive Heathrow精东影业 forgotten Concorde as London tourist attraction

• Aircraft
• Aviation History

byIan Molyneaux

2023-11-28

Flight BA 475 arrived at Heathrow精东影业 Terminal 5 on October 8, 2023 at around 16:15 local time, and was met by emergency services on the tarmac. 

Video footage of the incident taken by one of the passengers showed a number of fire engines and police cars on the runway as passengers waited outside the plane.

In his post, a passenger initially described the situation as being locked on a plane with a 鈥榩otential contagion鈥�, but later clarified that there was no contagion at all.

One other passenger posted a tweet with photos saying there was no other information provided other than fumes were detected in the cockpit and some cabin crew have been told to strip after falling ill.

Another passenger who was on the flight posted a video of the evacuation, saying that there was a 鈥渟uspected chemical leak鈥� on the flight.

The London Fire Brigade told the that there were no elevated chemical readings detected inside the aircraft, while the London Ambulance Service said it had sent a hazardous area response team along with three medics.

Terminal 4 evacuated

In a separate but more recent incident, London Heathrow精东影业 Terminal 4 was temporarily evacuated on the morning of October 9, 2023 after a man pressed emergency alarms.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told local media outlet that the disruption was due to an unruly passenger causing a disturbance on a train on its way to Heathrow. 

The rail passenger then activated manual call alarms at the Elizabeth line station at Heathrow. The terminal and station have since reopened and the passenger has been arrested.

Frontier Airlines flight forced to return due to reported stench in cockpit

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-09-22

The 100-ton payload arrived at London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) from Jinan-Shandong on July 24, marking the commercial launch of the new airline. 

The 747 has since flown back to China on July 26, 2023, and is expected to arrive back at Heathrow on July 27, 2023, evening.  

The airline plans to complete ad hoc charter flights as well as two freighter flights per week.  

One Air has also confirmed that it will add a 鈥渟econd 747F to our fleet, which we hope will enter service in early Q4鈥�. 

鈥淭his is a landmark day for One Air and all our team and partners in the UK, who have worked so hard to prepare for our successful launch since the awarding of our AOC by the UK Civil Aviation Authority [鈥 We are delighted to be open for business,鈥� said Chris Hope, One Air精东影业 COO.  

One Air is the only UK operator of the Boeing 747 with its dry leased B747-400厂贵.听听听

鈥淚t is a proud day for us to operate our first customer flight and marks the start of our strategic development plan to build One Air精东影业 reputation with clients in prime air cargo markets around the world,鈥� said One Air精东影业 CEO, Paul Bennett.   

The Boeing 747, registered as G-UNET, first flew for in August 1991 and then flew as a freighter from 2006 with Air China Cargo.  

鈥淲e are proud to have shared this milestone with One Air and thank everyone connected with the flight from China for a highly efficient operation and customer experience. It is pleasing to see a new British cargo airline take to the air and we wish One Air great success as it works to establish its place in the global market,鈥� said Jacky Wu, general manager of Shandong Glory.

United becomes first US carrier to fit aircraft cabin interiors with braille

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2023-07-27

The date has been set following completion of the SAF blend ground test on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine.聽

On November 28, 2023, a hand-picked Virgin Boeing 787 Dreamliner will set off from London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) to New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) powered by SAF.  

In the announcement on July 20, 2023, it was also confirmed that Air bp and Virent will supply the 60 tons of SAF to be used during the flight, as well as used for research and testing.  

The SAF will be produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway as well as synthetic aromatic kerosene (SAK) SAF at an 88% and 12% blend ratio. 

Virgin said that through 鈥渞adical collaboration鈥� the aviation industry can deliver 100% SAF for long-haul flights.  

However, the airline also called on the sector to go even further and 鈥渄evelop a UK SAF industry and meet aviation精东影业 10% SAF by 2030鈥�. 

鈥淭he 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight will be a historic moment in aviation精东影业 roadmap to decarbonization. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is the most readily available way for our industry to decarbonize, but currently there精东影业 not enough supply and without it and the radical collaboration required to produce it, we can鈥檛 meet our 2030 targets. We need UK government support to create a UK SAF industry to allow for every single flight out of the UK to operate with 100% SAF 鈥� if we make it, we can fly it,鈥� Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic said. 

The Virgin Atlantic-led consortium, joint funded by the , includes Rolls-Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute.聽聽

The successful bench engine test is a key milestone, however further permissions and safety approvals are required for the flight to take off in November.   

鈥淲e are incredibly proud that our Trent 1000 engines will power the first ever flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel across the Atlantic. Confirming that we have successfully completed the ground test of the Trent 1000 engine today, using the chosen 100% SAF blend, gives us increased confidence for the engine精东影业 performance and operation ahead of the flight this November. The flight will represent an incredible milestone for the entire aviation industry in its journey towards net zero carbon emissions,鈥� Rob Watson, president of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce said.聽聽

American Airlines continues to deflate its ballooned debt鈥�

• Airlines
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-07-20

The A320 was flying at 3,000 feet on April 8, 2023, when the pilot spotted what they described as a 鈥渞ound shaped drone with purple/turquoise color鈥�.聽

The , which works to enhance air safety, noted that the pilots of two previous aircraft that landed at LHR also had visual on a suspected drone.聽

Air Traffic Controllers at LHR asked the Finnair pilot of the A320 if they were happy to continue with their descent.聽聽

The pilot signaled they would continue with the landing 鈥渟ince the drone was staying to the right of the centerline鈥�. 

However, following the pilot精东影业 decision to continue the drone flew under the left wing, only a few meters from the engine. 

Air Traffic Control was informed, and the runway was subsequently closed after the aircraft landed. New arrivals were switched to a different runway.  

According to the report the pilot described the drone as coming within three to 10 feet of the engine.  

The UK Airprox Board considered the incident to be 鈥渉igh risk鈥� and in its opinion the 鈥渞eported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone鈥�. 

鈥淭he Board considered that the pilot精东影业 overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed,鈥� the report said. 

Although not mentioned in the report by the UK Airprox Board, the said the aircraft was a Finnair A320 that had left Rome, Italy.聽聽

Finnair confirmed to the Mail that the incident involved a flight being operated by the Finnish airline on behalf of British Airways. 

鈥淕etting accurate estimates of distance is challenging at high speed, so 3 to 10ft is only an estimation of the distance from the drone. Flying drones in areas where it is strictly forbidden shows that some drone enthusiasts have ignored safety regulations,鈥� a spokesperson for the airline said. 

They added: ‘We want to express our concern about this irresponsible activity. These cases endanger air traffic safety and can cause flight operations disruptions. Safety is the cornerstone of aviation, and we also expect a strong safety culture from drone enthusiasts.鈥� 

The report by the UK Airprox Board was published following a meeting on May 24, 2023.聽

Exploring the use of robotics and automation to enhance airport ground handling

• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-07-06

The security officers, who are all members of Unite, one of the UK精东影业 biggest unions, are targeting the following dates to take industrial action: May 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10, and then again on May 25, 26, 27.

The dates will affect two long weekend holidays: The Royal coronation on May 6, 2023, and Spring bank holiday on May 29, 2023. 

鈥淵et again, we have a chief executive in John Holland-Kaye who thinks it is acceptable to boost his earnings by an eye watering 88 per cent, from 拢800,000 to a staggering 拢1.5 million, while he denies his own workers a decent pay rise,鈥� Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in a and Tweet.

鈥淭his dispute is bound to escalate with more workers being balloted and disruption set to continue throughout the summer,鈥� Graham added. 

鈥淪trikes next month will cause further disruption to airport passengers but this dispute is a direct result of Heathrow精东影业 stubborn refusal to make an offer that meets our members鈥� expectations.

Our members have been crystal clear they are seeking a substantial permanent increase in pay. A small one off lump sum payment will not alleviate the financial pressures our members are facing on a daily basis,鈥� Unite regional coordinating officer Wayne King said in the same statement.

鈥淲hile the CEO can enjoy a lavish millionaire精东影业 lifestyle, our members struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table. This is about need not greed,鈥� King added. 

The 1,400 security officers had also taken 10 days of strike action over Easter, with the union claiming that 鈥渉undreds鈥� of flights had to be canceled.

Meanwhile, London Heathrow that it will not let Unite disrupt the flow of visitors to the UK 鈥渄uring such an important period for the country鈥�.

Around 2,200 guests are expected to attend the Royal Coronation, mostly made up of world leaders and dignitaries who will fly into London from across the globe.聽

London Heathrow ground handlers go on 72-hour strike over pay

• Airport

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-11-18

The gold bars are suspected of belonging to South American drug cartels that may have been trying to smuggle them for money laundering purposes.

The seizure was part of an international investigation which saw the gold initially moved by private jet from Venezuela to the Cayman Islands.

The shipment was then transported to Switzerland and then onto Heathrow on June 1, 2022, where Border Force agents were alerted by the .

The investigation into money laundering is now being led by authorities in the Cayman Islands, with the assistance of the NCA.

The bars and pieces of gold, which together weigh around 104 kilos, have been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, following a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates in London.

鈥淲e believe that this shipment was linked to drugs cartels operating out of South America. movement,鈥� said NCA Heathrow branch commander, Steve McIntyre. 鈥淲orking with partners overseas and in the UK we were quickly able to identify it and stop its onward movement.鈥�

He added: 鈥淭he business model of many organised crime groups relies upon the ability to move money across borders, to fund further investment in criminal activity. If we can stop that it not only causes disruption to the criminal network involved and prevents them benefiting from crime, but it also stops that re-investment.鈥�

Four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants arrested for smuggling drugs from Paris

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-03-20

The day of strike action has been called by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union whose members are unhappy with pay and conditions in Britain.

The strikes begin on March 15, 2023, and will continue through until around 7am on March 16.

The UK government said it has undertaken extensive planning to minimise disruption, reduce queues and keep our border safe ahead of Border Force strike action.

Airports that have announced customers may experience disruption include London-Gatwick Airport (LGW), London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Manchester Airport (MAN).

According to the PCS alongside its 133,000 striking on March 15 will be more than 500,000 employees from eight other unions.

In France, several unions have also called for strike action and demonstrations on March 15 which may lead to additional disruption to services and queues at French ports not due to Border Force strike action.

Transport for London (TfL). which runs underground services to the capital精东影业 airports, are also holding strikes on March 15 resulting in no tube service.

鈥淒uring this period of industrial action, travellers should be prepared for disruption. We encourage everyone to check the latest advice from operators before travelling,鈥� said Steve Dann, Border Force chief operating officer.

London City Airport to be first UK airport to scrap 100ml liquid restriction

• Airport

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-03-14