The administration posted photographs of the snakes on social media, but did not mention where the passenger intended to fly to. 

According to the TSA, the snakes, which were hidden inside a sunglasses pouch, were discovered during a checkpoint on April 26, 2024.

The pouch containing the snakes had been concealed in the man精东影业 pants, the TSA said. 

One of the photos showed two small pink snakes slithering around the exterior of the pouch with white packaging material around them.

The TSA said that Customs and Border Protection and Miami-Dade Police partners were called to assist with the discovery. 

The snakes were eventually turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Wildlife smuggling is unfortunately a common practice worldwide due to the demand for exotic pets. In October 2023, rodents, otters, and turtles escaped an enclosure and caused chaos mid-flight on a VietJet flight from Bangkok to Taipei.

Southeast Asia is a hot spot for illegal wildlife trading and Bangkok Airport (BKK), in particular, recorded more than 14,000 live animals confiscated at the airport between 2010-2020.

Otter, rat run amok on VietJet flight after escaping from suitcase of animals

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-10-16

According to a police report seen by , the American Airlines flight was due to leave for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on November 27, 2023, when the passenger told a cabin crew member he suffered panic attacks and his medication had been packed in his checked-in luggage.聽聽

The report said the passenger told staff that he had “took planes down with panic attacks in the past”, however he was advised that the medication could not be retrieved.  

It was decided that the passenger should leave the aircraft, but when a manager approached him, he began to scream and pushed the staff member. 

According to the report, as he left the plane the passenger punched the manager several times in the face and threw her to the floor.  

As she fell, the manager struck her head on the jetbridge and she was subsequently taken to hospital. 

As the passenger ran away, he then pushed a gate agent, who also fell to the floor and injured her hands. 

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the passenger kicking and screaming as he was subdued by members of the public.  

NBC 6 reported that the 29-year-old passenger was charged with aggravated battery, battery, disorderly conduct, and resisting an officer without violence. 

鈥淎cts of violence against our colleagues are not tolerated by American Airlines and we are committed to working closely with law enforcement in their investigation. Our thoughts are with our team member, and we are ensuring they have the support they need at this time,鈥� American Airlines said in a statement following the incident.聽聽

Ferrovial sells 25% stake in Heathrow Airport to Saudi PIF and investment firm

• Airport
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byIan Molyneaux

2023-11-29

We’ll count them off in ascending order, revealing which airports have been particularly prone to delays this year. Our data is sourced from the comprehensive study conducted by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics from the period of January 2023 to June 2023, titled . The percentage shown represents the proportion of total flights that have experienced delays at each major airport. 

We’ll also look at the reasons behind those delays, giving you valuable insights to help plan your journeys with confidence. 

10. Denver International (DEN) – 25.77% 

Denver International Airport, nestled in the heart of Denver, Colorado, and serving the bustling Denver metropolitan area, started operations on February 28, 1995.  

The primary source of delays at this airport is aircraft arriving late, which accounts for 31% of all delays. This can be linked to various factors such as weather disruptions, mechanical issues, and security concerns. 

The leading cause of delays at DEN can be linked with National Aviation System or NAS issues, which encompass a wide array of factors unrelated to weather, including airport operations, heavy traffic congestion, and air traffic control issues. These NAS-related issues accounted for 27% of all delays at DEN between January and June of this year.  

9. George Bush Intercontinental/Houston (IAH) – 26.01% 

George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport, situated in Houston, Texas, and serving the Houston metropolitan area, first opened for business on June 8, 1969. IAH welcomes over 39 million travelers annually. 

Delays at this airport can be primarily attributed to NAS-related issues, which account for nearly 32% of all delays.  

The second most prevalent cause of delays at this airport is aircraft arriving late, comprising nearly 29% of the total number of all delays. 

8. Miami International (MIA) – 26.14% 

Miami International Airport, situated in Miami, Florida, and serving the Miami metropolitan area, began operations in 1928. MIA manages more than 1,000 daily flights connecting to 167 destinations, both within the country and abroad. 

Delays at MIA are primarily associated with NAS-related issues, which make up 33% of all delays. 

The airport精东影业 second most common contributor to delays in aircraft arriving late, making up 29% of the total number of all delays. 

7. John F. Kennedy International (JFK) – 26.35% 

John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in Queens, New York, and serving the New York City metropolitan area, originally opened for business as Idlewild Airport on July 1st, 1948. Today, JFK experiences approximately 1,200 to 1,300 daily arrivals and departures. 

Delays at JFK are primarily associated with NAS-related issues, which make up 31% of all delays. 

The second leading cause of delays at JFK is air carrier delays, contributing to 29% of the total number of all delays, which can be linked to various factors such as aircraft maintenance, baggage handling, the arrival of connecting passengers or crew members, bird strikes, and cargo loading. 

6. Tampa International (TPA) – 26.91% 

Tampa International Airport, located in Tampa, Florida, and serving the Tampa Bay area, commenced operations on April 15, 1971. TPA serves around 21 million passengers annually with 85 domestic and international destinations. 

The leading cause of delays at TPA is aircraft arriving late, which accounts for nearly 35% of all delays. 

The second most notable factor contributing to delays at SFO is air carrier delays, comprising nearly 32% of the total number of all delays. 

5. Newark Liberty International (EWR) – 27.17% 

Newark Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, and serving the greater New York City region, opened for business on October 1, 1928. It caters to over 45 airlines, facilitating nearly 1,200 daily arrivals and departures to destinations both within the country and abroad. 

Delays at EWR can chiefly be attributed to NAS-related issues, which account for nearly 42% of all delays. 

The second most prevalent cause of delays at EWR is aircraft arriving late, making up nearly 22% of the total number of all delays. 

A guide to New York精东影业 airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty

• Airport

byRosita Mickeviciute

2023-07-13

4. San Francisco International (SFO) – 27.29% 

San Francisco International Airport, situated in San Mateo County, California, and serving the San Francisco Bay Area, first opened its gates to travelers on May 7, 1927.  

NAS-related issues are the major cause of delays at SFO, accounting for 32% of all delays. 

The second most significant contributor to delays at SFO is air carrier delays, which make up 30% of the total number of all delays. 

3. Orlando International (MCO) – 30.25% 

Orlando International Airport, located in Orlando, Florida, and serving the central Florida region, commenced its services in 1940. Today, it witnesses more than 850 daily flights operated by 44 airlines to 135 domestic and international destinations. 

Delays at MCO can be primarily attributed to aircraft arriving late, making up nearly 34% of all delays. 

The second most significant cause of delays at MCO is NAS-related issues, contributing to 30% of the total number of all delays. 

2. Harry Reid International (LAS) – 31.01% 

Harry Reid International Airport, located in Paradise, Nevada, and serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area, first welcomed travelers in 1942. Today, it manages over 490 flights and accommodates 141,000 passengers daily. In the first half of 2023, LAS took the second position among major US airports for the highest number of flight delays.聽

Delays at LAS are chiefly caused by NAS-related issues, which account for over 35% of all delays. 

The second leading cause of delays at LAS is aircraft arriving late, contributing to over 33% of the total number of all delays.  

1. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) – 31.59% 

Fort Lauderdale鈥揌ollywood International Airport, located in Broward County, Florida, serves the Miami metropolitan area. It first opened its doors on May 1st, 1929, and today it handles over 700 daily flights, connecting passengers to 135 domestic and international destinations.  

In the first quarter of 2023, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport claimed the dubious honor among major US airports for the highest number of flight delays. Notably, though, 68.41% of all flights operated without any delay. 

NAS-related issues are the foremost cause of delays at FLL, accounting for 32% of all delays. 

The second most notable factor contributing to delays at FLL is air carrier delays, comprising over 23% of the total number of all delays. 

To sum up: Top 10 US airports with the most flight delays in the first half of 2023 

World精东影业 Top 10 largest airports as of 2024

• Airport

byRosita Mickeviciute

2024-01-17

TSA agents Josue Gonzalez and Labarrius Williams are facing charges related to the alleged thefts following their arrests in July 2023.

Charges related to a third agent,  Elizabeth Fuster, have since been dropped.

The surveillance video, released by the Florida State Attorney精东影业 Office, appears to show Gonzales, Williams and Fuster unzipping passenger bags and pocketing items before sending them through the CT scanner.

The video has since been reposted a number of times on social media platforms by media companies and private citizens alike.

An investigation revealed that the three agents were caught on video working conspiratorially to distract passengers being screened and steal money from their belongings. 

The agents鈥� arrests were made after airport authorities contacted a police detective to investigate a number of thefts at Checkpoint E at MIA airport.

Various US media reported that based on arrest affidavits Gonzalez and Fuster waived their rights at the time of arrest and provided written confessions. Williams refused to talk.

Hearing charges against Fuster were later dropped, according to

NBC Miami also reported that Gonzalez was accepted into a state program that, if completed, the charges against him will be dropped.

MIA airport seems to be no stranger to TSA theft incidents, with social media comments pertaining to such cases dating as far back as 2009.

• Airport

Manila airport to ramp up security after series of theft incidents by personnel

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-03-02

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was travelling from Miami International Airport (MIA) on August 14, 2023, when the pilot became ill and required emergency aid.聽聽

The flight, with 271 passengers on board, was three hours into its journey to Santiago in Chile when the pilot reportedly became incapacitated and required assistance from the flight crew.  

According to , the Civil Aeronautical Authority of Panama said it received a call from Flight LA505 asking to enter Panamanian airspace and land at PTY.聽

There were three pilots on board the flight, so the aircraft was able to land safely with two people at the controls. 

鈥�Latam Airlines Group reports that flight LA505 yesterday, which was on the Miami-Santiago route, had to land at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama, due to a medical emergency for one of the three members of the command crew,鈥� a spokesperson for LATAM said.聽

When the plane landed, emergency services provided life-saving help, but the pilot sadly passed away.  

鈥淲e are deeply moved by what has happened and we extend our sincere condolences to the family of our employee. We are deeply grateful for his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and dedication. During the flight, all the necessary safety protocols were carried out to safeguard the life of the affected pilot,鈥� LATAM said.  

The aircraft eventually continued onto Santiago on August 15, 2023, at around 5:30 pm local time.聽聽

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

• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-07-06

Some of you may recall Winston, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi that 精东影业 introduced back in March 2023.  Winston is a medical service alert dog and, as per British Airways鈥� pet travel rule, service animals can fly inside the aircraft cabin  

Winston精东影业 human recently took to Instagram to share a picture of his service pet on another British Airways flight, this time snoozing comfortably under the duvet of British Airways鈥� Club World (business class) cabin.

Winston seems to frequent the eight hour 45 minute Miami International Airport (MIA) to London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) route and, based on comments on the Instagram post, flight attendants are delighted to have him on board. One flight attendant that served on the flight with Winston even wrote a comment saying she will have to request Miami flights often in order to fly with him again.

Medical service dogs are permitted to fly with British Airways if they meet the following requirements: 

• be individually trained in specific tasks to assist you with your disability or medical condition
• have had behavioral training and show appropriate behavior in public and onboard an aircraft
• wear an identifying jacket/harness, and
• remain under your control at all times

There are a handful of other documents such as health and training certificates that the airline needs to see before accepting an animal on board as a service dog. 

British Airways does not allow emotional support animals in the cabin and,, Winston provides medical service alerts in the event of his owner精东影业 seizures. 

To date, Winston has flown 51 flights across six countries. 

Watch this cute Corgi fly in British Airways business class

• Airlines

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-03-03

One of these was a British Airways flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida on June 19, 2023. 

Flight BA 207 had to divert to Orlando International Airport (MCO) due to weather conditions in Miami. There, the aircraft, including its passengers, were stuck in the airport精东影业 tarmac for over seven hours. 

By way of comparison, the flight time from London to Miami is 9 hours and 25 minutes. 

Officials from the Greater Orlando International Airport Authority told Fox35 that there were issues getting the passengers to a gate that could accommodate the double-deck international flight. Two gates were required in order to get passengers through customs.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) only allows international flights to sit on any US airport tarmac for a maximum of four hours. Severe weather, however, is an exception. 

The flight eventually flew to MIA airport, this time under flight number BA 9063. It left MCO Airport at 00:13, and arrived at 00:48. 

One of the passengers stuck on the plane told Fox35 that it felt like they were 鈥渉eld hostage鈥�.

Florida battered by severe weather

Meanwhile, various regions across the state of Florida have endured tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

tiktok.com/@destinbeachchillin/video/7245316534669708586

Tropical depression in the area has resulted in heavy rain and potential flooding through the third week of June 2023, especially across portions of South Florida where people have been told to brace themselves for dangerous weather.

Two Emirates Airbus A380s divert away from LHR due to bad weather

• Airlines
• Airport

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-03-13

The event happened at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and is the latest in a series of trespassing charges against 26-year-old Jehffrey Gutirres. Indeed, it精东影业 the second time he has been caught in the same airport.  

Gutirres had been ordered to stay away from Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports and required to wear an electronic monitor, but he removed the monitor before the incident, local Houston news KHOU 11 reported.聽

Gutirres’ reckless act put everyone onboard American Airlines Flight 1551 in “imminent danger of serious bodily injury as the aircraft was about to depart,” according to Harris County court documents. The stowaway had hidden inside the wheel compartment containing critical steering and hydraulic components and was found while performing a pre-flight check. Each of the 166 passengers had to be deboarded, resulting in a delay of 44 minutes.  

Between 1947 and 2015, the US Federal Aviation Administration documented 113 stowaway attempts on 101 flights. They resulted in 86 deaths, a 76% fatality rate. 

The risks involved are immense. At cruising altitudes, the landing gear compartments are unpressurized, and temperatures can plummet as low as 鈭�63 掳C, leading to a high probability of hypothermia. The decreased oxygen levels at these heights could also cause asphyxiation. Furthermore, the presence of a person in the landing gear interferes with its operation, endangering the entire flight. 

However, Gutirres previously managed to pull off a similar stunt thar should almost certainly have proved fatal. In November 2021, he was hospitalized after traveling from Guatemala to Miami in the landing gear of another plane. 

This alarming pattern of risking his own life and the lives of others through repeated attempts to stow away in the landing gear of aircraft caused the court to question the 26-year-old精东影业 mental capabilities. Police also noted that Gutirres entered the country illegally and is currently homeless.  

Jehffrey Gutirres is now being held on a $1 million bond, as ordered by the court.  

Two bodies found in Avianca plane landing gear after arriving in Bogota

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2023-01-09

A woman was arrested in Miami International Airport (MIA) after damaging work equipment and hurling a computer monitor at an airline gate agent. 

Camilla McMillie, 25, was traveling to New York City on December 20, 2022 when she noticed her two children had walked away without telling her. 

鈥淲hile the subject was with the gate agent, her two minor children walked away without notice to use nearby restrooms. Once the subject noticed the children were not with her, she became irate and began to scream, demanding the gate agent to find her children,鈥� Miami-Dade Police said in an arrest report seen by the

A now-viral video posted on Twitter shows McMillie in a rage, uprooting work equipment, including a boarding pass reader and computers. At one point, McMillie pulls a computer monitor and hurls it at an airline agent, seen wearing a festive reindeer antler headpiece.

McMillie caused about $10,000 in damages and bruised the agent’s left shoulder, police said. She was detained and later arrested and charged with aggravated battery, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Airports across the United States are bracing for a season of hectic travel, which can bring stress levels amongst passengers high. Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont, is employing airport therapy dogs in an attempt to de-stress holiday travelers.聽

Burlington Airport brings back therapy dogs in time for the travel holiday rush

• Airport

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-12-12

Off-duty flight attendants Marcelo Chaves and Ronald Maldonado arrived in Miami from Brazil via an American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) flight when the pair was pulled for a random check by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The inspection revealed that Chaves and Maldonado were carrying 260 grams of Ketamine, Methamphetamine and GBL, a GHB substitute. The substances were contained in two glass cosmetic bottles and a clear plastic bottle. The quantity and the packaging were enough for officials to charge the two flight attendants with drug trafficking charges.

that Chaves and Maldonado, who are also in a relationship, told investigators that they were doing drugs in Brazil, but that they did not know how the drugs got into their personal luggage.

鈥淐BP officers at Miami airport arrested (2) US Citizens after they arrived on a flight from Brazil for possession and transportation of narcotics,鈥� Robert Brisley of CBP told Local News 10.

Brisley further said: 鈥淪tate Attorney精东影业 office accepted prosecution and both subjects were turned over to Miami Dade PD at MIA Airport. This incident remains under investigation.鈥�

Delta Air Lines released a statement seen by local media, which read: 鈥淒elta continually cooperates with law enforcement entities and the two off-duty flight attendants in question have been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.鈥�

Chaves, who has been living in New York and New Jersey for the last 12 years, is currently being held on a $115,000 bond. He was also court-ordered to attend a Nebbia hearing, which means the defendant has to prove a legitimate source of funds for the bond.

Six months detention: Canadian flight crew still detained in Dominican Republic

• Civil Aviation

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-10-06