Air Logistics Asia

GOOD BYE

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Alas, this is the last Bellyache from your narrator, who has put together this page for most of the past 20 years. It is time to leave the "least serious page" in this magazine to someone else. We are glad to have been able to serve you with "news from the sidelines", based on regular anonymous and not so anonymous contributions from readers, which often were not only unprintable, but also clogged yours truly computer. Keep sending the stuff folks, because like nicotine, cell phones, … [Read more...] about GOOD BYE

SPECULATORS

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According to the US Energy Information Agency "US oil demand during the first half of 2008 fell an average of 800,000 barrels per day compared with the same period a year ago, the biggest drop in 26 years." At the same time, the price of oil was soaring in the first six months of 2008, reaching US$147 per barrel in early July. Queried by consumers organisations and Congress, the Bush administration and representatives of the oil cartel vehemently denied that speculators were driving up … [Read more...] about SPECULATORS

WALKING FISH

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We hear that a recent Delta flight landing at Melbourne Airport in Florida, was delayed by four catfish, which were walking on the runway when the pilot turned the aircraft on finals. The catfish, which can use their pectoral fins to propel themselves to an upright position, apparently were attempting to get out of the downpours and floodwaters caused by a tropical storm and ended up on the runway. Airport crews had to remove them before the Delta plane could land. … [Read more...] about WALKING FISH

HANG-UP

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A recent survey conducted on behalf of Yahoo Mobile has found that nearly three-fourths of US cell phone users don't want to fly in airplanes with passengers talking on phones. The results dovetail with the recent passing of a bill by the US House Transportation Committee to ban cell phone use on aircraft in US airspace. The legislation, dubbed the "Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace Act (Hang Up)", now goes to the full House, where it will be considered when Congress returns this … [Read more...] about HANG-UP

CUSTOMER WRATH

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After having been confronted by relentless law enforcement agencies in the US, Europe and Australia and agreeing to pay record fines to settle allegations of price-fixing on air freight services, the airline industry is now apparently facing the wrath of its clients. Furniture chain IKEA and clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz were among the companies which last month launched lawsuits against Scandinavian airline SAS. More lawsuits are expected to follow. In June this year, SAS admitted … [Read more...] about CUSTOMER WRATH

Kolkata and Chennai get upgrades

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The Indian government has approved modernisation and expansion projects at Kolkata and Chennai airports that will bring the facilities to "international standard" at a combined cost of US$900 million. The Kolkata project will cost an estimated INR19.43 billion (US$452.4 million) and expand annual handling capacity by 20 million passengers. The second runway will be extended to 3,293 metres, navigation facilities will be upgraded, aircraft parking and additional taxiways will be added and road … [Read more...] about Kolkata and Chennai get upgrades