Saudi Arabian Airlines Fined

Saudi Arabian Airlines has been fined some 1.4 million euros by a regional Belgian government for breaching EU carbon emissions rules, making it the first big non-EU carrier to be fined for breaking the EU aviation law.

The European Union requirement that all aircraft using its airports pay for carbon emissions caused international outcry when it was introduced at the start of 2012.

Air Malta in Talks With Turkish Airlines

Air Malta is currently in negotiations with Turkish Airlines – the fourth largest carrier in the world – regarding a strategic alliance and cash injection. 

Company sources at Air Malta have told local media that discussions are held on a regular basis with a number of airlines over alliances of some degree, however with Turkish these discussions are also including talks about a cash injection or a total buyout of the small and financially strapped Maltese airline. 

Premium Economy For Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines will officially launch its new premium economy seats this Thursday, 21st
 May, with Sydney being the first destination.

Flights to London, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and Paris will follow as the airline moves to rapidly fit the new seats across its flagship fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The leather-clad seats, created exclusively for Singapore Airlines by JPA Design, will be 19.5 inches wide with a pitch of 38 inches, compared to a 19 inch width and tighter 32 inch pitch in standard economy cabin.  In addition to a greater recline, padded legrest and more in-seat storage space, passengers will also be treated to champagne and meals from Singapore Airlines' 'Book the Cook' service.

United Hacker Controls Flight.

Worrying news breaking from the United States of America regarding in flight safety of aircraft after a cyber security hacker's claim hit the headlines that he managed to control an aircraft mid-flight through its in-flight entertainment system.

According to media reports, the FBI warrant says researcher / hacker Chris Roberts took control of a United Airlines flight briefly and caused the aircraft to fly sideways for a short time.  It is not exactly clear when the incident took place however Roberts was detained by the FBI in April after he posted this tweet claiming he had hacked into the control systems of a United Airlines flight on which he was a passenger.

Busy Summer Ahead

According to figures released this week from Airlines for America, this summer is looking set to be one of the busiest on record with an estimated 222 million travelers are expected to fly from 1st June to 31st Aug. That would be an amazing  4.5% growth from last year, the average number of 2.4 million travelers per day would include 332,000 on international flights, which the group said would also be a record.

"With 13 of the 15 busiest air travel days of the year falling in the summer months, U.S. airlines are well-prepared to accommodate the increased travel demand by adding flights and seats, and deploying new and larger aircraft, along with a boost in staffing to enhance the customer experience," said John Heimlich, chief economist for Airlines for America. Healthy air-travel demand and lower, yet still volatile, fuel prices are helping U.S. airlines close the gap to average U.S. corporate profitability,"

Bristol Airport Sussess

Passenger numbers soared to move than 500,000 last month, a new record for the South West Airport. Its the 13th consecutive month of growth at the regional airport and future growth is promised with new routes and a new winter schedule being planned.

BMI Regional saw traffic their passenger numbers increase with the launch of two new services to Paris and Düsseldorf. Other airlines including Brussels Airlines, EasyJet, Ryanair and Thomas Cook also recorded growth from Bristol.

New destinations for the summer include Bilbao, lsle of Man, Porto, Gibraltar, Catania, Cape Verde, Paphos and Hurghada.  Wizz Air is all set to make its Bristol debut in June with twice weekly flights to Katowice in Poland.

The airport management confirm a terminal extension is on schedule to open in July of this year that will increase services to passengers. Airport chief executive, Robert Sinclair, said: “Growth in passenger numbers supports investment in facilities such as the eastern terminal extension which will create additional space and seating, as well as a wider choice of shops and restaurants. It also demonstrates to airlines the strength of the market for air travel in the south-west as we work to attract exciting new routes to add to the 100-plus already on offer from Bristol.”

EasyJet Crew Injured in Turbulence.

Two flight crew were injured as turbulence hit an easyJet aircraft as it prepared to land in Milan. One of the cabin crew suffered a broken ankle and the other severe bruising, an air accident report revealed. They were both take to an Italian hospital after medical staff were called to meet the aircraft. None of the 137 passengers was injured on board the Airbus A320 flight from Gatwick on January 30, according to the report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The All New Gulf - American War

The all new Gulf - American war of words between the big three American carriers and the three big Gulf airlines is heating up to such an extreme that trade sanctions are currently being considered.

Etihad Airways hit back yesterday at the big three US carriers seeking to restrict Gulf airlines from competing on ‘open skies’ routes to North America.  The United Arab Emirates based airline outlined a range of government and court-sanctioned benefits and concessions received by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines Group, and other carriers with which they have merged.

All told the benefits are worth $71.48 billion with over $70 billion coming since 2000, which has enabled the three largest carriers in the US to go from the verge of bankruptcy to industry leaders, each achieving multi-billion dollar profits.

Delta, American and United generated collective net profits of $8.97 billion last year, equivalent to 45% of the total $19.9 billion profits achieved in 2014 by the global airline industry. 2015 seems to show no sign of change as all three reported large net profits for the first quarter of the year.

New Route to Miami for Turkish

Turkish Airlines will launch a new service to Miami from Istanbul on 25th October and will be the first direct service between the two cities since September of 2001. For the flights starting in October, the airline will use a Boeing 777-300ER with capacity for 337 passengers. Flights will arrive in Miami at 8:30 p.m. and leave for Istanbul at 10:30 p.m. daily.

Istanbul Ataturk Airport is ranked 13th in the world for total passenger traffic with 56.8 million passengers in 2014 and Turkish Airlines plans to increase its route to 273 destinations by the end of the year.

Turkish Airlines first started flying the Miami-Istanbul route in June of 1999, but stopped the service in September of 2001. An airport spokesman said the airline had limited resources at the time, and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks forced air carriers all over the globe to cut back.

United Sued Over TV

A New Jersey woman is suing United airlines for $5 million - because her in-flight TV wasn't working properly!

Cary David has issued a legal claim against United Airlines after paying for four hours of television yet only receiving a signal for the last 10 minutes of her journey.  In the lawsuit she says the airline failed to “disclose that the services will not work as advertised when the aircraft is outside the continental United States or is over water.”

More Turbulence for Malaysia Airlines

There is hope for troubled Malaysia Airlines according top the new chief executive of airline, 

who said its financial situation is more challenging than anticipated and it will shrink in size as it tries to overcome a tarnished image with the industry and the public.

The Malaysian carrier has been hit hard recently, shocked by two disasters  - the first being the missing aircraft that just seems to have vanished on 8th March with 239 people on board. Then just four months later,the horrific shooting down of another aircraft over Ukraine by Russian agents claimed the lives of 298 people.

In a memo, Mr Christoph Mueller thanked Malaysia Airlines staff for a warm welcome but also noted parts of the organisation seemed "depressed" and customers were saying service is deteriorating. "Since the new airline will be smaller in size, we simply have not enough work for all of you," Mr Mueller said and plans to reduce the work-force by around 6000 people.  Mr Mueller advised they will soon send out termination letters as well as new job offers to those who will remain in the airline. 

Swiss to Fly CS100 First

Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has confirmed that Swiss International Air Lines will be the first airline to fly the new CSeries twinjet, when the airline takes delivery of its first jet during the first half of 2016.

Bombardier says they are on schedule for certification of the CS100 to be completed towards the close of this year. However we wont have long to wait to view the new aircraft as Bombardier are planning on exhibiting the plane at Paris Air Show in June. 

The Lufthansa Group, which owns Swiss has ordered 30 CSeries aircraft “We are looking forward to being both the launch customer and the first airline that will operate the CS100.”  says Swiss chief executive Harry Hohmeister, confirming the aircraft is“very much in line with our performance expectations”,

Airline pilots 'buckling under unacceptable pressures'

he strain put on airline pilots has been in the spotlight since the co-pilot of a Germanwings flight crashed his plane into the French Alps in March.

French investigators say it was intentional and that Andreas Lubitz had practised a rapid decent on a previous flight. There have also been repeated questions about his mental state.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced it is setting up a taskforce of experts to review aviation safety regulation, including pilot health checks, following the crash.

So how much pressure are pilots under?

John (not his real name) found himself exhausted after 36 years in the industry.

He told the BBC: "I just found it impossible to go to work. I felt very close to tears, as I had done on various occasions at the end of shifts, without really understanding what was happening.

"I just couldn't really function on any level."

Read more here

Rescue for Air Zimbabwe

Troubled airline Air Zimbabwe will hold talks with several potential strategic partners after government agreed to take over its toxic $298 million debt.

The talks will be completed during the third quarter of this year, according to Zimbabwe's Transport Minister, Obert Mpofu “We have some interest from some reputable airlines which have shown keenness to partner Air Zimbabwe, especially when we clean up our balance sheet, which has been of great concern to potential investors.  - Government has undertaken to warehouse that debt and let the new arrangement start on a clean slate.”

Drunk Scot Diverts Thomas Cook Plane

A Thomas Cook flight from Scotland to Turkey was diverted to London Gatwick yesterday after a disturbance on board.

The flight from Glasgow to Dalaman was forced to divert after the pilot called police due to drunken passengers.  Passengers on the flight said they saw police officers board the flight when it landed at Gatwick early on Wednesday morning and arrested a man.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "At 11.45am on Wednesday police went to a Thomas Cook flight which had just been diverted into Gatwick Airport on a flight from Glasgow Airport to Turkey. Officers arrested a man who was a passenger, on suspicion of being drunk on an aircraft. There are no reports of injuries or damage. The man is currently in custody for interview and further enquirers.

American Airlines Flight Emergency Landing at Glasgow.

An American Airlines flight was diverted to Glasgow earlier today after reporting a problem with one of the aircraft's engines.

The US bound flight had departed Frankfurt in Germany normally and was heading to Dallas, Texas when it declared an emergency, with an engine apparently not working.

The pilot landed at Glasgow Airport at around 12.15pm and the plane was met on the runway by emergency services. One passenger on board the flight tweeted: "American Airline 71 FRA-DFW emergency landed in Glasgow after loss of one engine. All good."

TAP's Future in Doubt

Portugal's troubled airline TAP will face a massive consolidation, cutting staff and routes if the ongoing 10 day strike by air crew hamper the carriers planned privatisation the Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said yesterday.

Pilots at the Portuguese airline commenced their strike action on 1st May, which the airline claims has reduced scheduled flights by over 30 per cent.

The strike comes just before a May 15 deadline for bids to buy a majority stake in what is now a wholly state-owned company. The government has said it will go ahead with the privatisation despite the strike.

Vueling Airlines Launches Belfast Route

Vueling Airlines, one of Europe’s fastest growing budget airlines, part of the International Airlines Group (IAG) headed by arrogant megalomaniac Willy Walsh, have confirmed they will start a twice weekly service between Belfast and Barcelona.

The Spanish airline will operate a twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays to Barcelona's  El Prat airport, increasing the service to three times a week from 23rd June.

Katy Best, Commercial and Marketing Director at Belfast City Airport, said:“The arrival of Vueling to Northern Ireland is hugely exciting and significant given the airline’s fast paced growth and popularity in mainland Europe. As a low cost yet full service airline, Vueling places customer service at the centre of its operations and strategically selects airport partners which do the same."

Emirates Soars as Sledgehammer Looms

The ascendancy of one of the Gulf's finest carriers continues to soar with news of a 40per cent jump in annual profits.

Emirates, one of the world's largest airlines announced a profit of some 4.6 billion Dirham (£1 billion $1.52 billion) in the last financial year. This massive jump in profit is largely due to the drop in oil prices, saving the airline around 2 billion Diaham last year alone.   Revenue also increased 7 per cent year on year to some 88.8 billion dirhams.

Their ground and tourism operation, Dnata, also recorded a massive 34 per cent rise in profits, climbing it 5.5 bilion Dirhams.  

Norwegian Airlines Losses Will Not Halt US Expansion

Norwegian emerged from the first quarter of 2015 with a loss of 790 million kroner. A pilots’ strike that cancelled many flights and sent passengers to other airlines was largely responsible. “The first quarter is usually seasonally weak, and this quarter the figures were also affected by the weakness of the Norwegian kroner against the dollar and euro,” said Norwegian CEO Bjørn Kjos. “At the same time, the pilots’ strike sent many customers to competitors.” The loss was actually less than then 802 million kroner that some analysts had predicted.

Norwegian’s total revenue of about 3.6 billion kroner was also slightly better than expected. “On the positive side, passenger growth outside Scandinavia has been good, especially on long-haul routes,” said Kjos. “In particular, passenger growth on the London-Gatwick route has been very solid.” Norwegian Long Haul has also set its sights on opening its maiden US West Coast base at Los Angeles International Airport.  

Croatia Expansion

Expansion plans continue for Croatia Airlines as it announces it will lease two Embraer E190 aircraft next year, also commenting that the company is considering opening bases outside of its home country.

The carrier plans to expand its fleet with four to six jets over the next four years according to sources inside the airline and seem to confirm earlier statements from the airline’s CEO, Krešimir Kučko, “If Croatia Airlines was to buy more aircraft today it would choose an Embraer model”, Mr. Kučko said recently.

Alitalia to Resume Korea Service.

The Italian carrier Alitalia have announced they will resume services to Korea after 18 years with its Seoul Incheon-Rome direct route to launch on June 4. 

Alitalia have said they will operate the new route three times a week with 250-seat A330 aircraft, offering three classes ― Magnifica (business class), Classica Plus (premium economy class) and Classica (economy class). 

“Under the vision to build the ‘new Alitalia,’ we have put a priority on the expansion of the Asian network (for future growth),” Alitalia CEO Silvano Cassano said in a meeting with media at the carriers headquarters in Rome last week. 

PIA Pilots Put Passengers Safety At Risk

A shocking revelation emerged on Sunday regarding the safety of a Pakistan International Airlines flight. The highly regarded pilot put the lives of all passengers and crew at risk when he took command of the flight, without mandatory rest. The trans-Atlantic flight happened in April and only became known on Sunday.

According to media sources, PIA did not check the violation of air safety rules, a spokesperson for the airline claimed a thorough inquiry would be conducted into the incident that happened in the first week of April.

This was not the first such incident of compromise on air safety as another pilot, Amir Hashmi, had been involved in such violation at least twice in the past, the sources said. They added that no punitive action had been taken against him, lending courage to other pilots to put the life of air travellers at unnecessary risk.

100 New Aircraft for Saudi Arabian Airlines

The board of Saudi Arabian Airlines will purchase 100 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing in line with its five year plan from 2015-2020.  Saudi Arabian Airlines Director General Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said recently the plan is meant to strengthen operational efficiency as part of the continuous modernization of the fleet.

Previously Saudia ordered 90 state-of-the-art aircraft from Boeing and Airbus and all but 12 of them have not been delivered, according to local media sources.  Growing domestic passenger requirements and the expansion of the airline’s international operations make this purchase necessary.

Bristow Helicopters Running Late In SAR AW189

Bristow Helicopters is already a month in to its billion pound contract for taking over the majority of the UK's search and rescue capabilities, yet the planned use of the AgustaWestland AW189 craft has not happened.

Two AW189s were due to be up and running from Bristow’s Inverness base from 1 April, but they've used a pair of Sikorsky S-92s instead.

According to the company's plans, a further two AW189 bases were scheduled to become operational later this year, but this is looking doubtful “The AW189 continues operational evaluation for entry into service; it is too soon to say when the aircraft will be operational,” the company said.

The original plans would have seen Bristow's basing two helicopters at Manston in Kent, however the closure of the airport forced a major rethink. Lydd and Shoreham were both being considered for operations, with the former winning due to hanger and crew space availability. According to reports test flights will commence from Lydd during the first week of June, despite opposition from local residents.

SpiceJet Boss Quits

Sudhakar Kondisetty, SpiceJet’s senior vice president for information technology, has quit, the second top executive to step down in less than one month after the new owner Ajay Singh came onboard.

Reduced Losses for Royal Jordanian

Royal Jordanian Airlines losses fell by 64 per-cent in the first quarter compared to the same period a year earlier mainly due to the collapse in oil prices, the airline confirmed last week. 

Royal Jordanian announced on Wednesday it made a net loss of 8.3 million Jordanian dinars over the three months ending 31st March 2015 compared to a 23 million loss last year.  

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sulaiman Al Hafez, stated the losses were due to the drop in oil prices, improvement in airline operations and cost cuts. The airline says it was satisfied with the first quarter performance, signaling the latest stage in a process to return the carrier to profitable operations. 

Almost Time for Emirates New Premium Cabin

One of the world's finest airlines is in the “final stages” as it prepares to launch its new luxury bedroom product that is to be rolled out on its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777s, a senior airline executive said on Sunday. 

The new premium product will be “more like a private railway cabin” (to fit one passenger) and will initially be launched on the airline’s A380s and later introduced on the 777 fleet, Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president of the Commercial Operations Centre at Emirates airline, told reporters in Dubai, on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) conference.

Emirates Airlines is the largest operator of the Airbus A380 super jumbos, with 60 in the fleet from an order of 140. The Gulf carrier is also the largest customer of Boeing’s new long-range 777x jet. 

Malaysian Aircraft Sale

The troubled national airline of Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, is planning to sell off some aircraft as the latest stage of its restructuring efforts. After the two recent air disasters and years of poor performance the national carrier was taken private last year by Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd under a government bailout. 

The troubled airline launched a marketing campaign last week for Boeing/s777-200ERs and Airbus A330-200 freighters, according to sources inside the airline.  Malaysia Airlines reiterated that it was reviewing its fleet as part of its restructuring programme. “Exploring fleet options to enhance viability of long-haul sectors is one area being looked into,” it said in a tweet, adding that its new business plan had not yet been finalised. 

Aviation commentators speculate that the airline is also about to lease out its Airbus A380's and withdraw a number of routes. 

No Loo Roll's Constipates Ryanair Passengers

A three-hour Ryanair flight from Murcia Airport in Spain to London became a nightmare for some passengers when the pilot announced the toilets had no toilet paper.A passenger on the plane told newspapers: “Everyone had horrified looks on their faces; to be able to go to the toilet is a basic need. “It really was appalling."

Ryanair spokesperson hit back by saying “This very rare and regrettable stock shortage (on the last flight last Sunday evening) was caused by the failure of our handling agents in Murcia to deliver toilet rolls and milk sachets that had been ordered on the turnaround in Murcia. 

Odor Forces Emergency Landing

-- Hawaiian Airlines passengers had to exit a plane using emergency slides after an odor of fumes forced the flight turnaround soon after takeoff.

The airline says Hawaiian flight No. 24 left Kahului airport at 11:18 a.m. Friday, bound for Oakland, California. The flight crew declared an emergency and the plane returned to Kahului at 11:50 a.m.

All 224 passengers were evacuated via emergency slides. The airline says two passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Passengers have the option to take an Oakland-bound flight scheduled to depart at 10:15 p.m. Hawaii time.

The airline says it will also provide overnight accommodations to those who prefer to remain on Maui and take a flight leaving Saturday.

Hawaiian will be refunding airfare for all affected passengers.

Nicole Kidman Being Pressured to Halt Ethiad Ad's

Nicole Kidman has been slammed for her new ad campaign with Etihad Airways.

Association of Professional Flight Attendants national president Laura Glading, in an open letter to Kidman, wrote the sponsorship deal is at odds with the Australian Oscar winner's role as a United Nations women's goodwill ambassador.

 

The union represents represents 25,000 American flight attendants and waged a public campaign against Etihad and other United Arab Emirates airlines claiming they "are well-known in our industry for their discriminatory labour practices and deplorable treatment of female employees".

 

Read more here.

$5000 for AC624 Passengers.

The passengers on board Air Canada Flight AC624 that crashed at Halifax airport have received a letter and a cheque from the airline for $5,000.

According to local media, one female  passenger said she received a cheque for $5,000 on Wednesday after it had been couriered to her.  Another passenger, also sent a cheque said he has consulted with a lawyer to find out if he can cash the cheque and still be part of a class action lawsuit. 

\the letter says, "$5,000 is not an admission of liability, it is a payment for expenses and inconvenience," and goes on to indicate that if Air Canada is held responsible then that $5,000 will be deducted from it.

Ryanair Banning Booze

Ryanair is banning booze,  but only on a flight from Glasgow to the vibrant home of the summer club scene Ibiza.

The ultra low cost airline Ryanair has told passengers travelling from Glasgow Prestwick to the Spanish sunshine and party isle that they will no longer be able to take alcohol on board.

Bosses confirmed yesterday this the Prestwick - Ibiza service was the only one of their flights to be slapped with the new restrictions.

In an email sent to passengers flying to Ibiza, the airline says “Customers will not be allowed to carry alcohol on board and all cabin baggage will be searched at boarding gates.

“Any alcohol purchased in airport shops or elsewhere must be packed in a suitable item of baggage, which will be tagged and placed in the aircraft hold free of charge. Customers attempting to conceal alcohol will be denied travel without refund or compensation.”

Many are not surprised by this action from the cheap airline, September last year a video emerged showing drunk passengers chanting, swearing and stamping their feet on the flight. In 2013 the flight had to be diverted to Beauvais airport, near Paris, because of drunk passengers causing trouble.

Ryanair said: “The comfort and safety of our customers and crew is our No1 priority and we will not tolerate unruly behaviour at any time.”

Sri Lankan Airlines Curruption Investigation

The Sri Lankan government has launched a criminal investigation into Sri Lankan Airlines, the national air carrier over allegations of "shocking" corruption.

A statement from the prime minister's office this week stated an inquiry had unearthed "major security breaches" at Sri Lankan Airlines. This follows on from much local speculation that there were serious wrongdoings at the company.

The official statement alleges irregularities in a $2.3bn purchase of 10 aircraft made under the previous government. This is the latest in a string of allegations  of corruption  against the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Air Canada Against Jets at Billy Bishop

Air Canada have confirmed they don't want the competition and are battling hard to put a rival out of business. The mammoth Air Canada are pushing hard against Porter Airlines plans for a jet service from Toronto's Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

The arch rivals have fought over the airport before — Air Canada sued Porter after Jazz, Air Canada's regional partner, was evicted from its Billy Bishop terminal by a company owned by Porter's CEO and president Robert Deluce in 2006. Porter was the only airline allowed to operate for the airport at the time. Air Canada regained access in 2010.

Porter Airlines has a powerful and high reputation and is currently lobbying Toronto's city council to amend rules to allow jets at Billy Bishop. Among other things, allowing jets to use the airport would require extending the runway at both ends by filling in parts of Lake Ontario. The proposed C Series jet aircraft Porter Airlines seeks to use on the route are quieter than the current Bombardier Q400's.

Another Fine for Southwest Airlines.

American's behemoth budget air carrier Southwest Airlines is facing another fine from the Federal Aviation Administration because of safety issues; for the second time in twelve months. 

The first case warranted a penalty of $265,800 and revolved around an aircraft that lost cabin pressure operating a flight from Boston to St. Louis in May 2013. The FAA alleges that mechanics for the airline failed to do a mandatory inspection for damage and to ensure the depleted oxygen bottles were replaced after the flight landed. Despite this failure, the FAA claims Southwest operated the aircraft on a further 123 flights before completing the inspection on June 3.

“Additionally, the airline allegedly operated the aircraft on May 14 and 15 flights with two of the four portable oxygen units un-serviceable,” the FAA claims. “A minimum of three were required under the conditions of Southwest’s Minimum Equipment List (MEL).”

Special Measures For Thailand's Aviation Industry

Turmoil in Thailand’s aviation industry at the moment as “special measures” have been slapped upon it after issues were flagged up by ICAO - the International Civil Aviation Organization  earlier this month.

Airlines including Thai AirAsia X, NokScoot and Asia Atlantic Airline have been forced to cancel flights. Even national airline, Thai Airways, was affected, being forced to cancel a number of new charter flights in April.

Aircraft Escorted to Prestwick Airport

A cargo aircraft has landed safely in Scotland after suffering technical problems with its communications equipment.

A major emergency had been declared at the airport after the Italian C-27J aircraft lost communication. This raised security concerns and the as a precaution RAF Typhoon fighters were scrambled to intercept and escort the stricken aircraft to Prestwick Airport.

A number of other flights were held up while the events took place, however Scottish airspace was not closed at the time. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Typhoon aircraft were launched this evening from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept a civilian aircraft which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities. The aircraft was safely escorted to Prestwick airport and the local police now have the lead."

Down in the air just off the south coast of England another drama was taking place as two Russian military aircraft encroached into civil air corridors inside UK air space. Details of the RAF delayed response have not been disclosed and are under investigation.