On September 24, 2024, a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A350 was struck by lightning at an altitude of 35.000 feet on a flight from Copenhagen to Shanghai. Despite the dramatic event, which was accompanied by a loud bang and a bright flash, the incident was largely harmless for the passengers and crew. However, the aircraft returned to Copenhagen as a precaution, where it landed safely. The incident highlights the safety of modern aircraft and the challenges pilots face in such situations. A lightning strike at 35.000 feet: What happened on board? Flight SK997 took off from Copenhagen Airport on September 24 at 23:48 p.m. local time, bound for Shanghai. During the climb, the aircraft passed through a weather front when lightning suddenly struck the aircraft. A passenger described the moment as extremely loud, accompanied by a bright light visible on the windows. Approximately ten minutes after the impact, the captain informed the passengers that the aircraft had been struck by lightning, but that all systems were functioning normally. Despite the apparently stable situation, the flight crew decided to fly the aircraft back to Copenhagen for a thorough inspection. This is standard aviation procedure, as lightning strikes, although rarely dangerous, have the potential to cause damage that is not immediately apparent. The Airbus A350 landed safely in Copenhagen at 01:22 local time, where it was met on the runway by emergency services. There is a particular risk when landing overweight – that is, with a higher than normal landing weight limit.

Brazilian cargo and charter airline Total Linhas Aéreas may be facing a landmark decision: the purchase of four COMAC C919 aircraft, the first passenger aircraft developed in China and considered a direct competitor to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max. This move could not only revolutionize the Brazilian aviation sector, but also underscore the potential of Chinese aircraft manufacturers in the international market. The talks between Total Linhas Aéreas and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) about the possible purchase of the C919 are a sign of how the dynamics in the aviation market could be shifting. The Brazilian airline, which currently operates a fleet of eight older aircraft, including refitted Boeing 727 and 737 freighters, is forced to look for alternatives to the established Western manufacturers. Both Airbus and Boeing have exhausted their delivery capacity for new aircraft until the next decade, which poses a problem for Total Linhas Aéreas in acquiring new and modern aircraft in a timely manner. With an average age of 29,4 years, the Brazilian airline's current fleet is one of the oldest in the country. The Boeing 727 in particular, which has reached an impressive age of over 46 years, represents a burden on flight operations and maintenance costs. Against this background, the possible purchase of the C919 appears not only a pragmatic but also a strategic decision to modernize operations and remain competitive. The rise of the COMAC C919 The C919 was developed by COMAC as an alternative to the proven models from Airbus and Boeing and made its maiden flight in 2017. Since then

The announcement by Russian authorities that they will establish a direct flight link between St. Petersburg and Sukhumi Airport in the disputed territory of Abkhazia is causing an international stir. Sukhumi-Babushhara Airport, which has been out of service since the Georgian civil war in the 1990s, is set to reopen after extensive rehabilitation work is completed. These plans fit into a broader Russian strategy to strengthen its control over the breakaway region of Abkhazia, which could further escalate geopolitical tensions. Abkhazia, a region in northwestern Georgia, has a long and conflict-ridden history. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it declared independence from Georgia, which culminated in a bloody civil war. Since then, Abkhazia has received political, economic and militarily support from Russia, although it remains internationally recognized as part of Georgia, including by the United Nations and the European Union. The planned expansion of Sukhumi Airport and the establishment of direct flights to Russia could further reduce the region's isolation and promote its integration into the Russian infrastructure. Background: Sukhumi-Babushhara Airport Sukhumi Airport, also known as Babushera, played a central role in the region before the armed conflicts in the 1990s. It was badly damaged during the Georgian civil war and has been largely neglected since then. Although there have been repeated attempts to reopen the airport, it has not yet started regular commercial flight operations. In addition, the airport is not recognized as an international airport by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which severely limits its use. The lack of recognition is a symptom of the tense geopolitical situation in

From summer 2025, Air France will offer its passengers a new service: free high-speed internet thanks to Starlink, SpaceX's satellite-based internet service. This announcement marks a significant step in the French airline's digitalization and service offering, placing it at the forefront of European airlines. The new service will be available in all travel classes and will allow passengers to surf, stream videos, play online games or stay in touch with friends and family on their own electronic devices during the flight. Starlink: the technical basis Starlink is based on a network of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which offers faster and more stable internet connections compared to traditional geostationary satellites. This technology has the advantage of enabling an "Earth-like" experience with high speed and low latency, even on long-haul international flights or in remote areas. In particular, the low latency compared to previous solutions is considered by many industry experts to be a milestone for the aviation industry. Passengers can connect multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring a seamless experience whether they are travelling for business or pleasure. Competition and the future of in-flight internet Air France is not the first airline to introduce Starlink, but it joins a growing list of international airlines using the innovative technology. United Airlines announced in September 2024 that it would gradually equip its fleet with Starlink. Qatar Airways, airBaltic and Hawaiian Airlines are also among the pioneers in this area. Hawaiian Airlines has already completed the rollout and has been offering the service on its