Articles by Franco Grobler

TRIP REPORTS Jan 08, 2024 5 African and Middle Eastern Cities You Must Visit in 2024 There are many great places to explore in Africa and the Middle East. While I wish to travel all of them, here is a list of my top favorite destinations I've enjoyed experiencing. Read More →

NEWS Jan 06, 2024 FAA Grounds 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9s After Mid-Air Alaska Airlines Incident Raises Safety Concerns The year has barely started, and multiple airlines have already lost or were forced to ground certain aircraft in their fleets. Japan Airlines lost an Airbus A350-900 in a fiery crash, Alaska Airlines is scrambling to salvage its fleet, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 Boeing aircraft for safety reasons. The latter two events are due to an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 suffering a mid-air incident on January 5. Shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon (PDX), on its way to Ontario, California (ONT), a section of the fuselage, including a window, blew out, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing back in its origin city. Read More →

NEWS Jan 06, 2024 Cathay Pacific's Rocky Runway: Pilot Shortage Threatens Hong Kong's Aviation Industry Hong Kong's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, has faced turbulence over the holiday season, canceling over 80 flights since Christmas Eve. This has sparked concerns among passengers about potential disruptions and raised questions about underlying issues within the airline. Read More →

INFORMATIONAL Jan 05, 2024 FlySafair: The World's Most On-Time Low-Cost Airline FlySafair, a South African low-cost carrier, has been named the most on-time low-cost airline in the world by aviation analytics company Cirium. This is a remarkable achievement for the airline, which has only been operating since 2014. Read More →

INFORMATIONAL Dec 29, 2023 Why do Airlines Ask Passengers to Use Airplane Mode? So you've buckled in, stowed your tray table, and prepared for takeoff. But before that thrilling climb, you hear "Please switch your electronic devices to airplane mode." But beneath this simple instruction lies a crucial layer of safety for both passengers and crew. Let's unravel the mystery of airplane mode and understand why it's essential on every flight. Read More →

NEWS Dec 27, 2023 Pro-Palestinian Protests Target Major US Airports During Holiday Travel Season In a shocking event, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked off traffic into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on December 27. The protests come as American airports handle some of the busiest travel days of the year due to Christmas and New Years. Protests at airports are not an uncommon occurrence since disrupting passenger traffic is viewed by protestors as an effective way to enact change. Read More →

NEWS Dec 27, 2023 Lufthansa Embraces the Boeing 737 MAX in a 28-Year Reunion In a surprising move that facilitated discussion across the aviation industry, Lufthansa, the iconic German carrier, has reignited a long-dormant partnership with Boeing. After a 28-year break, Lufthansa placed a firm order for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with the potential to expand to a fleet of 100 through additional options. This decision marks a significant shift in strategy for Lufthansa, which has primarily relied on Airbus for its short- and medium-haul operations in recent years. Read More →

NEWS Dec 22, 2023 Texas Governor Flies 120 Migrants to Chicago to Protest Federal Immigration Policies Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made a controversial move by flying migrants to Democratic-led "sanctuary cities" in protest of the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis. The first flight, carrying over 120 migrants, landed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on December 19. This came just a week after the Chicago City Council passed new regulations for receiving buses transporting migrants, prompting accusations that the flights were a direct retaliation by Governor Abbott. Read More →

NEWS Dec 20, 2023 UK Government's Rwanda Deportation Plan Hit by Airline Refusal and Rising Costs Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's flagship policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is facing further turbulence, with airlines refusing to fly the controversial flights and the estimated costs rising. This latest setback adds to a growing list of obstacles threatening to derail the plan entirely. Read More →

NEWS Dec 19, 2023 Japan Airlines' New Airbus A350-1000 Takes Flight Japan Airlines, the crown jewel of Japanese air travel just unveiled its latest plane. The Airbus A350-1000, a sleek giant of the skies, this plane isn't just for travel but rather for luxury and comfort. When you first set foot on this plane, you'll be greeted by luxury and innovation. Every detail, from the meticulously crafted seats to the mood-adjusting lighting system, has been designed to ensure comfort and well-being. Read More →

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