Garuda Goes On A Spending Spree...

The Farnborough International Airshow has been a bit of a success in dollar spend terms with some USD 28 billion being spent on planes. Of this, Garuda has placed an order for six Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Garuda also managed to scrounge up enough left-over cash to place a USD 420 million order with Rolls Royce for the supply, service, and maintenance of engines for part of its fleet.

Does this mean that business is booming for Garuda? Or does it require new aircraft to ensure that it remains authorised to fly into the European zone? What interested me in this little news piece was that I recall when I was living in Indonesia that there were always financial management questions being raised about Garuda and its viability, which was interesting seeing it is the national carrier and all. So, ordering and taking delivery of six new aircraft from the end of 2012 is seemingly a pretty bold move.

I have only flown Garuda a couple of times. The service on the ground was a little 'iffy' at times, but was always excellent on the plane. I would fly Garuda again. But, I have tended to fly with the cheaper budget airlines when I have had cause to fly.

Falling Asleep At The Wheel

This is for all of you who fly from here to there a lot!

An Air India flight that was headed to Mumbai from Dubai via Jaipur managed to overshoot Mumbai by a considerable distance and by all accounts was well on the way to Goa. So, what was the deal here? Apparently, after a successful take off, the pilots decided to engage the autopilot and then catch a few zzzzzzs. I am guessing that the intention was to wake up before it was time to start the descent.

However, it turns out that both pilots ended up grabbing a bit of shut eye at the same time. This ended up being a little bit confusing for the air traffic controllers on the ground in Mumbai who were attempting to guide the plane in for landing. Their instructions were receiving no response leading to fears that maybe the plane had been hijacked.

Finally, air traffic controllers were able to wake the pilots who then turned the plane around and headed back to Mumbai.

The flight included 100 passengers.

The investigations continue!