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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said initial findings suggest that a foreign object may have caused the Boeing 737 window incident in which a passenger was partially sucked out of the aircraft. The suspected damage is believed to have occurred after an engine was struck during takeoff from Thessaloniki, although investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause.

Speaking during the airline’s quarterly results presentation, O’Leary stressed that the findings are preliminary and that the investigation is still ongoing. He said the current evidence points toward possible foreign object damage but cautioned against drawing final conclusions.

A draft investigation report is expected within the next 28 days, followed by a more comprehensive final report. Authorities will continue examining the incident to determine the exact sequence of events and recommend any necessary safety measures.

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The Latvian government is in discussions with a strategic investor to support state-controlled airline airBaltic as it works to strengthen its finances and avoid the risk of default. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs confirmed that talks with a serious potential partner are underway, adding that the government aims to complete the process this summer.

As part of its recovery efforts, airBaltic will seek short-term financing from bondholders at a meeting scheduled for August 3. The airline is also preparing to unveil a new business plan outlining restructuring measures needed to secure long-term stability. Latvia has made it clear that any investment deal must preserve Riga Airport as airBaltic’s primary operating hub.

The airline has faced mounting financial pressure due to rising operating costs, delays in aircraft engine deliveries, and the loss of Russian and Ukrainian markets following the war in Ukraine. Despite these challenges, airBaltic continues to pursue long-term expansion plans while seeking fresh investment to support its future growth.

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Airbus is in discussions with Saudi Arabian low-cost airline Flynas to sell additional A330neo widebody aircraft, according to industry sources. The announcement could be made as early as next week’s Farnborough Airshow, although neither Airbus nor Flynas has officially confirmed the deal. If finalized, the agreement would further strengthen Flynas’ long-haul fleet expansion plans.

Reports suggest that Flynas is looking to convert options for eight Airbus A330neo aircraft into firm orders. The move aligns with the airline’s strategy to expand its international operations as demand for air travel continues to grow across the Middle East. Airbus declined to comment on the ongoing discussions.

Meanwhile, industry sources played down reports that German airline Condor Flugdienst is preparing to place a similar order for the A330neo. Earlier media reports indicated that Condor was considering the purchase of around six aircraft, but no official confirmation has been provided. Any announcement related to the Flynas deal is expected to coincide with the Farnborough Airshow next week.

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Flight operations at Zurich Airport faced significant disruptions after a technical issue linked to security measures for ongoing US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland. Swiss air traffic control authority Skyguide said the problem occurred when a newly established restricted airspace over the Buergenstock resort, where the negotiations are taking place, was integrated into radar systems at short notice.

The no-fly zone was implemented after the decision to host the latest round of talks was finalized only a day earlier. The technical glitch temporarily affected air traffic management, leading to cancellations and delays. Airport officials reported that 12 arriving flights and 14 departing flights were cancelled, while at least 60 departures experienced delays before the issue was resolved.

Authorities confirmed that operations have since returned to normal and that aviation safety was never compromised. The security restrictions coincide with high-level diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran at the Swiss resort, which has been chosen as a discreet and secure venue for the sensitive negotiations.

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Twelve individuals were injured due to turbulence on a flight from Doha to Dublin, according to Dublin Airport operator DAA. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner encountered turbulence while flying over Turkey. Upon landing around 13:00 local time, Qatar Airways flight QR017 was met by emergency services, including airport police, ambulance, and fire officers. Six passengers and six crew members reported injuries, with eight being taken to the hospital.

Ireland’s National Ambulance Service had received a pre-alert and was present to assist with the disembarkment. Dublin Fire Brigade staff and emergency vehicles also attended. A DAA spokesperson mentioned that the Dublin Airport team continues to provide full assistance to passengers and airline staff on the ground.

Passengers described the incident as frightening. Cathal, a passenger traveling home to Ireland from Doha, told RTÉ that the seatbelt signs were off during the incident, causing his dinner to spill. Another passenger, Paul Mocc, saw people hitting the roof of the aircraft and noticed injured crew members, some limping and bandaged, continuing to serve passengers. He also observed a passenger on oxygen with suspected back injuries lying across several seats.

Emma Rose Power and Conor Buckley, returning to Dublin from Thailand, experienced the turbulence while Mr. Buckley saw a flight attendant lifted into the air. Ms. Power was asleep during the turbulence but saw panic on everyone’s faces when she woke up. She noted that some flight attendants had scratches and one had an arm in a sling.

Another passenger, Eileen, described it as the “worst experience” she ever had on a plane, with her partner Tony holding her down as she had not been wearing her seatbelt and was asleep during the turbulence. Eileen expressed reluctance to fly again soon.

Qatar Airways stated that a small number of passengers and crew sustained minor injuries and were receiving medical attention, with the incident under internal investigation. The overall operations at Dublin Airport were unaffected, and the return flight to Doha was scheduled to operate with a delay.

This incident follows another severe turbulence event earlier in the week on a Singapore-bound flight, which resulted in the death of a 73-year-old British man and over 100 injuries, 20 of which are critical with spinal injuries. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong issued an apology and Singapore’s government has promised a thorough investigation.

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A Soviet-era Antonov An-24 belonging to Polar Airlines mistakenly landed on a frozen river in Russia’s Far East with 34 people on board. Fortunately, the incident, attributed to pilot error according to initial inquiries, occurred without any injuries. The aircraft, en route from Yakutsk to Zyryanka with subsequent stops, veered off the Zyryanka airport runway during its landing.

The flight, designated PI217, commenced its journey early Thursday from Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha republic. Intending to reach Zyryanka, the plane was scheduled to proceed to Srednekolymsk before returning to Yakutsk. The mishap took place not far from the airport, where the frozen River Kolyma served as an unplanned landing site.

Video footage captured by a passenger revealed the aircraft positioned nearly at the center of the frozen river in eastern Siberia, where temperatures in Zyryanka can drop to approximately -40°C during this season. Prosecutors reported that the plane touched down on a sandbank in the river, and the duration of its slide on the snow was evident from the trail left behind.

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