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Burnt wreckage of a twin-engine aircraft near a runway surrounded by emergency responders
Aviation SafetyJul 12, 1:50 PM

Flamingo Air grounded after fatal Cessna 402 crash at San Andros airport

No survivors after twin-engined aircraft came down near San Andros airport. Bahamian authorities have suspended the air operator's certificate of regional carrier Flamingo Air after a fatal Cessna 402 accident. The Royal Bahamas Police Force says 10 occupants were on board the aircraft, only one of whom survived the initial crash at San Andros airport before succumbing to injuries. "Upon arrival, officers found the aircraft engulfed in flames," it states, adding that the fuselage, tail and right wing sustained "extensive" fire damage. Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas says Flamingo Air's AOC has been "temporarily suspended" following two safety occurrences involving the operator on 10 July, the Caribbean region state's anniversary of independence. "The suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of the authority's investigation," it adds. "The authority emphasises that this is a precautionary regulatory measure intended to ensure the continued safety of the travelling public." Investigators in the Bahamas have commenced preliminary work to preserve evidence and collect technical information after the accident. The aircraft "encountered difficulties" and "crashed into bushes" prior to landing, says the Bahamas aircraft accident investigation authority. It identifies the airframe involved as C6-FLX and says it was en route to San Andros after departing Nassau's Lynden Pindling airport. There are indications, yet to be confirmed, that the aircraft crashed short of runway 12 while on approach. Initial investigative activities already completed include securing and documenting the accident site, it says. "The investigation remains in its preliminary stage," it adds. "Investigators will continue to gather and analyse factual information relating to all aspects of the occurrence." The authority has asked individuals to contact the inquiry if they have any relevant photographs or video recordings. It stresses that "no determination" has been made regarding the cause of, or contributing factors to, the accident.

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Man Sexually Assaulted By Security Guard In Turkish Airlines Lounge
Aviation SafetyJul 12, 10:57 AM

Passenger Reports Sexual Assault by Security Guard in Turkish Airlines Lounge at Kayseri Airport

OMAAT reader Ivan shared a bizarre experience with me, whereby he was sexually assaulted in a domestic Turkish Airlines lounge by a security guard… with multiple interactions! He asks for my take on this, and I find this to be so shocking that I'm not even sure what to think. Predator security guard in Turkish Airlines lounge Kayseri At around 4PM on July 4, 2026, Ivan was traveling out of Kayseri, Turkey (ASR). Let me just share his claims in full, since I want to be as accurate as possible: My family (wife and two kids) and I were in the Turkish Business Class Lounge at the airport. I'm not sure how familiar you are with Turkish domestic lounges, but the ones we visited had their own security and agents, apart from the main terminal. After we were seated, I noticed there was an issue with our connecting flight in Istanbul, so I went to clear up the matter with the agent in the lounge. When I exited the doors to discuss the issue with the agent, I realized that the agent was not there. There were two security agents nearby, and the male security agent must have seen a confused look on my face, and must have thought I needed to use the the bathroom. I told him three times that I did not need to use the restroom, I need to talk to an agent. At this point he stood up and walked over to me. When he got near me he asked what I needed. At this point he got very close to me but I didn't think much of it, as I assumed he was trying to look at my tickets. At the same time, I felt a hand or something brush against the front of my pants, and I backed up. Again, I thought this was an accident, and it wasn't intentional. This was all happening in a wide open space that was within eye shot of the other security person, a female, if she were paying attention, so I had no reason to think it was malicious. The next thing that happened, which I then began to question internally, was that he got closer while looking at our tickets. One hand was near the tickets in my hand, as I was explaining what was going on, and the other hand was down near my crotch, and he had a finger pressed against my private area. I thought to myself, "ok, this is strange but I don't want to make a scene here because I'm just trying to fly to the beach with my family and I just need this sorted out." This entire interaction lasted about one to two minutes, and the the Turkish agent was back and we got all of our ticketing issues sorted out. That brings us to the second interaction, which happened just shortly thereafter: After that interaction, I went back to join my family in the lounge, and didn't make mention of it, since it was odd and brief and not worth alarming my wife about, though in hindsight I should have said something. About 15 minutes before boarding, I figured it'd be best to use the bathroom in the lounge before getting on the flight. The way the lounge is set up, you have to "leave" the lounge to use the bathroom, but it's before the business class security station ,and the bathroom is right next to the security station. The airport is very small, so security doesn't have much to do most of the time. I walked out of the lounge and walked towards the bathroom, passing the security station in the process. As soon as I walked by the security station, I noticed the male security agent stand up and walk towards the bathroom. At this point I thought it was weird, but it got really weird right after that. The main door to the bathroom was propped open, not too dissimilar to bathrooms all over the world. After I walked in the main door, the security guard came in after me, maybe five seconds or so later, and closed the door behind him. This bathroom was small, two urinals and two stalls. When he came in, he closed the door, and I immediately got nervous and knew I was in a bad situation. As I was standing at the urinal attempting to do my business, I noticed him behind me checking to see if anyone was in any of the stalls. At this point I was frozen and did not know what to do. After he realized that no one was in the stalls, he goes to the urinal next to mine. The urinals have those half walls so that you can't really see anything below the shoulder/neck of the person next to you. He puts his chin on the half wall and looks at me, down there. I did not look over at him or make any eye contact. I was thinking to myself, "how in the hell am I going to get out of this situation?" Maybe about 20-30 seconds into this encounter another passenger walks into the bathroom, and by the time the other passenger comes around the corner, the security agent "zipped up" and was on his way over to "wash his hands." I had an immediate wave of relief come over me, and was unbelievably happy that someone else walked in and saved me from whatever was about to happen. They had no idea. For what it's worth, I did not use the bathroom at all. Once I realized what was going on, nothing was happening and I just stood there. In hindsight, the security agent was probably wondering what was going on since he was so into what I was doing. Then when he returned to the lounge, here's the conversation he had with his wife, along with the questions he asks me: I walked back to the lounge and told my wife EVERYTHING. I told her about both interactions, and she was shocked, pissed, floored, and wanted to do something about it. I told her that I didn't even end up going to the bathroom at all, and the reasons for it. She asked if I wanted my son (13) to go with me so that I could use the bathroom, but I told her no, because if he was that brazen to do that to me, I don't want him anywhere near my son. She asked why I didn't say or do anything, and my response was that we're not in America. Every country has different rules. I dont know what would have happened I stepped up to the guy. Perhaps we were in a country where they heavily side with security and any mention from to authorities that I did anything wrong could result in my being in jail or detained for a few days. If this occured in the US, I would have most likely told him off during the first interaction, and definitely in the second interaction. Lastly, I looked up reporting it to Turkish authorities, but wanted to wait until after I left the country. It's not a straightforward process so I just let it go. How would you have handled this situation? Although it was traumatizing and infuriating, I think I handled it as best I could, based on the factors mentioned above, especially the fact that I was traveling with my family and we were in a foreign country. This guy is a predator and I know for a fact that he has done this before, and will do it again. It's extremely unfortunate but not sure what can be done about it. This all happened inside a Turkish Airlines lounge How does one even approach a situation like this? I think Ivan handled this situation incredibly well, all things considered. A few initial thoughts come to mind: I can see how at first Ivan thought the situation was strange, but didn't want to draw any conclusions, but when the second incident played out, there was no denying what was going on here I agree with Ivan that if the details in this post are as presented, this wasn't the first time that this guy has done something like this I don't blame Ivan for being cautious about reporting this to authorities, especially when traveling with family in a foreign country, because who knows how they'd respond, especially in a country where you're not so familiar with the laws, the approach police take in such situations, etc. I think I would've handled the situation the way Ivan did, and I don't think I would've tried to get "authorities" involved, since I could see situations where that wouldn't end well for me. I think Ivan is taking the right approach here — he's sharing his story after leaving the country, and I'm writing about it, and hopefully this gets forwarded to the right person to be addressed (or maybe I just get banned from Turkey, I du

Ethiopian Airlines’ Free Transit Hotel Program: How It Works
AirportsJul 12, 10:56 AM

Ethiopian Airlines offers free 8–24 hour transit hotel stays at Addis Ababa hub

Ethiopian Airlines has a large global route network through its Addis Ababa (ADD) hub, as the airline flies to four continents from there. The airline offers a fairly pleasant onboard experience, including in business class , even if there are a bunch of different seat types . Given the carrier's complex network, in some cases, passengers might find themselves with an extended layover in Addis Ababa. The good news is that if your layover is long enough, you may be entitled to a free hotel room , which can make your travel experience much more pleasant. In this post, I'd like to take a closer look at how exactly the program works. Separately, I've written about similar programs offered by Emirates in Dubai (DXB) , by Qatar Airways in Doha (DOH) , and by Turkish Airlines in Istanbul (IST) . Basics of Ethiopian Airlines' stopover hotel program Ethiopian Airlines offers passengers with extended transit periods a complimentary hotel stay. On top of that, eligible travelers receive a complimentary transit visa, free meals, and transport to and from the hotel, as needed. As you'd expect, there are some terms to be aware of when it comes to the free hotel program, so let's go over all of those details (and thanks to this valuable FlyerTalk thread for clarifying many of the common questions). How long does your connection have to be? In order to get a free transit hotel from Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa, you need to have a layover of 8-24 hours. You wouldn't be eligible if you're spending less or more time in Addis Ababa than that. Unlike with some other airline stopover programs, there's no need to take the next flight in order to be eligible for this. In other words, you could intentionally book a connection for a later flight to receive a stopover hotel. Interestingly when paying cash you'll notice that Ethiopian ordinarily charges $70 (or so) extra for a longer connection, but that doesn't apply when redeeming miles. Get a free stopover hotel with an 8-24 hour connection Who is eligible for a free stopover hotel? Ethiopian Airlines has fairly few restrictions beyond the above regarding who is eligible for a transit hotel. It doesn't matter if your ticket was issued by Ethiopian Airlines or a partner airline. Furthermore, award tickets qualify, regardless of which program you book through. The only major restriction is that you must be both arriving and departing on Ethiopian Airlines on a single ticket to be eligible for a stopover hotel. So you can't be arriving on one airline and departing on another airline. How do you book your free stopover hotel? There's no need to book your stopover hotel in advance. Instead, when you check-in for your Ethiopian Airlines flight, you should be given all the vouchers that you'll need. This includes the vouchers for the hotel, meals, transportation (if applicable), a transit visa, and more. In the event that you don't get these vouchers at check-in (for whatever reason), you can proceed to the transit desk in Addis Ababa, and they can help you there. Ethiopian Airlines customer service desk Addis Ababa Do you need a visa for entering Ethiopia? This stopover hotel program automatically comes with a transit visa, so you'll be given the documentation required for that. This applies regardless of your nationality. If you plan on staying in Ethiopia for longer than 24 hours (not in conjunction with this program), then standard visa policies apply. What stopover hotels does Ethiopian Airlines use? Ethiopian Airlines doesn't guarantee which hotel you'll be given with your stopover package. However, the most common option seems to be the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, which is owned by the airline. The Ethiopian Skylight Hotel is the largest hotel in Africa, and has both an in-terminal location , and a location past immigration. So while it's no guarantee, hopefully you're accommodated at one of those, and they're both pretty well regarded. The location in the terminal is probably ideal if you have a shorter connection (closer to eight hours), where you just want to maximize rest, while with a longer connection (closer to 24 hours), you might like to get into town, see some sights, etc. Ethiopian Airlines Skylight Hotel in terminal room What kind of meals does Ethiopian Airlines include? If you take advantage of the complimentary stopover program, you can generally expect that the airline will include breakfast and dinner. While the exact details will vary based on which hotel you end up in, you can expect that you'll get access to an extensive buffet, plus soft drinks, with alcohol and some special desserts costing extra. When I stayed at the in-terminal hotel, I found the spread to be relatively good. Ethiopian Airlines Skylight Hotel dining area Bottom line Ethiopian Airlines offers an excellent complimentary hotel program for those with long layovers in Addis Ababa. You can take advantage of this with a layover of 8-24 hours, regardless of the cabin you're traveling in. You'll also receive meals, transportation, and a transit visa. This can be a great way to get some rest between flights. This is definitely a program worth understanding if you find yourself with a long layover in Addis Ababa. If you've used Ethiopian Airlines' free stopover hotel program, what was your experience like?

Electra secures critical FAA approval milestone for ultra-STOL aircraft
Aviation SafetyJul 12, 10:19 AM

Electra achieves key FAA certification step for EL9 hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft

US-developer Electra has secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a critical stage of commercializing its hybrid-electric ultra short-takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft. On July 10, 2026, Electra announced that the US regulator has closed the G-1 Issue Paper, formally establishing the certification basis for the nine-seater EL9 aircraft. Electra said the latest milestone came after the company submitted its Part 23 type certification application in November 2025. According to the start-up, the G1 certification "determines how new technologies will be evaluated and provides the framework for proving that the aircraft meets the safety standards required for commercial passenger and cargo operations". Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, said that with this "strong momentum" it can move into the G-2 phase of its work with the FAA . Electra "In the G-2 phase of the certification process, Electra and the FAA will take the next step and focus on defining the EL9's means of compliance," JP Stewart, Electra's Senior Vice President for Product Development, said. "This stage will guide how Electra demonstrates that the aircraft meets the FAA-approved certification basis through engineering analysis, ground and flight testing, inspections, conformity activities, and certification data." The EL9 can take off and land in 150 feet or less and is designed to operate on routes up to 330 nautical miles. The EL9 is designed to create a transport industry that is less reliant on large airports with a network of ultra-short access points, including novel access points, general aviation airports, and congestion-free airport integration. "The next era of aviation depends on more than designing a breakthrough aircraft," Allen said. "It depends on assuring commercial levels of safety for those aircraft. As we move the EL9 through the certification process, we remain laser focused on translating its novel capabilities into safe, scalable operations that will make Direct Aviation a reality." RELATED Has Boeing quietly updated the advertised performance of its B777X aircraft?

Emirates Airbus A380 taxiing at Dubai International Airport with clear blue skies
AirlinesJul 12, 10:01 AM

Emirates Launches $2 Billion Fleet and Service Overhaul to Counter Riyadh Air's Surge

Aviation in the Middle East is getting even hotter and has entered its most volatile chapter yet. With the official launch of public ticket sales and scheduled commercial routes by Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air , the long-standing monopoly of incumbent mega-carriers faces an existential challenge. Backed by the massive financial engine of the Public Investment Fund, this newcomer is entering the market with a baseline expectation of global dominance, targeting more than 100 destinations by 2030.

Airlines

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Norwegian changes profile logo to British Airways after losing World Cup bet
AirlinesJul 12, 11:23 AM

Norwegian Air swaps Instagram logo to British Airways after World Cup bet loss

True to its word, Norwegian Air has changed its Instagram profile picture to British Airways' logo after losing a World Cup bet between the two airlines. On July 12, 2026, following Norway's dramatic 2-1 loss to England in a quarter final match at the FIFA World Cup in the US, as promised the British Airways appeared on Norwegian's Instagram account. In an Instagram post Norwegian displayed the British Airways signature logo and wrote "It's coming home" and "Well played England". Norwegian Air added: "While the tournament is over for us, this friendly bet will forever live in our hearts. We wish England and British Airways all the best in the semi-final, and we sincerely hope you'll get to bring football home!" Instagram British Airways commented on the post writing, "We love this new look on you" and added "Well played, thanks for all the fun and here's to our new friendship". Days before the match between England and Norway, a cheeky Norwegian Air wrote to British Airways on social media waging that if Norway wins the contest BA must change its Instagram logo to Norwegian and vice versa. The social media post gained huge traction with many airlines contributing to the good-natured banter. Finnair, Air Baltic, Riyadh Air, and KLM were just some of the carriers that commented or added pictures to the social feed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Norwegian (@flynorwegian) The two airlines even posted a video of employees from both British Airways and Norwegian Air shaking hands to make the bet official. More airlines commented on Norwegian Air's post after the airline changed its logo to British Airways including Malayasia Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Kenya Airways. RELATED UPDATED: FIFA World Cup 2026: A gallery of special airline liveries from around the world

Emirates Airbus A380 taxiing at Dubai International Airport with clear blue skies
AirlinesJul 12, 10:01 AM

Emirates Launches $2 Billion Fleet and Service Overhaul to Counter Riyadh Air's Surge

Aviation in the Middle East is getting even hotter and has entered its most volatile chapter yet. With the official launch of public ticket sales and scheduled commercial routes by Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air , the long-standing monopoly of incumbent mega-carriers faces an existential challenge. Backed by the massive financial engine of the Public Investment Fund, this newcomer is entering the market with a baseline expectation of global dominance, targeting more than 100 destinations by 2030.

Business Aviation

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Markwayne Mullin’s DHS Pushes Ahead With Plans to Start Its Own ‘ICE Air’ Deportation Airline
Business AviationJul 11, 12:19 PM

DHS Advances Plans for Its Own Deportation Airline Named ICE Air

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pushing ahead with plans to create its own ‘ICE Air’ deportation airline, new filings by the federal agency have revealed. Last year, DHS said it planned to buy up to six planes to carry out deportation flights, rather than relying solely on contracted agencies like GlobalX, Omni Air International, and Avelo (the latter of which dumped its ICE deportation contract). In a notice to potential contractors who will help DHS run ICE Air, the agency said it planned to operate Boeing 737 and Gulfstream 650ERs or equivalent “to enable safe, reliable, and secure air operations in support of DHS missions.” The primary missions, however, will be deportation flights, voluntary repatriations, and high-risk charter operations, as well as the deployment of crisis response personnel, and flying senior DHS leaders like Administrator Markwayne Mullin around the country. The contractor for ICE Air will be expected to provide pilots and flight attendants, along with flight nurses and security personnel, when required. According to the document, ICE Air is expected to be operational by July 28, 2027. As it stands, the airline will launch with seven Boeing 737-700s and two C-37B aircraft. DHS says it reserves the right to expand its fleet later into the contract. While DHS has established that it wants to conduct deportation flights around-the-clock, 365 days a year, it still hasn’t worked out whether it wants to operate ICE Air from a single operating base or have the aircraft spread out across multiple airports. One idea that DHS is considering is a ‘hub and spoke’ model, much like commercial airlines fly passengers from regional airports into one of their ‘hubs’ and then back out to the passenger’s final destination. ICE Air was the brainchild of former DHS Administrator Kristi Noem, who spent $200 million of taxpayer money on a pair of "top-of-the-line" luxury Gulfstream G700 private jets. Noem justified the expense on the grounds that they could be used for deportation flights, although they were only then used to fly her around the country.

Embraer Reports Best Second Quarter Deliveries In 16 Years
Business AviationJul 6, 8:19 PM

Embraer Achieves Highest Second-Quarter Aircraft Deliveries Since 2010

Embraer delivered 65 aircraft in the second quarter of 2026, its highest second-quarter delivery total in 16 years, according to a July 2 company report. The total was up from 44 aircraft in the first quarter and from 61 aircraft in the same period last year. The company said the increase was supported in part by its production leveling efforts, which are aimed at spreading deliveries more evenly through the year. Commercial Aviation accounted for 20 deliveries during the quarter, including six E195-E2s, doubling the 10 aircraft delivered in the first quarter. Executive Aviation delivered 45 aircraft, compared to 29 in the first quarter and 38 in the second quarter of 2025. Through the first half of 2026, Embraer delivered 109 aircraft, up from 91 during the same period last year. There were no Defense & Security deliveries during the quarter. Embraer said it continues to expect 80 to 85 commercial aircraft deliveries and 160 to 170 executive aircraft deliveries for the year.

Aviation Safety

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Burnt wreckage of a twin-engine aircraft near a runway surrounded by emergency responders
Aviation SafetyJul 12, 1:50 PM

Flamingo Air grounded after fatal Cessna 402 crash at San Andros airport

No survivors after twin-engined aircraft came down near San Andros airport. Bahamian authorities have suspended the air operator's certificate of regional carrier Flamingo Air after a fatal Cessna 402 accident. The Royal Bahamas Police Force says 10 occupants were on board the aircraft, only one of whom survived the initial crash at San Andros airport before succumbing to injuries. "Upon arrival, officers found the aircraft engulfed in flames," it states, adding that the fuselage, tail and right wing sustained "extensive" fire damage. Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas says Flamingo Air's AOC has been "temporarily suspended" following two safety occurrences involving the operator on 10 July, the Caribbean region state's anniversary of independence. "The suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of the authority's investigation," it adds. "The authority emphasises that this is a precautionary regulatory measure intended to ensure the continued safety of the travelling public." Investigators in the Bahamas have commenced preliminary work to preserve evidence and collect technical information after the accident. The aircraft "encountered difficulties" and "crashed into bushes" prior to landing, says the Bahamas aircraft accident investigation authority. It identifies the airframe involved as C6-FLX and says it was en route to San Andros after departing Nassau's Lynden Pindling airport. There are indications, yet to be confirmed, that the aircraft crashed short of runway 12 while on approach. Initial investigative activities already completed include securing and documenting the accident site, it says. "The investigation remains in its preliminary stage," it adds. "Investigators will continue to gather and analyse factual information relating to all aspects of the occurrence." The authority has asked individuals to contact the inquiry if they have any relevant photographs or video recordings. It stresses that "no determination" has been made regarding the cause of, or contributing factors to, the accident.

Man Sexually Assaulted By Security Guard In Turkish Airlines Lounge
Aviation SafetyJul 12, 10:57 AM

Passenger Reports Sexual Assault by Security Guard in Turkish Airlines Lounge at Kayseri Airport

OMAAT reader Ivan shared a bizarre experience with me, whereby he was sexually assaulted in a domestic Turkish Airlines lounge by a security guard… with multiple interactions! He asks for my take on this, and I find this to be so shocking that I'm not even sure what to think. Predator security guard in Turkish Airlines lounge Kayseri At around 4PM on July 4, 2026, Ivan was traveling out of Kayseri, Turkey (ASR). Let me just share his claims in full, since I want to be as accurate as possible: My family (wife and two kids) and I were in the Turkish Business Class Lounge at the airport. I'm not sure how familiar you are with Turkish domestic lounges, but the ones we visited had their own security and agents, apart from the main terminal. After we were seated, I noticed there was an issue with our connecting flight in Istanbul, so I went to clear up the matter with the agent in the lounge. When I exited the doors to discuss the issue with the agent, I realized that the agent was not there. There were two security agents nearby, and the male security agent must have seen a confused look on my face, and must have thought I needed to use the the bathroom. I told him three times that I did not need to use the restroom, I need to talk to an agent. At this point he stood up and walked over to me. When he got near me he asked what I needed. At this point he got very close to me but I didn't think much of it, as I assumed he was trying to look at my tickets. At the same time, I felt a hand or something brush against the front of my pants, and I backed up. Again, I thought this was an accident, and it wasn't intentional. This was all happening in a wide open space that was within eye shot of the other security person, a female, if she were paying attention, so I had no reason to think it was malicious. The next thing that happened, which I then began to question internally, was that he got closer while looking at our tickets. One hand was near the tickets in my hand, as I was explaining what was going on, and the other hand was down near my crotch, and he had a finger pressed against my private area. I thought to myself, "ok, this is strange but I don't want to make a scene here because I'm just trying to fly to the beach with my family and I just need this sorted out." This entire interaction lasted about one to two minutes, and the the Turkish agent was back and we got all of our ticketing issues sorted out. That brings us to the second interaction, which happened just shortly thereafter: After that interaction, I went back to join my family in the lounge, and didn't make mention of it, since it was odd and brief and not worth alarming my wife about, though in hindsight I should have said something. About 15 minutes before boarding, I figured it'd be best to use the bathroom in the lounge before getting on the flight. The way the lounge is set up, you have to "leave" the lounge to use the bathroom, but it's before the business class security station ,and the bathroom is right next to the security station. The airport is very small, so security doesn't have much to do most of the time. I walked out of the lounge and walked towards the bathroom, passing the security station in the process. As soon as I walked by the security station, I noticed the male security agent stand up and walk towards the bathroom. At this point I thought it was weird, but it got really weird right after that. The main door to the bathroom was propped open, not too dissimilar to bathrooms all over the world. After I walked in the main door, the security guard came in after me, maybe five seconds or so later, and closed the door behind him. This bathroom was small, two urinals and two stalls. When he came in, he closed the door, and I immediately got nervous and knew I was in a bad situation. As I was standing at the urinal attempting to do my business, I noticed him behind me checking to see if anyone was in any of the stalls. At this point I was frozen and did not know what to do. After he realized that no one was in the stalls, he goes to the urinal next to mine. The urinals have those half walls so that you can't really see anything below the shoulder/neck of the person next to you. He puts his chin on the half wall and looks at me, down there. I did not look over at him or make any eye contact. I was thinking to myself, "how in the hell am I going to get out of this situation?" Maybe about 20-30 seconds into this encounter another passenger walks into the bathroom, and by the time the other passenger comes around the corner, the security agent "zipped up" and was on his way over to "wash his hands." I had an immediate wave of relief come over me, and was unbelievably happy that someone else walked in and saved me from whatever was about to happen. They had no idea. For what it's worth, I did not use the bathroom at all. Once I realized what was going on, nothing was happening and I just stood there. In hindsight, the security agent was probably wondering what was going on since he was so into what I was doing. Then when he returned to the lounge, here's the conversation he had with his wife, along with the questions he asks me: I walked back to the lounge and told my wife EVERYTHING. I told her about both interactions, and she was shocked, pissed, floored, and wanted to do something about it. I told her that I didn't even end up going to the bathroom at all, and the reasons for it. She asked if I wanted my son (13) to go with me so that I could use the bathroom, but I told her no, because if he was that brazen to do that to me, I don't want him anywhere near my son. She asked why I didn't say or do anything, and my response was that we're not in America. Every country has different rules. I dont know what would have happened I stepped up to the guy. Perhaps we were in a country where they heavily side with security and any mention from to authorities that I did anything wrong could result in my being in jail or detained for a few days. If this occured in the US, I would have most likely told him off during the first interaction, and definitely in the second interaction. Lastly, I looked up reporting it to Turkish authorities, but wanted to wait until after I left the country. It's not a straightforward process so I just let it go. How would you have handled this situation? Although it was traumatizing and infuriating, I think I handled it as best I could, based on the factors mentioned above, especially the fact that I was traveling with my family and we were in a foreign country. This guy is a predator and I know for a fact that he has done this before, and will do it again. It's extremely unfortunate but not sure what can be done about it. This all happened inside a Turkish Airlines lounge How does one even approach a situation like this? I think Ivan handled this situation incredibly well, all things considered. A few initial thoughts come to mind: I can see how at first Ivan thought the situation was strange, but didn't want to draw any conclusions, but when the second incident played out, there was no denying what was going on here I agree with Ivan that if the details in this post are as presented, this wasn't the first time that this guy has done something like this I don't blame Ivan for being cautious about reporting this to authorities, especially when traveling with family in a foreign country, because who knows how they'd respond, especially in a country where you're not so familiar with the laws, the approach police take in such situations, etc. I think I would've handled the situation the way Ivan did, and I don't think I would've tried to get "authorities" involved, since I could see situations where that wouldn't end well for me. I think Ivan is taking the right approach here — he's sharing his story after leaving the country, and I'm writing about it, and hopefully this gets forwarded to the right person to be addressed (or maybe I just get banned from Turkey, I du

Electra secures critical FAA approval milestone for ultra-STOL aircraft
Aviation SafetyJul 12, 10:19 AM

Electra achieves key FAA certification step for EL9 hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft

US-developer Electra has secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a critical stage of commercializing its hybrid-electric ultra short-takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft. On July 10, 2026, Electra announced that the US regulator has closed the G-1 Issue Paper, formally establishing the certification basis for the nine-seater EL9 aircraft. Electra said the latest milestone came after the company submitted its Part 23 type certification application in November 2025. According to the start-up, the G1 certification "determines how new technologies will be evaluated and provides the framework for proving that the aircraft meets the safety standards required for commercial passenger and cargo operations". Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, said that with this "strong momentum" it can move into the G-2 phase of its work with the FAA . Electra "In the G-2 phase of the certification process, Electra and the FAA will take the next step and focus on defining the EL9's means of compliance," JP Stewart, Electra's Senior Vice President for Product Development, said. "This stage will guide how Electra demonstrates that the aircraft meets the FAA-approved certification basis through engineering analysis, ground and flight testing, inspections, conformity activities, and certification data." The EL9 can take off and land in 150 feet or less and is designed to operate on routes up to 330 nautical miles. The EL9 is designed to create a transport industry that is less reliant on large airports with a network of ultra-short access points, including novel access points, general aviation airports, and congestion-free airport integration. "The next era of aviation depends on more than designing a breakthrough aircraft," Allen said. "It depends on assuring commercial levels of safety for those aircraft. As we move the EL9 through the certification process, we remain laser focused on translating its novel capabilities into safe, scalable operations that will make Direct Aviation a reality." RELATED Has Boeing quietly updated the advertised performance of its B777X aircraft?

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A Soviet Aircraft Carrier That Terrified NATO Now Hosts A Jet-Ski Stunt Show
Military/DefenseJul 10, 2:00 PM

Soviet-era carrier Kiev becomes Chinese naval museum and stunt show venue

Quietly nestled away in a bay on the outskirts of Beijing is a relic of the furious Cold War arms race now repurposed as a tourist destination. Serving as a kind of seaside resort and naval aviation museum wrapped in the same package, the former Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev offers guest rooms where visitors can stay overnight and even has jet ski shows with a theme akin to the post-apocalyptic 'Waterworld' movie.

Every Active Boeing 727 in 2026 – Your Guide
Military/DefenseJul 10, 1:10 PM

Only Around 30 Boeing 727 Jets Remain Operational Worldwide in 2026

This month we are taking an in-depth look at the Boeing 727 – its heritage, what made it so successful and unique, and what its legacy is today. To get the most out of this, make sure you check out our Airport Spotting Premium membership , which gives you access to so much more content. This month's member magazine is a Boeing 727 Special , featuring lots of articles on the aircraft and its life. Find out more about Premium Membership here Boeing’s Famous TriJet – the 727 RuthAS, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons The Boeing 727 was one of the defining airliners of the Jet Age. Conceived during the early 1960s as a short- to medium-haul jet capable of serving smaller airports, it combined excellent runway performance with the speed and comfort of a pure jet. Its distinctive tri-jet layout, T-tail and built-in rear airstairs allowed it to operate from airports with limited infrastructure, making it particularly attractive to airlines expanding their domestic and regional networks. The prototype first flew in February 1963, entering airline service the following year with launch customers United Air Lines and Eastern Air Lines. Over a 22-year production run, Boeing built 1,832 examples, making the 727 the world’s best-selling jet airliner until it was overtaken by the Boeing 737. Major operators included American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, Northwest, Braniff and Lufthansa, while hundreds more flew with carriers across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. By the 1990s, however, the 727’s three-engine design had become its greatest disadvantage. New-generation twinjets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 offered lower fuel consumption, reduced maintenance costs and improved reliability, making the ageing trijet increasingly uneconomical. Most passenger examples were retired or converted into freighters before eventually giving way to newer cargo aircraft. Today, only a small number remain airworthy, serving specialist cargo, charter and government roles in a handful of countries. Active Boeing 727s Today Sadly very few Boeing 727s remain active today, and none are flying passengers on commercial flights. However, if you know where to look you can still catch the sight of one flying cargo or on other special missions. Here's a list of all known active Boeing 727s in 2026: Registration Con No Line No Model Series Operator Base 5Y-GMA 21930 1508 727 2Q9F Safe Air Company Nairobi-Wilson, Kenya 9S-AVN 22933 1827 727 2S2F Serve Air Cargo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9S-AVS 22931 1825 727 2S2FRE Serve Air Cargo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9S-AVV 22935 1829 727 2S2F Serve Air Cargo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9S-CDC 18934 0222 727 30 Government of Democratic Congo Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9T-TCK 19806 0547 727 22C Democratic Republic of Congo Air Force Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 9T-TCR 22759 1789 727 260F Democratic Republic of Congo Air Force Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo CX-CLC 22983 1806 727 264F Air Class Montevideo-Carrasco, Uruguay EX-27015 21459 1329 727 212F 3C Cargo Kenya? GN-403 22676 1754 727 264 Guardia Nacional de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico G-OSRA 22938 1832 727 2S2FRE 2Excel Aviation London Southend, UK G-OSRB 22929 1823 727 2S2FRE 2Excel Aviation London Southend, UK HK-5239 22460 1746 727 223F Aerosucre Colombia Bogota Eldorado, Colombia HP-1937UCG 21345 1673 727 2A1F Uni World Air Cargo San Bernardino/Norton International, CA HP-1939UCG 22552 1773 727 225F Uni World Air Cargo Panama City-Tocumen, Panama HZ-SKI 21460 1340 727 212RE Precision Air Riyadh-King Khaled Int’l, Saudi Arabia N215WE 22936 1830 727 2S2FRE IFL Group Inc Pontiac-Oakland County International, MI N216WE 22937 1831 727 2S2FRE IFL Group Inc Pontiac-Oakland County International, MI N289MT 22467 1765 727 223 Raytheon Aircraft Company Stored? N726US 22469 1769 727 223F USA Jet Airlines Detroit-Willow Run, MI N727US 22470 1771 727 223F USA Jet Airlines Detroit-Willow Run, MI VP-BAP 19260 0412 727 21RE Leasing Company Kingman, CA VQ-BNF 22825 1805 727 2N6RE Corporate Stored? XC-MPF 22664 1780 727 264 Guardia Nacional de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico XC-NPF 22663 1778 727 264 Guardia Nacional de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico Oldest Surviving 727 Thankfully the Boeing 727 prototype still survives. You can find it at the Museum of Flight at Seattle’s Boeing Field, preserved in the colours of United Airlines, which flew it for many years. Download Our Boeing 727 Special Featuring many articles on the Boeing 727, our July edition includes a look at its development, the American Airlines 727 fleet, the story of how a 727 flew to downtown Chicago for preservation, 2Excel's oil dispersant 727 fleet, and the surviving FedEx 727s, it's a wonderful collector's item for the enthusiast. Available exclusively to Airport Spotting Premium Members. You can join today from as little as £5 per month. Join Here