Flight Safety Information - October 10, 2025 No. 203 In This Issue : Accident: BAW A320 near Bucharest on Oct 9th 2025, fumes on board : Incident: ANA B78X enroute on Oct 9th 2025, passenger battery thermal runaway : Incident: Fiji B738 at Christchurch on Oct 9th 2025, bird strike : Passenger Jet Comes Within 6 Minutes of Running Out of Fuel, Forcing an Emergency Landing : Mobile battery starts emitting smoke inside airplane bound for Tokyo’s Haneda airport : An Airplane A Day: Ryanair Receives 10 737s In 10 Days, Anticipates Another Production Hike By April : Swiss International Air Lines takes delivery of its first A350-900 : Global pilot shortage could mean more delays after push to raise retirement age : WestJet to Cut 44 Pilots Next Week Over Age Limit : NetJets Boosts Pilot Use Of GE FlightPulse Performance App : Government Launches Airline Safety Inspections After Aviation Accidents Double (Russia) : Calendar of Event Accident: BAW A320 near Bucharest on Oct 9th 2025, fumes on board A BAW British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUUF performing flight BA-603 from Istanbul (Turkey) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 142 people on board, was enroute at FL340 about 60nm south of Bucharest (Romania) still in Bulgarian Airspace when the crew decided to divert to Bucharest's Otopeni Airport reporting fumes on board of the aircraft. The aircraft landed on Otopeni's runway 08L and taxied to the apron. Romania's Ministry of Health reported the presence of smoke was confirmed immediately after landing, the aircraft was evacuated, four passengers needed to be treated for smoke inhalation. The airline reported the aircraft diverted as a precaution due to a minor technical problem, there had been no smoke on board, the passengers disembarked normally, there were no hospilatisations. https://avherald.com/h?article=52e31eb1&opt=0 Incident: ANA B78X enroute on Oct 9th 2025, passenger battery thermal runaway An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-10, registration JA981A performing flight NH-994 from Okinawa to Tokyo Haneda (Japan), was climbing out of Okinawa when a passenger's power bank placed in his carry on luggage under the seat in front of him began to emit smoke. Cabin crew extinguished the fire and secured the device. The flight crew continued the flight to Tokyo where the aircraft landed without further incident about 2:15 hours after departure. The airline reported the Lithium Ion power bank of a passenger caught fire shortly after takeoff, cabin crew secured the device, the flight crew decided to continue to destination as the fire had been extinguished. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported a portable battery by a passenger caught fire at high altitude. https://avherald.com/h?article=52e2b591&opt=0 Incident: Fiji B738 at Christchurch on Oct 9th 2025, bird strike A Fiji Airways Boeing 737-800, registration DQ-FJN performing flight FJ-450 from Christchurch (New Zealand) to Nadi (Fiji), was climbing out of Christchurch's runway 02 when the aircraft flew through a flock of birds and received a number of bird strikes on nose and right hand engine (CFM56). The crew stopped the climb at 6000 feet, entered a hold and returned to Christchurch for a safe landing on runway 02 about 2:15 hours after departure. New Zealand's CAA reported the aircraft flew through a substantial flock of birds shortly after takeoff. The flight was cancelled. https://avherald.com/h?article=52e296f1&opt=0 Passenger Jet Comes Within 6 Minutes of Running Out of Fuel, Forcing an Emergency Landing The flight was traveling from Italy to Scotland when it had to divert from its route on Friday, Oct. 3 • A passenger jet traveling from Italy to Scotland reportedly had to make an emergency landing on Friday, Oct. 3 after coming within minutes of running out of fuel • The flight, operated by Malta Air on behalf of Ryanair, issued a "fuel Mayday" before making an emergency landing in Manchester, England, per Scottish newspaper The Herald • The plane had twice tried to land at its original destination but bad weather prevented a safe landing and it was diverted A passenger jet traveling from Italy to Scotland reportedly had to make an emergency landing after being just minutes away from running out of fuel. The flight had departed Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport and was headed towards Glasgow Prestwick Airport when it had to divert from its route on Friday, Oct. 3, according to local Scottish newspaper The Herald. Operated by Malta Air on behalf of Ryanair, the outlet reported that flight FR3418 issued a "fuel Mayday" before making an emergency landing at Manchester International Airport in England. Before its emergency landing, the pilot had twice attempted to land the plane at Prestwick but was unable to do so due to the weather. According to the outlet, the jet faced winds of 100 mph as Storm Amy hit the U.K. The plane was then diverted to Edinburgh, Scotland, but it was also unable to land there and was finally diverted to Manchester where it landed, almost two hours on from its first landing attempt at Prestwick. "We were told we would try one more time or we'd have to go to Manchester,” passenger Alexander Marchi told local outlet the Ayr Advertiser. “The second time it was a very bumpy ride and we almost reached the tarmac, but at the last minute we pulled up very sharply.” "Everyone was calm until the descent; we were being buffeted around a lot and jumping. There were a few worried people on the second descent as we could feel the plane was struggling,” he continued. Marchi added, "Then the pilot surprised us by saying he was going to attempt Edinburgh. This was just as bad, though, as the second time at Prestwick.” Flight tracker FlightRadar24 showed how the aircraft broadcasted the emergency code “Squawking 7700,” during the diversion, which was “likely due to declaring a fuel emergency,” per a post on X. PEOPLE has contacted Ryanair and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) for comment. Manchester Airport declined to comment. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. When the plane landed it reportedly had 220kg fuel, which is below the minimum fuel level, according to The Aviation Herald. This is enough fuel for an aircraft to fly for five to six minutes, The Herald reported. A jet like Ryanair must have at least 30 minutes of fuel, according to the outlet. “Ryanair reported this to the relevant authorities on Friday (3 Oct). As this is now subject of an ongoing investigation, which we are cooperating fully with, we are unable to comment,” Ryanair told the outlet in a statement. The AAIB also told The Herald, “The AAIB has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving an aircraft which was diverted from Prestwick to Manchester Airport on Friday 3 October. AAIB Inspectors have begun making enquiries and gathering evidence.” https://people.com/passenger-jet-comes-within-minutes-of-running-out-of-fuel-emergency-landing-manchester-11827134 Mobile battery starts emitting smoke inside airplane bound for Tokyo’s Haneda airport Battery’s owner wasn’t the first to notice is was about to catch fire. Usually, flights between Okinawa and Tokyo are pretty unremarkable. It’s only about a two-and-a-half-hour trip, which is barely enough time to watch a movie or put a dent in a novel, and the flightpath is almost entirely over the open waters of the Pacific, meaning there’s little noteworthy scenery to gaze out the window at. However, things got unexpectedly eventful on ANA Flight 994 on Thursday morning, which left Naha Airport, Okinawa’s main air hub, at around 11 a.m., bound for Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Shortly after takeoff, one of the 339 passengers onboard noticed smoke coming from the carryon bag of the person next to them, which was stowed under the seat in front of the owner at the time. As is becoming a frequent occurrence, the source was a mobile battery, which had heated up and was starting to smoke, with one passenger describing the emanating smell as being like someone had struck a match. Thankfully, the smoldering was put out before producing any open flames, and after radioing in with a report on what had happened, the flight continued on to Haneda, landing as scheduled that afternoon. The cabin crew also informed the passengers about what had taken place, and no injuries or panicking resulted. It’s unclear if the battery had been actively charging a device at the time it began smoking. The incident comes just days after a traveler’s mobile battery caught fire inside of hotel in Kyoto, prompting the pre-dawn evacuation of the more than 1,000 guests who were inside at the time. With smartphones increasingly taking the place of guidebooks, maps, and cameras, as well as being a source of in-flight entertainment, travelers today have an understandable desire for charging options that don’t require plugging their devices into a wall socket. With mobile battery fires happening more and more often, though, it’s also more important than ever to be diligent when using or transporting them, and if incidents like the one onboard the ANA flight continue, we might see Japanese airlines impose even stricter rules about flying with mobile batteries than the ones they added just a few months ago. https://soranews24.com/2025/10/10/mobile-battery-starts-emitting-smoke-inside-airplane-bound-for-tokyos-haneda-airport/ An Airplane A Day: Ryanair Receives 10 737s In 10 Days, Anticipates Another Production Hike By April Daniel comes to Simple Flying with a business focused approach to the aviation world. Daniel enjoys analyzing strategy and how companies move against each other to gain a step ahead in the skies. Besides strategy, Daniel also has a passion for aircraft design and the history of aviation. Ryanair has taken delivery of 10 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft over 10 consecutive days, reinforcing its image as one of Boeing’s most aggressive customers. Per Reuters, the airline says it anticipates that Boeing will raise its 737 production rate to 48 aircraft per month by April 2026, enabling Ryanair to accelerate its own expansion plans. These deliveries arrive amid a broader push by Boeing to boost output and meet airline demand after years of supply chain constraints. For Ryanair, which operates one of the youngest and most homogeneous fleets in Europe, rapid deliveries reinforce its competitive cost structure and route growth ability. The airline has repeatedly stated that its future hinges on scaling up capacity to keep fares low, serve new markets, and replace older aircraft. Receiving an aircraft a day is more symbolic than typical, but for Ryanair, this rapid delivery streak demonstrates Boeing’s success in ramping up deliveries and Ryanair’s aggressive growth posture. The airline expects that these new aircraft will help it expand into underserved secondary and regional airports across Europe. Operationally, deploying ten fresh Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft in such quick succession requires supporting infrastructure: increasing crew training, spare parts, maintenance scheduling, and slot allocations. Ryanair’s operations teams must already be coordinating to integrate the jets smoothly into routes without creating system shocks in scheduling or ground services. Strategically, this delivery cadence sends a message to competitors: Ryanair is preparing for a new wave of growth and is banking on Boeing’s capacity to keep pace. If Boeing meets its April target of 48 737s per month, Ryanair may push its network expansion more aggressively, potentially crowding out rivals in secondary markets. The Boeing 737 MAX has been one of the most troubled aircraft programs in recent history, but Boeing is recovering. The 737 MAX is the company's cash cow aircraft, so ensuring its success is critical to the company's financial performance. Boeing is pushing for higher production rates not just to lower production costs, but also to clear its backlog. Still, the MAX family remains under development, and the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants await full certification. The MAX 10 has faced design and landing-gear scrutiny, and its entry into service has seen years of delays. The 737 MAX 7 is also still awaiting certification. With well over 1,000 combined orders for the two jets, Boeing needs to get these planes out to start delivering them and make money. Ryanair primarily operates the 737-800 and 737 MAX 8-200, so issues with the 737 MAX 7 are of no concern to the airline. However, Ryanair also holds 300 orders for the 737 MAX 10, so it's eagerly awaiting certification for the plane. Its combined total for the 737 MAX 8-200 is only 210 planes, so it's the 737 MAX 10 that will become the backbone of the Ryanair fleet in the coming years. A Reuters report in late September included a quote from Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary in which he stated that "we have 600 Boeings today and 30 Airbuses. I would like to see that grow in the next number of years to maybe 800 Boeings, but maybe 200 Airbuses". Ryanair currently flies 26 Airbus A320-200s under its Lauda Europe brand, which were all inherited from Lauda Air. While the carrier previously stated that it could shift to the Boeing 737 MAX for Lauda Europe, these comments suggest that Lauda might remain all-Airbus. There is merit to this, as operating a single type across all subsidiaries (the 737) reduces costs and streamlines operations generally, but Lauda Europe operates separately from Ryanair. Moving to the 737 would require Lauda staff to be retrained on the type and could cost Ryanair hundreds of thousands, if not more. Adding more Airbus aircraft would avoid the costs of integrating a new type and would also allow Ryanair to expand its business relationship with Airbus. Ryanair has already extended the leases on the A320 fleet to 2028, signaling that the carrier might be more committed to the type than it might seem. https://simpleflying.com/an-airplane-a-day-ryanair-10-737s-10-days-anticipates-another-production-hike/ Swiss International Air Lines takes delivery of its first A350-900 Toulouse, France, 10 October 2025 – Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), member of the Lufthansa Group, has taken delivery of its first of ten A350-900. Supporting the airline’s fleet modernisation programme, the latest-generation widebody is set to become SWISS’s flagship aircraft. The A350 will be operated on long-haul routes from its home base in Zurich to destinations like Boston, strengthening the airline’s global network. The Airbus A350-900 is the first aircraft in the SWISS long-haul fleet to be equipped with the new SWISS Senses cabin. Designed to provide a more personal and comfortable air travel experience for passengers in all seating classes. The aircraft cabin is configured with a four-class layout, offering three suites up to four seats in First Class, 45 seats in Business, 38 in Premium Economy, and 156 in Economy. The A350 is the world’s most modern widebody aircraft and has set new standards for intercontinental travel. The A350’s all-new design includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. Its new generation engines and use of lightweight materials bring a 25 per cent advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. The A350-900 is equipped with a comfortable and spacious Airspace cabin, wide seats, high ceilings and alluring ambient lighting. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030. At the end of September 2025, the A350 had won over 1,400 orders from 63 customers worldwide. https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-10-swiss-international-air-lines-takes-delivery-of-its-first-a350-900 Global pilot shortage could mean more delays after push to raise retirement age A bid to allow pilots to fly internationally beyond the age of 65 has been grounded, with some experts warning the decision could worsen flight delays, cause cancellations and increase airfares. The United Nations' aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has rejected a proposal to lift the global mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67. Global airline lobby group, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) pushed to let pilots fly past 65 to help ease a global pilot shortage. But their plan fell flat at a meeting in Canada, with most ICAO delegates calling for more medical evidence, before making a decision on whether to increase the age of pilots. A man standing at an assembly on a lectern microphone speaking The ICAO Council president Salvatore Schiacchitano has been discussing raising the age of pilots at an assembly in Canada. (Supplied: ICAO) Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents 80,000 pilots, welcomed the decision to keep the status quo. "The current medical science and available data does not support an increase in the pilot retirement age," Mr Ambrosi said in a statement. "Raising the pilot retirement age is a solution in search of a problem that distracts from the pressing needs of our industry, like modernising the air traffic control system." Australia's senior skies Australia is among a small group of countries that allows pilots to fly domestically beyond the age of 65. Pilots in New Zealand and Japan are also flying into their 70s, provided they pass strict medical checks every six months. In the United States, even domestic pilots are forced to retire at 65. Australian and International Pilots Association vice president Steven Cornell said the union supported lifting the retirement age, but only if safety and medical evidence backed the move. He said long-haul international flying brings unique challenges. "It involves circadian disruption, being awake for substantial periods while crossing multiple time zones, and trying to sleep in those different zones," he said. A pilot's perspective: experience matters Captain Dave Holt, 63, has spent almost four decades in the cockpit, flying Qantas 787s across Europe, the US, and Asia. With just 18 months until he reaches the mandatory retirement age, he had hoped to continue flying internationally. "As long as you're fit and healthy and meet the standard, you shouldn't be precluded from flying. It's just a number. My gut says 67 is about right," Captain Holt said. Captain Dave Holt in his uniform standing outside an airport. Captain Dave Holt says he's not ready to retire at 65. (Supplied) He said safety standards are rigorous for older pilots and keeping experienced pilots in the air benefited both airlines and passengers. "If you've got someone who's fit, healthy and very experienced, they're valuable," he said. "Airlines invest heavily in training and retaining. That experience reduces costs and keeps expertise in the system." Why is there a global pilot shortage? The push to extend the age of international pilots reflects a growing supply problem. Airlines worldwide are struggling to fill cockpit seats. A Boeing industry report predicts the world will need 660,000 new pilots, 710,000 maintenance technicians and one million cabin crew over the next 20 years. In Australia, the Federal Government's Aviation White Paper found shortages of pilots, flight instructors and maintenance engineers are contributing to delays and flight cancellations. A man standing in front of a map. Captain Steven Cornell from the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) says long-haul flying poses unique challenges for pilots. (Supplied: AIPA) Captain Cornell said raising the retirement age might have helped, but it was not a long-term fix. "Commercial pilots in Australia can spend around $150,000 on qualifications, with no guarantee of a job at the end and many are lured overseas by better pay, particularly in the Middle East," he said. Retention was another challenge. "Some airlines have taken fairly combative approaches to industrial relations, which drives pilots overseas," Captain Cornell said. The future of flying careers For veteran pilot Captain Holt, the bigger hurdle comes much earlier in a pilot's career. "It's a difficult industry to get into. You can spend a huge amount of money on qualifications, and not necessarily get a job," he said. Captain Holt has also passed on his love of flying to the next generation: his son, William, is now a Qantas pilot as well. Captain Cornell said the profession must strike a balance between extending careers and creating new opportunities. "Ultimately, it's about safety, experience, and making sure the next generation sees this as a viable and rewarding career," he said. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-10/grounding-pilots-age-65-international-flights/105869998 WestJet to Cut 44 Pilots Next Week Over Age Limit WestJet is set to lose 44 pilots by 31OCT, when a new age-restricted flying policy comes into effect. In July, the airline informed pilots of the new policy, which prevents pilots aged 65 and older from operating certain flights. According to Capt. Bernie Lewall, chair of the WestJet Master Executive Council (MEC) for the Air Line Pilots Association, the policy could affect 200 pilots over the next five years. He said the move targets “many of their long-term dedicated employees that helped build WestJet into the respected airline it is today.” The pilot's union has launched a grievance, arguing the new policy violates Canadian law and the union’s contract. WestJet says its policy has changed to comply with international regulations, specifically from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which prohibits pilots over 65 from flying in US airspace or utilizing US alternate airports. While over-65 pilots could still operate domestic WestJet flights, most of the airline's routes either enter US airspace or involve US alternates. A WestJet spokesperson said, “As a result of international operational requirements, we have made the decision to align our policies with the regulatory environment.” The age restriction issue has proved contentious across aviation, as there is no mandatory retirement age for Canadian pilots. The debate comes as WestJet deals with broader staffing challenges. Earlier this year, the carrier was allowed to hire some 60 foreign pilots for regional subsidiary WestJet Encore, but dropped the plan citing “economic uncertainty” after union pushback. ALPA has repeatedly called for policies that retain experienced Canadian pilots over foreign recruitment or rule changes that threaten jobs. WestJet has not commented on whether the enforcement of the age policy will be delayed until arbitration is complete. If implemented, the policy would represent one of the largest single instances of job loss for senior pilots in the company’s history. https://openjaw.com/newsroom/airline/2025/10/09/westjet-to-cut-44-pilots-next-week-over-new-age-limit/ NetJets Boosts Pilot Use Of GE FlightPulse Performance App GE Aerospace predicts up to 70,000 pilots in business and commercial aviation will soon be using its FlightPulse safety and efficiency performance application which was first introduced into the corporate market in 2022. The increasing use of the feature, which is installed as part of a pilot’s electronic flight bag (EFB), is partly driven by a growing number of pilots from fractional owner NetJets which announced it was adopting FlightPulse in August. The application provides a flight summary from pre-departure planning to landing and enables crews to determine how they operated the aircraft and whether they made any long landings, unstable approaches or had any overspeed situations. GE says around 9,000 pilots daily are currently utilizing the feature on average, and the increasing adoption rate is an indication that crews “are really embracing the app and the insights that can be gained,” says Andrew Coleman, president and general manager of GE Aerospace’s Software as a Service. “From takeoff to final approaches and landing, the app is helping pilots benchmark their performance against important industry criteria and training guidance to improve their flight experience on all fronts,” he adds. The feature is also used by more than 40 airlines including Delta Air Lines, which announced it was rolling the app out to its pilots in 2022. Another large-scale user is Australian flag carrier Qantas—crews from which have been credited with helping develop FlightPulse with GE. GE says pilots have found value in using the tool as part of pre-flight preparation to both spotlight potential risks as well as opportunities to operate more efficiently and reduce carbon footprints. The feature also provides aggregate historical flight data from other pilots and allows users to compare themselves against a group of other pilots. As part of the adoption, NetJets will also participate in GE Aerospace’s Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) program, which processes app data from an average of 2.5 million flights per day. NetJets is the first shared ownership provider to establish an FOQA program, according to the company. https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/safety-ops-regulation/netjets-boosts-pilot-use-ge-flightpulse-performance-app Government Launches Airline Safety Inspections After Aviation Accidents Double (Russia) Russian authorities will launch thorough inspections of regional airlines amid a growing number of aviation accidents and fatalities in recent years, the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia reported on Thursday. Authorities say commercial aviation accidents increased from eight in 2023 to 17 in 2024, while the number of deaths more than tripled from 12 to 37 over the same period. So far in 2025, 53 people have died in major incidents, exceeding the fatalities in both previous years combined. Izvestia cited a report by Rostransnadzor, Russia’s federal transportation watchdog, as stating that “systemic violations of aviation safety laws,” including poor aircraft maintenance, inadequate pilot training and failure to follow technical regulations, were causing the accidents. The safety concerns are also tied to Western sanctions, which have forced companies to rely on aging Soviet-era planes that lack newly manufactured parts. Airlines must increasingly carry out maintenance using spare parts salvaged from storage facilities or decommissioned aircraft. Industry experts told Izvestia that young pilots avoid flying aging aircraft, while older staff are retiring, contributing to skill shortages. Authorities reportedly concluded that regional air carriers “pose a real threat to human life,” raising the need for a “comprehensive assessment.” Rostransnadzor will audit 51 of Russia’s regional airlines from December of this year through December 2026, according to the Transportation Ministry and the government’s directive to the agency cited by Izvestia. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/10/09/government-launches-airline-safety-inspections-after-aviation-accidents-double-a90766 CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis