AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*Australian Airline has found itself under fire again for denying services to a passenger with a disability. JETSTAR has now been summoned to a meeting with the Federal Government after a blind couple from Melbourne were refused a booking on the Airline because of their guide dog.''I cannot understand why any company would treat its potential customers with such a lack of respect,'' said the parliamentary secretary for disability. ''Many Australians rely on a guide dog to get around, and they should be able to catch planes as easily as the rest of the community.'' It was the 2nd incident in as many weeks where Jetstar has faced a complaint from people with a disability. As previously reported, Paralympian Kurt Fearnley dragged himself through Brisbane Airport after being told to surrender his wheelchair and be pushed in one from Jetstar, which he felt was demeaning. In the latest incident, a legally blind couple tried to book flights to Sydney but were told by Jetstar staff, including a manager, that their Labrador guide dog was not allowed. Jetstar's website says it has a policy for carrying seeing-eye dogs and the couple have previously flown with their guide dog on the Airline. Jetstar's head of corporate relations apologized to the couple when media in Australia raised the complaint with him. He said the Airline's chief executive planned to meet with the Government before Christmas, but added ''there are no systemic issues''.

*BATAVIA AIR has issued a brief update on the incident that occurred yesterday when passengers self evacuated one its Boeing 737s in Bali. As posted yesterday, the aircraft was waiting to depart Bali, when passengers saw smoke, and reportedly fire, coming from an engine. Several passengers panicked, and opened doors on the aircraft and deployed the slides. Most passengers then evacuated the aircraft. Batavia now reports that 9 passengers were injured, with only 1 of those still in hospital. The Airline has reported that there were no problems with the engine, and that the smoke/fire was normal for engine startup. The Airline compared it to car exhaust when a car is started up. The incident is under investigation by Batavia and officials in Bali.

*A COMAIR CRJ700 had to make an emergency return to Omaha, Nebraska, yesterday, after striking a flock of birds. Flight 5088 was on Domestic Service on behalf of DELTA AIRLINES, from Omaha to Detroit, Michigan, with 72 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. The CRJ flew thru a flock of birds while on its initial climb out of Omaha, and suffered multiple strikes. The crew declared an emergency and leveled off at 4000 feet. The CRJ landed back at Omaha about 8 minutes later without incident, and has been removed from service for repairs.

*An ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES CRJ700 had to divert while enroute on Wednesday, December 2. Flight 5227 was on Domestic Service from Newburgh, New York, to Atlanta, Georgia, when the incident took place. While inflight at 32000 feet, and overhead Pennsylvania, the crew reported that the cockpit windshield had cracked. The CRJ was diverted to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it landed without incident. The FAA reports that the aircraft suffered minor damage and has been removed from service for repairs.

*An AMERICAN AIRLINES Boeing 757 had to make an emergency return to Maracaibo, Venezuela, after suffering a bird strike, on Wednesday, December 2. Flight 724 was on International Service to Miami, Florida, with 171 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. While climbing out of Maracaibo, a vulture was ingested into the left hand engine, forcing the crew to shut the engine down. The 757 landed back at Maracaibo without incident and was then removed from service for repairs.

*A JAPAN AIR COMMUTER Saab 340B was damaged by a bird strike, on Wednesday, December 2. Flight 2356 was on Domestic Service from Izumo to Osaka, Japan, with 36 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, struck a bird while on its initial climb out of Izumo. The crew noted no problems, thus they continued on to Osaka, where they landed without incident. Post flight inspection revealed a large dent on the right side of the nose cone. The Saab was then removed from service and ferried to Kagoshima for repairs. The Japanese Civil Aviation Authority has rated the incident as an accident and has opened an investigation.