-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Air India One experiences severe jolt as it nears Malaysia Onboard Air India One | December 11, 2005 6:08:47 PM IST
It may seem far fetched or even next to impossible, but Air India One, the 747 aircraft carrying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his entourage, experienced a severe and massive jolt about an hour before landing at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Manned by Captain Kathalia, the huge aircraft with spacious seating for all, swayed from left to right as it entered an air pocket between the Andaman Islands and Kuala Lumpur, but nothing untoward happened. For those not in the know, Air India One, which usually carries the President and the Prime Minister on their official tours abroad, is thoroughly checked several days before a scheduled VVIP flight by airline and security personnel, especially by the Special Protection Group (SPG), which provides security cover for at least 22 VVIPs of the country. Crew designated for this special aircraft, as also food and beverages are thoroughly checked as well. The delegation accompanying a VVIP is asked to report at least two hours before the intended flight for purposes of verification and baggage check-in formalities. Each passenger is asked to furnish relevant documents for the travel a couple of weeks in advance to ensure proper verification at the time of departure from the VVIP section of the airport. Air India hasn't had a fatal accident since 1982 (apart from the 1985 Kanishka bomb case over the Irish coast). According to informed airline sources, since then, the airline has carried out about 750,000 departures. Air India, originally known as Tata Airlines, was founded in 1932. It became the world's first all-jet airline in 1962. Its headquarters is at Mumbai. Currently Air India operates an all wide-body fleet of Boeing 747-200s, 300s, and 400s as well as numerous Airbus A-310s for regional Indian Subcontinent services. (ANI) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Spread the Christmas cheer - even when you're not here! Send Christmas Greetings to your loved ones in Goa. 2005 Christmas Package - Flowers, Bubbles and Layers of Love. http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------