Woman 'threw prosthetic leg at Thomson Airways cabin crew'

An Edinburgh-bound plane had to be diverted to Gatwick Airport after a woman allegedly became abusive and threw her prosthetic leg at cabin crew.

Sussex police said the 48-year-old from Edinburgh began "swearing blue murder" and throwing food at staff on a Thomson Airways flight.

The captain then diverted the plane, which was flying from Tunisia.

The woman was arrested by police at the North Terminal on Wednesday night

She was taken to Crawley police station where she was questioned by officers on suspicion of threatening behaviour.

'Swearing blue murder'

In a statement, Sussex Police said: "At 10.22pm on Wednesday a 48-year-old unemployed woman from Edinburgh was arrested at the North Terminal, Gatwick Airport, on suspicion of using threatening behaviour while aboard Thompson flight 297 from Tunisia to Edinburgh.

"The flight was diverted into Gatwick after it was alleged the woman had been abusive and had thrown a prosthetic leg and food at cabin crew."

A spokesman added: "She was swearing blue murder, saying she was going to do this and that and the other, so the flight was diverted to Gatwick."

In a statement, Thomson Airways said: "Thomson Airways would like to apologise to passengers for the diversion into Gatwick airport of flight TOM 297 travelling from Enfidha, Tunisia, to Edinburgh on 30 July.

"Unfortunately a passenger became disruptive on board and as a last resort the captain decided to divert the flight to Gatwick.

"Upon landing, the aircraft was met by local police and the passenger was removed for questioning.

"We would like to reassure customers that their safety is our priority at all times.

"Thomson Airways operates a zero-tolerance policy with regards to any disruptive behaviour on board, and incidents of this type are extremely rare."

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United launches Chicago O’Hare-Edinburgh flights

United Airlines (Chicago) yesterday (May 22) began Chicago’s first-ever flights to Edinburgh, Scotland, with summer-season service through October 5, 2014.

The flights will operate five times weekly between May 22 and June 11, daily between June 12 and September 1, and four times weekly between September 2 and October 5 (all dates eastbound).

Flight UA 118 departs Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 6 p.m. (1800), arriving at Edinburgh Airport at 7:45 a.m. (0745) the following day (all times local). On the return, flight UA 119 departs Edinburgh at 10:25 a.m. (1025), arriving in Chicago at 1 p.m. (1300) the same day. Flight times are seven hours, 45 minutes eastbound and eight hours, 35 minutes westbound.

United will operate the service with Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats – 16 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 153 seats in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats.

United has been serving Scotland since 1998. In addition to the Edinburgh-Chicago service, the airline operates year-round nonstop service from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to its Newark Liberty International Airport hub.

United Airlines is O’Hare International Airport’s largest airline. United and the United Express carriers operate more than 580 daily flights out of O’Hare. The airline offers more than 50 daily nonstop flights to nearly 40 international destinations in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.

O’Hare International Airport, the fifth-busiest airport in the world, is United’s hometown hub, with corporate headquarters in Chicago’s Willis Tower.

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Scandinavian Airlines announce new Edinburgh/Norway flights

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is to launch two new service from Edinburgh to Norway this summer. A new service connecting Edinburgh with Norwegian Capital, Oslo has now launched, with a further direct flight service between Edinburgh and Stavanger due to start on April 24. Both routes will be twice weekly services, operating on Thursdays and Sundays until October 5. Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Airport, said “We’re delighted to welcome the first of two routes to Norway launching this month.

“Norway is an important tourism and business link for Scotland and we’re pleased to be working with SAS in developing our good relationship.

“These services to Oslo and Stavanger will give Scots the chance to visit this beautiful country and allow Norwegian passengers the opportunity to experience all that Edinburgh and Scotland have to offer in 2014”.

Hans Dyhrfort, SAS’ regional general manager for Western Europe, added: “We are pleased to offer new summer services direct to both Oslo and Stavanger and provide direct flights to Norway, the fjords and Scandinavia.

“We expect the new routes to appeal to both leisure and business travellers, with the flights well timed for long weekend breaks to Oslo, famed for its vibrant bar and café culture, world class museums and lively nightlife, situated between Norway’s stunning fjords and forest.

“For the business traveller, we offer the convenience of direct flights to Oslo and Stavanger, as well as the option to connect with onward flights to many other Scandinavian destinations.”

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Qatar Airways to serve Edinburgh wiith 787 Dreamliner

Qatar Airways has announced plans to launch the first service to Scotland using a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

CEO Akbar Al Baker said the new scheduled service from Edinburgh to Doha will launch on May 28, making it the first direct route from the capital city to the Middle East.

He said the new addition is set to significantly reduce journey times for those travelling from Edinburgh to destinations around the world.

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