"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect."
— Captain A. G. Lamplugh, British Aviation Insurance Group, London. Circa early 1930's. This famous phrase has been reproduced on posters and plaques many times, with the attribution of 'anonymous.' I was told at a book signing that André Priester (one of the first Pan Am employee's) may have said it, and decided to check this with R. E. G. Davis who is curator of air transport history at the Smithsonian and author of a book on Pan Am. Ron called me back and told me the phrase pre-dates Priester, but that his research shows the originator of the phrase was Captain Lamplugh, who was quite well known in British aviation circles after W.W.I. |
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IFALPA - Swine influenza (H1N1)
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In recent days the Federation has been contacted on a number of occasions with requests for advice on the risk to pilots, crews and passengers from swine influenza (swine flu) and the best means to deal with or mitigate the risk. At present there is no aviation specific advice regarding the virus available. However the Federation’s medical experts are monitoring the situation and will continue to do so while the perceived risk remains high. In the meantime, they recommend that pilots and crews exercise normal hygiene procedures. In addition please find below the following information supplied by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
What is swine influenza?
Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza Aviruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the autumn and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.
Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a "reassortant" virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans.
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Industry Highlights:
Business Travel Awards 2009: International Airport (source: www.cntraveller.com)
Rank
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Airport |
Score |
| 1 |
Beijing Capital International, China |
87.30 |
| 2 |
Incheon International Seoul, South Korea |
86.44 |
| 3 |
Changi, Singapore |
86.38 |
| 4 |
Schiphol, Amsterdam |
86.17 |
| 5 |
Hong Kong International |
85.65 |
| 6 |
Dubai International |
85.56 |
| 7 |
Madrid Barajas International |
84.53 |
| 8 |
Kuala Lumpur International |
84.47 |
| 9 |
Sydney |
84.40 |
| 10 |
Barcelona |
83.35 |
| 11 |
Zurich
|
77.63 |
| 12 |
Frankfurt |
76.84 |
| 13 |
Munich |
76.53 |
| 14 |
Copenhagen |
72.74 |
| 15 |
Vancouver |
71.06 |
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