Emirates

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have recently joined other carriers in banning the use of power banks onboard

Two additional airlines have joined a growing list of carriers prohibiting the use of one popular gadget that countless travellers rely on during flights.

Both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have now implemented measures to prevent passengers from using power banks to charge their electronic devices whilst in the cabin. This follows comparable actions by numerous other airlines throughout the year, many of which operate in and out of the UK.

The new regulations arise from mounting worries regarding the safety of lithium batteries on aircraft. Just last week, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) released an updated alert following 50 incidents involving power banks on board.

They declared: “Lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins and or in carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crewmembers. Because of this, detection of thermal runaway and firefighting measures may be delayed in flight, increasing the risk to safety.”

Under these fresh regulations, travellers will no longer be permitted to charge their gadgets using power banks during flights, nor can the battery packs be recharged via in-flight ports, reports the Express. Passengers are still allowed to bring power banks into the cabin, but they must remain unused and visible at all times.

The first airline to introduce such a prohibition was Air Busan, after a power bank fire in January forced one of its aircraft out of service. Fortunately, no passengers were harmed, but the incident caused considerable damage.

The biggest name on the list of airlines banning the use of power banks is Emirates, the Middle East-based travel giant. Bosses announced that a ban on power banks will be enforced from October 1, 2025.

A spokesperson for the airline stated that “Emirates customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions” but clarified that “the power banks may not be used while in the aircraft cabin – neither to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircrafts’ power source.”

The spokesperson added: “After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.

“All power banks are subject to the new rules onboard Emirates. Emirates new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft.

“Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire. Safety is one of Emirates’ core values, and a cornerstone of all operations and practices.”

UK Civil Aviation Authority guidance

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), alongside other aviation regulators, advises that lithium batteries and power banks should be carried in hand luggage and switched off completely to minimise fire risks.

Their guidelines specify that the heat-generating element of a lithium battery-powered gadget should be “separated” from the battery – meaning the battery or heat-generating part should be taken out. The guidelines state: “Any battery that has been removed must be protected against short circuit (by placing in its original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate bag or protective pouch).”

Portable electronic devices containing lithium ion batteries that exceed a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh and under 160 Wh should also be stored in carry-on baggage. The CAA further advises: “If devices are carried in checked baggage measures must be taken to prevent unintentional activation and to protect from damage and the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).

“Large portable electronic devices such as laptops and tablets should not be packed near aerosols or perfumes.” The new regulations introduced by airlines affects passengers flying from London aiports including Heathrow, as well as other major transport hubs like Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Full list of all 14 airlines banning power bank use aboard a plane

Operating in the UK:

• Asiana Airlines: London Heathrow
• Cathay Pacific: Heathrow, Manchester
• China Airlines: Heathrow
• Emirates: Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh
• EVA Air: Heathrow
• Korean Air: Heathrow
• Singapore Airlines: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester.
• Starlux Airlines: Gatwick
• Vietnam Airlines: Heathrow

Not serving UK airports:

• Air Busan
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Thai AirAsia
• Tigerair
• Vietjet Air

The airline is currently looking to hire 17,300 people, equivalent to a mid-size town or the seating capacity of 58 Airbus A350 aircraft, across 350 roles, which include pilots, IT professionals, engineers, and cabin crew

Emirates Airlines is hiring new flight attendants, but applicants must meet strict criteria.

The airline is currently looking to hire 17,300 people, equivalent to a mid-size town or the seating capacity of 58 Airbus A350 aircraft, across 350 roles. Emirates hasn’t said how many of those job openings are for flight attendants, but it is likely to be within the hundreds, if not thousands.

Throughout the year, the group will be hosting more than 2,100 open days and other talent acquisition events in 150 cities to recruit pilots, IT professionals, engineers, and cabin crew roles. The announcement comes after Emirates banned power banks on its flights.

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Emirates has said that new recruits are required for some roles, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, commercial and sales teams, customer service, ground handling, catering, IT, HR, and finance. Separately, Dnata is looking to hire more than 4,000 cargo, catering, and ground handling specialists.

Some of the benefits included with Emirates jobs are profit share eligibility, comprehensive medical and life insurance cover, travel benefits including flight tickets and membership cards that provide discounts at hundreds of retail, hospitality, and lifestyle outlets.

Although the airline has not advertised wages as part of this recruitment drive, Aviation A2Z reports that the average annual salary of an Emirates flight attendant working in the United States at approximately $47,000 (£34,000) as of last year.

While the salary and benefits appeal, Emirates is particular when it comes to what it is looking for in new recruits. They must be:

• Be fluent in both written and spoken English (additional languages are an advantage)
• A natural team player with a personality that shines
• At least 160 cm tall (5’2”)
• Able to reach 212 cm high
• Able to meet the UAE’s employment visa requirements
• Have at least one year of hospitality/customer service experience (desirable)
• Have a minimum of high school (grade 12) education
• Have no visible tattoos while in Emirates cabin crew uniform

“Irrespective of nationality, Emirates look for a positive attitude, confidence, flexibility, maturity, a friendly disposition and a genuine passion to help others to provide quality service. As the job can be physically demanding, it is imperative you demonstrate resilience and a determination to continually perform well”, the job requirements add.

Marika Mikusova, a flight attendant with Emirates, shared her recollection of the application process. “For example, I would definitely advise against wearing unnatural hair or nail colour! I personally attended open days twice. The first time I didn’t even pass the first round of the interview. I assume it was because of what I was wearing,” she explained.

Marika also had some, perhaps slightly more traditional advice for those angling for a job with Emirates. “So I would advise women to put on blazer and pencil skirt and style their hair in a bun. I would highly recommend putting a lipstick and heels on!”

For men, Marika suggested that they arrive clean-shaven or with a moustache only, and dressing in a suit.

“Mind your body language! Put on a gentle smile and present yourself in a calm manner. Do not cross your arms during interview as you would look unapproachable or even angry,” she added.

Marika even recalled a time when she attended her Prague Emirates Open Day, where several Korean women hoping to become flight attendants had flown in from other continents just to attend the Emirates Open Day.

“In fact, the interview was conducted entirely in English and was not limited by the nationalities of the candidates, the number of participants, or how many times each candidate attended Open Days in the past. So you can try multiple interviews outside your country,” Marika concluded.

Those aspiring to join the Emirates Group can apply for the various roles and keep a lookout for open days and recruitment events worldwide at www.emiratesgroupcareers.com.

Travellers could face issues and delays on their trips after further strike action was announced which will take place on set days and times

Holidaymakers going to Spain are facing a fresh blow as new strikes have been announced affecting major airports and airlines across parts of the country. The UGT union previously stated there will be a series of strikes affecting Ryanair’s baggage handling department.

These are set to start on August 15. However there is now increased potential for delays and flight cancellations after 1,500 workers with a second firm, Menzies, said it would hold its own industrial action, which will also start in August.

Menzies services a number of major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Norwegian. The UGT union said the strike by ground staff of the Menzies group will affect five Spanish airports, including Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma, Malaga and Tenerife South, on August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.

In a statement the union explained it is objecting to what it says are “serious and repeated breaches of labour agreements and the conditions established by agreement” by Menzies. Amongst these “violations”, UGT highlights “salary breaches, violation of subrogation rights, disorganisation in working hours and schedules.”

The union also claims there have been “constant errors in the management of personnel and payroll”, reports the Express. It also argues that there is a shortage of staff to handle the workload and an “arbitrary imposition of holidays.”

It claims Menzies is in breach of the sectoral handling agreement, the company’s own agreement, and the sectoral agreement ratified by the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) in December 2024, which led to the cancellation of a previous strike. The union has already called for multiple strikes in Ryanair’s handling department.

These are set for the peak holiday season when Spain is brimming with tourists. This strike, which involves more than 3,000 workers who load and unload luggage, will be held this week – on Friday, August 15, Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17 and then every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The Ryanair strikes could continue until next January unless an agreement can be reached. However legally, the workers must provide a “minimum service” which is yet to be determined, but the action will still significantly affect travellers.

The union says those protests are “against the sanctions imposed on workers and the abuse of hours.” Ryanair’s bases are situated in Valencia, Alicite, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago.

The strike at Azul Handling (Ryanair’s handling subsidiary) is set for August 15, 16 and 17 and will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until at least December 31, as confirmed by the UGT in a statement. The actions could potentially extend into January.

The strike will take place between 5am and 9am, noon and 3pm and 9pm to 11.59pm. The FeSMC-UGT airline sector is requesting mediation before the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA).

The union has said the reasons for the strike call. It says these are:

• Lack of stable job creation and consolidation of working hours for permanent part-time staff
• Imposition and coercion in the performance of complementary hours, both ordinary and voluntary, apply in some cases, with disproportionate sanctions
• Repeated failure to comply with the opinions of the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement on guarantees and bonuses
• Illegal restrictions on reinstatement after medical discharge and on the adaptation of working hours to exercise the right to family conciliation

It says: “UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce.”

Jose Manuel Perez Grande, Federal Secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union, has accused Azul Handling of maintaining “a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce that violates basic labour rights and systematically ignores union demands.”

The FeSMC-UGT Air Sector is calling for the company to withdraw the sanctions, stick to the recommendations of the Joint Commission, and start a real negotiation process aimed at enhancing the working conditions for over 3,000 employees across the country.

VIKTOR GYOKERES is wearing the No14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry and the Swede is also looking to become an Arsenal legend.

Unfortunately for the club’s big summer signing, he had just 14 touches on his Emirates debut before being replaced in the 62nd minute, so this will not be a night he looks back with fondness.

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Play Dream Team now!

Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season

Not that it really matters, obviously.

If Viktor Gyokeres fires the goals to end Arsenal’s role as permanent Premier League bridesmaids to clinch the title, and there is no reason why he cannot, the Swede will be forgiven if he takes time to adjust in north London.

On the night all eyes were on the new arrival from Sporting Lisbon, absolutely no-one had taken any notice of Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe.

So while we all expected an expensive signing by Arsenal to score, you would not have had any money on it being £72m Arsenal flop Pepe.

Villarreal’s Ivory Coast international scored the first goal and Karl Etta Eyong made it 2-0 before new arrival Christian Norgaard scored with a header.

Yet while we have spent the last few weeks talking about the need of a top striker, Mikel Arteta’s team will have to defend better than this, and sub Arnaut Danjuma made it 3-1 before Martin Odegaard pulled one back from the penalty spot.

Villarreal then won a penalty shoot-out 4-3 with another new arrival, Noni Madueke, missing the decisive spot-kick.

Gyokeres, who cost £8.5million less than Pepe, made his club debut as a 77th minute substitute against Spurs in Hong Kong but was given a heroes’ welcome at a packed Emirates.

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If Arsenal are to get the best out of their new all-singing, all-dancing goal machine, they will have to give him more ammunition.

Equally, Gyokeres did not have a proper pre-season as he barely trained in Lisbon.

He will soon be in better shape and has another run-out on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao.

Gyokeres tried to score his first goal in spectacular style but failed to connect with an attempted bicycle kick from Bukayo Saka’s cross and he had few other chances.

In terms of the way he moves and the fact has blonde hair, it was a bit like having Nicklas Bendtner back at the Emirates although it is safe to say Gyokeres will do a bit better than the cocky Dane.

Arteta also gave second half Emirates debuts to Christhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Madueke. 

Yet the comedy moment of the night was Pepe opening the scoring from close range and then refusing to celebrate.

Pepe arrived from Lille for that massive amount in 2019 and scored just 27 goals in 112 appearances before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in 2023.

Many Arsenal fans probably did not realise that Pepe was even playing in this fixture although there was a mixture of jeers and applause when his name was read out after scoring.

Etta Eyong scored at the far post for 2-0 before former Brentford captain Norgaard pulled one back with a far post header before the break.

The biggest roar of the night came just after the hour when 15-year-old Max Dowman was unleashed.

Villarreal caught Arsenal on the break with former Bournemouth forward Danjuma making it 3-1 before Dowman won a penalty and Odegaard, who replaced Gyokeres, got Arsenal’s second.

There was still a shoot-out although Madueke saw his shot saved with one fan shouting: “send him back to Chelsea.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal – yet again – have fitness concerns.

Both defender Riccardo Calafiori, who suffered an injury on the tour, along with Kai Havertz, were missing from the squad.

ARSENAL are to host all of their women’s top-flight home games at the Emirates next season.

Today the club revealed 11 WSL fixtures will be played at the 60,704-capacity ground during their 2025-26 campaign. 

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They say this follows a 20 per cent rise in crowd numbers last term compared to the previous season with more than 415,000 tickets sold. 

However Arsenal also stated these plans will be “subject to scheduling with fixtures for both the Premier League and WSL 2025/26 seasons to be confirmed later this summer. 

Last term their average crowd attendance at the stadium was 34,110.

And for the first time the club is set to introduce Emirates Stadium season tickets for women’s team home fixtures at the ground.

Following their Champions League triumph last month the Emirates will serve as the venue for any knockout games their WSL side competes in should they reach this phase next term.   

However Women’s FA Cup and League Cup fixtures will continue to be hosted at Meadow Park home they share with National League men’s side Boreham Wood FC.

And their Women’s Champions League phase games will also take place at the ground which has a 4,500 capacity. 

Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick said: “Today’s announcement is another bold step forward.  

“It’s an opportunity to create a special home for our team and allow more opportunities for our community, and a new generation of supporters to watch the European champions.  

“It’s the start of another chapter in the story of our women’s team just two weeks on from us lifting the Champions League trophy with our community here in Islington.”

“We keep moving forward together, and we’ll continue to fuel and inspire each other.”

Gunners women’s boss Renee Slegers added:  “I’m so proud of the journey we’ve been on with our supporters this season. 

“From Boreham Wood to the Emirates, on the road to every WSL and European destination we visited, and of course all the way to Lisbon, they’ve shown up.

“We’ve fuelled each other to an historic season for our club.”

“For us, this is just the beginning, and bringing every WSL match to the Emirates is another step for more supporters to be part of this special journey. 

“We’ll come back next season, with fire in our hearts, more determined, more ambitious, and more together than ever.”

Today’s announcement comes four months after the women’s team drew a crowd of 56,748 to their 5-0 North London WSL derby defeat of Tottenham at the Emirates. 

However this figure is more than 3,300 less than the number that flocked to watch them beat Manchester United and Spurs in February and March last year.

Back then crowds of 60,160 and 60,050 watched the Gunners’ 3-1 and 1-0 defeats of their WSL rivals.  

Arsenal’s announcement follows the team finishing as runners up in last term’s title race behind Chelsea who were crowned champions for the fifth time in a row in May. 

Last month Slegers’ players lifted a Champions League trophy following their dramatic 1-0 defeat of Barcelona in Portugal. 

Their triumph in this year’s decider in Lisbon saw Arsenal win the contest for the second time in the club’s history.

The Gunners remaining the only English side to date win the women’s tournament. 

Arsenal women’s football director Claire Wheatley said: “We felt that winning connection all season.

“To share in a Champions League win with our supporters in north London after returning from Lisbon inspired us all to push on.

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Of the team’s WSL home games being played at the Emirates next term Wheatley added: “Our players and staff know what it means to walk out in front of a packed Emirates Stadium. 

“It brings a sense of pride and belonging to all of us.

“It fuels a relentless drive to win and is a crucial part of how we create the best conditions for our women’s team to succeed.”

DONALD Trump’s luxury “sky Palace” gifted to him by Qatar will cost a few billion dollars, says the President of Emirates airline.

The US government now faces a “Herculean task” to transform the huge Boeing 747-8 into a new Air Force One fit for a president, warns Sir Tim Clark.

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President Trump, 78, sparked concerns earlier this month with his willingness to accept the plush flying mansion from the Qatari royal family.

The giant gift, worth an estimated $400m (£300m), has raised several ethical questions about if the US leader should be allowed to accept such expensive goods from other states.

But despite the controversy, Trump gladly took the 13-year-old mega jet back to Washington with him.

He now plans to make it part of his Air Force One fleet alongside two other Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets.

They have been operational since 1990 but are now said to be not up to scratch compared to modern planes such as Qatar‘s 747-8.

In order for it to become a fully fledged member of the president’s aviation arsenal however, it will need to go through some serious work.

It would have to be kitted out with top-tier communications and security tech before ever ferrying around Trump.

And significant retrofitting and clearance from security officials would be required.

Sir Tim, president of Emirates, told Piers Morgan Uncensored that President Trump’s flashy plans may cost a “couple of billion dollars”.

He explained to Piers: “I think you’re talking a couple of billion dollars to start with.

“Just roll back a little bit and look at what it takes for us to convert our 777s – from the old to the new – because we haven’t got the Boeing’s coming in at the pace we want them so we’re having to reconfigure all of them.”

The top aviation boss said trying to fix up all the jets as an airline has been an extremely tough task.

Tim admitted to “pulling his hair out” over the regulators and the tiny tweaks that have to be made to modernise a plane of that size and stature.

And he believes the US government will face an even trickier – and much more expensive – battle to get the gifted plane ready for presidential trips.

He said: “It’s a Herculean task, make no mistake about it.

“Whether President Trump will adapt fully, this present from Qatar, to an Air Force One I doubt it, but he’ll certainly get a lot of it done.”

Aviation specialist Jeff Wise also told The Sun that he expects the Air Force One replacement to take years and need billions of dollars pumped into the project to make the jet viable.

Trump’s Air Force One jets currently in use come with dozens of specialised security features.

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These include armoured glass and plating, on board flares to confuse enemy missiles, mirror-ball defences and even an electric jamming system.

Another unique yet needed element is an electromagnetic shield for nuclear explosions.

This has to be on a presidential plane as the leader of Washington can actually launch a nuke from the aircraft.

But the new Qatari jet lacks most of these security features.

Instead, the lavish aeroplane boasts a luxurious interior, featuring spacious suites and rooms with ornate interior decoration.

It also has glittering gold-coloured furnishings and hallways that echo Trump’s well-know interior design preferences.

The president is believed to have spent an hour inspecting the plan when when it was parked at West Palm Beach International Airport back in February.

The luxury Boeing was once even listed for a whopping $400 million, according to the Business Jet Traveler.

During his first stint in office, Trump had ordered two new Air Force One jumbo jets from Boeing to replace the pair that have been in service since George H. W. Bush’s presidency.

But the Boeing contract has faced delays, and reports suggest the new plans would not be ready until after Trump leaves the Oval Office.

Fears Trump’s new Air Force One replacement is vulnerable to devastating HACKS – or worse

By Chief Foreign Reporter, Katie Davis

A LAVISH jumbo jet Donald Trump plans to receive from Qatar will be vulnerable to hacking, an expert has warned.

The Boeing 747 – dubbed a “palace in the sky” – could even be blasted out the sky, aviation specialist Jeff Wise believes.

He fears Trump may bypass necessary measures to save time and money – which could therefore invite hacking or a devastating assassination attempt.

Wise told The Sun: “This Air Force One would be a major intelligence target for any adversary nation or even our allies, because allies love to spy on each other.

“The United States is being given this albatross that they are going to have to spend billions of dollars on to fix up for the personal use of Trump.

“If your job is to protect the President of the United States or if your job is to protect the secrets of the United States, then this is a massive headache for you.

“This is a plane that does not have secure communications and the anti-missiles defence systems that a normal Air Force One has. It’s just wide open.

“This is an administration that is completely irresponsible in the way they use their personal devices. They’re using these off-brand apps to communicate. It’s just a hacker’s dream.”

Wise continued: “I would say an increasing number of people would like to target Air Force One. 

“America’s list of enemies is growing longer and longer as we become an increasingly horrible nation, from the Houthis to the Iranians to the Russians.”

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