Red faces as Pacific Blue flight evacuated

[Wirraway]

AAP

Red faces as Pacific Blue flight evacuated
September 20, 2004 - 12:55PM

Low-cost carrier Pacific Blue was left red-faced today when passengers on its inaugural flight from Melbourne to Port Villa had to be evacuated after a warning light was activated by a disinfectant cannister.

As a safety precaution, 163 passengers on the 9.30 am (AEST) flight from Melbourne to Port Villa in Vanuatu were told to disembark just before take-off because a warning light in the cockpit was activated, Pacific Blue Airlines spokeswoman Amanda Bolger said today.

"These things happen and our first priority is safety, which passengers appreciate," Ms Bolger said.

"Spraying the cargo hold with disinfectant (which is standard on international flights) caused the warning light to be activated.

"As far as I am aware, this has never happened to us before but the incident will be investigated."

Four Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) crews were called to check the aircraft, which was expected to continue on its journey at 11am (AEST).

No one was injured during the incident.

Today's flight was the first between Melbourne and Vanuatu as part of a new weekly service by Pacific Blue, Virgin Blue's overseas offshoot.

- AAP

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[HotDog]

Another one to sell papers. Disembarkation through the airbridge is hardly an evacuation.:rolleyes: Don't know why pacific Blue should have been red faced about it. A cargo fire warning light is not to be trifled with.

[Sperm Bank]

Red faces! WHY???????????????????? The pilots got a fire warning indication in the forward cargo hold and instigated an evacuation. They were still attached to the aero bridge (not just before take off). What's to be red faced about?

[Ultralights]

inaugural flight did you say?

any publicity...........

[schweinhund]

Did the stick shaker go off too?

[Wirraway]

From 'Tubbsy' on the Sydney message board:

Hi there

Managed to get an PC, still in MEL intl terminal, flight may depart today, chances are i won't get back to MEL today if it does, they need to find another extingusher for the forward hold, we have already used two...QF has a spare, but wont accept a purchase order from PB, only from DJ , but DJ need a purchase order from PB............Meanwhile we sit on the ground, drinking VB, PB has issued $10 meal vouchers....which some enterprising people pooled together and got a couple bottles of scotch from the duty free

More info later via Shep on SMS

Cheers
Tubbsy

[Wirraway]

Port Vila Presse

Pacific Blue receives big Vanuatu welcome
Posted Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Despite a minor delay in leaving Melbourne yesterday on the inaugural flight, Pacific Blue arrived in Port Vila last night, where passengers were personally welcomed to Port Vila by the acting Prime Minister, the Honourable Ham Lini and invited guests including government ministers, diplomatic corps members, major tourism industry players and the public.


Whilst the Australian media made mileage out of the delay, everyone at the airport couldn't have cared less. For residents of Vanuatu, the eventual arrival of the aircraft heralds a new milestone in the development of the country's tourism industry and all thoughts were on the future benefits the arrival of Pacific Blue will bring.

"Yesterday we witnessed the inherent negativity of the Australian media, all the online news sites flooded the web with news of the delay, not one mentioned the the upside of Pacific Blue coming to Vanuatu. We are tired of the constant Vanuatu 'bashing' in our neighbours media, there is never any positive news coverage when good things happen. In fact I don't care if they are a week late, the fact they are now here is what we are focussed on", commented one official.


Official welcome speeches were made by the acting Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism and Mr. Des Ross, the CEO of Airports Vanuatu Ltd. In responding on behalf of Pacific Blue, Amanda Bolger thanked everyone for their support and dedication to the task of bring Pacific Blue to Vanuatu.

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[doubleu-anker]

Yes, better to have management red faces, than pax having red a****