MID OCEAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (VRMG) due to open at GAN Island in the Maldives

The airway linking Southern African countries and Asian block countries of the Far East is separated by a vast section of open ocean of about 4500 nautical miles.  There are few optional airports suitably equipped to accomodate intercontinental aircraft that might need to divert from an original flight plan route between South Africa, Thailand, Singapore or Hong Kong

The USAF base established midway on the airway at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago of islands is situated 200nm due south of GAN Island in the Maldives but restricted to U.S military aircraft stationed in the Indian Ocean.
However, soon to commence accepting schedule international airline traffic in the area is the new international airport on GAN Island situated among the most southern group of islands in the Republic of Maldives.

Expansion of the new international airport is centered around the existing concrete runway built originally by British military forces during the 2nd World War so that Gan Island could serve as tech stopover for allied aircraft operating between England the the Far East. The single runway stretching across the entire length of the island has recently been extended by 900 meters reaching into the sea to accomodate large intercontinental airliners

Intended to alleviate congestion of air traffic at Male's Nahir International Airport, the new airport at GAN is designed to accept Code E aircraft including B747, B777 A330 and A350 aircraft used by most major airlines operating into the Maldives  .
The base material for the additional 900 metre of runway stretching across a section of sea had been reclaimed by excavating 786,000 cubic metres of coral dredge material from the sea bed. The excavated coral dredge is regarded to be the ideal base substance needed to construct a runway over reclaimed water. The deep water channel created by the excavation next to the extended runway will become the future base for Float Planes complimenting the expansion and development of new resorts on the islands in the southern Adu Atoll.

Improvement across the entire 2960 meter of runway between the thresholds of runway 28/10 has raised the paving rating to 65R/B/WU   Capping the  entire 3500m length of runway including the Stop ways with a 30cm thick slab of concrete required 158 thousand tons of aggregate, sand and cement, all of which had to be imported to the Maldives from India
The existing approach aid onto runways 20/10 is a VOR facility.  A new approach with revised limits is due to be published by the Maldivian CAA

The official commencement of scheduled airline traffic to the new Gan International Airport, (VRMG) is expected mid year of 2016

BOEING logs succesful 737- Max 8 maiden flight

737 MAX 8 remains on track for first delivery in third quarter of 2017

Commemorating a centenary of airplane manufacture, the all new 737 MAX 8 took to the skies for the first time achieving a scheduled milestone which begins a comprehensive flight-test program before leading to certification and delivery of the first aircraft in 2017.

With the latest technology LEAP -1B engines from CFM International and Boeing designed Advanced Technology Winglets, the first member of the efficient 737MAX family completed a 2 hour, 47 minute flight, taking off from Renton Field in Renton, Washington

With the other three members of the 737MAX 8 flight test fleet currently in different stages of final assembly, the 737 MAX remains on track for delivery to launch customer Southwest Airlines in the 3rd quarter of 2017.

The 737 MAX will extend the Next Generation737 range advantage with the capability to fly more than 3500 nautical mile

 

Boeing engineers design new on board Self Cleaning, Germ Free, aircraft toilet system

The lavatory uses Far UV light not to be confused with UVA or UVB light used with cosmetic tanning beds.
The light which is not harmful to humans is activated only when the lavatory is unoccupied.
Boeing engineers have shown during tests, the prototype toilet cubicle steriliser kills almost 100% bacteria and germs within 3 seconds, minimising growth and potential transmission of micro organisms
   

 UV lights positioned throughout the lavatory flood the touch surfaces like, the toilet seat, wash basin, and countertops with sanitising UV light after a person exits the lavatory.
"Were trying to alleviate the anxiety of using a restroom that gets well worked during a flight" said Jeanne Yu, Boeing Airplanes Director of of Environmental Performance
The design also incorporates a handsfree water mixer, soap dispenser, hand drier, and handsfree door latch system, all to keep the toilet and lavatory as hygienic as possible between scheduled cleaning services.

Boeings "Clean Lavatory System" is a finalist for the Crystal Cabin award due to be announced in April 2016 at the Hamburg Aircraft Interiors Expo.