Airport raise Chinese lantern fears
08.11.10
Manchester Airport has warned of the dangers of Chinese lanterns – raising fears they could bring down a plane, MEN reports. Bosses are asking people who live under the flight path not to use them as they are concerned that the lanterns could pose a threat to aircraft. They have seen a boom in the lantern's popularity and are worried they could distract pilots at ‘crucial’ moments on the approach to the runway, or worse, be sucked in to an engine.
The lanterns – mini hot-air balloons made up of flame and wire – are considered good luck in the Far East and can soar over a mile into the sky. The lanterns, which are used in celebrations, can be bought for £2. They are visible for up to 20 minutes on a clear night.
As well as fears they could dazzle pilots, lanterns could be sucked into the aircraft engine – with potentially lethal consequences. They are already banned in some European countries, including Germany and Austria, but no restrictions are in force in Britain.
An airport spokesman told the newspaper: ‘Chinese lanterns are becoming increasingly popular but they are completely unguided and even the ones made out of bamboo contain metal parts. You don’t need to be an engine specialist to know that a piece of metal getting into an aircraft engine would not be good news.'
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