Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
On Monday, a people carrier, which transports passengers between gates and planes, crashed at Washington Dulles International Airport, injuring at least 18 individuals and causing slight damage to the terminal, officials confirmed.
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. local time (21:30 GMT) when the mobile lounge collided with a dock while approaching the terminal. Passengers exited the vehicle via stairs and were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to airport spokesperson Crystal Nosal, the mobile lounge was on its route from Concourse D at the time of the incident. She further assured that normal airport operations continue despite the collision.
At present, authorities have not provided information on the exact number of passengers who were onboard during the crash.
Washington Dulles, a major airport serving the U.S. capital, operates 19 mobile lounges, each with capacity for over 100 passengers. These vehicles, in use since 1959, are criticized for being antiquated and inefficient in the current airport landscape.
During a recent Senate hearing, Trent Morse, previously associated with the Trump administration and nominated to the MWAA board, described these vehicles as “a relic of the past,” and labeled their continued operation as “an embarrassment” for international visitors to Washington.
Data indicates that from 2007 to 2017, mobile lounges at Dulles were involved in at least 16 incidents, including one fatal accident.
This crash occurred amidst an ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has resulted in staffing shortages and flight delays at several major airports. Recently, the Trump administration instructed 40 airports, including Dulles, to reduce air traffic by 10% due to inadequate personnel.
Investigation efforts are underway, with airport authorities ensuring that all safety measures are evaluated to avert future incidents involving mobile lounges.
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