Three Russians and a Ukrainian will face murder charges for the deaths of 298 people aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, the international investigative team said on Wednesday. The suspects are likely to be tried in absentia in proceedings set to start in the Netherlands next March. Dutch authorities said Russia has not cooperated with the inquiry and is not expected to surrender defendants. “These suspects are seen to have played an important role in the death of 298 innocent civilians,” Dutch Chief Prosecutor Fred Westerbeke said. “Although they did not push the button themselves, we suspect them of close cooperation to get the (missile launcher) where it was, with the aim to shoot down an airplane.” The Russian Foreign Ministry denied that it had not cooperated while saying on Wednesday the investigation was intended to damage Moscow’s reputation. “Once again, absolutely groundless accusations are being made against the Russian side, aimed at discrediting the Russian Federation in the eyes of the international community,” the Foreign Ministry said. Dutch Justice Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus said in a letter to parliament the Netherlands had taken unspecified “diplomatic steps” against Moscow for failing to fully comply with legal requests or providing incorrect information.<br/>
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Police say an American Airlines flight from Pittsburgh to Dallas/Fort Worth was diverted to Oklahoma City because of a drunken, unruly passenger. The airline says the flight landed in Oklahoma City at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday and departed less than an hour later for Dallas/Fort Worth. Police body camera footage shows one apparent passenger saying "go get him" as three officers enter the plane to take 32-year-old Brandon Ganus into custody. Passengers applaud as the Weatherford, Texas, man is led away in handcuffs. A police report says Ganus was arrested on misdemeanor complaints of public intoxication, resisting arrest, assault and battery, and disorderly conduct.<br/>
Swapping those hard-earned air miles for a business-class seat has become even harder at Qantas. The number of points needed to buy a seat at the front of the plane on a domestic or international flight will jump as much as 15% in September, Qantas said Thursday. Points required for an upgrade from economy will increase as much as 9%. The hike raises the price of the ultimate -- and often elusive -- reward for many frequent flyers: business-class travel on private vacations. Qantas says it’s the first such increase in 15 years and premium travel has improved significantly in that time. The change is one of several at Qantas’s loyalty business that are designed to address the main gripes of the program’s almost 13m members: a lack of seats to exchange for points, and the additional costs associated with booking an international flight with points. The Australian airline said it will add more than 1m extra reward seats a year on Qantas and new partner airlines. It’s also cutting the number of points required for international economy seats by as much as 10%, and reducing so-called carrier charges as much as 50% on international bookings made with points.<br/>
What’s the world’s best airline? According to the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, revealed at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday, it’s Qatar Airways. This is the fifth time the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar has earned top spot in the prestigious awards. Last year’s winner, Singapore Airlines, slipped to second. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low-Cost Airline. In an almost flawless night for Qatar Airways, the Middle Eastern carrier also scooped the awards for World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Seat, and Best Airline in the Middle East. “To be named as the World’s Best Airline is a great recognition of Qatar Airways’ high standards,” said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, an organisation that describes itself as a specialist research and quality adviser to the air transport industry. “To achieve this accolade for a fifth time is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate them for this unique success.” Akbar Al Baker, group CE of Qatar Airways, said: “We are thrilled to be globally recognised by our customers by winning these four prestigious awards. Becoming the first airline to be named as Airline of the Year for the fifth time is a landmark achievement … it is a proud moment for the airline.” Despite losing out on the top accolade, Singapore Airlines also had four accolades, with the awards for World’s Best Cabin Crew, World’s Best First Class, Best Airline in Asia, and the World’s Best First Class Seat. Other winners in Asia included Philippine Airlines, voted World’s Most Improved Airline, Bangkok Airways, named World’s Best Regional Airline, and ANA, given the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services.<br/>
Qatar Airways would like to be the first customer for a freighter version of Boeing’s 777X aircraft, and CEO Akbar Al Baker even suggested he’d prefer a mid-2020s debut. The only problem: the US planemaker hasn’t yet committed to build a cargo version of its upgraded wide-body passenger plane. The Persian Gulf carrier that’s operating one of the industry’s biggest freighter fleets ordered five current-generation 777Fs on Wednesday in a deal worth $1.75b at list prices. Al Baker used a signing ceremony at the Paris Air Show to advocate for a larger, fuel-efficient model to fit with a wider cargo-fleet overhaul that will start in 2025. Boeing plans to begin delivering a new 777X version of its popular passenger jet in 2020, although an engine glitch and regulatory review could delay its market entry. Executives have hinted that they’d roll out a cargo-hauling version later in the decade. Qatar Airways plans to introduce three new cargo routes next month as it grapples with a trade and transport embargo imposed by other Middle Eastern countries led by Saudi Arabia. The freighter fleet, which already includes 16 777Fs, provides a “vital link” during the blockade, Al Baker said earlier in the week.<br/>