17: Ghostly Encounters
Discovering the mysteries and legends of the world’s most haunted airports.
280000Z OCT 24
Hello and welcome to Flightlines, with this issue arriving just as the autumn season settles in.
Flightlines prides itself on being a serious news outlet, avoiding “theme” issues. However, in the spirit of the season, we're bending the rules to spotlight the world’s most haunted airports, just in time for Halloween. 🎃
The most haunted? Everyone would naturally say Denver, of course— but we're not so sure. This week, we’ll find out. 👻
In this issue of Flightlines:
✈️ Feature: Ghostly Encounters
📍Routes of note
Air China is launching a new route from Urumqi to Tbilisi in December 2024.
Aeroitalia will discontinue all services to Romania in November 2024.
Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its Amman service in the Northern Winter 2024 season.
🗞️ In the news
Southwest Airlines reaches settlement with Elliott, adding new directors to its board and signaling a shift in governance strategy.
Norwegian growth plans hit as Boeing delivery delays lengthen, causing disruptions to the airline’s expansion strategy.
American Airlines lifts profit view on higher pricing and improved sales strategy, boosting outlook amid market recovery.
Feature
Ghostly Encounters
Airports are gateways to adventure, bustling hubs where journeys begin and end. Yet, beneath the terminals, some airports are said to harbor something far more unsettling— restless spirits and eerie phenomena that defy explanation.
Haunted by tragic pasts, forgotten souls, or ancient lands, these airports are surrounded in legends that continue to spook both staff and travelers. From spectral apparitions on the runways to mysterious sounds in deserted terminals, these airports remind us that even the most modern facade can't escape the echoes of the past.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
At Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, the past lies literally beneath your feet. Built over an old family cemetery, this airport might look like any modern terminal, but it holds a secret— two gravestones, belonging to Richard and Catherine Dotson, remain embedded in the runway.
Despite efforts to relocate most of the cemetery’s graves during construction, the Dotsons’ final resting place remained undisturbed, a condition their descendants held firm on. These gravestones, just visible on the edge of the airport’s most active runway, are a monument to the lives that once tended the land before it was paved for air traffic.
The ghosts of the Dotsons are said to roam the northern end of the runway, especially at dusk, as if keeping a watch over the planes that now fly where their crops once grew. Pilots and staff report seeing two figures wandering near the runway—harmless, yet present.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport (DEN) is an enigma— an architectural wonder full of art, legend, and eerie circumstance. Spread across 135 square kilometers, it’s the largest airport in the U.S., yet it’s the unexplained mysteries that have given it its reputation. Built on native land, DEN has long been rumored to rest atop a sacred burial ground—a location with high probability of paranormal activity. Since its opening in 1995, there have been reports of chanting echoing through its corridors and shadowy figures appearing before disappearing into thin air.
Perhaps the airport’s most iconic symbol is “Blucifer,” a 32-foot-tall blue mustang statue with glowing red eyes, which casts a haunting gaze over all who enter. Commissioned to evoke the spirit of the Old West, the statue claimed the life of its creator, when a piece of the sculpture fell, fatally injuring him.
Blucifer’s presence, combined with conspiracy theories involving secret tunnels, Freemasons, and the Illuminati, fuels the airport’s mystique. Denver International is no mere airport— it's a labyrinth of strange art, cryptic symbols, and sprawling underground tunnels, making it a hotbed for ghostly speculation.
Visitors can’t help but ask: is DEN just a victim of its quirky design, or is there something more lurking beneath its surface? Whether you believe in restless spirits or not, this is one airport where the supernatural seems particularly close.
New Bangkok International Airport/Suvarnabhumi (BKK)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is one of the busiest hubs in Southeast Asia, but beneath the polished marble floors and glassy terminal walls lurks a strange legacy. The airport was built on land once known as Cobra Swamp, a marsh that locals believed to be haunted long before construction ever began. Even more unsettling, part of the airport stands atop an ancient cemetery. From the moment construction crews arrived, they reported eerie occurrences— strange wails, the sound of Thai classical music drifting from nowhere, and the ghost of Poo Ming, the cemetery's guardian.
The tale of Poo Ming, known as "The Blue Man," emerged during an exorcism ritual that preceded the airport’s opening. During this nine-week ceremony involving 99 Buddhist monks, a baggage handler fell into a trance, claiming to be possessed by Poo Ming himself. Since then, sightings of the blue-skinned ghost have continued to haunt the airport, as he seems unwilling to leave his post.
Beyond Poo Ming, BKK has plenty of other ghost stories. A pale woman carrying a baby is said to wander in front of vehicles on the runway, causing accidents, while a “Haunted Honda,” a dusty, abandoned car, sits eerily in the parking lot. The Honda is supposedly still occupied by the restless spirit of a man who died in a crash. Suicides at the airport have occurred with alarming frequency, and paranormal enthusiasts attribute these tragedies to the spirits trapped beneath the airport.
Though the airport’s officials have made efforts to appease these restless souls, including building spirit houses and conducting regular prayer sessions, BKK remains a place where the supernatural continues to creep into everyday life.
Daniel K. Inouye/Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Hawaii, hides a dark legacy beneath its sunlit exterior. For decades, travelers and airport workers alike have reported sightings of a mysterious figure—the "Lady in Waiting."
This ghostly woman, clad in a flowing white dress, is often seen staring out across the runways, waiting for someone who will never return. Legend has it that she fell in love with a man who promised to marry her, only for him to vanish after boarding a flight. Overcome with grief, she took her own life, and now her restless spirit haunts the airport, forever waiting for his return.
Her appearances aren’t limited to lost gazes across the tarmac. Some report encounters with her in unexpected ways— doors closing, toilet seats slamming, and an inexplicable figure riding the airport’s shuttle bus after midnight. While Hawaii is often associated with tropical warmth, this airport has had its share of haunted history since its opening in 1927. The setting makes the sorrow of the Lady in Waiting all the more poignant.
Our thoughts?
Exploring the eerie histories of the world’s airports reveals that travel can often bring us closer to the past than we realize. From Denver’s infamous “Blucifer” and Savannah’s runway graves to Honolulu’s tragic Lady in Waiting, each airport has its own claim to being the most haunted. However, none seem to match the unnerving atmosphere of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. With its ancient burial grounds, ritual exorcisms, and frequent sightings of spirits, BKK may be the most haunted of them all.
These ghostly encounters remind us that airports are more than modern hubs of connectivity— they are places with histories that stretch back long before the advent of air travel. Next time you find yourself waiting for a flight, you might consider that someone, or something, could be waiting right there with you. Safe travels, and keep one eye on the skies, and one eye on the shadows. —✈
Happy Halloween!
Let's explore this week's noteworthy events that are shaping the future of air travel.
Routes of note
The most significant new routes and service changes this week, offering insight into strategic expansions and market shifts.
🇨🇳 Urumqi (URC) – 🇬🇪 Tbilisi (TBS) via Air China, December 2024
Air China's new service between Urumqi and Tbilisi starting in late December 2024 strengthens air links between China and Georgia. This move enhances regional connectivity and opens up new business and tourism opportunities. Tbilisi’s growing role as a gateway to the Caucasus may attract more Chinese travelers and investments, offering Air China a competitive edge in the region.🇮🇹 Rome (FCO) – 🇷🇴 Bucharest (OTP) via Aeroitalia, November 2024
Aeroitalia’s discontinuation of its Romania services from November 2024 signals a strategic withdrawal from this Eastern European market. The removal of these routes may create a vacuum for competitors and could reshape air traffic patterns between Italy and Romania. This decision might also reflect lower demand or increased competition from other carriers.🇹🇼 Taipei (TPE) – 🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) via Starlux Airlines, March 2025
Starlux Airlines will expand its Taipei to Ho Chi Minh City service in March 2025, responding to increased demand between Taiwan and Vietnam. This expansion highlights the growing economic and tourism links between the two countries, offering more capacity for travelers and boosting competition on this already popular route.🇪🇹 Addis Ababa (ADD) – 🇯🇴 Amman (AMM) via Ethiopian Airlines, NW2024
Ethiopian Airlines is expanding its Addis Ababa to Amman service in the Northern Winter 2024 season, reinforcing its strategic role as a hub between Africa and the Middle East. The move is expected to strengthen ties between Ethiopia and Jordan, catering to both business and leisure passengers while improving onward connectivity.🇰🇷 Seoul (ICN) – 🇳🇵 Kathmandu (KTM) via Korean Air, 2025
Korean Air will convert its Seoul to Kathmandu route into a seasonal service starting in 2025. This adjustment reflects shifting demand patterns on this leisure-heavy route, where seasonality plays a major role. The airline may focus on peak travel periods, optimizing resources while maintaining a key connection for South Korean tourists heading to Nepal.
In the news
The latest and most impactful stories shaping the world of commercial aviation this week.
OCTOBER 21ST, 2024
Emirates orders 5 additional 777 freighters, brings freighter fleet to 21 units by end 2026 - Emirates
Emirates' decision to expand its freighter fleet by adding five Boeing 777 freighters is a strong indicator of the airline's commitment to maintaining its leadership in global cargo operations. This expansion aligns with the broader industry trend of airlines focusing more on cargo to hedge against potential downturns in passenger demand.
OCTOBER 24TH, 2024
Southwest Airlines reaches settlement with Elliott, adds new directors to board - Dallas Morning News
Southwest Airlines' settlement with activist investor Elliott Management comes at a pivotal moment for the low-cost carrier, which has faced operational challenges and financial pressure. By agreeing to add new directors to its board, Southwest is likely attempting to placate shareholders and improve its governance structure.American Airlines lifts profit view on higher pricing, sales strategy correction - Reuters
American Airlines' upward revision of its profit forecast highlights the effectiveness of its recent adjustments in pricing and sales strategy. After grappling with economic headwinds and intense competition, the airline's ability to fine-tune its revenue management processes is beginning to pay off.
OCTOBER 25TH, 2024
Norwegian growth plans hit as Boeing delivery delays lengthen - FlightGlobal
Norwegian Air Shuttle’s growth ambitions have encountered a significant roadblock due to prolonged delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries. The airline has been banking on fleet expansion to support its recovery and future growth strategy.Loss-making IndiGo calls peak of GTF groundings - FlightGlobal
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has announced that it believes the worst of the groundings related to Pratt & Whitney's GTF engine issues are behind it. This statement, however, comes at a time when the airline is grappling with ongoing operational and financial difficulties.
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Thank you for reading.
Flightlines will be back next week with more insights and updates from the world of commercial aviation.
Until then, safe travels and happy flying!
I am sure there are many like Dale and I, but we have visited the Savanna, Denver and Honolulu airports many times. I am glad we did not know your stories at that time! Flying is scary enough!
Chip Newhart
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