Sir Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden in New York a few hours after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing while attempting to leave the UK. AP
Sir Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden in New York a few hours after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing while attempting to leave the UK. AP
Sir Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden in New York a few hours after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing while attempting to leave the UK. AP
Sir Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden in New York a few hours after his plane was forced to make an emergency landing while attempting to leave the UK. AP

Culture

Music

Elton John performs in New York after reported emergency landing amid UK's Storm Franklin

The singer was also recently forced to postpone two concerts in Dallas, Texas after he contracted Covid-19

David Tusing

February 23, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Firefighters from several stations around Rushmoor in Hampshire county in England rushed to Farnborough Airport on Monday after Elton John's private jet reportedly suffered a hydraulic failure and was attempting to make an emergency landing amid Storm Franklin.

Yet a day later the six-time Grammy Award-winner could be seen performing live at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour, which is meant to be the final tour of his career. It began in Pennsylvania in 2018, but has been beset by delays, including postponements owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

John was leaving the UK for the US when the incident occurred at an altitude of 10,000 feet, The Sun reports. According to the newspaper, the ordeal began shortly after John's £66 million ($90m) jet left the airport at 10.20am. About an hour into the trip, the aircraft suffered hydraulic failure and the pilot had to make a U-turn while approaching the coast of southern Ireland.

The pilot headed back to Farnborough and radioed air traffic control to declare an emergency landing. Ambulance crews and police were alerted at 11.19am, as firefighters raced to the scene and the runway was cleared.

But as Storm Franklin's fierce winds continued to batter parts of the UK, the pilot soon struggled to land the twin-jet Bombardier Global Express.

A Bombardier Global Express RS plane at the Middle East Business Aviation event in Dubai. Elton John was on a similar plane when his on-air ordeal began shortly after leaving Farnborough in the UK. Jeff Topping / The National
A Bombardier Global Express RS plane at the Middle East Business Aviation event in Dubai. Elton John was on a similar plane when his on-air ordeal began shortly after leaving Farnborough in the UK. Jeff Topping / The National

On Monday, Rushmoor Fire Station tweeted images of firefighter trucks as they headed to the airport.

"Multiple resources from Rushmoor and surrounding stations sent to Farnborough airfield earlier for a plane suffering hydraulic troubles. The plane ended up landing safely and all fire appliances, police and ambulance crews were stood down," it posted.

UK flights disrupted amid Storm Franklin

Millions of travellers across the UK have faced disruption to their plans after Storm Franklin hit the country. Flights have been cancelled and delayed and one train operator has issued a “do not travel” warning over the risk of flooding to tracks, while hundreds of homes have been evacuated.

The Met Office issued an amber warning for winds, which could cause a “risk to life”, in Northern Ireland until 7am on Monday, while a milder yellow wind warning covers England, Wales and south-western Scotland from noon until 1pm.

Following the on-air drama, John tweeted: "Hello New York! See you @TheGarden tonight."

On January 19, the tour's rescheduled North American leg finally began in New Orleans, Louisiana, after a two-year delay. But John was again forced to postpone two concerts in Dallas, Texas after he contracted Covid-19 on January 22.

John had also previously said he was postponing European dates on his world tour until 2023 so that he can have an operation on an injured hip. The US tour is scheduled to make stops in Houston, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, New York and Miami.

On Tuesday night, John made it to the Madison Square Garden and performed for thousands of fans. He is set to play the famed venue again on Wednesday.

Scroll through the photo gallery below to see Elton John's style evolution over the years:

Elton John, in a fur coat and metallic boots with flared trousers, poses in the bar of the London Palladium, during rehearsals for the Royal Variety Performance in October 1972. Getty Images
Elton John, in a fur coat and metallic boots with flared trousers, poses in the bar of the London Palladium, during rehearsals for the Royal Variety Performance in October 1972. Getty Images
Princess Margaret speaks to Elton John, wearing a white suit with a daisy on his lapel, at an event in 1974. Getty Images
Princess Margaret speaks to Elton John, wearing a white suit with a daisy on his lapel, at an event in 1974. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a sparkling Los Angeles Dodgers jersey, performs at the Dodger Stadium in 1975. Terry O’Neill / Iconic Images
Elton John, wearing a sparkling Los Angeles Dodgers jersey, performs at the Dodger Stadium in 1975. Terry O’Neill / Iconic Images
Elton John, in a jacket with a striped lapel and white sunglasses, with his manager John Reid on their way to a luncheon in honour of Buddy Holly in Holland Park, London on September 8, 1976. Getty Images
Elton John, in a jacket with a striped lapel and white sunglasses, with his manager John Reid on their way to a luncheon in honour of Buddy Holly in Holland Park, London on September 8, 1976. Getty Images
Elton John, in a purple sports kit and a safari-style hat, poses by the pool at his villa in Saint-Tropez in the south of France in January 1982. Getty Images
Elton John, in a purple sports kit and a safari-style hat, poses by the pool at his villa in Saint-Tropez in the south of France in January 1982. Getty Images
Elton John, in a red patchwork suit, performs at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on December 16, 1982. Getty Images
Elton John, in a red patchwork suit, performs at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on December 16, 1982. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a white morning suit and a straw boater hat, with Renate Blauel on their wedding day at St Mark's Church in Sydney, Australia on February 14, 1984. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a white morning suit and a straw boater hat, with Renate Blauel on their wedding day at St Mark's Church in Sydney, Australia on February 14, 1984. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing red shorts, a blue jacket and red baseball cap, with Renate Blauel following their wedding on February 14, 1984. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing red shorts, a blue jacket and red baseball cap, with Renate Blauel following their wedding on February 14, 1984. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a grey pin-striped suit, attends the FA Cup Final in Wembley Stadium, London on May 19, 1984. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a grey pin-striped suit, attends the FA Cup Final in Wembley Stadium, London on May 19, 1984. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with sparkling detail, with David Beckham and Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari during Versace's autumn/winter 1998-99 show in Milan on January 11, 1998. EPA
Elton John, in a black suit with sparkling detail, with David Beckham and Italian singer Zucchero Fornaciari during Versace's autumn/winter 1998-99 show in Milan on January 11, 1998. EPA
Elton John, in a lilac suit, with Tony Bennett on stage at the Rainforest Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 17, 1999. ImageDirect
Elton John, in a lilac suit, with Tony Bennett on stage at the Rainforest Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 17, 1999. ImageDirect
Elton John, wearing a black suit with sparkling detailing and a silver cross, leaves a New York City concert on July 27, 1999. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black suit with sparkling detailing and a silver cross, leaves a New York City concert on July 27, 1999. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with a black sequinned animal print pattern, at the 2000 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 23, 2000. ImageDirect
Elton John, in a black suit with a black sequinned animal print pattern, at the 2000 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 23, 2000. ImageDirect
Elton John, in a yellow and pink shit and shirt, performs with rapper Eminem at the 2001 Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on February 21, 2001. Getty Images
Elton John, in a yellow and pink shit and shirt, performs with rapper Eminem at the 2001 Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on February 21, 2001. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with gold embellishment and a gold shirt, and David Furnish arrive at the Elton John post-Oscars party on March 25, 2001 at Moomba restaurant in West Hollywood. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with gold embellishment and a gold shirt, and David Furnish arrive at the Elton John post-Oscars party on March 25, 2001 at Moomba restaurant in West Hollywood. Getty Images
Elton John, in a sparkling pinstriped suit, and David Furnish arrive at Vogue's It's Fashion charity gala in Buckinghamshire, England on June 11, 2001. Getty Images
Elton John, in a sparkling pinstriped suit, and David Furnish arrive at Vogue's It's Fashion charity gala in Buckinghamshire, England on June 11, 2001. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black Adidas tracksuit, records his contribution to disaster relief charity single 'Tears In Heaven' at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas on April 10, 2005. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black Adidas tracksuit, records his contribution to disaster relief charity single 'Tears In Heaven' at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas on April 10, 2005. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, wearing a navy suit, arrive at the 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London on May 12, 2005. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, wearing a navy suit, arrive at the 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' premiere at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London on May 12, 2005. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black coat with pink, feathered pattern over a navy satin shirt and burnt orange wide-legged trousers, performs at the Live 8 London concert in Hyde Park, London on July 2, 2005. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black coat with pink, feathered pattern over a navy satin shirt and burnt orange wide-legged trousers, performs at the Live 8 London concert in Hyde Park, London on July 2, 2005. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit and white ruffled shirt, and Elizabeth Hurley attend a Chopard party during the 59th International Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit and white ruffled shirt, and Elizabeth Hurley attend a Chopard party during the 59th International Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2006. Getty Images
Jon Bon Jovi and Elton John, wearing a black shirt with a pink shirt and green tie, attend the Mojo Honours List awards at Shoreditch Town Hall, London on June 5, 2006. Getty Images
Jon Bon Jovi and Elton John, wearing a black shirt with a pink shirt and green tie, attend the Mojo Honours List awards at Shoreditch Town Hall, London on June 5, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, in a lilac suit and pink T-shirt, and Lyne Wyatt attend the Chanel haute couture autumn/winter 2006/07 show during Paris Fashion Week on July 6, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, in a lilac suit and pink T-shirt, and Lyne Wyatt attend the Chanel haute couture autumn/winter 2006/07 show during Paris Fashion Week on July 6, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a suit with a crocodile and water print, performs his 'The Captain And The Kid Tour' in Sydney, Australia on November 28, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a suit with a crocodile and water print, performs his 'The Captain And The Kid Tour' in Sydney, Australia on November 28, 2006. Getty Images
The crocodile detail on the back of Elton John's suit during the Sydney performance. Getty Images
The crocodile detail on the back of Elton John's suit during the Sydney performance. Getty Images
Elton John, in a red suit, arrives at the Move for Aids event in Sydney, Australia on November 30, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, in a red suit, arrives at the Move for Aids event in Sydney, Australia on November 30, 2006. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black jacket with a blue splash pattern and shirt, and David Furnish arrive at a Chopard event during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2007. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black jacket with a blue splash pattern and shirt, and David Furnish arrive at a Chopard event during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2007. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, in a pin-striped suit, arrive at Sir David Frost's summer party on July 5, 2007 in London. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, in a pin-striped suit, arrive at Sir David Frost's summer party on July 5, 2007 in London. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with a blue flower detail, and David Furnish attend the GQ Men of the Year Awards at the Royal Opera House, London on September 4, 2007. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with a blue flower detail, and David Furnish attend the GQ Men of the Year Awards at the Royal Opera House, London on September 4, 2007. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black jacket with red floral detail and a red shirt, performs at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi on January 22, 2008. Joseph J Capellan / ADMC
Elton John, wearing a black jacket with red floral detail and a red shirt, performs at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi on January 22, 2008. Joseph J Capellan / ADMC
Elton John, in a black suit with a 'love' print, performs in Sydney, Australia on May 12, 2008. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with a 'love' print, performs in Sydney, Australia on May 12, 2008. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a cream suit with blue edging, wanders through Portofino, Italy on August 12, 2008. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a cream suit with blue edging, wanders through Portofino, Italy on August 12, 2008. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit, purple T-shirt and glittering glasses, and David Furnish attend the premiere of 'Gnomeo And Juliet' at the Odeon Leicester Square on January 30, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit, purple T-shirt and glittering glasses, and David Furnish attend the premiere of 'Gnomeo And Juliet' at the Odeon Leicester Square on January 30, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images
Elton John, in a morning suit with a yellow waistcoat, and David Furnish attend the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, London on April 29, 2011. Getty Images
Elton John, in a morning suit with a yellow waistcoat, and David Furnish attend the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, London on April 29, 2011. Getty Images
Elton John, in a pink sequinned jacket, performs during Queen Elizabeth Ii's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, London on June 4, 2012. Getty Images
Elton John, in a pink sequinned jacket, performs during Queen Elizabeth Ii's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, London on June 4, 2012. Getty Images
Elton John, in a purple suit, green checked shirt and metallic green shoes, and Tinie Tempah on the front row for the Richard James spring/summer 2013 show in London on June 17, 2012. Getty Images
Elton John, in a purple suit, green checked shirt and metallic green shoes, and Tinie Tempah on the front row for the Richard James spring/summer 2013 show in London on June 17, 2012. Getty Images
Ed Sheeran and Elton John, in a black Adidas tracksuit, pose backstage during the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California on February 9, 2013. WireImage
Ed Sheeran and Elton John, in a black Adidas tracksuit, pose backstage during the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California on February 9, 2013. WireImage
Elton John, in a blue suit with diamante detail, performs at 2015 Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 20, 2015. Getty Images
Elton John, in a blue suit with diamante detail, performs at 2015 Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 20, 2015. Getty Images
Elton John, in a white suit with a rose pattern, performs live at Twickenham Stoop on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images
Elton John, in a white suit with a rose pattern, performs live at Twickenham Stoop on June 3, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, in a grey suit with a pink T-shirt, attend the 'Sherlock Gnomes' family gala at Cineworld Leicester Square, London on April 22, 2018. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, in a grey suit with a pink T-shirt, attend the 'Sherlock Gnomes' family gala at Cineworld Leicester Square, London on April 22, 2018. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, wearing a morning suit with a grey waistcoat, leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
David Furnish and Elton John, wearing a morning suit with a grey waistcoat, leave St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a mint green suit, and Taron Egerton attend a 'Rocketman' photocall during the 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a mint green suit, and Taron Egerton attend a 'Rocketman' photocall during the 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with a rocket detailing and heart-shaped sunglasses, attends the screening of 'Rocketman' during the 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black suit with a rocket detailing and heart-shaped sunglasses, attends the screening of 'Rocketman' during the 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019. Getty Images
The 'Rocketman' detail on the back of Elton John's suit at the film's Cannes Film Festival premiere in May 2019. Getty Images
The 'Rocketman' detail on the back of Elton John's suit at the film's Cannes Film Festival premiere in May 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, in a navy tuxedo, attends the 'Rocketman' UK premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 20, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
Elton John, in a navy tuxedo, attends the 'Rocketman' UK premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 20, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black suit with gold initialled embellishment, attends the European premiere of 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a black suit with gold initialled embellishment, attends the European premiere of 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, in a lilac suit, and David Furnish attend the Midsummer Party to raise funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation in Antibes, France on July 24, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, in a lilac suit, and David Furnish attend the Midsummer Party to raise funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation in Antibes, France on July 24, 2019. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black sequinned suit, performs at the A Day On The Green music festival in Geelong, Australia on December 7, 2019. EPA
Elton John, in a black sequinned suit, performs at the A Day On The Green music festival in Geelong, Australia on December 7, 2019. EPA
Elton John, in a black and white suit with floral detail, performs at Mission Estate, New Zealand on February 6, 2020. Getty Images
Elton John, in a black and white suit with floral detail, performs at Mission Estate, New Zealand on February 6, 2020. Getty Images
Elton John, in a green suit, pays tribute to Billie Jean King during the Laureus World Sports Awards 2021 Virtual Award Ceremony on May 6, 2021. Getty Images
Elton John, in a green suit, pays tribute to Billie Jean King during the Laureus World Sports Awards 2021 Virtual Award Ceremony on May 6, 2021. Getty Images
Elton John, in a checked shirt, watches a football match between Watford and Swansea City in Watford on May 8, 2021. Getty Images
Elton John, in a checked shirt, watches a football match between Watford and Swansea City in Watford on May 8, 2021. Getty Images
Elton John, in a green brocade suit, performs on stage during Global Citizen Live on September 25, 2021 in Paris, France. Getty Images
Elton John, in a green brocade suit, performs on stage during Global Citizen Live on September 25, 2021 in Paris, France. Getty Images
Elton John, in a dark grey suit, after being made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to Music and to Charity during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 10, 2021 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
Elton John, in a dark grey suit, after being made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to Music and to Charity during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 10, 2021 in Windsor, England. Getty Images
Elton John, wearing a green Gucci tracksuit, in the 'Merry Christmas' music video, which debuted on December 3, 2021. Photo: YouTube
Elton John, wearing a green Gucci tracksuit, in the 'Merry Christmas' music video, which debuted on December 3, 2021. Photo: YouTube
Elton John, in a white sequinned suit, performs his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour' at the Smoothie King Centre, New Orleans, Louisiana on January 19, 2022. AFP
Elton John, in a white sequinned suit, performs his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour' at the Smoothie King Centre, New Orleans, Louisiana on January 19, 2022. AFP
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Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

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Updated: February 23, 2022, 6:31 AM
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