Just a Boring State Visit [Closed | Attn: PAS]

[Nacrad]

On the approaches of Riverfort Norfeld International Airport
11:53, 13 December 2021

A special aircraft, one carrying Guanyu "Abra" Abravanovich, the head of state of the Pan-Asiatic States is making its final preparations to land. It is the very nation which imposed sanctions on Nacrad after the war against Kongsi, who is seeking normalisation right now.

The F-15E Strike Eagles, which had been escorting this aircraft, break off from formation with a display of their flares. It is just a dozen nautical miles from the runway, but the city had begun taking its urban form already. The aircraft flies over an industrial area, which slowly gives way to light industry. As it crosses the Pearl River, the cityscape changes to become a fledging town of sorts, buildings densely packed while aircraft descended yet further.

Finally, the gears of this craft slammed into the hard runway of the global hub that is Riverfort Norfeld International Airport. In half a minute, it vacated the runway to make way for another coming in behind. As it exited the runway, 3 pairs of fire engines are alongside, plumes of water flying over the aircraft saluting it. The airport is clearly busy, as Abra can plainly see. Ramp vehicles drive in the carefully choreographed chaos, and aircraft were landing or taking off nearly every minute.

The aircraft slowly pulls up to a waiting entourage, with officials, diplomats and expats alike waiting, waving both Nacradian and Pan-Asiatic flags. The stairs were rolled up against the aircraft, and the door opens.

---

Meanwhile, at the ramp

"OK, Jane. It's just the Morag of Dunvegan. You've played it a thousand times. Quick march towards him, and slow march all the way to the limo..." Lieutenant Jane Kwong murmurs to herself, standing at ease. Her uniform is starched and ironed to a tee - a must for such a situation - and so is the higher-ranked Brigadier besides her. The official ceremony is to be held at Federal Square, a mere 10 miles away, but it would be some 10 minutes' drive even if roads were blocked off for this occasion. Twice or perhaps three times that during rush hour.

The aircraft rolls up to the end of the red carpet, the jet engines deafeningly loud but at least it is quite the distance, and they're shut down quickly.

"Squad, attention" whispered the Brigadier, quietly but sternly. They snap to attention in sync, preparing for the moment that they would march out along the red carpet to meet Abra and his entourage.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

A special aircraft, one carrying Guanyu "Abra" Abravanovich, the head of state of the Pan-Asiatic States is making its final preparations to land. It is the very nation which imposed sanctions on Nacrad after the war against Kongsi, who is seeking normalisation right now.

The F-15E Strike Eagles, which had been escorting this aircraft, break off from formation with a display of their flares. It is just a dozen nautical miles from the runway, but the city had begun taking its urban form already. The aircraft flies over an industrial area, which slowly gives way to light industry. As it crosses the Pearl River, the cityscape changes to become a fledging town of sorts, buildings densely packed while aircraft descended yet further.

Finally, the gears of this craft slammed into the hard runway of the global hub that is Riverfort Norfeld International Airport. In half a minute, it vacated the runway to make way for another coming in behind. As it exited the runway, 3 pairs of fire engines are alongside, plumes of water flying over the aircraft saluting it. The airport is clearly busy, as Abra can plainly see. Ramp vehicles drive in the carefully choreographed chaos, and aircraft were landing or taking off nearly every minute.

The aircraft slowly pulls up to a waiting entourage, with Nacradian officials, diplomats and expats alike waiting, waving both Nacradian and Pan-Asiatic flags. The stairs were rolled up against the aircraft, and the door opens.

On our flight over from Neo-Manila, the Nacrad countryside beckoned to me. Across an ocean of distrust, the earth's Sea of Tranquility carried the winds of change.

I emerge from the behemoth. Behind the smiles of an alien people, always the bare bodkin. Here lies an enterprise of great moment - the work begins.

Secretary-General Guanyu "Abra" Abramovich Jr., clad in an olive zhongshan suit and decorated with both his military and civic honors shining in the Nacradian midday sun, set his eyes upon a people who until recently he would have gladly fed to the interests of the seemingly-indomitable Kongsi leviathan. But alas, the momentum had shifted and the time had come for the Pan-Asiatic States' foreign policy to cope with the political realities of the region.

The Pan-Asiatic States' premier set his first foot upon the ramp, waving for the crowd and the cameras. He walked tall, proudly, and unfalteringly down unto the tarmac where he proceeded to shake the hands of Nacradian President Matthew Smith and his entourage.

The first words he'd utter in this ancient land were relayed to President Smith through a whisper, accompanied by a firm handshake: "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Mr. President."

[Nacrad]

"Likewise, Mr. Premier, it's an honour to meet you," President Smith is a man of few words, speaking just enough to get the point across, "We have a welcoming ceremony waiting for you at Federal Square. Here's Brigadier Lam, he's in charge of the ceremony today."

The Brigadier renders a salute, just as how the drill manual dictated it to be.

"Shall we?" He gestures at the waiting limousines. A cold front has passed just yesterday, and his black suit certainly doesn't cut it.

"Guards, about turn. Guards, slow march." Quietly the Brigadier commands, the bagpipes playing a British tune as President Smith led the way towards Abra's limousine, and he enters his own vehicle.

Then the convoy exits onto the streets. It's been the first time in a while that Abra had been at the streets in Riverfort. The convoy drives on a motorway of sorts, elevated over a dense suburb, which gives way quickly to skyscrapers clad with glass as it heads deeper into the city.

Exiting the motorway onto Queen's Avenue North, the Federal Square is not far. Of course, the closer one gets to the city center, the more congested roads become. The convoy comes to a halt, and the road sign is visible. What would Abra think of a nation that commemorates the colonial times by retaining something as easily changed as road names?

Finally, the vehicles take one last turn onto the smooth concrete of the Federal Square, surrounded by now-out-of-place neoclassical buildings of the Federal Government.

Brigadier Lam strolls over, and opens the door of Abra's car, standing smartly at attention waiting for him to dismount, "Mr. Premier, welcome to the Federal Square."

[Pan-Asiatic States]

"Likewise, Mr. Premier, it's an honour to meet you," President Smith is a man of few words, speaking just enough to get the point across, "We have a welcoming ceremony waiting for you at Federal Square. Here's Brigadier Lam, he's in charge of the ceremony today."

The Brigadier renders a salute, just as how the drill manual dictated it to be.

Secretary-General Abramovich reaches for a handshake, nearly erring the protocol, but quickly reciprocates the salute instead. He nods respectfully to the other members of the entourage and follows the Nacradian officials' lead.

Fastened in his seat, Abra looked out his window and unto the streets of Riverfort. It wasn't all too different from the Chinese EEZs back in the Pan-Asiatic States, if not amply more chaotic in lieu of towering skyscrapers and billboards. As he and his aides were led further into the capital the landscape grew duller and greyer. The appurtenances of British influence were like an alien scab molesting and suppressing an inherent beauty.

What a mundane and culturally-divisive existence such a people have been condemned to! - a private thought hidden at the back of the premier's mind throughout the trip. On the outside, he held his breath and kept his temperament as he is expected to.

"Mr. Premier, welcome to the Federal Square."

Abra stepped out of the car and took a deep breath of Nacradian air. He was ready.

[Nacrad]

President Smith gestures towards the red carpet, "This way, Mr. Premier. I'd like to introduce you to my cabinet."

As Abra stands clear from the doors, the Brigadier closes it behind him. Then he turns around, following the pair in slow march but otherwise remaining silent. He diverges from the group before they reach the Cabinet ministers A solitary snare drum in the distance plays a rhythmic drum solo, punctuating the incessant noise of vehicles driving on a motorway not far away. As the pair neared the Cabinet ministers standing in front of the Parliament building, the solo became quieter but never stopped.

"Here is Prime Minister Stone," he introduces as the Prime Minister nods politely. In order, he greeted the Prime Minister, that of Foreign Affairs, the Interior, the Treasury, Defence and the Attorney General. After which, were the speakers of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The governors of all the states, that of Kongsi and of Cyrenaica stood quietly behind the line of federal ministers.

Following the civilian officials were the military ones. Namely, the Chief of Staff and the Chief Military Advisor. However, instead of nodding and shaking hands, they, of course, rendered salutes first. Shaking hands is not against the protocol, per se, but a salute is first and foremost.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Secretary-General Abramovich proceeded to greet each of Nacrad's ministers individually. He welcomed every single one of them with a wide smile and a firm handshake. This time, he would not forget to salute the military-men.

Tailing the premier was his own envoy, whom the premier made an effort to introduce to the Nacradian individuals as well: notably, the pale-skinned Chairman of the Nacradian-Asiatic Trade Promotion Board, Andrew Liao; a Nusantaran Congressman from the Standing Committee of the Federal Congress of Soviets by the name of Romuli Xianliang; and the short-statured head of the Pan-Asiatic delegation's security detail from the party security cadre, Lt. Darin Pongchandaj.

"There has never been a nobler assembly of politicians, Mr. President," Abra told his counterpart.

[Nacrad]

He simply nodded in acknowledgement. He shook hands with the Pan-Asiatic ministers, just as Abra did with his. "I do look forward to engaging in more negotiations with your noble cabinet, and reach some honest agreements."

Now that both cabinets were introduced, it's time to play the national anthems. Something that Smith finds boring, but he hides it - a statesman has to tend to such formalities. He leads Abra to the dais, at the center surrounded by Honour Guards standing, at least for now, at ease. The Brigadier who has been with them belts out one simple command, "PARADE, ATTEN-SHUN!" and the parade snaps to attention in sync.

As they then stepped onto the dais facing one of the squads, the Brigadier turns around and salutes the pair. This time, he didn't wait for it to be returned, and he turns around again, belting out 2 more commands. The anthem of the PAS was played first with a 21-gun salute, then Nacrad's. Perhaps it's an acquired taste, but Smith never quite liked the the bagpipes, by which the anthem of Nacrad is played.

The Brigadier turns once more around, and says loudly and clearly, "Mr. Premier, your excellency, the Honour Guards of the Armed Forces of Nacrad has fallen into rank. Please inspect the Honour Guards." Of course, being a military man, a salute before and after said sentence is the bare minimum.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

"Asia, Oh Asia..."

The premier of the Pan-Asiatic States stood proudly in attention of his country's anthem, putting his right hand on his chest, and feeling the ground shake with every round fired from the Nacradian artillery. He'd heard it a million times by now, but it still struck a chord everytime he heard it played. He remembered his friends from the war - those who never made it out of the jungles of the Philippines, and never got to experience the prosperity which would ensue. He remembered his induction into the communist party, and how proud he was to stand by peoples of every Asian ethnicity side-by-side under one People's Federation.

Now, here he was again with the free peoples of East Asia, on a diplomatic mission in the name of the revolution. Here he was to sustain the prosperity which he himself had fought so hard for his country to attain.

The Nacradian anthem was played thereafter and it too struck a chord with the Secretary-General. It was interesting how both the English and native musical cultures of Nacrad intertwined not only in form but in tune and spirit.

Abra followed the Brigadier's instruction, and inspected the Honour Guards - ensuring that he saluted both before and after he spoke. "You're doing a fine job, soldier," he told one of the honour guards before moving on to the next.

[Nacrad]

Of course, there's no need to salute the individual soldiers. The President salutes only the commander of each squad, ensuring that his form is correct. "Mr. Premier, you only really need to salute the commander of each squad" he whispers at the Premier, not wanting his arms to tire from the saluting.

The soldiers remained silent, nodding subtly in acknowledgement. They're not allowed to move when standing in squad.

The President leads his counterpart back to the dais, and the commander once again marches up, "Mr. Premier, the Colour Guards are ready to march past and march off on your permission."

Once Abra gave his symbolic permission, the Army Band started playing music. The first song was the March of the Steel Torrent, no doubt a familiar tune to Abra. To this tune, the squads he'd just inspected march in step from the square. Not goose-stepping, but remarkably in step and synchronous with the music.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Secretary-General Abramovich heard the President and chuckled. He gave the cameras which were filming the entire ceremony a slight smile, in the same way that a child that has committed a minor transgression would admit to their own embarrassment.

When it was time for the Colour Guards to march, Abra gave his permission. He listened astutely to the March of the Steel Torrent - a relatively new song composed by the Chinese, and which the Premier himself was personally fond of.

[Nacrad]

The soldiers have left the square, finally. Smith turns towards Abra, "I'd like to invite you to speak a few words to Parliament."

He gestures towards the marble building, not the gigantic complexes of grandeur like the Great Hall of the People for its northern foe, or the Hall of 4000 Voices of the Pan-Asiatic States, sure, but it is by no means small. The guards open the door, allowing the pair to go in. A set of stairs lead up the centerline, then bifurcates to the left and right; the House of Representatives is on the left, and the Senate on the right. They took the stairs on the left, and soon enough enter a grand chamber of sorts, the members of the entire Parliament totalling 790 sitting in their seats and chatting about something.

As the pair walks up to the podium at the center of the chamber, the congregation doesn't stop. "May I have your attention, please?" The President speaks into the microphone, finally bringing silence to the crowd, "I have the Premier of the Pan-Asiatic States, Mr. Abramovich. He would like to speak a few words to you at the start of the state visit. Mr. Premier, the podium is yours."

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Abra entered the parliament alongside President Smith, and took his place by the podium at the center of the chamber.

He made a humble bow in front of the delegates as he awaited their applause to die down. He then proceeded to address the Nacradian parliament.

"Mr. President," the Secretary-General began. "Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives," he continued.

"80 years ago, my ancestors - as well as yours - made a sacred covenant to repel their imperialist oppressors at any and all costs and to embark upon a crusade of preserving the liberty of all peoples from the clutches of warmongering demagogues. Today, we stand here again in proud veneration of their sacrifices by fighting for those same values, and fostering the undeniable civilizational brotherhood which the Nacradian nation has developed over time with my country: the People's Federation of Pan-Asiatic States."

The Secretary-General looked around the room, staring intensely at the Nacradian legislators as though to prove the sincerity with which he carried his words.

"As legislators, you have all borne witness with keen eyes and open ears to the attitude of the Pan-Asiatic peoples to that of your own country. And today, I stand before you all to reassure you and your constituents that such attitudes have never been in higher spirits. The Pan-Asiatic States is on the precipice of achieving its aspirations for a moderately-prosperous society in many ways thanks to the efforts of this body. The industrialization of both Pan-Asian and Nacradian societies have coupled with it the intensification of mutually-beneficial trade between our two countries. The competitiveness of both Pan-Asian and Nacradian enterprises has led to the creation of a flourishing market, where the hard work of our two peoples are repaid generously by one another in a manner that has been co-inhering with one another's interests.

Such interdependence has surely been nurtured by many factors, but in my opinion, none could be more obvious than the inherent camaraderie that Pan-Asian people generally have with Nacradians. Indeed, this is because Nacrad shares an unshakable heritage of not just economic or cultural but in many ways ideological solidarity with its Pan-Asian neighbours, a oneness of ideals estranged only by a thin yet divisive lacquer of violent intervention by the phenomenon of white Anglo-European colonialism. We all look up to many of the same heroes, read literary works of shared historical significance, and in many parts of the Pan-Asiatic States observe the same superstitions and celebrate the same festivals. I myself am a testament to these deep bonds - surely many of you, as children, became familiarized with the legendary bravery of the ancient Chinese warrior Guan Yu and his battles in the service of the cunning Cao Cao. My grandfather certainly was when he recounted such folktales to my father, who acquired his namesake from that great hero, and who in turn shared his fondness for such exemplary works of uniquely Asiatic literature as his father did by sharing his name with me."

Secretary-General Abramovich continued,

"We share a common past, and we will share a common future - that I am quite sure of. It is precisely because we are all sons of the same ancient forefathers - so wise and dauntless that history itself has conspired to keep their memories untarnished generations after their passing, that as both of our distinguished states continue to prosper in peace, towards heights never before seen in human history, we have only found further strength and resolution still in the ties that we share with one another. And nothing signifies the providential circumstances that have led us to honor such a commitment to common cause than its temperance by common hardships.

In recent years natural disasters, infectious diseases, and economic downturn have affected us all in one way or another. And yet our states did more than persevere in these trying times - for we have not let such experiences define us. In the hands of every Pan-Asian aid worker that we have sent to Nacrad during calamitous times, in the box every export we have sent to the people of Nacrad, in the heart of every bureaucrat that has helped Nacradian private enterprises flourish in the Pan-Asiatic States is a promise of an even more co-prosperous tomorrow. A promise we know has kept when we see the smiles of our children, and felt around the world when the young people of our nations breathe an air of confidence in their endeavors."

The Secretary-General paused once more, wiping a drop of sweat from his temple with a small white handkerchief that he took out of his pocket and swiftly returned. He concluded his speech with the following:

"In the coming days, I intend to work with President Smith to work on how the good will of the Pan-Asiatic States can be manifested further. In so doing I invite each and every single Nacradian to revisit and propagate the beneficent state of affairs between Nacrad and Pan-Asia, such as they exist in their current form. For it is my ardent hope and indeed the hope of all Pan-Asiatic peoples, that the Pan-Asiatic States become an even more stalwart friend to Nacrad on every level that we are capable of improving on. Let us go further still in our deep cultural, economic, and historical relationship that we may prosper a thousandfold and make good on the will of our respective peoples! "

[Nacrad]

The Parliament fell silent for a moment, the erupted into applause. Amidst the flashes of cameras and the cheering and applause, the President led Abra down from the podium, stepping on the very wooden steps that he came up on, and through the door onto the corridor outside, where reporters are waiting. However, this is not a press conference. Smith politely asks them to back off, and they comply, due in no small part to the bodyguards, wearing stark black suits and bespectacled with sunglasses, telling them to comply.

"Excellent speech, Mr. Premier. I'd like to take you to monuments telling the history of Nacrad. Let's start with the Presidential Office Building." The President gestures towards the Presidential Office Building, which lies on the other side of the Federal Square, lying behind the busy King's Road Central. Members of the press were waiting on the door of the Parliament building, but there is a way to bypass them, and Smith plans to do precisely that.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Secretary-General Abramovich made a bow after his speech and waved at the MPs before resigning from the podium. He then proceeded to follow the Nacradian President's security entourage past the crowd of civilians and reporters to get to the Presidential Office Building.

Wherever the Pan-Asiatic States' Premier could be spotted by the paparazzi, he attempted to wave and smile back without causing too much inconvenience. Abra knew how valuable the publicity of Nacradian citizens swooning over him would be for the Party's propagandists back home.

[Nacrad]

The pair did not head out the front door, where the press is waiting. The President doesn't like contending with the press, so whenever he can avoid them, he takes the chance. Instead, the President led him one more storey underground, walking in a hallway surrounded by Senators' and Representatives' offices. Finally, another flight of stairs lead to a tunnel, which, just like the Parliament building, is well lit and cleaned. It is clear that the tunnel is used - probably on a daily basis. The tunnel takes the pair across Federal Square, and in a couple minutes the pair arrived at the Presidential Building. Taking yet another flight of stairs, they arrive at the atrium of this building.

"Welcome to the Presidential Building, Abra - this is where I work and live. I intend to give you a tour first to kick off your visit to Nacrad. Please, follow me."

Walking along carpeted hallways, they arrive at a room on the western wing of the building, tucked away in the corner. "Each incumbent President adds something new to this building. One of my predecessors gathered items significant to Nacradian history, and he put them here," adds Smith, pushing the door open.

The room was neatly organised, items from the early Englander colonisation in the early 1600s like the manuscripts from the nascent colony, to the various wars with the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Nacradian rebellion, and even to recent history, such as the Japanese invasion. When they made their way to the exhibits detailing the 1972 Federal Square Incident, and the coup just a few months later, the President paused for a moment.

"...You did what was right for this nation, grandpa. Rest assured, your grandson will never let this country get to what it was like back them" whispered him under his breath, looking at a photo of a man standing in front of an M60 Patton captioned "Pro-democracy protestor attempting to stop the clearance of Federal Square, 13 December 1972", harrowingly similar to a photo shown in the next shelf over, talking about the solidarity of Nacrad with democratisation worldwide after the removal of the Nationalist government. The other photo, though, was simply captioned Tank Man, 1989, Peking, PRC.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

"Each incumbent President adds something new to this building. One of my predecessors gathered items significant to Nacradian history, and he put them here," adds Smith, pushing the door open.

"An impressive collection, Mr. President!" the Secretary-General exclaimed.

The Secretary-General began to examine the artifacts from the Japanese invasion more intensely. "It's a shame that the Tagalog Republic sided with the wrong people in this war. All those years of oppression under the fascist boot..."

[Nacrad]

"Thank you, Mr. Premier. It must've taken him a long time to gather everything," he paused, noticing that the Secretary-General is examining the artifacts from the Japanese invasion, "I'd argue that it's... just a military blunder of the garrison that they fell so quickly. But we can both agree that fascism is an ideology of oppression. It is regrettable that the Philippines were under the fascist boot either way, though."

After the pair have examined all the exhibits in the particular room, the President proceeds to give a tour of the office part of the Presidential Office Building. The other half, where he lives, is something he isn't willing to show. It was a grand building - built in the same time as the Parliament building just across the square - but somewhat smaller than its counterpart. The building is decorated with intricate paintings and statues of various historic figures, though the rooms were of little interest.

One room tucked away in the clocktower in the center of the building was of note, though. It seems to be a band room of sorts, with modern instruments like guitars, basses and drum sets, and no less a setup to record songs. "This is where I often go during my free time, making music with my friends. At least it doesn't bother anyone if the noise is contained in the clocktower," laughed the President, panting a little from walking up the stairs.

Sorry, I was busy with IRL things, and my computer wasn't available for a week

[Pan-Asiatic States]

The building is decorated with intricate paintings and statues of various historic figures, though the rooms were of little interest.

Secretary-General Abra viewed each piece curiously, or at least pretended to anyway as to not seem disrespectful. There were many unsung characters of Nacradian history depicted in those rooms which really were totally unfamiliar to him, and indeed few seemed of particular interest to the Pan-Asian premier.

"I swear some of these resemble my great grandad," he muttered under his breath.

One room tucked away in the clocktower in the center of the building was of note, though. It seems to be a band room of sorts, with modern instruments like guitars, basses and drum sets, and no less a setup to record songs. "This is where I often go during my free time, making music with my friends. At least it doesn't bother anyone if the noise is contained in the clocktower," laughed the President, panting a little from walking up the stairs.

Abra's eyebrows were raised and his head tilted a little in amusement. Subscribing to a utilitarian ideology provides little in the way of justifying such an odd design choices, so this really did intrigue the old Tagalog man.

"Well, I suppose a man's home is his castle after all," Secretary-General Abra said, chuckling a little in an awkward way that somewhat communicated his reaction of peculiarity towards the music room.

"What sorts of music do you and your friends make, Mr. President? Fan of any particular genres?"

[Nacrad]

"Yes, of course. I enjoy pop-rock music mostly, though we do make both heavier and lighter genres." The President gestured towards the collection of acoustic and electric instruments, hung neatly on the wall. "I can play you a solo if you'd like, on the way down. But for now, I'd like to bring you to the very top."

With that, they continued walking up the stairs. Soon after, they arrive in the clock tower room, just behind the clock faces. Mechanisms from the late colonial period still ticking, the antiquated equipment counting seconds in this modern age. Stairs lead further up, to the penthouse, and this is where they went. The penthouse is comparatively a smaller room, made even smaller with another narrow set of stairs leading up to the flag room. "This is where you get the best views in the entire house. You can see everything from the balconies."

They walk out onto the southern balcony - the building was designed partly in accordance to Feng Shui principles - and can see much of Riverfort. The closest part is the Federal Square, surrounded by government buildings of classical facades. Gaps between the buildings on the side allow a wide road to pass through - that being King's Road Central, one of the first streets built on the left bank of the mighty Pearl when the British took over. To the left is a teeming junction, symbolically kilometer zero of all roads in Nacrad. Opposite the square is the Parliament building, slightly shorter but no less as grand. Further still lies the eastern part of central Riverfort, a gap in the towering skyscrapers allowing a view to the Pearl River, the bridge pylons of the Central Bridge showing through such gap. It was an exceptionally clear day, the blue sky framing the skyscrapers on either side, and the residential estates on the island opposite the river. The protected view lines, though, exceed across this island, and at the end of the gap filled with shorter buildings ending in farmland.

On the other side of the room is another balcony, looking over the old city. Picturesque buildings and tree-lined boulevards greet them close to the building, and further out the view is again protected, though this time by a highway. The road cuts through the old city and the high-rises, with the cone of mid- and low-rise buildings widening. The view this time ends in the mountains to the north of the city. Aircraft fly over the ridge high above the city, originating from one of the busiest airports of the world.