October 23th

More articles from the category

October 23th

AUA and Vienna Airport start quick test trial phase

On Friday, Vienna Airport and Austrian Airlines launched the rapid corona tests announced a few days ago. Passengers on the midday flight were able to take part voluntarily and free of charge. In the test phase, which has now started, passengers on selected AUA flights can take part. There is no obligation to do so. The airport and the Austrian Lufthansa subsidiary are particularly clear that a negative rapid test result is not currently a "replacement" for a negative PCR result, which must be presented upon entry in many countries. In this regard, it is up to politicians, who still have to draw up permits, regulations and agreements for this. Within the European Union, an agreement at EU level would be extremely helpful. But it will take some time, because the debate is still in its infancy. As soon as the authorities give the green light, passengers on other airlines will also be able to take advantage of the rapid tests. No comment has yet been made on the possible costs, as there is still a political discussion in this context, both in Austria and at EU level. However, the unit costs are considerably lower than with the classic PCR test. "The plane is already the safest means of transport in public transport. Nevertheless, we want to go one step further with this test project and make air travel even safer," says Austrian COO Jens Ritter, explaining the aim of the project. Many passengers may be concerned about what happens if the rapid test before departure comes back positive? Austrian Airlines, as the pilot partner of the new procedure, explained that any costs for rebooking to a later connection will be borne by the airline.

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Eurowings is reactivating the Canary Islands routes

The Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings has announced a special flight from Düsseldorf to Tenerife to mark the lifting of the German travel warning. This is to take place on November 1, 2020. The regular Canary Islands program is also to be reactivated. From November 7, 2020, the carrier will fly to these Spanish islands again from Berlin-Brandenburg, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart. "The federal government's decision to lift the travel warning for the Canary Islands is a ray of hope for tourism in difficult times. It reminds us that there are not only safe air travel, but also safe travel destinations around the globe. The Canary Islands are now undisputedly one of them again. Now that the travel warning has been lifted, we are once again significantly expanding flight capacity to Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, La Palma and Gran Canaria. We are acting with all due caution and in strict compliance with an industry-leading hygiene concept - on board and on the ground," says Managing Director Jens Bischof.

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LG Korneuburg closes another Level Europe area

At the insolvent IAG subsidiary Level Europe, only the "Nominated Persons" and "Administration" divisions have been continued since the end of July 2020. Now the Korneuburg Regional Court has also ordered the closure of the latter division. Furthermore, the insolvency administrator made a number of sales in September 2020, which were published in the edict file. At Level Europe, as things stand, only the "Nominated Persons" division, which is essential for maintaining the AOC and operating license, will be continued. The approvals remain in place because the search for a buyer is still ongoing.

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London-Heathrow gets rapid corona tests

London Heathrow is the first airport to introduce rapid Covid-19 tests. Passengers would have the opportunity to be tested before boarding. Such a test would cost the equivalent of 89 euros and would be carried out via Terminals 2 and 5, as the newspaper GTP reports. A result should be available after just one hour. And thus pave the way into the interior of the aircraft. The first beneficiaries of this offer are to be the British airlines British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific. These airlines are to be provided with testing capacity in advance. Meanwhile, there are also initial reactions from abroad. The Italian government declared this testing procedure inadmissible. Accordingly, the rapid Covid-19 tests do not meet the requirements applicable there, and passengers must therefore be refused entry. British Transport Minister Grant Shapps, on the other hand, hopes to be able to introduce this testing system for international arrivals in Great Britain. 

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Fraport is raising a further 250 million euros

Fraport AG raised a further EUR 250 million in the form of promissory notes on the capital market. The maturities are up to eight years and are issued in several tranches. Cash holdings thus increased to around EUR 2,7 billion. "In this still very volatile market environment, we have once again improved our liquidity position after placing the Euro benchmark bond in July," said Matthias Zieschang, CFO of Fraport AG. "The financing raised this year has thus increased to around EUR 3 billion. With liquid assets and committed credit lines of over EUR XNUMX billion, we are particularly well equipped to overcome the current crisis and at the same time invest in the future of our company."

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Despite Corona: ACM Aerospace is heading for record profits

Aviation has been grounded since the Corona pandemic - not only the airlines are affected, but also the entire supply chains. The international aviation supplier ACM Aerospace, which specializes in the production and overhaul of cabin interiors, is currently recording the best financial year in the company's 50-year history thanks to a Plan B. ACM Aerospace has implemented a radical change in production within a very short space of time: certified surgical protective gowns to combat the pandemic are now produced instead of helicopter or aircraft parts. Thanks to this flexibility, the company not only has a new mainstay, but has also been able to create over 50 new jobs despite the current difficult times. In the middle of the crisis. "At the beginning of the year, we were already looking at the pandemic development with concern and were sure that it would spill over into Europe. That's why we pulled out all the stops and considered which specialist skills ACM Aerospace could use to be successful in the pandemic with a Plan B," says Roger Hohl, Managing Director of ACM Aerospace. The company employs people from all over the company who, for example, bring textile expertise in a wide range of areas. Thanks to the use of synergies, production was able to be switched very quickly to fully medically certified protective clothing. Despite the success with protective equipment, ACM Aerospace is currently researching and developing antiviral and antibacterial products for the aircraft cabin, including the first antiviral seat cover and seat belt. "Especially now, in the biggest crisis in aviation to date, it is important to invest significantly in research and development instead of standing still! Because the time can be used excellently to continue to develop innovative products.

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Brunner calls “round table” on social standards at airports

On Thursday, the Transport Committee of the National Council discussed a motion submitted by Flughafen Wien AG. The company intends to retrospectively reduce the fees for take-offs and landings to zero in 2020. This is intended to support the struggling airlines. The airlines operating in Vienna welcome the plan, but would rather have free handling, as this is the larger cost block. State Secretary Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) reported to the committee that the Users Committee had originally decided on a pure inflation adjustment. The motion by Flughafen Wien AG, which is necessary under the Airport Fees Act, was submitted retrospectively due to the corona pandemic. This provides for landing fees to be reduced to zero. A Green MP asked who the Airport Fees Act actually applies to and Brunner explained as follows: It applies to airports that operate international air traffic and have more than 100.000 passengers per year. This currently applies to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz and Klagenfurt. SPÖ MP Stöger said that the federal government currently has no means of regulating working conditions and that this must be taken into account in any amendment to the law. In this context, Brunner announced a "round table" on social standards at airports. This is already planned.

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Alltours: Canary Islands again in the program

Good news for all sun-seekers: The federal government has announced that it will lift the travel warning for the Canary Islands from October 24th. That is why tour operator Alltours is adding the Spanish archipelago back to its program. The incidence rate is below 35 and is therefore significantly lower than in most German areas, according to a statement from the Federal Foreign Office. Travelers can therefore once again vacation unhindered on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma or La Gomera. And that without a rude awakening in the form of a mandatory quarantine on the return journey. To ensure that this continues to be the case, the organizers are introducing a number of safety concepts. Almost all leisure activities have been moved outside, and tourist excursions are also taking place in smaller groups. Great importance is attached to the usual preventive measures, above all wearing face masks and maintaining safety distances. “An all-inclusive week on Fuerteventura with a dream view of the Atlantic and a sandy beach is available for just 516 euros per person,” says the tour operator. 

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Wizzair is expanding within Italy

The Hungarian low-cost airline Wizzair is increasingly focusing on routes within Italy. A new base will be opened in Bari on December 20, 2020. For the time being, an Airbus A321 will be stationed there. The carrier is already present with 16 routes. Seven domestic routes are now to be added. "Today's announcement underlines our commitment to Italy and the strength of Wizz Air's business model as we continue to expand our presence during this difficult time for the industry. The establishment of our third base in Italy with a state-of-the-art aircraft underscores the importance of the Italian market for our operations. We are delighted to be launching new low-cost domestic routes within Italy - three from Bari, three from Milan Malpensa and one connecting Verona and Catania. As we adhere to the highest standards of our hygiene protocols, we are confident that Wizz Air's attractive fares and great route network will make travel in Italy affordable for more and more passengers," said George Michalopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at Wizzair. The low-cost airline announces three new routes from Bari to Bologna, Turin and Verona, three new routes from Milan-Malpensa to Naples, Brindisi, Lamezia Terme and a new route from Catania to Verona. The frequency of the Bari-Milan Malpensa route will be increased from seven to eleven flights per week. "Today's agreement with Wizz Air seals a collaboration that began in 2009 and developed in line with AdP's strategy of expanding markets, with particular reference to the emerging markets of Eastern Europe, as well as offering part of the international and low-cost airlines

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Air Transat closes Vancouver and cuts staff

Even before the planned takeover by Air Canada, Air Transat is closing its Vancouver base. 177 of the 335 remaining flight attendants are affected. The carrier previously had over 2.000 employees at this location, but the number of employees was cut sharply during the Corona pandemic. According to the CUPE union, the crews were informed that these were temporary layoffs. Due to the closure of the station, the employees have serious doubts about this portrayal. However, the figures communicated by the union and Air Transat differ: The company even speaks of 128 employees who were informed last week. It is emphasized that these are temporary layoffs. Air Transat made significant cuts during the Corona pandemic. The company still employed around 2020 people in February 5.100. According to official figures, the number is now only around 1.700, and the trend is decreasing. Air Canada is sticking to the planned takeover, but will only pay around half per share.

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