In Hungary, a decree by the Orban government is causing a stir. Although a court had approved a strike by air traffic controllers planned for Thursday, the government banned it. Employee representatives believe that Viktor Orban and his ministers are ignoring court rulings. The Hungarian Prime Minister is repeatedly in the crossfire of criticism outside Hungary, as there have been repeated massive attacks on the rule of law and media freedom. Orban's course is also considered anti-EU, but the country he leads is also one of the largest net recipients of funds from the European Union's many pots. During his term as President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker even described the Hungarian politician Viktor Orban as a dictator. "It is a declaration of bankruptcy by the Hungarian government that it is ignoring a ruling by the labor court with the help of a government decree. The ruling states that the strike by Hungarian air traffic controllers planned for Thursday this week for better working conditions would have been legal. Judicial decisions must not be shaken, not even in Hungary,” said Daniel Liebhart, head of the aviation department of the Vida union, which is showing solidarity with its Hungarian colleagues. In the decree issued on Monday evening, the Orban regime also banned future pilot strikes. Liebhart considers the Orban government’s actions to be a reminder of “dictatorships of a dark past” and points out that the Hungarian government has interfered in an ongoing negotiation that is regulated by national law and international treaties and bodies. The government has ignored the order issued by the Hungarian parliament in connection with the pandemic.

Since mid-July 2021, the Republic of Malta has only allowed fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country. However, it happens again and again that travelers arrive at Luqa Airport even though they do not meet the entry requirements. Charles Pace, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, downplays the problem. Anyone who flies to Malta with incomplete or no vaccination will face 14 days of quarantine at a cost of 1.400 euros. Alternatively, entry can be refused, so that the return journey must begin immediately and without delay. The Mediterranean state has actually instructed all airlines by means of a NOTAM to check documents before departure. However, some ground handling agents do not take this particularly seriously. For example, the documents were not checked in Vienna last Wednesday. In response to a journalist's question, Charles Pace explained that less than one percent of passengers arrive at Luqa Airport with incomplete documentation. "At some stations where airlines fly to Malta once a week, the controller may also work for another major airline and focus on the rules that they believe apply to Malta but apply to another country. It is difficult for handling agents, authorities and airlines to wade through all these different restrictions that change daily. It is difficult, but the numbers are good," said the head of the Maltese Civil Aviation Authority. According to unconfirmed reports, the majority of travelers who want to enter Malta without being fully vaccinated are brought into the country by Ryanair. David O'Brien, managing director of the subsidiaries Lauda Europe and Malta Air, strongly rejected this. He

The EU Commission is extending the review procedure for the planned takeover of Air Europa by the International Airlines Group by 20 working days. The deadline now runs until December 3, 2021, the competition authorities announced. IAG originally wanted to pay around one billion euros for the Spanish competitor, but the purchase price was renegotiated due to the corona pandemic. Iberia's parent company is currently offering around 500 million euros for Air Europa. The carrier is planned to merge with Iberia. In order to win the EU Commission's favor, slots in Madrid and Barcelona have already been given up. These are Iberia's take-off and landing rights, which have been transferred to Volotea and World2Fly, among others. The competition authorities want to examine the planned transaction in more detail, as they fear negative effects on prices in national and international traffic to/from Spain. It is currently suspected that IAG will have to make further concessions.