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June 28, 2023

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June 28, 2023

Shortage of staff: Four hours waiting time at passport control at Brussels Airport

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2023 08:34

On Monday, June 26, 2023, there were longer waiting times at passport controls at Brussels Airport. This affected travelers who wanted to leave the Schengen area or who had arrived outside of this region. Some passengers vented their displeasure on social media, as at times the waiting time was over four hours. Numerous departing passengers are said to have missed their flights because of this. However, they are likely to have very poor prospects of compensation, as the European Court of Justice ruled some time ago that sovereign identity checks are not the responsibility of airlines and travelers must expect that there may be waiting times here. Absurd: Many airlines only open the baggage drop-off and check-in counters three to two hours before the scheduled departure. Even if you had reported there in good time, it would have been almost impossible to reach the gate on time with a wait of over four hours before the exit check by the Belgian police. Some carriers accepted delays and waited for their passengers, but others took off with (almost) empty planes so as not to disrupt their flight schedules. People who arrived in Belgium from non-Schengen destinations or who changed to Schengen flights here were also affected by long waiting times. On social media, it can be read that people sometimes had to wait three hours or more in front of the supposedly only open counter. Brussels Airport points out in a statement that it has no influence on the passport controls carried out by the police. They are happy with what happened, but on

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Wizz Air: Vienna base employs 170 flight attendants and 65 pilots

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2023 08:05

The low-cost airline Wizz Air has been active at Vienna-Schwechat Airport for seven years now and has had a base there for five years. This is now operated by the Maltese branch. The company currently employs 170 flight attendants and 65 pilots at Austria's largest airport. It claims that around 5.000 jobs will be saved in the supply chain. Six Airbus A320neos are currently stationed in Vienna. Wizz Air has now abandoned plans for a comeback in Salzburg without giving any further explanation.

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Germany: Ten million 49-euro tickets sold so far

Jan Gruber June 28, 2023 07:36

Since the beginning of May 2023, the successor to the nine-euro ticket offered for three months last year, the so-called Deutschland Ticket, has been available for 49 euros per month. However, it has not yet been able to match the great success of its predecessor. According to the Association of German Transport Companies, ten million of these network tickets, which are valid for local transport throughout Germany, have been sold so far. So far - in contrast to last year - there have not been any acute overcrowding of trains. This is probably not only due to the significantly higher price, but also to the fact that purchasing it alone is much more complicated. The nine-euro ticket was available easily and without any commitment at almost all vending machines, counters, over the Internet and via apps. The successor, which now costs 49 euros but, unlike the Austrian Klimaticket Ö, is only valid for local transport, is different. It is a subscription that can, however, be canceled monthly. Due to the fact that some large transport companies carry out a credit check, it is difficult for people with a relevant history, which is recorded in the so-called Schufa, to access it. Some companies do not carry out such checks. Nevertheless, both the legislator and the transport associations make it quite difficult for passengers to get the 49-euro ticket. The Pro Bahn association strongly criticises the fact that, unlike its predecessor, the ticket cannot simply be bought from machines and counters, but only over the Internet or at counters that offer appropriate support. This would exclude older people and people who are somewhat distrustful of online orders. The

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Berlin Airport invites residents to the noise protection day

Jan Gruber June 28, 2023 07:04

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is holding an information day on the subject of noise protection in the Schönefeld Dialogue Forum on June 29, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. Local residents are particularly invited to attend. On Noise Protection Day, all interested guests have the opportunity to discuss their questions and issues. In addition to various construction companies, experts on the topics of aircraft noise and flight routes as well as the FBB noise protection team will be on site all day. There will also be specialist lectures again this year. At 13 p.m. the focus will be on the BER's noise protection program, and at 15 p.m. the topics of aircraft noise and flight routes will be presented. Noise Protection Day has been held regularly since 2016. Visits and advice are non-binding and free of charge. Michael Halberstadt, Managing Director of Human Resources at Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH: “Air traffic has increased significantly since the opening of BER and will continue to grow. We would therefore like to invite our residents again to attend the upcoming Noise Protection Day. It is an offer to everyone to obtain comprehensive and well-founded information on the topics of sound insulation, aircraft noise and flight routes.”

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Individual EU states are pushing for a mandatory API database

Jan Gruber June 28, 2023 06:34

Some EU member states want the existing practice of recording PNRs, under which airlines store a lot of information about bookings, to be expanded. The argument is that this would be needed to combat terrorism and serious crime. Specifically, it concerns the API data, which includes name, date of birth, nationality, information about luggage and, if applicable, passport details. Up to now, airlines have submitted a PNR list, but many have not submitted API data sets. Some EU states want to see this changed and require airlines to also feed the data collected during check-in (regardless of whether this is done online or at the counter) into a central database. The United Kingdom already requires airlines that want to land in its territory to submit such information electronically in advance. At least officially, this is intended to make the work of the border police easier. During the Corona pandemic, Germany got into trouble with the EU Commission because it allowed the health authorities to evaluate the PNR data. There was and is no legal basis for this. The Federal Republic did not initially stop the illegal practice, but gave in after Brussels threatened to initiate infringement proceedings and file a lawsuit. Misuse of PNR data sets is therefore possible at any time and the example of Germany shows that all that is needed is some kind of "pretext" and whether or not there is a legal basis is irrelevant. In fact, access to PNR records is only permitted if there is concrete suspicion of serious crimes or terrorism. However, there seems to be a fundamental error in policy thinking, because the years of

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Vienna with 1,5 million overnight stays in May 2023

guest Author June 28, 2023 06:03

This May, with 1,5 million overnight stays, reached 93% of its 2019 figure, or an increase of 20% compared to the previous year. From January to May, 5,9 million guest overnight stays were counted. The net overnight turnover of Viennese accommodation establishments in April this year was 101,3 million euros, and between January and April they generated 290 million euros. May 2023 closed with 1.458.000 overnight stays, an increase of 20% compared to the same month in 2022 - this corresponds to 93% of the volume from 2019. Between January and May, Vienna recorded 5.944.000 overnight stays - this means a statistical increase of 61% compared to the same period last year. With 320.000 overnight stays (+16%), Germany leads the list of the top 10 markets in May, followed by Austria (286.000, -4%), the USA (96.000, +43%), Great Britain (55.000, +27%), Italy (49.000, +38%), France (44.000, +29%), Poland (41.000, +44%), Switzerland (39.000, +19%), Spain (32.000, +16%) and Israel (26.000, -19%). The net overnight stay turnover of Vienna's accommodation establishments amounted to 101.350.000 euros in April - an increase of 73% compared to the same month in 2022. Compared to April 2019, this represents an increase of 7%. In the period from January to April, the companies were able to generate 289.850.000 euros - 115% more than in the same period last year. The average occupancy rate of hotel beds in May was 56,3% (5/2022: 50,4%), that of rooms around 71% (5/2022: around 64%). So far this year (January to May), bed occupancy was 46,9% (1-5/2022: 33,1%), room occupancy around 59% (1-5/2022: around 42%). In total, around 69.200 hotel beds were available in Vienna in May - that was 4.200 beds (+6,4%) more than in

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St. Petersburg: Azur Air cuts 130 flying employees

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2023 05:35

The Russian airline Azur Air is apparently suffering from an acute shortage of spare parts for the Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. The destinations it can fly to are also restricted due to Western sanctions. The St. Petersburg (Pulkovo) base is now being closed. The impending closure of the base will result in significant staff cuts, as the company is letting go of 130 flying employees. 23 pilots and 108 flight attendants are affected, reports Aviatorshina. In total, Azur Air is cutting around 12 percent of its total flying workforce. The carrier's fleet officially consists of eight Boeing 757s and six Boeing 767s. In the past, the airline also operated B777s, B737-800s and B737-900ERs. The Boeing 777 is currently parked and it is unclear if and when the RA-73469 will be returned to flight service.

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Winter 2023/24: Austrian Airlines increases Berlin-Innsbruck

Jan Gruber June 28, 2023 05:00

In the 2023/24 winter flight schedule, Austrian Airlines will fly more frequently between Berlin and Innsbruck. In the future, this seasonal route will be offered two rotations per week. Between December 23, 2023 and March 9, 2024, Austrian Airlines will connect the German capital with Innsbruck on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The core target group are winter sports enthusiasts who want to spend their holidays in the nearby ski areas. "With our expanded flight offering between Berlin and Innsbruck, we can now offer our guests more flexibility and a direct connection to Tyrol. We are pleased to expand our route network with this attractive connection and to offer our guests an even broader travel experience," says Chief Commercial Officer Michael Trestl. Compared to the last 2022/2023 winter flight schedule, Austrian Airlines will now fly the Berlin-Innsbruck route over a longer period of time and with one more weekly frequency.

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Free public transport in Malta: How to get the personalized Tallinja Card

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2023 04:35

Since autumn 2022, public transport provided by Malta Public Transport by bus has been free of charge. However, you cannot just get on and drive off; tourists in particular must note that a personalized Tallinja Card is required for free transport. The solution chosen by the Maltese government is quite confusing, but its purpose is that they want their own residents to no longer have to pay for the buses and tourists, if possible - due to ignorance of the new regulation - to continue to buy tourist tickets or pay directly to the bus driver. The personalized Tallinja Card, however, is not tied to citizenship or residence in the Republic of Malta, but can be applied for by anyone. For people who want to spend a holiday of at least a week on the Maltese islands or who come here often, this card will definitely be worthwhile. Travel is free, but the card must be purchased once The Aviation.Direct editorial team keeps receiving letters saying that it is not true that bus travel is free, because you have to pay a fee for the issue and mailing of the personalized Tallinja Card. Yes, the issue is indeed not free, but even before the introduction of the general free travel, you had to pay a one-off fee and postage for the mailing. In return, you benefited from the fact that in the standard version (adult) you only paid 75 cents per maximum three-hour bus ride (with transfers) instead of up to two euros directly to the bus driver. The one-off fee has already paid off.

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Air France wins several Skytrax awards

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2023 04:01

During the Paris Air Show, Air France received several Skytrax awards. For the third year in a row, Air France was voted the best airline in Western Europe. Air France also continued its climb in the ranking of the best airlines in the world, moving up from 8th to 7th place this year. The airline took first place in three categories related to its La Première service: Best First Class Airport Lounge, Best First Class Airline Lounge Catering and Best First Class Inflight Catering.

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