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May 23

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May 23

Innovations and highlights: Summer in Bern will be diverse and eventful

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 09:06

The Swiss federal city of Bern has a number of new developments and events in store this summer. A new funicular railway will run on the Gurten, ten e-bike routes will offer spectacular views of the Alps, and a concert series will be held for the first time in Laupen Castle. To mark the 125th anniversary of the Gurtenbahn, new panoramic carriages will be used from May 2024. The valley station will be completely barrier-free and operations will be fully automated. The ride will remain free for overnight guests of the city of Bern with the Bern Ticket. The Gurten, a popular local recreation area, offers numerous leisure activities such as an observatory, restaurants, an observation tower and a toboggan run. Bern, the second greenest capital in Europe, offers ten new e-bike routes that run away from the major traffic routes and offer the best views of the Bernese Alps. The thematic route "Green Belt Bern" leads through the Bremgarten forest, and other tours lead to castles, nature parks and idyllic hilly landscapes. In summer, Burgdorf will be transformed into a wrestling stronghold for various wrestling festivals from August 1 to 11, 2024. From August 8 to 10, 2024, the Buskers Bern street music festival will take place, filling the streets of the UNESCO old town with artists and musicians from all over the world. A new concert series, the Laupen Castle Festival, will offer eight classical concerts in the courtyard of Laupen Castle from August 29 to September 1, 2024.

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Austria is preparing for a promising summer of 2024

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 08:37

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, the longing for travel and relaxation is unbroken. This is shown by the 2024 Summer Potential Study by Austria Tourism (ÖW), which was presented as part of the Austrian Tourism Day (ÖTT) in the Austria Center Vienna. The study reveals encouraging figures: up to 80% of the population in the European markets surveyed are planning to travel in summer 2024. With 21 million people who have concrete plans for a vacation in Austria, a promising picture is emerging for the coming summer season. A look at the Summer Potential Study The Summer Potential Study was carried out in cooperation with the Institute for Tourism and Spa Research in 10 European countries. A total of 11.000 people gave insight into their vacation plans. The results are promising: positive signs for tourism State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler sees positive signs in the results of the study. She emphasizes that more people have decided to vacation in Austria than in the previous year. The improved economic situation and the increased desire to travel play an important role in this. Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Managing Director of the Austrian Tourist Board, is also optimistic. She emphasizes that international interest in holidays in Austria is unbroken. The unique nature, cuisine and attitude to life in Austria are particularly popular with travelers. Focus on sustainability and digitization The summer potential study also shows that sustainability is a decisive factor in travel planning. Robert Seeber, Chairman of the Federal Department of Tourism and Leisure, emphasizes the importance of future-oriented cooperation and a strong focus on sustainability in the tourism industry. Future-oriented tourism policy Austria's tourism policy follows a future-oriented approach that is based on

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Embraer honors FACC with Best Supplier Award

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 08:01

The Brazilian aerospace group Embraer has awarded the Austrian company FACC the Best Supplier Award in the "Structures" category. This award took place as part of the annual Embraer Suppliers Conference on April 29 and 30 in Brazil and underlines FACC's excellent performance in recent years. CEO Robert Machtlinger emphasized the importance of this award and the joy of the deepened partnership with Embraer. In addition to the award, FACC has been included in Embraer's Supplier Advisory Council, where strategic suppliers discuss challenges and future opportunities together with Embraer executives. This strategic partnership is also reflected in a new contract for the development and production of components for the eVTOL by Eve Air Mobility, a company founded by Embraer. FACC will manufacture essential parts such as the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and the ailerons of the eVTOL. Roberto Chaves, Executive Vice-President of Global Procurement and Supply Chain at Embraer, emphasized that safety and quality are crucial to the success of the collaboration. The inclusion of FACC in the Supplier Advisory Council underlines the strategic importance of this partnership. FACC, which has been supplying components such as spoilers and ailerons to Embraer for many years, is Embraer's largest supplier in Austria. The cooperation also extends to the area of ​​business jet interior solutions, which leads to a significant increase in production volume. Austrian companies such as F/LIST, Antemo and Isovolta also benefit from this partnership through supply contracts with FACC. The close cooperation in the new growth sector of urban air mobility shows the joint commitment to

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Alaska Airlines fights lawsuit: merger with Hawaiian Airlines is in danger

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 07:35

Alaska Airlines is facing a consumer lawsuit threatening its planned $1,9 billion merger with Hawaiian Airlines. The lawsuit, filed by eight plaintiffs, including Warren Yoshimoto and Kristin Barroga, seeks to stop the merger under Section 7 of the Clayton Act. Alaska Airlines asked the Hawaii District Court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs have no direct connection to the airlines involved and that their lawsuit is a repeat of previous unsuccessful challenges to aircraft mergers. The airline emphasizes that the plaintiffs have not demonstrated specific threatened harm and have not defined a plausible relevant market that the merger would negatively impact. Alaska Airlines argues that only 3% of its flight routes overlap with those of Hawaiian Airlines and that the merger would not harm competition. Merger plans in the sights of the judiciary The parent companies of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings, agreed to a merger in December 2023. Under the agreements, Alaska Air Group would assume $900 million of Hawaiian's debt. The combined company plans to operate both airlines under their respective brands and integrate their operating platforms. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has until August 5 to decide on the proposed merger. The merger would make the combined airline a major player in air travel, with more than 1.300 daily departures and 138 destinations. Nevertheless, the merger plans are at stake due to the ongoing lawsuit. Industry experts and outlook Industry experts are closely following the case and see the decision

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SITA takes over Materna IPS: new market leader for passenger handling

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 07:03

Global technology solutions provider for the aviation industry, SITA, has announced the acquisition of Materna IPS. Materna IPS is a leader in passenger handling for airports and airlines. This move marks a significant development for the aviation industry as it will enable SITA to create the world's most powerful airport and digital travel passenger portfolio. The acquisition comes against the backdrop of a forecast doubling of air traffic volumes by 2040. To meet industry demands, the integration of Materna IPS' solutions will provide SITA with the opportunity to optimize passenger flow and transform airports from simple transit hubs to personalized, digital experiences. Materna IPS is known for its leading self-bag drop solutions and has a broad customer base in North America, India, Europe and Japan. Through this acquisition, SITA will further expand its leadership position in airport passenger self-service solutions. According to David Lavorel, CEO of SITA, the acquisition will "change the landscape of the entire aviation industry" and create "a new dimension of efficiency for passengers and airports". Dr. Georg Oschmann, CEO of Materna IPS, sees "limitless potential for growth and development" in this strategic partnership. The acquisition will enable SITA to offer a comprehensive end-to-end passenger handling solution that includes innovative technologies such as biometrics, computer vision and digital travel. This combination will help make the travel experience smoother and more contactless for passengers worldwide.

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Swiss is reorganizing the board of directors

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 06:38

Following a successful restructuring as a result of the challenges posed by the corona pandemic, the Swiss airline Swiss is making an important change to its management team. The Board of Directors will be reorganized from July 1, 2024, with André Blattmann and Ashwin Bhat leaving the board. Dieter Vranckx, former CEO of Swiss, will succeed Remco Steenbergen on the Board of Directors, which will be reduced from five to three members. Swiss's Board of Directors has carried out a comprehensive review of its structure in recent months to ensure that it meets the company's current needs. As a result of this review, it was decided to reduce the number of Board members from five to three. This decision was approved by the General Meeting and will take effect from July 1, 2024. André Blattmann and Ashwin Bhat are leaving Swiss's Board of Directors. Reto Francioni, Chairman of the Board of Directors, recognized their services to the company: “Our company owes a debt of gratitude to both of them. They have contributed valuable know-how and made a significant contribution to overcoming one of the most difficult crises in Swiss' history." André Blattmann has been a member of the Board of Directors since January 2018 and played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges the airline faced. His support was also of great importance in the exchange with federal authorities. Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, contributed his extensive experience in the aviation and cargo business. His knowledge was a valuable support for Swiss. New addition to the Board of Directors Dieter Vranckx joins the Board of Directors as a new member and takes over the position from Remco Steenbergen. Vranckx, the

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Air Astana is 22 years old

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 06:02

Air Astana, the national airline of Kazakhstan, is celebrating its 22nd anniversary. On May 15, 2002, the first flight from Almaty to Astana took off. Since then, Air Astana has developed into one of the leading airlines in Central Asia, known for excellent customer service, high safety standards and operational efficiency. The airline group includes the full-service airline Air Astana and the low-cost carrier FlyArystan and is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus in terms of fleet size and revenue. A milestone in recent history was the successful IPO in February 2024 on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, the Astana International Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. In 2023, the group achieved a net profit of US$68,7 million on revenue of US$1,175 billion. Almost seven million US dollars were invested in employee development. CEO Peter Foster thanked the more than 6.000 employees and millions of customers for their loyalty. The group's fleet now includes 51 aircraft from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, and more aircraft are to be added by the end of 2026, including the first of three Boeing B787s in 2025. In 2023, Air Astana and FlyArystan carried a total of 8,1 million passengers on 90 routes in 63 countries. In September 2023, the Air Astana Group opened a flight training center in Astana certified by the EU safety authority EASA, which includes a full flight simulator and emergency training simulators. The company also made progress in maintenance, including the first six-year C-check on an Airbus aircraft. Air Astana has received numerous awards, including APEX Awards for Best In-Flight Service and Best Entertainment Program in Central and South Asia and for the eleventh time

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Challenge Group no longer wants ex-Jet Airways B777

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 05:32

A seemingly endless bureaucratic battle has delayed Malta-based Challenge Group's acquisition of three Boeing 777-300ERs for nearly two years. This situation has now led to a stark warning from the company that it will abandon the deal if progress is not made immediately. The dispute highlights the difficulties international investors face in winding down insolvent companies in India. Challenge Group had successfully bid for three idle aircraft from bankrupt Indian airline Jet Airways. Despite a clear ruling by India's Supreme Court allowing the sale of the aircraft to Ace Aviation, a subsidiary of Challenge Group, ongoing bureaucratic and legal hurdles are hampering the final takeover. History of delays Jet Airways, once one of India's largest airlines, ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy in April 2019. Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC) later acquired the rights to buy the insolvent airline. But JKC also faces challenges, particularly in reaching an agreement with creditors. Despite a clear judgment by the Supreme Court of India on March 7, 2024, upholding earlier decisions by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and approving the sale to Ace Aviation, the deal remains stalled. Michael Koish, Chief Investment Officer of Challenge Group, expressed his frustration with the lack of progress and dialogue from the SC to CNBC TV. Challenge Group's viewpoint "We don't understand what is going on here. On the one hand, the Supreme Court has made a very clear decision to go ahead with the deal.

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Lower Austria Railways recognized as a family-friendly company

Amely Mizzi 23 May 2024 05:06

Niederösterreich Bahnen was awarded second place in the public sector companies category in the Lower Austrian state competition for "Family-Friendly Company 2023/2024". This honor is further recognition for the company, which has already received several awards for its exemplary corporate culture, including certification as a "Great Place to Work", one of the "Best Employers in Austria" and as a "Best Workplace for Young Talents". With six cable cars, two mountain railways and a total of 2 employees, Niederösterreich Bahnen is the largest mobility provider in the country. The company not only offers a wide range of jobs, but also attaches great importance to the satisfaction and well-being of its workforce. According to a survey by Great Place to Work™, 350 percent of employees said that Niederösterreich Bahnen is a very good place to work. Nine out of ten employees want to stay with the company long-term and particularly value the strong team spirit. The managing director of Niederösterreich Bahnen, Barbara Komarek, emphasized the importance of family-friendliness in the corporate culture: "For us, it is a matter of course to take the family situation of our employees into account. In this way, we create an atmosphere in which mothers and fathers have the same opportunities and possibilities at all levels of the hierarchy." With a female share of 93 percent, the company is well above the rail industry's industry average of 37 percent. Measures such as flexible working hours, parental leave models, home office, family days and a discount card for employees help to make Niederösterreich Bahnen a particularly attractive place to work.

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Trip report: Braathens Regional Airlines – Klagenfurt Airport

guest Author 23 May 2024 04:38

It is Friday, May 10, 2024, and I am currently on the train on the way to Copenhagen Airport. From there, Austrian Airlines will fly to Vienna at 20 p.m. sharp and then directly to its final destination, Klagenfurt. The core topic of the report, however, is the subject of "Braathens Regional Airlines," which was hired by Austrian Airlines to operate feeder flights. Another focus is on Klagenfurt Airport. After landing on time in Vienna at 21:40 p.m., we go straight to Gate F06, where boarding for the flight to the Carinthian capital takes place. Departure is scheduled for 22:35 p.m. At this point, the entire terminal is already very quiet. Even on the display screen, only the Austrian logo lights up and there is basically no indication that a Swedish airline will be operating this flight. During the boarding announcements, the friendly lady at the counter briefly mentions in German and English that this flight is being operated on behalf of Braathens Regional Airlines. We passengers are chauffeured to the plane by bus. Since I like to out myself as a listening and curious person and always notice a lot of the overall situation, I can also say something roughly about the passengers present. I noticed three groups of languages ​​spoken. Firstly, of course, the Carinthian dialect, which I speak myself and grew up with. Secondly, a few men, all dressed in business attire, are sitting in a group, all speaking to each other in standard German.

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