June 19

More articles from the category

June 19

Hela Jaziri becomes new Sales Director of Air France-KLM in Germany

Hela Jaziri, currently Head of Strategic Corporate Sales for the French market, will take over the position of Head of Sales for Air France-KLM in Germany from July 1. She succeeds Xavier Tausky, the airline announced. Jaziri previously held various positions for the group in Africa, Asia and the Middle East and brings extensive international experience.

Continue reading "

Emergency exercise at Klagenfurt Airport: Cooperation at the highest level

A large-scale emergency exercise involving over 100 people was successfully carried out today by the Austrian Armed Forces and Klagenfurt Airport. This realistic scenario offered the participants an important opportunity to test their skills and the interaction of various emergency organizations. The exercise scenario was carefully planned: an aircraft, the Pilatus PC6, with radioactive cargo on board, entered Austrian airspace from the south. Two Eurofighters of the Austrian Armed Forces intercepted the aircraft and forced it to land at Klagenfurt Airport. On the apron, the PC6 collided with an Embraer E195 commercial airliner, which then caught fire. All emergency measures were immediately initiated. The Army's ABC defense secured the Pilatus PC6, while the Klagenfurt air traffic control center raised the alarm. Emergency services, fire brigade and police were immediately mobilized. The airport fire brigade, supported by other fire brigades, carried out an extinguishing attack on the simulated aircraft fire. The Red Cross treated the injured and transported them away after providing initial treatment. The police cordoned off the area and began investigations. Official observers from the Supreme Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Ministry of the Interior monitored the course of the exercise. The exercise was completed after about two hours and provided valuable information about the course of events and the cooperation between the various emergency services. Maximilian Wildt, Managing Director of Klagenfurt Airport, emphasized the importance of such exercises: “We have once again seen clearly today how essential the interaction of all emergency organizations is. Klagenfurt Airport plays a central role as an important transport facility in the country - which makes it all the more important for us to be prepared for an emergency.

Continue reading "

Graz: Primus Aero is bankrupt

Primus Aero GmbH, a company specializing in aircraft management and technical services based in Feldkirchen near Graz, is facing significant financial difficulties. Originally, the company's focus was on the administration and management of aircraft as well as various technical and support services. However, Primus Aero now generates around 70 percent of its revenue from trading in aircraft spare parts. This development and the extensive service contracts with aircraft operators have given the company a strong market position. Despite this positive market position, Primus Aero had to apply for restructuring proceedings without self-administration in 2023. KSV1870 (Credit Protection Association of 1870) reports that the expansion of the business area through the acquisition of Austrian Aircraft Corporation (AAC) in 2022 and the simultaneous expansion of structures as well as the move to a new office building resulted in significant financial burdens Expansion and Challenges The purchase of AAC GmbH for 3,3 million euros, of which 800.000 euros were financed from short-term working capital, was intended to expand Primus Aero's value chain. The remaining EUR 2,5 million was deferred by the seller, but the planned refinancing could not be implemented as planned. These financial burdens were exacerbated by the growth plans of the main customer, who announced the takeover of an airline and the introduction of five Embraer 190 jets into the fleet. However, these plans were not realized, which led to a lack of expected orders and further worsened the company's financial situation. To stabilize cash flow, Primus Aero resorted to factoring the outgoing invoices, which led to an improvement in liquidity in mid-2023. However, the bank reduced

Continue reading "

Nostop from Bratislava to Doha from the end of September 2024

From September 30, 2024, the airline Smartwings will offer weekly non-stop flights from Bratislava to Qatar. These connections are part of the winter flight schedule and will be offered until January 6 and again from April 7 until the end of May/beginning of June 2025. The approximately five-hour flights depart every Monday and have been added to the offer by the travel agency Hydrotour. Hydrotour offers its customers complete travel packages that, in addition to the charter flight, also include transfers, service by delegates and entertainers, and all-inclusive accommodation in 5-star hotels. The introduction of direct flights to Qatar marks an expansion of the exotic travel destinations from Bratislava, which in the 2024/25 winter season will also include flights to Phuket, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Cancún, Holguín, Phu Quoc, the Dominican Republic, Oman, Bahrain and Dubai.

Continue reading "

Air Force One: The new VC-25B and its ongoing problems

The development of the new Air Force One, known as the VC-25B, has suffered another major setback. The first flight of the new presidential aircraft has been postponed by more than a year and is now scheduled to take place in March 2026. This delay is just the latest in a long line of problems that have plagued the project since its inception. The VC-25B, which is being developed based on Boeing 747-8I airframes, was originally scheduled to make its maiden flight in November 2024. However, due to significant design flaws, supplier bankruptcies and labor issues, this date has been repeatedly postponed. According to Breaking Defense, the new first flight date has now been set for March 2026. The first aircraft was originally planned to be delivered in September 2024, with a second jet to follow in February 2025. However, an announcement in July 2022 pushed the schedule back by two to three years, meaning the first aircraft could now be delivered in September 2026 at the earliest. These delays have already cost Boeing more than $2,4 billion in losses. The development process has also been plagued by labor-related problems, including a staff shortage and security clearances that many of the 250 employees involved failed. This led to an investigation by the Department of Defense and forced Boeing to make extensive hiring to ensure the project progressed. Complex requirements and technological challenges The VC-25B is based on airframes originally ordered by the now-defunct Russian airline Transaero, but never taken delivery. These aircraft are to be converted into the most advanced presidential aircraft in the world. Known specifications

Continue reading "

Drunk woman bites policewoman at Nuremberg airport

At Nuremberg Airport, a drunk woman bit a policewoman on the leg after she was denied boarding on a flight to London because she was drunk. As the police announced on Monday, the airline refused to allow the 43-year-old to board on Friday evening. The woman then became increasingly aggressive, so officers handcuffed her and took her to the station. During the search, the 43-year-old bit a policewoman on the leg and scratched another officer. Both policewomen were able to continue their duties despite minor injuries, a police spokeswoman explained. The woman is now being investigated for resisting arrest and attacking the policewomen, as well as for bodily harm and insult.

Continue reading "

US airlines in the first quarter of 2024: A turbulent start to the year

US airlines experienced a financial low in the first quarter of 2024, resulting from a $1,6 billion after-tax loss. This alarming figure, released by the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), highlights a significant deterioration compared to the $1,2 billion loss in the same period last year. Despite traditional seasonal fluctuations, these results highlight the complex challenges facing the US airline industry. US airlines' economic rollercoaster Traditionally, airlines in the US experience losses during the winter months, followed by more profitable times during the rest of the year. The 2023 earnings illustrate this dynamic impressively: These figures make it clear that the industry is fundamentally capable of making significant profits after weak quarters. However, the first quarter of 2024, with a loss of $1,6 billion, represents a worrying deviation that also shakes confidence in a quick recovery of the industry. Revenue and expenses in detail US airlines’ operating revenues in the first quarter of 2024 amounted to $56 billion. Of this, 74,6 percent was generated through ticket sales, a figure that remained constant compared to the previous year. Additional sources of revenue were baggage fees (3,1 percent of total revenues) and rebooking fees (0,4 percent). Despite a slight decrease of 0,1 percent compared to the previous year, these fees remain an important source of revenue. On the expenditure side, operating costs totaled $2024 billion in the first quarter of 56,3. Personnel costs were the largest expenditure item at $20 billion (35,8 percent of total expenditure), which represents a

Continue reading "

Eurowings and Lufthansa offer free lounge shuttle at Berlin Brandenburg Airport

Eurowings and Lufthansa are expanding their service at Berlin Brandenburg Airport and are now offering their guests a free lounge shuttle. The "lounge mobile" can carry up to five passengers and takes travelers from the Lufthansa lounges (Business and Senator) to the gates in departure area A. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 20:40 p.m. daily. This service is available to all passengers booked on Lufthansa Group Airline flights. The free shuttle has now been introduced permanently after a successful test run last year. With this measure, Eurowings and Lufthansa want to give their passengers more comfortable and faster access to the departure areas.

Continue reading "

Aircraft accident investigations in Europe: An insight into processes, responsibilities and legal obligations

Aircraft accident investigations are complex processes aimed at determining the causes of aircraft accidents and preventing future incidents. In Europe, specialised authorities are responsible for these investigations. The cooperation between these bodies, the airlines, pilots and international partners is regulated by law and is crucial for aviation safety. This article highlights the process of such investigations, the competent authorities and the legal obligations of those involved. Process of aircraft accident investigations The process of an aircraft accident investigation begins immediately after an incident. As soon as an accident is reported, the area is cordoned off to secure the evidence and allow an unhindered investigation. The first phase consists of collecting and securing all physical evidence, including wreckage, flight data recorders (black boxes) and witness statements. In the second phase, the evidence collected is analysed. This includes evaluating the data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, technical examinations of the wreckage and reconstructing the course of the accident. Experts from various fields such as aerodynamics, engine engineering and human behaviour work together to identify the causes of the accident. In the third phase, the results are documented and a final report is prepared. This report contains not only the root cause analysis, but also recommendations for preventing future accidents. Finally, the results are published and forwarded to relevant bodies such as airlines, aviation authorities and the public. Competent authorities in Europe In Europe, national authorities are responsible for investigating aircraft accidents. The most well-known are: These authorities work closely with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the central organisation for the harmonisation of aviation safety standards in

Continue reading "

Corendon Airlines starts flights from Cologne/Bonn to Bodrum

Corendon Airlines now connects Cologne/Bonn Airport directly with Bodrum on the Turkish Aegean coast. The first flight took off at noon on Monday, June 17th. In future, the route will be served every Monday and Friday. Thilo Schmid, CEO of Cologne/Bonn Airport GmbH, emphasized the importance of the new connection: "Turkey is a very popular destination for many of our passengers for holidays in the sun and on the beach, especially in the summer months. With the flights to Bodrum, Corendon Airlines is now creating another attractive connection from Cologne/Bonn to a popular seaside resort." Bodrum is known for its historical sights, including the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and a medieval castle that now houses a museum of underwater archaeology. In addition to culture and history, Bodrum offers numerous beaches, turquoise blue sea and a lively nightlife with many restaurants, cafés and bars. The flights depart from Cologne/Bonn on Mondays at 12:10 p.m. and Fridays at 14:55 p.m. and reach Bodrum after a flight time of around three hours. The return flight from Bodrum to Cologne/Bonn also takes place on Mondays and Fridays. A Boeing 737-800 is used.

Continue reading "