June 25

More articles from the category

June 25

Fire on towing vehicle under Air France B777

On June 20, 2024, a tow truck handling an Air France Boeing 777 (registration F-GZNK) caught fire at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Emergency services quickly intervened and extinguished the fire before any major damage or injuries occurred. The incident occurred during ground handling of the Boeing 777. Thanks to the rapid intervention of the emergency services, the fire was prevented from spreading and the safety of passengers and staff was ensured. There were no injuries in the incident. The exact cause of the fire is still unclear and is currently being investigated. Airport operations were not significantly affected by the incident.

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Flights instead of bicycles: Ryanair provokes in Ireland

The low-cost airline Ryanair is once again making headlines, this time with a provocative campaign against cycling and the Irish Greens. Using the hashtag #flightsnotbikes, Ryanair is attacking the Greens' transport policy in Ireland via social media. The campaign is particularly aimed at the Greens' Minister for Climate and Transport, Eamon Ryan, who has already announced his resignation as Green Party leader. The dispute escalated after Ryanair published a picture of the party's deputy leader Catherine Martin, accompanied by the sharp message "please do not recycle green waste". This attack is part of a larger conflict over the limitation of air traffic at Dublin Airport, in which Ryanair vehemently opposes the Greens' policies on tourism and transport. Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary is known for his controversial statements and aggressive campaigns against various groups and institutions. In the past, he has not shied away from publicly attacking environmentalists, trade unions or even competitors such as Lufthansa. In an interview, he once described Lufthansa as a "crack cocaine junkie who is asking for state aid." The current campaign against the Greens and their policies shows that Ryanair continues to take an aggressive stance in the public debate, especially when it comes to issues of aviation regulation and environmental policy. This strategy of attracting attention with striking slogans and direct attacks is characteristic of Ryanair's corporate culture.

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Two Airbus A340s diverted to Iran – violation of US sanctions suspected

Two Airbus A340s belonging to Gambian leasing company Macka Invest were diverted to Iran instead of reaching their intended destinations of Sri Lanka and the Philippines, according to a report by vz.lt. The planes took off from Šiauliai, Lithuania, in late February and turned off their transponders upon entering Iranian airspace. One of the planes landed at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport, the other at Konarak Airport in Chabahar. This maneuver allowed Mahan Air, an Iranian carrier, to take over the planes, in violation of US sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program. A third plane belonging to Macka Invest was grounded in Šiauliai because it was carrying spare parts. Aurelija Kuezada, director of Šiauliai Airport, explained that the plane was held back to prevent a possible landing in Iran. Oro Navigacija, Lithuania's state air traffic control, stressed that the planes did not arouse suspicion and that their movements outside Lithuania were the responsibility of other countries.

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Bucharest: Wizz Air returns to Baneasa

Wizz Air has not flown into Bucharest-Baneasa Airport for many years. But that will soon change, as from July 9, 2024, it will once again be flying to the airport close to the city in the Romanian capital - at least for the time being. According to Wizz Air, the decision to temporarily move flights from Otopeni to Baneasa is intended to help improve service quality and efficiency for passengers. Travelers affected by these changes are asked to check their emails regularly, as they will receive detailed information and need to confirm their departure airport. Passengers who purchased their tickets through online travel agencies are particularly affected. They are asked to contact the agencies directly to check and confirm the changed departure details. Bucharest Baneasa - Aurel Vlaicu Airport, which is primarily used for general aviation and domestic flights, will have to pay increased attention to handling the additional Wizz Air flights during this time. This temporary relocation could also have an impact on the smaller airport's transport connections and service capacities. Wizz Air stresses that the decision to temporarily relocate flight connections is strategically motivated to ensure passengers a smooth travel process and a pleasant experience during the busy summer months. Travellers should therefore check their bookings early and make adjustments if necessary to avoid inconvenience. This measure will take effect from 9 July to 23 September 2024 and will affect specific routes that have previously operated from Otopeni Airport. Bucharest Baneasa – Aurel Vlaicu Airport, known as BBU, is a

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Dutch tourist arrested for smoking on board Kos

A 25-year-old Dutch tourist was arrested at Kos Airport after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette during a Transavia flight. The incident occurred on the flight to the Greek island, a Transavia spokesperson confirmed. The man was repeatedly warned to stop smoking. A Transavia spokesperson stressed that smoking on board, including electronic cigarettes, is strictly prohibited as it endangers the safety of passengers. After landing in Kos, the man was handed over to local authorities. Smoking cigarettes, including electronic variants, has been banned on airplanes since the 1990s to avoid safety risks such as fire hazards. A Transavia spokesperson explained that the smoke alarm could go off in such cases, which is dangerous and therefore remains strictly prohibited. The incident on the flight to Kos is rare. The Transavia spokesperson explained that such reports are unusual as most passengers know that smoking is not allowed on board. The crew is trained to react quickly and handle such situations. Smoking on board can lead to fines and criminal prosecution. In many countries, including Greece, violations can be punished with high fines. It is currently unclear whether the Dutch tourist will have to pay such a fine. He has since been released. The Greek police on Kos could not be reached for comment.

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FTI insolvency: test of patience for customers when it comes to refunds

The insolvency of the FTI Group has triggered a wave of uncertainty and delays for thousands of customers who have had to cancel their booked package holidays. However, the German Travel Insurance Fund (DRSF), which is responsible for covering such cases, cannot yet give a specific date when the first refunds will be made. The DRSF told Handelsblatt this and stressed that it would first have to wait for the extensive travel data to be transmitted by FTI before preparation of the refund process can begin. The challenge lies in dealing with the data from around 175.000 cancelled package holidays, which will take time. A specially set up website of the Travel Insurance Fund visualizes the process from determining the liability to support in the travel areas to the actual payment of the refunds. A key issue remains the lack of a specific time frame on the part of the DRSF, which emphasizes that preparing the refund process is currently the highest priority. This is unlikely to reassure customers who are waiting for their payments to be refunded, although direct support on site is gradually decreasing. The FTI Group itself, which is affected by the insolvency with its subsidiaries such as FTI Touristik GmbH and Big Xtra Touristik GmbH, remains cautious in its forecast for the duration of the reimbursement. In the FAQs on its website, it appeals to customers to understand the complex cooperation with the provisional insolvency administrator and other parties who have to prepare the reimbursements. The situation shows the complexity and the hurdles that both customers and the companies involved face when it comes to handling insolvency cases in

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Numerous flight cancellations at SAS due to technical problems and crew illness

The airline SAS has had to cancel around ten flights in recent days, affecting hundreds of passengers, due to technical problems and staff absences due to illness. Among those affected was the family of Anders Kringstad, who experienced considerable difficulties at Værnes Airport in Trondheim after their flight to Alicante was cancelled. This forced them to make a costly rebooking to Norwegian, cutting short their holiday in Spain. The cancelled flights included connections to Athens, Zurich, Tromsø, Bergen and Ålesund. Flights to Alicante, Larnaca, Bodø, Chania and Reykjavik had already been cancelled. SAS is working to rebook the affected passengers on other airlines and to arrange hotel accommodation where necessary. However, many passengers are still waiting for assistance. In addition, an SAS aircraft en route from Gardermoen to Longyearbyen had to return to Oslo after a bird strike. This return required an inspection and caused further delays.

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Lower Austria Railways offer a variety of experiences for families

The summer holidays are just around the corner and with them the search for exciting excursion destinations for families. This year, the Lower Austria Railways are once again presenting an extensive program that ranges from relaxed shooting star trips to action-packed alpaca hikes. These offers not only promise a stress-free journey to the most beautiful places in Lower Austria, but also unforgettable experiences for young and old. Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer emphasizes the importance of this initiative: "Holiday time means excursion time. With our Lower Austria Railways, we not only offer a comfortable travel option, but also a varied adventure program along the railway lines. We invite families, children and all guests to discover Lower Austria in a new way." The managing director of the Lower Austria Railways, Barbara Komarek, adds: "Our seasonal and mountain railways are on the move wherever Lower Austria is at its most beautiful. From the Mariazellerbahn to the Waldviertelbahn, we offer exciting trips for the whole family well into autumn. Our collector's pass is particularly attractive and is rewarded with great prizes." A highlight of the Mariazellerbahn program is the shooting star ride on August 9, when the Ötscher bear takes participants to the Ötscher base in the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. Here, families can not only grill and hike, but also take a fascinating look at the starry sky and learn more about astronomy. For nature lovers, the Gemeindealpe Mitterbach at 1.600 meters above sea level offers an impressive mountain panorama. Here, visitors can whizz down into the valley on the world's largest mountain cart fleet or relax on the summit with sun loungers and a children's playground. In the Waldviertel, the Waldviertelbahn attracts visitors with exciting puzzle rallies and culinary trips such as the "Kistensau Express". Special animal encounters

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Technical defect forces KLM flight to turn back to Amsterdam

A KLM Boeing 777-200, registered PH-BQB, had to return to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on Saturday afternoon after a technical problem occurred during the flight. Flight KL705 to Rio de Janeiro had been in the air for about 40 minutes when the plane turned around over Belgium. KLM and Dutch air traffic control assured that the safety of the passengers was not at risk at any time. For safety reasons, the aircraft dumped its fuel over the North Sea before landing safely at Schiphol. Emergency services were on standby as a precaution. The passengers were then transferred to a Boeing 777-300ER, registered PH-BVW, and were able to continue their journey to Rio de Janeiro with a delay of four and a half hours.

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Corendon Airlines offers evening check-in in Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn

Passengers flying from Düsseldorf (DUS) and Cologne/Bonn (CGN) airports can look forward to less stress when preparing for their trip. Corendon Airlines is once again offering the practical evening-before check-in from July 1 to October 27, 2024. Travelers can drop off their luggage at the check-in counter between 18 p.m. and 20 p.m. This service significantly reduces waiting time on the day of departure and allows for a relaxed start to their vacation. The fee for the evening-before check-in is five euros. In Düsseldorf, check-in for flights is possible until 8 a.m. the next day, in Cologne/Bonn until 10 a.m. Families can also benefit from this offer by having one adult check in luggage for all travelers. Corendon Airlines flies from a total of 20 German airports in the current summer season, enabling more connections than any other airline. Especially from Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn there are over 100 flights per week to popular holiday destinations around the Mediterranean such as Turkey, Greece, Egypt as well as the Canary Islands and Morocco.

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