September 26, 2024

More articles from the category

September 26, 2024

Culture at Helsinki Airport: Opera and ballet for passengers

Since September 17, 2024, travelers have been able to experience opera and ballet performances at Helsinki Airport. The operator Finavia, in collaboration with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, has opened an audiovisual installation called "Culture Stage". This installation shows excerpts from performances on a twelve-meter-wide and 6,5-meter-high screen in the station area, which is clearly visible to departing and arriving passengers. The presentation is intended to provide cultural enrichment not only for travelers, but also for the people who work at the airport every day. Accompanying the visual performance, music plays from loudspeakers next to the screen.

Continue reading "

Ryanair plans expansion in Venice

The Irish budget airline Ryanair has announced that it will be expanding its services at Venice Marco Polo Airport next spring. Meanwhile, its competitor, EasyJet, is reducing its activities in the lagoon city in order to grow at Milan Linate. Ryanair will withdraw all aircraft stationed in Venice and plans to station additional aircraft at Aeroporto di Venezia-Marco Polo. This was confirmed by Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary in the newspaper Nordest Economia.

Continue reading "

Airbus plans new training center in Toulouse

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced that it will build a new training centre in Toulouse-Blagnac to meet the forecast need for 2,3 million additional professionals in the aviation sector over the next 20 years. The centre, which is scheduled to be operational from 2026, will train around 10.000 trainees per year, including pilots, mechanics and structural specialists. It is planned to feature up to 12 full-flight simulators as well as modern training facilities, including virtual reality. The new centre will be the largest of 15 Airbus pilot training centres worldwide and will bring together existing training facilities in France. Construction will start in October 2024, while training will continue to be carried out in the current premises.

Continue reading "

Attack on Bamako airport: JNIM attacks presidential plane

On September 17, 2024, the Islamist militia Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an offshoot of Al-Qaeda, attacked Mali's Bamako airport, setting fire to the presidential plane, a Boeing 737-700 (BBJ). The incident once again raises questions about the safety of Malian aviation and the stability of the government. A video released by the militia shows fighters setting fire to one of the CFM56 engines of the aircraft, registered TZ-PRM. The aircraft was in Bamako at the time of the attack and it remains unclear whether it suffered serious damage. According to the JNIM, several military aircraft at the airport were also damaged, underscoring the vulnerability of the country's military infrastructure. Although the JNIM did not directly attack civilian facilities, the attack led to the immediate suspension of commercial flight operations at Bamako airport. However, on September 18, civil air traffic resumed, according to Flightradar24's ADS-B data, suggesting that the situation is tense but not completely out of control. Background of the JNIM The Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen has been active since 2017 and has made a name for itself in the Sahel region. The group has repeatedly carried out attacks on military and civilian targets, often using guerrilla tactics to pursue its political and religious goals. The recent attack on Bamako airport is part of a larger strategy to destabilize the Malian government and its international backers. The Malian government had acquired the Boeing 737-700 in 2015. With a fleet age

Continue reading "

Afrijet secures new ATR 42-600

Gabonese airline Afrijet has signed a firm order for one ATR 42-600 aircraft, while securing an option for a second aircraft. This new aircraft will replace the older ATR 42-500 to better meet the regional flight needs of the Gabonese population. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2025, while the option could be exercised in 2026. Afrijet will operate the new ATR 42-600 for the airline Fly Gabon, whose fleet already consists of two ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Continue reading "

Deutsche Bahn launches “S3” renovation program

Deutsche Bahn has launched a new restructuring program called "S3" to address the challenges of recent years. The goal is to improve rail performance and restore the company's financial stability by 2027. The focus is on increased punctuality, fewer disruptions and a comprehensive renovation of the infrastructure. A company statement highlights that punctuality in long-distance traffic, which has fallen to record lows in recent years, is to be increased to 75 to 80 percent within the next three years. This is to be achieved, among other things, by reducing infrastructure-related delays by 20 percent. One approach is to switch to a "synchronized system" for construction and maintenance measures, which will better coordinate construction sites with the timetable in the future. Deutsche Bahn also plans to quickly renovate 1.500 kilometers of track, starting with the Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim. Particular attention will be paid to the modernization of failure-prone facilities, such as signal boxes. In addition, the number of “slow speed sections” is to be reduced in order to increase the speed and reliability of train operations. Another point is the “selective relief” of the five most important rail hubs in Germany: Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich. Staff cuts and cost reduction A central element of the program is cost reduction in order to reduce the financial pressure that Deutsche Bahn is under. These measures will be supported by a two-phase staff reduction, affecting both administration and sales. According to the company, however, no layoffs are planned. DB also wants to reduce staff requirements by optimizing the

Continue reading "

SR Technics opens new workshop for GTF engines in Zurich

SR Technics has opened a new maintenance workshop for Pratt & Whitney GTF engines at Zurich Airport. This facility is the 17th location in the global GTF network and enables the complete disassembly, assembly and testing of the PW1100G-JM engines used for the Airbus A320 Neo series. The official opening took place on September 19 and was attended by representatives from Pratt & Whitney and SR Technics employees. The investment in the workshop amounts to a double-digit million amount and includes new tools, equipment and training. SR Technics plans to maintain up to 1000 GTF engines during the contract term under the agreement with Pratt & Whitney and has already started work on the first engine in July 2024. CEO Owen McClave acknowledged the work done by the team and emphasized the importance of this investment for future business development.

Continue reading "

Tui Blue expands: New hotel locations opened in China and Malaysia

The Tui Blue hotel brand recently opened its first locations in China and Malaysia, marking a step in the company's global expansion. These new hotels are designed to not only offer travelers comfortable accommodation, but also to allow them to experience the cultural and scenic characteristics of each region. In Malaysia, Tui Blue The Haven Ipoh, which has 150 rooms, has opened. Ipoh, the capital of the state of Perak, is characterized by a lively street art scene, colonial architecture and a variety of outdoor activities. The hotel's location allows guests to explore the diverse attractions of the city and the surrounding area. From culinary delights to historical sites, Ipoh offers numerous options for a varied stay. Tui Blue in China Tui Blue is opening three locations in China, underscoring the importance of the Asian market for the hotel group. The 83-room Tui Blue Wusongkou Cruise Port is located at the largest cruise port in Asia. From here, travelers have the opportunity to visit Shanghai, one of the most vibrant metropolises in the world. Another location is the 129-room Tui Blue Taicang, located in the historic riverside town of Taicang on the Yangtze River. The town is known for its well-preserved ancient architecture and rich cultural heritage. Here, visitors can experience the traditions and history of the region first hand. Additionally, the Tui Blue Yangshuo Xiangheli opens in the picturesque karst landscape of Guilin, known for its impressive rock formations and stunning nature. This location offers travelers the opportunity to discover the natural beauty of southern China and

Continue reading "

BOC Aviation places two Airbus A320neo with Nouvelair

Leasing company BOC Aviation has announced the placement of two Airbus A320neo aircraft with Tunisian airline Nouvelair. Both aircraft, equipped with CFM Leap-1A engines, are scheduled to be delivered this year and will be the first Neo models in Nouvelair's fleet. According to CEO Chokri Zarrad, the integration of the environmentally friendly A320neo is part of a comprehensive modernization strategy. By the third quarter of 2024, the airline plans to operate a total of 15 aircraft to meet passengers' growing demands for comfort and sustainability.

Continue reading "

Premiere of “Pension Schöller”: A comedy classic celebrates its return

On October 10, 2024 at 19:30 p.m., the popular comedy "Pension Schöller" will celebrate its premiere in the Bruno's ballroom in Brunn am Gebirge. Directed by Nici Neiss, the audience can expect a humorous game of confusion about the boundaries of normality and madness. The production promises not only exciting characters, but also a first-class cast that gives the classic a new shine. "Pension Schöller" by Stefan Vögel tells the story of seemingly crazy guests in a guesthouse who, in their bizarre peculiarities, clash with an attentive operator and his uncle. This combination leads to numerous mix-ups and comical situations that are spiced with a pinch of romance. The author, known for his humorous pieces, manages to address the question of normality in a contemporary and entertaining way. The characters in “Pension Schöller” are extraordinary: an eccentric poet in search of inspiration, a bird lover who is not quite right in the head, a nervous major and an aspiring pop singer who is struggling with a speech problem. Mr. Schöller, who communicates with his deceased wife, and his uncle Ladislaus, who thinks the guests are crazy, round out the ensemble. These characters promise an evening full of laughs and surprising twists. The production relies on a dynamic cast that will delight the audience with their joy of acting. The actors include Stephan Paryla-Raky, Anna Sophie Krenn and Gerhard Karzel. The collaboration between direction, set design and costumes is designed by Martin Gesslbauer and Petra Teufelsbauer, while Andreas Moravec is responsible for the make-up design. “Pension Schöller” will not only be performed in

Continue reading "