October 10th

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October 10th

Lufthansa and the fight for punctuality: tensions at the Munich hub

Lufthansa is under pressure. The group is struggling with punctuality problems, which have become an increasingly pressing issue in the aviation industry. CEO Carsten Spohr is dissatisfied with the current punctuality figures, especially at the Munich hub. This dissatisfaction led to a public exchange of blows between Lufthansa and Munich Airport, whose boss, Jost Lammers, rejects the allegations as unfounded. The discussion sheds light on the challenges facing Lufthansa and other airlines and on the responsibilities within complex aviation logistics. Punctuality as a challenge The punctuality of Lufthansa flights has suffered in recent months. Spohr expressed his dissatisfaction with the current figures and spoke of a possible realignment of capacities at the Munich hub. The plans to possibly withdraw five A2025-350s from Munich to Frankfurt by 900 are a clear sign that Lufthansa is looking for ways to improve the efficiency and reliability of its flights. During a recent wave of departures, passengers piled up at the security checkpoints, causing around 750 travellers to miss their flights. These incidents are particularly embarrassing for an airline that positions itself as a premium provider and relies on punctuality and service. An airport under pressure Jost Lammers, the head of Munich Airport, sees Lufthansa's accusations as unjustified. He points out that the airport is doing well in terms of punctuality and is constantly growing. Lammers also attributes the bottlenecks at the security lanes to the installation of new CT scanners, which are intended to ensure a higher level of security. He stresses that Munich will be able to offer a higher level of security from the summer.

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Testfuchs: Austrian Airlines tests hydrogen energy

In order to meet the challenges of climate change, Austrian Airlines is relying on innovative technologies and continuous improvements in its operations. The focus is particularly on reducing CO₂ emissions, which is to be further optimized through the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source to support maintenance work at Vienna Airport. As part of a pilot project, the hydrogen generator "H2Genset" from the company Testfuchs is being tested for the first time. This initiative is a promising step towards a more environmentally friendly aviation industry. Pilot project for the use of hydrogen Austrian Airlines has set itself the goal of significantly reducing its environmental impact. The newly developed hydrogen generator, which was created in a development process lasting several months, is to be used for the first time in practice at Vienna Airport. The emission-free power supply of an Airbus A320 demonstrates how hydrogen can act as an energy supplier. The frequency converter from the company Dynell enables a highly efficient energy supply, allowing technicians to carry out maintenance work on the aircraft without having to resort to fossil fuels. This project has several goals: In addition to the immediate reduction of emissions, it also promotes the development of skills and familiarization with the necessary infrastructure. A successful outcome could set the course for the future use of hydrogen for mobile energy supply at the airport. This would not only improve Austrian Airlines' carbon footprint, but would also make a significant contribution to reducing the ecological footprint of the entire aviation industry. Sustainability as a corporate strategy Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group, which has committed to achieving a neutral carbon footprint by 2050. To achieve this goal, various strategies are being pursued, including an accelerated

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Summer 2025: Ryanair announces clear-cutting in Germany

On October 10, 2024, Irish low-cost airline Ryanair made the drastic decision to cut its German flight offering for summer 2025 by 12%, which corresponds to 1,8 million seats and 22 canceled routes. It even plans to withdraw from some airports entirely. This measure is a direct response to high government taxes, in particular the air traffic tax and security and air traffic control fees, which Ryanair sees as hindering the recovery and growth of the aviation industry in Germany. In particular, the closures in Dortmund, Dresden and Leipzig and the drastic 60% reduction in offerings in Hamburg raise questions about the future of Germany as an aviation location. The impact on the country's mobility, tourism and economic connectivity could be significant. High costs as an obstacle Ryanair criticizes German government measures, which it believes are hindering a return to normality after the pandemic. With only 82% of 2019 traffic, Germany is the worst performing aviation market in Europe. In contrast, countries such as Sweden, Italy, Hungary and Poland have successfully implemented lower access costs, which has led to an increase in capacity and traffic. Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson stresses that the high government levies result in the highest airfares in Europe, which places a heavy burden on both German citizens and international visitors. "The decision to cease all operations in Dortmund, Dresden and Leipzig, as well as the massive reduction in service in Hamburg, is a clear message to the German government," Wilson explained. "The extremely high access costs have led to Germany missing out on the connection

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Cebu Pacific takes over Philippine regional airline Air Swift

Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific announced on Monday, October 7, that it will acquire 100 percent of the shares of regional carrier Air Swift. The acquisition is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Although Air Swift's schedules and services will remain unchanged, Cebu Pacific plans to leverage operational synergies and increase efficiencies through the acquisition. Air Swift, founded in 2002 and operating under its current name since 2015, operates regional flights from Manila and Clark to popular destinations such as El Nido. The airline has a fleet of five ATR aircraft and focuses primarily on tourism traffic to less developed but popular locations in the Philippines. The acquisition will help Cebu Pacific expand its regional route network and gain a foothold in a highly tourism-driven market, especially in destinations that are increasingly popular with domestic and foreign tourists.

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Tragedy in the cockpit: Captain of a Turkish Airlines flight dies

A dramatic incident struck Turkish Airlines flight TK8 on October 2024, 204, which was en route from Seattle to Istanbul. During the flight over Greenland, 59-year-old Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan suffered a health emergency and died before the emergency landing at New York's JFK Airport. Despite immediate reactions from the crew and emergency medical measures, the experienced pilot's life could not be saved. Flight TK204, operated by a Turkish Airlines Airbus A350-900, took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 19:01 p.m. local time. The aircraft was scheduled for an eleven-hour flight over northern Canada and Greenland to Istanbul. With 329 possible passenger seats, divided into 32 seats in Business Class and 297 in Economy Class, this flight is one of the many transatlantic connections that Turkish Airlines offers daily. After about four hours in the air, when the aircraft was at a cruising altitude of 39.000 feet south of Baffin Island, the captain suddenly became incapacitated. The remaining cockpit crew, consisting of a reserve pilot and a first officer, reacted immediately, declared an emergency and decided to make an emergency landing at the nearest suitable airport in New York JFK. Unsuccessful rescue attempts and emergency landing Despite all efforts by the crew and the emergency medical care on board, the captain's health could not be stabilized. The emergency landing at JFK airport took place at 02:56, about eight hours after departure from Seattle. When medical personnel boarded the aircraft, they unfortunately discovered that Captain Pehlivan had already died. In a statement from the

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Air France, KLM, Delta and Trenitalia expand their offerings in Italy

The airlines Air France, KLM and Delta Airlines have entered into a partnership with the Italian rail operator Trenitalia to offer travellers in Italy a wider choice of destinations and more flexible travel options. This cooperation will enable passengers to book combined flights and rail journeys in one booking. For example, it is possible to fly from New York-JFK to Rome and then continue on with the high-speed train Frecciarossa. The partnership allows frequent flyers to collect and redeem both miles from the Skyteam airlines and points in Trenitalia's Cartafreccia program. This significantly improves connectivity between flights and trains, as 14 Skyteam airlines already offer connections to Italy. This new option significantly expands the range of travel options, especially for international tourists and business travellers who want to switch seamlessly between air and rail travel.

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Paderborn Airport expects 60.000 passengers during the 2024 autumn holidays

Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport is expecting around 60.000 passengers for the upcoming autumn holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia. This represents a slight increase compared to the previous year, when 57.506 passengers were counted. Roland Hüser, Managing Director of the airport, is satisfied with people's current desire to travel and expects the aircraft to be at high capacity. The airport is also benefiting from popular travel destinations such as Turkey, Spain and Greece, which continue to be in high demand. Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport continues to record stable demand for holiday flights, which should have a positive effect on the overall result. Thanks to the reliable bookings, the airport is well prepared for the upcoming holiday weeks.

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FAA safety warning: Boeing 737 rudder control under suspicion

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued an alarming safety alert addressing potential problems with the rudder control of Boeing 737 aircraft. The problem, which is due to improperly installed rudder bearings, could lead to a blocked rudder, thus posing a significant threat to flight safety. The FAA has urged Boeing 737 operators to check the rudder system of their aircraft as soon as possible to avoid potential operational risks. This alert follows an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that dates back to a critical incident that occurred back in February of this year. The issue in detail The safety alert, published on October 6, particularly highlights the risks associated with the rudder torque tube bearings. These components are critical for the correct movement of the rudder system. If the bearings are not installed correctly, this can lead to a blocked rudder, making it significantly more difficult to control the aircraft. Such a failure could be particularly critical during takeoff and landing, when precise rudder control is essential. The FAA recommends that airlines inform their pilots that the rudder could potentially become blocked or restricted during flight or landing, particularly due to moisture that can accumulate and freeze. This underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action. United Airlines Incident and NTSB Investigation This alert is the result of the investigation into an incident that occurred in February 2024 on a United Airlines flight on the

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ARBÖ recommends winter fitness check for drivers

With the start of autumn and the associated changeable weather conditions, the ARBÖ recommends a comprehensive winter fitness check for cars. Fog, rain and poor lighting conditions as well as wet and slippery roads increase the risk of accidents. The check includes checking the headlights, brakes, battery and tires. It is particularly important to check the braking system and ensure good grip with suitable winter tires. Antifreeze, windshield wipers and steering are also checked. The ARBÖ offers this check to its members free of charge. In addition to the professional check, drivers should ensure that their windshields are clean, that leaves are regularly removed from air intakes and that they drive appropriately on slippery roads.

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Aviation training: Safety through tailor-made training solutions

In today's aviation industry, safety and professionalism are essential. Crew training plays a central role, particularly in aviation, where every decision has to be made under high pressure and in critical situations. Tripl3 Sierra OG specializes in special training solutions for flight personnel in the field of business aviation. With an extensive range of training courses that include both theoretical and practical components, the company strives to increase safety standards in aviation. In a sector that is regulated by strict legal requirements, Tripl3 Sierra OG offers an indispensable service for airlines and companies. The EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) sets the legal requirements for aircraft crew training. These regulations are crucial to ensuring safety during flight operations. Smaller operators in particular often face the challenge of not having the necessary manpower or resources to develop and conduct such training themselves. This is where Tripl3 Sierra OG comes in. The company offers operator-specific training that is tailored to the individual needs of airlines and companies. A highlight of the Tripl3 Sierra OG training program is the wet ditching training, which every pilot and flight attendant must complete at the beginning of their career. In the event of an emergency ditching, knowledge of how to use emergency equipment is crucial. Participants learn how to use different types of life jackets and life rafts and how to carry out the correct rescue measures. This training is not only theoretical, but also includes intensive practical training in the water. In a realistic environment in which the candidates

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