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October 11th

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October 11th

Dispute over aircraft: Swiss Re and other insurers in billion-dollar lawsuit

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 08:31

Swiss Re and over 20 other insurance companies are facing a major legal dispute before a court in London. The case concerns the costs of hundreds of aircraft that have been stuck in Russia since the start of the Ukraine war. The owners of the aircraft in question are demanding more than three billion US dollars in damages for machines that are no longer available. The consequences of this legal dispute could have a lasting impact on the aviation and insurance industries. The problems for international leasing companies began immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine in March 2022. According to aviation consultancy IBA, there were 523 foreign aircraft in Russia at the time, financed by Western leasing companies. The Russian authorities responded to the sanctions by transferring the aircraft to the national register and blocking the owners' access to these aircraft. This primarily affects the airlines S7 Airlines and Aeroflot, which together have hundreds of Western aircraft in their fleet. The legal implications are complex: The leasing companies argue that they have suffered an insured loss for the non-recoverable aircraft. In particular, the Irish leasing giant AerCap has already claimed a total loss of 3,5 billion US dollars for 135 aircraft leased to Russia. Given the enormous value at stake here, it is not surprising that the lawsuit is attracting a great deal of attention in the industry. The dispute in court The trial, which has been opened in the High Court in London, deals with key questions regarding compensation for the confiscated aircraft.

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T'Way Air launches flight connection between Frankfurt and Seoul

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 08:09

The South Korean airline T'Way Air launched its first direct connection between Frankfurt am Main and Incheon International Airport in Seoul on October 3, 2024. Passenger handling at Frankfurt Airport will be handled by AHS Aviation Handling Services GmbH. The flight will initially operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. An additional flight day will be added from November 2024. T'Way Air uses an Airbus A330 with 246 seats for the connection and serves Frankfurt's Terminal 2. In addition to Frankfurt, the airline also flies to European destinations such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Zagreb. AHS, founded in 1951, is the leading provider of passenger handling services in Germany and serves over 130 airlines at eight German airports.

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Controversy over SAF: David Neeleman opposes IATA position

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 07:36

At this year's World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam, David Neeleman, the vocal CEO of Breeze Airways, caused a stir when he vehemently opposed the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in a controversial exchange with IATA CEO Willie Walsh. At a time when many airlines are striving to reduce their carbon footprint, Neeleman's stance represents a provocative challenge for the aviation industry. His approach raises questions about the effectiveness and long-term feasibility of SAF, which is seen as key to decarbonizing air transport. SAF as a key challenge Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a fuel-based approach to reducing CO2 emissions in aviation, is currently seen as one of the most promising solutions to make the industry more environmentally friendly. SAF is made from renewable raw materials and has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to conventional kerosene. Nevertheless, Neeleman considers this solution to be inefficient and unsustainable. He argues that the aviation sector has a huge diesel fuel consumption, meaning that a switch to SAF would inevitably lead to rising ticket prices, which in turn could reduce demand for air travel. "If we switched all vehicles to electric, refineries would have to stop operating, which would limit the amount of diesel fuel available," Neeleman explains. This view reflects a deeper skepticism about SAF that goes beyond the technical challenges. He sees reliance on SAF as a threat not only to the affordability of air travel, but also to jobs in the industry, as fewer people would be willing to fly if ticket prices increased. Alternative

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SkyUp achieves outstanding SAFA safety rating

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 07:07

Ukrainian airline SkyUp has achieved an outstanding SAFA (Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft) rating of 2024 in October 0,21, indicating a high level of flight safety. This proves that the airline meets all international safety standards as assessed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under the SAFA program. From October 2023 to October 2024, SkyUp underwent more than 20 successful inspections in the EU and other participating countries. SkyUp, known for its charter and ACMI services, relies on modern technologies and best practices to meet global safety standards, according to Quality Director Anton Koval. The high level of safety and continuous monitoring make SkyUp a trusted partner for international business partners. Koval stressed that the company will continue to work on optimizing its processes to ensure the safety and reliability of the fleet.

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FTI bankruptcy: More than 200.000 package tours cancelled – compensation claims slow

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 06:32

In early summer 2024, the German travel industry experienced a shock when the third largest tour operator FTI filed for bankruptcy, affecting more than 215.000 package tours. The bankruptcy led to a massive decline in confidence in the industry and left many travelers perplexed. While over ten million euros in compensation has already been paid out by the German Travel Security Fund (DRSF), many of those entitled to compensation have not yet submitted a refund application. This situation raises questions not only about the efficiency of the compensation process, but also about the information policy of the DRSF and the tour operators. Insolvency of the tour operator FTI The insolvency of the FTI tour operator was an unforeseen event due to a variety of factors, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel industry, rising operating costs and falling booking numbers. With the bankruptcy, many travelers lost their already booked trips and thus their investments. FTI had served over 2023 million customers in 2,5, which underlines the significance of the insolvency. Compensation process via the DRSF To support the affected travelers, the German Travel Insurance Fund (DRSF), which serves as a protection mechanism for payments already made in the event of a tour operator's insolvency, stepped in. Since the start of the reimbursement process on August 8, 2024, the fund has already received over 125.000 applications. The DRSF announced that over ten million euros in compensation have been paid out so far and that a mid-double-digit million euro amount is to be reimbursed to the affected customers. "We see that a considerable proportion of the consumers contacted have either not yet started processing their reimbursement application or have started but not yet processed it."

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Vienna Tourism expands digital app with Jewish city guide

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 06:08

Just in time for the most important Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, on October 12, 2024, Vienna Tourist Board is expanding the city guide app "ivie" with a new interactive tour called "Jewish Vienna Guide". With this digital city guide, both residents and tourists can explore the city's rich Jewish history and contemporary Jewish life. The tour leads to 13 significant locations, including the Jewish Museum Vienna, Judenplatz, the original burial site of Theodor Herzl and the Old Israelite Cemetery at the Central Cemetery. City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke emphasizes Vienna's special connection to Jewish history and its importance for the city's identity. The digital guide is a further step towards preserving the cultural heritage of Judaism and making it accessible to a wider audience. The award-winning "ivie" app, which has already recorded over 1,3 million downloads, is available free of charge in German and English.

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Swiss expands menu selection in Business Class on short-haul flights

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 06:03

Swiss International Air Lines is now offering its business class passengers the opportunity to choose between different main courses in advance, even on short-haul flights. This free offer, called "Pre-Select", allows travelers to choose from a selection of six cold or seven hot dishes on flights from and to Zurich that last longer than an hour and depart after 10 a.m. The menu changes every three months and includes dishes from the "Swiss Taste of Switzerland" program, which was previously only offered on long-haul flights. With this innovation, Swiss not only wants to expand the choice for passengers, but also optimize planning and thus reduce food waste.

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Travel trends 2025: Focus on shared experiences and sustainable decisions

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 05:33

In 2025, travelers will increasingly look for ways to foster human connection while creating unforgettable experiences. According to Skyscanner's latest travel trends report, vacationers in Germany are looking for events that foster a sense of community. Whether it's sporting events, impressive art exhibitions or gaming vacations, more and more people are seeking experiences that emphasize being with like-minded people. The report, which is based on data from over 18.000 travelers and extensive industry insights, shows not only the hottest travel destinations, but also the changes in travelers' behavior and preferences. Popular travel destinations: Away from the crowds A key finding of the report is the growing trend towards alternative travel destinations. More and more German travelers want to get off the beaten track and discover smaller, lesser-known places. The list of the most sought-after destinations is led by Reggio Calabria in Italy, which has seen an impressive 747 percent increase in searches. The region scores with its beautiful beaches, rich culture and excellent value for money. Essaouira in Morocco is also enjoying growing popularity (+724%). The port city impresses with fresh fish, surfing opportunities and a charming old town that invites you to linger. Siem Reap in Cambodia (+294%) is also becoming increasingly attractive, especially due to its proximity to the world-famous ruins of Angkor Wat. The analysis shows a clear trend towards less frequented places, which gives travelers the opportunity to gain authentic experiences away from the tourist crowds. Focus on value for money Although the desire to travel is unbroken, value for money remains a decisive factor for vacationers. According to

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Large emergency exercise at Innsbruck Airport

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 05:01

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, a comprehensive emergency exercise with around 200 participants will be carried out at Innsbruck Airport. In cooperation with the Innsbruck Red Cross and other emergency organizations, the exercise is intended to test the procedures after a simulated flight emergency. The exercise will include the care of passengers, relatives and crew members, as well as the work of the crisis team and communication with authorities and rescue services. The exercise, which will take place exclusively in the airport building, will begin at 14:45 p.m. and is scheduled to end around 17:45 p.m. Such exercises are crucial to ensure that in an emergency, all organizations involved work together smoothly and that processes run efficiently. For Innsbruck Airport, this is part of regular crisis management, which is carried out in accordance with international standards.

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Verdict against Qantas: 100 million dollar fine for misleading customers

Amely Mizzi 11 October 2024 04:31

In a groundbreaking ruling, the Australian Federal Court has fined the airline Qantas $100 million. The reason: Qantas misled customers by continuing to sell tickets for canceled flights, also known as "ghost flights," without informing the affected passengers in a timely manner. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced the fine on October 8, 2024, and emphasized the importance of this ruling for protecting consumer rights in Australia. Misleading practices and the consequences The allegations against Qantas are serious. Between May 2022 and May 2024, the airline issued false or misleading information about flights and continued to sell tickets for routes that had already been canceled. In total, more than 86.000 customers were affected by 70.543 flights. Ticket sales for these canceled flights were still possible on average 11 days after the cancellation; in some cases even up to 62 days later. These practices breach the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and reflect poorly on the airline's management and compliance standards. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb commented on the penalty: "This is a significant penalty that sends a strong message to all businesses, large and small, that they will face serious consequences if they mislead their customers." However, the financial consequences are only part of the problem. Qantas is not only facing a fine, but must also refund around $20 million to customers who either booked on a cancelled flight or were rebooked on an already cancelled flight.

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