October 15th

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October 15th

Condor cuts flight offer from Hamburg due to increased location costs

The airline Condor has announced that it will reduce its flight offerings from Hamburg Airport by 2025 percent in the summer of 13. The reason for this is the significantly increased location costs triggered by a planned increase in airport fees. Popular holiday destinations such as Samos in Greece and Málaga in Spain are affected, with connections to be completely canceled. Flights to Kos will also be significantly reduced, while Condor is also abandoning planned growth with new destinations. Peter Gerber, CEO of Condor, describes the adjustments as a logical consequence of the "completely disproportionate" increase in airport fees, which is forcing Condor not only to reduce capacity but also to cancel planned expansions. In addition, price increases for remaining flights are unavoidable. According to Gerber, it is particularly regrettable that the developments could not be prevented despite possible solutions because the airport is unwilling to reach an agreement with users. The situation in Hamburg is not only challenging for Condor. Other airlines such as Ryanair and Eurowings had previously announced that they would be reducing their connections from Hamburg. Ryanair plans to reduce 60 percent of its services, while Eurowings is cancelling over 1.000 flights. These developments could also have negative consequences for the labor market, as numerous jobs that are directly or indirectly related to the canceled flights are at risk. Airport operators are defending themselves against the airlines' accusations. Hamburg Airport CEO Christian Kunsch explained that the increase in airport fees only accounts for a small part of the airlines' total costs - around 4 to 6 percent. The doubling of the costs for air traffic control, aviation security and air traffic tax, on the other hand, represents the

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Hermes Business Awards 2024 to be presented at the Vienna Hofburg

On Friday evening, the Hermes Business Awards 2024 were presented in Vienna's Hofburg. This award honors companies in Austria that achieve outstanding economic achievements. The awards were presented in eight categories as well as in the special categories of employer branding and climate protection. The prestigious title of "Entrepreneur of the Year" went to Günther Ofner, CEO of Vienna Airport. With around 500 guests, including prominent figures from business and politics such as Johanna Mikl-Leitner and WKO representative Alexander Klacska, the gala was attended by prominent guests. Andi Knoll and Sandra Baierl moderated the event. Companies that have excelled in employer branding and climate protection received special recognition. Dynatrace Austria and Österreichische Post AG received special prizes in these areas. The Hermes Business Award is considered a platform that makes the successes of Austrian companies visible and strengthens the business location.

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Lufthansa CEO warns of drastic cuts in German air traffic

Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa, recently expressed concern about the future of air traffic in Germany. In an interview with Bild am Sonntag on October 13, 2024, Spohr spoke about the serious challenges currently facing the German aviation industry. He particularly criticized the sharp increase in airport fees and additional government regulations that force airlines to reduce or cancel flight connections altogether. Spohr warned urgently that these developments could endanger Germany's international connections and harm the economy. Rising costs threaten competitiveness A central theme in Spohr's criticism is the steadily increasing airport fees, which are particularly high in Germany compared to other European countries. The Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL) supports these concerns and argues that Germany is one of the most expensive locations for airlines in Europe. Spohr emphasized that the fees are now so high that they are placing a significant burden on the airlines' cost structure. The fees per passenger for a medium-haul flight amount to around 30 euros, which leads to higher operating costs and ultimately drives up prices for passengers. These developments are also a reason why many airlines, including the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings and the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, are reducing their flight operations in Germany. Consequences for German aviation The effects of these rising costs are already being felt. Ryanair announced that it would cease its flight operations at several German airports, including Dortmund (DTM), Dresden (DRS) and Leipzig (LEJ). At the same time, the airline plans to reduce its offer by 60% in

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Drones deliver data for digital twins on Austrian highway for the first time

For the first time, the companies Hoffmann Consult and Bladescape in Austria are using new EU guidelines for collecting drone data on busy motorway sections. As part of the international "DiTwin" project, high-resolution drone images were taken on the A2 motorway, which are intended to form the basis for a digital twin of the road network. The aim of the project is to use the precise images to detect damage at an early stage without affecting the flow of traffic. Drone flights on the A2 enable the road section to be recorded seamlessly with very high accuracy. Special safety precautions such as parachutes and so-called flight termination systems are used, which enable the drones to be switched off remotely in an emergency. These measures are necessary to ensure the high safety requirements in heavy motorway traffic. The digital twins allow virtual inspections of the motorway to be carried out and precise condition forecasts to be made, which should contribute to the safety of road users in the long term. The "DiTwin" project is considered an important step towards the digitalization of the transport infrastructure in Europe.

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Boeing: Delays for 777X, layoffs and ongoing strike exacerbate crisis

Boeing, one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers, is in a deep crisis. The company has announced that it will lay off around 10% of its workforce and postpone delivery of the long-awaited 777X jet until 2026. These developments come at a time when Boeing is already under severe strain from an ongoing strike by 33.000 employees on the US West Coast. CEO Kelly Ortberg warned in an internal memo on October 11, 2024 that the company is in a "difficult situation" and that structural changes are necessary to remain competitive. Massive losses and concerns about the future Boeing's financial situation has deteriorated dramatically in recent years. The group is forecasting a loss of 2024 billion US dollars for 10, which underscores the challenges in the aviation industry. The delay in delivery of the 777X, the world's largest and most efficient twin-jet, is further exacerbating the problems. The launch was originally planned for 2020, but technical problems, certification issues and the COVID-19 pandemic have repeatedly delayed the schedule. Emirates, one of the jet's main customers, has already expressed disappointment at the continued delays and expressed hopes of receiving the first version of the B777-9 by October 2025. Now this goal no longer seems realistic either. The 777X is considered a central part of Boeing's strategy, as its lower fuel consumption and longer range are intended to offer long-term competitive advantages over models such as Airbus' A350. But the constant delays are putting the company under pressure to meet customer expectations while maintaining its own production. Strike

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10th ABTA Business Travel Lounge celebrated at Salzburg Airport

Last week, the Austrian Business Travel Association (ABTA) celebrated an anniversary together with Salzburg Airport: The 10th Business Travel Lounge was celebrated with over 60 guests at the airport. In addition to a review of ABTA's past activities, high-ranking representatives from Lufthansa and ÖBB presented new developments in the travel industry. In his welcoming speech, Peter Tolinger, Secretary General of ABTA, praised the airport's hospitality and gave an outlook on the association's upcoming events. He highlighted the successful Business Travel Day and the summer event in Graz. He announced numerous new national and international activities for 2025. Alexander Schnecke, Director of Corporate Sales Austria at the Lufthansa Group, presented the new "Lufthansa Allegris" travel experience. The concept includes the complete redesign of the airline's intercontinental fleet with new seats and modernized cabins. Around 42.000 new seats are to be installed in more than 100 aircraft to meet individual customer requirements. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) were also represented: Alfred Pitnik, Head of Corridor Management, explained the renovation progress on the Westbahn line after the floods. He also provided information about upcoming construction projects in southern Germany that will result in closures from 2026. The ÖBB plans to organize diversions for freight and passenger traffic in order to minimize the impact on travelers. After the presentations, a joint dinner was held at which the participants exchanged ideas intensively. The next ABTA Business Travel Lounge is planned for November 21, 2024 in Vienna. A workshop on sustainable mobility in the business travel sector will also be offered there.

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