October 23th

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October 23th

Diverse music events in Lower Austria: From jazz to classical

In the coming days, numerous cultural events will take place in Lower Austria, covering a wide range of music. On October 23 and 24, Suonno D'Ajere will present traditional Neapolitan music at the Cinema Paradiso in Baden and St. Pölten. The Minerva duo will also perform as part of the "To the concert with baby" series. On October 24, the con cor choir will be on stage in Laa an der Thaya with the program "Made in America". The next day, on October 25, Kyle Eastwood will dedicate a concert to his famous father Clint Eastwood at the St. Pölten Festival Hall. At the same time, artists such as Lemo, Melissa Naschenweng and the Jazz Trio Cuvée will perform at various locations in the region. Alpine music from the band Schnopsidee will also be heard in Krems/Stein. Also on October 25th, the “Ladies Dance Night” will take place at Rothschild Castle in Waidhofen an der Ybbs as a benefit event for the Amstetten women’s shelter.

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Unique sparkling wine collection presented by Christina Hugl

Austrian winemaker Christina Hugl has launched a previously unique project with her new "Rieden-Cuvée Sektbox". She vinified Grüner Veltliner from three renowned vineyards - the Kamptal, Weinviertel and Wachau - as a "Große Reserve" sparkling wine. The sparkling wines, which are clearly influenced by their terroir, were produced using traditional methods and aged in the bottle for four years. The exclusive sparkling wine box is limited to 300 pieces and will be available from October 22, 2024. The price is 148 euros per box. Christina Hugl explains that the terroir has the greatest influence on the characteristics of the sparkling wine. Each of the three sparkling wines is individual: the sparkling wine from the Ried Grub (Kamptal) is fruity and spicy, that from the Ried Kollmütz (Wachau) is mineral and taut, while the sparkling wine from the Ried Hermannschachern (Weinviertel) is particularly spicy and full-bodied. The sparkling wines were presented in Vienna on October 21st and showed their potential as versatile food accompaniments.

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Korean Air celebrates 40 years of flight connection between Frankfurt and Seoul

Korean Air is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the flight route between Frankfurt and Seoul-Incheon. The South Korean airline has been connecting the two cities since June 20, 1984, and during this time has developed Germany into an important market in Central Europe. It started with flights via Paris, but today Korean Air flies nonstop with a Boeing 777-300ER, which offers 277 seats in three travel classes. The anniversary was celebrated on October 17, 2024 in cooperation with Frankfurt Airport, the Korean Cultural Center and the Korea Tourism Organization. In addition to high-ranking representatives of the airline and the airport, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Kyungsok Koh, also attended the event. As part of the event, the previous Regional Manager, Germany & Switzerland, Kiyong Kwak, was bid farewell and his successor, Shin Yong Uhm, was introduced. Shin Yong Uhm emphasized the importance of Frankfurt as a hub in the airline's route network and underlined Korean Air's commitment to continue offering comfortable connections between Germany, Korea and other Asian and Oceanian destinations. The anniversary celebration also offered guests an insight into Korean culture with traditional dances and K-pop performances, while Korean food and a Yuzu beer tasting provided culinary highlights.

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Car thefts at airports: A growing concern for travelers

Airports are often perceived as safe places, but behind the scenes there are many challenges, especially in the parking garages where cars sometimes disappear without a trace. A recent incident at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) has highlighted this issue in an alarming way and raised questions about the safety of airport parking. Katy, 30, of Columbus, Ohio, recently experienced a nightmare when she returned from a trip to find her Jeep Cherokee missing from the Columbus airport's long-term parking garage. Despite a thorough search throughout the garage, she was unable to find her vehicle. Eventually, Katy had no choice but to call the police and take an Uber home, visibly shocked by the loss. After several days, she received word from the police that her car had been found - but in a terrible condition. It had been taken to a tow yard, where she barely recognized it. Katy reported that the vehicle was "completely stripped," adding to the shock of the loss. The sad record of thefts Katy is not alone; her case is part of a worrying trend. According to a report by NBC4 WCMH-TV, a total of ten vehicles have been stolen from the Columbus Airport parking garage in the past six years. This year, a large number of vehicles, between 900.000 and 1 million, are expected in the garage, increasing the likelihood of thefts. An airport spokeswoman admitted that despite the rarity of such incidents, cars have been stolen from any public parking garage

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Qantas apologizes to former employees after court ruling

Qantas Group has apologised to former ground handling employees after the Federal Court handed down a judgment on compensation relating to the controversial outsourcing decision during the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020. The company has committed to expediting payments and is working with the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) to speed up the process. CEO Vanessa Hudson expressed regret for the impact of the decision on affected employees, saying: "We sincerely apologise to our former employees who were affected by this decision and know it is up to Qantas to learn from it." She acknowledged the emotional and financial burdens suffered by the nearly 1.700 former employees and their families. Hudson hopes this resolution can provide a sense of closure for those affected. The Federal Court set out a framework for compensation based on three "test cases". The non-economic loss amounts have been set at $30.000, $40.000 and $100.000, depending on the employees' specific circumstances. Economic loss compensation will be calculated for eligible employees based on the assumption that Qantas would have outsourced ground handling services by the end of 2021 anyway. The test cases will serve as the basis for individual compensation for each eligible former employee. To expedite payments, Qantas is seeking assistance from the TWU and has initiated a mediation process. The company is also conducting an actuarial review to estimate the total damages liability. A separate process will be scheduled to determine potential penalties. Already this year, Qantas had made provisions for the estimated compensation

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Construction work at Rostock-Laage Airport: Holidaymakers have to use Lübeck Airport

Rostock-Laage Airport, an important hub for travelers from the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region, will be closed to civil and military flight operations for the next two weeks due to repair work on the runway. This measure, which is necessary to ensure the safety of flights, means that numerous vacationers have to re-arrange and now start their trips from another airport. The airport spokesman announced that repair work on the arrester hook systems of the entire runway has already started as planned. The arrester hook systems are an important safety feature that serves to stop jets in emergencies. This type of maintenance is essential to ensure the functionality and safety of the airport. Despite the necessary work, those responsible do not expect any delays or deviations from the original plan. Rostock-Laage Airport belongs to the German Armed Forces and is used by both the Air Force and civil aviation. The comprehensive planning of this maintenance work was coordinated in advance with all partners involved in order to keep the impact on travelers as low as possible. Nevertheless, passengers must use other airports during these two weeks. Holiday flights affected The closure of the airport has a direct impact on several popular holiday destinations. Flights to Palma de Mallorca, Heraklion on Crete and Antalya in Turkey are affected. These flights, including the return flights, will now be handled via Lübeck Airport. Heinz Joachim Schöttes, spokesman for Zeitfracht GmbH, the operator of Lübeck Airport, explained that the journey will be organized from Rostock and check-in at Lübeck Airport

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Dunedin Airport: New drop-off point and time limit for passengers

Dunedin Airport has relocated its passenger drop-off point and introduced a new three-minute time limit to improve traffic flow and increase traveller safety. These changes come as part of efforts to make operations at the airport more efficient. The drop-off point has been relocated back to its original location near the car rental office after being temporarily relocated during terminal expansion. This measure is designed to reduce congestion and ease traffic flow around the terminal. The new location was chosen to ensure passengers can use the drop-off point without having to cross busy traffic routes. To further ease traffic congestion, the three-minute time limit was introduced. This limit is designed to ensure drivers exit quickly and clear the zone, avoiding back-ups and increasing safety. Additionally, safety measures have been implemented aimed at minimising risk to passengers. Passengers no longer have to walk through traffic to access the terminal. Vehicles stop in a low-speed zone, allowing passengers to exit safely on the footpath side. Despite concerns about the distance to the terminal, the new location is on average closer than the previous temporary drop-off point. The distance to the terminal varies between 62 and 94 meters, and a covered walkway ensures travelers can get to the terminal dry whatever the weather. The airport has also taken measures to ensure accessibility for passengers with special needs. The customer service team is on hand to provide assistance with wheelchairs, luggage carts, and other needs.

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Aviation and Conflict: The Crash of an Ilyushin Il-76 in North Darfur

In the early hours of October 21, 2024, a dramatic incident occurred in Malha, North Darfur, which could further aggravate the fragile situation in Sudan. An Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane was shot down by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. This crash raises questions about military operations in the region, the role of external actors such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the dangers of friendly fire. According to the RSF, the military aircraft was shot down near Malha at around 4:00 a.m. Initially, the aircraft was identified as an Antonov, but later information suggests that it was actually an Il-76 conducting operations for the RSF. This sheds new light on the intricacies of the Sudanese conflict and the potentially opaque air transport operations in the region. The aircraft, bearing the registration EX-76011, was likely owned by New Way Cargo Airlines, a Kyrgyz airline operating from Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE. Reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying cargo destined for the RSF, which is corroborated by a crew ID found at the scene. The ID indicated Airline Transport Incorporation FZC, a company with ties to Kyrgyzstan and the UAE. Additionally, a Russian passport was found, indicating that there were at least two people on board, although the Il-76 typically requires a crew of seven. The aircraft had reportedly previously taken off from Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and was en route to Amdjarass Airport in Chad. Friendly Fire

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Lufthansa Group extends flight cancellations to Tel Aviv

Brussels Airlines and the Lufthansa Group have extended the cancellation of all flights to and from Tel Aviv until at least November 10, 2024. This decision comes against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and is for the safety of passengers. In addition, Eurowings has announced that flights to Tel Aviv will be suspended until November 30, 2024. The Lufthansa Group, which also includes SWISS and Austrian Airlines, is responding to the increasing security concerns in the region with these measures. Affected passengers have the option of rebooking their flights to a later date free of charge or requesting a full refund of their ticket. Flights to Beirut are also affected and will be suspended until November 30, 2024. Flights to Tehran will remain canceled until October 30, 2024.

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New international airport in Nuuk: Greenland opens up to the world

On November 28, 2024, Greenland, the world's largest archipelago, will take a significant step towards greater international connectivity. The country's first international airport will open in the capital city of Nuuk, a milestone for tourism and the economy of this fascinating island nation. The new airport is not only the first of its kind in Greenland, but also the start of a major expansion in air transport, with two more airports planned in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq to be operational by the end of 2026. Often considered the Earth's last great adventure, Greenland has so far presented itself as a less popular destination for adventure travelers. Nevertheless, the tourism sector is increasingly recognized as a "key pillar of Greenland's economy." The opening of the new airport in Nuuk could change that by making it easier to get there and reducing logistical challenges for travelers. A step forward for Greenlandic tourism Greenland's official website describes the new flight connections as a way to "inevitably change the way you travel to and around Greenland". This will not only improve access to the country, but also reduce the cost of travel. The airport in Nuuk will initially be operated by the existing airlines Air Greenland and Icelandair and will offer five daily domestic flights to destinations such as Narsarsuaq, Paamiut, Maniitsoq, Sisimiut, Ilulissat and Kulusuk. A special highlight is the newly introduced direct flights between Nuuk and Copenhagen. This connection will initially be offered five times a week and is expected to increase to up to eight flights during the holiday season and in the summer of 2025.

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