November 2, 2024

More articles from the category

November 2, 2024

Made in Stuggi: A meeting place for regionality and creativity in Fellbach

The Made in Stuggi trade fair, which is currently taking place in the historic premises of the Alte Kelter in Fellbach, attracts visitors with its special charm and a unique combination of tradition and modernity. Here, regional manufacturers and entrepreneurs from Stuttgart and the surrounding area present their diverse products, from handmade accessories to delicacies and technical innovations. This trade fair, which was specially designed for the people of the region, celebrates the diversity and creativity of the Swabian metropolis and offers a place to discover, taste and shop. The range of products on offer at the trade fair is diverse and ranges from arts and crafts and jewelry to culinary specialties. Exhibitors such as small manufacturers, start-ups and creative lone wolves present products that are often not only handmade but also developed in an innovative way. Visitors can discover both everyday items and exclusive design pieces here. From delicatessen products and wines to fashion and furniture to special experiences such as interactive workshops and tastings, there is something for every taste. Small and micro-businesses present their goods Apart from a regional manufacturer of detergents, no large companies are present. The initiators of "Made in Stuggi" want to give small and micro-businesses the opportunity to present and sell their goods. From start-ups consisting of just one young entrepreneur to family farms that have been producing food and spirits for many generations, pretty much everything is represented. This is meant in a very positive way, because the variety of regional products is enormous, especially in the areas of food and drinks. At the same time, the quality is extremely high and the price level

Continue reading "

Spirit and Frontier appeal DOT decision on slots at Washington National

Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have appealed the preliminary decision not to allocate additional take-off and landing times (slots) to them at Washington National Airport (DCA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Instead, the slots were allocated to larger airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Southwest and United Airlines. The DOT had previously put out a tender to allocate five daily slot pairs for DCA. The slot allocation was intended to promote competition and nonstop connections to underserved cities. Spirit and Frontier had applied for routes to San José and San Juan, but according to the DOT decision, they did not meet the requirements for "limited incumbent carriers". Spirit and San José Airport argue that the DOT is restricting competition with this decision and thus violating the objective of the FAA Reauthorization Act 2024, Section 502. According to Spirit, the offer in the DCA is therefore largely controlled by the large US airlines, which already operate 90 percent of the slots there. Frontier also expressed legal concerns and pointed out that Alaska Airlines already has sufficient access to the DCA through its partnership with American Airlines. A decision by the DOT on the objections is still pending.

Continue reading "

ITA Airways launches direct flight between Dubai and Rome

ITA Airways has inaugurated a daily non-stop service between Dubai and Rome Fiumicino, launching its first route to the United Arab Emirates. The new route will be operated with the fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo, offering Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes. With this move, the airline aims to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and drive growth in the region. The inaugural flight was celebrated at Dubai International Airport in the presence of Italian and Emirati representatives, who underlined the potential of the new route to promote both tourism and trade between Italy and the UAE. The new connection to Dubai fits into ITA Airways' strategy to build an environmentally friendly fleet while expanding its route network. Passengers will now have access to the airline's extensive European and international network via the Rome hub. ITA Airways has also announced that it will add new long-haul routes to Bangkok and the Maldives in the 2024/25 winter schedule.

Continue reading "

Easyjet expands Prague route network with direct connection to Liverpool

British airline Easyjet has expanded its route network from Prague with a new direct connection to Liverpool, operating three times a week - on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Fares for the route start at CZK 819. The launch of this route is part of a wider expansion of the airline in Prague, which has seen Easyjet triple its route network over the past year and now offers 21 destinations in seven European countries. This year, Easyjet has opened connections between Prague and the British cities of Birmingham and Glasgow, as well as to other destinations in France, Spain and Italy. At the opening of the Liverpool route, Ali Gayward, Country Manager for the UK at Easyjet, highlighted the airline's efforts to offer good value for money and a wide route network from Prague. Prague Airport supported the route opening celebrations with small gifts for the first passengers.

Continue reading "

Summer 2025: Discover Airlines expands long-haul routes

Discover Airlines is planning to expand its long-haul offering from Frankfurt and Munich in summer 2025. This strategic expansion is intended to strengthen the airline's position in Germany. Since Eurowings Discover was renamed Discover Airlines, the company has been pursuing a vision that focuses on developing new holiday destinations and working closely with Lufthansa. From May 2025, Minneapolis will be an important destination in the Midwest of the USA and will be added to the route network from Frankfurt. This route, which Discover Airlines is taking over from its parent company Lufthansa, will be served four times a week. Minneapolis is particularly interesting for travelers from Germany because the city not only serves as a transport hub between the east and west coasts, but is also rich in natural beauty. The "City of Lakes" in Minnesota has around 10.000 lakes and the impressive Lake Superior, making it the ideal destination for nature and outdoor lovers. Discover Airlines is thus complementing existing North American routes to destinations such as Philadelphia, Orlando and Anchorage. Caribbean and Africa remain in focus The expansion of long-haul connections does not only affect North America. Discover Airlines continues to focus on its popular African and Caribbean destinations. Destinations such as Zanzibar, Victoria Falls and Mombasa in southern and eastern Africa, which are popular not only with tourists but also with nature lovers, will remain on offer. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Cancún in Mexico will also be integrated into the summer flight schedule and served twice a week. This shows the airline's focus on tropical holiday regions that offer both relaxation and cultural experiences. Long-haul flights from Munich Another significant innovation

Continue reading "

Etihad Airways brings Airbus A380 back to the Paris route

Etihad Airways has celebrated the return of its Airbus A380 on the route between Abu Dhabi and Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, further expanding its offering for passengers between the United Arab Emirates and France. The A380, known for the luxurious three-bedroom suite "The Residence" and exclusive lounges for premium passengers, offers a 31 percent increase in capacity on this route. From January 2025, Etihad also plans to use a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, increasing the weekly seat capacity to almost 5.000. In addition, Etihad offers passengers the opportunity to get to know the capital of the UAE for free with its Abu Dhabi Stopover program. The increased use on this route reflects increasing demand and underscores the close relationship between the Emirates and France.

Continue reading "

Impressive view: The “Azure Window” in San Lawrenz

The best view of the famous Inland Sea, one of the most spectacular natural attractions that the Maltese island of Gozo has to offer, can be enjoyed from the terrace of the "Azure Window" restaurant. Can the food and drinks keep up? The restaurant is named after the former landmark of Gozo. The Azure Window was a natural rock formation that looked like a window. Unfortunately, it collapsed a few years ago during a storm and therefore no longer exists. It was only a few minutes' walk from the Inland Sea. By the way: The so-called Blue Hole is also very close to the Inland Sea and the restaurant featured in this article. The "Azure Window" is a small restaurant located in the municipality of San Lawrenz. It is very remote with a direct view of the Inland Sea. This part of San Lawrenz is called Dwejra and the bay there is called Dwejra Bay, with the famous Fungus Rock in the middle. There is a lot to see around the restaurant and snorkelers and divers will also get their money's worth in the sea, the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole. It is obvious that you will get hungry and thirsty at some point. The "Azure Window" is mainly geared towards tourists during the day, but comparatively few people find their way to this remote region of the island of Gozo. In the evening, they try to offer "better food", but in a relaxed and informal way. The result: The Azure Window is definitely not cheap. It is not overpriced, but still rather expensive. The menu is not

Continue reading "

Finnair plans to reallocate its A330 capacities after the end of the Qatar cooperation

Finnair will reallocate the capacity of its A330-300 fleet after its agreement with Qatar Airways ends in January 2025. The Finnish airline previously operated connections between Helsinki and the hubs of Stockholm, Copenhagen and Doha with these aircraft. The collaboration, which started in August 2022, was intended to stabilize Finnair's network strategy after Russian airspace was closed to many Asian routes. Despite the termination of the partnership, codeshare flights between Finnair and Qatar Airways will remain. According to CEO Turkka Kuusisto, Finnair will shift two of the A330-300s to its own routes. The wide-body jets are planned to be used for popular destinations such as Miami and Dubai. Finnair's fleet includes a total of eight A330-300s and seventeen A350-900s, some of which are also leased to other airlines such as Qantas under wet lease agreements. Qantas currently operates two Finnair A330s for flights from Sydney to Singapore and Bangkok, a cooperation that is scheduled to run until 2029. Finnair also plans to further expand its long-haul network for the 2025 summer season, offering flights to the US destinations of Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Los Angeles, as well as the Japanese cities of Nagoya and Osaka and Shanghai.

Continue reading "

Sharaton Astana: Good hotel, but lacks charm

The Sheraton Hotel in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is considered one of the city's leading hotels, attracting both business travelers and tourists. Since opening in 2006, it has established itself as a central part of the hotel landscape, but there are some aspects that require closer examination. The Sheraton Hotel is located in the heart of Astana, close to the business district and major attractions. The building's modern architecture is in keeping with the city's futuristic design. However, not everyone finds the striking facade appealing. Critics complain that the building complex seems rather cold and impersonal, which does not necessarily contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. There is a shopping center within walking distance, which also has a supermarket, so the hotel's sometimes high drink and food prices can be avoided. The hotel's location is advantageous for business travelers, as it is close to government buildings and companies. However, the area is not particularly lively, which means that leisure options outside the hotel are limited. There is a connection to Nur-Sultan International Airport, but the journey can be time-consuming depending on traffic. Rooms and facilities The Sheraton offers 421 rooms and suites equipped with modern amenities. The rooms are modernly furnished and offer a range of technical gadgets. A positive aspect is that in addition to normal sockets, there are also USB-A charging sockets, for example for smartphones. The wardrobes are large and offer sufficient storage space for travelers' belongings. In terms of service, for example, a kettle, a

Continue reading "

LOT resumes direct connection between Warsaw and Larnaca

LOT Polish Airlines resumed non-stop flights between Warsaw and Larnaca on October 28. The route will initially operate four times a week during the winter season and will be expanded to six weekly flights from summer 2025. The resumption of the flight reflects the growing demand of Polish tourists to Cyprus, which in 2023 was the island state's third largest tourism market, according to the Cyprus Statistics Office. The inaugural flight was attended by senior representatives of LOT and Warsaw Chopin Airport, where the celebrations took place. The flight time between the two cities is approximately three and a half hours, allowing for efficient travel planning for holidaymakers. Maria Kouroupi, Head of Communications at Hermes Airports, expressed her delight at LOT's return to Cyprus and the opportunity it provides to strengthen the island's year-round connectivity.

Continue reading "