November 12, 2024

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November 12, 2024

French airline pilots plan strike against tax increase on airline tickets

The French pilots' union SNPL has announced a one-day strike for November 14, 2024. With the protest, the pilots are protesting against the planned tripling of the tax on airline tickets, which the government wants to introduce to consolidate the budget. The additional taxes are intended to stabilize the French state budget and bring in around one billion euros annually. However, the union fears competitive disadvantages for French airlines, as the higher taxes could be passed on by the airlines in full to the ticket prices. Some Air France pilots have criticized the strike measure, as a strike could also put a strain on airlines in France. The impact of the strike on air traffic and in particular on connections between France and Germany is still unclear, as only French airlines are affected. France's parliament is currently working on an austerity budget that is expected to bring in around 60 billion euros through tax increases and savings.

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Air Arabia Maroc under pressure: critical look at flight planning practices and fatigue management

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has refused to respond to recent reports highlighting serious safety concerns at the Moroccan low-cost airline Air Arabia Maroc. According to a report by Morocco World News, an EASA audit in September 2024 identified several serious safety violations at the airline. In particular, it involved alleged violations of flight and duty time restrictions rules, as well as inadequate management of rest periods, which could endanger flight operations and flight safety. Such an incident has not only attracted the attention of the international aviation industry, but also highlighted the need for a more detailed investigation and a comprehensive response from the competent authorities. EASA remains silent: No comment on the findings EASA is responsible for ensuring that all airlines operating in Europe or connecting to European destinations meet established safety standards. But in this case, the agency refused to comment directly on the safety concerns listed in a confidential report on Air Arabia Maroc. "EASA does not comment in any way on the results of the decisions of our Third Country Operators (TCO) or the process that led to a particular result," a spokeswoman told ch-aviation. This attitude of not commenting on the specific results of the inspections is fuelling speculation as to whether the agency, in its role as a regulator, is actually doing enough to ensure compliance with safety standards among international airlines. The allegations: Safety violations and disregard for regulations According to Morocco World News reports, the EASA investigation in September 2024 identified eight serious

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Decline in overnight stays in September 2024 despite increase in foreign guests

In September 2024, according to the Federal Statistical Office, German accommodation establishments recorded a slight decline in the number of overnight stays compared to the previous year. The number of overnight stays fell by 1,6 percent to a total of 48,7 million. This decline is mainly due to domestic guests, whose overnight stays fell by 3,5 percent to 40,4 million. In contrast, the number of overnight stays by foreign guests rose by 9,2 percent to 8,4 million. In the period from January to September, however, German accommodation establishments recorded a total of 388,1 million overnight stays, an increase of 1,6 percent compared to the same period last year. The number of overnight stays by domestic guests increased slightly by 0,6 percent to 321,4 million, while overnight stays by guests from abroad grew more strongly, increasing by 6,8 percent to 66,7 million.

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Lufthansa Group extends flight ban for Tel Aviv and Tehran

The Lufthansa Group has again extended the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv. Flights to Israel will now remain suspended until at least December 31, 2024. Originally, the flight ban was only supposed to last until November 25. Swiss, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, is suspending its flights to Tel Aviv until December 15. This decision comes in view of the ongoing security situation in the region. The suspension of flights also affects other destinations in the Middle East: Lufthansa flights to Tehran will not be served until January 31, 2025, while flights to Beirut will remain suspended until at least the end of February 2025. The airline group management continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

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Aerosucre: Boeing 727 hits ILS facility in Bogotá

A serious incident at El Dorado Airport in Bogotá on November 10, 2024 once again brought the safety standards of the Colombian cargo airline Aerosucre into focus. An aged Boeing 727 freighter belonging to the airline, flight A4-372, failed to achieve the required speed and altitude during takeoff and its wing and landing gear struck one of the antennas of the ILS (Instrument Landing System), which is used to assist landings in bad weather conditions. The incident, which was captured on video, is reminiscent of the tragic takeoff accident of another Boeing 727 belonging to the same airline in 2016, in which five of the six passengers were killed. The sequence of events Flight A4-372 took off on the morning of November 10, bound for Valencia, Venezuela. The Boeing 727-200 that Aerosucre uses for cargo flights struggled with a lack of lift early on runway 14L at Bogotá airport. After leaving the runway, the plane struggled to gain altitude and collided with the ILS system about 300 meters beyond the end of the runway. The collision was so serious that the pilots decided to abort the flight to Venezuela. To reduce the weight for a safe landing, the plane circled near the airport and dumped fuel before landing safely on the same runway about an hour later. According to records and video footage, the Boeing 727 appeared to be heavily loaded, and observers suspect that the state of the aircraft, which was originally operated as a passenger aircraft, may also have contributed to the problem of insufficient takeoff power. Aerosucre's flight operations have been frequently suspended in recent years due to

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Private flights are increasingly contributing to CO₂ emissions: Study calls for regulation

CO₂ emissions from private flights rose by 2019 percent between 2023 and 46, reaching 15,6 million tons worldwide last year, according to a study in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. The study, which evaluated 18 million private flights, indicates that private aircraft were primarily used for short distances of less than 500 kilometers - distances that could also be covered by car or train. A significant proportion of the flights are also for leisure or vacation purposes, which has reignited the debate about regulatory measures in this area. Critics point out that only a tiny proportion of the world's population - around 0,003 percent - uses private aircraft, but their emissions account for around 1,8 percent of commercial aviation. The number of private jets was particularly high at major sporting and cultural events and political meetings such as the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai in 2023. The USA has the most private aircraft registered, followed by Brazil, Canada and Germany. Malta has the highest density per capita, with 46,5 private jets per 100.000 inhabitants. The study authors call for stronger regulation in view of the climate impact of the sector. The tax advantages for private aircraft and the exemption from emissions taxes should be reviewed, as these aircraft are in most cases exempt from energy taxes and the European emissions trading system. The study suggests that regulation of private aviation with a view to climate protection and social justice is unavoidable.

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Frankfurt Airport: Alliance calls for drastic increase in noise surcharges

In the context of the ongoing disputes between residents around Frankfurt Airport and the airport operator Fraport, a new alliance of various Frankfurt citizens' initiatives has emerged. They have joined the Aviation Noise Commission's (FLK) call for a significant increase in noise surcharges. In particular, this involves an extension of the night-time delay surcharges and a gradual increase in the noise-related fee to 30 percent. The demands are directed against the planned approval of the fee structure, which is to apply from January 2025. Frankfurt Airport, as one of the busiest airports in Europe, is not only known for its importance in international air traffic, but also for the noise problem that affects residents in the surrounding districts. The night flight restrictions, which have long been in place for the time window between 23 p.m. and 00 a.m., are a central topic in the discussions. This regulation is intended to reduce the noise level during the night and protect the quality of life of people in the neighboring districts. Despite the existing restrictions, aircraft noise remains a permanent burden for many residents. The demands of the FLK and the citizens' alliance In its statement to the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs, the aircraft noise commission has called for a significant tightening of the noise surcharges. In particular, not only night flights themselves, but also flight movements in the hours before and after should be taxed more heavily. Another concern of the commission is the increase in the cost of flight movements that are made by older and louder aircraft. These aircraft are responsible for a considerably higher noise level than modern, quieter aircraft types. The citizens' initiatives and the FLK are calling for a gradual increase in the noise-related

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UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku: German airports demand support for climate neutrality

The UN Climate Change Conference 2024 (COP29), which will take place in Baku from November 11 to 24, will focus intensively on climate financing and the new framework conditions after the Paris Agreement expires in 2025. At the summit, the Association of German Airports (ADV) is emphasizing the need for clear investments to reduce CO₂ emissions at airports and is calling for government support for the ecological restructuring. ADV Managing Director Ralph Beisel explained that airports are continuously reducing their emissions through sustainable energy efficiency strategies and green technologies. Specifically, German airports are striving to use renewable energies, modernize their buildings and use alternative drives for operational vehicles. Between 2010 and 2023, they were already able to reduce their emissions by almost 60 percent. However, for long-term climate neutrality by 2045, the association is calling for additional public funds and a reduction in taxes and fees. The ADV's specific demands include:

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Seaplanes: Spicejet plans revival in remote regions

Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet has announced that it plans to restart its seaplane operations in 2025. This is a significant step towards better connecting remote mountain caves and coastal regions that have been poorly connected to air transport. The revival of the project was announced on November 9, 2024, following a successful demonstration by SpiceJet's CEO Avani Singh, in which a seaplane completed a demonstration flight between two dams in Andhra Pradesh. With this venture, SpiceJet aims not only to improve regional connectivity but also to promote tourism in India's remote areas. In collaboration with De Havilland, the renowned seaplane manufacturer, the airline plans to introduce 2024 new seaplanes by the end of 2025, with route expansion by 20. The airline has secured the rights to 19 potential seaplane routes, with operations to commence once the necessary infrastructure is in place in the affected regions. This move is a significant part of SpiceJet's strategy, especially after the difficult period of the COVID-2020 pandemic when many of their flight schedules, including the first seaplane services in XNUMX, had to be suspended. These initial services connected the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. Unfortunately, the operations were halted at that time due to the pandemic and the resulting uncertainties. The planned resumption of seaplane operations aims to fill tourism and economic gaps created by limited accessibility to remote regions. According to SpiceJet's CEO, the new service will not only improve the mobility of the population to remote areas, but

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Project "Trails of Love": Volunteers repair hiking trails in the Czech Republic

The Czech volunteer project "Trails of Love", an initiative of the Czech Tourist Club (KČT), Kofola and RegioJet, has recorded a positive balance after a year and a half. Since it began in May 2022, almost 700 volunteers have worked in a total of 33 events to renovate hiking trails and natural areas throughout the Czech Republic. So far, around 45 kilometers of hiking trails have been renovated in this way. The projects were strategically distributed by the organizers across the Beskydy, Giant Mountains and Ore Mountains regions and included challenging conditions, such as the highest brigade on Kahlberg or weather-related work in the Giant Mountains. The volunteers meet on the project weekends, spend the night in hiking huts and take over the repair of the trails the next day. The participants' accommodation and meals are financed by the partners, and the organizers also offer a supporting program. A continuation of the initiative is planned for next year. As early as November 30th, interested parties can take part in a pre-Christmas event in the Erzgebirge, which also includes a Christmas tree for each participant.

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