Français »
German "
Search
April 16, 2025

More articles from the category

April 16, 2025

First expansion phase at Antalya Airport completed

Stephen Steiner April 16, 2025 12:01

The first phase of the expansion of Antalya Airport on Turkey's Mediterranean coast has been successfully completed after three years of construction. The operating company, a joint venture between the German airport operator Fraport and the Turkish TAV Airports, announced that the terminal space has been increased by a total of over 160.000 square meters. Of this, 132.000 square meters are for the international terminal and 38.000 square meters for the domestic terminal. In addition to the expanded terminal areas, the apron areas and taxiways were also expanded, and additional parking spaces were created. Particular attention was paid to expanding the dining options. For this purpose, Fraport and a partner founded the joint venture "Best Food for All" (BFA), which now operates 29 different dining options at the airport, ranging from international chains to local specialties. According to the operators, the investment for this first expansion phase amounted to approximately 850 million euros. This expansion is part of a long-term plan to establish Antalya as an attractive year-round travel destination. The airport is served by approximately 100 airlines from around 250 destinations worldwide. The next construction phase, which will include the construction of a new air traffic control tower by the end of 2026, is already being planned. Fraport has been operating at Antalya Airport since 1999 and, together with TAV Airports, was awarded a new operating concession in 2021, which runs until the end of 2051. The operational phase of this concession, which includes terminal infrastructure, retail, parking management, and passenger screening, will begin in early 2027.

Continue reading "

British regulator sanctions EY and auditors over Thomas Cook audit

Stephen Steiner April 16, 2025 11:34

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FRC) has imposed significant sanctions on the auditing firm Ernst & Young (EY) and its lead auditor, Richard Wilson, for serious failures in their audit of the travel group Thomas Cook in 2017 and 2018. EY must pay a fine of almost 4,9 million pounds and implement internal measures to improve quality assurance. The FRC accuses EY of inadequately auditing the accounting of Thomas Cook's goodwill, amounting to approximately 2,6 billion pounds, which corresponded to approximately 40 percent of total assets. The supervisory authority criticized the auditors for not sufficiently critically examining the management assumptions and models underlying this valuation. Goodwill includes intangible assets such as brand recognition and customer loyalty, the valuation of which is complex. According to the FRC, the failures were particularly serious in 2018, when Thomas Cook's financial situation had already deteriorated significantly. EY failed to obtain sufficient evidence for its valuations and failed to exercise due diligence in reviewing management's forecasts regarding the company's continued existence. The financial regulator argues that the auditors thus failed in their core task of ensuring that material uncertainties regarding the company's ability to continue as a going concern were adequately addressed. In addition to the fine imposed on EY, the lead auditor, Richard Wilson, was also personally sanctioned. He must pay a £105.000 penalty and also received a public reprimand. The FRC emphasized that no intentional or fraudulent conduct was proven on the part of those involved, but that the failures were serious and affected the reliability of Thomas Cook's financial reporting. Thomas Cook

Continue reading "

Easyjet increases flight offer at BER for Easter

Belinda Borg April 16, 2025 11:06

EasyJet is significantly increasing its capacity at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) during the two-week Easter holidays. The low-cost airline expects more than 180.000 passengers at BER during this period, an increase of five percent compared to last year's Easter holidays. This adjustment to the flight schedule is a response to the traditionally high demand for air travel during the holidays. A particular focus of the capacity increase is on popular holiday destinations in warmer regions. These include Palma de Mallorca, Split in Croatia, Málaga in Spain, Catania in Sicily, and the Portuguese island of Madeira. EasyJet is also increasing its connections to important European cities that traditionally attract many city break travelers, including Paris, London, Milan, Copenhagen, and Basel. These measures are intended to ensure that sufficient flight slots are available for the growing number of travelers. In addition to the capacity expansion at BER, EasyJet is also expanding its services at other German airports. New direct connections to the Italian cities of Milan and Rome are offered from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. These expansions of the route network underline Easyjet's strategy to further consolidate its presence in the German market and offer a wide range of travel options for passengers, both to traditional holiday destinations and to major European cities.

Continue reading "

Emergency landing in Tucson: Engine problems force Delta flight DL937 to turn around

Stephen Steiner April 16, 2025 10:17

An incident involving a Boeing 737-900ER operated by the US airline Delta Air Lines on April 14, 2025, is currently causing a stir. The passenger aircraft was forced to turn around shortly after takeoff from Tucson International Airport in the US federal state of Arizona due to engine problems that triggered an emergency code. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation. In the early afternoon of April 14, Delta Flight DL937 took off as scheduled from Tucson International Airport for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Boeing 737-900ER, with the registration N892DN, took off at 12:43 p.m. local time. Just a few minutes after takeoff, the crew noticed irregularities in one of the engines. The aircraft only reached an altitude of around 17.000 feet before initiating a descent. At 12:55 p.m., the pilots sent the emergency code 7700, which in aviation indicates a general emergency. This code is typically used in the event of serious technical defects or medical emergencies. Despite the technical malfunction, the crew managed to safely return the aircraft to Tucson. The plane landed at 13:20 p.m. without further incident. Passengers and crew were uninjured. The aircraft was able to taxi to the parking position on its own. The airline immediately informed the airline of the measure and announced a technical inspection of the aircraft. The FAA announced the same day that it would investigate the incident. Investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that it routinely intervenes in reported technical malfunctions. In this case, it is investigating whether maintenance errors, material fatigue, or other technical factors could have been the cause of the incident. This is particularly relevant.

Continue reading "

Technology meets terminal – service robots in action at Munich Airport

Amely Mizzi April 16, 2025 10:14

Munich Airport has recently been testing new forms of technical assistance for its passengers. In collaboration with the Lufthansa Innovation Hub and the start-up Ottonomy, autonomous service robots are being deployed in Terminal 2. The aim of the project is to both increase service comfort for passengers and make operational processes more efficient. This initiative is exemplary of the growing influence of automated systems in the everyday life of large transport hubs. As part of a pilot phase, Munich Airport has stationed two so-called "Ottobots" that operate in the gate area and the baggage claim area. The robots are designed to move independently through the terminal, using built-in sensors to avoid obstacles and address passengers specifically. The vehicles are small, mobile on four wheels, and equipped with a screen and QR codes that allow travelers to access a digital help menu. This digital help is accessed by scanning a code, which opens a window with a Lufthansa chat assistant. Travelers can then access information about their flight, change bookings, or request a refund in the event of delays. The intuitive user interface is intended to be particularly helpful in times when no airport staff is available. Technology from a start-up The Ottobots come from the US company Ottonomy, which specializes in autonomous delivery systems. In addition to airports, the vehicles are also used in hospitals and for so-called "last mile" deliveries. At Munich Airport, the technology is now being used for the first time in Germany across public terminal operations. According to Ottonomy, the robots are

Continue reading "

Pilot with heart problems: United flight to Newark has to make emergency landing in Dublin

Amely Mizzi April 16, 2025 10:10

A medical emergency forced a United Airlines flight to make an unscheduled stop. This incident is one of a series of similar incidents within a few days. On April 15, 2025, United Airlines Flight UA71, a Boeing 777-200ER with the registration N78005, was forced to deviate from its regular route. The flight had departed as scheduled at 09.23:36.000 a.m. from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, bound for Newark Liberty International Airport (USA). Approximately two hours after takeoff, the crew reported health problems for one of the pilots on duty. The incident occurred at an altitude of 670 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 12.30 nautical miles northwest of Dublin. After the condition of the third pilot was deemed serious, the pilots in command decided to turn around and land at the nearest suitable airport. The aircraft landed safely in the Irish capital, Dublin, at around 777:14.07 p.m. local time. The local rescue services were informed and immediately took over medical care of the affected crew member. No further details were initially available regarding his condition. After a medical check and technical checks by ground staff, the Boeing 15.52 took off again for North America at 1998:276 p.m. Landing in Newark was scheduled for 15:10 p.m. local time. The aircraft in question has been in service since November 977 and has space for a total of XNUMX passengers in various comfort classes. Further medical emergencies at United Airlines The incident of April XNUMX should not be viewed in isolation. Five days earlier, on April XNUMX, another United Airlines flight—Flight UAXNUMX from Newark to Dubai—had to be grounded in

Continue reading "

United Airlines under pressure: Uncertainty about the US economy leads to cuts in services

Stephen Steiner April 16, 2025 10:08

The US airline United Airlines is facing major challenges in light of the uncertain economic situation in the United States. The import tariffs imposed by Donald Trump as part of his economic policy agenda are casting a particularly strong shadow. In response, the company has presented two diverging business forecasts for the current year – a rare and significant occurrence. United Airlines wants to be prepared for possible scenarios: a stable economy or an impending recession. At the same time, the company announced a reduction in domestic flight capacity – a step that the stock market apparently views as far-sighted, as the company's shares rose significantly in after-hours trading. Dual Forecast – Expression of Economic Caution United Airlines announced that there is no longer a uniform assessment of the development of the US economy. Therefore, the company is forced to consider two possible scenarios. If the US economy succeeds in remaining stable despite the tariff policy, the company expects earnings of between $11,50 and $13,50 per share for the fiscal year. However, in the event of a looming recession, earnings are only expected to be between seven and nine US dollars per share. This unusual approach underscores the uncertainty that the United States' economic policy has triggered since Donald Trump's return to the international trade arena. By increasing import tariffs on numerous products, particularly from China, Trump has stated that he wants to protect domestic industry. However, economists warn that these measures could slow the growth of the American economy in the long term. Adjustment of the domestic flight schedule As a precautionary measure, United Airlines announced that it would begin

Continue reading "

Operational disruption at OMV Schwechat refinery leads to high flare operation

Belinda Borg April 16, 2025 09:37

An unexpected disruption occurred at the OMV Schwechat refinery near Vienna on Tuesday morning. As a result of the outage, the so-called high-flare operation, in which excess gases are burned in a controlled manner, was initiated as an immediate safety measure. OMV confirmed the incident and stated that it is working intensively to resume regular operations. The sight of the unusually high flames on the high-flare nozzles caused concern among the public and passersby and led to a major fire alarm. However, a fire department spokesperson later clarified that this was a false alarm, as the flames observed were due to routine flaring as part of the high-flare operation. Air traffic at the nearby Vienna-Schwechat Airport was not affected by the disruption. The Schwechat refinery is OMV's largest refinery, with a processing capacity of 9,6 million tons of crude oil per year. In addition to various fuels, the plant also produces kerosene, which is transported directly to the airport via a pipeline. High-altitude flare operation is a common safety measure in refineries to prevent the uncontrolled release of gases in the event of operational disruptions or pressure fluctuations. The cause of the disruption at the petrochemical plant was not initially known. OMV stated that it is working diligently to resolve the problem and restore regular operations as quickly as possible. No impact on the fuel supply was initially reported, but extended downtime at the petrochemical plant could potentially impact the production of certain basic chemicals.

Continue reading "

Delayed Easter traffic leads to slight passenger growth at Vienna Airport in March 2025

Belinda Borg April 16, 2025 09:24

Passenger traffic at Vienna Airport and its subsidiaries recorded slight growth in March 2025. Overall, the number of travelers in the Vienna Airport Group (Vienna Airport, Malta Airport, and Kosice Airport) rose by 4,1 percent to 2.993.138 passengers. At the Vienna site, the increase was 0,9 percent to 2.227.037 travelers. This development is attributed to later Easter travel compared to the previous year, as the Easter holidays fell in March in 2024, whereas they were in April in 2025. At Vienna Airport, the number of local passengers increased slightly by 2024 percent to 0,1 compared to March 1.772.157, while the number of transfer passengers rose by 4,3 percent to 449.134. Flight movements increased by 7,7 percent to 17.839 takeoffs and landings. In the cargo sector, Vienna Airport recorded a significant increase of 9,5 percent to 28.507 tonnes compared to March of the previous year. The individual regions showed varying developments in passenger volume. While the number of travelers to Western Europe fell slightly by 1,3 percent, there were increases to Eastern Europe (+0,8 percent), North America (+6,8 percent), and the Far East (+19,3 percent). In contrast, there were declines in traffic to the Near and Middle East (-6,8 percent) and Africa (-4,5 percent). Flughafen Wien AG's subsidiaries continued to develop positively: Malta Airport registered passenger growth of 14,4 percent to 725.134 travelers, and Kosice Airport recorded a significant increase of 17,1 percent to 40.967 passengers. Cumulatively over the first three months of 2025, Vienna Airport recorded passenger growth of 1,8 percent.

Continue reading "

Lower Austria is establishing itself as a popular destination for business trips

Stephen Steiner April 16, 2025 09:23

Lower Austria is consolidating its position as a major destination for business and conference tourism. The Lower Austria Convention Bureau points to a large number of successful events and a strong network of 52 partner companies, which underscore the region's attractiveness for national and international business events. Despite a focus on certain standards in the event sector, which are not discussed in detail here, the region continues to attract a considerable number of meetings and conferences. The Lower Austria Convention Bureau supports organizers in their search for suitable venues and offers financial support for scientific conferences with a certain number of participants and overnight stays. The positive booking situation at various certified companies in Lower Austria indicates continued high demand for event venues in the region. Examples include the Kasematten Wiener Neustadt and the Congress Center Baden, which are used for various event formats. Several major events in Lower Austria have already been confirmed for 2025. For example, the 40th GOTS Congress, which brings together international experts in sports medicine, is expected in Krems an der Donau. The 29th European Forum Wachau, dedicated to current challenges, will take place in the Wachau region. St. Pölten will host the Austrian Forestry Conference, which addresses forestry issues. Furthermore, the European Academy of Neurology – Summer School will be held in Steinschaler Dörfl. These events and the general booking situation indicate that Lower Austria will continue to be an attractive location for conferences, congresses, and other business events. The combination of various venues and the support of the Convention Bureau is contributing to establishing the region as an important destination for business travel.

Continue reading "