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April 17, 2025

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April 17, 2025

Pegasus Airlines launches non-stop flights from Dortmund to Antalya

Amely Mizzi April 17, 2025 11:05

The Turkish airline Pegasus Airlines has launched its first non-stop flight from Dortmund to Antalya, establishing a new flight connection between the Ruhr region and the Turkish Mediterranean coast. The low-cost carrier will provisionally serve the route until the end of the summer schedule and plans to offer up to six weekly flights. After the arrival of the first aircraft in Dortmund, the crew was greeted with a traditional baptism of water. After Istanbul, Antalya is the second destination in Turkey that Pegasus Airlines will serve from Dortmund. Guido Miletic, Head of Airport Services + Marketing & Sales at Dortmund Airport, emphasized the importance of this new connection both for holidaymakers and for the region's large Turkish community, which now has an additional option for reaching their homeland. Turkey has become an increasingly popular holiday destination in recent years and recorded a record year for tourism in 2024, with Germany among the most important countries of origin. The Turkish Riviera, with its center in Antalya, in particular, attracts many visitors. The city is known for its extensive sandy beaches, year-round mild climate, and numerous attractions, including the historic old town of Kaleiçi and Hadrian's Gate. Pegasus Airlines is a major Turkish low-cost airline with an extensive route network. In addition to direct flights to Istanbul and now Antalya, the airline offers numerous other connections to destinations in 53 countries, many of which can be reached from Dortmund. In the summer schedule, the Dortmund-Antalya route will also be served by the airline SunExpress with up to nine weekly flights, which underlines the importance of

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Traveling with mental illness: Important information and rights for airline passengers

Amely Mizzi April 17, 2025 10:32

For many people, traveling by plane is a natural part of their lives and a regular part of their lives. However, for people with mental illnesses, the thought of sitting in a cramped aircraft, being exposed to loud noise, and facing the challenges of an unpredictable itinerary can be a significant stressor. In such cases, air travel presents not only a physical but also a mental challenge. However, even people with mental illnesses can generally travel by plane if they are well prepared and know how to make their journey safe and comfortable. This article examines in detail what precautions airline passengers with mental illnesses should take, what rights they have, and what support they can expect from airlines. Medical certificates and the Fit-to-Fly certificate Before embarking on a flight, passengers with mental illnesses should consult their general practitioner or psychiatrist. This not only serves to assess their physical health but also to determine whether their mental state makes the flight safe. Airlines often require a so-called "Fit-to-Fly Certificate." This certificate confirms that the passenger is able to undertake the journey without any health risks to themselves or others. Important: Many airlines require the medical certificate on their own form, which is either available for download from their website or can be sent upon request by customer service. This is important to note, as it frequently happens that passengers are denied boarding if they do not use the airline's own form.

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Tui starts the Greece season with an expanded offer

Belinda Borg April 17, 2025 10:07

Last Saturday, tour operator Tui kicked off its Greece season with a fully booked Easter flight from Vienna to Crete. Greece is once again proving to be the most popular summer destination for Tui guests. Along with Crete and Rhodes, Kos is once again among the top three Greek islands. Tui has once again expanded its flight and hotel offerings for the coming summer months and is experiencing a positive start to bookings. This season, Tui is offering its travelers a choice of 17 flight destinations in Greece, with over 120 weekly connections from the airports of Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Innsbruck, and Budapest. Following the inaugural flight to Crete, further inaugural flights will follow to Rhodes from Salzburg on May 3rd and to Kos from Linz and Graz on May 11th. In addition, Tui will resume flights from Vienna to Karpathos on May 13th, from Salzburg to Zakynthos on May 15th, and from Vienna to Corfu on May 18th. To ensure the greatest possible variety, Tui has further expanded its offering in Greece for summer 2025. New to the program is the island of Limnos in the North Aegean, which will be served once a week on Sundays from Vienna starting June 29. In addition, three new hotels from Tui's own brands have been added to the portfolio on Rhodes, Corfu, and Kos, including the family-friendly Tui Blue Atlantica Aegean Park on Rhodes, the Tui Kids Club Roda Beach Resort & Spa on Corfu, and the Tui Time To Smile Saline apartment complex on Kos. For additional flexibility when booking travel, Tui offers the optional Flex

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Traveling safely with diabetes: Comprehensive preparation for airline passengers

Belinda Borg April 17, 2025 09:31

Traveling, especially by plane, presents particular challenges for people with diabetes mellitus. Careful planning and preparation are essential to minimize health risks and ensure a smooth journey. This article provides a rough overview of the necessary precautions, from medical certificates and dealing with security checks to proper insulin storage and emergency procedures in the event of hypoglycemia. Individual details should be discussed with a doctor and the airline operating the flight, as individual needs can vary greatly. Preparation and medical certificates Before embarking on a flight, diabetics should make an appointment with their treating doctor well in advance, ideally four to six weeks in advance. This appointment will not only review their current health status, but will also provide a medical certificate confirming the need to carry medication and medical supplies. This certificate is particularly important for airport security checks and can be written in several languages ​​to avoid misunderstandings. It is advisable to inform the airline in advance if you are carrying medical equipment such as insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors, or syringes. Some airlines offer special diabetic meals that can be ordered in advance. It may also be helpful to reserve an aisle seat to make it easier to stand and move around during the flight. Airport security checks: During security checks, all medical devices and fluids, including insulin, must be presented separately. Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems should not be put through body scanners or X-ray machines, as this may impair their function. Instead, security personnel should

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New registration requirement for travelers to Thailand comes into force

Stephen Steiner April 17, 2025 09:09

From May 1, 2025, all foreign nationals wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand must register electronically prior to arrival. This new regulation applies to travelers regardless of their means of transport—whether by air, ship, or land border. Registration must be completed no later than three days before entry using the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system. Various information is required as part of this online registration. Travelers must provide personal information, their travel document number, details of their planned trip, the address of their accommodation in Thailand, and, if applicable, a health declaration if they have been in a country classified as a high-risk area in the two weeks prior to travel. Upon successful submission of the form, travelers will receive a confirmation email, which they can present for identification upon entry. This new measure is being introduced by the Thai authorities to modernize entry formalities. While the original report from a Czech travel agency emphasizes the benefits for travelers due to the more convenient processing and the elimination of paper forms, it can be assumed that the Thai government's primary intention is to improve the registration and control of incoming travelers. It is recommended to consult the official website of the Thai Immigration Service for the TDAC system, as well as the travel advisories of the respective foreign ministry of the home country, for detailed and up-to-date information.

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Singapore Airlines: Comprehensive modernization of the lounges at Changi Airport

Stephen Steiner April 17, 2025 08:37

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has begun a comprehensive renovation project at its exclusive lounges in Terminal 2 at Changi Airport. With an investment of 45 million Singapore dollars (approximately 34 million US dollars), the airline aims to significantly improve the service experience on the ground. The modernization of the SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounges is scheduled to be completed in several phases by mid-2027. This measure comes as no surprise: Singapore Airlines has been focusing on expanding its premium segment for several years. The airline has set standards with the redesign of its lounges in Terminal 3. The current project in Terminal 2 aims to build on this standard and raise it to a new level. Expanded space and new furnishings The business class SilverKris lounge will be expanded by approximately 30 percent. Travelers will enjoy more spacious seating areas, offering various zones for working, relaxing, or retreating to private corners. A specially designed relaxation area with reclining chairs and a newly designed living lounge with wingback chairs, sofa seating, and separate work areas will meet the needs of modern business travelers. The first-class SilverKris Lounge will receive a comprehensive facelift. In addition to increasing its capacity, it will be equipped with high ceilings and generous windows to create a bright and open ambience. Live cooking stations, an upscale buffet, and barista services in the morning are intended to make the stay a first-class experience. Luxuriously equipped retreats with massage chairs and specially designed relaxation beds ensure relaxation. Economy travelers with frequent flyer status will also benefit. Another focus of the renovation project is the modernization of the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge. It is aimed at frequent flyers with Star Alliance Gold status who travel in the

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Eurofighter intervention from Klagenfurt: Temporary relocation to ensure airspace surveillance

Belinda Borg April 17, 2025 08:14

From April 18 to 22, 2025, Austrian airspace will be monitored for the first time from Klagenfurt Airport for several days. Three Austrian Armed Forces Eurofighters will assume active airspace control during this time. This is due to personnel shortages at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg and strategic considerations regarding decentralized operational control. On Friday, April 18, 2025, three Austrian Armed Forces Eurofighters will be stationed at Klagenfurt Airport. This measure serves to temporarily relocate active airspace surveillance, which will be carried out from Carinthia until Tuesday, April 22. The decision for this step is based on the need to maintain the Austrian Armed Forces' operational readiness despite personnel shortages at the main base in Zeltweg. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner emphasized the importance of this measure: "The continuous monitoring of our airspace is our highest priority. I would like to thank the Austrian Air Force commander at Klagenfurt Airport for the excellent cooperation with our air force." Major General Gerfried Promberger, Air Chief of the Austrian Armed Forces, emphasized the necessity of the relocation: "The temporary relocation of operational flight operations is essential to ensure operational readiness and maintain orderly flight operations." Background: Personnel shortages and infrastructure challenges The decision to relocate the Eurofighters is based on an acute personnel shortage at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg. In November 2024, Austrian airspace was unprotected for several days due to a lack of personnel. This situation led to considerations of distributing airspace surveillance across multiple locations to ensure the operational capability of the Austrian Armed Forces. Klagenfurt Airport was identified as a suitable location due to the existing infrastructure and the fact that many Army personnel come from the region. Initial discussions with Klagenfurt Airport took place in November 2024.

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Erfurt Airport completes renewal of firefighting vehicle fleet

Stephen Steiner April 17, 2025 08:08

Erfurt-Weimar Airport has completed the modernization of its fleet of airfield firefighting vehicles with the commissioning of its third "Panther" vehicle. The new vehicle, which will be operational from May 1, 2025, complements the two identical firefighting vehicles already in operation and thus marks the completion of a comprehensive upgrade of the safety-relevant technology at the Thuringian airport. The third firefighting vehicle, also from the manufacturer Rosenbauer, has a water tank with a capacity of 12.000 liters and a foam tank with 1.400 liters of fluorine-free foam agent. A special feature is the integrated CO² extinguishing system with a capacity of 120 kilograms. The extinguishing agents can be applied via a roof-mounted turret with an output of 9.000 liters per minute and a range of up to 100 meters, and via a front monitor with 1.500 liters per minute and a range of 65 meters. The "Panther," with the registration number 24, is powered by a 750 hp engine and has a total weight of 37 tons. Despite this mass, the vehicle can reach a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour. Additional equipment includes a permanently installed light mast and a cable winch with a pulling force of 50 kilonewtons. Jens-Uwe Germer, head of the airport fire department, expressed his satisfaction with the completed modernization and emphasized the intensive training of emergency personnel on the new technology to ensure safe flight operations in the event of an emergency.

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Financial crisis in Bosnian airspace: Eurocontrol freezes payments to BHANSA

Belinda Borg April 17, 2025 07:35

An international arbitration ruling has led to the blockade of Eurocontrol payments to the Bosnian air traffic control authority (BHANSA). The result: an existential threat to air traffic over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aviation industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a serious challenge. The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) has frozen all payments to the Bosnian air traffic control authority (BHANSA). The background to this is an arbitration ruling in favor of the Slovenian company Viadukt, which had sued Bosnia and Herzegovina for the unilateral termination of a concession agreement. Although BHANSA was not directly involved in the dispute, the financial blockade hits the authority hard and endangers the stability of air traffic in the country. Background to the conflict The origin of the problem lies in a dispute between the Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Slovenian company Viadukt. The latter had a concession contract for a hydropower project on the Vrbas River, which was unilaterally terminated by the Republic of Srpska. An international arbitration tribunal subsequently awarded Viadukt compensation of approximately €56 million. Since the Republic of Srpska refused to pay, enforcement proceedings were initiated against the entire state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a result, a court in Brussels ordered Eurocontrol to freeze all payments to BHANSA. BHANSA is responsible for air traffic control throughout Bosnian airspace and is financed primarily through fees charged by Eurocontrol for the use of the airspace. With these payments frozen, the authority faces significant financial difficulties. According to BHANSA, basic operating costs such as fuel, maintenance, and salaries can no longer be covered. The air traffic controllers' union warns of a potential collapse.

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Amadeus report predicts end of check-in and automatic recognition on travel

Belinda Borg April 17, 2025 07:04

According to a new report from technology company Amadeus, the travel industry is facing fundamental change. In the future, travelers in many parts of the world will be able to forgo traditional check-in and be automatically recognized throughout their entire journey, from airports to rental car stations and hotels. This will be made possible by using a single, overarching identifier instead of multiple travel documents. The report is based on insights from industry experts who are working on developing the next generation of technologies for airline delivery management. The aviation industry is in the midst of a comprehensive technological transition. Airlines are abandoning traditional industry standards and embracing new technologies in the areas of quoting, booking, and execution to tailor air travel more closely to the individual needs of travelers. Delivery management represents the final phase of this transformation. Amadeus developers are currently working with airlines, ground handlers, and airports to implement these new systems. According to the report, delivery management systems (DMS) will gradually replace today's departure control systems (DCS). The goal is to create a new generation of open and flexible technologies that better connect the systems of airlines and their partners, such as airports, ground handlers, and third-party providers. This transformation will help eliminate the need for outdated systems used by airlines at airports. Airport employees will be able to move more freely within the terminal to support passengers directly via mobile devices. The replacement of decades-old standards and processes is intended to enable a smoother and more connected travel experience in several key areas. This includes arriving at the airport without the need for check-in, as

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