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April 22, 2025

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April 22, 2025

Prime Minister of Mauritius: “Theft” at Air Mauritius after aircraft sales

Amely Mizzi 22 April 2025 15:00

The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam, has made serious allegations against those responsible for aircraft sales by the national airline, Air Mauritius. In a statement to the National Assembly on April 15, Ramgoolam spoke of "theft" of the airline's funds. Between 2017 and 2021, Air Mauritius suffered losses of 1,22 billion Mauritian rupees, equivalent to approximately 27 million US dollars, due to these sales. Ramgoolam promised a full investigation into the events and the prosecution of those responsible. The Prime Minister was responding to a query regarding losses from aircraft sales and capital injections to Air Mauritius between December 2014 and December 2024. According to reports in the Mauritian daily newspaper L'Express, Ramgoolam stated that Air Mauritius had generated a profit of MUR 2013 million in 2014 and 359,2, but suffered cumulative losses of MUR 2015 billion between 2024 and 7,72. These losses were largely due to several aircraft sales. Ramgoolam specifically cited the sale of an Airbus A340-300 as part of a leaseback deal in 2017/18, which resulted in a loss of MUR 107,8 million. During Air Mauritius's insolvency administration in 2021/22, two Airbus A319-100s and one Airbus A330-200 were sold at losses of MUR 338,1 million and MUR 637 million, respectively. In addition, two other Airbus A340-300s were dismantled and sold to a private company for spare parts, resulting in a loss of MUR 137,2 million. Ramgoolam also addressed the role of the state-owned holding company, Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL), through which Air Mauritius indirectly raised capital of MUR 12 billion.

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Financial crisis threatens Bosnian airspace after arbitration ruling

Stephen Steiner 22 April 2025 14:31

The Bosnian and Herzegovinian Air Navigation Services Authority (BHANSA) is facing an acute financial crisis that could have far-reaching consequences for its control of its own airspace. The crisis was triggered by an arbitration ruling in favor of the Slovenian company Viadukt, which had sued Bosnia and Herzegovina for unilaterally terminating a concession contract for a hydroelectric power plant project. Edin Forto, the Minister of Communications and Transport, issued a stark warning of the potential consequences. According to Forto, Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the loss of overflight rights and the associated revenue. Even more serious is the risk of losing control of its own airspace. Should this control be transferred to other countries, it could take years to regain it, if at all possible. This statement underscores the strategic importance of a national air navigation services authority for a state's sovereignty. To avert the immediate crisis, a proposal for temporary funding for BHANSA has been prepared, which is to be discussed at the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday. Minister Forto expressed the hope that "common sense will prevail" and the proposal will be adopted. He expressed confidence that sufficient funds should be available in the state budget to at least address this immediate emergency while simultaneously working on a long-term solution. The situation highlights the financial burdens that international arbitration can cause and the need for careful review of contracts and their terminations.

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Italian State Railways plans challenge for Eurostar on the London-Paris route

Belinda Borg 22 April 2025 14:03

The Italian state railway FS Group plans to compete with the Eurostar on the important high-speed rail connection between London and Paris. By 2029 at the latest, trains similar to the "Frecciarossa" trains known in Italy are to be running through the Channel Tunnel. The company's goal is to increase the railway's competitiveness on this route. An investment of one billion euros is planned for this ambitious project, for which a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Spanish mobility developer Evolyn. According to FS Group, the opportunity for a new operator in the Channel Tunnel service arises from the approval of the British transport regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, for access to the Eurostar maintenance depot at Temple Mills. While the necessary licenses and permits have already been obtained in France, the FS Group is now working on arranging all other regulatory and operational aspects. The official start of operations depends not only on technical approvals but also on the completion of the necessary infrastructure. The FS Group has been active in French rail transport for some time with the Frecciarossa connection between Milan and Paris, to which the Paris-Marseille route is scheduled to be added on June 15, 2025. The company is also represented in Great Britain with Trenitalia UK. In addition to the planned London-Paris connection, the FS Group says it is examining further expansion options for the European high-speed network. Meanwhile, the current market leader Eurostar reported record growth for last year with 19,5 million passengers, an increase of five percent compared to 2023. The connections to Paris and London are particularly popular. The announcement by the Italian state railway could therefore lead to increased competition in the coming years and possibly also

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Southwest Airlines: Boeing 737 returns safely to airport after engine fire

Belinda Borg 22 April 2025 13:40

On April 17, 2025, a Southwest Airlines flight from Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Mexico was affected by an incident. Just minutes after takeoff, the aircraft was forced to turn around and safely return to its point of origin due to a fire in one of its engines. Fortunately, the plane landed without incident, and no injuries were reported to any of the 134 passengers. Flight WN 3006 was a scheduled daily flight between Houston and Los Cabos. The flight normally takes about two and a half hours, but shortly after takeoff, when the aircraft reached an altitude of less than 3.000 feet, a problem with one of its engines became apparent. It was determined that an engine on the Boeing 737-700 model had caught fire. The airline and authorities stated that the crew's quick response allowed the aircraft to turn around safely. The aircraft landed safely on the runway in Houston at approximately 11:30 a.m. The airport fire department responded quickly and extinguished not only the engine fire but also a small grass fire that had been sparked by the incident near the runway. Passengers exited the aircraft on the taxiway after landing, which did not significantly impact normal operations. Southwest Airlines issued an official statement on the incident, particularly praising the professionalism of the crew. "We appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew during this situation," the airline stated. "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers."

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Warning about fake websites for the British entry permit ETA

Amely Mizzi 22 April 2025 13:31

Since April 2, 2025, most EU citizens have required an Electronic Entry Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. In connection with the application for this authorization, authorities are warning against fraudulent websites that bear a deceptive resemblance to the official British government website. These fake portals attempt to steal personal data and debit applicants' accounts with fees significantly higher than the official 16 British pounds (approximately 18 euros). The North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office, for example, warns against a multitude of providers offering ETA application services online, often prominently positioned in search engine results. For this supposed assistance, many times the actual price is often charged, with the actual costs for applicants not always transparently presented. The police have already received reports in which victims report charges of up to 200 euros for a single entry permit. The police strongly advise using only the two official channels for applying for an ETA. This is the official UK government portal and the official UK ETA app, available in the Apple and Google app stores. These two methods ensure that applicants pay the correct fee and submit their personal information securely. Anyone who suspects they have been scammed by a fraudulent website should immediately report the fraud to the police. This can help prevent further fraud and prosecute the perpetrators. The UK government, for its part, has published information and warnings regarding fraudulent ETA websites to raise awareness among travelers.

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Easyjet launches new connection from Berlin to Seville

Amely Mizzi 22 April 2025 13:08

The low-cost airline easyJet is expanding its services from Berlin-Brandenburg (BER) with another route to Spain. As the airline announced, a new direct connection between the German capital and Seville in Andalusia will commence on October 27, 2025. The route will be operated twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, and is part of the 2025/26 winter flight schedule. With the addition of Seville, the number of Spanish destinations served by easyJet from Berlin increases to ten. The low-cost airline already offers popular destinations such as Mallorca and the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Malaga from the capital airport. Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is known for its historic cityscape, Moorish influences, and cultural attractions such as the Alcázar Palace and Seville Cathedral. The new connection to Seville underscores the importance of Berlin-Brandenburg Airport for easyJet and the growing demand for direct flights between Germany and Spain. EasyJet emphasizes that it is the only airline offering a non-stop connection between Berlin and Seville, which should further increase the attractiveness of the new route for travelers. Flights for the new route are available for booking now. The inclusion of Seville in the winter flight schedule offers travelers from Berlin another attractive option for city breaks or longer stays in southern Spain during the cooler season.

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Marabu Airlines focuses on growth: Fleet expansion and partnerships in summer 2025

Amely Mizzi 22 April 2025 12:48

The Estonian leisure airline Marabu, a sister company of the German airline Condor, is planning a significant expansion of its fleet for the 2025 summer season. By leasing two Airbus A320s from Bul Air and additional aircraft from partner airlines, the company aims to expand its route network and strengthen its market position in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In summer 2025, Marabu will operate two Airbus A320s from the Bulgarian charter airline Bul Air under a steam lease agreement. These aircraft will be based in Heraklion (Crete) and Palma de Mallorca and will serve connections to German airports such as Hamburg, Leipzig/Halle, Friedrichshafen, and Münster/Osnabrück. Flights to Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund, Münster/Osnabrück, and Friedrichshafen will also be offered from Palma. Marabu had already leased an aircraft from Bul Air in the 2024 summer season. The positive experience from this collaboration has led to the decision to expand the cooperation in 2025. In addition to Bul Air, Marabu also works with other partners such as European Air Charter and KlasJet to provide additional capacity. Expansion of its own fleet by 2026 Marabu aims to expand its fleet to a total of 2026 Airbus A15neos by 320. The airline currently operates eight of these aircraft. The expansion will be gradual, with four to five new aircraft being added to the fleet annually. This strategy allows Marabu to respond flexibly to seasonal fluctuations in demand while optimizing operating costs. The A320neo aircraft are characterized by their efficiency and range, which makes them particularly suitable for use on short and medium-haul routes. With the expansion of the fleet, Marabu aims to strengthen its presence on the

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OGH: Missing helmet can make e-bike riders partly responsible for accidents

Belinda Borg 22 April 2025 12:38

The Austrian Supreme Court (OGH) has published a significant ruling on road safety. According to the ruling, e-bike riders who suffer a head injury in an accident through no fault of their own and were not wearing a helmet will in future be considered contributory negligence. This means that the compensation they receive from the other party involved in the accident or their liability insurance can be reduced accordingly. Martin Hoffer, Head of the ÖAMTC Legal Services, commented on this decision and pointed out that the OGH had already ruled similarly in similar cases involving racing cyclists or motorcyclists without protective clothing. In those cases, too, the lack or inadequate presence of protective equipment was considered to mitigate damages. Although there is no general helmet requirement for e-bike users in Austria, they now face financial consequences in the event of an accident resulting in head injuries without a helmet. The ÖAMTC therefore strongly advises wearing a helmet whenever riding an e-bike. Furthermore, it is expected that similar rulings could be made for users of electric scooters in the foreseeable future. The Supreme Court classifies wearing a helmet while riding an e-bike as a so-called obligation, a standard of care that average road users should observe when using such vehicles. While there are no penalties for not wearing a helmet during traffic checks, it is in one's own interest to ensure appropriate protective measures. In addition to a helmet, these include highly visible clothing, reflectors, and functioning lighting; failure to do so will still result in administrative penalties.

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Brussels Airport plans comprehensive modernization by 2032

Stephen Steiner 22 April 2025 12:02

Brussels Airport announced extensive investments in its infrastructure, which are scheduled to be completed by 2032 at the latest. This major project includes the construction of a new intermodal hub, the expansion of the departure and arrival halls, a new hotel, a new drop-off zone, and a green boulevard with parks. This largest investment since the 1990s is intended to prepare the airport for future passenger growth and enhance the travel experience. At the heart of the modernization plans is strengthening the airport as a multimodal transport hub. Improved connections for rail, bus, and the future airport tram line are planned. The cycling infrastructure will also be further expanded. A new train station connection, a modernized bus station, a redesigned taxi area, and a new platform for intercity buses are planned to optimize connections between the various levels and transport options. The expansion of the departure and arrival halls is intended to create more space for passenger flows, check-in areas, and travelers with reduced mobility. To meet increasing demand, a new four-star hotel with over 300 rooms will be built to complement the existing Sheraton Hotel. Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke praised the forward-looking plans and emphasized the importance of an intermodal mobility hub. Flemish Deputy Minister-President Ben Weyts emphasized the positive impact of the investments on the regional economy and quality of life. Construction work is scheduled to begin at the earliest in late 2026, and the new drop-off zone is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

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Spirit Airlines after restructuring: New course under new leadership

Amely Mizzi 22 April 2025 11:47

The US low-cost airline Spirit Airlines is undergoing a transformation. Following significant financial difficulties that culminated in Chapter 11 proceedings under US bankruptcy law, the company has now appointed Dave Davis as its new president and CEO. The former board member of Sun Country Airlines is taking over the leadership during a crucial phase for Spirit Airlines' future. The appointment is intended to symbolize a new beginning after the airline emerged from bankruptcy protection in March 2025 and announced a comprehensive strategic realignment. A profound turning point in the history of Spirit Airlines. Spirit Airlines had come under massive pressure in recent years. Rising operating costs, fierce competition in the low-cost airline segment, and failed takeover talks with JetBlue Airways and Frontier Airlines had placed a significant strain on the company's financial situation. When it became apparent that continuing operations under normal conditions would not be possible, the company filed for Chapter 2024 bankruptcy protection in November 11. This step was not only a legal measure but also a symbol of the limits of its previous business model. The airline had focused on offering particularly low-cost services for years, but was increasingly under pressure due to low margins, technical problems with its A320 fleet, and customer satisfaction. Successful restructuring and capital injection. After several months of intensive negotiations with investors, creditors, and regulators, a restructuring plan was approved by a US court in March 2025. Debt of approximately $795 million was converted into equity. In addition, $350 million was invested in the company as part of an equity investment. This enabled Spirit Airlines to

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