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June 6

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June 6

Ryanair reports solid passenger growth and high load factors in May 2025

Belinda Borg June 6, 2025 14:55

Ryanair Holdings plc announced its traffic figures for May 4 on Wednesday, June 2025, 2025. The Irish low-cost airline carried 19,6 million passengers across its entire route network last month, an increase of four percent compared to the same month last year. Despite this growth, the load factor remained stable at a high level of 95 percent, the company announced in a press release. The published figures underscore the continued robust demand for low-cost air travel and confirm Ryanair's position as Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers. Over 107.000 flights were operated in May. Maintaining a high year-on-year load factor, despite simultaneous capacity growth, indicates effective schedule management. This is a sign of strong positioning, particularly in the highly competitive European aviation market. The positive performance in May continues the momentum for Ryanair as it prepares for the upcoming busy summer season. The company expects to maintain high passenger volumes in the coming months, supported by its expanded flight schedule and the recently launched new routes within Europe and beyond. This strategy of capacity expansion and network expansion is intended to further consolidate its market leadership in the low-cost airline segment and meet the growing travel appetite of the European population.

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Dutch court annuls nature permit for Schiphol Airport

Belinda Borg June 6, 2025 14:31

The District Court of The Hague has annulled the 2023 nature permit for Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The court justified its decision by arguing that the Minister for Nature and Nitrogen's decision at the time was not sufficiently reasoned and carefully prepared. This invalidates the permit required for the airport's operation due to the potential impacts on nearby Natura 2000 sites. The ruling is the result of a lawsuit brought by the environmental organization Mobilisation for the Environment (MOB) and the municipality of Nieuwkoop. At the heart of the dispute was the government's argument that it justified the airport's continued flight operations through so-called "internal" and "external" nitrogen offsetting. Although the court acknowledged that the underlying historical flight data and nitrogen calculations were largely correct, it found that the minister had failed to meet the statutory requirement of "additionality." This states that emission reductions must primarily benefit nature restoration before they can be used to grant new permits. It also found that too little research had been conducted on the noise impacts of air traffic on protected species in three nature reserves. In a separate ruling, the court rejected the MOB's request to impose environmental penalties on Schiphol. The reason given was that the airport had a valid permit at the time the application was submitted. Although the permit has now been declared invalid, this has no retroactive effect on the ministry's decision at the time not to take action. The ruling now leaves Schiphol Airport without a valid nature permit, raising serious questions about the legal basis for its continued operation.

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Norwegian government plans to sell its entire stake in Norwegian Air Shuttle

Belinda Borg June 6, 2025 14:03

The Norwegian government announced its intention to sell its entire stake in the airline Norwegian Air Shuttle on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the close of trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange. This announcement was made in a stock exchange announcement and indicates a significant step toward changing the airline's ownership structure. The government is considering selling up to 65.582.436 shares in the company. Based on the closing share price of 14,06 Norwegian kroner per share, the value of the entire government stake at the time of the announcement was approximately 922 million kroner. This equates to approximately 81 million euros or 88 million US dollars, depending on the current exchange rate. The intention to sell is contingent upon the demand and pricing for the shares being deemed satisfactory. The announcement stated: "Provided demand and pricing are satisfactory, the seller will proceed with the sale of all its shares in Norwegian." The Norwegian government, represented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, had only acquired a stake in Norwegian Air Shuttle in mid-May of last year, thereby acquiring a 6,37 percent stake in the airline. This made the government one of the company's largest shareholders. Currently, Norwegian's largest shareholder is Geveran Trading Company Ltd., owned by shipping magnate John Fredriksen, which holds 14,53 percent of the shares. The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund (Folketrygdfondet) also holds a significant stake in the airline, with an 8,72 percent stake. The government's announcement of the sale could therefore represent a shift in the balance of power within the shareholder structure. The decision

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Trump announces far-reaching entry restrictions

Belinda Borg June 6, 2025 13:41

United States President Donald Trump has announced a comprehensive travel ban for citizens of twelve countries, which will take effect next Monday. This ban will affect Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens of seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – will also be partially restricted from entering the country. Trump justified this move by citing insufficient information about citizens of these countries, which made a comprehensive assessment of potential risks to the security of the United States difficult. The announcement, which was made public via Trump's Truth Social platform, follows on from similar measures already issued during his first term in office and is likely to trigger another wave of criticism. Justification for the measures: National security and lack of information. In his video published on Truth Social, President Trump explained that the lack of information about citizens of these countries was a primary reason for the tightened entry restrictions. He emphasized that the United States does not have sufficient data to reliably assess the risks to national security posed by these individuals. Many of the countries mentioned have also exploited the United States in the past by either not taking back, or only reluctantly taking back, nationals who were required to leave the country. This makes it difficult to enforce American immigration laws and poses a significant security risk. As the most recent example of the alleged dangers, Trump cited an attack on a Jewish demonstration in the US state of Colorado, which occurred a few days before his announcement. The alleged attacker, a man of Egyptian origin, was arrested in the city

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Alaska Airlines establishes first nonstop connection from Seattle to Rome starting in May 2026

Stephen Steiner June 6, 2025 13:35

Alaska Airlines has announced the launch of its first nonstop flight between Seattle and Rome. Starting in May 2026, this new route will directly connect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO). This marks a significant step for the airline in establishing Seattle as a central global hub, following the launch of nonstop flights to Tokyo and Seoul. The new route to Rome will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, designed to offer travelers a modern flight experience. This expansion of its international route network is particularly significant for Alaska Airlines, as CEO Ben Minicucci emphasized: "Offering nonstop service from Seattle to Rome is a dream come true. As an Italian-American whose parents emigrated from Italy, this is a particularly meaningful addition to our route network." According to Alaska Airlines, Rome has long been one of the most requested destinations among its Mileage Plan members, indicating the high popularity of this route. Rome's central location in Italy makes it an ideal starting point for travelers who wish to explore not only the "Eternal City" itself, but also other major Italian destinations such as Milan, Venice, Florence, and Naples. Furthermore, Rome Fiumicino Airport offers connections to over 230 non-stop destinations in 80 countries, further enhancing connectivity for Alaska Airlines passengers. The opening of this new route also coincides favorably with the upcoming Holy Year of 2025, for which Rome has undergone extensive renovations to welcome millions of visitors. The City of Rome expects around 30 to 45 million pilgrims and

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Ryanair flight to Milan had to make an emergency landing in Memmingen: Several injured after severe turbulence

Amely Mizzi June 6, 2025 13:05

 A Ryanair flight from Berlin Brandenburg to Milan Malpensa was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Memmingen Airport in southern Bavaria on Wednesday evening, June 4, 2025. The emergency landing was caused by severe turbulence the aircraft encountered over southern Germany. According to police, at least seven people on board were injured, including six passengers and one crew member. The exact severity of the injuries was initially unclear, but it was reported that three people had to be taken to a hospital for further medical treatment. The incident occurred as the Boeing 737-800, registration EI-EKN, flew over a severe thunderstorm. According to eyewitness reports, passengers were thrown against the cabin ceiling as a result of the strong vibrations. Police confirmed that a two-year-old child was among the injured. Due to the aircraft's unforeseen and violent movements, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing in Memmingen, where the plane touched down safely at 20:44 p.m. After landing, all 179 passengers and six crew members were examined for injuries by emergency services as a precautionary measure. The Southern Bavaria Aviation Authority did not authorize the plane to continue its flight because of suspected damage to the aircraft. Ryanair subsequently organized buses to transport the affected passengers to their original destination, Milan. Passenger sources also reported that there was apparently no consistent request to fasten seat belts before the turbulence, and that several people were therefore not secured. Even if aircraft are designed to withstand such stress, severe turbulence can cause serious injuries, especially if passengers are not wearing seat belts.

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Serious allegations against Swiss and PBE manufacturers after flight incidents

Belinda Borg June 6, 2025 12:44

In a final report on Swiss Flight LX18 on July 11, 2023, which had to turn back to Paris due to an unusual odor, the Swiss Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (SAI) identified serious deficiencies in the handling of smoke hoods (Personal Breathing Equipment, PBE). Investigators criticized not only the design of a problematic PBE model, but also the approval process and training methods of Swiss. Particular attention is being paid to the tragic death of a flight attendant following an A220 emergency landing in Graz on December 23, 2024, in which the same PBE model was allegedly used. Switzerland has since taken over the investigation into this incident, Flight LX1885, from Austria to examine a possible connection with the use of the criticized smoke hoods. The incident on Flight LX18 and the pitfalls of the smoke hoods. On July 11, 2023, Swiss Flight LX18 was scheduled to fly from Zurich to Newark on an Airbus A330-300. However, over the airspace of the English Channel, an "unusual odor" was detected on board, forcing the pilot to turn back to Zurich. Due to the weather conditions, the aircraft eventually landed at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The final report now available from the Swiss Air Accident Investigation Authority (SUST), whose publication was first reported by the "aeroTelegraph" portal, analyzes the incident in detail and sheds light on the role of the smoke hoods used. The investigators focused in particular on the so-called Personal Breathing Equipment (PBE), which is available in emergencies to protect the airways of cabin crew from smoke and toxic fumes. Handling the PBE model in question caused "considerable difficulties" for several flight attendants, as the SUST found. These problems became apparent during "unpacking,

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EASA relies on Klüh: Extension of cooperation in Cologne

Stephen Steiner June 6, 2025 12:34

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), headquartered in Cologne, continues to rely on the comprehensive infrastructure services of the multi-service provider Klüh. The renewed contract with the Düsseldorf-based company is based on an optimized concept that emphasizes modern approaches to facility management. Klüh has been operating at the EASA site since 2016 and is responsible for a wide range of services there. The services provided by Klüh include a wide range of cleaning services such as maintenance, glass, and special cleaning, conference services, and infrastructure building management. Since 2021, Klüh has also been responsible for various security-related tasks. These include reception services, mail processing, document destruction, and property security, which is ensured through regular inspections and the use of modern security technology. These integrated services are designed to increase the efficiency and transparency of processes at the EASA site. Klüh uses its digital management system EcoServ to precisely control these services. This system uses sensors, smart buttons, IoT frameworks, and intelligent software solutions to precisely control services in real time. For example, consumable levels are monitored and the frequency of use of restroom areas is analyzed to enable needs-based cleaning. Modern technologies are also used in the area of ​​security services, such as a digital guard control system that improves the monitoring and documentation of patrols. EASA, as a European authority with around 800 employees from a total of 31 member states (the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland), sets high standards for discretion, security, and service quality. All Klüh employees deployed at the EASA site undergo appropriate security clearances and training to meet the specific requirements of the high-security environment. Since the property

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“Sunday Afternoon Wine Club” brings top organic winemakers and culinary delights to the SO/ Vienna

Amely Mizzi June 6, 2025 12:09

A premiere for wine lovers is coming to SO/ Vienna on July 6, 2025: The wine and culinary magazine Kalk & Kegel is hosting the first "Sunday Afternoon Wine Club" from 13 p.m. to 18 p.m. Over 60 leading Austrian organic and biodynamic winemakers have already announced their participation and will offer around 400 wines for tasting. For the first time, the event is aimed not only at sommelier professionals, but also at a broad audience of private wine fans, and promises a combination of wine tasting, culinary delights, art, and music in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to national organic wines, guests can also sample international wines presented by WEIN & CO, as well as exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines from Schaumweinkontor. Viennese DJ LiZn will provide musical accompaniment, while CulturBrauer will serve a variety of beer specialties. Non-alcoholic options such as wild fruit essences from Obsthof Retter are also available. Culinary well-being is a top priority: "Das LOFT" head chef Peter Duransky serves flying finger food, and pastry chef Annette Fauma indulges guests with sweet creations at the dessert corner. Refreshing frozen cocktails are also offered at the "Das LOFT" bar. Organizer and Kalk & Kegel publisher Michael Pöcheim-Pech promises a unique experience: "On this day, we are bringing the country's best organic and biodynamic winemakers to Vienna, so you can only taste their wines in such a concentrated format on this day." Tickets for the "Sunday Afternoon Wine Club" are available until June 15th at a discounted presale price of €89; the regular price is €149. The event will be enhanced by the presence of numerous artists and designers, including Julia Cranz (Hats & Hatpieces), Romana Zöchling (Ferrari Zöchling), and the

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Breeze Airways defies trade conflicts: David Neeleman downplays tariff impact

Jan Gruber June 6, 2025 11:48

David Neeleman, CEO of the American airline Breeze Airways, downplayed the impact of recent trade tariffs on the procurement of its Airbus A220-300 fleet. While acknowledging that manufacturing these aircraft in Canada currently entails additional aggregate costs, he argued this is a consequence of the ongoing trade conflict between the United States government and other countries. In an interview with Bloomberg, Neeleman emphasized that the new aircraft, which come from the Airbus assembly line in Montréal-Mirabel, Canada, are indeed subject to higher tariffs. Nevertheless, he does not see Breeze Airways' business model, which is based on the use of the A220, as fundamentally at risk and is optimistic about the company's imminent profitability. The trade war and its complexity for the aviation industry The origin of the current tariff issue surrounding the A220 aircraft, originally developed as the Bombardier CSeries, lies in a complex trade dispute. This began when the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing made allegations against Bombardier that the CSeries was receiving unfair government subsidies in Canada and being offered at dumping prices on the US market. This led to an investigation by the United States Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC), which recommended high tariffs on the CSeries aircraft in 2017. To circumvent these tariffs and secure access to the important American market, Airbus acquired a majority stake in Bombardier's CSeries program in 2018 and renamed the aircraft the A220. A key step was the opening of a second assembly line for the A220 in Mobile, Alabama, in the United States, to produce the aircraft locally for the US market.

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