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June 12, 2025

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June 12, 2025

Comac aims to acquire a majority stake in Lao Airlines

Amely Mizzi June 12, 2025 15:01

The Chinese aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is considering acquiring a majority stake in Lao Airlines, the national flag carrier of Laos. This was reported by the state-run Vientiane Times newspaper, citing a statement by Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to the National Assembly. According to the report, the Laotian government is reviewing a proposal from China for a "comprehensive joint venture" in which Comac would hold at least 51 percent of the shares. Lao Airlines is one of four state-owned enterprises in Laos currently undergoing a reform phase. Neither Lao Airlines nor Comac have yet commented on the reports. Comac's potential entry into the national flag carrier of Laos follows the delivery of a Comac C909 regional jet to Lao Airlines at the end of March this year. The airline has since deployed the aircraft on its domestic routes. This is part of Comac's strategy to gain a foothold in foreign markets and compete with established aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing. The C909, formerly known as the ARJ21, is China's first series-produced jet-powered aircraft and entered service in 2016. Comac has been intensifying its marketing efforts to international regulators and airlines since the beginning of last year in order to compete globally with rivals Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer and to ramp up production of its aircraft. While the narrow-body C919 currently flies only within China, the smaller C909 regional aircraft have already been sold to airlines in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos. An independent audit firm is currently assessing the overall value of Lao Airlines as part of the partnership negotiations. Comac has

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European Union promotes the use of sustainable aviation fuels

Amely Mizzi June 12, 2025 14:30

The European Union intends to support the purchase of over 200 million liters of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to encourage airlines to switch from jet fuel to cleaner alternatives. This volume corresponds to approximately 15 percent of global SAF production. EU subsidies are tiered and cover up to six euros per liter for e-fuels and 0,50 euros per liter for SAF produced by other means. Specifically, the EU has earmarked revenue from the sale of 20 million emission allowances to help airlines bridge the price gap between conventional jet fuel and the significantly more expensive SAF on flights within Europe. Calculations show that these subsidies could cover the purchase of up to 216 million liters of synthetic e-fuels or up to 2,6 billion liters of HEFA SAF. This is expected to generate a significant boost to demand for sustainable aviation fuels. The aviation industry is considered one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize, as zero-emission aircraft are not expected this decade. SAF, which has net-zero or lower emissions than fossil jet fuel, can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of aviation in the short term. However, SAF currently costs three to five times more than conventional aviation fuel and accounts for only 2 percent of the global jet fuel supply. Although airlines regularly warn of the impossibility of meeting EU targets for increased SAF use, a report by the Boston Consulting Group showed that the sector invests only one to three percent of revenues in SAF. The EU already requires that two percent of the fuel available at EU airports must be SAF, and this share is increasing.

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Hotel Aviva recognized as a flagship project in Austrian tourism

Stephen Steiner June 12, 2025 14:08

The Hotel Aviva, known for its concept that is unique in Europe, has been included in the current publication "Sustainability in Austria" by the Austrian National Tourist Board. This publication presents 48 projects that are shaping tourism in Austria with innovative approaches. This inclusion confirms the Hotel Aviva's position as one of the country's flagship projects. The Hotel Aviva has pursued a consistent approach to hotel operations for years. This is achieved through its own program called "greenAviva," which aims to ensure efficient operation without compromising the comfort and quality of experience for guests. At the same time, the hotel attaches great importance to creating a modern and appreciative working environment for its employees, characterized by a corporate culture. The hotel's commitment has already been recognized numerous times, including with the Austrian Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel. It has also received awards such as the Energy Globe and the Energy Star. Its inclusion in the Austrian National Tourist Board publication is further confirmation of this role. Hotel owner Christian Grünbart regularly shares Aviva's experiences at specialist events, including the 2nd Sustainable Tourism Summit Austria, which took place in Bregenz from June 3 to 4, 2025. There, the hotel was presented as a model to inspire other businesses for their own developments.

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Brake fire on United Airlines 737-900 in Denver

Stephen Steiner June 12, 2025 13:40

On Monday, June 9, 2025, an incident occurred at Denver International Airport (DEN) involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-900. Flight UA-2171, departing from Charlotte, North Carolina, experienced brake overheating after landing, resulting in heavy smoke and a fire on the right main landing gear. Although emergency services responded promptly and quickly extinguished the flames, the aircraft has remained grounded since then and is undergoing extensive inspections. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, but the event highlights the importance of routine maintenance and preventative operation of aircraft braking systems. Dramatic Arrival at Mile High Airport and Emergency Services Response The incident occurred as Flight UA-2171 touched down on Runway 16L at Denver International Airport. Shortly after touchdown, smoke was reported from the landing gear, which quickly developed into visible flames on the right main landing gear. The Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) was immediately dispatched to the aircraft and quickly arrived to extinguish the landing gear fire. The rapid and professional response of the emergency services prevented the fire from spreading and potentially causing more serious consequences. The aircraft involved, a Boeing 737-900ER with serial number 62815, is just under nine years old and has been operated exclusively by United Airlines since its delivery from the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, according to data from plane spotters. Following the fire during the landing procedure, the aircraft remained at Denver International Airport, according to tracking data from FlightAware. There, it is undergoing extensive inspections, repairs, and maintenance to ensure the

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Gloria Gaynor returns to Crystal Serenity for exclusive performance

Belinda Borg June 12, 2025 13:33

American singing icon Gloria Gaynor, a two-time Grammy Award winner, will return to the Crystal Serenity following her successful performance last year. Starting October 7, 2025, she will delight guests on board a week-long cruise beginning and ending in New York with an exclusive performance of her timeless hits such as "I Will Survive." Gloria Gaynor, known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, most recently captivated over 150.000 people at the "Rock In Rio" festival in Brazil. The Crystal Serenity's festive Galaxy Lounge will provide the perfect setting to experience the entertainer's talent in October. Gaynor herself expressed her delight at the return: "Performing on board Crystal Serenity in 2024 was an absolutely unforgettable experience." She is looking forward to sharing her music again in this unique setting. The concert, featuring her ten-piece band, will feature a selection of her legendary songs, as well as tracks from her Grammy-winning 2019 album "Testimony," and new songs from her "Happy Tears" EP. A personal Q&A session with the star is also planned. Keith Cox, Vice President of Entertainment at Crystal, expressed his enthusiasm for the renewed collaboration. The Crystal Serenity cruise will sail along the North American East Coast from October 7-14, 2025, visiting Newport, Provincetown, Boston, Bar Harbor, and Saint John.

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Leipzig/Halle Airport opens new EnBW fast-charging park

Belinda Borg June 12, 2025 13:05

A new EnBW fast-charging park has been put into operation at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ). It features eight High Power Charging (HPC) charging points with a capacity of up to 400 kilowatts, enabling electric vehicles to be charged while at the airport. The charging points are located directly in front of the central terminal and are well connected to the A9 and A14 motorways, making them attractive for travelers. According to EnBW, vehicles configured for this capacity can charge up to 15 kilometers in 400 minutes. In the future, there is the possibility of expanding the site's capacity to up to 20 fast-charging points. Volker Rimpler, Chief Technology Officer for E-Mobility at EnBW, emphasized that these locations represent a useful expansion of the fast-charging network and enable convenient charging on the go. Katrin Lässig, SVP Real Estate at Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (MFAG), emphasized that modern charging infrastructure is a key component for mobility at a multimodal transport hub such as the airport. Another EnBW fast-charging park is also under construction at Dresden Airport, the second airport operated by MFAG. This site is expected to go into operation in September and will offer twelve HPC charging points, with the option to increase capacity to 40 fast-charging points if needed. EnBW already operates around 50 large indoor fast-charging parks and provides more than 7.000 fast-charging points nationwide. The energy company plans to expand the fast-charging network to a total of 2030 points by 20.000.

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Boeing withdraws application for exemption for 737 Max 7

Amely Mizzi June 12, 2025 12:49

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has withdrawn a 2023 application for an exemption for the Stall Management Yaw Damper (SMYD) system on its 737 Max 7 aircraft. Boeing had asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to exempt the SMYD system from certain regulations regarding the resilience of electrical systems to lightning strikes. The manufacturer now states that the aircraft type will fully comply with federal regulations, thereby invalidating the originally requested exemption. This development is an important signal for the certification of the remaining variants of the 737 Max family and for confidence in compliance with strict safety standards. The Stall Management Yaw Damper (SMYD) System: How it Works and Regulatory Requirements The Stall Management Yaw Damper (SMYD) system is a central component in the flight control of Boeing aircraft, particularly the 737 series. Its main task is to calculate the stall potential of an aircraft at a specific angle of attack (AOA) and to indicate the minimum and maximum speeds to the pilot. If the aircraft approaches a stall, the system warns the flight crew of the impending danger by activating the so-called "stick shaker," a vibrator on the control stick. The proper function and robustness of this system are therefore of utmost safety importance. In June 2023, Boeing asked the FAA for an exemption for the 737 Max 7 because, according to the manufacturer, the SMYD system's software did not comply with two specific parts of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These regulations require that every electrical and electronic system must be designed and installed in such a way that it is not affected by lightning strikes and/or high-intensity radiation fields (high-intensity

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Prevention of travel stomach: Omni-Biotic Travel now also available as direct sticks

Amely Mizzi June 12, 2025 12:35

To protect your digestive system while traveling, the AllergoSan Institute now also offers Omni-Biotic Travel as practical direct sticks. This "food police" for the intestines is designed to protect travelers from digestive disorders that can be triggered by spoiled food, contaminated water, or unfamiliar hygiene conditions on vacation. Up to 50 percent of long-distance travelers complain of gastrointestinal problems during their vacation, and around 10 percent suffer from persistent symptoms long after their return. But it's not just exotic travel destinations that pose risks; even on vacation at home, undercooked grilled meat or tiramisu left in the sun for too long can disrupt the balance in the intestines. While many harmful pathogens merely cause discomfort, Salmonella or Shigella can penetrate the intestinal mucosa and cause long-term problems. Omni-Biotic Travel contains 10 specially selected bacterial strains and 5 billion highly active intestinal bacteria per serving, which are designed to specifically support the digestive system. Experts recommend starting daily intake about one week before departure and continuing throughout the entire trip. The new direct sticks allow for ingestion without water, are carry-on compatible, and are therefore ideal for traveling. The product is now available in pharmacies. The AllergoSan Institute, based in Graz, has been researching products made from natural substances such as probiotic bacteria and micronutrients since 1991.

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Lufthansa Group expands codeshare flights with ITA Airways on long-haul routes

Jan Gruber June 12, 2025 12:01

The Lufthansa Group is driving forward the integration of ITA Airways and will enable its customers to combine flights from Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines with long-haul flights from ITA Airways in a single booking from July 1, 2025. This represents an important step in the planned complete integration of the Italian airline. Through the mutual codeshare offers, travelers benefit from significantly improved connecting connections and continuous baggage transport to the destination. For example, it is possible to travel with Lufthansa from Frankfurt and Munich via Rome with ITA Airways to Bangkok, Jeddah, Riyadh or with Brussels Airlines from Brussels to Cairo. Codeshare flights from Vienna via Rome to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo can also be booked with Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines. Further codeshare connections to Africa and Asia are to follow in the coming weeks. Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, expressed his delight at this milestone. He emphasized that the expansion of codeshare flights will offer guests a seamless and consistent travel experience with an expanded and coordinated route network. Customers can continue to collect and redeem miles and points in their respective frequent flyer programs, Miles & More or Volare. Since March, travelers on ITA Airways and the other Lufthansa Group network airlines have been able to book over 100 new codeshare flights for selected domestic Italian and European connections. Once the codeshare program is fully implemented, ITA Airways passengers will have over 250 Lufthansa Group codeshare destinations to choose from.

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Boeing records record orders in May 2025: Strong growth despite production bottlenecks

Jan Gruber June 12, 2025 11:42

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing recorded a remarkable order intake of 2025 new aircraft in May 303. This represents the sixth-best month in the company's history in terms of orders and marks a significant rebound after a comparatively weak April 2025, in which only eight orders were booked. European competitor Airbus, on the other hand, reported no new orders during the same period, which could indicate a possible reluctance to make announcements before the International Paris Air Show. Despite this success in new orders, Boeing continues to face challenges in fulfilling its large backlog due to ongoing production constraints and supply chain issues. A Detailed Look at the Order Books: May 2025 Orders Boeing's monthly orders and deliveries report for May 2025 reveals an impressive variety of new orders across various aircraft types. The largest category was the narrow-body aircraft of the 737 Max family, with a total of 139 units (119 + 20), underscoring the continued demand for this aircraft type in the short- and medium-haul segment. In addition, orders were received for 75 units of the wide-body 787-10 and 45 units of the 787-9, both variants of the popular Dreamliner. These orders indicate strong global demand for long-haul aircraft. The order books were supplemented by 30 units of the 777X, Boeing's future wide-body jet, and a further seven 787-9s. The total value of these new orders, based on list prices, is expected to amount to several tens of billions of US dollars, although discounts are generally common. This massive order intake in May 2025 is an important milestone for the aircraft manufacturer, especially in light of the recent

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