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June 18, 2025

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June 18, 2025

El Al cancels regular flights until June 23, 2025

Jan Gruber June 18, 2025 15:04

Due to the changing security situation and in accordance with a decision by the Israeli government, El Al and its subsidiary Sundor have suspended all scheduled flights until Monday, June 23, 2025. Nevertheless, in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation and the relevant security and aviation authorities, El Al is preparing to operate repatriation flights from various international destinations to Israel. These flights will be operated on a limited and phased basis. Registration for these special repatriation flights has been immediately opened to all customers whose original flights to Israel were canceled since the closure of Israeli airspace and who are currently abroad. Registration is only possible via a link on the official El Al website; registrations via call centers will not be accepted. It is important to note that the order of registration does not affect the priority of flight allocation. Instead, priority is based on the customer's original flight date. In addition, humanitarian cases will receive priority, provided the necessary documentation is available and approved by the El Al medical team. The same applies to diplomatic and security-related needs, which must be approved by the relevant government authorities. After successful online registration, passengers will receive a confirmation email confirming receipt of the form; however, this does not constitute flight confirmation. Once registration is approved and flights are released by the government, customers will be informed via email or SMS with updated information, instructions, and their flight assignment. El Al requests patience and recommends preparing for longer stays and keeping all receipts for accommodation and

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Brussels: Interior Minister promises end to long queues at passport control

Stephen Steiner June 18, 2025 14:38

Following persistent complaints about long queues at passport control, Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) promised during a visit to Brussels Airport on Monday that such delays will be a thing of the past next summer. The announcement comes in light of the upcoming peak travel season, when passenger traffic traditionally increases sharply and the efficiency of border controls is crucial for the smooth running of flight operations. To address the problem of long waiting times, additional officers will be deployed at passport control during peak periods. On so-called "orange days," when increased passenger traffic is expected, capacity is to be increased by 30 percent. On "red days," when the highest passenger numbers are forecast, an increase of as much as 40 percent is planned. The necessary reinforcements will be temporarily drawn from other departments, while longer-term staffing needs will be met through targeted recruitment and training measures to ensure a sustainable solution. Furthermore, the installation of a sixth passport control booth for the aviation police is planned in the coming weeks. It is expected that all six cabins will be fully staffed on peak days to handle the passenger flow more efficiently. These measures are welcomed by Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. "We – and especially our passengers – appreciate this," Feist explained. "Brussels Airport is a strategic hub, and border control is a crucial part of our operations. The police play a central role in this." The efficiency of border controls is of paramount importance for international airports like Brussels, both to ensure security and to maintain the attractiveness of the airport as a travel destination.

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Overcrowded destinations: Travel agencies see little influence on booking decisions

Amely Mizzi June 18, 2025 14:05

The topic of overtourism, i.e. the overloading of popular holiday destinations by too many visitors, is increasingly becoming the focus of public debate. The Quality Travel Alliance (QTA), Europe's largest travel agency cooperation alliance, surveyed over 240 of its travel agency professionals to determine how strongly this phenomenon actually influences customers' travel decisions and what role it plays in travel agency advice. The survey results show that a quarter of respondents perceive a strong to somewhat strong influence of overtourism on their customers' choice of destination. However, a majority of 60 percent currently see only minor effects. According to the travel agencies, other factors such as price and climate are more important for most customers. Only 15 percent of respondents have so far observed no discernible influence of overtourism on travelers' holiday decisions. Specific booking changes due to overcrowding remain the exception: Only eight percent of travel advisors state that customers have deliberately avoided a destination because it is considered overcrowded. Around 47 percent report isolated incidents, while 45 percent have never experienced such a decision. Despite the currently low direct impact, many experts expect a growing awareness of the problem. Ten percent of respondents expect the issue to gain significantly in influence in the coming years. A further 32 percent expect a noticeable influence on travel planning, at least among certain target groups, particularly environmentally conscious or socially sensitive customers. Thomas Bösl, spokesperson for the QTA, emphasizes that the aim is not to exert moral pressure, but to treat the issue responsibly and discerningly. Travel agencies could raise awareness of conscious travel without

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National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC opens five new galleries after extensive renovation

Belinda Borg June 18, 2025 13:44

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, will take another major step in its comprehensive renovation on July 28, 2025: Five brand-new galleries will open their doors to the public. This will make thousands of exhibits, including numerous crowd-pleasers and iconic testimonies to aviation and space history, accessible again. This reopening is part of a major modernization of the entire museum, which began in 2018 and is scheduled to be fully completed in time for the museum's 50th anniversary on July 1, 2026. Visitors can look forward to interactive insights into the history of flight, from its beginnings to the future visions of space exploration. Insights into the History of Air and Space: From the Sound Barrier to the Moon The three historic galleries, which will reopen in July 2025, invite visitors on an interactive journey through the history of flight. The "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall," the "Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight," and "World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation" present outstanding milestones and iconic objects that have significantly shaped the development of aviation and aerospace. Particularly exciting are the insights into the 1920s and 1930s, often referred to as the "Golden Age of Flight." This period saw enormous advances in aircraft design, long-distance flights, and the establishment of commercial air travel. Visitors can learn about the stories of pioneers such as Bessie Coleman, an African-American aviation pioneer who was the first African-American woman to receive a pilot's license and who overcame numerous barriers in aviation. Models of the first rocket tests by

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Airbus and OCCAR secure the future of the A400M program through new agreement

Amely Mizzi June 18, 2025 13:33

Airbus and the European Armaments Organisation (OCCAR) have reached a significant agreement with the A400M first-order countries. This agreement is intended to secure production of the A400M military transport aircraft for the foreseeable future, reduce operating costs, and jointly develop new capabilities for the aircraft. As part of this, France and Spain have already announced their intention to take delivery of four and three A400M aircraft, respectively, earlier than originally planned. This signals a strengthening of the program after previous challenges. As key points of the agreement, Airbus has committed to improving operating costs by optimizing maintenance and improving efficiency. In addition, future developments for the A400M are to be implemented more quickly and cost-effectively. These measures are intended to enhance Europe's defense capabilities and consolidate strategic autonomy in air transport and mobility. The A400M, which has struggled with technical problems and delivery delays in the past, is a key project for the military transport capacity of several European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Through the new agreement, Airbus and OCCAR will review the program's industrial status annually. This is intended to provide stability to A400M production, driving further development of the platform and opening up new export opportunities. Planned new capabilities that Airbus is already considering include the development of standoff jamming (electronic warfare) capabilities, an increase in payload to 40 tons, the role as a "mothership" for remotely piloted carriers, and firefighting capability. These enhancements are expected to significantly expand the A400M's application capabilities and are of strategic importance to the current and future requirements of both current and future operators.

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Kinder Business Week 2025 kicks off with CEO Day: Insights into the economy for young talents

Stephen Steiner June 18, 2025 13:05

This year, the Children's Business Week once again offers young people between the ages of eight and 15 a unique opportunity to gain their first insights into the domestic economy. From July 21 to 25, 2025, children can take part in a total of 60 free workshops taking place at the wko campus vienna. The goal is to convey the everyday working life of entrepreneurs in an age-appropriate manner and to stimulate interest in economic interrelationships. A new feature this year is the so-called CEO Day, which kicks off the event on Monday, July 21. This day features twelve special workshops with leading figures from exemplary Austrian companies. Participating managers include well-known managers such as ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä, Verbund CEO Michael Strugl, Microsoft Austria General Manager Hermann Erlach, as well as hotelier Sonja Wimmer and Wiesbauer Managing Director Thomas Schmiedbauer. They will share their experiences in lectures and workshops and demonstrate what can be achieved with good ideas and courage, potentially fostering entrepreneurial spirit among the young participants. The opening of the Children's Business Week will be hosted by Young Republic, Austria's first kids' pop band. The ten- to 16-year-old artists are known for their family-friendly pop songs and have a considerable reach, especially on platforms like TikTok. The band is looking forward to using the Children's Business Week platform to directly address young visitors. Furthermore, the workshops will offer exciting insights into various industries, such as the production of plant-based meat alternatives (Plant Farm) or the function of insurance (Smile Insurance). Participation in the Children's Business Week is free and includes a snack.

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Passenger satisfaction at Austria’s airports at a high level – incoming tourism as an important factor

Jan Gruber June 18, 2025 12:41

Austrian commercial airports enjoy high passenger satisfaction and play a key role in the country's tourism industry. This is the result of the latest results of a comprehensive passenger survey conducted by the Association of German Commercial Airports (ADV), which was conducted at 2024 airports in 24. Around 14.000 of these interviews were conducted at Austrian airports. More than three-quarters of all respondents (78 percent) gave top marks for passenger satisfaction. Particularly noteworthy is the high proportion of 40 percent of so-called incoming travelers, i.e., air passengers traveling to Austria from outside of Austria. This figure is significantly higher than the German average of 21 percent and underscores Austria's attractiveness as a tourist destination. The Association of Austrian Commercial Airports (AÖV) is committed to further strengthening the state airports. Since June 13, 2025, Norbert Draskovits, Managing Director of Linz Airport, has taken over the rotating presidency of the AÖV from Julian Jäger, Member of the Management Board of Vienna Airport. An outstanding testament to service quality The results of the ADV passenger survey are a clear commitment by passengers to the high quality of Austrian airports. The fact that 78 percent of respondents awarded top marks for passenger satisfaction is an indicator of excellent service and efficient processes. It is particularly noteworthy that in Austria, the proportion of top marks (on a 6-point scale) is even higher at 44 percent than in Germany, where this figure is 32 percent. This speaks volumes about the commitment of employees and the investments in infrastructure. Julian Jäger, the current Vice President of the AÖV and Member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG, emphasized the significance of these results: "Austrian airports have an outstanding

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Immersive “Asterix & Obelix” adventure in Dortmund from June 2025

Jan Gruber June 18, 2025 12:34

Starting June 26, 2025, Phoenix des Lumières will present the spectacular experience "Asterix & Obelix – An Immersive Adventure" in Dortmund. This event offers fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the beloved Gauls before Asterix and Obelix embark on their 23st adventure to Portugal on October 2025, 41. Visitors can participate in a first-hand search for the kidnapped druid Getafix and thus become part of the Gallic stories themselves. Markus Iking of Egmont Verlagsgesellschaften mbH is looking forward to presenting parts of the 40 adventures in this special setting and giving Asterix fans new insights into the universe of the comic heroes.

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ÖAMTC warns of increased risk of accidents on Austria's roads during Corpus Christi

Jan Gruber June 18, 2025 12:05

The ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile Club) is predicting not only heavy traffic and the associated long traffic jams for the upcoming long weekend around Corpus Christi (June 19-22, 2025), but is also warning of an increased risk of accidents. Over the past ten years, a total of 71 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents in Austria during Corpus Christi, with 2015 marking a sad peak with 13 fatalities. Robert Kolerovic, traffic engineer at the ÖAMTC, is therefore appealing to all road users to drive with particular concentration and defensively. Particular attention should be paid to motorcyclists at the start of the season, as they are often only just beginning their season after a rainy May. In the past, more than one in three traffic fatalities on Corpus Christi involved a motorcycle. Over a third of all motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents, usually caused by inappropriate speed, carelessness, or unsuccessful overtaking maneuvers. The ÖAMTC advises motorcyclists to always ride with foresight and at an appropriate speed, and to plan for unforeseeable situations. Regularly practicing riding technique after longer breaks is also recommended. Furthermore, studies indicate that motorcycles are often overlooked or their speed underestimated at intersections, which is why other drivers are also called upon to pay increased attention. According to preliminary figures from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Austrian accident statistics for 2025 show 15 fatalities in road traffic accidents as of June 144, which represents an increase compared to the 119 fatalities at the same time last year. The increase is particularly noticeable in Lower Austria, with 49 fatalities, 18 more than in the previous year. Carinthia, Salzburg, and Styria recorded decreases. In a ten-year comparison, the current figures, with the exception of the Corona years 2020 and

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Scandal at the Paris Air Show: France closes stands of Israeli arms companies because of offensive weapons

Stephen Steiner June 18, 2025 11:49

There was a diplomatic and economic scandal at the prestigious Salon du Bourget, the 2025 Paris Air Show. France closed the stands of several Israeli arms manufacturers because they had exhibited offensive weapons contrary to a clearly communicated requirement. A spokeswoman for the French Ministry of Defense confirmed that the companies in question had not adhered to the requirement not to display bombs and offensive weapons systems. As a result, the night before the show's official opening on Monday, stands allegedly displaying weapons that could potentially be used in the Gaza Strip were blocked with black screens. The Israeli Ministry of Defense reacted with outrage, calling it an "outrageous and unprecedented decision" that hid behind political considerations and aimed at eliminating Israeli competition. The accusation from Paris: violation of trade fair regulations. The Paris Air Show, Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace, is traditionally one of the most important platforms for the global aerospace industry. It serves not only as a showcase for civilian aircraft, but also for military technologies and armaments. Participation in such a trade fair is crucial for companies to generate new orders, present technologies, and exchange ideas with potential partners and customers. The French government apparently communicated clear requirements for Israeli exhibitors in the run-up to this year's trade fair. It was prohibited to display "bombs and offensive weapons." This requirement, which presumably refers to the current political and humanitarian situation in the region, was apparently disregarded by some Israeli companies. A spokeswoman for the French Ministry of Defense emphasized that

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