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June 28, 2025

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June 28, 2025

Skyguide criticizes Air Baltic's runway usage at Zurich Airport

Jan Gruber June 28, 2025 15:02

The Swiss air traffic control provider Skyguide is making allegations against the Latvian airline Air Baltic. Skyguide accuses the airline of exacerbating capacity problems at Zurich Airport through its use of the runways. Air Baltic, which operates as a wet-lease partner for Swiss, is unnecessarily using the airport's longest runway, as reported by the magazine "Bilanz." Urs Lauener, Chief Operating Officer of Skyguide, explained that Air Baltic frequently requests takeoffs from the 220-meter-long runway 3700/16 for its Airbus A34 aircraft. This runway is typically used by heavy long-haul aircraft such as Swiss's Airbus A340 or A330, as well as Emirates' A380. Skyguide believes that the use of the longest runway by relatively smaller aircraft such as the Airbus A220 leads to inefficient utilization of the infrastructure and can hinder operational flow. According to Lauener, the reason for this specific runway use is cost savings on the part of Air Baltic. The airline instructs its pilots to use less engine thrust during takeoff. This saves fuel and extends engine maintenance cycles. However, the reduced thrust requires a longer takeoff distance, which necessitates the use of the airport's longest runway. The Skyguide manager sharply criticized this practice: "Every aircraft that uses runway 16 for takeoff impairs the capacity of Zurich Airport." This is particularly disruptive for smaller aircraft, as they do not actually need a longer runway and can conduct their takeoffs from shorter runways. Air traffic control emphasizes that the optimal use of the existing runways is crucial for maintaining the operational capacity of one of the most important air traffic hubs in Europe. "Air

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Sundair closes base at Münster/Osnabrück Airport for winter 2025/26

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2025 14:36

The airline Sundair will not reopen its base at Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO) for the upcoming 2025/26 winter season. The capacity affected by this decision will instead be reallocated to other scheduled flight routes operated by the airline, as reported by the industry service "CH-Aviation." This means that Sundair is withdrawing from important winter destinations from the Westphalian airport. The discontinuation of operations at FMO particularly affects connections to the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Tenerife South, as well as to the Egyptian resort of Hurghada. Sundair served these routes with Airbus A2024 aircraft during the previous 25/319 winter season. Sundair itself did not provide any specific information on the reasons for this withdrawal. Industry experts speculate about possible factors such as insufficient capacity utilization, strategic realignment, or an optimization of overall flight operations. As a result of this decision, Münster/Osnabrück Airport will have to accept a gap in service to traditional winter holiday destinations. For travelers from the region, this means they will have to switch to other departure airports or airlines for these destinations in the future. According to CH-Aviation, Sundair currently operates a fleet of three Airbus A320s. Its subsidiary Fly Air 41 Airways supplements capacity with four Airbus A319s and two Airbus A320s. The concentration of capacity on other routes could indicate that Sundair wants to use its resources more efficiently to increase profitability across its entire route network. Such schedule adjustments are not uncommon in the seasonal aviation industry and are designed to respond to changing market conditions and demand patterns.

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Bern Airport achieves balanced annual result in 2024

Jan Gruber June 28, 2025 14:08

Bern-Belp Airport closed the 2024 financial year with a balanced result. The airport company reported a profit of approximately 57.000 Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately 61.000 euros. This result was lower than the previous year due to reduced one-off effects compared to 2023. Passenger numbers at the airport in the reporting year, at 56.745 passengers, were comparable to the previous year. However, total flight movements fell by 6,6 percent. The company expects traffic figures to stabilize at around 50.000 flight movements per year in the medium term. Bern Airport, historically also known as Bern-Belp, plays a role in regional air traffic, general aviation, and charter and business flights. As an infrastructure operator, the airport company focuses on the further development of its facilities. The replacement of diesel-powered vehicles with electric vehicles continued during the reporting year to increase operational efficiency and meet modern standards. Such investments are part of the ongoing efforts to update airport infrastructure and meet the demands of modern air traffic. Bern Airport is a key regional transport hub and is important for the economy of the Canton of Bern and for tourism in the surrounding Alpine region. A stable financial year is essential for maintaining operations and securing jobs at the site, as airports are often viewed as key infrastructure projects that contribute to a region's connectivity.

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Spirit Airlines sues the alliance of JetBlue and United Airlines for alleged distortion of competition

Belinda Borg June 28, 2025 13:46

A new and high-profile lawsuit is currently rocking the United States aviation industry. Spirit Airlines, a renowned ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) against the recently announced partnership between JetBlue Airways and United Airlines. Spirit considers this cooperation, known as "Blue Sky," to be "anticompetitive" and draws parallels to the former "Northeast Alliance" (NEA) between JetBlue and American Airlines, which was invalidated by a federal judge in 2023. The complaint reveals that Spirit fears that the partnership could turn JetBlue into a "de facto vassal of United," favored by the latter's far larger global network. This move underscores the growing tensions in the highly competitive U.S. aviation market and raises fundamental questions about competition control and consolidation in the industry. The "Blue Sky" Partnership: A New Form of Collaboration The "Blue Sky" partnership was announced by JetBlue and United Airlines earlier this year and encompasses a series of cooperative measures designed to bring the two airlines closer together. The core elements of the agreement include JetBlue providing United with flight slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Starting in 2027, United will have access to up to seven daily round-trip flights there. Furthermore, an exchange of flight times is planned at Newark Airport (New Jersey), which serves as a key hub for United. Comprehensive cooperation is also planned in the area of ​​frequent flyer programs, which will enable customers of both airlines to

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British competition authority examines Boeing's takeover of Spirit AeroSystems

Amely Mizzi June 28, 2025 13:34

The UK competition authority, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), is currently examining whether the planned acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems by the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing could harm competition in the UK or other markets. A formal investigation has not yet been launched, but interested parties are invited to submit comments to support the authority's decision by July 15. The intended return of Spirit AeroSystems to the Boeing Group is of significant importance to the aviation industry. In 2005, Boeing spun off Spirit's core plants in Wichita and Oklahoma. However, in 2024, Boeing agreed to repurchase Spirit AeroSystems for approximately $4,7 billion (approximately €XNUMX billion) in shares. Boeing justified this move by citing the desire to streamline its own processes and improve quality control. Spirit AeroSystems is a major supplier to major aircraft manufacturers, particularly for fuselage parts and other primary structures. The CMA's review is a standardized process for acquisitions that could potentially have a significant impact on competition. Such investigations are intended to ensure that consumers are not disadvantaged by a reduction in competition. This is not the first time that a merger in the aviation industry has been closely scrutinized by competition authorities. The industry is characterized by a few major players, which makes any consolidation particularly relevant. Interestingly, Boeing's European competitor Airbus also entered into an agreement in April of this year to acquire several plants from Spirit AeroSystems that are specifically related to its aircraft programs. This underscores the strategic importance of Spirit.

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Netherlands hands over F-16 fighter jets to Romania to strengthen air combat training in Europe

Stephen Steiner June 28, 2025 12:46

At the recent NATO Summit in The Hague, which took place from June 24 to 25, 2025, a remarkable transaction was announced that is likely to have a lasting impact on strengthening air forces in Eastern Europe and the alliance's training capabilities. The Netherlands has decided to transfer eighteen F-16 fighter jets to Romania for a symbolic sum of just one euro. This deal was confirmed by Romanian Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu. Although these eighteen aircraft are now formally assigned to the Romanian Air Force, they have in fact been stationed at the European F-2023 Fighter Training Center (EFTC) in Fetești, Romania, since November 16. Their primary mission will continue to be the comprehensive training of pilots from various NATO member states, including the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots, highlighting the strategic importance of this center. The European F-16 Training Center: A Hub for Air Combat Training The European F-16 Training Fighter Center (EFTC) in Fetești, Romania, is the result of a joint European initiative aimed at strengthening the operational readiness and interoperability of the F-16 fleets in Europe. This state-of-the-art center, located at Air Base 16 "Locotenent aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță," was created to provide a central hub for the training of pilots and technical personnel on this widely used combat aircraft. The idea arose from the recognition that many European air forces need to either modernize their F-86 fleets or replace them with newer aircraft such as the F-16, while maintaining the high proficiency of their pilots and those of partner nations. Since its physical establishment in November 35, the EFTC has served as a hub for

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Price dispute over fighter jets: Switzerland and the United States wrestle over the costs of F-35 deliveries

Stephen Steiner June 28, 2025 11:46

An unexpected dispute is currently straining relations between Switzerland and the United States. At the heart of the dispute is the price of the 36 F-35 fighter jets ordered by Bern. While the Swiss government acted under the assumption that the jets had been purchased for a fixed price of around six billion Swiss francs (approximately 6,4 billion euros), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) now takes a different view. This conflict threatens to reopen the procurement decision made in 2022, which already caused considerable controversy in Europe and Switzerland, and calls into question the reliability of international arms deals. The Controversial Choice of the F-35: A Look Back Switzerland's decision to procure 2030 F-36 "Lightning II" fighter jets from the United States as part of the "Air35" armament program had already caused quite a stir in 2022. The then Minister of Defense, Viola Amherd, had strongly defended the choice of the American jet over the European competitors, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the French multi-role fighter, the Rafale. Her main argument was based on the supposed cost-effectiveness of the F-35. In a widely read statement, Amherd emphasized that "there was no other decision possible," as the F-35 emerged as the most economical option compared to its European competitors. This assessment was based on a comprehensive evaluation by the Swiss procurement agency Armasuisse, which closely examined the offers from the various manufacturers. The arguments in favor of the F-35 were diverse. In addition to the purchase price, the operating costs over the entire lifetime and the system performance were also taken into account. The F-35 was considered the

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Ryanair criticizes air traffic control after diversion to Hanover

Stephen Steiner June 28, 2025 11:31

The Irish airline Ryanair has urgently appealed to German Transport Minister Schnieder to take urgent action. The reason for this is the diversion of flight FR207 from Budapest to Hanover on June 26, after German air traffic control refused to allow landing in Berlin just five minutes after the start of the night flight ban there. Ryanair complains that this has subjected passengers to unnecessary and disruptive detours. Despite Ryanair's efforts to minimize a delay caused by severe weather over Central Europe, the flight was denied permission to land at Berlin Airport. The affected passengers were then forced to take a bus for a three-hour journey from Hanover to Berlin. Ryanair described this approach as "completely unacceptable" and repeatedly criticized the lack of flexibility shown by air traffic control at Berlin Airport. This particularly applies to situations where minor delays are beyond the control of the airlines. A Ryanair spokesperson emphasized the absurdity of the situation that travelers continue to suffer such disruptions. Flight FR207 from Budapest was delayed solely due to weather conditions and was scheduled to land in Berlin just five minutes after the night flight ban began. However, the denial of landing permission resulted in a forced diversion to Hanover, forcing passengers to endure a long bus ride to Berlin. The airline is calling on Minister Schnieder to immediately initiate a reform of air traffic control to resolve such situations at Berlin Airport. In the interest of all German passengers who wish to travel without disproportionate and unnecessary disruption, they appeal for a swift resolution to these intolerable circumstances. The incident once again highlights the situation.

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Air Baltic and Turkish Airlines expand codeshare agreement

Jan Gruber June 28, 2025 11:10

Latvian airline Air Baltic and Turkish Airlines, the national carrier of Turkey, have announced an extension of their existing codeshare agreement. This cooperation, which has already included joint flights between Riga and Istanbul since 2023, will now be expanded to include several new destinations in both airlines' networks. The aim is to enter new markets, expand the route network, and improve connectivity for passengers. Under the expanded agreement, Air Baltic will be able to place its flight code on Turkish Airlines-operated routes from Istanbul to destinations such as Tbilisi (TBS), Batumi (BUS), Ashgabat (ASB), Baku (GYD), Dushanbe (DYU), and Bishkek (FRU). In return, Turkish Airlines will use its flight code on Air Baltic flights from Riga to Turku (TKU) and Tampere (TMP) in Finland, and Palanga (PLQ) in Lithuania. The opening of these new routes is scheduled for the period following receipt of regulatory approvals. This cooperation represents a further step in expanding the global reach of both airlines. Pauls Cālītis, Interim CEO and COO of airBaltic, expressed his delight at this “next step” in the partnership with Turkish Airlines. He emphasized that this cooperation offers Baltic passengers even more travel options through Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network. At the same time, travelers from Turkey will benefit from better access to airBaltic destinations in the Baltics and Northern Europe. Cālītis is looking forward to the continuation of this successful cooperation. Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, emphasized that the expanded codeshare agreement underlines the commitment to offer passengers more travel options and improved connectivity. He pointed out that Turkish

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Explosion at the gas pump: Middle East conflict drives up fuel prices

Stephen Steiner June 28, 2025 10:40

June 2025 initially appeared to be the cheapest month of the year to fill up, but hopes of permanently low fuel prices were dashed. The price of diesel, in particular, temporarily fell below €1,50 per liter until mid-month. However, the renewed escalation in the Middle East led to a rapid rise in oil prices on global markets, which was immediately and clearly noticeable at gas pumps at home. Within just two weeks, the price per liter for gasoline rose by six cents and for diesel by as much as nine cents. This makes diesel the more expensive product again, and both types are currently (as of June 25, 2025) above €1,55, with an average of €1.569 for diesel and €1.556 for premium per liter. Meanwhile, the ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile Club) is warning travelers heading south about significant price differences abroad and is providing important information about refueling on their way to vacation. The dynamics of oil prices: Geopolitics as a price driver. The development of fuel prices is inextricably linked to events on the international crude oil markets. The war in the Middle East remains a decisive factor in June 2025 and the main reason for rising fuel prices. The region is one of the world's largest oil producers, and any destabilization or military conflict there inevitably leads to uncertainty among investors and thus to rising oil prices. The principle of supply and demand as well as speculative elements on the commodity exchanges reinforce this effect. The recent escalation in the region has shown how quickly political events can translate into significant price increases.

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