Français »
German "
Search
Amely Mizzi

More articles from the category

Amely Mizzi

Dertour Group is accelerating the expansion of its hotel division under new management

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 17:09

Ingo Burmester, CEO of the Dertour Group's hotel division, has presented a comprehensive growth strategy for the coming decade. By 2030, the group plans to expand its current portfolio from 120 to a total of 180 hotels, representing an increase of 50 percent. This expansion will focus on both self-drive holidays in Central Europe and medium- and long-haul destinations. Nine new openings are already planned for 2026, with a focus on the Mediterranean region. Particular emphasis will be placed on the emerging brand Ananea, which, due to strong demand from hotel owners, will already have twelve active properties this year. To efficiently manage this growth, the Dertour Group established a new Hotel Board in March 2026, headed by Burmester. This body consolidates key functions across all twelve hotel brands, operating in 15 different destinations. The reorganization involves merging the previously separate Operations and Commercial departments. While the central Operations division manages brands such as Aldiana, Sentido, and Calimera, the Commercial division now centrally controls functions like brand marketing, e-commerce, and revenue management. DSR Hotel Holding, the majority-owned subsidiary based in Hamburg, remains unaffected by this integration and retains its independent management. The financial foundation of the hotel division, which currently comprises 22.000 rooms and generates approximately €600 million in revenue, is to be strengthened through closer integration with travel agency sales. Burmester plans to increase the share of travel agency sales for DSR's land-based hotels from the current five percent to up to 20 percent. Regarding operating models, the company is focusing on...

Continue reading "

Korean Air assumes leadership role in SkyTeam's safety committee

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 14:08

Korean Air has been elected Chair Airline of the Safety, Security, and Quality (SSQ) Committee within the global airline alliance SkyTeam. In this role, the South Korean carrier will assume strategic leadership in developing and implementing alliance-wide guidelines for a total of 20 member airlines. Bennet Allen Walsh, Senior Vice President of Corporate Aviation Safety & Security at Korean Air, will serve as the responsible Functional Executive, leading the committee for a two-year term. The SSQ Committee is considered the central body for establishing common standards to harmonize operational quality and safety within the alliance and across the international aviation industry. This appointment comes amid the alliance's increased efforts to unify safety initiatives across national borders. During the two-year term, a particular focus will be on strengthening and standardizing international guidelines for the transport and use of mobile power banks in aircraft cabins to minimize fire risks. Korean Air also plans to implement a fully synchronized emergency plan for all SkyTeam members. These measures are designed to ensure a coordinated and efficient response from all partner airlines in the event of unforeseen incidents across the global route network. Korean Air has invested heavily in modernizing its safety systems in recent years and is increasingly focusing on sharing best practices within the alliance. Closer collaboration with the SkyTeam board aims to leverage synergies to strengthen the global safety culture. Furthermore, its leading position allows the airline to directly influence the development of global standards that exceed legal minimum requirements. This applies not only to flight safety but also to other areas.

Continue reading "

Vienna Danube Tower: New leisure concept at the foot of Austria's tallest building

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 10:37

The Vienna Danube Tower, one of the most distinctive landmarks of the Austrian capital and an integral part of the Viennese skyline for over six decades, is launching into the 2026 summer season with an expansion of its service portfolio. The management of the attraction, which is owned by a private investment group and Wien Holding, is focusing on diversifying its culinary offerings and creating new outdoor seating areas. The centerpiece of these innovations is the opening of the approximately 400-square-meter Danube Tower Garden, which provides visitors with free access to new recreational spaces. Simultaneously, strategic partnerships with regional producers are expanding the culinary options on the ground, aiming to enhance the appeal of the location for both local and international visitors. These measures complement existing attractions such as Europe's highest slide and the historic restaurants high above the ground. Strategic Reorientation of the Outdoor Area: With the opening of the Danube Tower Garden, management aims to elevate the experience at the foot of the 252-meter-high tower. The area, located on the green spaces directly behind the building, was conceptually designed to function both as a complement to a trip to the observation deck and as a separate destination within the Danube Park. The focus here is on easy accessibility. By eliminating entrance fees for the garden area, the aim is to increase the number of spontaneous visitors from the adjacent recreational area. The new concept also features international culinary influences. A pop-up restaurant offers Italian-inspired dishes, with freshly prepared pizzas and classic desserts taking center stage. A flexible to-go concept is also available.

Continue reading "

Excellence in Austrian conference tourism: Presentation of the Golden Flipcharts 2025

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 09:35

On April 27, 2026, the Austrian conference industry honored its most outstanding establishments at the Wesenufer Hotel and Seminar Center on the Danube. The highlight of the celebratory event was the announcement of the best seminar hotels and event venues for the past year, 2025. This prestigious award is based on detailed evaluations from the MICEadvisor system, which aggregates thousands of feedback reports from trainers, clients, organizers, and participants. The results demonstrate a remarkable level of quality within the sector: only establishments achieving an overall satisfaction rating of over 90 percent received an award. At the top of the national rankings, there was a remarkable tie, with two hotels from Styria and Tyrol sharing the coveted Golden Flipchart trophy with near-perfect scores of 100 percent. The evaluation underscores the growing importance of professional infrastructure for the economic success of continuing education events and reinforces Austria's reputation as a leading location for international seminar and congress tourism. Methodology and Relevance of MICEadvisor Ratings: The MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) represents a key pillar of the domestic tourism industry. Unlike traditional hotel reviews, the MICEadvisor feedback system focuses on the specific requirements of the professional events business. Criteria such as the technical equipment of the conference rooms, the flexibility of the staff, the quality of catering during breaks, and the suitability of the venues for different group dynamics are evaluated. The high level of participation from trainers and event planners in this system guarantees a professionally sound assessment that goes beyond purely touristic perspectives. For businesses in 2025, a clear trend towards perfecting the service chain is evident.

Continue reading "

Ascend Airways Malaysia's market entry in the passenger segment

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 09:07

Ascend Airways Malaysia has taken a significant step in its expansion with the delivery of its first passenger aircraft. A Boeing 737-800 arrived at Kuala Lumpur Subang Airport on April 26, 2026, after being ferried from Nottingham East Midlands via Cairo and Muscat. The approximately 14-year-old aircraft has a capacity of 189 seats in an all-economy configuration. The company plans to add two more aircraft of the same type to its fleet in May to establish the operational base for the planned launch of commercial passenger services in July 2026. The newly founded airline is backed by Avia Solutions Group, which positions Ascend Airways Malaysia as a specialist in the so-called ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) business. This business model involves leasing aircraft, including crew and maintenance, to other airlines. While the company's cargo division has been operating with a Boeing 737-800(SF) since November 2025, the passenger division is currently nearing the completion of certification by the Malaysian Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM). The newly acquired aircraft was previously operated by various European carriers such as Pegasus Airlines, Flyr, and KlasJet, and most recently by its British sister company, Ascend Airways. Meanwhile, the strategic situation of the parent company, Avia Solutions Group, is making headlines in the industry: Simultaneously with the establishment of operations in Malaysia, it was announced on April 28, 2026, that the British airline Ascend Airways would be surrendering its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and returning its aircraft to the lessors. However, the group immediately emphasized that the Malaysian subsidiary would not be affected by this decision.

Continue reading "

For an extra charge: Wizz Air introduces a digital rebooking service for delays.

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 06:38

Wizz Air has announced a significant change to its service portfolio for handling flight disruptions. In collaboration with the technology company Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS), the low-cost carrier is now offering its customers the option to protect themselves against the consequences of major delays and cancellations for a fee. The new add-on product, called Disruption Assistance, allows affected passengers to switch to flights operated by other airlines without incurring additional ticket costs, even if their flight is delayed by more than two hours. This innovation represents a significant expansion of previous practice, as low-cost carriers traditionally rebook their customers onto their own connecting flights in the event of disruptions. By integrating modern monitoring technologies, passengers will now be proactively informed about the status of their flight and can select alternative travel options directly via their mobile devices. This move comes at a time when the European aviation industry is facing increasing capacity constraints and operational pressures, making the reliability of flight operations a crucial booking criterion for many travelers. The technological foundation lies in the partnership with Hopper. The core of the new service is the technological connection to the Hopper Technology Solutions platform. HTS specializes in developing algorithm-based solutions for the travel industry that can process unforeseen events in real time. As part of the cooperation with Wizz Air, HTS continuously monitors flight movements on the respective travel day. As soon as the system detects a delay exceeding the 120-minute threshold, a process is automatically triggered to notify the passenger via the app or text message.

Continue reading "

Growth figures and structural challenges in Austrian winter tourism: Analysis of the current season

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 04:36

Preliminary data from Statistics Austria for the 2025/26 winter season paints a mixed picture of the domestic tourism industry. In the first five months of the reporting period, from November to March, Austria recorded a total of 66,4 million overnight stays, representing an increase of 3,6 percent compared to the same period last year. Despite this positive overall trend, the sector experienced a decline in overnight stays of 4,9 percent to 12,1 million in March alone. Experts attribute this decrease primarily to calendar effects and shifts in international holiday schedules. Amid a global situation characterized by geopolitical tensions and economic volatility, domestic tourism is increasingly proving to be a stabilizing force for the regional economy. While energy, personnel, and procurement costs are putting pressure on business margins, the federal government, with its national tourism strategy "Vision T," is laying the groundwork for securing competitiveness and expanding year-round tourism. Calendar Shifts and Market Dynamics: The decline in overnight stays in March highlights the sector's high dependence on external factors such as the timing of public holidays and school breaks in key source markets. Since Easter and the associated holiday surges did not fall entirely within the statistical month of March this year, there was a natural downward trend in the figures compared to previous years, when travel was more concentrated in this month. Nevertheless, the overall picture for the season so far shows that demand for Alpine holidays and city breaks in Austria remains strong. Interestingly, some of the weaker international demand in March was offset by a significant increase in domestic tourism. Domestic guests booked

Continue reading "

Norway plans to introduce special flight corridors for electric aircraft.

Amely Mizzi April 30, 2026 04:02

Following the successful completion of an extensive test program, Norwegian airport operator Avinor is preparing to establish dedicated airspace routes for electric aircraft. The preceding six-month trial phase comprised a total of 126 test flights and demonstrated that electric aircraft can be safely integrated into controlled airspace and operated alongside conventional air traffic. This shifts the focus away from technological feasibility, while large-scale operational implementation and infrastructure adaptation become the new priority of Norway's aviation strategy. The test results highlight that existing airspace systems, primarily designed for the performance characteristics of jet aircraft with steep climb profiles, are inadequate for electric aircraft. Electric aircraft achieve their best performance at lower altitudes and rely on the most direct flight paths possible to optimize their limited energy resources. Avinor is therefore exploring the introduction of tailored "e-routes" specifically designed to meet these requirements. These new corridors are intended not only to increase efficiency and safety, but also to make the commercial use of the technology more economically attractive through shorter flight routes. In addition to the physical design of the airspace, the sector faces regulatory challenges. The current regulations for energy reserves and the requirements for alternate airports are based on the parameters of conventional combustion engines and must be fundamentally reassessed for electric aviation. The Norwegian authorities are working closely with manufacturers and infrastructure operators to define new standards. Since Norway, due to its geography and the abundance of short regional routes, is ideally suited for the use of smaller electric aircraft, the country is acting as an international pioneer in the transformation of short-haul air travel. The successful tests reinforce Norway's role as a world-leading testing environment for new technologies.

Continue reading "

Eurowings presents its first fashion collection at the About You Fashion Show

Amely Mizzi April 29, 2026 17:00

Eurowings is expanding its brand profile beyond traditional flight operations, unveiling its own fashion collection at the About You Fashion Show in Berlin. Titled "Ready for Take-off – but on the Catwalk," the Lufthansa subsidiary presented twelve curated outfits in the historic hangar of Tempelhof Airport. Developed in collaboration with the online fashion retailer About You, the collection aims to aesthetically translate the theme of travel into modern everyday wear. The collaboration focuses on anchoring the airline's brand identity in the public consciousness through lifestyle products and attracting new target groups. A key element of the new "Travel Collection" is an exclusively designed sweatsuit consisting of a hoodie and jogging pants. This ensemble is intended to symbolize the airline's promise of a relaxed travel experience, combining functional aspects with a contemporary design. According to Marketing Director Dirk Otto, the airline deliberately chose this new environment to position itself as an approachable lifestyle brand that transcends mere transportation. The sweatsuit will initially be given away via social media and is also available in the company's own merchandising shop, while the rest of the collection will be sold through the About You sales platform. This strategic partnership between an airline and a fashion e-commerce company follows a trend in the aviation industry to generate additional revenue streams beyond ticket sales. By linking the worlds of travel and fashion, Eurowings aims to strengthen customer loyalty among both leisure and business travelers. With a fleet of around 100 aircraft and 150 destinations, the company is one of Europe's largest leisure airlines. Its presence at one of the leading fashion trade fairs further underscores this commitment.

Continue reading "

European regional airports under pressure due to energy crisis and regulation

Amely Mizzi April 29, 2026 16:05

The recent conference of the airport association ACI Europe in Turin highlights the precarious situation of European regional airports. Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the industry is facing a massive energy crisis that poses an existential threat to the operation of smaller airports. The drastic rise in kerosene prices, which peaked at over US$1800 per ton in early April 2026, is forcing airlines to implement restrictive capacity management. Since routes to regional airports often exhibit high price elasticity, airlines are reducing their capacity there first, a trend underscored by the announced closure of Lufthansa subsidiary CityLine. Financially, many small airports are operating at their limit. While major hubs are recording passenger growth of over 16 percent, traffic at small regional airports is still sometimes 30 percent below pre-crisis levels from 2019. Airport fees often aren't enough to cover fixed structural costs, especially since many operators have to offer substantial discounts to attract airlines. On average, these airports are incurring a loss of €2,64 per passenger. The industry is therefore calling for an expansion of government operating subsidies, particularly for airports handling up to one million passengers per year, to safeguard regional connectivity as part of critical infrastructure. Additional operational hurdles are arising from the slow implementation of the new Schengen Entry and Exit System (EES). Experts warn of significant delays at border controls during the 2026 summer season, posing logistical challenges, especially for regional airports heavily reliant on tourism. The association ACI Europe is calling on political decision-makers to allow the complete suspension of the EES (European Aviation Safety System) in cases of unacceptable waiting times. Furthermore, the abolition of national aviation taxes is being demanded.

Continue reading "