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Tragic incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport: Man hit by aircraft engine

Stephen Steiner July 10, 2025 06:39

A tragic accident occurred at Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) on July 8, 2025: A 35-year-old man died after being struck by the engine of an Airbus A319 aircraft during pushback. The incident, which occurred around 10:20 a.m. local time, led to the immediate suspension of all airport operations. All flights were subsequently diverted to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). While the exact circumstances of the accident are still subject to official investigations, it remains unclear whether the victim was a passenger or an airport employee. The course of the accident: An accident during pushback The incident occurred on the morning of July 8, 2025, on the apron of Milan Bergamo Airport, a major hub for European low-cost air traffic. An Airbus A319 of the Spanish airline Volotea, scheduled to depart as flight V73511 for Asturias (OVD) in Spain, was undergoing the so-called pushback process. This is the maneuver in which an aircraft is pushed backward from its parking position by a special towing vehicle before it taxis under its own power to the runway. At this critical moment, a 35-year-old man reportedly walked onto the tarmac and entered the area of ​​a running engine. The exact sequence of events that led to this catastrophic situation is still unclear and forms the core of the ongoing investigation. The victim was immediately struck by the engine and tragically lost his life. The force of an aircraft engine during operation is immense; the suction effect in front of the engine can attract people and objects with great force. Both the airport operator SACBO and

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High traffic volume expected in Austria

Belinda Borg July 10, 2025 06:04

Austria's roads will be particularly busy next weekend due to the start of the school holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia and parts of the Netherlands, the Wachau Cycle Marathon, and a Robbie Williams concert in Vienna. The ÖAMTC mobility information warns of significant delays, particularly on the important north-south routes. Summer travel traffic will intensify once again. Several main traffic arteries are expected to be affected. Traffic jams are expected on the West Autobahn (A1) in the greater Salzburg area, particularly in the Thalgau region. The Süd Autobahn (A2) will experience delays before a construction site between Sinabelkirchen and Gleisdorf. On the Pyhrn Autobahn (A9), the Bosruck and Gleinalm Tunnel toll stations and the Kalwang-Mautern construction site are potential bottlenecks. The Tauern Autobahn (A10) in the Salzburg area, as well as before the St. Michael im Lungau toll station and the tunnel areas, will also be heavily congested. The Karawanks Autobahn (A11) before the Karawanks Tunnel, the Inntal Autobahn (A12) in the greater Innsbruck area, and the Brenner Autobahn (A13) along its entire length, especially between Innsbruck and the Schönberg toll station and the Luegbrücke construction site, are further critical points. The Südosttangente (A23) in Vienna will also experience heavy traffic in both directions, as will the Fernpassstraße (B179) between Füssen in Bavaria and Nassereith. In addition to the general travel delays, the Wachau Cycle Marathon will take place on Sunday, July 13. This will cause disruptions and delays on both sides of the Danube in the Wachau region from the morning hours until the afternoon, for example on the B3 and B33. On Saturday, July 12, a concert by British superstar Robbie Williams at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium will attract thousands of visitors. This will lead to

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425 years of Viennese hospitality: Hotel Stefanie celebrates its anniversary as a living legend

Jan Gruber July 10, 2025 05:32

Vienna is currently celebrating a remarkable anniversary in its hotel industry: The Hotel Stefanie, founded in 1600 under the name "White Rose," is celebrating its 425th birthday. This makes it the oldest hotel in the capital and to this day an institution that uniquely combines tradition and contemporary comfort. For four generations, the hotel has been run by the Schick family, who have skillfully understood how to preserve the hotel's rich history while simultaneously meeting the needs of modern travelers. The "White Rose," once located just outside the city gates, is now a central attraction that welcomes guests from all over the world and is considered a living testament to Viennese history and hospitality. From the "White Rose" to the Hotel Stefanie: A Journey Through Time The history of the Hotel Stefanie is closely linked to the development of Vienna itself. Founded on July 8, 1600 as the "White Rose," the inn was originally located just outside the former Vienna city walls. At a time when travel was often arduous and lengthy, the "White Rose" offered travelers not only accommodation but also comprehensive services. A testament to this era is the fact that the former inn had an impressive 90 horse stables – a clear indication of the hotel's importance as a rest stop for wagons and riders. Back then, during the Habsburg monarchy, the "White Rose" primarily accommodated travelers from the vast crown lands who stopped on their way to or from the imperial residence. A decisive turning point in the hotel's history occurred in 1888, when Carl Witzmann, the

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KLM expands flight offer for summer 2025

Stephen Steiner July 10, 2025 05:09

The Dutch airline KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is significantly expanding its route network and capacity for the upcoming 2025 summer flight schedule. A total of 161 destinations worldwide will be served, with seat capacity increasing by four percent. The company expects to carry around 6,4 million passengers in July and August. KLM is experiencing particularly strong growth in North America, with nine percent more flights, and in Southern Europe, where 25 percent more seats are being offered to Portugal and Croatia. KLM is introducing six new routes this season. On the intercontinental routes, these are San Diego in the United States, Georgetown in Guyana, and Hyderabad in India, the latter from September. Within Europe, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Exeter in the United Kingdom, and Biarritz in France will be added to the route network. Booking demand for San Diego, Biarritz, and Ljubljana is already described as strong. The start of the summer season on the first weekend in July was already busy: From July 4th to 6th, KLM expected around 330.000 passengers on board its aircraft. In addition to the new destinations, KLM is also increasing frequencies to already popular destinations. On intercontinental routes, this includes daily connections to Kilimanjaro/Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Las Vegas (USA) until August. Flights to Osaka and Tokyo-Narita in Japan will be increased to five and six weekly flights respectively from the end of September. Edmonton in Canada will be served five times a week, six times during the peak season. Cape Town in South Africa and Curaçao in the Caribbean will receive additional weekly flights from October. In the European route network, frequencies will be increased to Belfast, Porto and

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Historic agreement for Northern Cyprus: Turkish Airlines and AJet strengthen air connections and tourism

Amely Mizzi July 10, 2025 04:31

On July 7, 2025, the authorities in Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus signed a major agreement with Turkish Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary AJet (formerly Anadolu Jet). This landmark agreement aims to significantly improve air connectivity to the north of the island. Key elements of the deal include the imposition of ticket price caps on key routes and an increase in flight frequencies to the main airport, Ercan International Airport (ECN). The protocol, which was described as an "important step" by Prime Minister Unal Ustel and a "historic day" by Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, promises to revitalize tourism and strengthen the competitiveness of the northern part of Cyprus. The efforts focus in particular on the planned resumption of direct flights from the United Kingdom to Northern Cyprus. A new horizon for tourism in Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus, the Turkish-controlled part of the Mediterranean island, is facing a significant upgrade of its international connections. The recently concluded agreement between the authorities there and the leading Turkish airlines Turkish Airlines and AJet is a strategic move to massively promote inbound tourism. The signing ceremony, which took place on July 7, 2025, at the Presidency in the Northern Cypriot capital of Lefkosa, was attended by high-ranking figures such as Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel and Ahmet Bolat, a board member and chairman of the executive committee of Turkish Airlines. Bolat spoke of a "historic day" that will make the north's tourism product "more competitive," while Ustel praised the agreement as an "important step" in the region's development. The new protocol aims to increase air traffic to Northern Cyprus through cheaper fares.

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Hamburg Airport tests hydrogen baggage tractor

Jan Gruber July 10, 2025 04:00

Hamburg Airport is currently testing the use of a specially converted hydrogen-powered baggage tractor. The aim of the practical test is to investigate the feasibility of converting existing vehicle fleets for low-emission ground operations. This measure is based on the results of international studies from the Interreg BSR HyAirport project and is intended to verify the theoretical findings in practice. The new prototype was developed by HTM Hydro Technology Motors from Bingen am Rhein. It is based on an existing natural gas model (Mulag 4CNG) and has been converted to run on hydrogen. The test, which is scheduled to last six to nine months, will focus on testing the hydrogen propulsion system under real-life conditions on the airport apron. The test will analyze its technical functionality, fuel consumption, and the economic feasibility of wider application. The test is deliberately taking place during the busy summer months to cover a broad range of applications. Currently, around 60 baggage tractors are in operation at Hamburg Airport; one of them now runs on hydrogen instead of natural gas. The hydrogen refueling infrastructure required for the test will be provided by Ryze Power with a mobile refueling unit directly at the airport. The project is being supported technically and economically, including through analyses within the framework of the North German Real-World Laboratory (NRL), a joint project involving 50 partners from business, science, and politics. Hamburg Airport was already involved in an earlier hydrogen-based tug project in 2019, in which the first fuel cell-powered vehicle was developed together with Mulag. This model was later also tested for winter suitability at international research locations such as Bristol Airport, Cranfield University, and most recently Riga Airport.

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Virgin Atlantic unveils comprehensive transformation of the long-haul experience

Belinda Borg July 9, 2025 15:34

Virgin Atlantic announced far-reaching plans to redesign its long-haul services in London on July 8, 2025. CEO Shai Weiss presented a comprehensive overhaul of the passenger experience, including the renovation of key lounges, the modernization of premium cabins, and, perhaps most significantly, the introduction of free Starlink Wi-Fi for all passengers by 2027. This comprehensive overhaul is considered the most far-reaching realignment of the airline's offering since its founding 41 years ago in 1984 and underscores Virgin Atlantic's ambition to further establish itself as the leading premium long-haul airline. A Comprehensive Reorientation: Virgin Atlantic's Vision The announced transformation of Virgin Atlantic's services represents arguably the most comprehensive redesign of the passenger experience since the airline was founded in 1984. Over the past four decades, Virgin Atlantic has evolved from a challenger to an established premium long-haul airline. The company now aims to further consolidate its position through a tailor-made guest experience in the areas of travel, hospitality, and entertainment. It aims to become the “most loved travel company,” as stated in an accompanying company press release. The overhaul focuses on three central pillars of the passenger experience: the travel itself, onboard entertainment, and hospitality. Innovation and enhancement are paramount in each of these categories. Virgin Atlantic promises a fundamentally renewed and refreshed experience, particularly for travelers in the premium cabin, the so-called “Upper Class.” This focus on the premium segments reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly investing in higher-quality cabins and services to appeal to discerning business and leisure travelers. Many airlines, including European

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United Arab Emirates rely on high-speed trains

Jan Gruber July 9, 2025 15:03

The United Arab Emirates is accelerating the expansion of its transport infrastructure, with a growing focus on rail transport. A comprehensive rail project was unveiled at an official ceremony at the Al Faya Depot in Abu Dhabi: a new high-speed train connection between the capital city of Abu Dhabi and the metropolis of Dubai. This project is intended not only to relieve pressure on public transport but also to serve as a prestige project in the Middle East. The national railway company Etihad Rail, which is already working on establishing a freight rail network between the Emirates and is now also making progress in passenger transport, is responsible for the planning and implementation. The planned direct connection will feature trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, comparable to European TGV or Japanese Shinkansen trains. This should reduce the travel time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to around 30 minutes. Currently, the journey time by car on this route is just over an hour, depending on traffic conditions. The new train therefore represents an attractive alternative to road travel, particularly for commuters and tourists wishing to travel between the two major cities. In addition to the high-speed line, Etihad Rail also unveiled the United Arab Emirates' first national passenger train fleet. This fleet will eventually reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour and connect other regions in the country in the future. Four new train stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah have already been unveiled. These stations are designed to be seamlessly integrated into the existing metro and bus networks, enabling continuous local and long-distance public transport throughout the country.

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Icelandair reports strong passenger growth in June 2025

Jan Gruber July 9, 2025 14:39

Icelandair carried a total of 2025 passengers in June 552.000, an increase of seven percent compared to the same month last year. Since the beginning of the year, over 2,2 million passengers have already traveled with the Icelandic airline. The company reports encouraging development and confirms its strategic course. In the reporting month of June, 35 percent of passengers traveled on flights to Iceland and 17 percent on flights from Iceland. Transfer passengers accounted for 44 percent, while four percent traveled within Iceland. Particularly noteworthy is the strong growth in the markets to and from Iceland, where passenger numbers increased by 20 percent and 19 percent, respectively. This development is in line with the company's strategy of increasing its focus on these routes. Flight load factor reached 85,1 percent, an improvement from 83,4 percent in the previous year. Punctuality also maintained a high level at 86,8 percent. In addition to the scheduled flight business, the charter flight sector also proved robust, with a 52 percent increase in sold block hours. Cargo volume, measured in freight tonne-kilometers, increased by 16 percent compared to June of the previous year. Bogi Nils Bogason, President and CEO of Icelandair, expressed his satisfaction with the continued strong demand for travel to Iceland. He emphasized that the increased focus on the markets to and from Iceland is bearing fruit. In June, the connection to Gothenburg was also resumed, and the Saga Club loyalty program was expanded through a partnership with BYKO, Iceland's largest hardware store chain. With approximately 400.000 active members, the Saga Club is the largest bonus program in Iceland and is designed to offer customers additional benefits. Icelandair uses

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Varna Airport opens expanded terminal with new outdoor gate area

Belinda Borg July 9, 2025 14:07

Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD has officially inaugurated the modernized and expanded Terminal 2 at Varna Airport. The centerpiece of the redesign is the so-called Gate Garden, Europe's first fully equipped outdoor gate area. This innovative project increases the terminal area by over 2.000 square meters, corresponding to a ten percent expansion, and boosts capacity for departing passengers by 40 percent. This will enable the airport to handle over 3,5 million passengers annually. The Gate Garden is designed as an open space and features three new gates with flexible configuration options for Schengen and non-Schengen traffic, allowing over 15 possible combinations for managing passenger flow. The design aims for efficiency and an improved passenger experience, redefining the concept of seasonal airport infrastructure. The first flight to depart from the new area was an Electra Airways flight to Düsseldorf, which took off at 5:2025 a.m. on July 07, 15, ushering in a new era in the development of Varna Airport. Michael Reusch, CEO of Fraport Twin Star Airport Management AD, described the project as a bold step forward for Varna Airport. He emphasized that the Gate Garden and the terminal improvements offer greater flexibility, comfort, and capacity. Varna Airport is now the first airport in Europe with a fully functional open boarding area, which brings modern flexibility to airport operations and underlines the airport's role as the gateway to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. In addition to the new gates, the redesign included a complete reconstruction of 2.200 square meters of the existing terminal. This includes more retail space, larger waiting areas, and

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