September 13, 2020

More articles from the category

September 13, 2020

Carinthia heavily subsidizes the airport

It has been known for several weeks that the Lilihill Group wants to further increase its shares in Klagenfurt Airport. Negotiations are already underway with the state of Carinthia and the city of Klagenfurt. The state government is keeping quiet about the content of the talks, as they have agreed to keep it confidential. This is naturally a thorn in the side of the opposition. In any case, state politicians are calling for sustainable investment in the airport. However, the whole discussion seems to be skewering the land that belongs to the airport but is not absolutely necessary for its operation. This can only be sold with the consent of the city of Klagenfurt and the state of Carinthia. Some of the land is considered to be quite valuable. Most recently, the state audit office expressed considerable criticism of the partial privatization that took place in 2018. Since then, the Lilihill Group has held the majority. The portal 5min.at reports, citing the report by regional councillor Martin Gruber (ÖVP), that Carinthia transferred 666.000 euros for the security infrastructure of Klagenfurt Airport last year. The operating company can also request subsidies of 2,64 million euros from the state. The city is still obliged to pay 827.000 euros, although both commitments were made before the purchase agreement was signed.

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Lübeck: Strangers threw stinking liquid into the terminal

On the night of September 12th to 13th, 2020, unknown persons threw containers with a foul-smelling liquid through the windows of the terminal at Lübeck Airport. According to the local police, what exactly this is and who is behind the action is still unclear and is currently the subject of investigations. Norddeutscher Rundfunk reports that the police and the fire brigade had to arrive in protective suits. The smelly liquid was collected and removed. Samples are currently being analyzed in the criminal investigation department's laboratory to gain insight into what it actually is. The background is completely unclear. It is also not known whether there is a connection with the incident that self-proclaimed climate protectors caused a few weeks ago. In any case, air traffic is said not to have been affected by the smelly liquid.

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Overview: Big differences in hand luggage

Until a few years ago, the permitted size of hand luggage was the same for almost all airlines. Even then, there were only differences in the maximum weight. Nowadays, the label "cabin-friendly" is no longer a good guide, because the regulations resemble a jungle and are regularly changed by some airlines. Anyone who thinks that Ryanair and Wizzair have particularly cheeky regulations for hand luggage has never flown with Condor. The German holiday airline allows smaller dimensions in its cheapest fares than any other airline. They have obviously copied this from Ryanair and Wizzair, but have tightened it up a bit. Especially with low-cost airlines, it is possible to take more hand luggage with you for a fee ("Priority Package"). Be careful: it can be very expensive at the gate if the dimensions are too large or if you have a second piece of cabin luggage with you. With some airlines, women with their handbags are even a direct rip-off. Fortunately, not all airlines are so stingy. The following overview shows the hand baggage regulations valid as of September 13, 2020, in the cheapest economy fare (without frequent flyer card and/or optional extras such as priority packages). Airline Dimensions Weight Aer Lingus 55 x 40 x 24 cm48 x 33 x 20 cm (Aer Lingus Regional) 10kg7 kg (Aer Lingus Regional) Aeroflot 55 x 40 x 25 cm + small bag 10kg (5kg small bag) Air Baltic 55 x 40 x 23 cm 8kg Air Canada 55 x 40 x 23 cmadditional 43 x 33 x 16 cm No restriction Air Europa 55 x 35

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Buzz: Court missed Ryanair more wags

Ryanair suffered another defeat in court in Hungary against its competitor Wizzair. After issuing an interim injunction prohibiting the use of the Buzz brand due to the risk of confusion, the relevant court has now confirmed the decision. According to the ruling, against which Ryanair has the right to appeal, the use of the Buzz brand and the internet domain www.buzzair.com is not permitted on the Hungarian market. The risk of confusion would be too high. The Hungarian court thus largely agreed with Wizzair's application and rejected Ryanair's counterarguments. The procedure is nevertheless somewhat amusing, because although the base is operated by Buzz, all flights are still marketed as Ryanair. Only the registration of the Boeing 737-800 is Polish, the crews wear uniforms with the Buzz logo and indicate that the flights are operated by this carrier. The Ryanair Sun logo can still be seen even on the security cards. It is likely that the Irish company will not accept the Hungarian ruling and will appeal.

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The lounge myth: How do you actually get in?

Lounges often have the reputation of being particularly luxurious places. This is sometimes true, but unfortunately there are also exclusive waiting areas that are simply not worth the money. Travelers do not get the best meals and a wide selection of drinks everywhere. However, many people also ask themselves the question: How do I actually get in? First of all, it is important to distinguish which type of lounge it is, because there are actually different types. Some are offered by airlines and/or train companies, others by airports and still others by credit card companies and/or independent operators. The last two types are usually open to any visitor for an entry fee. Some airlines also allow use for a fee, regardless of the travel class of the ticket. Airline lounges: These are primarily aimed at passengers who have business or first class tickets. Frequent flyers with a certain status can often use the exclusive waiting area at no extra charge. In both cases, the prerequisite is usually that you have a valid ticket from the respective airline or alliance. There are often different lounges at hubs, access to which depends on the booking class and/or the status level of the frequent flyer card. Sometimes it is also possible to take at least one guest with you free of charge. However, this is not a general rule, as the regulations vary enormously depending on the airline. Without a corresponding ticket or frequent flyer card with sufficient status, you will not be allowed in under normal circumstances. If you do not have either, the most you can do is try to speak to another traveler in front of the lounge and ask if

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