January 5, 2021

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January 5, 2021

SkyUp Airlines is expanding strongly into Germany

The Ukrainian low-cost airline SkyUp Airlines has announced a large-scale expansion towards Western Europe. Most of the new routes will be from Kyiv-Borispil to Germany. But the low-cost airline also wants to fly to Munich from Odessa and Lviv. Berlin has been announced from Zaporizhia. In Germany, SkyUp Airlines will now fly to the airports of Nuremberg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf and Berlin. Other destinations that will be served from Ukraine are Podgorica, London-Stansted, Ostrava and Brno. The carrier stated that it has already received all the necessary route permits. With regard to the corona pandemic, it is confident that it will be possible to carry out the flight. People who have been in Germany and/or Austria currently have to present a negative PCR test to avoid quarantine in Ukraine. The new SkyUp routes at a glance: Borispil–Nuremberg (2/7, from March 28, 2021) Borispil-Hanover (3/7, from March 28, 2021) Borispil-Hamburg (3/7, from March 28, 2021) Borispil-Podgorica (3/7, from March 28, 2021) Borispil-London Stansted (3/7, from March 28, 2021) Borispil-Stuttgart (2/7, from March 29, 2021) Borispil-Marseille (2/7, from April 6, 2021) Borispil-Ostrava (1/7, from April 23, 2021) Borispil-Brno (1/7, from April 25, 2021) Borispil-Düsseldorf (3/7, from May 28 2021) Lviv-Munich (2/7, from March 28, 2021) Odessa-Munich (2/7, from March 28, 2021) Zaporizhia-Berlin (2/7, from March 28, 2021)

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Tui: Shareholders are clearing the way for the state

The shareholders of Tui AG gave their approval for the new rescue package at an extraordinary general meeting, which was held virtually due to the corona pandemic. This was necessary because it would seriously interfere with the rights of the shareholders, as the German state can convert capital contributions into shares and thus take a large stake in Tui AG. As things stand, the Federal Republic of Germany can acquire up to 25 percent plus one share, i.e. the so-called blocking minority. This allows the state to block important decisions and also send representatives to the group's supervisory board. The EU Commission had previously given the green light for the rescue package, which is now worth up to 1,25 billion euros. The state Economic Stabilization Fund will hold a silent partnership of 420 million euros. This can be converted into shares - 25 percent plus one share. In addition, the WSF subscribed to a convertible bond worth 150 million euros in late summer. A further 680 million euros will be contributed through a second silent partnership, which is not convertible, however. The state of Lower Saxony could take on 400 million euros of this, although no final decision has yet been made. For Tui AG, this is already the third billion-euro rescue package since the beginning of the Corona crisis.

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New year, new management in Graz

Graz Airport is starting 2021 with a new management team. Long-time managing director Gerhard Widmann retired at the end of the year. The airport is now managed by Wolfgang Grimus and Jürgen Löschnig. Widmann, who has been in charge of Graz Airport since July 1, 1999, said as he left: “For more than 21 years, I was able to develop the airport in all areas with a competent team, for which I am very grateful. I wish my two successors all the best for the future, which is particularly challenging at the moment. I would especially like to thank all employees of Flughafen Graz Betriebs GmbH and subsidiaries, as well as the many business partners who have supported me in my work for Graz Airport over the many years!” Wolfgang Grimus previously worked for Lauda Air, Austrian Airlines, Air Berlin and Qatar Airways, among others. The airport writes in a press release that he brings “expertise in areas such as fleet and network planning, business development and sales”. "Graz Airport, with its strategically favourable location, has been a guarantee for the mobility of the local economy and for flourishing tourism for many years. These are stable conditions for surviving even in challenging phases and also for opening up our eyes to new opportunities. I am delighted to be able to successfully expand existing business areas and develop new perspectives together with an experienced team of highly qualified employees. In close coordination with our airline partners, tour operators and travel agencies, we are working hard to gradually restore the most comprehensive possible

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TUI: Pilots offer 200 million euros and demand arbitration

The Cockpit Association is calling for arbitration in the crisis negotiations with TUI. After months of unsuccessful attempts to reach a result through negotiations, a new approach is now needed. "Time is of the essence - the company needs liquidity and the pilots are prepared to make a crisis contribution of 200 million euros. In return for these significant concessions, we expect sustainable protection against dismissal. We have shown this at Lufthansa - the same is certainly possible at TUIFly," said Marcel Gröls, who is responsible for collective bargaining policy on the board of the Cockpit Association. Arbitration is repeatedly used in collective bargaining conflicts to resolve deadlocked negotiations. In the current situation, which involves job protection for employees, the VC expects the TUI Group to not oppose the proposal. "In mathematical terms, the group has been provided with 430.000 euros in state funds for each German job. It is only right and proper to avoid layoffs wherever possible, even if in the worst case scenario jobs have to be cut. This is especially true as at other European TUI companies, significantly fewer jobs are being lost," Gröls continued. In the numerous rounds of negotiations over the past few months, the Cockpit Association has repeatedly reiterated its willingness to make far-reaching and very painful cuts in return for comprehensive protection against dismissal. However, the collective bargaining committee's demands fell on deaf ears with the employer. "At this point in time, arbitration is therefore the most appropriate means of getting the stalled talks back on track and reaching a compromise that is acceptable to all sides," the press release states.

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Graz: Air France rejects the Paris route

For a few days now, a rumor has been circulating in Austria that Air France will be launching a nonstop connection between Graz and Paris-Charles de Gaulle in the 2021 summer flight schedule. Air France-KLM denies this and explains that it cannot expressly confirm it. A connection to the Skyteam hub Paris-CDG has been on Graz Airport's wish list for a very long time. So far, however, Air France or a codeshare partner has not been enthusiastic about this. At least: Graz has a connection to the Amsterdam hub served by KLM Cityhopper and this is currently being flown despite the lockdown. However, Air France-KLM has rejected the addition of Graz-Paris Charles de Gaulle. A spokesperson told Aviation Direct: "We cannot confirm this rumor. Air France regularly checks the network options. As soon as a decision is made about Graz, we will certainly communicate in good time." The aviation group also denies a possible "change" - discontinuing Amsterdam and adding Paris-CDG in return.

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Easyjet removes voting rights from first UK shareholders

Low-cost carrier Easyjet is working hard to legally secure its EU flight license. This has already cost the first British shareholders their voting rights. The Brexit agreement came into force provisionally on January 1 of the new year. This means that the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union, nor is it part of the EU internal market and customs union. This could be a problem for some airlines. Only those that are more than 50 percent owned and controlled by EU residents are allowed to fly within the EU. This is not quite possible for Easyjet. The low-cost airline is currently only 47,35 percent owned by EU shareholders. In order to exceed the 50 percent threshold, the airline could next force shareholders to sell their shares to investors from the EU, as the news magazine Handelsblatt writes. But Easyjet is not the only one having to grapple with this problem. Ryanair, the British-Spanish aviation group IAG and the Hungarian but London-listed low-cost airline Wizz must also prevent themselves from losing the right to fly within the EU after Brexit. 

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Montenegro: New national airline has a name

It happened as it had to: Montenegro Airlines took off for the last time. A new national airline is to replace the airline founded in 1994. The management had already raised the alarm a few weeks ago: without further help from the state, it would be over. The newly elected government ignored this warning and ruled out financial support altogether. The airline's management then pulled the plug and ceased flight operations on December 25th. Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić now has other plans. He wants to establish a new national carrier, as the aviation portal CH-Aviation reports. While the company structures are still being worked on, the name has already been decided: 2 Montenegro. Economics Minister Mladen Bojanic revealed this on the domestic TV channel Vijesti.

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Interjet: If there is no money, then there is a strike

The financial situation of the Mexican airline Interjet is becoming increasingly dire. The carrier announced that all flights will be canceled up to and including January 31, 2021. In addition, the tour operator "Interjet Vacations", which is operated by a partner, filed for bankruptcy. According to local media, the carrier has wage arrears among its employees and is said to have accumulated debts to government authorities amounting to millions. Interjet has been grounded since December 11, 2020 and has not yet resumed flight operations. The carrier justifies this with the corona pandemic. There is now fierce resistance from the union, which is now giving management an ultimatum: If the outstanding wages are not paid in full by January 8, 2021, the workforce will go on an indefinite strike.

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Russia: Red Wings fleets three B777s

The Russian airline Red Wings will add the first of a total of three Boeing 2021s to its fleet at the end of January 777. This was announced by company boss Evgeny Klyucharev to local media. The long-haul aircraft will be used on scheduled services to China and on warm-water routes. According to reports, the first aircraft is the VP-BLI (Boeing 777-200). This was previously used by IrAero. According to CH-Aviation.com, the long-haul jet is currently parked at Addis Ababa Airport. Two more, identical triple sevens are to follow shortly. Red Wings intends to add a total of 2021 Sukhoi SSJ-16s to its fleet in 100. The carrier is a subsidiary of the aircraft manufacturer holding company UAC.

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Istanbul Ataturk is auctioning abandoned aircraft

Anyone interested in aircraft that has been parked for a long time might find what they are looking for in Turkey. The operator of Atatürk Airport is auctioning off some of the aircraft. However, the highest bidder must arrange for their removal themselves. According to the tender documents, the following aircraft will be auctioned: Antonov An-12B (CAT Cargo, TC-KET, MSN: 402808, starting price: 28.237 US dollars) Airbus A310-300 (Saga Airlines, TC-SGB, MSN: 562, starting price: 67.230 US dollars) Cessna 172 (Mestaş Elektronik Ve Turizm, TC-MHK, starting price: 4.033 US dollars) Airbus A300-B4 (Bosphorus European Airways, TC-OYC, MSN: 79, starting price: 73.954 US dollars) Airbus A300-B4 (Bosphorus European Airways, TC-COA, MSN: 128, starting price: 73.954 US dollars) Airbus A300-B4 (Bosphorus European Airways, TC-OIM, MSN: 94, starting price: USD 73.954) McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (Tarhan Air, TC-TTB, MSN: 49144, starting price: USD 53.784) McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (Tarhan Air, TC-TTA, MSN: 48096, starting price: USD 53.784) Piper PA-23-250 (Duha Aviation, TC-CHY, MSN: 27-7654130, starting price: USD 10.757) The auction will take place on January 14, 2020 at 14:30 p.m. local time in the general directorate of the state airport operator. This is located in downtown Istanbul. People who want to take part in the auction must show proof of capital at least half an hour before the start of the auction.

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