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February 25, 2021

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February 25, 2021

Smartwings flies with Boeing 737 Max 8 again

Jan Gruber February 25, 2021 22:25

Following Tui Airlines Belgium, the Czech airline Smartwings is now also using the Boeing 737 Max 8 in commercial flights again. The carrier flew from Prague to Malaga on Thursday under flight number QS1152. The fact that the first two passenger flights carried out since the Max grounding was lifted in Europe landed in Malaga is pure coincidence. Smartwings and Tui Airlines Belgium most likely did not coordinate with each other. The OK-SWE was used. The aircraft is 2,7 years old and has spent most of its career in storage. Smartwings, like all other Max operators, was not allowed to operate it for a long time. Together with Tui Airlines Belgium, they are at the forefront of reactivation in compliance with ESA requirements. "We have been working continuously with EASA and the manufacturer for almost two years to get this aircraft back into service safely. I trust the upgrades and training methods to enable this aircraft to be returned to service. I trust the Boeing 737 MAX completely and consider it to be one of the safest aircraft," said Smartwings flight operations manager Tomáš Nevole. In another division of the Smartwings Group, there is currently no celebratory mood. The subsidiary CSA has reported all employees to the Czech Republic's employment office for termination. On Saturday, a moratorium that the government has issued specifically for aviation companies expires. More details on the subject of CSA can be found in this article.

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Summer: Lufthansa relies on tourist routes

Jan Gruber February 25, 2021 14:31

In summer 2021, the Lufthansa Group will focus on tourist destinations. The focus will be on destinations in the Caribbean, the Canary Islands and Greece. The group is expecting strong demand in this segment. According to the company, the hot water offer in summer 2021 is more extensive than ever before in the history of the Lufthansa Group. Around 20 additional holiday destinations are to be gradually added from Frankfurt am Main. 13 new hot water destinations have been announced from Munich. In a press release, the Kranich Group writes that due to effective vaccines as well as tests and hygiene concepts, it assumes that the conditions for summer holidays in 2021 are "good". It is therefore preparing for strong demand in the area of ​​tourist destinations. However, Lufthansa has already informed its sales partners that the offer will be smaller than originally planned. "Our tourism program for summer 2021 is stronger than ever before. We assume that many countries will ease travel restrictions towards the summer after more and more people have been vaccinated. We know that demand will rise sharply as soon as travel restrictions are lifted - and we are well prepared for this with our excellent offer. There is a great longing for vacation - the catch-up effect in the summer will be correspondingly strong," says Harry Hohmeister, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Also new from Frankfurt are Cyprus (Paphos), Croatia (Rijeka), Italy (Lamezia Terme), Tunisia (Djerba), Ponta Delgada (Azores/Portugal) and Bulgaria (Varna). From Munich, flights will be available for the first time to Jerez (Spain) and the Greek destinations

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Austrian Airlines wants to reactivate Montreal and New York-JFK

Amely Mizzi February 25, 2021 14:15

From May 2021, Austrian Airlines plans to fly to the destinations New York-John F. Kennedy and Montreal three times a week from Vienna. Newark Airport is currently on offer in the greater US metropolis area. JFK has been on hiatus for some time. The total offer from/to New York is to be offered on eight rotations per week. Austrian Airlines then wants to fly to both Newark and John F. Kennedy again. However, the actual implementation will most likely also depend on the easing of the strict entry and quarantine regulations on both sides. "With five destinations in North America and three in Asia, including Tokyo and Bangkok, our long-haul offer is on the rise again in the summer. Unfortunately, however, we are still a long way from flying altitude. We hope that a rapid increase in the vaccination rate and a corresponding easing of travel restrictions will give us further impetus in the future," says Austrian Airlines CCO Michael Trestl. Last week, Austrian Airlines was able to announce an increase in its flight program in the summer. From the end of March, various destinations will be resumed, including Barcelona, ​​Dubrovnik and Florence. Hanover will be served by Austrian Airlines for the first time since 2009. In addition, numerous holiday destinations are back on offer, for example in Greece, Italy and Spain. In the intercontinental route network, Amman, Bangkok, Chicago and Tokyo are back on the flight schedule.

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Swiss: recovery only in the third quarter of 2021

Amely Mizzi February 25, 2021 14:02

Due to ongoing entry and quarantine regulations, the airline Swiss is postponing the expansion of its flight program until mid-summer 2021. This is when it plans to expand its offering at the earliest. In any case, fewer flights will be flown in the second quarter of 2021 than originally planned. Swiss currently assumes that the aviation industry will not see a noticeable recovery until the third quarter of the current year. It is expected that around 65 percent of the 2019 level will then be offered and operated. A total of 85 destinations will be served from Zurich and 43 from Geneva in the summer flight schedule. The focus will be on leisure and visitor travel. SWISS will also now fly from Zurich to Tallinn (Estonia) and Billund (Denmark) and from Geneva to Santorini (Greece), Split (Croatia) and Funchal/Madeira (Portugal). "Due to the tightened travel restrictions as a result of the high number of infections, we have had to significantly reduce our offering again. We will only expand it significantly in the summer travel season. A particular focus is on leisure and visitor travel, as business travel will recover more slowly." Overall, Swiss plans to offer around 65 percent of the 2019 capacity again in the course of the third quarter. In the summer flight schedule, Swiss will serve 85 destinations from Zurich and 43 from Geneva," says Tamur Goudarzi Pour, Chief Commercial Officer at Swiss. New flights from Zurich to Tallinn and Billund The carrier will add two new European destinations to its program from Zurich. From June 25, 2021, the Swiss airline will serve the Estonian capital Tallinn twice a week. From July 2, 2021, the Lufthansa subsidiary will fly twice a week from Zurich to

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Brunner: “Green Pass” makes holidays possible

Amely Mizzi February 25, 2021 13:21

Austria's Aviation Secretary of State Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) assumes that the "privilege pass" demanded by his party leader Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) will make summer holidays possible. Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) and Günther Ofner, CEO of Flughafen Wien AG, expressed similar views. Brunner believes that the aviation industry has had a tough 2020, as it only achieved 25 percent of the volume of 2019. Now mutations and continued strict entry regulations are delaying "the long-awaited restart of the industry by customers and companies". "Chancellor Kurz's proposal for an EU-wide green pass is a great opportunity for regulated and stable air traffic in the summer. Many people usually plan their summer holidays around this time, but this year is characterized by great uncertainty. This is putting a massive strain on the industry. For more stability and planning security, simple and uniform solutions are needed - for passengers and companies," says Magnus Brunner. "A green pass based on the Israeli model is a great way to get a bit of normality back. A uniform proof of vaccination, negative test or previous illness allows people to provide the information necessary for mobility at home and abroad and enables companies and authorities to carry out efficient checks. By providing a uniform and electronic proof, we are creating significant simplifications for everyday activities, such as going to the hairdresser. I appeal to the heads of state and government to support Chancellor Kurz's proposal and thus find a quick solution so that people and the aviation industry can breathe a little easier again."

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Köstinger wants to enforce “privilege pass”

Jan Gruber February 25, 2021 13:04

A "Green Pass" is intended to bring certain privileges to vaccinated people within the European Union. This is what Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz wants. In the event that he cannot prevail, a national solo effort is to be made. The opposition party SPÖ criticizes the plan in a media statement. It points out that, as things stand, 95,5 percent of the population has no access to vaccinations at all. Kurz's plan would thus create a real pass for the privileged. The Austrian Chancellor's surprising proposal has been viewed positively by Vienna Airport AG. Its board member Günther Ofner said in an initial statement on Thursday: "Chancellor Kurz's push for a Europe-wide vaccination pass based on the Israeli model is an important initiative to ensure that corona-free tourism will be possible again in summer 2021. If no uniform regulation is reached across Europe, then a "coalition of the willing", i.e. those countries in the EU that want this like Austria, would also make sense. Anyone who has been vaccinated or tested should be able to travel again and take part in cultural or sporting events. Digital proof of vaccination and testing would be the decisive prerequisite for this. Millions of people want to be able to enjoy their holidays again. Across Europe, millions of jobs depend on whether corona-safe tourism and cultural activities with an audience are possible this summer. This is of the utmost importance, especially for Austria as a tourist destination. If necessary, Austria should implement this initiative alone. It would definitely not make sense to wait until April to make the decision, because then it would no longer be possible until the summer - the

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Corona: Associations call on the EU to act

Amely Mizzi February 25, 2021 12:32

In the run-up to the meeting of EU tourism ministers on March 1, 2021, the European aviation and tourism associations are appealing to the Portuguese EU Council Presidency to work for uniform coordination of corona measures. 14 associations, including the Cockpit Association, are calling on the EU Commission and governments to implement the following points in order to ensure Europe-wide coordination of travel restrictions, vaccination certificates and testing requirements. This is intended to reduce the negative impact on aviation and tourism: Widespread use of affordable, reliable and rapid tests to ease current travel restrictions Lifting of quarantine requirements for air travelers who have already tested negative Clear and understandable information about the timing and exceptions to COVID-19 tests Exemption of vaccinated travelers from tests, quarantines and other restrictions Demand for vaccinations not as a prerequisite for travel, but as an aid to the resumption of air travel. "Hundreds of thousands of jobs are currently at risk," says Markus Wahl, President of the Cockpit Association. "The EU can counteract this, but it must finally act forcefully now. A clear and precise package of coordinated measures across Europe can restore public confidence and is the only chance to save the coming summer season. If the EU comprehensively coordinates the necessary restrictions in the future and thus keeps them as low as possible, we can revive our industry."

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Fort Myers: Pepper spray paralyzed United flight

Jan Gruber February 25, 2021 12:02

Pepper spray caused unpleasant scenes on board United Airlines flight UA1061 before takeoff on Monday. However, there is no indication that any passenger had malicious intent. Rather, the authorities assume that an unfortunate coincidence led to the container being triggered. The pepper spray was simply overlooked during security checks. It should not have been taken on board. This mishap had unpleasant consequences for the passengers and crew, because during preparations for takeoff, the contents of the repellent leaked out for reasons that are still unclear. As a result, the passengers and cabin crew members had considerable breathing problems. According to the police authority, the pepper spray was not sprayed intentionally, but rather went off on its own. It is possible that the owner may have accidentally triggered it by moving on the seat. When asked about this, United Airlines told Aviation Direct: “On Monday, United flight 1061 from Fort Myers, Florida, to Newark, New Jersey, returned to the gate due to a disruptive incident with a customer before takeoff. Soon after, the flight flew safely to Newark." Passengers apparently had difficulty breathing United Airlines' description is a little euphemistic, because according to local media reports, some passengers had to leave the plane due to acute breathing difficulties. The plane was then intensively "ventilated" for around two hours in order to make the flight to Newark somewhat bearable. Some passengers are said to have refused to board the affected plane again. The TSA admitted that the security check had overlooked the pepper spray. This was

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Ryanair: Court in Portugal collects flight attendant dismissals

Amely Mizzi February 25, 2021 11:31

The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair suffered a severe defeat in the labor court in Portugal, as the mass dismissals were declared invalid. The plaintiff was the flight attendants' union SNPVAC. The bases in Lisbon and Porto are affected. The court ordered the low-cost airline to re-employ all dismissed flight attendants. However, Ryanair still has an appeal and it is likely that the low-cost airline will appeal. The SNPVAC union said in a statement that the dismissals, which took effect in January 2021, were found to be invalid and illegal by the court. The company had disregarded the procedures provided for in labor law. Previously, a court in Maia declared the dismissal of nine flight attendants invalid and ordered their reinstatement. In this case, cabin crew in Porto were affected.

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Fraudsters gamble with fake entry forms

Amely Mizzi February 25, 2021 11:02

Scammers and fraudsters have found a new field of activity due to the various entry registrations that have to be made online in advance in various countries. The German Federal Police expressly warns against scammers who have people fill out entry forms for Germany for a fee via fake websites. In this context, it should be expressly pointed out that forms that have to be filled out on the Internet for entry into various countries can only be filled out on the official homepages of the respective authorities. There are no fees for this and passengers should become suspicious at the latest when, for example, a credit card number is requested. Payment information is expressly not requested on the PLF and entry forms. The Kempten Police Headquarters draws attention to a case in a media statement: A passenger who arrived in Memmingen paid 29 euros on a website for an "entry registration" which, according to the Federal Police, did not exist. Such incidents are said to be increasing at various border crossings and airports.

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