May 17

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May 17

FlyArystan celebrates five years of existence

The low-cost carrier FlyArystan, part of the Air Astana Group in Kazakhstan, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with an impressive look back at its success story. Since its founding in 2019, FlyArystan has consistently relied on the classic low-cost business model and serves both domestic Kazakh routes and international destinations. The first flights started in May 2019 from Almaty to Astana, Karaganda and Uralsk. Today, the route network includes 14 cities in Kazakhstan as well as other destinations in various countries. Over the past five years, FlyArystan has expanded its fleet from four to 20 Airbus A320s, including nine in the latest NEO variant with 188 seats. As Kazakhstan's only low-cost carrier, FlyArystan has carried more than twelve million passengers, more than ten percent of whom had never flown before. The airline has also invested in innovations, including self-service check-in terminals, and received a 2022-star rating from Skytrax in 4. The following year, FlyArystan was named the best low-cost carrier in Central Asia and the CIS. In 2024, FlyArystan received its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Kazakhstani Aviation Authority.

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Air Baltic is heading to Pristina, Chisinau and Skopje

Latvian airline Air Baltic has announced new nonstop flights from Riga to Skopje, Chisinau and Pristina for the 2024 summer season. With two weekly flights to each new city, travelers from the Latvian capital will have expanded travel options. Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, impresses with a mix of history and modernity. The city offers a diverse architectural landscape with Ottoman buildings, Byzantine churches and modern neoclassical structures. Cultural highlights such as the Museum of Macedonian Resistance and the Old Bazaar attract visitors. The flight time between Riga and Skopje is approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, lures with its green boulevards and lush parks. The city presents a mix of Soviet architecture and modern renovations that provide the backdrop for a thriving art scene. Traditional Moldovan restaurants and local wines are also part of Chisinau's cultural heritage. The flight time between Riga and Chisinau is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, is an emerging metropolis in the Balkans. The city combines youthful energy with deep-rooted historical traditions, reflected in architectural landmarks such as the Imperial Mosque. Pristina is also a center for art and culture, with numerous festivals, trendy cafes and art venues. The flight time between Riga and Pristina is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.

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NASA has retired legendary Douglas DC-8

After more than 37 years of service as a flying science laboratory for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the legendary Douglas DC-8 aircraft reached its end in the skies. The jet was flown at low altitude from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, to an airfield near Idaho State University, where it will be retired. Fortunately, the aircraft will not be scrapped; instead, it will serve as a teaching tool for future aircraft engineers. The DC-8 has performed dozens of missions over the years, helping scientists conduct experiments that would be impossible on the ground. Its contribution to scientific research was immeasurable, and its loss will be felt strongly in the aviation and research community. The end of the DC-8 era was observed with sadness by those who were near its final flight path. The legendary four-engine jetliner took to the skies for the last time before its retirement. After its final service in April, preparations began for its retirement. For decades, the heavily modified DC-8 was the centerpiece of NASA's flying research. Stationed in Building 703 of the organization's Flight Research Center, it collected data for experiments that supported the global scientific community. NASA emphasized that the aircraft was accessible to researchers at all levels, from federal and state researchers to academic and foreign scientists. Once a symbol of passenger aircraft worldwide, the DC-8 has stood the test of time as airlines switched to more efficient aircraft. A few examples remain registered worldwide, but few fly regular passenger flights. The

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Marabu Airlines launched in Münster/Osnabrück

For a few days now, Marabu Airlines has been operating flights twice a week from Münster/Osnabrück to the Greek island of Crete. The route to Heraklion will now be served six times a week in summer. To ceremoniously welcome the first flight, the aircraft, an Airbus A320, was greeted by the FMO airport fire brigade with a traditional water fountain. The new connection expands the range of services offered by Münster/Osnabrück Airport and offers travelers from the region a direct way to reach the popular holiday destination of Crete.

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USC: A340-300 returns to service after Kingston incident

The only Airbus A340-300 of German air carrier USC is back in normal flight operations after it was stranded in Kingston Norman Manley, Jamaica, last week due to a charter flight debacle. The D-AUSC was stranded in Kingston for five days after departing from Dubai International via Cairo International on May 2, 2024, according to ADS-B data. USC managing director Klaus Dieter Martin denied claims that the aircraft was seized by local authorities, as reported by local media. “The aircraft was not seized,” he told Ch-Aviation. “This was a round-trip flight with a return ticket for all passengers. The passengers and crew entered the country, but the Jamaican authorities were not happy with the passengers despite granting them [traffic rights] and landing rights based on the [passenger name list] that was provided to them in advance. USC agreed to fly the passengers back to the departure point, but it took some time to rewrite the immigration papers. This was the only reason the aircraft remained in [Kingston] longer than planned," he explained. According to the Jamaican Ministry of National Security, there were apparently irregularities and missing information in the original application for permission to fly, but the necessary documentation was later submitted to the Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority, thus meeting the requirements, Radio Jamaica reported. According to the ministry, two passengers on the flight did not appear in the passenger list submitted, raising suspicions of human trafficking, local newspaper The Gleaner reported. The USC-A340-300 is now returning to regular operations after all matters were resolved

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Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH sees itself on the right track

According to plan, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (FBB) is on the way to financial independence, as shown in the annual report for 2023. Despite ongoing challenges, FBB once again generated a positive operating result. EBITDA, the operating result before taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization, reached 124,4 million euros - excluding special effects - for the first time higher than before the corona pandemic. A decisive factor in this development was the renewed increase in passenger numbers in 2023. More than 23 million people traveled via Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which represented an increase of over three million passengers compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the recovery is slower than at many other German and foreign airports compared to the pre-corona period. Despite increased operating income, FBB's financial challenges remain due to the construction history of BER airport. For 2023, the consolidated annual loss was 212,8 million euros, but significantly lower than in the previous year. Aletta von Massenbach, Chairwoman of the Management Board of FBB, nevertheless emphasized the positive developments and stressed the continuous work on financial consolidation and optimization of BER Airport. Jörg Simon, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FBB, praised the company's progress in the past financial year and emphasized the importance of measures to reduce the company's debt, as well as the optimization of passenger processes and the focus on sustainability and climate protection.

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MMAG Holdings wants to take over SriLankan Airlines

The Sri Lankan government's efforts to divest a majority stake in SriLankan Airlines have entered a new chapter as conglomerate Supreme Global has emerged as a potential suitor. This development was confirmed by an official notification from MMAG Holdings Berhad, which has entered into a business agreement with Supreme Global to establish and operate a cargo feeder network in case Supreme Global takes control of SriLankan Airlines. The Sri Lankan government has initiated the process of selling its state-owned airline and the deadline for potential bidders was April 22, 2024. At least six parties, including household names such as AirAsia Consulting Sdn Bhd and Hayleys PLC, have reportedly participated in the tender process. Supreme Global's involvement in this process brings a new dynamic to the bidding field and signals potential changes in Sri Lanka's aviation landscape. The agreement between MMAG Holdings Berhad and Supreme Global provides that MMAG Aviation Consortium Sdn Bhd will provide cargo aircraft and operational support to establish and manage an efficient cargo feeder network for SriLankan Airlines if Supreme Global is awarded the contract. This marks a strategic move for Supreme Global as it expands its business into the aviation and logistics industry. MMAG Holdings Berhad, through its subsidiary MJets Air Sdn Bhd Kargo Xpress, is already active in cargo aviation and operates a fleet of B737-800(BCF)s. The experience and resources that MMAG brings to this agreement could be crucial in optimising SriLankan Airlines’ operations, particularly in the area of ​​cargo transportation. Supreme Global, an emerging company with diverse business interests, could benefit from

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Korean Air with a 20 percent increase in sales

Korean Air posted impressive revenue of KRW 3,8225 trillion (USD 2,8382 billion) in the first quarter, up 20 percent year-on-year. This success was mainly due to the strong recovery in passenger traffic and solid cargo demand. Despite increased fuel and labor costs, as well as airport and facility usage fees, operating profit increased 5 percent year-on-year to KRW 436,1 billion (USD 323,8 million). Particularly notable is the 32 percent year-on-year increase in passenger revenue to KRW 2,3421 trillion in the first quarter. Except for China, the airline's network capacity has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels of 2019. In particular, profitability improved on routes to Southeast Asia and Japan thanks to capacity expansion to meet strong tourist demand. In the cargo business, however, Korean Air recorded a slight decline in revenue in the first quarter to KRW 996,6 billion as the global air cargo market continued to stabilize. For the second quarter of 2024, Korean Air plans to focus on route profitability in light of global capacity expansion and increased competition in the passenger business. In the cargo business, the airline will capitalize on growing e-commerce demand from China, expand partnerships with customers and provide capacity on key routes.

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West Palm Beach: Trump's Boeing 757 hits business jet

An incident that attracted attention occurred at West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida in the early hours of May 12, 2024: the wing of a Boeing 757 owned by former US President Donald Trump struck a parked aircraft while taxiing. The incident, which occurred at 01:20 a.m. local time, triggered an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to the FAA, the winglet of the B757 touched an unoccupied business jet while taxiing. This happened in an area of ​​the airport that is not controlled by the FAA, according to their report. The exact circumstances of the incident and the question of responsibility are the subject of the ongoing investigation. Trump's private plane, registered under the registration number N757AF, is a luxury aircraft of the highest class. With an estimated value of $100 million, the Boeing 757 is a symbol of the former president's extravagant lifestyle. Since its purchase in 2011, the aircraft has been converted into a flying palace. With 43 seats, a master bedroom, a guest suite, a dining room, a VIP area and a custom-made galley, the B757 offers Trump and his guests the highest level of comfort and luxury. Particularly noteworthy is the aircraft's 24-carat gold, which is not only used for decorative purposes but also adorns the seatbelt buckles. This extravagant use of gold reflects the former president's exclusive lifestyle and taste. The incident at West Palm Beach International Airport has not only raised questions about airport security and responsibility in

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Tap: Stop-Over Program Adopted by 214.000 Passengers

TAP Air Portugal's Portugal Stopover program proved to be a great success again in 2023, when it was used by a total of 214.000 passengers. The program allows travelers on long- and medium-haul flights that pass through Lisbon or Porto to interrupt their flight free of charge for a period of one to ten days. The offer is particularly attractive for TAP customers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who fly on via Lisbon or Porto, as it offers them the opportunity to get to know other fascinating corners of Portugal. During the stopover, passengers can choose whether they want to make this stop on the outbound or return flight. In addition, they receive a generous 25 percent discount on every domestic flight. This allows travelers to explore other Portuguese regions such as the Algarve, Madeira or the Azores during their stopover at extremely favorable conditions. Another attractive aspect of the program is the exclusive offers and discounts that Portugal Stopover customers receive from a total of 149 partners across the country. These partners include hotels, restaurants, leisure activities, tours, museums, cultural facilities, shopping and services that make your stay in Portugal even more enjoyable. Most notably, TAP Air Portugal's Portugal Stopover program was named the best in the world for the fifth year in a row in 2023 by the prestigious US magazine Global Traveler.

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