October 18th

More articles from the category

October 18th

The scariest cities in Europe: The top Halloween destinations

Halloween has long been established in Europe as a festival where not only children go on a candy hunt, but adults also look for scary-beautiful experiences. More and more cities are offering attractions especially for Halloween that are ideal for a short trip. The travel company TUI has put together the top 10 destinations in Europe that are among the best places for Halloween night thanks to dark stories, scary places and scary attractions. From ghost stories in Edinburgh to macabre shows in Amsterdam - Europe's cities have a lot to offer Halloween fans. London: On the trail of Jack the Ripper The British capital is probably one of the best known cities when it comes to dark stories. London is deeply rooted in gruesome chapters of the past, such as the brutal murders of Jack the Ripper in the Whitechapel district. Halloween fans can go on nighttime tours to explore the places where the notorious serial killer wreaked havoc in the 19th century. Another attraction that scares tourists is the London Dungeon. Here, visitors delve into the gruesome aspects of the city's history, from the plague to the infamous fire of 1666. An overnight stay in the four-star hotel The Tower is available for horror fans from 89 euros, while entry to the London Dungeon costs from 36 euros. Madrid: Horror in the Warner Bros. Park If you prefer to get scared in a theme park on Halloween, you'll find what you're looking for in Madrid. In the Warner Bros. Park, visitors can expect horror labyrinths and ghostly characters from well-known films. Spain's history also has dark chapters: In

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High location costs burden aviation in Germany – Ministry plans reforms

German airlines and airports are under pressure due to high location costs. Airlines such as Ryanair, Eurowings and Condor have already announced cuts in the German market, especially at Hamburg Airport. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing is now reacting to these developments and has announced that he will examine measures to limit air traffic control fees. "We must send a clear signal to the industry in order to strengthen air traffic in Germany," Wissing told the Bild newspaper. A market report is intended to provide clarity on the overall cost structure in order to reduce the competitive disadvantage compared to other EU countries.

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Exchange rates and inflation: Here the “holiday euro” is particularly valuable

The euro has changed massively in value in some countries over the past year, and this presents both opportunities and challenges for travelers and business people. Argentina in particular is showing a remarkable development: there, the euro has increased enormously in value since 2023, noticeably increasing the purchasing power of tourists. But while the euro is gaining ground in some regions, it is losing ground in others. A study by the technology company Wise offers insights into the dynamics of the currency markets and gives advice on how travelers can make the most of their financial opportunities. Argentina: A paradise for euro tourists The situation in Argentina is currently particularly favorable for European travelers. Within a year, the euro has increased in value by around 65 percent against the Argentine peso. While in 2023 you could still get 372 pesos for one euro, today it is already around 1.073 pesos. This dramatic devaluation of the peso makes Argentina an extremely attractive travel destination from the perspective of the eurozone. High inflation in Argentina, which according to the Argentine central bank was over 2023 percent in 100, is a major reason for the weakness of the peso. The country also suffers from economic instability, which is exacerbated by high levels of public debt and recurring financial crises. For tourists, however, this means a significant increase in their purchasing power. A vacation in Argentina - with its breathtaking landscapes such as the Iguazú Falls or the picturesque city of Buenos Aires - becomes comparatively affordable. But the strong exchange rate alone should not be the only criterion for travel decisions. As Thomas Adamski of Wise

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Engine failure on German Airways flight: Safe return to Nuremberg

On October 13, 2024, a German Airways flight from Nuremberg to Amsterdam had to turn around due to an engine failure. Shortly after takeoff of the Embraer E190, which was operating for KLM Cityhopper, the pilots switched off the left engine at an altitude of 5.000 feet and aborted the climb. The aircraft returned safely to Nuremberg Airport and landed shortly after 6:00 a.m. In addition to the airport fire department, a local volunteer fire department was also alerted, but no intervention was necessary. Initial investigations into the cause of the engine failure are underway. The incident ended well and no one was injured.

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Play wants to set up a Malta branch

Icelandic low-cost airline Play recently announced major changes in its business strategy due to unexpected market conditions and increased competition in transatlantic air travel. This announcement marks a key turning point in the company's development as Play strives to secure long-term profitability and avoid the mistakes of its once-failed predecessor WOW Air. Since its founding in 2019, Play has focused primarily on so-called hub-and-spoke operations, where passengers transfer between Europe and North America via Iceland. This strategy initially proved promising, but in 2024 the company came under pressure as major airlines increased their capacity on the popular transatlantic routes. In particular, airlines such as Icelandair and international competitors such as Delta and United Airlines expanded their offerings on the routes between North America and Europe. This led to a significant decline in revenues for Play as competition for passengers became more intense. Play is responding to these developments with a clear reorientation: In the future, the airline will focus more on so-called point-to-point leisure routes between Iceland and southern Europe. According to company forecasts, this sector shows promising growth potential. In 2024, the airline expanded its route network to include popular holiday destinations such as Madeira, Faro, Valencia and Marrakech. Play is also planning further route expansions in 2025, including flights to Turkey, especially Antalya. Temporary outsourcing of transatlantic flights While Play is increasing its commitment to the southern European leisure sector, the airline will initially scale back its activities in the transatlantic market. The routes to North America, which currently serve destinations such as Boston, New York-Stewart and Toronto, will be suspended from November 1st.

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EASA orders engine inspection of Boeing 737 MAX

The European aviation authority EASA has updated an existing airworthiness directive for engines of the Boeing 737 MAX models. The reason for this is material inclusions in high-pressure turbines and high-pressure compressors of certain batches of the LEAP-1B engine manufactured by CFM. If the components break, these defects could release debris and damage the aircraft. Several 737 MAX 8, MAX 9 and MAX 8200 models must therefore go to the workshop to replace the affected components within the next 50 flight cycles. The EASA had already issued an initial airworthiness directive on this problem in May 2023, as the defects have been known for some time. However, other affected parts have been identified since then. The EASA is now responding to the expansion of the problem. A similar defect was also discovered in September 2023 in the CFM LEAP-1A engine used in the Airbus A321neo.

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