December 30, 2024

Crew member dies after emergency landing of Swiss flight in Graz

Jan Gruber 30 December 2024 22:45

It is with great sadness and dismay that Swiss airline has announced the death of one of its crew members, who was hospitalized after an emergency landing in Graz. The tragic incident occurred as a result of a serious incident on flight LX1885 from Bucharest to Zurich on December 23, 2024. Passengers and crew had to deal with a critical situation on board caused by engine problems and smoke in the cockpit and cabin. Despite the successful emergency landing and immediate medical attention, the affected crew member died in a Graz clinic on December 30. An incident with far-reaching consequences Flight LX1885 took off regularly from Bucharest on December 23, bound for Zurich. However, soon after takeoff, technical problems arose, which were exacerbated by smoke in the cockpit and cabin. This dangerous situation prompted the pilots to initiate an emergency landing at Graz Airport. Rescue efforts on site were initiated quickly and professionally. All passengers and crew members were able to leave the aircraft safely and medical examinations were initiated immediately. Among the affected crew members was the young employee, whose health was already critical shortly after landing. Despite intensive efforts by the doctors treating him in Graz, his life could not be saved. The news of his death has deeply shocked the entire Swiss workforce. Reactions from Swiss management Jens Fehlinger, CEO of Swiss, was stunned and deeply affected in an official statement: "We are all deeply shocked by the death of our valued colleague. This news has made us deeply saddened. Our condolences go first and foremost to

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Book review: “Flying happily like on cloud 7” by Irene Rausch

Jan Gruber 30 December 2024 15:09

With her book "Flying happily like you're on cloud nine", psychologist Irene Rausch has made an important contribution to overcoming fear of flying. The author, who has been helping people overcome their fear of flying for 7 years, offers a deep insight into the psychological mechanisms behind this widespread fear and shows practical solutions for overcoming it. Her many years of experience and expertise as a clinical psychologist and fear of flying trainer for international airlines flow into this work, which offers valuable advice and support to both those affected and their relatives who are confronted with fear of flying. "Flying happily like you're on cloud nine" begins with the sober statement that around a third of passengers suffer from fear of flying. For many people, it is a constant companion that can significantly impair the joy of traveling and the comfort of flying. In clear, understandable language, Rausch addresses the most common fears and the associated physical reactions such as sweating, racing heart or the feeling of fainting. She sheds light on how irrational these fears often are and draws the reader's attention to the often underestimated role of stress and misconceptions on a psychological level. The author asks questions that are familiar to many people who are afraid of flying: "Can you go crazy from fear on an airplane?" or "Is it normal to fail again and again despite all your efforts to overcome your fear of flying?" These questions are not just rhetorical, but reflect the inner struggle of many people who feel helpless when their fear overcomes them again. But intoxication

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In the test: “Dubai Drink”: Must Have or Fail of the Year?

Angelika Evergreen 30 December 2024 12:30

Fresh Pistachio Dubai Edition: What makes it so unforgettable and does it keep its promises? For all foodies who don't know it yet, we have made a comparison of 6 Dubai foods to make it easier for you to buy the right Dubai chocolate. If you follow the social channels and call yourself a foodie, you have certainly already come into contact with the hype surrounding Dubai chocolate or similar product variations derived from it. For some time now, transparent plastic canned drinks have been available on the market under the name "Fresh Drinks". The Germany-based company has now also jumped on the "Dubai train" and is currently offering a special "Dubai Edition". Since December 30, 2024, this drink has also been available in branches of the German discounter Aldi Süd. Is it the luxury drink of the year? The "Fresh Pistachio Dubai Edition" drink is offered in a transparent plastic can that makes the contents visible. The manufacturer of the product tries to give the customer a unique drinking experience with a very unique, neon green color of the drink. This beautiful color also increased my interest in the product. I discovered it personally at a gas station. The manufacturer assures the consumer that their drink, the pistachios, which are bottled unsalted and without additional processing, offer a fabulous refreshment. Drink in a transparent plastic container In practice, however, this is not really relevant, because it is - to put it objectively - a bright green liquid, encased in a transparent container with a print and product information. Personally, I find the design very

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Cyber attacks in Italy: Pro-Russian hacker group claims responsibility for attacks on authorities and airports

Belinda Borg 30 December 2024 11:42

Italy was recently the target of a large-scale cyberattack that brought several government and company websites to a standstill. The Foreign Ministry and the websites of Milan-Malpensa and Milan-Linate airports were among those affected. The pro-Russian hacker group "Noname057(16)" claimed responsibility for the attacks via the Telegram short message service and described them as a "well-deserved cyber response" to allegedly Russophobic forces in Italy. Background to the attacks The attacks occurred at a time when Italy is increasingly positioning itself as a supporter of Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. The hacker group "Noname057(16)" has claimed responsibility for similar attacks several times in the past and is known for targeted cyber operations against pro-Ukrainian states. Their modus operandi is based on so-called distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), in which networks are overloaded with massive data traffic in order to disrupt their functionality. The Italian cybersecurity authority confirmed that such a method was used in this case too. Despite the targeted attack, the damage was limited: within less than two hours, the experts managed to neutralize the effects of the attacks. Impact on the affected facilities The websites of Milan's two largest airports were temporarily out of service. However, a spokesman for the airport operator assured that air traffic was not affected at any time. Mobile apps and other operational systems of the airports continued to function without restrictions. The Foreign Ministry also reported no lasting disruption to its work processes. The rapid response of the Italian cybersecurity authority shows how crucial well-prepared defense mechanisms are in the digital age. Nevertheless, the attacks raise questions about the long-term cybersecurity of Italy and its critical infrastructures. Political dimension and reactions The attacks

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El Al suspends Moscow flights for longer

Belinda Borg 30 December 2024 11:40

The Israeli airline El Al has temporarily suspended its flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow. The decision was made following the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane near the Kazakh city of Aktau, in which 38 people lost their lives. This measure is one of many that underscore the airline's safety strategy, especially in an environment of increasing political tensions and uncertainty. The crash of the Azerbaijani plane has sparked widespread international reactions. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of being responsible for the incident, as the plane was apparently fired upon in Russian airspace over the Chechen city of Grozny. Aliyev stressed that he did not believe that Russian air defenses had deliberately hit the plane. Nevertheless, he accused Russian authorities of covering up the cause of the crash. These allegations exacerbate already tense relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, especially against the backdrop of geopolitical conflicts in the Caucasus region. The crash and the subsequent developments also raise questions about the safety of international airspace. El Al: Focus on security strategy El Al is internationally known for its rigorous security measures. The decision to suspend flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow until the end of March was made after a comprehensive assessment of the situation, according to the company. This measure shows how seriously the airline analyzes and responds to security threats. The route to Moscow is considered one of the most important international connections for El Al, especially because of the large Russian-speaking community in Israel. Despite the economic impact of the flight cancellation, El Al puts the safety of its passengers above financial considerations - an aspect that will further strengthen confidence in the airline.

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Hahn Airport misses target of two million passengers

Amely Mizzi 30 December 2024 11:09

Hahn Airport in the Hunsrück region narrowly missed its self-imposed target of two million passengers this year. At the end of the year, the airport counted around 1,86 million passengers, an increase of around eleven percent compared to the previous year. Managing Director Rüdiger Franke was nevertheless satisfied with the result and stressed that the airport had performed well overall in a difficult environment. Air freight, on the other hand, recorded losses. Aircraft charters were denied flight rights, which led to a loss of around 300 to 400 flights. Franke was confident, however, that the airport would catch up in the coming year. Despite these setbacks, demand for air freight has generally increased again. Hahn Airport pursues a diversified strategy based on three pillars: passenger traffic, air freight and real estate development. This equal focus should help the airport to maintain stability even in times of crisis.

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New landing gear problems: South Korea's government inspects Boeing 737-800 after fatal plane crash

Jan Gruber 30 December 2024 10:54

Following one of the worst aircraft crashes in South Korea's history, the country's aviation industry is facing increased safety checks. According to a report by the Yonhap news agency, just one day after the Muan tragedy, another incident occurred involving problems with the landing gear of a plane belonging to the same airline. The government has then ordered a comprehensive investigation of all Boeing 737-800s in South Korea. On Sunday, flight 7C2216 of the budget airline Jeju Air crashed in Muan from Bangkok. According to initial findings, a bird strike may have damaged the landing gear, causing the plane to land without the landing gear extended. The Airbus eventually veered off the runway at the end of the runway and collided with a wall. Of the 181 people on board, only two passengers survived. The tragedy represents the most devastating accident in South Korean aviation history to date. Just one day later, flight 7C101, also operated by Jeju Air, had to turn around shortly after takeoff at Gimpo Airport in Seoul. The reason was reports of problems with the landing gear. These incidents shed light on possible technical weaknesses and the safety culture in handling the widely used Boeing 737-800 aircraft model. Government orders comprehensive inspections In response to recent events, the South Korean government has ordered that all Boeing 737-800s registered in the country be checked for safety. According to the Ministry of Transport, the maintenance records and the usage rates of the machines in particular are to be audited. The head of aviation regulations, Joo Jong Wan, emphasized that the high usage rate of Jeju Air's aircraft is the focus of the investigations.

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Volocopter files for bankruptcy

Jan Gruber 30 December 2024 10:45

With Volocopter's bankruptcy filing on December 26, 2023, another German air taxi manufacturer faces an uncertain future. The Bruchsal-based company, which was considered a pioneer in the development of vertical take-off, all-electric aircraft, has been struggling with financial difficulties for months. Despite intensive efforts to attract investors and government support, it has not been possible to continue operations outside of insolvency proceedings. The Karlsruhe District Court has appointed Tobias Wahl of Anchor Rechtsanwälte as provisional insolvency administrator. Wahl stated that he intends to present a restructuring plan by the end of February 2024 that will ensure viable financing. The aim is to maintain operations and secure jobs. Business operations will continue despite the insolvency, as company spokespeople emphasized. With the planned type approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024, Volocopter hopes to finally enter the market. Financial problems despite high ambitions Volocopter had successfully completed financing rounds over the years to drive development and operations forward. However, the most recent capital procurement failed due to an agreement with investors and shareholders. Government support was also lacking, although talks were held about aid totalling 100 million euros. Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke criticised the lack of political support in this context. "In such a technologically complex and capital-intensive industry as ours, you also look to the state," Hoke explained in an interview. Volocopter's insolvency is one of a series of setbacks in the German air taxi industry. Lilium, another pioneer in this field, filed for insolvency in December. Unlike Volocopter,

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ÖBB: More than 11.000 forgotten pieces of luggage in 2024

Jan Gruber 30 December 2024 10:07

In 2024, a total of more than 11.000 items of luggage such as suitcases, backpacks and bags were handed in at the Austrian railway's seven Lost & Found locations. Electronic devices such as cameras and cell phones came in second place with almost 5.600 items, while wallets and securities came in third place with around 3.600 items found. Despite the large number of lost items, around 38 percent of the items were returned to their owners. The more unusual finds included 55 e-scooters and even two drones. Sports equipment such as skateboards, ice skates and instruments were also found, including 103 musical instruments, with guitars being the most common. Notably, ten license plates, 390 annual passes and almost 500 credit cards were also returned. A lost boat attracted particular attention. The number of lost items decreased slightly compared to the previous year. Travelers who lose an item can report it using an online tool that makes it easier to locate the lost property.

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Condor discontinues seasonal flights between Frankfurt and Rijeka

Belinda Borg 30 December 2024 09:00

German airline Condor has announced that it will no longer offer its seasonal flights between Frankfurt and Rijeka in summer 2025. The route, which was served once a week between May and September with an Airbus A320, has been part of Condor's flight schedule since 2012, with the exception of 2016, 2017 and 2020. This decision follows the discontinuation of similar connections by other airlines, including easyJet, which will also discontinue its flights to Rijeka next summer. Condor justified the measure with a review of the route network, which found that demand for this connection was no longer sufficient. However, as previously reported, Ryanair is planning a new connection from Wroclaw to Rijeka for 2025 and is also expected to offer flights from Hahn soon. Changes to flights and route planning are still possible. Rijeka Airport will lose another flight connection with this decision, while the competitive landscape on the route is increasingly changing.

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More articles from the category

Crew member dies after emergency landing of Swiss flight in Graz

Book review: “Flying happily like on cloud 7” by Irene Rausch

In the test: “Dubai Drink”: Must Have or Fail of the Year?

Cyber attacks in Italy: Pro-Russian hacker group claims responsibility for attacks on authorities and airports

El Al suspends Moscow flights for longer

Hahn Airport misses target of two million passengers

New landing gear problems: South Korea's government inspects Boeing 737-800 after fatal plane crash

Volocopter files for bankruptcy

ÖBB: More than 11.000 forgotten pieces of luggage in 2024

Condor discontinues seasonal flights between Frankfurt and Rijeka

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