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February 4, 2025

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February 4, 2025

Icelandair with increased revenue but annual loss – optimism for 2025

Jan Gruber 4. February 2025 09:32

The Icelandic airline Icelandair achieved revenue growth of 2024 percent in 10 compared to the previous year. Total revenue in the fourth quarter was $349 million, while the net loss for the full year was $20 million. In 2023, the company had posted a net profit of $11 million. Despite the red numbers, management is optimistic about 2025 and is planning a further eight percent increase in capacity. A key success factor was improved operational efficiency. Costs per unit fell by three percent in the fourth quarter, partly due to lower fuel prices. The airline also recorded a passenger record: 4,7 million travelers were carried in 2024 - an increase of nine percent over the previous year. Punctuality also improved by 5,6 percentage points, making Icelandair one of the most punctual airlines in Europe in summer 2024. In addition to the passenger business, the cargo sector also recorded positive development. After a period of weakness, the cargo segment again achieved a positive operating result. The leasing business also remained stable. A milestone was the addition of the first Airbus aircraft to Icelandair's fleet, which was taken over in December 2024. Icelandair expects an operating result (EBIT) of between 2025 and 40 million US dollars for 60. The airline is also planning a further operational restructuring that should bring long-term savings of up to 70 million US dollars per year.

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SAS presents new uniforms

Jan Gruber 4. February 2025 09:28

The Scandinavian airline SAS recently announced the introduction of new uniforms for its crew members. These are intended not only to reflect the company's classic elegance, but also to emphasize the modern values ​​of inclusivity and individuality. The new uniforms, which will be gradually introduced from February 2025, are a significant part of the recent changes within the company that affect both the appearance of the crew and the corporate philosophy. SAS, as one of the leading aviation providers in Scandinavia, attaches great importance to an appearance that combines both traditional Scandinavian values ​​and the requirements of a modern, dynamic airline. Every year, the airline's crew members welcome more than 30 million passengers, many of whom come into contact with Scandinavian culture for the first time. In this context, the new design of the uniforms is intended not only to give business travelers a stylish appearance, but also to underline the functionality and innovative strength of the airline. The new uniforms were developed in collaboration with various departments of the airline and are intended for around 9.000 employees. With the new designs, SAS aims to combine modernity and functionality, while maintaining Scandinavian tradition and corporate values. SAS Chief People Officer Pernile Ormholt Vang explained that adapting the uniforms is a significant step to refresh the airline's appearance. "These changes reflect a modern expression, while at the same time remaining true to our commitment to professionalism, safety and care," said Vang. An inclusive and individual approach A central aspect of the new uniforms is the emphasis on inclusivity and individuality. This is reflected

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Philadelphia crash: investigations and first details

Belinda Borg 4. February 2025 09:24

On January 31, 2025, tragedy struck Philadelphia when a Learjet 55, which was being used as an air ambulance, crashed near Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE). The aircraft, which was transporting medical passengers, claimed the lives of not only the crew and passengers, but also another victim on the ground. Investigators from the National Transport Safety Bureau (NTSB) have now provided initial clues about the crash, which also caused great horror in the surrounding neighborhoods of Philadelphia. The search for the causes of the disaster is now the focus of the investigation, and important clues could be obtained from the aircraft's so-called "black box". The investigation into the Learjet crash is currently focusing on the analysis of the black box, which contains the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and potentially valuable flight data. This was found by NTSB investigators at a depth of around eight feet (approximately 2,5 meters) in the area around the crash site. The CVR may provide answers as to why the jet, which was on a medical evacuation from Philadelphia to Mexico, went into a dramatic downward trajectory. According to initial information from the NTSB, flight data indicates a sudden crash that reached a vertical descent rate of over 11.000 feet per minute in less than a minute. Investigators have also secured the jet's Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). This system provides valuable information about the plane's trajectory and behavior shortly before the crash. Both devices, the CVR and the EGPWS, are being used to

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Hacker attack on Alltours: A security incident and its impact on customers and companies

Amely Mizzi 4. February 2025 09:10

A cyberattack on the Alltours website has caused a stir and concern among the tour operator's affected customers in recent days. A hacker gained access to sensitive booking data via the alltours.nl website, where holidaymakers book their trips. Despite a quick response from the company and confirmation that there is no evidence of misuse of the data, the incident remains an alarming example of the vulnerabilities that continue to exist in online business. As the company confirmed, the hacker gained access to the booking data of customers who had booked their trips via Alltours' online platform. The company's IT department reacted immediately, closed the unauthorized access and thus prevented further damage. Alltours emphasized that there was "no indication that personal data was used in any way." Nevertheless, the incident was serious enough to quickly inform the affected customers. "We reacted immediately and take this incident very seriously. We deeply regret the inconvenience for our customers,” said Jan Mayer, Managing Director for Tourism and Finance at Alltours, in a statement. Mayer assured that the company is working closely with the relevant authorities to fully clarify the incident. The police’s cybercrime department and external IT security experts are involved in the investigation to examine the attack in detail and identify the security gaps. Data protection and legal steps Alltours has also reported the incident to the responsible supervisory authority for data protection and freedom of information in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is in line with German data protection regulations. The company has also filed a criminal complaint to take action against

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SAS flight to Milan returns to Stockholm due to unusual smell

Stephen Steiner 4. February 2025 09:09

An SAS flight from Stockholm Arlanda to Milan Linate was diverted early yesterday due to an unusual smell on board. Flight SK689, which had 157 passengers on board, landed safely back in Stockholm after both passengers and crew noticed a strange smell. All passengers have now safely disembarked the aircraft and are waiting for a replacement aircraft. According to a confirmation from Pia Herrera, SAS spokesperson, technicians are now examining the aircraft, an Airbus A320neo with the registration EI-SIV, to determine the exact cause of the smell. Initial reports suggested that it may have been a smell of smoke. The aircraft landed without incident while emergency services stood by as a precaution. The exact cause of the incident remains unclear. However, SAS has announced that it will continue to investigate the incident and is in contact with the relevant security authorities.

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Sustainable Aviation: SAF as an interim solution and the impact on the aviation industry

Belinda Borg 4. February 2025 09:07

The aviation industry is facing a profound transformation that includes the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF are synthetic fuels designed to replace conventional kerosene and have significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to fossil kerosene. Given the global pressure on industries to reduce their emissions, SAF are considered one of the most promising solutions to reduce CO2 emissions in aviation. However, despite their advantages, there are both technical and economic challenges that make the widespread adoption of SAF difficult. Moreover, the question arises as to whether SAF can really serve as a long-term solution in aviation. What are SAF fuels? SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a synthetic aviation fuel produced from renewable sources such as biomass, waste materials or vegetable oils. Unlike conventional kerosene, which is derived from fossil feedstocks, SAF is an alternative fuel that has a significantly reduced carbon footprint. The fuel can either be used directly in aircraft or blended with fossil kerosene. The main advantage of SAF is the reduction of CO2 emissions, as it enables almost climate-neutral production when the CO2 emissions from the production and transport of the fuel are taken into account. However, the production of SAF is associated with higher costs and technological hurdles. Production capacities for SAF are still limited worldwide and the price of the fuel is currently far higher than that of conventional kerosene. Nevertheless, governments and the aviation industry are working hard to scale up production and reduce costs. Impact of SAF on aviation The introduction of SAF in aviation has far-reaching

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Russian Prosecutor General's Office sues owner of Moscow's Domodedovo Airport - nationalization demanded

Jan Gruber 4. February 2025 08:35

In an unprecedented turn of events, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office has charged the owners of Moscow's second-largest airport, Domodedovo, with embezzlement and called for the company to be nationalised. The indictment accuses the owners, Valery Kogan and Dmitry Kamenchik, of acquiring the company under suspicious circumstances and placing it under the influence of foreign actors. This represents not only a legal but also a political and economic intrigue that could have far-reaching consequences for the Russian economy and the aviation industry. Background to the case Domodedovo Airport, located in southeast Moscow, is the second largest in the country and a strategically important hub in Russian air traffic. The airport handles more than 20 million passengers annually and occupies a leading position in international cargo traffic. There is only one larger airport in Moscow - Sheremetyevo. But Domodedovo has established itself as an extremely lucrative business even beyond its size. This importance has repeatedly led to conflicts between the owners and the Russian authorities in recent years. In recent days, a new dispute has flared up, this time not only over financial or operational issues, but also over state control over the airport and its owners. According to Russian media, the Prosecutor General's Office has charged Valery Kogan and Dmitry Kamenchik with embezzlement, as they allegedly illegally misappropriated the company's assets. The two owners are also accused of secretly placing the airport under foreign influence, which is a serious violation under Russian law.

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Holiday on Ice once again delights over 60.000 spectators in the Vienna Stadthalle

Belinda Borg 4. February 2025 08:07

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, the popular ice show Holiday on Ice No Limits came to a close with standing ovations in the Wiener Stadthalle. For the third time in a row, the show attracted more than 60.000 spectators to the hall. With prominent star guests such as Thommy Ten and Amélie van Tass, the finale of this year's production was a highlight that once again captivated the audience. Wien Holding Managing Director Kurt Gollowitzer expressed his delight at the event's ongoing success: "The positive response is a great confirmation of this format." Matthäus Zelenka, Managing Director of the Wiener Stadthalle, was also delighted by the audience's enthusiasm: "It is impressive to see how Holiday on Ice sets new standards year after year and inspires people of all generations." After the successful conclusion of the current show, the organizers are already planning the next edition. Advance sales for the new production Holiday on Ice Horizons, which will take place in the Wiener Stadthalle from January to February 2026, have already begun. The new show promises to be another highlight. Horizons is produced under the creative direction of Robin Cousins, a former Olympic figure skating champion. The show combines outstanding acrobatics and innovative technical elements with top performances in figure skating. Early bird discounts of 30% are available for tickets and the show is once again certified as a Green Event, which underlines the efforts of the Wiener Stadthalle to set sustainable standards even at large events. A detailed report on “Holiday on

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Air Wisconsin cuts 500 jobs

Belinda Borg 4. February 2025 07:39

Air Wisconsin, a well-known regional airline in the United States, has announced that more than 500 employees will lose their jobs as part of a massive restructuring. The main reason for the layoffs is the termination of its partnership with American Airlines and the resulting change in the company's business strategy. Starting in spring 2025, Air Wisconsin will no longer fly under the American Eagle brand and plans to expand its operations to other revenue streams, such as charter flights and government-subsidized operations. The transition will result in significant job losses, particularly among operations managers and unionized workers. Layoffs and Impact on Employees According to a workforce reduction notice submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) on January 30, 2025, a total of 513 employees will be affected by the cuts. Of these, 294 are unionized employees, while 219 employees are in management and clerical positions. The layoffs are expected to begin on March 31, 2025, and will take place over the next two weeks. Tina Vos, vice president of human resources at Air Wisconsin, said in the statement that the company cannot currently estimate how deep the reductions will be. Rather, it will rely on finding new flight options to mitigate the impact of the layoffs. The company is, among other things, examining whether it can introduce additional Essential Air Service (EAS) routes to underserved rural areas in order to diversify its business model. However, it remains unclear how many jobs these efforts can secure in the long term. The layoffs affect a wide range of employees, including

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Growth in Finnish air traffic: Finavia records an increase in passenger numbers in 2024

Belinda Borg 4. February 2025 07:05

In 2024, Finavia's Finnish airports reached a total of 19,6 million passengers, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year. Particularly noteworthy is the growth in Lapland airspace, where passenger numbers increased by 19%. The popular Helsinki Airport saw a moderate increase of 16,3% with 6,5 million travelers. Finavia, the operator of the country's 20 airports, reports intensive cooperation with airlines and tourism organizations to expand air connections and route offerings. Despite the overall positive development, Finnish air traffic is still 25% below 2019 levels, due to the impact of the Russian airspace closure and the weaker recovery of Asian traffic. In comparison, neighboring countries such as Norway and Sweden have increased their passenger numbers faster. Particularly noteworthy, however, is the remarkable growth in northern Finnish Lapland, where Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo recorded the highest increases. 1,8 million passengers flew through Lapland's airports in 2024, and Rovaniemi Airport is approaching the milestone of one million travelers with 948.000 passengers. The growing trend towards leisure travel is also felt in Finland. Destinations in southern Europe such as Greece, Croatia and Italy, as well as overseas trips to Japan, the USA and Thailand, are particularly popular. At the same time, the proportion of business travelers is declining. Despite these challenges, the Finnish tourism industry aims to continue to promote tourism in Lapland outside of the peak season. Finavia is working to further expand the offer with new international scheduled flights that are available all year round.

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