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February 17, 2025

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February 17, 2025

The dispute over the future of Rex and the impact on Australia's regional aviation

Jan Gruber February 17, 2025 13:59

The Australian aviation industry finds itself in the midst of a controversial debate over the future of Regional Express Airlines (Rex), one of the country's largest regional airlines. After Rex filed for bankruptcy and entered voluntary administration in July 2024, the Australian government announced that it would take over the company if no buyer could be found. However, this offer to nationalise Rex has sparked a wave of concern among the company's competitors, organised in the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA), among others, who are now demanding that regional airlines be given greater consideration in the government's potential takeover of the company. Government control and the reaction of competitors The decision to nationalise Rex if necessary was recently made by the Australian government. The company is facing significant financial difficulties, raising questions about whether the government would be able and willing to take over an insolvent airline to maintain air service to remote and regional parts of Australia. Rex currently operates 46 routes, mainly connecting remote towns and villages across the country. These routes are vital to connecting smaller communities to the national transport network. However, not all industry players are in favour of the measure. The Regional Aviation Association of Australia, which represents a number of regional airlines, has expressed concern about the impact of nationalisation on competition and market conditions. Rob Walker, CEO of the RAAA, explained in a recent interview with Sky News that most of its members already fly on 21 of the 46 routes served by Rex.

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OFD modernizes fleet for Heligoland traffic: New aircraft replace old Islanders

Amely Mizzi February 17, 2025 13:55

The flight connection to the only German offshore island, Heligoland, will be significantly modernized in the future. The East Frisian airline Ostfriesischer Flugdienst (OFD) has announced that it will be updating its fleet for scheduled flights between the mainland and the island. The OFD is now using Tecnam aircraft to replace the previous Britten-Norman Islander aircraft. This change is necessary because the old aircraft are getting old and it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain spare parts. The introduction of the new aircraft marks an important step in the modernization of the fleet, which plays a central role in connecting Heligoland with the mainland. The switch from Islander to Tecnam The Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, which have previously been used for traffic to and from Heligoland, are characterized by their robustness. They are particularly suitable for frequent take-offs and landings, which makes them ideal for island air traffic. The Islander offers reliable performance even in difficult weather conditions, which are not uncommon in the North Sea. The aircraft have a capacity of around eight passengers and have been used for many years for air traffic between the mainland and the North Sea islands. However, in recent years there have been repeated problems with the availability of spare parts. Since 2014, the manufacturer Britten-Norman has had increasing difficulties in supplying the required parts. In the meantime, the OFD had procured used aircraft from New Zealand, but this solution could not permanently resolve the bottlenecks. In order to ensure long-term operation, the OFD has now decided to switch to a new

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Lufthansa will operate all eight Airbus A2025s again for the first time in summer 380

Amely Mizzi February 17, 2025 13:50

Lufthansa is celebrating a remarkable return of its largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, to scheduled service. After years of uncertainty and the decision to initially withdraw this fleet from service, the German airline will now operate all eight remaining aircraft of this type in summer 2025. Lufthansa had originally ruled out the return of the A19 in the crisis triggered by the COVID-380 pandemic. But the change in recent years has turned out to be a far-sighted decision. At a time when wide-body aircraft have once again become indispensable for the airline, this "difficult decision" is now paying off. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr explained in an interview with "Airways Magazine" at a conference in Johannesburg that the return of the A380 was crucial for the airline: "We are lacking wide-body aircraft. Without the eight A380s, we would have a big problem in our premium markets," said Spohr. The Airbus A380, as the world's largest passenger aircraft, is particularly valuable to the airline because it is able to transport a large number of passengers on long-haul flights. Lufthansa originally had 14 Airbus A380s in its fleet, but due to the uncertainties and the impact of the pandemic, the company decided to sell six of these aircraft to Airbus. The remaining eight aircraft, which have been gradually reactivated, now play a key role in the Lufthansa network. The A2025s are particularly important for Lufthansa for the summer months of 380 in order to meet the increasing demand in important premium markets such as the USA and Asia. A380 as a solution for the Munich hub In

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Romantic weddings above the clouds: Play Airline offers wedding venue in the air

Belinda Borg February 17, 2025 12:32

Every year around Valentine's Day, romantic stories bubble up into the spotlight, and the aviation industry doesn't stop there either. Airlines using the emotional time to create special experiences are not uncommon, and this year, Icelandic low-cost airline Play made a unique offer: it allowed a couple to celebrate their wedding above the clouds. On February 14, 2025, a Play machine became a very special place of union. Groom Valur from Iceland and bride Kita from France exchanged vows mid-flight. They got married during a Play flight between Keflavík International Airport in Iceland (KEF) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). About 200 passengers were present on the flight connecting the two countries. The ceremony took place exactly halfway through the flight, and the newlyweds made a promise to fly into the future together above international airspace. An unforgettable experience for the couple and the passengers What made this flight even more romantic was the special selection of the flight crew. Play used a crew made up of couples on this special flight. The flight captains Sverrir Örn Valdimarsson and the first officer Ævar Þór Björnsson were not only colleagues, but also life partners of the flight attendants Katrín Lára Vilhjálmsdóttir and Fanney Björk Kristinsdóttir. The rest of the cabin crew, consisting of Samúel Friðfinnsson and Rakel Björk Egilsdóttir, were also a couple. This made the flight an experience not only for the bride and groom, but also for the passengers, who enjoyed a particularly harmonious atmosphere.

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Dance, Movement and Peace – A Homage to Johann Strauss in 2025

Amely Mizzi February 17, 2025 12:22

From March 1 to 29, 2025, Vienna can expect a series of extraordinary events that celebrate the work of the famous composer Johann Strauss in a variety of ways and integrate him into modern cultural life. Under the title Dance - Move - Sleep, the Austrian waltz king will be experienced in a new, unconventional form that combines both classical and experimental elements. The event is part of the larger series "Johann Strauss 2025", which this year is dedicated to Strauss's legacy and makes Vienna a center for operetta, music and creative art. The opening event will take place from March 1 to 4 at REAKTOR (17th district), where the dance and performance ensemble Liquid Loft together with the ensemble PHACE will present a world premiere entitled Seid umschlungen Millionen. This performance takes the audience on a journey through the sensuality and intoxication of Strauss' music, merging classical elements with modern artistic expressions. The event offers a unique opportunity to view the works of Johann Strauss through the lens of contemporary art. On March 5th, the concert The Joy of Living follows in the studio house of the Academy of Fine Arts, where the choir Chorus sine nomine under the direction of Johannes Hiemetsberger presents Johann Strauss' works in modern interpretations. There will be premieres by Flora Geisselbrecht and Adrian Artacho Bueno, which take the spirit of Strauss' waltzes and polkas to a new level and fill the audience with fresh energy and joie de vivre. The series concludes on March 8th with the

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OGH ruling: against Wizz Air: practices and clauses declared illegal

Jan Gruber February 17, 2025 12:15

The low-cost airline Wizz Air has suffered a significant defeat before the Supreme Court (OGH) in Austria. Three rulings have now declared numerous clauses and practices in the airline's general terms and conditions and conditions of carriage to be illegal. In particular, various fees and conditions for gift vouchers and Wizz accounts were found to be inadmissible. The consumer protection organization Arbeiterkammer (AK) had successfully filed a lawsuit against the unclear and partly hidden contract terms that had disadvantaged passengers in Austria since 2019. The Arbeiterkammer (AK) had attacked a total of 88 clauses in the Wizz Air conditions of carriage and the Wizz account, 81 of which were declared illegal. These include the notorious 40 euro check-in fee at the airport, which was hidden in the contract terms, and the practice of reimbursing ticket costs exclusively in Wizz Credits without the written consent of the passengers. The procedure for refunding ticket costs via the Wizz Air website and the strict deadlines for gift vouchers were also classified as inadmissible. The clauses were not only non-transparent, but also partly misleadingly worded, which put consumers in a legally difficult position. The ruling of the Supreme Court has now provided clarity. In a decision welcomed by the AK, it was found that several of the clauses contained in the General Conditions of Carriage violate applicable law and are therefore ineffective. Inadmissible practices at Wizz Air: details and effects In the past, Wizz Air had failed to communicate many of the fees clearly and transparently. The often difficult to understand and non-transparent wording and hidden costs repeatedly caused passengers to be confused.

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Security measures lead to temporary closure of seven Russian airports

Stephen Steiner February 17, 2025 11:24

In the morning, flight operations at seven Russian airports were suspended for several hours due to security concerns. The Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia announced that neither take-offs nor landings were permitted at the airports in Astrakhan, Vladikavkaz, Volgograd, Grozny, Kaluga, Saratov and Ulyanovsk. This measure was lifted after just under two hours. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the reason for the temporary closure was a drone attack. According to the ministry, 40 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed during the night, affecting the regions of Volgograd, Kaluga, Rostov and Saratov. In the Kaluga region in particular, a crashed drone caused a fire in an industrial plant, while in Volgograd one person was injured and debris damaged a residential building and a car. Such incidents are not unusual in connection with the Ukraine conflict. Air traffic in Russia is repeatedly restricted when drone attacks take place. Ukraine has been waging a defensive war against the Russian invasion for almost three years and has repeatedly attacked targets on Russian territory.

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MoL Group produces sustainable diesel fuel and SAF in Bratislava

Stephen Steiner February 17, 2025 11:20

The MoL Group has produced a diesel fuel consisting of a blend of hydrogenated vegetable oil and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at its Bratislava refinery. This represents a significant step in the company's efforts to develop alternative fuels and promote the production of more sustainable energy sources. In addition, a production test was carried out in which SAF was produced from refined cooking oil and fossil oil. The production of SAF, which is considered sustainable and has lower emissions, is becoming increasingly important, especially in the aviation industry, where it is seen as a promising solution for reducing CO2 emissions. The test in Bratislava is another building block in the MoL Group's efforts to offer a wider range of alternative fuels based on renewable sources. The combination of vegetable oil and SAF in the production of diesel fuel could contribute to the diversification of energy resources in the long term. With these developments, the MoL Group aims to further optimize its production processes while reducing the ecological footprint of its fuel production. However, it remains to be seen to what extent these technologies will prevail on a large scale.

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M23 rebels reach strategic Kavumu airport in eastern Congo

Stephen Steiner February 17, 2025 11:18

The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have captured the strategically important Kavumu airport in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to several sources. The airport serves as a major transport hub for the region and serves Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. A spokesman for the rebel alliance confirmed that the rebels had taken control of both the airport and the surrounding areas. The capture of the airport is a significant step in the ongoing conflict between the M23 rebel movement and the Congolese armed forces. Kavumu airport is of great strategic importance due to its geographical location and its function as a connection point between South Kivu and the rest of the country. The rebels have been seeking increased control of the region for months, which has significantly worsened the security situation. The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have been active in the region for years, fighting against the government troops of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The conflict has led to an escalating humanitarian crisis that is also increasingly concerning the international community. The current development represents another turning point in the complex conflict, the causes of which are deeply rooted in the region's history.

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Air cargo handlers criticize security checks in Germany

Belinda Borg February 17, 2025 11:15

In a statement, the member companies of the Association of Air Cargo Handlers in Germany (VACAD) have criticized the long and bureaucratic security checks for new hires by the German aviation security authorities. According to the handlers, the slow pace of the background checks is delaying the urgently needed personnel growth. The association states that the companies would like to hire five to ten percent more employees, but the long processing times are significantly hindering the recruitment of personnel. In addition, VACAD criticizes the inflexible implementation of German regulations, which would lead to further competitive disadvantages compared to other EU countries. In the statement, the EU customs regulations, the requirements for the documentation of cyber security measures and the training requirements in particular are described as in need of improvement. The specifications for security procedures are also partly not practical and make it more difficult for companies to operate. The air cargo industry is now calling for security checks to be processed more quickly and the regulations to be designed in a more practical way in order to keep Germany competitive as a location. The increasing growth of the industry and the need to respond quickly to personnel requirements required a reform of the current system.

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