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March 13, 2025

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March 13, 2025

Pilatus presents new aircraft model at the Pilatus Direct Showcase

Stephen Steiner March 13, 2025 14:00

On Friday, March 14, 2025, Pilatus will unveil the "Most Advanced Single" at the first Pilatus Direct Showcase. The event, which will be broadcast on YouTube at 19:00 p.m. Swiss time, will offer viewers the opportunity to discover the company's latest model. Renowned aviation influencer Sam Chui will take viewers on a virtual journey through the aircraft's impressive features. The interactive format of the Pilatus Direct Showcase combines various elements, including trailers, product scenes, and interviews with Pilatus employees and customers. The aim is to convey information about the latest advances and developments in the aviation industry in a contemporary and efficient way. The event will be broadcast live on YouTube and available as a video afterwards, so that interested parties and customers can stay up to date at any time. With the presentation of the "Most Advanced Single – Progressive, Proven, Professional," Pilatus is committed to innovation and state-of-the-art technology. The event is a significant step in showcasing the company's latest products and updates to a wider audience and demonstrates Pilatus' commitment to continuing to shape the aviation industry with high-quality and advanced aircraft.

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Air Zimbabwe supports humanitarian mission with special flights from Congo

Belinda Borg March 13, 2025 13:39

In February 2025, Air Zimbabwe, the southern African country's national airline, was entrusted with an extraordinary mission: It deployed its only Boeing 767-200ER to repatriate nearly 200 wounded soldiers from eastern Congo. The soldiers had previously been evacuated from the embattled city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which at the time was controlled by the M23 rebels. In a remarkable move, the aircraft was not flown directly by Air Zimbabwe itself, but under the direction of the South African charter company Africa Charter Airline, which, with its specialized equipment for ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and charter flights in these critical air sectors, emerged. Evacuation flights: From Goma to the south The Boeing 767 with the registration number Z-WPF was the main aircraft operating these evacuation flights. According to information from the air traffic control system (ADS-B), the flights took place between February 25 and 26, 2025. Due to the ongoing military conflict and the closure of the airspace over Goma, the soldiers had to be flown first to the neighboring city of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. There, the wounded soldiers from various nations – including South Africa, Tanzania, and Malawi – boarded flights that returned them to their home countries. The sectors operated by Africa Charter Airline included flights from the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, to Kigali, from there to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, then to Lilongwe in Malawi, and finally back to South Africa via Waterkloof. This mission, which extended into the southern part of Africa, included not only medical but also

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ÖAMTC Air Rescue expands fleet with new helicopter model

Jan Gruber March 13, 2025 13:38

The ÖAMTC Air Rescue has taken an important step toward expanding its fleet and is opting for the H140 from Airbus Helicopters. A letter of intent for the procurement of five aircraft was signed at the international trade fair Verticon in Dallas. This makes the ÖAMTC Air Rescue one of the first European organizations to introduce this new model. The collaboration with ADAC Air Rescue is particularly noteworthy, as the two organizations will be operating a helicopter generation with a uniform cockpit and cabin layout for the first time. The decision to select the H140 was not only based on technological considerations, but also due to the close involvement of ÖAMTC Air Rescue in the helicopter's development. Thanks to the crews' decades of experience and the technicians' expertise, the helicopter has been optimized in key areas such as safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, cross-border interoperability with ADAC Air Rescue ensures that a shared pool of replacement helicopters is available in Austria and Germany, which contributes to long-term cost optimization. The H140 sets new standards in safety and efficiency. Featuring an optimized T-shaped tail boom, powerful engines, and a larger cabin, the model enables comprehensive medical care for patients in flight. Particularly noteworthy is the improved flight stability achieved by the five-blade, bearingless main rotor. Scheduled to begin service in 2028, this modern model promises to further enhance the quality of air rescue.

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Survey shows increasing demand for secure payment processing in travel

Stephen Steiner March 13, 2025 13:09

A new survey of 4.500 travelers from five countries conducted by payment service provider Outpayce, a subsidiary of Amadeus, reveals that payment security is increasingly playing a key role in choosing travel providers. Over 70% of respondents stated that they prefer companies known for their secure payment processing. Travelers' negative attitude toward companies with poor cybersecurity is particularly striking: 67% of survey participants would not book with a provider with inadequate payment protection, even if a discount was offered. The survey results highlight travelers' growing concern about payment fraud, which, according to the survey, has affected more than half of travelers worldwide. An alarming trend is particularly evident in countries like Brazil, where 89% of respondents reported having experienced fraud. This development is problematic for the travel industry, as the cross-border nature and high transaction values ​​make the sector a prime target for fraudsters. At the same time, 64% of respondents have perceived an increase in payment fraud. Another theme highlighted in the survey is travelers' low trust in travel companies' security measures. 63% of respondents stated they are hesitant to share their payment details with travel companies due to concerns about fraud and data breaches. These concerns could be alleviated by new technologies such as tokenization, which replaces sensitive payment data with secure tokens. According to Outpayce manager Jean-Christophe Lacour, such measures can help regain consumer trust while securing the payment experience.

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Blackstone returns after eight years: Acquisition of Trans Maldivian Airways for $500 million

Amely Mizzi March 13, 2025 12:34

Blackstone, the world's largest private equity fund, is reportedly close to completing a $500 million investment to acquire control of Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world's largest seaplane operator. Blackstone's return to TMA after eight years is a remarkable move, as it played a significant role in the company between 2013 and 2017. The acquisition comes as the Maldives tourism industry is recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is back on track for growth. Blackstone is now acquiring TMA for almost the same price at which it sold its shares in 2017. Reviving a Business However, economic conditions have changed dramatically since Blackstone sold its majority stake in TMA to a consortium led by Bain Capital and Chinese conglomerate Shenzhen Tempus Global Business Services Holdings. In the period following the sale, the aviation industry was severely impacted by the global health crisis. Tourism, a key driver for TMA, experienced a dramatic decline due to the pandemic, which also affected the company's value. According to reports from India's Economic Times, Blackstone now appears willing to pay the same amount as in 2017 – around $500 million – to acquire a majority stake in TMA. This could be interpreted as a kind of "buyback" of the company, which originally cost Blackstone $98 million. The decision by Bain and its Chinese partners to acquire TMA at the time was a response to the booming luxury and tourism market in the Maldives, which had been growing rapidly until the outbreak.

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Eurofighter's 20.000th flight hour celebrated in Austria

Belinda Borg March 13, 2025 12:32

On March 11, 2025, a ceremony was held at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg to commemorate the Eurofighter's 20.000th flight hour. This milestone is not only a significant moment in the history of the Austrian Air Force, but also a testament to the high performance of the Eurofighter and the professionalism of the pilots and technical personnel. In her address, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner emphasized the importance of the Eurofighter as an indispensable component of airspace surveillance, stressing that the technical performance and resilience of the pilots are key to the success of this program. The Eurofighters, which entered service with the Austrian Air Force in 2007, have since successfully completed around 700 "Priority A" missions. These missions involve the interception of unidentified flying objects and are an essential part of Austria's airspace surveillance. The 20.000th flight hour demonstrates not only the technical excellence of the Eurofighter, but also the outstanding work performed by the pilots and technical personnel to ensure safety in Austrian airspace. The Austrian Armed Forces' first Eurofighter completed its maiden flight in March 2007, and in July of the same year, the aircraft entered service at Hinterstoisser Air Base. Since then, the Eurofighters have significantly strengthened Austria's airspace protection system.

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Redesign of the Danube Canal: More green spaces and recreational areas for Viennese residents

Amely Mizzi March 13, 2025 11:41

The City of Vienna is continuing its efforts to further develop the Danube Canal as an urban recreational space. Under the motto "DOKA becomes WOW," the section between Salztorbrücke and Marienbrücke is being comprehensively redesigned and landscaped. The city's goal is to offer Viennese residents an attractive, consumer-free retreat in the heart of the city. The redesign covers an approximately 300-meter-long section of the canal and is scheduled for completion by summer 2025. A total of approximately 4.600 square meters will be planted with a mix of meadows, perennial beds, and gravel lawns. In addition, nine new trees will be planted, including three particularly large plane trees and elms, to provide shade and pleasant temperatures. A particular highlight is the structural separation of pedestrians and cyclists, making the area safer and more pleasant to use. The new section also offers a variety of seating options, as well as drinking fountains and mist columns, which provide refreshment, especially on hot summer days. Several attractive projects have been implemented along the Danube Canal in recent years, including the "Floating Gardens" and the sun deck between the Augarten Bridge and the Rossauer Bridge. The newly opened Pocket Park has also become a popular meeting place. These redesigns are part of the City of Vienna's major greening initiative, which aims to create more green spaces and reclaim urban space. Starting in 9, a "lounger landscape" is also planned at the Aspern Bridge, further expanding the recreational area.

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Air France-KLM offers 300 million euros for a majority stake in Air Europa

Stephen Steiner March 13, 2025 11:38

The Air France-KLM Group has submitted a 300 million euro (approximately 330 million US dollars) offer to acquire a majority stake in the Spanish airline Air Europa. This decision puts the Franco-Dutch aviation group in direct competition with the Lufthansa Group, which until now was considered the favorite to gain control of the Madrid-based airline. The purchase of Air Europa could represent another significant step in the international expansion of the Air France-KLM Group, which has already further strengthened its market position in Europe in recent years. Background to the offer According to the Spanish news portal El Confidencial, the Air France-KLM Group has offered the Hidalgo family, currently the largest shareholder in Air Europa, 51 million euros in cash for a 300 percent stake in the airline. In addition, the Air France-KLM Group is prepared to assume Air Europa's outstanding debts to the Spanish government, which were granted as part of emergency loans during the COVID-19 pandemic to save the airline from financial ruin. The Air France-KLM Group's offer puts pressure on the Lufthansa Group, which has also shown interest in Air Europa. The Lufthansa Group had positioned itself as a potential buyer of the airline following a failed takeover attempt by the British-Spanish International Airlines Group (IAG). IAG's takeover plans failed in August 2024 due to a non-compete clause from the EU Commission, which made Lufthansa the main candidate for the takeover. Lufthansa reportedly offered €240 million for a 25 percent stake in Air Europa, which

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Pollen count in Austria: Milder birch pollen season expected

Stephen Steiner March 13, 2025 11:09

The pollen season in Austria is in full swing and has been putting allergy sufferers under pressure since January. After alder and hazel, the birch blossom season is expected to begin in the second half of March. However, experts expect a milder birch pollen season this year. This is due to the birch's natural two-year cycle, in which a year of heavy pollen count is followed by a weaker season. While 2024 was rated as above average, 2025 is expected to be somewhat less stressful for those affected. According to the Austrian Pollen Information Service (ÖPID), the intensity of symptoms depends not only on the pollen concentration, but also on the speed at which pollen begins to spread. Lukas Dirr, head of aerobiology at ÖPID, emphasizes that the abrupt increase in pollen count at the beginning of March was perceived as particularly stressful by many allergy sufferers. Air quality also plays a key role, as certain pollutants such as ozone can enhance the allergenic properties of pollen. The main flowering of birch trees is expected in eastern Austria between mid-March and the end of April, with the peak likely occurring in early April. In western Austria, the birch season is expected to last until mid-May and reach its peak somewhat later. In addition to birch trees, ash trees will also cause allergic symptoms in the coming weeks, before the grasses begin to bloom in early April. A new challenge is also the reed bloom at Lake Neusiedl in September, which is particularly problematic for grass pollen allergy sufferers. The Austrian Pollen Information Service is continuously expanding its offerings. It recently launched an AI-generated podcast that provides in-depth information on pollen counts, allergies, and the influence of air pollutants.

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