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March 26, 2025

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March 26, 2025

Munich Airport sells subsidiary Aerogate to AXS Group

Belinda Borg March 26, 2025 11:00

Munich Airport (FMG) has decided to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary Aerogate München Gesellschaft für Luftverkehrsabfertigungen mbH (Aerogate) to the Swiss AXS Group. Effective April 1, 2025, AHS Aviation Handling Services GmbH, a subsidiary of the AXS Group, will acquire all shares in Aerogate. Aerogate has been responsible for passenger and baggage handling at Munich Airport since 1992. Through this sale, FMG and the AXS Group aim to establish a long-term partnership to ensure continued quality passenger services. Both Aerogate's customer and employment contracts will remain unchanged. The AXS Group is a Swiss group of companies that includes AAS Airline Assistance Switzerland (ground handling), AHS Aviation Handling Services (passenger handling), and aastechnics (cleaning, catering, and technical services). It has already proven itself as a reliable partner in providing ground handling services in Berlin and Hamburg. The agreement for the transfer of shares was signed on March 20, 2025. FMG received legal advice from KPMG Law in cooperation with the tax advisors of KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.

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Drunk passenger prevents plane from taking off in Bremen

Amely Mizzi March 26, 2025 10:05

At Bremen Airport on Sunday evening, a drunken and aggressive passenger prevented a plane from taking off for Mallorca. Due to the 53-year-old's threatening behavior, the pilot aborted takeoff and returned to the starting position. According to the Federal Police, the man was subsequently barred from the flight and taken to the airport security guard by officers. The man's wife voluntarily chose not to board the flight and accompanied her husband. Administrative offense proceedings have been initiated against the 53-year-old under the Aviation Security Act. The passenger's exact blood alcohol level has not been disclosed. According to the Federal Police, the man repeatedly ignored the crew's safety instructions and behaved verbally in an aggressive and threatening manner. The incident led to a delay of approximately 45 minutes in departure. The remaining passengers were ultimately able to continue their journeys. In addition to a fine, the man faces further financial consequences. The airline could assert claims for damages for the delay caused. The exact amount of potential claims is not yet known.

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Court bans Lufthansa from misleading advertising on CO₂ compensation

Stephen Steiner March 26, 2025 09:03

The Cologne Regional Court has prohibited Lufthansa from continuing to use certain advertising claims regarding CO₂ offsetting for air travel. The court found the advertising to be misleading. The lawsuit against the airline was filed by the German Environmental Aid (DUH). The ruling (case number 84 O 29/24 of March 21, 2025) is not yet final. The proceedings centered on advertising claims on Lufthansa's website. The company had advertised that CO₂ emissions could be offset by contributions to climate protection projects. It stated that all projects would either save CO₂ or capture it from the atmosphere in the long term. However, the court found that there was no concrete explanation of how the emissions from a booked flight were actually offset. Furthermore, consumers were given the impression that they could fly climate-neutrally by paying a sum of money – which, according to the court, was demonstrably untrue. The court also found Lufthansa's statements regarding sustainable fuels to be misleading. According to the ruling, the airline is prohibited from using this form of advertising in the future. The German Environmental Aid (DEU) organization welcomed the decision as a significant victory in the fight against consumer deception. Federal Managing Director Jürgen Resch described the ruling as one of the "clearest and most important" against so-called greenwashing. Lufthansa was reserved in its response to the court decision. In a brief statement, the company stated that it acknowledged the ruling and would review it carefully. The airline initially left open any decision regarding further legal action, such as an appeal.

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A decade on the road: The Grand Tour of Switzerland celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025

Stephen Steiner March 26, 2025 08:36

In 2025, the Grand Tour of Switzerland will celebrate its tenth anniversary and once again invite travelers to discover Switzerland's diverse landscapes and cultural treasures on a unique route. This scenic route stretches over 1.643 kilometers and leads through all four language regions of the country, past 22 lakes, over five Alpine passes, and to 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Inspired by the traditional Grand Tour of the 18th century, on which young Europeans undertook educational trips, the modern Grand Tour of Switzerland was launched in 2015 by Switzerland Tourism and a private sponsoring association. The goal was to offer individual tourists a structured yet flexible way to explore Switzerland by car or motorcycle. The route runs along existing roads across the entire country and has been signposted with official brown clockwise signposts since 2016. The eight stages of the tour The Grand Tour is divided into eight stages, each offering unique landscapes and cultural highlights: Highlights of the route There are numerous sights worth visiting along the Grand Tour: Practical information for travelers The entire route of the Grand Tour is marked with around 650 signposts to help travelers find their way around. It is recommended that you allow at least seven days for the round trip, with a daily driving time of around five hours. As the route crosses several Alpine passes, it is not entirely accessible all year round; the best time to travel is between April and October. To mark the tenth anniversary in 2025, various events and special promotions are planned along the route.

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Austrian Airlines consolidates communication and marketing under new management

Amely Mizzi March 26, 2025 08:05

Austrian Airlines is restructuring its communications, marketing, and brand management departments effective April 1, 2025. Ingrid Gogl will head the newly created "Brand & Communication" department. With this step, the airline aims to standardize its external image and strengthen its brand presence. Gogl comes from TGW Logistics, where she served as Director of Marketing, Communications & Brand since 2023. Ingrid Gogl has extensive experience in communications, marketing, and brand strategy. Previously, she held positions at ÖBB Holding, among others, where she helped set up and manage the "Communications Newsroom." At Yunex Traffic in Munich, a spin-off from Siemens ITS, she was responsible for establishing the brand as Vice President of Marketing & Communications. Her professional career also includes expertise in sales, business development, and transformation processes. In the newly created "Brand & Communication" department, the existing responsibilities largely remain the same. Barbara Greul will continue to be responsible for external and internal communications, while Aniela Sulej will be responsible for marketing and advertising. The position of "Head of Brand Strategy & Design" is currently vacant. Gogl plans to further develop the Austrian Airlines brand through an integrated, 360-degree approach and more efficiently integrate the various communication channels. According to Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann, the restructuring is intended to lay the foundation for a stronger brand presence in the coming years. Especially in view of the company's 70th anniversary in 2027, the airline is striving for a unified and powerful external image.

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Heathrow Airport and the power outage: A look behind the scenes of an unprecedented incident

Belinda Borg March 26, 2025 07:31

On March 22, 2025, London's Heathrow Airport experienced a dramatic incident that led to a 16-hour closure of the airport and affected thousands of travelers worldwide. The power outage, triggered by a devastating fire at a nearby substation, brought airport operations to a standstill. However, what was considered an unprecedented disruption raises questions – particularly regarding whether the airport would have been able to continue operating regardless. The CEO of the electricity network operator National Grid, John Pettigrew, made it clear in an interview with the Financial Times that Heathrow actually had sufficient alternative power sources. The power outage began near the airport when a fire at the Hayes substation cut off power to Heathrow. The fire, which, according to the London Fire Brigade, involved a transformer containing 25.000 liters of cooling oil, posed a significant hazard. "The situation was particularly dangerous due to the high-voltage equipment still present and the oil-fueled fire hazard," explained Jonathan Smith, Assistant Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade. Despite the fact that two other substations were on standby to continue supplying power to the airport, Heathrow remained closed for more than half a day. John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, stated in the interview with the Financial Times that the incident was "a unique event" and that Heathrow could have accessed the reserve stations at any time. He assured that the infrastructure had sufficient capacity to continue supplying the airport with power without any disruption. Pettigrew added that the airport

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Hamburg invests millions in the modernization of sanitary facilities

Belinda Borg March 26, 2025 07:04

Hamburg Airport is continuing its extensive renovation program for its sanitary facilities. A total of 2031 public restrooms are to be completely modernized by 20. Half of the renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The airport is investing around 12 million euros in the renovation and expansion of the facilities. A particular focus is on higher hygiene standards, contactless use, and more space for passengers. The most recently modernized facility is located on the pier near Gates A17-A18. Further construction work is currently underway in the arrivals area, and the renovation of another facility in the shopping area will begin in July. All sanitary facilities in the security area are to be renovated by 2027. This will then follow with the modernization of the toilets in baggage claim and in the publicly accessible areas before the security checkpoint. As part of the renovation work, additional free water dispensers will be installed behind the security checkpoint where passengers can refill their empty water bottles. In addition, 17 sanitary facilities in the public area will receive a visual upgrade. These so-called "facelifts" include new sinks, fixtures, lighting, and decorative elements. The first four modernized facilities are scheduled to be completed by March 2025, with the rest to follow gradually by 2026. To prevent vandalism, the airport is implementing special protective measures such as anti-graffiti paint and chain locks on toilet seats. According to airport management, up to 100 toilet seats were stolen per year in the past – the new security measures have already reduced the number of thefts. The modernizations are part of the "HAMUpgrade" program, through which Hamburg Airport is investing a total of around €2027 million in improving the infrastructure and the quality of stay by 20.

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The end of a unique experience: The closure of the Jumbo Hotel in Stockholm

Amely Mizzi March 26, 2025 06:37

With a mixture of nostalgia and regret, a unique hotel in Stockholm is threatened with closure. The Jumbo Stay, formerly known as the Jumbo Hostel, has offered an extraordinary overnight experience since its opening in 2009 – in a converted Boeing 747-200. The former Singapore Airlines aircraft served for many years as a hotel wing in close proximity to Arlanda Airport and was particularly popular with travelers with a passion for aviation. But after the hotel's owner, Oscar Diös, filed for bankruptcy on March 21, 2025, the hotel faces the fate of being dismantled and scrapped. The story of the Jumbo Hotel began in 2007, when Swedish entrepreneur Oscar Diös came across the opportunity to convert a decommissioned Boeing 747 into a hotel. The aircraft, which had been put into service by Singapore Airlines in 1979, was scheduled to make its final flight at Arlanda Airport. Diös, who already had experience converting train stations, boats, and lighthouses into hotels, seized the opportunity and acquired the aircraft. With an investment of approximately three million US dollars, he had the Boeing 747-200 converted into a unique accommodation. The gutting of the aircraft and the conversion of the interior took several months. The result was a hotel with 33 rooms and a total of 76 beds, which was popular with travelers and aviation enthusiasts alike. The hotel consisted of various room types: four dormitories with two to four beds each, five standard rooms, and three suites, each characterized by a mix of hostel and budget hotel ambiance. The charm of the hotel was particularly impressive.

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Ryanair launches new subscription program “Prime”

Belinda Borg March 26, 2025 06:00

The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair introduced its new subscription program "Prime" on March 24, 2025. For an annual fee of €79, members receive various benefits, including free seat reservations, travel insurance, and access to monthly special offers. The program is aimed particularly at frequent flyers, who can achieve significant savings through regular use. According to Ryanair, customers who fly twelve times a year can save up to €420 – five times the subscription fee. Even with less frequent use, savings should already be achieved: Those who fly three times a year can save up to €105, according to the company. The offer is limited to 250.000 participants and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The "Prime" program complements Ryanair's existing additional offers and is part of the strategy to retain frequent flyers for the long term. The service is aimed at passengers who travel regularly within Europe and want to benefit from lower costs. Registration on the official Ryanair website is required to apply. Ryanair's Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, emphasized that the company aims to further expand its price leadership in European air travel with this program. The goal is to provide frequent flyers with cost-effective travel without having to forego additional services such as seat reservations and insurance.

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Restrictions on train services to Zurich Airport: Swiss passengers must plan detours

Stephen Steiner March 26, 2025 05:32

Construction work in the approach to the train station at Zurich Airport will disrupt train services this coming weekend, starting Friday evening, March 21. This construction work will particularly affect Swiss passengers who wish to travel to Munich using a connecting ticket booked on their flight ticket. Swiss, which is known for helping its passengers book intermodal journeys between train and flight, must now offer detours and alternative connections. These changes primarily affect long-distance services and require careful planning from travelers, as there will be reduced and rerouted train services. Important diversions and restrictions for Swiss passengers The long-distance train station at Zurich Airport will remain in operation despite the construction work. However, passengers who are taking a Swiss flight this weekend and wish to travel by train beforehand must expect significant changes to the timetable. Trains with an LX number, which are booked specifically for passengers with a guaranteed connection on international routes, particularly to Munich, will be particularly affected. One of the most important connections, the EuroCity Express (ECE) between Zurich and Munich, will be diverted overnight from Friday to Saturday and throughout the weekend. The ECE towards Munich will not run directly past Zurich Airport as usual, but will instead run through Winterthur. Travelers taking this connection will therefore have to change trains in Winterthur to board the ECE to Munich. This diversion could lead to additional delays, as passengers will have to adjust to the transfer times. In contrast, the connection from Munich towards

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