April 1, 2025

Ryanair launches new flights from Linz to Alicante, Bari and London

Stephen Steiner 1 April 2025 11:33

Travelers can now reach new destinations in Europe from Linz Airport. Ryanair has launched its new direct flights to Alicante, Bari, and London just in time for the start of the season. These flights expand the airline's offerings and offer vacationers even more options for spending the summer in popular holiday destinations. Alicante, a lively port city on the Costa Blanca, will now be served twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays). Known for its beautiful sandy beaches and its mix of culture and tradition, the city is the perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday and for travelers interested in culture. Alicante is also an ideal starting point for exploring the Valencia region, known for its vineyards and picturesque coastal towns. Ryanair also offers flights to Bari in southern Italy twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) and an additional flight once a week from the beginning of April to the end of May (Wednesdays). The Italian port city impresses with its historic old town and its proximity to popular destinations in Apulia, such as Lecce, Alberobello, and Matera. Puglia is known for its baroque architecture, trulli houses, and stunning coastal beaches. Those seeking to experience Italian joie de vivre and culinary delights will find Bari the perfect place. Ryanair also continues to fly to London twice a week (Thursdays and Sundays), giving passengers the opportunity to visit the British capital with its world-famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and Big Ben. London remains a popular destination for culture, shopping, and sightseeing enthusiasts at any time of year.

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Ryanair resumes flights from Lübeck after a ten-year break

Belinda Borg 1 April 2025 11:09

After around ten years without Ryanair connections, the Irish low-cost airline has resumed flights from Lübeck Airport. The first flight to Mallorca took off on Sunday, although the scheduled departure time of 12:00 p.m. was slightly exceeded. Starting Monday, Ryanair will also offer flights to Malaga, and four weekly connections to London Stansted are planned from Tuesday. Lübeck Airport expects more than 80.000 passengers annually through the new connections. The airport spokeswoman described Ryanair's return to Lübeck as a great success for the region. It was particularly positive that the first flights were already well booked, and many passengers from Spain were also flying to Lübeck. The airport is confident that the cooperation with Ryanair will be a long-term one. A long-term contract was signed with the airline after it left Lübeck Airport in 2014 due to uncertain financial circumstances. In the years since, the airport has invested around 50 million euros in expanding its infrastructure. Lübeck Airport plans to further expand its services in the future. In autumn 2025, the Turkish low-cost airline Corendon Airlines will fly to Antalya twice a week. Six special tours to European destinations have also been announced. Currently, Ryanair remains the airport's only customer.

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Iberia presents winter season flight schedule 2025/2 – extension of the Vienna route

Stephen Steiner 1 April 2025 11:08

Iberia has published its flight schedule for the 2025/26 winter season, focusing on a robust program with a wide range of short- and medium-haul connections. The airline is consolidating the expansions made last year and adding additional flights to three markets. In particular, Iberia has announced new frequencies for Italy, France, and Austria. For Italy, the service will be further expanded with direct flights to ten destinations, including Rome, Milan, Venice, and Naples. Of particular note is the increase in flights to Rome, which will rise to 2025 weekly connections in 44 in honor of the anniversary. In France, Iberia is continuing its presence, offering extensive connections between Spain and France with over 180 weekly flights, with Paris remaining the main focus. The Madrid-Paris connection will be expanded with up to 11 daily flights, creating an almost daily air bridge between the two capitals. Austria is also experiencing an expansion. The Madrid-Vienna route will be expanded to 23 weekly connections this winter, an increase of two flights compared to last year. Innsbruck will also be included in the flight program again, with direct flights from December 21, 2025, to April 5, 2026. For travelers to the far north, Iberia will again offer flights to Rovaniemi and Tromsø to experience winter highlights such as the Northern Lights and snowy landscapes.

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Easyjet celebrates Vienna comeback

Amely Mizzi 1 April 2025 11:06

After years of absence, the low-cost airline easyJet returned to Vienna Airport a few days ago. Several flights a week depart from Milan Linate to the Austrian capital. The new flight schedule from Vienna is aimed at both business and leisure travelers, as Milan Linate, as an airport close to the center of the Italian fashion capital, is particularly suitable for short trips and business trips. Thomas Haagensen, Managing Director of easyJet Europe, emphasized the importance of the new connections and the continuous expansion of the route network, which now includes more than 1.000 direct connections within Europe, as well as in North Africa and the Middle East. EasyJet has also launched an exclusive "Smiles & More" offer for frequent flyers, allowing Miles & More program customers to purchase EasyJet Plus membership at a discounted rate. This membership offers numerous benefits such as priority boarding, premium seat selection, and faster security checks at selected airports. Julian Jäger, CEO of Flughafen Wien AG, welcomed EasyJet's return and praised the positive cooperation. He emphasized that the continuous expansion of the route network underlines Vienna's growth potential as an airport location.

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Be careful when entering the USA: Cell phone checks are increasing

Belinda Borg 1 April 2025 10:08

German travelers wishing to enter the USA should prepare for possible checks of their electronic devices. According to the American civil rights organization Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), cell phones and laptops are being checked more frequently upon entry. Particularly in the current political situation, more intensive checks could occur, which is especially important for tourists, students, and commuters. The EFF advises people to develop a plan in advance and, in particular, to consider how they will react to a possible check. There are generally several stages of the check: Initially, only routine questions are asked, but if the officer notices something suspicious or the case appears suspicious, a more thorough examination may follow. During this process, travelers may be asked to unlock their cell phone. If they refuse, the officer may confiscate the device. Anyone who unlocks their cell phone must expect a comprehensive search of all data, apps, and photos. In rare cases, the data may even be stored for an extended period and viewed by other border officials. Experts recommend putting your phone in airplane mode before the checkpoint and avoiding public Wi-Fi networks to prevent access to data stored in the cloud. Using social media accounts could also cause problems during the checkpoint, as border officials are only allowed to view public profiles. Another tip is to be aware of which devices are actually necessary and whether an empty second phone could raise suspicion.

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EasyJet expands 2025 summer flight schedule in Germany

Amely Mizzi 1 April 2025 10:05

EasyJet is further expanding its offering in the German market and is launching new routes with the start of its 2025 summer flight schedule. Since March 30, the key economic centers of Düsseldorf and Frankfurt have been accessible again by direct flight. The airline is also increasing frequencies at Berlin-Brandenburg, Hamburg, and Munich airports. In total, easyJet will offer more than 2025 direct connections to 70 destinations in summer 18. One focus is on expanding its route network from Berlin-Brandenburg, where the airline maintains the largest fleet at BER with eleven aircraft stationed there. New connections to Cairo, Liverpool, and Lyon have been added, while holiday destinations such as Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes will be reinforced with additional flights. In Düsseldorf, new connections to Milan-Malpensa, Edinburgh, London-Gatwick, and Nice are planned, among others. Frankfurt will have direct flights to Milan-Linate and Rome-Fiumicino for the first time. Hamburg and Munich will also benefit from new routes, including daily flights to Rome. Easyjet also offers discounted memberships for Easyjet Plus through its frequent flyer program "Smiles & More." This program offers frequent flyers benefits such as Speedy Boarding, Fast Track Security, and free rebooking. In addition, numerous package holidays that include flights, accommodation, and baggage can be booked through Easyjet Holidays, its in-house provider.

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Airbus A320 (Photo: Angelika Evergreen).

Ryanair reduces flights from Zadar in April 2025

Amely Mizzi 1 April 2025 09:07

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair plans to significantly reduce its flight offerings from its seasonal base in Zadar, Croatia, in April 2025. Compared to the previous year, the airline will reduce its weekly departures from the coastal city by 37,8%, resulting in a decrease of approximately 37 flights per week. A total of only 260 flights are planned from Zadar, representing a reduction of 36,4% compared to the same month last year. This also means a noticeable decrease in capacity at Zadar Airport, which will fall by approximately 30,7%. However, the reduction in flights in April is only temporary. Starting in the summer, in the months of June, July, and August, Ryanair plans to significantly expand its offerings again. The airline will offer an additional 15 weekly departures from Zadar, particularly on popular routes such as Poznan, Charleroi, Baden-Baden, and Gdansk. In addition, new connections will be launched to Bratislava, Bari, and Rome Fiumicino. However, some existing routes, such as to Warsaw Modlin, London Stansted, and Hamburg, will be reduced. Despite the April cuts, Ryanair remains the dominant airline at Zadar Airport. In 2024, the airline accounted for 81,2% of the airport's total capacity and contributed significantly to the airport's growth, which saw a record passenger volume of 1,59 million last year. Ryanair will continue to serve 53 European destinations from Zadar this summer, although the number of available seats will decrease by 16,7% overall due to the April cuts.

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Near-collision between Delta Air Lines and US Air Force jet over Washington DC

Amely Mizzi 1 April 2025 08:32

On the afternoon of March 28, 2025, a dangerous incident occurred over Washington, D.C.: A Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jet approached each other dangerously during takeoff. Thanks to the quick response of air traffic controllers and crews, a catastrophe was averted. Delta Flight 2983, bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, took off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at approximately 15:15 p.m. local time. At the same time, a formation of four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon jets was en route to a scheduled overflight of Arlington National Cemetery along the Potomac River. Shortly after takeoff, the crew of the Delta flight received a warning from the onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) about the proximity of another aircraft. Air traffic controllers responded immediately and issued corrective instructions to both aircraft to avoid a collision. The Delta flight continued its journey and landed safely in Minneapolis. Background of the T-38 Talon The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic training aircraft developed by Northrop during the Cold War and still used in various roles by the U.S. Air Force and other allied forces. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed concern about the proximity of military jets to commercial airspace and called on the Department of Defense to review safety protocols. Previous Incidents and Safety Concerns This near miss occurred nearly two months after a fatal collision near the same airport in which a passenger plane and an Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River and

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Record flight schedule at Budapest Airport: Expansion and new connections in summer 2025

Stephen Steiner 1 April 2025 08:00

Budapest Airport expects growth in summer 2025 and, with its new S25 flight schedule, will offer the most extensive flight program in its history. A total of 13,8 million seats will be offered next summer, an increase of 9,8% compared to the previous year. Passengers can look forward to 136 cities worldwide, connected by more than 71.000 flights. A key element of the expansion are 11 new flight connections and the introduction of three new airlines. Among them are SAS Scandinavian Airlines with flights to Copenhagen, Jazeera Airways to Kuwait City, and SCAT to Shymkent. Established airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, and Eurowings are also expanding their frequencies from Budapest, leading to a significant increase in seat capacity. Of particular note is the growth in connections between Budapest and Israel, as well as the expansion of services to China, which will see a significant increase in 2025 with 550.000 seats. Budapest Airport is thus strengthening not only its position as a major European transport hub, but also its role as an economic center for Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe. This development is underscored by the prestigious award as Europe's Best Airport in the 15-25 million passenger category.

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Italy considers purchasing Japanese Kawasaki P-1 patrol aircraft to strengthen anti-submarine defense

Belinda Borg 1 April 2025 07:39

Italy is currently considering acquiring the Japanese Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Since the Breguet Atlantic was retired in 2017, the Italian Air Force has had a gap in this area. The Leonardo P-72A aircraft currently in service, based on the ATR 72, are primarily used for surveillance and are inadequately equipped for anti-submarine warfare. The Kawasaki P-1, a four-engine jet aircraft specifically designed for maritime patrol, entered service with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in 2013. With a range of approximately 8.000 kilometers and extensive sensor suite, including a magnetic anomaly detector, the P-1 is optimized for anti-submarine warfare. It features eight external launch points for anti-ship missiles and internal weapons bays for torpedoes, mines, or depth charges. Unlike many other maritime patrol aircraft, which are often converted from civilian or transport aircraft, the P-1 was designed from the ground up for its specific mission. General Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, has recognized the P-1 as a possible option to strengthen Italy's maritime patrol capabilities. He emphasized the close bilateral relations between Italy and Japan, which have been further cemented through joint defense initiatives such as the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). This program, which involves Italy and Japan as well as the United Kingdom, paves the way for further cooperation between the Italian and Japanese defense industries. It is speculated that, under a reciprocal agreement, Japan could consider acquiring Italian M-346 jet trainers to replace its aging Kawasaki T-4 trainers. Such an exchange would be similar to previous agreements in which Italy acquired M-346

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More articles from the category

Ryanair launches new flights from Linz to Alicante, Bari and London

Ryanair resumes flights from Lübeck after a ten-year break

Iberia presents winter season flight schedule 2025/2 – extension of the Vienna route

Easyjet celebrates Vienna comeback

EasyJet expands 2025 summer flight schedule in Germany

Ryanair reduces flights from Zadar in April 2025

Near-collision between Delta Air Lines and US Air Force jet over Washington DC

Record flight schedule at Budapest Airport: Expansion and new connections in summer 2025

Italy considers purchasing Japanese Kawasaki P-1 patrol aircraft to strengthen anti-submarine defense

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