April 10, 2025

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April 10, 2025

Podcast highlights the importance of industrial cooperation for Austria's aviation and security

In the latest episode of the #ON AIR podcast, aviation expert Peter Malanik, business lawyer Bernhard Müller, and industry spokesperson Paul Frühwirth-Riegler discussed the strategic importance of industrial cooperation, particularly in the context of defense procurement. The experts discussed how such counter-transactions can not only increase a country's security of supply, but also secure technological expertise and economic resilience in the long term. A central point of the discussion was the necessity of involving Austrian suppliers in international defense projects, as Austria does not manufacture its own platforms in core military areas such as fighter aircraft production. Müller, Chairman of the Procurement Review Commission at the Federal Ministry of Defense, explained the role of this commission in advising the Minister and the prerequisites for industrial cooperation that could arise from the new government program. The use of this instrument by other EU countries was also examined. The podcast episode emphasized that industrial cooperation represents an important strategic tool for strengthening Austria as a business location while simultaneously being relevant to security and economic policy, especially in times of increasing geopolitical tensions. The need for a binding strategic framework for the aviation industry was emphasized to ensure its future competitiveness. The podcast #ON AIR with Peter Malanik is available on popular platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcast.

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Vienna Opera Summer presents “La Traviata” at the Heumarkt

Following the success of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" last year, the Vienna Opera Summer continues in July 2025 with Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata." From July 1 to 19, Vienna's Heumarkt will be transformed into an open-air opera arena for twelve exclusive performances of the masterpiece. Conductor and Artistic Director Joji Hattori will be the musical director, and Dominik Am Zehnhoff-Söns will direct. The open-air stage, designed especially for this production by set designer Manfred Waba, is intended to offer optimal viewing conditions, with the orchestra being positioned in full view. A special visual element is the integration of the facade of the Vienna Konzerthaus into the production, creating a unique atmosphere. Oscar-winning actor Karl Markovics will add a special touch by narrating the evening in the role of the "reborn" Giuseppe Verdi. Cristina Păsăroiu, Nathalie Peña-Comas, Liparit Avetisyan, and other renowned singers will perform the leading roles. The Vienna Philharmonia Choir and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Joji Hattori will be responsible for the musical arrangement. To make the opera experience accessible to an international audience, multilingual versions of the text will be offered via the Operaguru app. There will also be special programs for schoolchildren, students, and people with disabilities, as well as accompanying workshops for schoolchildren. Catering will be available for visitors directly at the venue. Ticket sales have already begun.

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Vienna Airport auctions lost property for a good cause

Vienna Airport, in cooperation with the auction platform Aurena, is once again holding a major charity auction. Starting today, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, interested parties can bid online on a variety of items that were left behind and unclaimed at Vienna Airport over the past year. The auction will run until Wednesday, April 23, 2025. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Austrian charity initiative "Licht ins Dunkel", which supports people in need. The auction includes a wide range of lost and found items. In addition to musical instruments and toys, various electronic devices will also be auctioned. These include power banks, watches, and strollers that travelers left behind at the airport. The online auction is being conducted via the Aurena platform and is accessible via the aforementioned website. Interested parties can thus participate in the auction from the comfort of their own home and at the same time contribute to a good cause. Participation in the auction is straightforward. After registering online on the auction platform, bids can be placed for the desired items. All information regarding viewing and pickup dates for the auctioned items can also be found on the auction page. The entire amount raised from the auction will be donated directly to Licht ins Dunkel (Light in the Dark). This campaign provides an opportunity to make meaningful use of lost property while supporting important social projects in Austria.

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Finnair expands Nordic route network and adds Alta

The Finnish airline Finnair is strengthening its commitment to the Nordic countries and expanding its flight offerings to various destinations in this region. In the 2026 summer schedule, Finnair will launch a new direct service from Kittilä to Alta in Northern Norway. This route will be served five times a week from March 29 to October 22, 2026, with a 68-seat ATR aircraft. Alta, known for its Arctic nature and the opportunity to observe the Northern Lights, is becoming increasingly popular, including as a destination for cruise ship tourists. In addition to the new route to Alta, Finnair will intensify its existing service from Helsinki via Rovaniemi to Tromsø in Norway in summer 2026, offering it five times a week. Previously, this route was only served with ATR aircraft in winter. A further expansion of service concerns the route from Ivalo to Kirkenes, where Finnair will offer two additional weekly flights next summer. According to Perttu Jolma, Vice President of Network at Finnair, demand for destinations in the North is increasing, especially among travelers seeking authentic nature experiences even in summer. The expanded network from Lapland to Northern Norway is intended to offer customers convenient options for combining several Nordic destinations during one trip, for example with a cruise along the Norwegian coast. In addition to the new and expanded connections in Northern Norway and Lapland, Finnair will also increase frequencies to the Nordic capitals in summer 2026. Stockholm and Copenhagen will each receive seven additional weekly flights, while Reykjavik will receive two additional connections per week. During the peak summer travel season, from June to early August, Finnair will also operate additional flights to

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Lower Austria celebrates wine spring with numerous tastings

In spring, numerous winemakers in Lower Austria traditionally open their wine cellars to present their young wines. This year, the Wine Spring events along the Danube in the Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental, Wagram, and Carnuntum wine-growing regions invite you to a variety of tastings of the new vintage until the end of May. Despite the challenges of 2024 with late frost, hail, and flooding, which reduced harvest yields, the winemakers are optimistic about the quality of the young wines and are celebrating extensively. The Petronell Wine Spring kicks off the regional Wine Spring events on April 26, with local wineries presenting their new vintages and vineyards. On the same weekend, April 26 and 27, around 220 wineries in the Kamptal, Kremstal, and Traisental will open their doors for a joint Wine Spring event. Over 70 wineries will be offering initial tasting opportunities as early as Friday afternoon. For convenient travel and safe enjoyment of the wines, special Wine Spring buses are available; use is included in the €35 entrance fee. Traveling by train to Krems is also a convenient option. Further highlights are planned for the beginning of May. On May 3 and 4, over 100 winemakers from Vinea Wachau invite you to the Wachau Wine Spring. With an entry wristband for €40, visitors can taste the wines of numerous wineries along the Danube and use local bus lines, the Wachau Railway, and the Danube ferries free of charge. At the same time, the Wagram region will be presenting itself from May 3 to 29 with the "Lössfrühling" (Loess Spring), which includes wine tastings, culinary offerings, and exploration tours through the characteristic loess landscape. One part of this is the "Wagram Wine

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Airpower24 nominated for “Public Corporate Event”

The best Austrian events of 2024 were honored on Tuesday evening at the annual Austrian Event Award Gala. Airpower24, a major event organized by the Austrian Armed Forces under the motto "Flying. Freedom. Enthusiasm," received a "Nominee" certificate in the "Public Corporate Events" category, making it one of the five best events of its kind last year. The awards ceremony took place in front of over 400 guests from the communications industry at the Airport Convention Center. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner expressed her pride in this recognition. She viewed the nomination as proof that the Austrian Armed Forces is at the forefront of communications and the conception of its events. The award honors the commitment and hard work that went into organizing this project. The Austrian Event Award has been presented since 1996 to recognize outstanding achievements in the Austrian live marketing and event industry. A jury of experts from the communications and event industry, newly formed each year, evaluates the submissions based on criteria such as creativity, impact, and execution. The nomination of Airpower24 underscores the importance of high-profile events for organizations like the Austrian Armed Forces. Airpower, which takes place regularly in Zeltweg, Styria, is one of the largest air shows in Europe and attracts a wide audience.

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DocLX honored again with Austrian Event Award for “X-JAM”

The Austrian company DocLX Holding was once again honored in the top category of "Consumer Events" at the 28th Austrian Event Award Show at the Vienna Airport Conference and Innovation Center. The award went to the event format "X-JAM," a graduation trip for school leavers launched in 1999 and which has developed into a cult format over the years, captivating generations. Alexander Knechtsberger, the mastermind behind DocLX, was delighted with the renewed recognition. He emphasized that this award is a special honor for the entire team and confirms the company's vision of creating emotional brand experiences of the highest standard. "X-JAM" stands for innovation and high-quality events, and the international significance of the Austrian company is a source of pride. He is particularly pleased that the company has been able to provide 25 graduating classes with unforgettable moments. With this award, DocLX Holding once again underscores the international competitiveness of the Austrian event industry. What once began with a small group of participants in Greece has developed into the largest graduation trip in Europe and is also the market leader in Germany. Over 200.000 graduates from Austria and Germany have participated in "X-JAM" since its premiere, with around 10.000 young people celebrating their school graduation each year as part of this event. The revenue generated by "X-JAM" to date amounts to over 180 million euros. The Austrian Event Award has been presented since 1996 for outstanding event concepts in various categories. An independent jury of experts evaluates criteria such as creativity, implementation, impact, and degree of innovation. DocLX Holding, Austria's largest full-service agency for various event formats, operates "X-JAM" as well as other well-known events and is also active in the City Card sector.

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BER expects over 1,2 million passengers at Easter and optimizes security checks

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) expects a very high passenger volume of around 11 passengers during the Easter holidays from April 27 to 1.250.000. At the same time, the first eight lanes of the security check in Area 1 of Terminal 5 will be put into operation with new CT scanners. This technology will allow travelers to leave electronic devices and liquids in their hand luggage during screening. The commissioning of the new CT scanners is an important step towards increasing efficiency at BER. According to the airport operator, the conversion in the southern area of ​​Terminal 1 will increase the capacity of the security checks by an estimated 50 percent per hour. The complete conversion of all screening lanes in Terminal 1 is scheduled to begin in the northern area after the Easter holidays and be completed by autumn. Terminal 2 has been fully equipped with the new technology since the beginning of 2024. Around 82.000 passengers are expected at BER on the first day of the holidays alone, and around 300.000 over the entire Easter weekend. Mediterranean resorts, including Spain, Turkey, Italy, France, and Greece, are traditionally particularly popular destinations. The airport operator recommends that travelers arrive at their respective terminals in good time and follow the instructions provided by their airline. It also points out the possibility of using digital services such as online check-in, Fast Bag Drop, and the free time slot reservation for security checks via "BER Runway" to make the stay at the airport easier.

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Japan Airlines Boeing 737 aborts takeoff in Tokyo after collision with runway lights

A Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 737-800 was forced to abort takeoff from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) after it inadvertently aligned with and damaged the side runway lights. The incident occurred on April 7, 2025, as Flight JL377, with 80 passengers and crew on board, was preparing for a domestic flight to Kitakyushu Airport (KKJ) in western Japan. The aircraft involved, registration JA322J, is one of 42 Boeing 737-800 aircraft in JAL's fleet. According to the Aviation Herald, the aircraft departed the gate as scheduled and taxied to the holding area on Runway 05 at Haneda Airport. At 19:11 p.m. local time, air traffic control cleared the aircraft for takeoff, and the Boeing 737 began its takeoff roll. However, the cockpit crew realized that they had mistakenly used the runway's side boundary lights instead of the central guideline lights. At a ground speed of approximately 56 knots, the pilots realized their error and decided to abort the takeoff to avoid a potential hazard. A subsequent inspection of the runway revealed that several of the side lighting elements had been damaged by the aircraft and required repairs. As a result, Haneda Airport had to be closed for approximately one hour, causing disruption to air traffic. The aircraft in question returned to the parking lot approximately 20 minutes after the abort, where the passengers disembarked. They were later transported to Kitakyushu on a replacement aircraft, another JAL Boeing 737-800 with the registration JA335J, which arrived approximately five and a half hours late at 23:52 p.m.

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