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April 24, 2025

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April 24, 2025

Musical round dance in Lower Austria: variety of sounds and performances

Stephen Steiner April 24, 2025 11:31

Lower Austria will be presenting a rich spectrum of musical and performing arts events in the coming days. From classical concerts to jazz and world music to theater performances for children and adults, a wide range of cultural events will be taking place in various cities and regions across the state. Kicking things off this Wednesday is the Beethoven Philharmonic at the Congress Center Baden, performing works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and Schubert. Meanwhile, Diknu Schneeberger and Christian Bakanic's quartet in Baden will whisk you away to the world of gypsy swing and jazz. Numerous other events will follow on Thursday, including the Albert Reifert Trio in Baden with jazz interpretations and original compositions, cellist Lukas Lauermann at the St. Pölten Festival Hall, guitarist David Strbac at the Haus der Kunst Baden, and the Blechreiz Brass Quintet with a broad horn repertoire. There's also plenty on offer for young audiences: Gernot Kranner will introduce Johann Strauss's "Die Fledermaus" at the Wiener Neustadt City Theater, while a participatory concert featuring "The Emperor's New Clothes" in Rohrau invites you to join in. The weekend offers further highlights, including anniversary concerts, performances by dialect musicians and singer-songwriters, and oratorio concerts in sacred spaces. The week concludes with concerts featuring electro-pop in Krems and classical music by Mozart in St. Pölten. The variety of venues, from renowned concert halls to intimate stages, underscores Lower Austria's vibrant cultural scene and offers something to suit every taste and age.

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Boeing sells parts of its digital division for billions

Stephen Steiner April 24, 2025 11:09

The ailing US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is selling a significant portion of its digital services business to the software investment firm Thoma Bravo. The sale includes business units of the Digital Aviation Solutions division, valued at $10,55 billion (approximately €9,2 billion), as the company announced in Arlington on Tuesday. The divested units include Jeppesen, Foreflight, Aerdata, and Ozrunways. Boeing, however, will retain those parts of the digital division that focus on specific aircraft and fleet data. This should enable the company to continue supporting its customers in the civil and military sectors in the areas of maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg described the sale as an important step to focus on the core business and strengthen the company's financial position. This move comes against the backdrop of a difficult period for Boeing. Following two serious crashes involving 737 Max aircraft and a series of other technical problems, the company has already experienced six years of losses. Analysts predict further losses for the US aircraft manufacturer in 2025. The sale of the digital business units could therefore contribute to the company's restructuring.

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Embraer increases aircraft deliveries in the first quarter of 2025

Amely Mizzi April 24, 2025 10:40

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer concluded the first quarter of 2025 with a significant increase in deliveries and a historic high in its order backlog. A total of 30 aircraft were delivered – five more than in the same period last year. At the same time, the total order backlog reached a new record high of 26,4 billion US dollars. With the delivery of 30 aircraft in the first quarter of 2025, Embraer has already achieved 13 percent of its annual target of 231 aircraft. Compared to the previous year, this represents an increase of around 20 percent. The deliveries consisted of seven commercial aircraft and 23 business jets. In the Executive Aviation segment, Embraer thus recorded an increase of 28 percent compared to the previous year. The total order backlog grew by 25 percent compared to the same period last year – from 21,1 billion to 26,4 billion US dollars. This is the highest value the company has ever recorded. Strong demand, particularly in the business jet segment, contributed significantly to this growth. Embraer benefited from global orders and long-term customer loyalty. Commercial aircraft division sees decline in order backlog Despite the generally positive development, the order backlog in the commercial aircraft segment fell by USD 2025 billion to USD 1,1 billion in the first quarter of 10. This represents a decrease of two percent compared to the previous quarter. Embraer attributed this development to ongoing supply chain issues. In addition, two aircraft could not be delivered as planned due to commercial difficulties. The parent company of the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA Holdings) expressed interest in the first quarter for 15 E190-E2 aircraft with options for

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Online reservation for parking spaces at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport possible

Belinda Borg April 24, 2025 10:00

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport now offers its passengers the option of reserving parking spaces online in advance. This innovation is intended to make planning easier for travelers and give them the security of finding a space upon arrival. The airport has a total capacity of 4000 parking spaces, located both in open spaces and in an underground car park. The online booking option allows passengers to conveniently reserve a parking space for the desired period from home or while on the go. This can be particularly beneficial during peak travel times, when demand for airport parking spaces increases. By reserving in advance, travelers can save time and avoid the stress of searching for a parking space right before departure. Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport, also known as Baden Airpark, is a regional commercial airport served by both scheduled and charter airlines. It serves as an important transport hub for the Baden region and northern Alsace. The introduction of online parking reservation is a further step towards improving the range of services offered to passengers.

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China's aviation industry plans to circumvent punitive tariffs – Airbus to help

Stephen Steiner April 24, 2025 09:43

In the context of international trade relations, the Chinese aviation industry is currently facing a difficult challenge: The Chinese government is considering involving the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus in the supply of engines for its new C919 passenger jet. This could enable the state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) to circumvent a series of US punitive tariffs, which play a key role in the trade conflict between the US and China. The C919, a next-generation passenger aircraft being developed by COMAC, is intended to make the Chinese aviation industry less dependent on Western manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. The C919 is touted as China's flagship aircraft in the aviation industry and is expected to be in direct competition with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. The first delivery of the C919 is planned for 2025, and COMAC has already received large orders from Chinese airlines such as Air China and China Eastern Airlines. The challenge, however, concerns the aircraft's engines. The C919 is currently powered exclusively by the LEAP-1C engine from CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric (GE) of the USA and Safran of France. However, amid the ongoing trade dispute between the USA and China, CFM International's engines are the target of high punitive tariffs imposed by the Chinese government on US products. This has led to significant uncertainty regarding the supply of the engines, as COMAC and the Chinese aviation industry rely on sufficient supply to ensure production of the C919. A strategic plan to circumvent tariffs: To overcome this hurdle, the Chinese government is now considering

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Ascension Day sightseeing flight over Berlin and Potsdam in an Airbus A320

Belinda Borg April 24, 2025 09:07

The tour operator Niki Aviation & Holidays is offering a special sightseeing flight over Berlin, Potsdam, and the surrounding region on Ascension Day, May 29, 2025. Those interested will have the opportunity to experience the capital region from a bird's eye view in an Airbus A320 operated by the airline Sundair. Departure is at 12:45 p.m. from Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER). This offer is aimed at aviation enthusiasts and technology buffs, as well as those flying for the first time. A special feature of the sightseeing flight is the live commentary from the cockpit throughout the entire flight. This not only explains the flight route and sights below, but also explains the flight maneuvers in advance. This provides passengers with insight into the technical processes and functionality of a commercial aircraft. Tickets for the approximately one-hour sightseeing flight start at €129. For additional comfort, seats in Comfort Class, including lounge access, are also available. The sightseeing flight offers an unusual opportunity to get to know the scenic diversity and urban structures of the Berlin-Potsdam region from a new perspective.

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Severe turbulence over the Philippines – Injured on United Airlines Flight UA1

Stephen Steiner April 24, 2025 08:31

An incident on a long-haul flight from San Francisco to Singapore has once again drawn attention to the risks posed by turbulence in Southeast Asian airspace. Five people were injured when a United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was struck by violent air movement over the island of Mindanao on March 27, 2025. Flight UA1 departed San Francisco International Airport at 27:2025 a.m. on the night of March 00, 39, bound for Singapore. It was carrying 174 passengers and 14 crew members. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration N27958, was at a cruising altitude of 40.000 feet (about 12.000 meters) during the incident while flying over Butuan City in eastern Mindanao, Philippines. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Aviation Herald, a sudden and violent turbulence event occurred during this portion of the route. Within seconds, the aircraft was violently shaken. Eyewitnesses reported seeing objects flying and overhead compartments being opened. A flight attendant, who was in the cabin aisle at the time, was thrown against the cabin ceiling by the vibrations and suffered a broken arm and a concussion. Three other people, including a passenger and two crew members, were slightly injured. Decision to continue the flight Despite the incident, the flight crew decided to continue the flight. The affected Dreamliner landed at Singapore Changi Airport as scheduled at around 07:40 a.m. local time. Medical personnel were already on hand to care for the injured. The seriously injured flight attendant was taken to a nearby hospital, while the other injured were treated on site and did not require inpatient treatment.

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Switzerland promotes travel by public transport and expands Grand Train Tour

Amely Mizzi April 24, 2025 08:01

Switzerland touts its scenic beauty, high reliability, dense rail network, and straightforward ticketing system for exploring the country by public transport. The country also presents four new route suggestions for the popular Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, designed to appeal to both first-time visitors and experienced travelers. The advertised benefits of public transport include panoramic views, punctuality, comprehensive accessibility to all destinations, and the convenience of a single ticket for the entire network. These aspects are intended to underscore the appeal of train travel in Switzerland. The new itineraries for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland are named "Vines and Valleys," "Alpine Rivers," "East West," and "Lakes and Peaks." Each of these tours focuses on specific regions or themes and offers a recommended travel time. They include journeys on well-known panoramic trains, but also explore lesser-known routes such as the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, which connects Locarno in Switzerland with Domodossola in Italy. The new routes are designed to offer travelers exciting cities, impressive views and authentic experiences.

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Air India plans to acquire “Chinese” Boeing 737 Max: Trade conflict opens up new opportunities

Stephen Steiner April 24, 2025 07:31

Amid growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and the People's Republic of China, the Indian airline Air India has expressed interest in several Boeing 737 Max aircraft originally intended for Chinese airlines. Since these aircraft will not be delivered due to political and economic differences, Air India is now exploring the possibility of accessing these aircraft at short notice to expand its own fleet. The aim is, in particular, to accelerate the expansion of its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express and to catch up with regional rivals such as IndiGo. The United States and China have been locked in a complex economic conflict for years, which has led, among other things, to mutual tariffs and trade restrictions. Recently, Chinese airlines were effectively banned from taking delivery of new Boeing aircraft. This particularly applies to 737 Max aircraft that were already in their final stages of construction. On April 22, 2025, two aircraft of this model returned from the Boeing factory near Seattle, although their delivery to Chinese customers was planned. In response to US measures, China imposed extensive retaliatory tariffs on American products, including aerospace technology, with rates of up to 125 percent. This not only has economic repercussions, but also leads to a backlog in the delivery of finished aircraft, some of which are now sitting idle on American factory premises. Strategic Considerations at Air India This presents a strategic opportunity for Air India, owned by the Tata Group. The company is undergoing a comprehensive transformation process that includes modernizing and significantly expanding its fleet. Particular attention is being paid to its subsidiary

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Court of Audit uncovers irregularities at Carinthian Airport under Lilihill

Stephen Steiner April 24, 2025 07:09

In a report published on Tuesday, the Carinthian State Audit Office identified significant irregularities and questionable practices at the Carinthian Airport Operating Company (KFBG) between 2018 and 2023. During this period, the company was majority-owned by Lilihill Aviation City Beteiligung GmbH. The Court's findings largely confirm KFBG's internal investigations. Since the airport's return to public ownership in July 2023, a comprehensive restructuring and realignment process has begun. One sign of regained confidence is the return of international airlines such as Eurowings to Klagenfurt. This is reflected in increasing route and passenger numbers; the airport recorded passenger growth of 2025 percent in the first quarter of 25. The Court expressly praised the swift and decisive measures initiated following the repurchase in the second half of 2023, which have already led to a reduction in impending losses. KFBG now plans to claim unlawful and excessive payments billed to the former majority owner, Franz Peter Orasch, and his companies. This also includes the use of airport employees for private purposes, such as grape harvesting. The company reserves the right to take legal action if payments are not made. In the future, the Court of Auditors' recommendations will be implemented to ensure transparency through structural adjustments and prevent discriminatory practices.

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