May 5

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May 5

ANA Group reports record sales and high profit for fiscal year 2024/25

The ANA Group, parent company of the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), achieved a new revenue record and continued strong profit for the 31/2025 fiscal year, which ended March 2024, 25. The company generated revenue equivalent to approximately €13,8 billion and a net result of approximately €933,6 million. These results were largely driven by strong demand in passenger traffic, particularly in the international and tourism sectors. The Air Transport division contributed the largest share of revenue and profit, with revenue increasing by 10,1 percent year-on-year to approximately €12,56 billion. While operating revenue declined slightly, ANA benefited from high capacity utilization on its international and domestic routes. Routes to North America and Europe were particularly popular. ANA responded to the increased demand by opening new routes, including connections from Tokyo/Haneda to Milan, Stockholm, and Istanbul, as well as resuming routes to Vienna and Perth. In total, ANA carried 8,07 million passengers in international traffic with an average load factor of 79,2 percent. ANA also recorded both higher passenger volumes and higher revenues in domestic traffic, thanks to sales promotions and efficient yield management. Over 44 million passengers were carried. The company's continued focus on customer service was again underscored by its twelfth consecutive 5-star rating from Skytrax, as well as further awards from APEX and Air Transport World. For the current fiscal year 2025/26, the ANA Group expects another record revenue of approximately €14,46 billion and a net profit of approximately €744 million, with the development

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Stuttgart Airport increases passenger numbers but continues to be in the red

Stuttgart Airport GmbH (FSG) generated revenue of €2024 million for the 278,2 financial year, but again recorded a loss of €6,1 million (2023: €13,6 million). Passenger numbers developed positively, rising by 8,5 percent to 9,1 million passengers. Flight movements also increased by 2,3 percent to 94.177. Despite the renewed loss, Airport Managing Director Ulrich Heppe emphasized that 2024 was a well-mastered, challenging year and that the airport had taken a major step towards returning to profitability. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) were clearly positive at €26,1 million. For the current financial year, the airport expects a further increase in passenger numbers of around five percent, driven by continued high demand, particularly for leisure travel. In addition to the financial results, the airport company also presented progress with its STRzero climate strategy. The goal is to make operations net greenhouse gas neutral by 2040. A key element of this is the energy-efficient renovation of the terminals and other buildings on the airport site, for which investments of more than two billion euros are planned. The first construction work is scheduled to begin in 2027. Managing Director Carsten Poralla emphasized the necessity of this project to make the airport future-proof and reduce ground emissions to zero.

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Scheurle remains Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Cologne/Bonn Airport

Klaus-Dieter Scheurle has been unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH for another five years. The lawyer has headed the company's board since the beginning of 2021 and will therefore continue to play a key role in shaping the airport's strategic direction in the coming years. Scheurle expressed his delight at the renewed trust and emphasized the important tasks ahead for the airport. These include strengthening the location, further economic development, and ambitious sustainability goals. These strategic decisions are intended to consolidate the airport's key role as a central mobility and logistics hub for the entire region. Scheurle, 70, has extensive experience in the aviation industry. From 2013 to 2020, he was Chairman of the Management Board of Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS GmbH) and from 2018 to 2020, President of the Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL). Previously, he held senior positions in various government agencies and companies, including federal and state ministries, the current Federal Network Agency, and the banking sector. In 2009, he was appointed State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. His re-election as Chairman of the Supervisory Board underscores the continuity in the airport's leadership during a period of important strategic decisions.

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United Airlines drastically reduces flight offerings in Newark

United Airlines has decided to drastically reduce its flight offerings at its key hub, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The company is canceling approximately 35 daily round-trip flights, effective immediately. This step is being taken in response to severe staffing shortages in air traffic control and recent failures of key air traffic control equipment, which have led to significant disruptions to flight operations at Newark. A letter from United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby describes the situation in detail. According to the letter, there have been repeated failures of critical technology used by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport. These failures have had far-reaching consequences, including dozens of flight diversions, hundreds of delays and cancellations, resulting in travel chaos for thousands of passengers. To make matters worse, more than 20 percent of the air traffic controllers responsible for Newark have resigned. Given these circumstances, United Airlines is forced to cancel approximately 35 percent of its operations in Newark, which corresponds to approximately XNUMX daily round-trip flights. Kirby emphasized in his letter that the affected air traffic control facility in Newark has been chronically understaffed for years. Without a sufficient number of air traffic controllers, it is now obvious—and this is confirmed by the FAA—that Newark Airport will not be able to handle the number of planned flight movements in the coming weeks and months. Inevitable step to protect passengers The CEO expressed his regret about the need for further cuts to an already reduced flight schedule in Newark.

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Study reveals cheapest and most expensive US airports for domestic flights

A recent analysis by FinanceBuzz examined average domestic airfares at the 45 busiest airports in the United States to show travelers where to find the best deals and which airports to avoid if they're on a budget. The study found significant price differences between locations. On average, domestic airfares decreased by 2023 percent from 2024 to 2,3, adjusted for inflation, but increased by 0,6 percent before inflation. This marks the second consecutive year of declining inflation-adjusted airfares. The cheapest airports for domestic flights were Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida, averaging $265, followed by Orlando International Airport (MCO) at $276, and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas at $285. Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) are also among the five cheapest options. According to the study, the most expensive airports for domestic flights in 2024 were Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, DC, with an average of $490, and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with $453. Also among the top five most expensive airports were Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. The biggest changes in the affordability rankings were at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which improved by eleven places, while Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) slipped by fifteen places, becoming significantly more expensive.

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Icelandair reports improved profitability in the first quarter of 2025 despite continued loss

Icelandic airline Icelandair has announced improved profitability across all business areas for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, in line with management's expectations. Although the company again reported an operating loss (EBIT) of USD 62,3 million, it was able to reduce this by USD 2024 million compared to the first quarter of 6,6. The net loss also decreased by USD 15,3 million year-on-year. The company's cost structure developed particularly positively. Unit costs (CASK) were reduced by 3 percent, while unit revenue (RASK) increased by 1 percent. This development is attributed to the ongoing transformation process within the company, which aims to improve operational and financial performance. Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason announced that optimization measures with an annual impact of over USD 40 million have already been implemented and that total savings of USD 2025 million per year are expected by the end of 70. Despite improved first-quarter results and positive bookings for the upcoming summer season, which point to further profitability improvements in the second and third quarters, the company remains cautious regarding its fourth-quarter guidance. Uncertainties in long-term demand trends, reflecting the global economic situation, make it difficult to confirm the full-year guidance at this time. Icelandair continues to diversify its revenue streams by expanding partnerships with other airlines, such as Southwest Airlines and Turkish Airlines, to create new travel options for its customers.

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Massive flight cancellations expected at Gatwick – strikes by fuel crew and ground workers at Easyjet

Travelers planning to fly with EasyJet from London Gatwick Airport in May and June 2025 should expect significant flight cancellations and delays. Fueling staff and ground workers are planning coordinated strike action that, according to the Unite union, could affect more than 70 percent of the airline's daily operations at the UK's second-busiest airport. EasyJet is the largest airline at Gatwick, handling more than half of all departures. The planned walkouts threaten to cancel or delay hundreds of flights, particularly during the busy Whitsun holiday period in May. The first wave of strikes is scheduled to begin on May 16, 2025, when fueling workers at Redline Oil Services, one of the airport's main providers of fueling services, will walk out for four days. A second four-day strike period will follow immediately after, from May 23 to 27. These workers are responsible for refueling aircraft belonging to several airlines, with EasyJet among the worst affected. Unite estimates that these walkouts alone could result in the cancellation or delay of more than 250 EasyJet flight movements per day. EasyJet's operations could be further impacted by further walkouts by ground staff from the company Red Handling. These workers, including baggage handlers, check-in staff, and aircraft handlers, are planning strikes on May 11, 18, and 25, as well as a further day of strike action on June 2. Red Handling supports around 50 flights a day for various airlines at Gatwick, including EasyJet. This means that the airline could potentially face double disruption from overlapping strike action by two different service providers. Dispute over wages and working conditions as the cause.

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Jetblue refines its offering for peak travel season – New snacks and menus on board

Just in time for the summer travel season, the airline JetBlue is introducing a number of new onboard features designed to enhance the travel experience for its passengers. Passengers can now look forward to new complimentary snacks, including the popular Goldfish crackers and Lotus Biscoff cookies, which complement the existing offerings. The menus in the premium "Mint" class and the main cabin also feature fresh culinary options inspired by well-known New York restaurants. On the "Mint" service, which is offered on select routes, the New York-based restaurant Charlie Bird returns with new, seasonal dishes. Passengers can look forward to breakfast variations such as French toast with raspberry thyme syrup or flat iron steak with summer squash caponata for lunch or dinner. A special menu inspired by the Spanish capital has also been created to coincide with JetBlue's new European route to Madrid. For transatlantic travelers in the Main Cabin, the new summer dishes come from DIG and include a smoked turkey croissant with Brie and balsamic onion jam, and a hearty chicken grain bowl with cucumber yogurt. The wine selection in "Mint" is also being expanded: Starting in June, passengers can enjoy the award-winning 2023 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir from Scribe Winery. These innovations are intended to make the travel experience on board JetBlue even more enjoyable during peak travel season and offer passengers a wider selection of food and beverages. This underscores JetBlue's commitment to further enhancing passenger comfort and satisfaction.

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Over six million speeding violations punished in Austria

The Austrian Federal Police punished a total of 2024 speeding violations in road traffic in 6.145.227. This figure includes both administrative reports and administrative penalty orders and documents the extensive efforts of the law enforcement agency to ensure road safety. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasized that consistent enforcement of traffic regulations and the prosecution of violations such as speeding, tailgating, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs remain top priorities this year. A large proportion of speeding violations were detected using radar devices (around 5,3 million cases) and laser measuring devices (around 600.000 cases). Plain-clothes patrols, section control systems, and other monitoring methods also contributed to the prosecution of approximately 250.000 violations. Compared to the previous year, the total number of punished speeding violations decreased slightly by 0,2 percent. The Federal Police have 396 stationary and mobile radar units at their disposal nationwide, with modern laser technology increasingly replacing older radar systems in stationary systems. In addition, ten stationary section control systems are in operation, and mobile systems are temporarily deployed in construction zones. Since March 2024, the Austrian traffic authorities have also had the option of temporarily impounding vehicles in cases of particularly high speed violations. Federal Police officers exercised this authority in 2024 cases between March and December 171. In addition to speed monitoring, the police also focused on alcohol and drug checks. In 2024, over 1,8 million alcohol checks were conducted, with the number of reports of drink-driving falling by 5,9 percent to 28.867. Reports of driving under the influence of drugs decreased by 5,2 percent to 8.227. In addition, violations of the safety distance and using a cell phone while driving were punished. In the area of ​​heavy goods vehicles and

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Lufthansa Group suspends all flights to Tel Aviv – escalation of the Middle East conflict as the cause

In view of the escalating security situation in the Middle East, the entire Lufthansa Group has suspended all its flights to and from Tel Aviv with immediate effect until May 6, 2025. This measure affects not only the core brand Lufthansa but also its subsidiaries Swiss and cargo traffic. A company spokesperson justified this step with the threatened escalation of the regional conflict after the Houthi militia in Yemen launched its first rocket attack in the immediate vicinity of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Houthi missile hits near airport - Israel threatens retaliation The rocket attack by the Yemeni Houthi militia, which is supported by Iran, marks a new escalation in the already tense relationship in the region. According to the Israeli army, the rocket hit in the immediate vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport. The Israeli rescue service Magen David Adom reported eight injuries. The Houthi militia claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that it had targeted the airport with a hypersonic missile. This information could not initially be independently verified. At the same time, the militia called for international airlines to avoid the Israeli airport for security reasons. The Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an urgent security meeting for that afternoon. Missile defense unsuccessful – eyewitnesses report panic The missile fired by the Houthis could not be intercepted despite repeated attempts by the Israeli missile defense system. Videos circulated on social media showed columns of smoke near the airport, and eyewitnesses reported panicked reactions from people in the terminal area. During the attack, sirens wailed in numerous Israeli areas, including Tel

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