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May 6

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May 6

Volgograd Airport receives additional name “Stalingrad”

Amely Mizzi 6 May 2025 15:01

During a visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the airport in the city of Volgograd a new name: Stalingrad. This was done by decree signed after Putin's visit to the city. The measure is intended to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory in World War II. The city on the Volga River was called Stalingrad until 1961, but was then renamed Volgograd to erase the name of dictator Joseph Stalin. Observers see Putin's decision as part of a growing rehabilitation of Stalin in Russia under his rule. In Volgograd, Putin commemorated the Battle of Stalingrad in the winter of 1942/43, in which the German Wehrmacht and its allies were defeated. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko also attended the event. Governor Andrei Bocharov explained that the renaming of the airport was a request from World War II veterans and participants in the war against Ukraine. Under Putin, the Russian government is increasingly trying to portray Soviet victories as purely Russian achievements, even though soldiers from other former Soviet republics also served in the Soviet Army. The renaming of the airport comes ahead of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in 1945. In Germany, the participation of Russian representatives in commemorations of the end of World War II is controversial. The German Foreign Office recommended against inviting Russian guests to such events, as Russia could use them to promote its war of aggression against Ukraine.

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Egypt Air expands long-haul fleet with leased A330-200

Stephen Steiner 6 May 2025 14:38

Egypt Air, the Egyptian national airline, is continuing to expand its long-haul fleet. As reported by the portal News Aero, the airline has added another Airbus A330-200 to its fleet. The 17-year-old aircraft arrived in Cairo on April 25. Previously in service with Hi Fly Malta and Gullivair, among others, the aircraft is now leased to Egypt Air by the leasing company DAE Capital. This new Airbus A330-200 complements Egypt Air's existing long-haul fleet, which already consists of four A330-200s, four A330-300s, five Boeing 777-300 ERs, and eight Boeing 787-8s. The current fleet also includes three Airbus A320neos and 14 Airbus A220s. Looking ahead, the airline plans to further rejuvenate and expand its long-haul capacity with the delivery of ten Airbus A350-900s, which it has already ordered. The addition of the leased Airbus A330-200 will allow Egypt Air to offer more flexibility on long-haul routes and potentially increase frequencies or add new destinations until the ordered A350-900s arrive. The A330-200 is a proven long-haul aircraft type, offering a range of up to 13.450 kilometers, enabling it to serve routes to Europe, the Middle East, much of Asia, and the East Coast of the Americas. Modernizing and expanding the fleet is an important part of Egypt Air's strategy to strengthen its position in African and international air traffic.

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Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air is looking for cabin crew in Belgrade

Stephen Steiner 6 May 2025 14:00

Saudi Arabia's new national carrier, Riyadh Air, is holding its first cabin crew recruitment event in Belgrade. This event is part of a comprehensive international campaign to assemble a team for the airline's launch in the second half of 2025. Riyadh Air is seeking individuals in Belgrade who share a passion for outstanding service and embody the airline's commitment to "Hafawa" – warm and authentic Arabian hospitality. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, fluent in English, and have a high school diploma or higher. Other requirements include a minimum height of 160 cm with an arm reach of 212 cm, the ability to swim, and at least one year of professional experience in direct customer contact. Selected candidates will undergo extensive training and relocate to the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh. The choice of Belgrade as one of the first locations for this recruitment event underscores the importance of the European labor market for Riyadh Air's ambitious plans. The new airline aims to establish a global presence and develop Riyadh into a major hub for international air traffic. The requirements for cabin crew indicate a high standard of professionalism and service quality, in order to implement the concept of Arabian hospitality promoted by the airline.

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SBB draws conclusions from ongoing delays of German Eurocity trains

Stephen Steiner 6 May 2025 13:42

The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have taken drastic measures due to the chronic unpunctuality of Eurocity trains from Germany. Since April 29, two major lines, the EC 7 from Hamburg-Altona to Interlaken Ost and the EC 9 from Dortmund to Zurich, have been running as scheduled only as far as Basel Central Station (Basel SBB). For onward travel within Switzerland from Basel, the SBB is operating replacement trains. This decision means an additional transfer in Basel for travelers from Germany wishing to use these connections. The SBB justifies this unusual step with the significant disruptions to its own finely coordinated regular timetable caused by the constant delays of trains from its northern neighbor. Swiss rail operations are known for their high level of punctuality and seamless connections between different train lines. The delayed arrival of German Eurocity trains in Switzerland has repeatedly resulted in delays affecting the entire Swiss rail network, thus negatively impacting the punctuality of many other trains within the Swiss Confederation. In order to avoid these cascading effects and ensure the reliability of its own services, SBB was now forced to take this step. Affected and unaffected train lines The EC 7 and EC 9 lines affected by the measure represent important connections between Germany and popular travel destinations in Switzerland. The EC 7 connects northern Germany via important cities such as Hanover and Frankfurt am Main with the Bernese Oberland and Interlaken Ost, a tourist center. The EC 9 offers a direct connection from the Ruhr region via Cologne and Mannheim to Zurich, the economic center of the

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Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb lead growth in airports in former Yugoslavia

Amely Mizzi 6 May 2025 13:39

The airports in Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Zagreb are expected to experience the strongest growth among the airports in the former Yugoslavia in the current second quarter of 2025 (April to June). These three airports will have the largest increase in scheduled seat capacity compared to the same period last year. Belgrade Airport leads the field with an additional offer of 271.140 seats. This growth in Belgrade is mainly due to the activities of the national carrier Air Serbia and the low-cost carrier Wizz Air. Air Serbia plans to launch five new routes in the second quarter, resulting in an additional offer of 91.487 seats. Wizz Air will increase its capacity by 72.610 seats through two new routes and the use of larger Airbus A321neo aircraft instead of the Airbus A320. Sarajevo Airport will have an additional offer of 192.163 seats during the same period. This significant growth is primarily due to the presence of Ryanair, which has launched five new routes from Sarajevo. Furthermore, most airlines serving the Bosnian and Herzegovinian capital plan to increase their flight frequencies and the number of seats offered. Ryanair is contributing 87.026 additional seats to the growth in Sarajevo, while Pegasus Airlines is increasing its capacity by 26.716 seats compared to the previous year. The passenger figures were first reported by Ex-Yu-Aviation.com.

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Spring Festival attracts visitors to Zurich Airport with a diverse program

Stephen Steiner 6 May 2025 13:09

On the weekend of May 17 and 18, 2025, the Circle at Zurich Airport will be transformed into a festival mile. Under the motto "Spring Festival," visitors can expect a varied program with dance shows, live music, and culinary offerings ranging from food trucks to specialties in the on-site restaurants. There will also be numerous activities for children. The Spring Festival offers a great opportunity to get to know the Circle area and the adjacent airport park better. On both days, the shops and restaurants will entice visitors with special attractions and offers. On Saturday, the festival begins at 11:00 a.m. and lasts until 19:00 p.m.; on Sunday, it starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 18:00 p.m. Those interested have the opportunity to take part in free tours of the Circle and take a look behind the scenes at the Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place hotels. The outpatient health center of the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) will offer short presentations and a health course. The airport park also offers a diverse program. Free ranger tours provide insights into the local flora and fauna. For the youngest visitors, there's a children's carousel, a bouncy castle, and face painting. The airport mascot, Rolli Rollkoffer, will also be on site. Musical entertainment will be provided by live bands such as Vivien & the Headline and The Murphys on the main square, as well as singer-songwriters Jermaine Harding and Fabienne Hostettler on the south square. Dance shows by the Tanz-Fabrik (Tanz Factory) will also take place hourly. Culinary offerings range from pizza and grilled dishes to Lebanese specialties and a food market with international delicacies.

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Change of course in Icelandic aviation: Icelandair phases out wide-body aircraft

Stephen Steiner 6 May 2025 12:49

Icelandair, Iceland's national airline, is making a significant strategic shift in its fleet planning. As airline CEO Bogi Nils Bogason announced to the specialist portal "CH-Aviation," the last three remaining wide-body Boeing 767-300ER aircraft will be retired from the fleet by the end of 2029. With this step, Icelandair is definitively abandoning the use of wide-body aircraft for passenger transport and will increasingly rely on a modernized fleet of narrow-body aircraft in the future. Bogi Nils Bogason explained the decision by citing the company's advanced fleet modernization program. "We expect 2029 to be the last year that Icelandair will operate Boeing 767 passenger aircraft," said Bogason. The older aircraft can be gradually replaced thanks to the new, efficient aircraft types that have already been acquired and are planned. The Boeing 767 was long considered the backbone of Icelandair's long-haul fleet, connecting Iceland to key destinations in North America. The decision to retire indicates a shift in strategic direction, with the emphasis on flexibility and cost-effectiveness through the use of smaller aircraft types. Focus on narrow-body aircraft: Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A321 As part of its fleet modernization, Icelandair has already invested in aircraft from the Boeing 737 Max family and integrated the Airbus A321 LR into the fleet. This development will be further advanced in the future. Starting in 2029, Icelandair expects the first deliveries of a total of 13 Airbus A321 XLRs on order. According to Bogason, this aircraft type is capable of seamlessly serving Icelandair's current route network. Even the longest route currently served by a Boeing 767, from Reykjavík-Keflavík to

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Aircraft noise disrupts sleep of over 100.000 residents of Brussels Airport

Amely Mizzi 6 May 2025 12:35

A new report by aviation consultancy To70 shows that in 2024, over 101.000 people living near Brussels Airport suffered from "significantly disturbed sleep" due to aircraft noise. The study, based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and conducted as part of the airport's updated environmental permit, identifies Brussels itself, as well as the Schaarbeek and Evere districts, as the most affected. The study further found that an estimated 209.000 residents were "significantly disturbed" during the day and night. More than 13.000 people were exposed to noise levels above 55 decibels and were classified as "potentially severely affected." Interestingly, according to the report, the increase in the number of residents affected by noise is not primarily due to an increase in air traffic. Although the number of aircraft movements in 2024 was just under 199.000, below pre-pandemic levels, population growth in the surrounding areas is leading to a higher number of people exposed to aircraft noise. However, the report also highlights a positive development: the use of quieter, next-generation aircraft is increasing, accounting for 2024 percent of all flights in 36. This development could potentially contribute to a reduction in noise pollution, but will not yet noticeably improve the current situation for many residents. The results of the study are likely to further fuel the debate on measures to reduce aircraft noise around Brussels Airport.

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Dispute over authorities jeopardizes coastal surveillance in Belgium

Belinda Borg 6 May 2025 12:08

A dispute over the interpretation of permits at Antwerp and Ostend airports could result in the Belgian Coast Guard having to suspend important surveillance flights over the North Sea starting May 1. The airport operators have decided to ban the aviation fuel Avgas 100LL, even though its use is within the permitted limits according to EU directives. The airport operators' measure is based on European regulations regarding lead content in fuels. Although Avgas 100LL is below the limits set by the EU and should therefore still be used legally, the airport operators are apparently interpreting the regulations more strictly. This would mean that the fuel would no longer be available for the Coast Guard's aircraft. The Coast Guard aircraft, a Britten-Norman Islander with the registration OO-MMM, plays a crucial role in monitoring the North Sea for pollution and enforcing maritime laws. Authorities warn that the aircraft's decommissioning could significantly impair its ability to respond in the event of an emergency. The government is also accused of failing to replace the aging aircraft, despite a demand to do so since 2018. The situation highlights the potential impact of different interpretations of EU regulations on important government functions.

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Supreme Court: Former AUA works council member at Junghans must partially repay salary

Belinda Borg 6 May 2025 11:41

In a sensational ruling, the Supreme Court (OGH) ruled that Alfred Junghans, the long-time chairman of the works council at Austrian Airlines (AUA), unjustly received excessive salary payments and must now repay them to the company. The decision is based on the so-called prohibition of privileges, which prohibits preferential treatment of works council members compared to comparable employees. AUA's lawsuit, filed in 2019, demands repayment totaling €192.234,77. The ruling could also have implications for further proceedings against other works council members. Background to the salary increases: In 2009, when AUA was on the verge of insolvency and receiving government subsidies, the salaries of three released works council members, including Alfred Junghans, were significantly increased. Junghans received a salary increase from €6.000 to almost €11.000 per month. These increases were approved by the then management. It was only under the later AUA CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech that salaries were cut again and repayment demands initiated. The Supreme Court found that there were no plausible reasons for the salary increases and that they therefore violated the prohibition of privileges. The court ruled that Junghans must retroactively repay the excess salaries. This decision could also be relevant for other works council members, such as Harald Ramoser, against whom similar proceedings are pending. Reactions and consequences Alfred Junghans could not be reached for comment. AUA emphasized that it had to ensure that everything was conducted legally within its company and therefore saw no other option than to take legal action. The ruling also impacts the internal structure of the works council. Junghans did not stand for election in the works council elections.

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