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May 12

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May 12

Birth at 18.000 feet: Baby born on Ryanair flight

Belinda Borg 12 May 2025 15:06

A regularly scheduled Ryanair flight from Brussels-Charleroi to Castellón, Spain, turned into an extraordinary event on Thursday when a passenger went into labor high in the air and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The Spanish woman experienced her first contractions shortly after takeoff at an altitude of approximately 18.000 feet, after which her water broke. The crew reacted immediately and informed the captain, who then decided to fly to the nearest suitable airport. The Boeing 737-800 was diverted to Limoges, France, and landed there. Emergency personnel were already waiting on the ground, including firefighters, an intensive care unit with an incubator, an emergency doctor, a midwife, and a nurse anesthetist. However, it was too late for the emergency services: the baby girl had already been delivered safely on board. Mother and child were immediately taken to a nearby hospital after landing and are reportedly in excellent health.

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Crystal presents comprehensive 150-day world tour “Treasures of the Tides” for 2028

Stephen Steiner 12 May 2025 14:50

Crystal has announced its plans for an extraordinary world cruise in 2028 entitled "Treasures of the Tides." This carefully curated voyage invites guests to discover the diversity and richness of our planet within 150 days. On this first circumnavigation of the world since 2018, the Crystal Symphony will visit a total of 84 destinations in 39 countries on six continents. The world cruise begins on January 11, 2028, in Fort Lauderdale and ends there after five months, on June 10, 2028. Guests also have the option of ending the cruise as early as May 27, 2028. The route includes picturesque harbors in the Caribbean, impressive fjord landscapes in South America, idyllic South Sea lagoons, vibrant cities in the Far East, and enchanting places in the Mediterranean. In collaboration with sister company Abercombie & Kent, a specialist in immersive travel experiences, travelers will be offered selected shore excursions to well-known and lesser-known sights. Emphasis is placed on ensuring sufficient time is available to explore the destinations and their cultures. New destinations in the South Pacific, Australia, Vietnam, and India The itinerary includes several new and fascinating destinations. These include the Polynesian island of Huahine, Nha Trang in southern Vietnam, Mangaluru in southwest India, and in Australia Portland (Victoria), Kangaroo Island (South Australia), and Albany and Geraldton (both Western Australia). Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in special events in numerous locations, for example in Lima, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dubai. Fernando Barroso de Oliviera, Crystal Chairman and Brand Ambassador, emphasized that this world tour will open a new chapter in

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False bomb alert temporarily paralyzes Eindhoven Airport

Jan Gruber 12 May 2025 14:30

Eindhoven Airport had to be closed for about 30 minutes on Friday morning after a 51-year-old woman on board a TUI fly Netherlands flight to Antalya claimed to have a bomb in her luggage. Explosives experts examined the woman's suitcase, which was in the cargo hold of the Belgian-registered Boeing 737-800, but no explosive device was found. The woman was arrested and is being questioned. She now faces legal action and further action from the airline. The false alarm led to flight delays and the diversion of two Ryanair flights to Weeze in Germany and Brussels. Normal flight operations in Eindhoven resumed in the early afternoon.

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Lufthansa Group extends flight suspension to Tel Aviv again

Stephen Steiner 12 May 2025 14:05

The airlines of the Lufthansa Group have extended their flight suspensions to and from Tel Aviv until May 18, 2025. This decision was made in response to a rocket attack by the Yemeni Houthi rebels on May 4, 2025, in which a rocket hit near Ben Gurion Airport and injured several people. The extension affects Lufthansa itself as well as its subsidiaries Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. The suspension was originally scheduled to end on May 6 and had already been extended once until May 11. The Houthi rebels had described the attack as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians and retaliation for US actions in the region. The Lufthansa Group justified the renewed extension with the continued tense security situation in the region. Affected passengers will be informed and can rebook or cancel their tickets free of charge. Several other international airlines, including Air France and British Airways, also temporarily suspended their flights to Tel Aviv following the rocket attack.

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Air France pilots temporarily take over KLM flights Amsterdam-New York

Belinda Borg 12 May 2025 13:40

In a cooperation within the Air France-KLM Group, from July 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025, Air France pilots will temporarily fly KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777s on the route between Amsterdam Schiphol and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. This measure follows a decision made in February 2025 that allowed KLM pilots to train on Air France Airbus A350s and marks the beginning of this type of cooperation to optimize resources within the group. For the first time in history, Air France pilots will take over the cockpit of KLM Boeing 777s. According to the French pilots' union SNPL, this cooperation serves to increase the flying activity of Air France pilots while helping KLM overcome a pilot shortage during the traditionally busy summer months. The Dutch pilots' union VNV also welcomed the initiative as a "win-win" situation for both sides. Challenges of cross-border cooperation However, implementing such cross-border cooperation presents several administrative challenges. These include the temporary transfer of the aircraft to the Air France fleet and its operation with KLM cabin crew, which requires coordination with various authorities. The plan is to temporarily add a KLM Boeing 777 to the Air France fleet, which will then be leased back to KLM and used by Air France pilots for a daily flight between New York (JFK) and Amsterdam. The cabin crew will continue to be provided by KLM. A wet lease agreement submitted by KLM has already been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Compensation within the Air France-KLM group The French pilots' union SNPL expressed its support for the project and emphasized that this

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Delta and Korean Air acquire minority stake in Canadian WestJet

Jan Gruber 12 May 2025 13:33

Delta Air Lines of the United States and Korean Air of South Korea will jointly acquire a 25 percent stake in Canadian airline WestJet. For a total of $550 million, Delta will acquire a 15 percent stake for $330 million, while Korean Air will purchase a 10 percent stake for $220 million. Delta also plans to resell 2,3 percent of its shares to Air France-KLM for $50 million upon completion of the transaction. The agreement strengthens ties within the SkyTeam alliance, which includes Delta, Korean Air, and Air France-KLM. Onex Corporation, which acquired WestJet in 2019, remains the majority owner with a majority stake. Experts believe the transaction, which complies with Canadian ownership laws, will have no significant impact on the Canadian aviation market. It is viewed as a strategic move to strengthen their respective networks in North America, Europe, and Asia. Delta and Korean Air's participation in WestJet builds on existing codeshare agreements between the three airlines. The collaboration is expected to offer travelers enhanced connections and travel options. Through the partnership, Korean Air plans to further expand its presence in North America and open new routes in Latin America by leveraging WestJet's network.

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Strong bise winds lead to flight cancellations and delays in Zurich

Amely Mizzi 12 May 2025 13:04

A strong bise wind, a cold and dry northeast wind typical of Switzerland, caused significant disruption to flight operations at Zurich Airport on Friday. The unusual wind direction necessitated the use of a modified runway configuration. Numerous flights were delayed by up to three hours. By early afternoon, at least 32 Swiss flights, including some flights operated by airBaltic and Helvetic Airlines, mainly to and from major European cities, had to be canceled. Return flights were particularly affected. The canceled return flights included connections to Brussels, Nice, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Stuttgart, Hanover, Bologna, London Heathrow (twice), Hamburg, Frankfurt (twice), Florence, Graz, Amsterdam, and Budapest. The bise wind, caused by a special weather pattern with high pressure in the north and low pressure in the south, channeled between the Jura and the Alps, significantly impacted air traffic in Zurich.

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Jetstar discontinues non-stop flights from Sydney to Honolulu and focuses on Asia

Stephen Steiner 12 May 2025 12:48

Australian low-cost airline Jetstar, a subsidiary of the Qantas Group, will end its direct service between Sydney and Honolulu by the end of October. This follows the previous discontinuation of the Melbourne to Honolulu service on April 30, 2025. This move by the company, which operates an extensive network of domestic and international flights in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, and other Asian countries, marks the end of Jetstar's only direct service to the United States. The route began in 2006 and was most recently served several times a week with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Last flight of October - Qantas expands service The last flight from Sydney to Hawaii is scheduled for October 24, after the peak travel season in the Northern Hemisphere. This will give Australians and New Zealanders a chance to escape the winter temperatures and visit the Hawaiian beaches. While Jetstar's service will be discontinued, competition from Hawaiian Airlines and Jetstar's parent company, Qantas, will remain. Qantas will continue to operate a complementary route from Melbourne to Honolulu and will also increase its frequency from Sydney to Honolulu from five to six flights per week. Air New Zealand also indirectly offers several weekly connections to Hawaii via Auckland International Airport. New routes planned in Asia and domestically: Jetstar plans to use the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners previously used on the Honolulu route to expand connections to destinations in Asia. This indicates a strategic reorientation of the company. Jetstar will launch several new routes this year.

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Tim Mälzer on a culinary journey of discovery in Lower Austria – stop on the MS Wachau

Belinda Borg 12 May 2025 12:37

The well-known German TV chef Tim Mälzer traveled to Austria for an episode of the anniversary season of his show "Kitchen Impossible" to go on a culinary quest and compete with top local chefs. Mälzer already got a taste of Austrian gastronomy on board the MS Wachau of the DDSG Blue Danube, as has now been announced. During a cruise on the Danube through the Wachau, a region known for its scenic beauty and culinary traditions, Mälzer enjoyed the view from the sun deck and indulged in coffee and the classic "Donauwelle" cake. Despite the flooding that accompanied filming in June 2024, the TV chef was able to embark on the trip and take his famous "box" with him on board. Wolfgang Fischer, Managing Director of the DDSG Blue Danube, was delighted to welcome the celebrity guest. He emphasized that culinary delights and enjoyment played an important role on board and that it was a “tasteful pleasure” to convince German culinary experts of Austria’s pioneering role in this area.

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Lower Austrian wine-growing regions become the stage for “Culture among Winemakers”

Jan Gruber 12 May 2025 12:03

For the sixth time, the event series "Culture with Winemakers" is taking place in Lower Austria's eight wine-growing regions. From the end of June to the beginning of September 2025, a total of 36 events invite visitors to experience art, culture, and wine in unusual locations such as wineries, cellar lanes, and wine taverns. The highlights of the program were recently presented in Vienna. Organized by the Lower Austrian Tourist Board, the State Department of Arts and Culture, and Wine Lower Austria, the series has secured a permanent place in the state's events calendar with its intimate events that combine culture, cuisine, and wine. This year's season, visitors can once again expect a diverse artistic offering, ranging from Viennese songs and dialect folk to soul and jazz, indie pop, and cabaret readings. The events not only offer cultural enjoyment in a unique atmosphere, but often also the opportunity to taste wines from the region's best winemakers and enjoy regional specialties. Depending on the event, aperitifs, cellar tours, or even gourmet menus may be included in the price. Tickets are available directly from the participating wineries. The Viennese song quartet "Die Strottern & Blech" will kick off on June 27 at the Herzogenburg Abbey Winery, and the event will conclude on September 5 with aNNika at the Hiedler Winery in Langenlois.

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