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May 14

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May 14

Skyscanner survey: German holidaymakers seek more intense experiences and flexibility in summer 2025

Amely Mizzi 14 May 2025 15:00

A recent survey by the global travel app Skyscanner shows that German travelers for summer 2025 attach great importance to making the most of their free time and having intensive vacation experiences. According to the survey, 89 percent of respondents believe it is important to make the most of their summer vacation, with more than half finding that the warmer season is passing too quickly. Many plan to see and experience more than in previous years and want to make the most of their travel budget by making smart decisions. The anticipation of the vacation plays a major role: A quarter of respondents increase their vacation mood through early planning. Many mentally switch into vacation mode before they even start their trip. Almost half plan to take more vacation this summer than last year. In its "Smarter Travel Report," Skyscanner provides data-based tips for getting the most out of their summer vacation. The report shows that many travelers are willing to adjust their travel dates to get cheaper flights. Thursday is determined to be the cheapest day to fly on average, and calendar week 27 is the cheapest week to travel. In addition to popular destinations like Palma, Antalya, and New York, the survey also shows growing interest in lesser-known destinations. Skyscanner has identified some affordable hidden gems, including Knock in Ireland, Szczytno in Poland, and Salerno in Italy. Many travelers also indicate they want to avoid peak season and are considering travel in June or September, when destinations like Castellon de la Plana and Tuzla are particularly affordable.

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Norwegian state becomes largest shareholder of Norwegian

Belinda Borg 14 May 2025 14:39

The Norwegian government has become the largest shareholder in Norwegian Air Shuttle, now holding a 6,4 percent stake. This move was made possible by converting an emergency loan granted during the pandemic into shares. This move results from a 2021 rescue package that ensured the airline's survival during the COVID-19 crisis. Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth emphasized that this is not a strategic investment, but a consequence of previous support to save jobs. The government originally loaned 615 million Norwegian kroner and will now receive shares worth 862 million kroner, effectively representing a profit from this agreement. Norwegian Air initiated the conversion itself and expressed satisfaction with the result, praising it as a strong agreement and highlighting the cooperation with the government. As a result of this move, the government's share now surpasses that of other major shareholders. This new constellation is expected to further consolidate Norwegian Air's position in the Scandinavian aviation market.

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Jet2 flight lands safely in Faro after hydraulic problem

Stephen Steiner 14 May 2025 14:00

A Jet2 flight, aircraft LS251, en route from Leeds Bradford in the United Kingdom to Faro in Portugal, was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Faro on the morning of May 12. The pilots had previously reported a hydraulic system failure and a possible flap malfunction. The Boeing 737-300, registration G-GDFN, was carrying only 24 people. The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported. As a precautionary measure, emergency protocols were activated, dispatching 50 emergency personnel and 21 vehicles to the airport. Following the aircraft's safe landing, investigations were launched to determine the exact cause of the reported technical problems. Air traffic at Faro Airport was not significantly disrupted by the emergency landing.

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ICAO blames Russia for MH17 downing

Belinda Borg 14 May 2025 13:32

The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has ruled that the Russian Federation is responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, in violation of the Chicago Convention. This decision was made in response to a 2022 lawsuit by the Netherlands and Australia and supports their claims. It represents a significant step towards justice for the 298 victims and their families. Dutch Foreign Minister Veldkamp welcomed the decision as a clear message that states cannot violate international law with impunity. The ICAO Council will now consider how reparations should be legally pursued, including possible negotiations overseen by the Council. Australia urged the Council to decide swiftly on reparations and called on Russia to accept its responsibility. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine. All 298 people on board were killed, including numerous Dutch and Australian citizens. An international investigation concluded that the plane was shot down by a Buk missile system delivered from Russian territory. Russia denies any involvement in the incident.

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Starting signal for Alpen Bikepark Schneeberg: Ten kilometers of trails from 2026

Amely Mizzi 14 May 2025 13:09

A new Alpine Bike Park is being built in Puchberg am Schneeberg, Lower Austria. It is expected to attract mountain bikers of all skill levels on approximately ten kilometers of trails and lines starting in spring 2026. The groundbreaking ceremony for the €2,6 million project has now taken place. The goal is to stimulate leisure tourism in the region and establish the region as a leading mountain bike destination. Mountain bike professional Clemens Kaudela has been recruited as ambassador. The bike park will be built around the existing infrastructure of the Schneeberg chairlift, whose station building is being converted into a shop and rental center. Particular emphasis will be placed on a natural design using local wood. Clemens Kaudela will support the team during construction and contribute his expertise as a freerider. The bike park is intended to fit seamlessly into the regional "Mountain Bike Region Schneebergland" project, which aims to create a comprehensive range of mountain bike trails throughout the region. At its opening in spring 2026, the resort will already offer ten kilometers of trails and lines of varying difficulty, as well as the lower section of a downhill freeride course and a Kids & Skills Area. In further expansion phases by 2028, the offering will be expanded to a total of 15 kilometers of trails and lines. The operators expect up to 25.000 additional visitors in the first three years, as well as the creation of new jobs and additional overnight stays in the region.

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Court rejects Boeing's motion to dismiss Alaska Airlines passengers' lawsuit

Stephen Steiner 14 May 2025 12:43

A Washington Superior Court judge has rejected Boeing's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit by passengers aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which suffered a mid-flight door stopper failure last year. The plane suffered an uncontrolled decompression and was forced to make an emergency landing. The judge's decision allows the plaintiffs to continue their case and attempt to prove that the defendants' actions were intentional or reckless and to recover damages. The judge denied Boeing's motion to dismiss the 38 passengers' claims for "intentional infliction of emotional distress," as well as similar motions by Alaska Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems. The lawsuit was originally filed in January 2024 by the law firm Stritmatter on behalf of six passengers, just days after the incident. The number of represented plaintiffs has since grown to 38 passengers and 14 family members, and the case has been moved to federal court. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and Spirit AeroSystems (the manufacturer of the doorstop) for negligence, product liability, fraud, and corporate malpractice. The most recent hearing was to assess the plaintiffs' claim for "outrage" under Washington state law. The defendants argued that the plaintiffs' allegations did not meet the legal threshold for "outrage," which requires conduct "so monstrous in character and so extreme in degree that it exceeds all possible bounds of decency and must be considered abhorrent and utterly intolerable in a civilized community." The judge dismissed

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Zurich Airport AG acquires Radisson Blu building for CHF 155 million

Jan Gruber 14 May 2025 12:32

Flughafen Zürich AG has acquired the Radisson Blu building on the airport site for approximately 155 million Swiss francs from the previous owner, Al Maha Real Estate AG. This move transfers full ownership of the twelve-story building to the airport operator. Previously, the use of the building, which was established under a building lease in 2005, was based on a contract that originally ran until 2080. The Radisson Blu Hotel began operations following the building's completion in 2008. With the early cancellation of the building lease and the associated reversion of the hotel building, Flughafen Zürich AG says it is securing development potential in the central area of ​​the airport. The existing lease with Radisson Blu, which uses the majority of the space for hotel operations and as a convention and conference center, remains unaffected by the acquisition and will continue. The hotel rooms and lobby were comprehensively modernized in 2023 and 2024. Zurich Airport AG expects this transaction to result in an annual increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) in the high single-digit million range in Swiss francs. This strategic step will enable Zurich Airport to better plan and develop the site's future.

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Extensive bus replacement service planned for the renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin railway line

Jan Gruber 14 May 2025 12:06

For the upcoming renovation work on the Hamburg-Berlin railway line, an extensive replacement bus service will be established starting in August of this year. The responsible consortium, Ecovista, is having almost 210 buses specially produced for this purpose, as the association announced. However, delivery of the vehicles from manufacturers SOR and Iveco is still pending. The Deutsche Bahn subsidiary InfraGo, which is responsible for the construction work, is working closely with Ecovista to ensure the scheduled start of the replacement service on August 1. The line is to be closed and comprehensively modernized until May 2026. Plans include the replacement of overhead lines, tracks, switches, signal boxes, and stations. A total of 26 bus routes will transport passengers in the region to their destinations during this time. In contrast to the renovation of the Riedbahn line between Frankfurt and Mannheim last year, where Deutsche Bahn organized the replacement service itself, the Ecovista consortium has been awarded the contract for the Hamburg-Berlin line. The new buses, including 142 articulated and 66 solo buses, will be equipped with Wi-Fi and USB ports. The Iveco buses for longer routes will also have restrooms. Ecovista plans to provide all replacement services with its own vehicles and will not use the approximately 150 buses that were used during the Riedbahn renovation. According to the consortium, around 500 bus drivers, who have already been recruited, will be needed to ensure the smooth operation of the replacement service.

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Incident in San Francisco: American Airlines A321 loses engine part during takeoff

Belinda Borg 14 May 2025 11:49

An American Airlines Airbus A321 suffered an engine failure during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) en route to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on Friday, leaving debris on runway 01R. After smoke was seen coming from one of the jet's engines, a subsequent inspection of the runway found a thrust reverser fairing. The nine-year-old A321-200 aircraft continued its three-hour flight to Dallas/Fort Worth without further incident and landed safely. However, the jet remained grounded in Dallas for further inspections. An airline spokesperson confirmed there was a technical problem and said the maintenance team performed inspections and maintenance on the aircraft after landing. Engine Part Lost During Takeoff As first reported by The Aviation Herald, the A321-200, registration N159AN, was operating flight AA1175 from SFO to DFW when the incident occurred during takeoff. During takeoff from runway 01R at SFO at 07:32 a.m. local time, a plume of smoke was observed from the aircraft's left engine. The flight crew continued the climb to flight level 350, possibly unaware of the engine problems, while authorities on the ground conducted a runway inspection and discovered a left engine thrust reverser fairing. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT DURING DEPARTURE, SMOKE POLLUTION AND DEBRIS FOUND ON RUNWAY, A LEFT ENGINE THRUST REVERSE FAIRING." The A321 continued its flight to Dallas/Fort Worth and landed safely less than three hours after takeoff. The airline emphasizes no disruption to the

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Charity dinner at “Am Hof ​​8” raises funds for ME/CFS research

Stephen Steiner 14 May 2025 11:31

The exclusive private members club "Am Hof ​​8" in Vienna recently opened its doors for a special charity dinner in support of the Ströck family's WE&ME Foundation. At the event, head chef Michael Piroska created a multi-course gourmet menu featuring specialties from the Hoedl butcher shop and Thorhof Fisch & Wild, as well as fine wines from the Viennese sparkling wine manufacturer Kattus and the Wieninger and Markowitsch wineries. Transgourmet and the Ströck bakery also supported the benefit dinner with their products. The idea for this charitable evening arose from the friendship between head chef Piroska and the Ströck family, who themselves suffer from the chronic illness Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). In total, the dinner at "Am Hof ​​8" raised 4.500 euros for research into and treatment of ME/CFS. This little-researched disease affects up to 80.000 people in Austria and can have severe consequences. The WE&ME Foundation, founded by Gabriele and Gerhard Ströck, has been committed to scientific research, patient care, and necessary changes in the healthcare system for five years. Gabriele and Gerhard Ströck expressed their gratitude for the initiative and emphasized the importance of such events in raising awareness of ME/CFS and gaining new supporters. Johannes Kattus, founder of "Am Hof ​​8," emphasized that the club aims to be a platform for relevant social issues and that ME/CFS makes participation in social life impossible in severe cases. The WE&ME Foundation was founded in 2020 and is committed to basic research in the field of ME/CFS, as well as to improving patient care and creating

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