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May 16

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May 16

Deutsche Bahn launches clean-up campaign against graffiti and garbage

Amely Mizzi 16 May 2025 11:39

Deutsche Bahn (DB) has launched a new, broad-based campaign under the motto "Clean is better" to improve cleanliness at its approximately 700 train stations nationwide. The campaign focuses on humorous advertising clips that personify garbage and graffiti. In the first spot, an actor dressed as a spray can, caught spraying graffiti, shouts at his pursuers that it is "art," but a railway employee comments, "That can go," followed by the use of a pressure washer. In other films in the campaign, actors will take on the roles of chewing gum and a cigarette butt to draw attention to the problem of garbage at train stations. The chewing gum actor, for example, provides humorous moments with puns like "Stick your dream, they said!" In addition to these social media formats, the cleanliness initiative also includes online films, digital outdoor advertising, and stickers on trash cans and cleaning vehicles at train stations. The campaign is embedded in the broader "Welcome at the Station" initiative, with which Deutsche Bahn aims to enhance the quality of stay and future orientation at its more than 5.400 passenger stations. According to CMO Martell Beck, the campaign aims to demonstrate what Deutsche Bahn is doing to ensure travelers feel comfortable and welcome at its stations. Another focus of the communication is the modernization measures that DB is currently pursuing, for example in the areas of accessibility and weather protection. The new campaign platform is intended to enable the communication of various topics related to train stations in a personable manner.

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WTTC warns of collapse in international tourism in the USA

Jan Gruber 16 May 2025 11:07

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts a significant decline in international tourism for the United States. According to the report, foreign visitors are expected to spend just under $169 billion this year, a decrease of $12,5 billion compared to 2024. For the coming year, the WTTC even expects a further decline in international tourism revenue in the USA, the only one of the 184 countries analyzed to do so. WTTC CEO Julia Simpson described this as a "wake-up call for the US government." While other countries have taken measures to promote international tourism, Washington is sending the opposite signal. The organization points to significant declines in visitor numbers from key source countries. According to data from the US Department of Commerce, the number of travelers from Germany fell by 28 percent year-on-year, and from the United Kingdom and South Korea by 15 percent each. Double-digit declines were also recorded from Spain, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. The WTTC criticizes the fact that almost 90 percent of tourism revenue in the USA is currently generated by domestic travel, which it claims masks an underlying weakness: the international business that secures long-term growth is collapsing. The association therefore calls for a change in US tourism policy, including improved entry requirements, increased international marketing activities, and measures to restore the confidence of foreign travelers. The US Travel Association supports this demand and emphasizes the opportunity that major global events such as the World Cup and the US 250th anniversary could offer for a revival of tourism – provided a welcoming signal is sent from the highest political level. US Travel also points to a worrying development: While

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Declining incoming tourism: fewer and fewer air passengers heading to Germany

Amely Mizzi 16 May 2025 10:45

A recent passenger survey by the German Airport Association (ADV) paints a worrying picture for tourism in Germany. According to the survey, the proportion of foreign passengers wishing to visit Germany at German airports has declined significantly. While in 2017, 32 percent of all passengers came from abroad to travel to Germany, this share fell to just 21 percent last year. The ADV attributes this decline to an insufficient supply of air travel to Germany, blaming high taxes and government fees in particular for this. The association is now calling for the air travel tax to be abolished without replacement, following the example of Sweden, in order to once again increase Germany's attractiveness as a travel destination. Managing Director Ralph Beisel warns: "Germany, once an attractive travel destination, has been on a downward spiral since the pandemic. The new federal government must also consider air travel in its plan to strengthen Germany's attractiveness as a travel destination." Changes in travel behavior: Fewer business travelers, more private trips The ADV survey with more than 125.000 participants revealed further interesting developments in travel behavior. The proportion of business travelers among air passengers has fallen to just one fifth. Growth in air traffic is currently primarily driven by private travel, particularly visits to relatives and friends, as well as city and event trips. Private cars continue to dominate the journey to the airport, with the largest group of passengers (48 percent) using them. This share declined until 2017, but has since risen again by nine percentage points. The services at the airports themselves are enjoying great popularity: almost

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United Airlines presents “United Elevated” in the Boeing 787-9

Stephen Steiner 16 May 2025 10:00

United Airlines has unveiled "United Elevated," a new concept for service and comfort on its future Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The goal is to elevate the American airline's premium product on international routes to a higher level. The new aircraft will offer, among other things, two business class options, the largest number of premium seats in the fleet, a caviar amuse-bouche, Starlink internet, and larger 4K OLED screens. A centerpiece of the new concept are the "United Polaris Studio Suites" in the front cabin of the Boeing 787-9. These suites are not only larger than the existing Polaris seats, but also feature private doors for greater privacy, a bench seat for companions, wireless charging, Bluetooth, and 27-inch 4K OLED monitors. The offering will be complemented by an expanded dining menu including caviar, new amenity kits with products from Perricone MD, noise-cancelling headphones, pajamas, and linens from Saks Fifth Avenue. United's regular Polaris class will also be upgraded, with features including sliding doors and new 19-inch 4K OLED monitors. The seats offer more comfort and direct aisle access, with passengers able to choose between different orientations. The "United Elevated" concept also includes improvements in the other travel classes. In United Premium Plus, the seats will have adjustable dividers, a quartzite cocktail table, wireless charging options, and 16-inch 4K OLED screens. Even the United Economy cabin will be equipped with Bluetooth and the world's largest economy seatback screens (also 13K OLED) at 4 inches. High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi will also be available, which MileagePlus members can use free of charge. United plans to deliver the first Boeing 787-9s with the new "Elevated" concept by the end of 2025.

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Air Explore expects booming summer 2025

Stephen Steiner 16 May 2025 09:42

Air Explore, Slovakia's largest airline and part of the Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest provider of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing, forecasts strong demand for its aircraft this coming summer. The majority of the company's passenger aircraft fleet is already leased to European customers for the peak travel season of 2025. Only one Boeing 737-800 is currently still available for leasing. The aviation industry has fully recovered from the turmoil of the global pandemic. A report by the IATA (International Air Transport Association) forecasts an average annual increase in global passenger numbers of 3,8 percent over the next two decades, resulting in a net increase of over 2043 billion additional passenger flights by 4,1 compared to 2023. The total number of global passenger trips would therefore reach 2043 billion in 7,9. Europe is expected to experience stable growth in passenger traffic in the coming years, mainly driven by international connections from other parts of the world. In 2025, the total number of passengers in Europe is forecast to increase by 4,3 percent year-on-year. To meet this growing demand, airlines are turning to flexible solutions such as ACMI leasing to expand their fleets, generate revenue through additional flights, open new routes, and provide cover for aircraft requiring longer maintenance periods. Martin Stulajter, Managing Director of Air Explore, commented: “As we approach the busy summer season, our fleet will play a crucial role in supporting our airline partners while ensuring seamless travel experiences for

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Emirates records record year in baggage handling thanks to increased travel appetite

Belinda Borg 16 May 2025 09:05

Emirates airline achieved a new high in baggage handling last year, driven by the increased global desire to travel. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the largest international airline reportedly handled over 2,8 million pieces of baggage each month, an average of 100.000 pieces daily, transported from Dubai to 140 destinations worldwide. Overall, Emirates recorded a 3,7 percent increase in total baggage handled compared to the previous year. Despite this high volume and the complexity of its operations, Emirates achieved a remarkable 99,9 percent success rate for timely and accurate baggage handling at its Dubai hub. This rate positions Emirates as one of the world's top-performing airlines in baggage handling. Only 1,4 out of 1.000 pieces of baggage originating or transhipped in Dubai arrived delayed, lost, or misplaced. This is a significantly lower rate compared to other providers. Globally, Emirates was able to reunite 91 percent of its customers' delayed baggage with its owners within 72 hours. This achievement is particularly remarkable given that Emirates primarily handles international baggage and transfer baggage, which means longer and more complex transport routes and therefore higher logistical demands. Emirates also excels in the area of ​​lost and found items. Thanks to a dedicated team, 94 percent of all items deemed valuable found on aircraft or at the hub in Dubai (such as passports, wallets, and phones) are proactively retrieved and returned to customers in Dubai within 60 minutes. To further improve baggage service

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Growing pressure on Southwest Airlines: International expansion as a new growth path?

Belinda Borg 16 May 2025 08:39

Southwest Airlines, the largest US low-cost airline, is faced with a powerful investor who is pressuring management to develop new sources of revenue. International flight connections are apparently also increasingly coming into focus. After Southwest only ventured beyond the US borders with destinations in the Caribbean around 50 years after its founding, observers are now speculating about a possible expansion of the route network to include intercontinental flights, possibly even to Europe. Application for flight rights to numerous countries indicates possible expansion. As initially reported by the business news portal Bloomberg, Southwest Airlines has applied to the US Department of Transportation for permits to fly to all countries with which the United States has so-called Open Skies agreements. This list includes the European Union, Great Britain, countries in South America, and parts of Southeast Asia. In a statement, Southwest Airlines itself tried not to interpret this application as an obligatory signal for the actual launch of new international routes. However, the airline is under considerable pressure to succeed. Since 2024, the New York-based hedge fund Elliott Management has been shaking up the airline. The investor initially acquired ten percent of the shares and could increase its stake to up to 19,9 percent. Elliott accuses management of failures in network strategy, unit costs, and technology investments and may be pushing for stronger expansion in the international business behind the scenes. Transatlantic flights successful for competitor JetBlue The example of competitor JetBlue Airways shows that such a strategy can certainly work. The New York-based airline has been adding transatlantic flights to its network strategy, at least seasonally, since 2021. In summer 2025, JetBlue will offer connections from New York to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam,

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Iberia is looking for new pilots: Cadet program launched with FTEJerez

Amely Mizzi 16 May 2025 08:01

The Spanish airline Iberia has launched a new edition of its cadet program in collaboration with the renowned pilot training school Flight Training Europe (FTEJerez). From May 12 to 25, 2025, those interested in pursuing a career as a pilot can apply via Iberia's job site. The program aims to identify suitable candidates and provide them with financial support for their training to obtain an Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL). The cooperation between Iberia and FTEJerez provides for selected applicants to complete a training program, with Iberia covering approximately 50 percent of the costs interest-free. The airline closely monitors the students' training and regularly evaluates their progress. The goal of the program is not only to train pilots, but also to inspire young people to pursue this career and provide them with favorable conditions for fulfilling their dreams. Following their successful completion in Jerez, Iberia plans to facilitate these young pilots' entry into the job market within the Iberia Group and give them the opportunity to begin repaying the portion financed by Iberia. To date, Iberia has already hired 51 pilots from previous rounds of the program. Twelve candidates will be selected for the current edition, with training scheduled to begin in September 2025. Ramiro Sequeira, Iberia's Production Director, emphasized the need to train new pilots who meet the highest standards of quality and preparation, given the projected shortage of skilled workers in aviation. Óscar Sordo, CEO of FTEJerez, expressed his pride that Iberia continues to rely on FTEJerez's expertise in training its future pilots.

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Austrians’ desire to travel is increasing – travel doctors advise timely health precautions

Belinda Borg 16 May 2025 07:34

Austrians' desire to travel is increasing significantly again, especially for long-distance trips, which have regained popularity since the end of the coronavirus pandemic. While many holiday destinations in neighboring countries such as Italy or Croatia do not require special travel vaccinations, thorough preparation is essential for long-distance trips to regions with a different climate and potentially poorer healthcare. Travel medicine specialists play an important role here, not only advising on the appropriate travel first aid kit but also informing about necessary vaccinations. This includes not only protection against tropical diseases but also updating standard vaccinations such as hepatitis A/B or TBE. Statistics Austria determined that between July and September 2024, almost two-thirds of the Austrian population went on vacation, with more than half of them traveling abroad. While the majority of these trips continued to be to neighboring countries, long-distance travel also saw an increase, with five percent of vacationers choosing faraway destinations. Travel medicine specialist Dr. Katharina Riedl emphasizes that checking vaccination status is also advisable when traveling within Europe. TBE is also present in Croatia, tetanus can be contracted anywhere, and hepatitis is also a concern in Italy and Spain. She therefore recommends keeping standard vaccinations up to date and having your vaccination record checked at your next doctor's appointment. Individual consultation before long-distance travel is essential. Among the most popular long-distance travel destinations in 2025 are Thailand, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, Mauritius, and Mexico. Anyone traveling to these or other faraway places should contact a travel health center well in advance of departure.

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Emirates refines First Class experience with new details and amenities

Stephen Steiner 16 May 2025 07:03

Emirates, which claims to be the largest provider of international first-class travel, is continually refining its already luxurious offerings for first-class travelers. In addition to the spacious private suites, often referred to as "hotel rooms above the clouds," the airline is introducing numerous innovations that further enhance the travel experience. These include redesigned menus that tell the story of the wine selection, the renovation of the First Class check-in area in Dubai, and the unlimited enjoyment of caviar on board. Particular attention is paid to details. For example, the unlimited caviar is now served in elegantly engraved bowls, matching the other Emirates tableware. The First Class cheese board has also been upgraded and features a selection of artisanal cheeses and chutneys on rustic slate with matching bowls and a wooden honey dipper. Cabin crew serve these delicacies wearing white gloves to provide an even more exclusive experience. The First Class experience is also being enhanced on the ground: The check-in area in Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport is currently being redesigned to create an even more exclusive atmosphere. First Class passengers worldwide benefit from a seamless travel experience, including access to 43 luxury lounges and chauffeur service at most destinations. Other valued Emirates First Class amenities include spacious private suites with reclining seats that convert into fully flat beds, as well as amenities such as moisturising pajamas from Byredo and exclusive Bulgari grooming sets on long-haul flights. Culinary delights await First Class passengers with à la carte menus featuring premium ingredients, including vegan options and exquisite snacks. Emirates is also the only airline in the world to

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