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May 29

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May 29

Austrian Airlines increases flight frequency between Vienna and Sarajevo in winter 2025/26

Jan Gruber 29 May 2025 15:01

Austrian Airlines is expanding its service between Vienna and Sarajevo in the upcoming winter flight schedule, which runs from October 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026. The Austrian airline will introduce an additional weekly connection, thus operating twice a day between the two capitals throughout the winter. This means that the number of weekly flights will remain unchanged compared to the summer. On the route, Austrian Airlines will primarily operate 195-seat Embraer E120 aircraft during the winter. In addition, 320-seat Airbus A180 aircraft are planned for individual flights in November, December, January, and increasingly in March. This increase in frequency indicates continued high demand on this route. Maintaining the same flight frequency throughout the year underscores the importance of the connection between Vienna and Sarajevo for Austrian Airlines. Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is an important destination for both business travelers and tourists who want to explore the city's cultural diversity and history.

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Lufthansa Cargo automates booking processes with artificial intelligence

Amely Mizzi 29 May 2025 14:32

Lufthansa Cargo is introducing new software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) to automatically integrate booking requests received via email into its system. According to Lufthansa's cargo subsidiary, this technology is designed to enable faster processing of requests for desired flight routes. Customers subsequently receive an automatically generated booking confirmation. By using AI and RPA, Lufthansa Cargo expects a significant increase in the efficiency of the booking process. Previously, employees had to manually enter requests received via email and enter them into the system. The new software is designed to automate these steps, saving time and increasing processing speed. This could lead to faster responses for customers, especially when the volume of requests is high. The introduction of such technologies to automate processes is becoming increasingly widespread in the logistics industry. Many companies are using AI and RPA to optimize administrative tasks and improve service quality. Lufthansa Cargo hopes that this innovation will increase customer satisfaction and relieve its employees of repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

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Kuwait Airways puts first Airbus A321neo into operation and flies to European destinations

Belinda Borg 29 May 2025 14:07

The Kuwaiti airline Kuwait Airways will commence commercial flight operations with its first Airbus A2025neo in June 321. As the portal "Aeroroutes" reports, the airline will initially operate the new aircraft on a one-off basis from Kuwait to European destinations such as Geneva, Munich, and Vienna. The aircraft is equipped with 16 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 150 seats in Economy Class. The entry into service of the first A321neo is part of Kuwait Airways' fleet modernization. Airbus delivered the aircraft in Hamburg in mid-May. A total of nine aircraft of this type are to be delivered to the Kuwaiti airline. The A321neos will complement the existing fleet of A320neos and A330neos and will be used primarily on regional and medium-haul routes, including seasonal services to South Asia and Europe. The one-off flights to Geneva (on June 2), Munich (on June 3), and Vienna (on June 4) indicate that Kuwait Airways is testing the capabilities of the new aircraft type on various routes. The A321neo's configuration with a full Business Class underscores the airline's commitment to offering a high-quality travel experience even on shorter routes. The A321neo is expected to be regularly deployed on routes within Europe in the future.

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Legal headwinds for Lufthansa-Italy deal grow: Now Condor also sues

Amely Mizzi 29 May 2025 13:44

The planned takeover of the Italian state airline Ita Airways by the German airline Lufthansa is facing increasing legal resistance. After the Luxembourg airline Luxair filed a lawsuit against the European Commission's approval, the German airline Condor has now followed suit and confirmed this step upon request. The holiday airline argues that the conditions imposed by the EU Commission are insufficient to adequately offset the competitive disadvantages resulting from this transaction and is calling on the General Court of the European Union to annul the approval decision. EU Commission gave green light subject to conditions In July of last year, the European Commission gave the green light for the gradual takeover of the successor company to the insolvent Alitalia by the Lufthansa Group. However, this approval was subject to certain conditions. Since January of this year, the MDAX-listed group has initially held 41 percent of the shares in Ita, for which it invested 325 million euros. Further steps up to the complete takeover have already been agreed between the parties. To allay concerns about potential competitive disadvantages, Lufthansa and ITA committed, among other things, to relinquishing valuable takeoff and landing rights (slots) at Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino airports. These slots were awarded to the Irish low-cost airline EasyJet at the instruction of the EU Commission, a decision against which Luxair is suing. Condor sees insufficient compensation for competitive disadvantages. Now, Condor, another major competitor of Lufthansa, has joined the legal dispute. The company reiterated that it considers the EU Commission's approval of the takeover to be flawed. Condor argues that the conditions demanded by Brussels are insufficient.

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LOT Polish Airlines launches direct flights from Warsaw to Málaga

Stephen Steiner 29 May 2025 13:31

The Polish airline LOT Polish Airlines has announced the launch of a new, year-round direct flight from Warsaw to Málaga. The new route is scheduled to commence on January 15, 2026, and is part of the airline's strategic expansion for 2024-2028. Málaga will become LOT's third permanent Spanish destination, alongside Madrid and Barcelona. Initially, the connection will operate four times a week during the winter season, with the frequency increasing to six weekly flights from the end of February. Flights from Warsaw depart every Monday morning (Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday), with return flights from Málaga in the afternoon. With this new route, LOT aims to meet the growing demand from Polish travelers for sunny destinations and at the same time strengthen connections between Poland and southern Spain. Málaga, the vibrant capital of the Costa del Sol, has long attracted visitors with its rich history, Mediterranean flair, and mild climate, which offers over 300 days of sunshine a year. The city combines ancient Roman remains such as the Teatro Romano with Moorish influences in the Alcazaba fortress. As the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Málaga also attracts art lovers from all over the world, especially the Museo Picasso Málaga. LOT Polish Airlines now invites travelers to experience the cultural diversity and relaxed coastal atmosphere of Andalusia with this new direct connection.

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Indigo co-founder Gangwal plans to sell shares worth hundreds of millions of euros

Stephen Steiner 29 May 2025 13:03

Rakesh Gangwal, one of the co-founders of the Indian low-cost airline Indigo, plans to sell up to 3,4 percent of his shares in the company. According to the news channel "CNBC-TV18", citing informed sources, the total value of the planned block deal is 68,31 billion rupees, which is equivalent to approximately 710 million euros. This move comes at a time when Indigo enjoys a strong market position in India. According to a report by "Mint", Gangwal sold shares worth 1,35 billion US dollars on Tuesday. This was part of a gradual reduction of his stake in the airline after reaching an agreement with the other co-founder, Rahul Bhatia. As of March 2025, Gangwal and the Chinkerpoo Family Trust together held 13,53 percent of Indigo, a significant decline from over 32 percent in 2015. Indigo, founded in 2006 around two decades ago, has grown into one of India's largest airlines, commanding a 2025 percent market share with a fleet of 64,3 aircraft at the end of March 434. Analysts say Gangwal's planned stake sale could be due to several reasons, including realizing profits following the positive performance of Indigo's share price in recent years.

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A journey to the singing dunes and wonders of Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan

Jan Gruber 29 May 2025 12:46

Amidst Kazakhstan's breathtaking expanse, where rugged mountain ranges meet seemingly endless steppe landscapes, lies an exceptionally rare acoustic and visual natural phenomenon: the singing dunes of Altyn-Emel National Park. These majestic sand dunes, formed from the finest quartz sand and reverently called "Aigaikum" in the local language, rise like golden giants on the banks of the gently flowing Ili River. They form the centerpiece of Kazakhstan's largest national park and enchant visitors with a deep, resonant hum that occurs when the dry sand is stirred. This mysterious sound, reminiscent of the deep timbre of an organ, can be heard over great distances and leaves a lasting impression of the untamed power of nature. A Geological Legacy and Acoustic Mystery The formation of these singing dunes dates back some 200.000 years and is the result of complex tectonic shifts that have left a lasting impression on the region's landscape. Unlike many other sand dune formations, which are constantly changing under the influence of the wind, the Aegean Dunes defy migration and remain remarkably steadfast in their place. This phenomenon is due to the unique wind conditions of Altyn-Emel National Park. Strong, constant winds transport fine sand from the nearby Ili River and deposit it on the dunes, creating a natural stabilization. But the singing of the dunes is not reserved solely for the wind. The footsteps of visitors walking along the narrow ridges of the sand dunes can also activate the deep, vibrating tones, allowing for direct interaction with this acoustic wonder. The best time to experience this natural spectacle in all its glory is

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Play launches seasonal non-stop flights from Iceland to Agadir in Morocco

Amely Mizzi 29 May 2025 12:31

The Icelandic low-cost airline Play has launched ticket sales for a new seasonal flight between Keflavik International Airport and Agadir, Morocco. The inaugural flight is scheduled for December 19, 2025, and the route will operate once a week every Friday until mid-April 2026. Agadir is the airline's second destination in Morocco, alongside Marrakesh, which Play will also serve next winter. Located on Morocco's Atlantic coast, Agadir boasts a warm and sunny climate year-round, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. The flight time from Iceland is approximately five and a half hours. The city is a popular holiday destination, offering long sandy beaches, modern infrastructure, and a wide range of leisure activities such as golf and beach promenades. Agadir has undergone considerable urban development in recent years, further enhancing its appeal as a relaxed coastal destination. With the addition of Agadir and Marrakesh, Play is expanding its range of winter sun destinations from Iceland to 16 destinations. These include eight destinations in Spain, four in Portugal, and other warm destinations such as Split in Croatia and Antalya in Turkey. The new Morocco routes are timed to coincide with peak travel periods such as Christmas, Easter, and the winter season.

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Norwegian Air buys back convertible bonds worth millions

Belinda Borg 29 May 2025 12:08

The Norwegian airline Norwegian Air has completed a firm repurchase offer for perpetual convertible bonds. As announced by the Oslo Stock Exchange, the nominal value of these bonds is 140 percent, with a face value of 640,4 million Norwegian kroner, equivalent to approximately €55 million. This move indicates a possible strategy by the company to reduce its debt. Convertible bonds are bonds that can be converted into shares of the issuing company under certain conditions. Repurchasing such bonds can have various benefits for a company, including reducing outstanding debt and potentially future interest payments or a potential dilution of share capital in the event of conversion. Norwegian Air has experienced a turbulent financial history in recent years, particularly influenced by the global pandemic. The recent repurchase of convertible bonds could be a sign of financial stability and a step towards the company's further recovery. It remains to be seen what concrete impact this step will have on the airline's balance sheet and future strategy.

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Spain undisputedly at the top of German holiday dreams

Belinda Borg 29 May 2025 11:43

Germans' longing for sunny holiday destinations abroad remains unabated, and the region around the Mediterranean exerts a special attraction. A recent analysis by the renowned tour operator Alltours now provides clear insights into the preferences of German holidaymakers for summer 2025: Spain reigns supreme as the most popular travel destination, with the Balearic island of Mallorca once again emerging as the absolute favorite. In Alltours' internal ranking, Mallorca comfortably leads the top ten of the most sought-after holiday destinations. The tour operator underscores its importance to the island by operating as one of the largest providers for the German-speaking region on Mallorca, operating an impressive 21 of its own hotels under its established Allsun brand, complemented by a further six Allsun hotels in the Canary Islands. Continuing Spain boom: Alltours records significant increase in bookings and responds with expanded offerings. Alltours' figures speak for themselves: Spain is and remains the holiday destination to which most of the company's customers travel – and this trend is even pointing upwards. According to internal data from the tour operator, bookings for the upcoming summer of 2025 for all Spanish destinations are recording a considerable, double-digit increase compared to the previous year. In view of this persistently high demand, Alltours has responded proactively and further expanded its already extensive range of hotels both on the Balearic and Canary Islands, as well as on the picturesque Spanish mainland coast, for the summer of 2025. This strategic measure is intended to ensure that even travelers who decide to take a holiday at short notice still have the opportunity to book a sunny spot in

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