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May 30

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May 30

Ryanair takes over Maltese subsidiary Malta Air

Amely Mizzi 30 May 2025 15:19

The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has fully acquired its stake in Malta Air, founded in 2019. This was confirmed to The Times of Malta by sources. The sale of the state shares reportedly took place several months ago under the aegis of then Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo. This step is in line with the pre-contractual agreements made when the airline was founded under then Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi. When Malta Air was launched in 2019, the Maltese government secured a so-called golden share, which granted it rights to the Malta Air name and a right of veto in any potential sale of the airline. However, according to sources, the agreement also included a clause that gave Ryanair the right to buy out the government shares after a certain period of time, thus forcing the government to sell its shares. The establishment of Malta Air was hailed at the time as a sign of Ryanair's long-term commitment to Malta. Until 2022, the airline operated six aircraft with the Malta Air design, and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary announced a further expansion of the fleet. With the full takeover by Ryanair, the Irish company is now the sole shareholder of Malta Air. Ryanair dominates Maltese air traffic. In addition to Malta Air, Ryanair operates other similar subsidiaries, including Lauda Europe, also based in Malta, the Polish airline Buzz, and Ryanair UK, which was founded shortly after Brexit. Ryanair is already the dominant player in Maltese air traffic. According to a study by the Central Bank of Malta, the airline accounted for almost half of the total last year.

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IndiGo plans massive expansion of its international route network by 2026

Stephen Steiner 30 May 2025 15:14

On May 30, 2025, Indian low-cost airline IndiGo announced a major expansion of its international route network for 2026. At least ten new international routes are to be added within the next twelve months, bringing the number of international destinations served by IndiGo to 50, as announced by the company's CEO, Pieter Elbers, at a press conference ahead of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting in Delhi. Some of the new destinations, such as the services from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam already planned for July 2025, were already known. Other destinations were added unexpectedly. IndiGo plans to expand its European presence with non-stop flights to London Gatwick, Athens, and Copenhagen. The airline also plans to expand its offerings in Southeast Asia with the addition of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Four new destinations are planned for Central Asia, including the resumption of services to Almaty and Tashkent. Capacity is also to be increased on key international routes such as Tbilisi in Georgia, Denpasar on Bali in Indonesia, and Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam. IndiGo will commence operations in the domestic market at Hindon and Adampur. The company also plans to serve the two new major airports near Delhi (Noida) and in Greater Mumbai (Navi Mumbai) as soon as they become operational. IndiGo even expects to be the first airline to fly to the new airport in Navi Mumbai. Fleet growth and wet leasing as the basis for expansion. To support this growth, IndiGo is committed to continuously expanding its fleet. The airline currently receives approximately one

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Deutsche Bahn launches price and service offensive for summer 2025

Belinda Borg 30 May 2025 15:09

Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced a comprehensive "price and offer offensive" for the coming summer to attract more travelers to rail. From June 15, 2025, passengers will benefit from a range of discounts designed to appeal to both occasional and frequent travelers. The focus will be on price reductions for Super Saver fares for short ICE routes, as well as attractive offers for young customers, senior citizens, and commuters. The terms and conditions for Flexpreis tickets will also be improved. One of the core measures of the offensive is the significant reduction in Super Saver fares for short ICE routes. From June 15, the entry-level price will drop from €9,99 to €6,99. Bahncard holders can then purchase tickets on these routes starting at just €5,24. This price reduction is aimed particularly at occasional travelers and day-trippers who want to travel shorter distances by ICE. Attractive offers for young and older travelers Deutsche Bahn has also created new incentives for specific customer groups. From June 27 to December 15, young rail customers under the age of 13 can purchase the My Bahncard 50 for second class at a significantly reduced price of €49,99 instead of the usual €79,90. Combined with the Super Sparpreis Young, which already offers more favorable rates for this age group, ICE journeys are now possible starting at just €9,74. This offer is intended to encourage young people to travel by rail. For seniors aged 65 and over, Deutsche Bahn is introducing the Senioren Bahncard Plus in July and August. For an as-yet-unspecified surcharge, this card includes, in addition to the regular Bahncard discount,

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“Tasteless souvenir”: Customs confiscates crocodile handbag at Düsseldorf Airport

Jan Gruber 30 May 2025 15:07

An unusual and legally questionable souvenir has been seized by customs officials at Düsseldorf Airport. During a check of a 65-year-old traveler entering from the Republic of Moldova, officials discovered a handbag made from the leather of a strictly protected crocodile – including the animal's head and legs. As customs announced on Friday, the bizarre accessory was intended as a gift for the man's wife. The striking crocodile leather bag was discovered in the traveler's hand luggage about three weeks ago. In order to determine the exact type of leather, the unusual item was initially confiscated. Subsequent examination by experts from the city of Düsseldorf clarified the matter: It was the skin of a marsh crocodile, a species under strict protection. The import of such products is generally prohibited to protect the population of these endangered animals. Criminal proceedings for violation of nature conservation law Criminal proceedings were immediately initiated against the 65-year-old traveler on suspicion of violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act. This law serves to implement international agreements on species protection and regulates, among other things, the import and export of protected animal and plant species and products made from them. Violations can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the protected status of the species in question. Customs officials were not amused by the discovery. The authority described the handbag, which appeared to be made from a complete, albeit processed, crocodile, as a "souvenir that was both curious and tasteless." The visualization of the entire animal body by processing it with the head and legs underscores the ethical concerns surrounding

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“Bomb” call forces Easyjet flight to make a stopover in Frankfurt

Belinda Borg 30 May 2025 15:01

An EasyJet flight from Dalaman to Manchester was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Frankfurt am Main overnight after a female passenger shouted "bomb" shortly after takeoff. A fellow passenger told the Manchester Evening News that the woman suddenly ran up and down the aisle, screaming that the plane was about to crash and that there was a bomb on board. The crew then diverted flight EZY2148 to Frankfurt, where the plane landed at 2:30 a.m. During the flight, three men prevented the woman from reaching an emergency exit. An EasyJet spokesperson confirmed the incident and explained that the diversion was due to disruptive behavior from one person on board. The situation dragged on for the passengers. Due to "limited ground handling availability," they had to wait in the plane until 13 a.m. A further delay to the onward flight was subsequently announced. Due to limited hotel capacity, some passengers spent the night in the terminal, EasyJet announced. Finally, the passengers were able to continue their flight to Manchester at around 00:XNUMX p.m. and reached their destination with a delay of around twelve hours.

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Boeing will soon resume aircraft deliveries to China

Stephen Steiner 30 May 2025 14:57

The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing will resume aircraft deliveries to China. CEO Kelly Ortberg announced this on Thursday (May 28, 2025), according to the Seattle Times. This move comes after the important Chinese market was previously blocked as a result of tariffs imposed under the presidency of Donald Trump. In April 2025, major Chinese airlines stopped accepting Boeing aircraft after the United States imposed punitive tariffs of 145 percent. The United States and China have now agreed to a temporary, 90-day suspension of these tariffs and the Chinese retaliatory tariffs. This easing of the trade dispute will allow Boeing to once again supply the important Chinese market. Boeing considers the resumption of deliveries an important step towards normalizing business relations with China. China represents a substantial sales market for the aircraft manufacturer. Analysts see the lifting of the delivery bans as a positive signal for Boeing's economic development after the company faced various challenges in recent years.

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American Airlines expands contactless identification

Stephen Steiner 30 May 2025 14:55

American Airlines is expanding its use of TSA Precheck's Touchless ID contactless identification to additional airports in the United States. The airline announced that the service is now available to members of its frequent flyer program at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), New York-La Guardia Airport (LGA), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Touchless ID technology allows travelers to verify their identity and boarding pass at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints using the American Airlines mobile app and facial recognition. Once set up, eligible passengers can pass through security without having to show their physical identification documents or boarding passes. The expansion of the service to these four additional airports follows a previous test phase and the rollout at select other locations. American Airlines hopes that the wider availability of Touchless ID will speed up security checks and improve the travel experience for its customers. It is expected that additional airports could be added to the program in the future.

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75 years of Air France in Düsseldorf

Amely Mizzi 30 May 2025 14:53

Air France is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its flight to Düsseldorf. On June 1, 1950, the French airline's first aircraft, a Languedoc from Paris-Le Bourget, landed at Düsseldorf Airport. The route between the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia and the French metropolis is now considered one of the most traditional international air connections in Europe. Air France currently flies the Düsseldorf–Paris Charles de Gaulle route up to six times a day. From there, the airline offers connections to over 190 destinations worldwide. Over the decades, the airline has operated various aircraft types on this route, from the Languedoc to the Douglas DC-4, which later flew from Orly, and the Airbus A320, which has been in service since 1988. The long-standing connection between Düsseldorf and Paris is considered exemplary of Franco-German cooperation in air transport. It has not only facilitated exchanges for business travelers and tourists, but has also contributed to the economic and cultural networking of the two regions. The anniversary underlines the continuity and importance of this international air connection.

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Lufthansa discontinues flights to Paderborn/Lippstadt

Jan Gruber 30 May 2025 14:51

Lufthansa has temporarily suspended its flight operations from Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport. On Friday afternoon, the airline operated the last scheduled connection from Munich to the North Rhine-Westphalian airport. This marks the end of Lufthansa's long-standing presence at this location. The reason for the suspension is apparently a strategic realignment at Lufthansa, which will involve more intensive scrutiny of regional airports for their economic viability. The now vacant route is to be taken over by the Skyhub PAD initiative from September 1, 2025. Skyhub PAD is an association of regional companies and initiatives with the goal of securing and further developing the connection to Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport. It remains to be seen with which aircraft and under what conditions Skyhub PAD will resume the connection to Munich. The initiative had already presented plans to strengthen regional air traffic in the past. Passengers who previously used the Lufthansa connection will have to prepare for a new operator of the route from September.

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Air Europa flies daily between Madrid and Abu Dhabi for Etihad

Belinda Borg 30 May 2025 14:50

The Spanish airline Air Europa will commence daily flights between Madrid and Abu Dhabi on behalf of Etihad Airways starting June 24, 2025. The aircraft will be operated using an Air Europa Boeing 787-9, which is equipped with 32 seats in Business Class and 307 seats in Economy Class. This was announced in a press release by the airlines involved. The cooperation enables Etihad Airways to expand its offerings on the Madrid-Abu Dhabi route without having to deploy additional aircraft itself. For Air Europa, the agreement means an expansion of its operational business by operating flights using the wet lease system. In a wet lease, the leasing company (in this case Air Europa) provides the aircraft, including crew, maintenance, and insurance. The Boeing 787-9 used by Air Europa, in its configuration, offers slightly more seats than comparable Etihad aircraft on this route. This measure is expected to increase capacity on the route, potentially offering more travelers the opportunity to travel between the two capitals. Flight times and further schedule details will be announced shortly.

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