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June 24, 2025

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June 24, 2025

Turkish Airlines considers joining Air Europa

Stephen Steiner June 24, 2025 15:08

Turkish Airlines is considering a bid for a minority stake in Spanish carrier Air Europa, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Turkish state airline joins a growing list of potential investors, including Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, ahead of a deadline for binding offers in early July. The move is part of Air Europa's efforts to raise funds to repay a pandemic-era state loan. Interest from a non-European airline in the regional market is rare and could secure Turkish Airlines a strategic position for future control in this important aviation area. Air France-KLM and Lufthansa also continue to hold talks with Globalia, Air Europa's owner, about a stake, but details remain confidential. Efforts to sell Air Europa have been dragging on for some time due to internal family disputes within Globalia and structural concerns on the part of the bidders. The focus is now on acquiring a 20 percent minority stake, which offers a strategic entry amid increasing consolidation pressure in the European aviation market. British Airways' owner, IAG, which already holds a 20 percent stake in Air Europa, abandoned a full takeover of the airline last year due to regulatory and antitrust concerns. Air Europa operates important routes within Spain, Europe, and Latin America. These regions are increasingly the focus of airlines seeking growth and a greater market presence there. Competition for shares in Air

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Dertour presents European beach destinations away from the Mediterranean

Belinda Borg June 24, 2025 14:32

While many travelers seek the heat of the Mediterranean in summer, Dertour Austria presents a selection of beach secrets in northern and northeastern Europe. These destinations, characterized by milder summers and often untouched nature, are intended to offer a welcome alternative for those who prefer to breathe deeply rather than sweat on vacation. The selection includes family-friendly, sporty, and romantic coastal stretches that lie off the beaten tourist track. Special mention should be made of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which are considered insider tips for a relaxing beach holiday without mass tourism. Along their Baltic coasts, you will find picturesque cliffs and pristine sandy beaches, often surrounded by extensive pine forests and shallow waters. Examples include Pärnu Beach in Estonia, the spa town of Jurmala in Latvia with its wooden villas, and Palanga in Lithuania. The Curonian Spit is highlighted as a retreat for those seeking relaxation. Denmark, with over 7.400 kilometers of coastline, also offers a wide range of options for summer holidays. Amager Strandpark in Copenhagen combines an urban atmosphere with good infrastructure, while Bornholm beckons with fine sand and clear water. The northern tip of Jutland promises quiet hours. Germany's North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts are also a paradise for active vacationers and those seeking relaxation, with places like Cuxhaven, Sankt Peter-Ording, and Binz on Rügen. The Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden complement the portfolio with their own coastal charms, from the lively seaside resorts of the Netherlands such as Scheveningen to the wild shifting dunes of the Slowinski National Park in Poland and the deserted beaches of southern Sweden. Destinations on the Atlantic coasts of France and Great Britain are also presented. Brittany and Normandy in France entice with dramatic cliffs, historical sights, and endless beaches, such as

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Debate on free hand baggage in European air travel

Amely Mizzi June 24, 2025 14:08

A possible amendment to European aviation law, which would require airlines to allow at least one piece of hand luggage and one additional small suitcase free of charge in the cabin, is up for a vote. This proposal will be discussed in the EU Parliament's Transport Committee on June 24. The aim of the initiative is to respond to growing complaints from travelers and consumer advocates about opaque pricing models, particularly among so-called low-cost airlines, which often charge high surcharges for hand luggage. The European airline association Airlines for Europe (A4E), which includes major companies such as Lufthansa, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Air France-KLM, has sharply criticized the proposal by European politicians. The organization warns of a profound interference with the entrepreneurial freedom of airlines. Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E, argues that Europe thrives on freedom of choice, and that a blanket imposition of baggage limits would deprive travelers of this freedom of choice and drive up airfares. Airlines emphasize that current pricing allows passengers to pay only for the services they actually use, thus allowing for individual and potentially more cost-effective travel planning. The debate surrounding carry-on baggage fees is not new and has steadily intensified in recent years, particularly with the emergence and growth of low-cost airlines. Consumer advocates complain that initially low-appearing flight prices are kept artificially low by hidden fees, such as those for carry-on baggage, and that the actual final price often only becomes apparent late in the booking process. The call for greater transparency and standardization of carry-on baggage rules aims to improve cost clarity for travelers and prevent unexpected expenses at the airport.

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Strategic realignment at Aurigny Air Services

Stephen Steiner June 24, 2025 13:45

Aurigny Air Services, the airline operating on the Channel Island of Guernsey, is undertaking a significant strategic realignment of its fleet and operating model. As part of a new, long-term partnership with Skybus (United Kingdom), Aurigny will lease two DHC-2025-6 aircraft on a damp lease (a form of wet lease) starting at the end of 300 to replace its two Dornier Do228-212(NG) aircraft. This fleet renewal is closely linked to a multi-year extension of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) for the key services from Alderney to Guernsey and Southampton. At the same time, Aurigny Air Services will focus exclusively on operating its own ATR72-600 fleet from Guernsey, while London services will continue to be limited to London Gatwick. Fleet Modernization and Operational Handover to Skybus The decision to replace the Dornier Do228-212(NG) with DHC-6-300 Twin Otters is a clear sign of the modernization and standardization of flight operations on shorter and less frequented routes. The Twin Otters, known for their robustness and suitability for use on shorter runways, will be operated by Skybus. Skybus, which already operates a fleet of four DHC-6-300s, will integrate the two additional aircraft into its existing fleet. The Twin Otters are scheduled to begin operating from Alderney on November 1, 2025. To ensure a smooth transition, Aurigny's own Dornier Do228-212(NG) will remain in service until the end of the year. A key aspect of this partnership is also the pilots' professional future. They will have the opportunity to retrain for either the Twin Otters with Skybus or the ATR72-600 with Aurigny.

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Tallink Silja Line celebrates Ilon Wikland with fairytale exhibitions at sea

Belinda Borg June 24, 2025 13:33

This summer, two Tallink Silja Line cruise ferries, the Victoria I and the Baltic Queen, will be transformed into floating fairytale paradises. The occasion is the anniversary year of Ilon Wikland, the renowned illustrator of Astrid Lindgren's books. In collaboration with Ilon's Wonderland (Iloni Imedemaa) in Haapsalu, Estonia, the ships offer a fairytale-like experience on board, including an exhibition of Wikland's illustrations, cozy reading corners with her books in various languages, and creative art areas for children. Piret Mürk-Dubout, Member of the Management Board of Tallink Grupp, praised Ilon Wikland as an artist who has "built a wonderful cultural bridge between Sweden and Estonia." Her illustrations made Astrid Lindgren's stories seem astonishingly close to Estonia and reflected Wikland's own childhood memories of this country. The cruise line is delighted to offer this experience during the peak summer season, when passengers from all over the world frequent the ships. It is hoped that this collaboration will particularly encourage travelers from Sweden and beyond to explore Estonia. Maarja Kõuts, Director of Ilon's Wonderland, added that Ilon Wikland's creative journey spans generations. Her detailed and warm drawings convey the safe, imaginative world of childhood to people of all ages and backgrounds. From Thursday, June 19, passengers on board Victoria I and Baltic Queen can enjoy the exhibition and discover so-called "book cases" filled with Wikland's illustrated works in several languages. There will also be drawing and painting activities for young passengers, where prizes from Ilon's Wonderland can be won. Unique souvenirs featuring

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Embraer subsidiary Atech opens first office in Europe

Stephen Steiner June 24, 2025 13:02

Atech, an Embraer Group company, is expanding its international presence by opening a new office in Lisbon, Portugal. This expansion, carried out in collaboration with Embraer Defense Europe, is part of the company's strategy to expand its international business, with a particular focus on the defense and security sectors and air traffic management. The new office in Lisbon is Atech's first branch outside of Brazil. Although the technologies developed by the company are already deployed in various countries in Asia, Latin America, and Brazil, this step represents a significant consolidation of its European presence. Rodrigo Persico de Oliveira, Managing Director of Atech, commented on the opening, emphasizing that the Lisbon office will deepen Atech's ties with European companies and organizations. The company already regularly participates in the annual Locked Shields cyber defense exercise of the NATO Cooperative Cyber ​​Defense Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) and intends to further strengthen its ties with strategic international partners in Europe. Atech is known as a Brazilian systems house for air traffic management (ATM) and defense. Based on international standards, the company is responsible for the development of the Brazilian air traffic control system, which is recognized as a global reference system by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This expertise will now be increasingly brought to the European market. Atech's portfolio for the defense and public safety sectors includes innovative solutions such as command and control systems, intelligence and data analysis tools, incident management platforms, drone control, and advanced cybersecurity technologies. The goal is to integrate and optimize real-time surveillance, analysis, and decision-making to support complex operations such as crisis management, border surveillance, and defense missions. The physical presence in

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Collective bargaining conflict in the travel industry escalates: Verdi and DRV collective bargaining association still disagree on wage increases

Belinda Borg June 24, 2025 12:41

Collective bargaining negotiations between the service workers' union Verdi and the collective bargaining unit of the German Travel Association (DRV-T) have reached a deadlock. The fourth round of negotiations, which took place last week in Frankfurt am Main, also failed to produce an agreement. The Verdi union criticizes the adjusted offer presented by DRV-T as being far from sufficient to offset what it estimates to be a 17 percent loss in real wages over the past six years, during which no new collective agreement was concluded. The conflict in the German travel industry, which affects employees in travel agencies and tour operators, thus threatens to escalate further, as the next round of negotiations is already scheduled for June 25 in Berlin. Hardened fronts: Offer and demand far apart The service workers' union Verdi, which traditionally represents the interests of employees in the service sector, had originally demanded a salary increase of 19,5 percent, or at least €550 gross, based on the collectively agreed salaries from 2018. This demand is based on the assumption of a significant loss in real wages in recent years, during which salaries in the travel industry have not kept pace with inflation. Verdi negotiator Sonja Austermühle emphasized that compensating for this 17 percent loss is a top priority, as no new collective agreement has been reached for six years. This means that employees in this sector have had to accept a noticeable reduction in their purchasing power in recent years. This contrasts with the amended offer submitted by the DRV collective bargaining association, which Verdi has criticized as inadequate. According to Verdi, the new offer provides for an increase in the current wages paid by Dertour

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Lower Austrian farmers ask for consideration in traffic during the harvest season

Jan Gruber June 24, 2025 12:35

For farmers in Lower Austria, summer marks the beginning of one of the most labor-intensive periods of the year: the harvest season. Combine harvesters and tractors, along with their trailers, are then out in the fields and on the roads from early morning until late evening, often under time pressure and in high temperatures. In this context, the Austrian Young Farmers' Association appeals to the population to exercise particular patience and consideration in traffic to avoid dangerous situations involving agricultural vehicles. Viktoria Hutter, Chairwoman of the Austrian Young Farmers' Association, emphasized the importance of farmers' work for supplying the country and ensuring food production. She emphasized that farmers ensure that "Austria's tables are always set and our plates are full." Especially in the summer months, dangerous situations occur more frequently when large agricultural vehicles are on the roads. Therefore, respect and mutual consideration in traffic are of utmost importance. Lower Austria plays a leading role in Austrian arable farming. Between June and August, the main season in the fields, important crops are harvested that form the basis for daily bread and other foodstuffs. The impressive cultivated areas demonstrate Lower Austria's position as Austria's most important agricultural region. Wheat is planted on around 170.000 hectares, and over 60.000 hectares are planted with barley. Rye grows on around 25.000 hectares, and triticale on just under 30.000 hectares. Other crops such as oats (approximately 10.000 hectares), soybeans (30.000 hectares), sunflowers (just under 20.000 hectares), and poppies (around 2.000 hectares) also characterize the summer harvest in the region. Viktoria Hutter concluded by emphasizing that these figures demonstrate the important work of the farmers and the

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El Al offers ship passages as an alternative to canceled flights to Israel

Stephen Steiner June 24, 2025 12:03

The Israeli airline EL AL is offering passengers whose flights to Israel have been canceled an unusual alternative for their return journey: transportation on a cruise ship from Cyprus. Customers of EL AL and its subsidiary Sundor whose booked flights had to be canceled can choose this cruise as a free option instead of a repatriation flight. This represents an additional travel option in addition to the repatriation flights still offered, to enable the return home of affected travelers. The cruise from Cyprus to Israel will depart on June 26, 2025, at 13:30 p.m. local time from the port of Limassol in Cyprus and is expected to arrive at the port of Ashdod on Friday morning. In addition, a reverse trip, from Israel to Cyprus, will be offered to the general public. This trip, with a ticket price of 550 euros, is scheduled for June 24, 2025, at 13:30 p.m. from the port of Ashdod. Both trips are expected to accommodate approximately 1.500 passengers each. This initiative responds to the ongoing challenging situation in air transport, which may lead to flight cancellations. By offering a sea connection, EL AL seeks to diversify travel options for its customers and provide a solution for returning to Israel, while maintaining flight capacity. Customers who choose the ship passage from Cyprus to Israel cannot additionally register for a repatriation flight. Please note that ship passage tickets, regardless of whether purchased through EL AL or Sundor, are non-refundable. Providing cruise ships as a means of transportation during flight cancellations is an unconventional, yet effective, measure to

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Nationwide strike in Belgium paralyzes Brussels Airport

Amely Mizzi June 24, 2025 11:49

This week, parts of Belgium are once again paralyzed by nationwide strikes against the government's reform plans. The impact on air traffic is particularly severe: Brussels Airport has been forced to cancel all departures on June 25, 2025, due to an announced strike by security personnel. Discontent at the Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airlines is growing over the recurring industrial action, as the airline has already incurred millions in damages from the protests and expects further significant losses. This latest strike also coincides with the start of the summer holidays in Flanders, meaning travel disruption for tens of thousands of passengers. Ongoing protests against the government's reform plans For months, nationwide strikes have been taking place across Belgium, with unions taking their protest against the government's reform plans to the streets. The exact content of the reforms can vary, but often they concern issues such as pension reforms, wage adjustments, working conditions, or changes in the public service. The Belgian trade union landscape is traditionally strong and well-organized, which facilitates mobilization for such nationwide actions. The ongoing strikes highlight the deep-seated tensions between the social partners and the government, which are making themselves felt in various sectors of the economy. The upcoming strike day on June 25 will once again hit air traffic hard, with far-reaching consequences for travelers and airlines. Brussels Airport, Belgium's most important international hub, is forced to cancel all departures for that day. This is a direct result of the security personnel's participation in the strike. Without sufficient security personnel, airport operations cannot be maintained in accordance with international regulations, making a complete suspension of departures unavoidable.

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