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July 7, 2025

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July 7, 2025

Croatian government prepares new PSO tender for domestic flight routes

Stephen Steiner July 7, 2025 12:07

The Croatian government is preparing a new tender for services of general economic interest (Public Service Obligation, PSO) to secure funding for domestic air routes after the current contracts expire on March 28, 2026. The so-called PSO regulations allow for the provision of European funds for unprofitable, mostly domestic routes that are nevertheless considered essential for the economic development of the respective region. The previous award in November 2021 awarded the multi-million euro contracts for twelve domestic routes to Croatia Airlines and Trade Air, which have historically been the only recipients of state subsidies for domestic flights. A new tender process is expected in late 2025 or early 2026. Routes currently maintained and compensated as PSO services include connections such as Dubrovnik-Zagreb, Split-Zagreb, and various routes connecting cities such as Zadar, Pula, Brač, Osijek, and Rijeka. However, there are efforts to revise the list of PSO routes. Rijeka Airport argues that its limited inclusion in the current system undermines regional connectivity and limits its potential for developing year-round air services. At the same time, questions are being raised as to whether flights from Zagreb to Split and Dubrovnik are actually unprofitable and thus comply with PSO guidelines. The discussion about adapting the route network reflects efforts to optimize efficiency and the benefits of subsidies. Irish airline Ryanair, which already has bases in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Zadar, has expressed interest in participating in the Croatian PSO tender and, if appropriate, launching domestic flights in the country. Ryanair announced an in-depth analysis of the tender conditions and stated that the decision will be primarily based on the

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Europe's AI law under fire: Top managers warn of regulatory burden and call for delay

Belinda Borg July 7, 2025 11:43

In an open letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, more than 40 leading managers of European companies have expressed their deep concern about European regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). They warn that the European Union is losing itself in excessive complexity and thus risking its own competitiveness in the global race for this key technology. The signatories are calling for a two-year postponement of the implementation of the EU AI Act to ensure that Europe is not held back by overlapping and unclear requirements. This alarm call from the business community highlights the fragile balance between the need for regulation and the imperative to promote innovation. The AI ​​Act: An ambitious law facing its test The AI ​​Act is the world's first comprehensive law regulating artificial intelligence. It was proposed by the European Commission in 2021 and finally adopted in the spring of 2024 after lengthy negotiations in the European Parliament. The aim of the law is to create a legal framework for the development and use of AI that protects citizens' security and fundamental rights while promoting innovation. The AI ​​Act follows a risk-based approach, with stricter regulations applying to AI systems classified as "high-risk," for example, in the areas of health, law enforcement, or critical infrastructure. Although the basic principles of the law have already been established, the detailed implementation and the establishment of technical standards are still underway. Many of the binding provisions of the AI ​​Act will gradually enter into force over the coming years. In parallel, the EU Commission is working on a voluntary code of conduct.

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Tallink Silja Line records passenger growth in the second quarter of 2025

Stephen Steiner July 7, 2025 11:31

The ferry company Tallink Silja Line carried a total of 2025 passengers on its ships in the second quarter of 1.488.128. This represents an increase of 2,5 percent compared to the same period last year. In June alone, passenger numbers rose by 4,9 percent to 598.977. This growth is primarily due to the positive development on the route between Estonia and Finland. Paavo Nõgene, Managing Director of Tallink Grupp, commented that the increase in passenger numbers reflects customer confidence and the ongoing recovery in travel demand. He expressed optimism that the current positive momentum will continue throughout the remaining part of the summer season. While passenger business developed positively, the freight segment continued to pose a challenge. Nõgene emphasized that the company is closely monitoring the difficulties in the logistics sector and is prepared to significantly increase freight volumes as soon as the general economic outlook improves. Passenger growth was driven in particular by the Estonia-Finland route, which recorded growth of 4,9 percent in the second quarter and even increased by 14,8 percent in June. The Finland-Sweden route also showed positive development, with steady growth of 2,8 percent in the second quarter. In contrast, passenger numbers on the Estonia-Sweden route fell by 10,9 percent. This decline is partly due to changes in fleet deployment and timetables. In the second quarter of 2025, the volume of freight units carried decreased by 22,8 percent to 67.038 units. However, the number of passenger vehicles carried increased by 1,4 percent to a total of 212.782 units. In addition to the operational business, there were also changes in

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Change at the top of SkyAlps: Accountable Manager Casamatti leaves

Amely Mizzi July 7, 2025 11:06

There has been a significant personnel change at the South Tyrolean regional airline SkyAlps. Captain Alberto Casamatti, who only assumed the position of Accountable Manager in March 2025, has left the company at the end of June 2025. This was revealed in an update to his personal profile on a professional network. Casamatti's engagement with SkyAlps was short-lived, having assumed the position during a challenging period. In February 2025, the Italian aviation authority ENAC grounded seven of the eight aircraft in the SkyAlps fleet following an audit, resulting in significant operational restrictions. The exact reasons for Casamatti's departure have not been publicly disclosed. He previously enjoyed a long and distinguished career at Air Dolomiti in various senior positions and was also a pilot in the Italian Air Force. His abrupt departure could be a reflection of the airline's ongoing difficulties, as it currently operates with just three of its own aircraft, while operating others under ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) agreements. Alfredo Sostero has apparently been named as Alberto Casamatti's successor. Sostero is considered an experienced manager in the aviation industry. His appointment indicates that SkyAlps remains committed to overcoming operational challenges and stabilizing flight operations. The aviation industry in Italy has been characterized by consolidation and competition in recent years. For SkyAlps, filling such an important position as Accountable Manager, who bears ultimate responsibility for compliance with operational and safety standards, is crucial for the company's future.

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Edelweiss expands fleet with second Airbus A350

Stephen Steiner July 7, 2025 11:03

The Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss has taken delivery of its second Airbus A350. The aircraft, registered HB-IHC, landed at Zurich Airport on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and is now ready for operational use. This represents an important step in the airline's fleet modernization, which aims to expand capacity for long-haul flights. The entry into service of the second A350 follows the successful launch of the first model of this series at Edelweiss. The Airbus A350 is considered a modern long-haul aircraft. For Edelweiss, the addition represents the opportunity to strengthen existing routes or open up new destinations. The fleet expansion is part of a strategic adjustment to the growing demand in the leisure flight segment, particularly on intercontinental routes. According to current plans, the new Airbus A350 will make its first commercial flight as WK5 to Vancouver on Saturday, July 2025, 10. This connection underscores the importance of the North American market for Edelweiss. Continuous fleet renewal with aircraft like the A350 is a common practice in aviation to increase efficiency and provide passengers with contemporary travel comfort. The arrival of the second A350 is expected to further consolidate Edelweiss' position as a major player in Swiss leisure air travel.

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Austrian Music Theatre Prize 2025 in the Roncalli circus tent at Vienna's Heumarkt

Belinda Borg July 7, 2025 11:01

The 13th Austrian Music Theater Award will be presented on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as part of a festive gala in the tent of the Circus-Theater Roncalli. This unusual choice of venue on Vienna's Heumarkt is the result of a cooperation with the "Johann Strauss 2025 Vienna" festival year. The event will honor the stars of the Austrian opera and music theater scene and promises an evening of musical performances and poetic circus intermezzi. The coveted Schikaneder statuettes will be awarded this evening for outstanding achievements in front of, on, and behind the country's stages. The choice of the Circus-Theater Roncalli for the gala is a first and is intended to underscore the connection between the arts. The historic big top provides a special backdrop for the ceremony and promises a unique ambiance. The Austrian Music Theater Award, which has been awarded since 2013, annually recognizes the artistic diversity and quality of music theater in Austria. A special element of the gala evening will be a glimpse into the new production "Cagliostro – Johann Strauss in the Circus Tent." This production is based on the rarely performed operetta "Cagliostro in Vienna" by Johann Strauss and will be presented as part of the anniversary year in honor of Johann Strauss's 200th birthday as a musical spectacle combining pop, theater, and the circus world with international appeal. Roland Geyer, artistic director of "Johann Strauss 2025 Vienna," announced that this special spectacle will premiere in the Manegenrund from September 10 to 28, 2025. Karl-Michael Ebner, President of the Austrian Music Theater Prize, expressed his delight at the unusual location. He emphasized that musical theater thrives on imagination, emotion, and grand gestures – elements that will be evident in the new production "Cagliostro

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Volotea suspends domestic flights from Salerno

Amely Mizzi July 7, 2025 11:00

Almost a year after their launch, the Spanish airline Volotea has discontinued two domestic Italian flights from Salerno-Pontecagnano Costa d'Amalfi Airport. This affects the routes to Catania in Sicily and to Verona. The connection to Catania was discontinued at the end of June, and the route to Verona will follow on July 3, 2025, according to the specialist portal Italia Vola. Both routes were only added to the flight schedule in September 2024, but did not meet the company's economic expectations. The discontinuation of Volotea's domestic Italian flights is a setback for Salerno Airport, which only reopened to civil air traffic in 2007 and is still under development to become a fully-fledged hub. Salerno Airport, also known as Aeroporto di Salerno Costa d'Amalfi, is strategically located south of the city of Salerno and was intended to serve as a gateway to the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento regions. The difficulties in maintaining profitable domestic Italian connections could be due to a combination of low demand, strong competition from other modes of transport such as rail, and possibly also the general economic situation. Despite the cancellation of domestic routes, Volotea is maintaining its seasonal international connections from Salerno. Flights to Lyon and Marseille in France will continue twice weekly until the end of August, while the Nantes route will be served until the end of October 2025. This decision suggests that the international routes are more economically viable, possibly due to a more specific tourist audience or lower competition intensity. The future of Salerno Airport and its role as a regional airport depend significantly on

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Estonia rejects participation in Air Baltic – focus on Tallinn Airport

Belinda Borg July 7, 2025 10:58

The Estonian government has rejected Latvia's offer to acquire up to 14 percent of the airline Air Baltic. This was announced by Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis, according to broadcaster ERR. The offer, which included a 2030 percent stake for 2023 million euros, was also made to Lithuania and Deutsche Lufthansa. While Lufthansa accepted the offer, Tallinn decided against a stake, with Leis citing, among other things, Air Baltic's financial situation. Estonia's decision not to invest in Air Baltic marks a departure from previous speculation about a possible Nordic or Baltic aviation cooperation. Instead, Estonia is now focusing on expanding its own airport in Tallinn. By 2,9, Tallinn Airport is expected to reach a capacity of five million passengers annually. This is an ambitious goal considering that the airport handled around XNUMX million passengers in XNUMX. The planned investments aim to modernize infrastructure and increase attractiveness for airlines. To achieve this goal, the Estonian government plans to attract new airlines by offering attractive conditions for new routes and expanding overnight parking facilities for aircraft. Despite rejecting a stake in Air Baltic, Estonia intends to continue working closely with the Latvian airline. The goal is to establish Tallinn as an important home market for Air Baltic. This underscores the importance of effective cooperation in the Baltic region, even without direct equity investments, to ensure regional connectivity and strengthen the aviation sector.

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New partnership aims to connect Skyros internationally

Belinda Borg July 7, 2025 10:56

The municipality of Skyros has entered into a strategic partnership with Zela Aviation to improve the island's air connectivity and promote its tourism offerings to international markets. The airline recently announced this. Zela Aviation, a company with over 19 years of experience in the aviation industry and offices in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, and Greece, will contribute its global expertise to support the development of Skyros as a summer destination. This new agreement marks the third municipal consultancy partnership for Zela Aviation in Greece, following successful collaborations with the municipalities of Sitia (Crete) in 2022 and Syros in 2024. The aim of these long-term initiatives is to unlock the regional potential of Greek islands and increase their accessibility by air. Skyros, the largest island in the Sporades, is known for its unspoiled nature, traditional architecture, and rich cultural heritage. As part of the cooperation, Zela Aviation, through its Zela Jet brand, will also promote the use of business jets and helicopters on Skyros for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Skyros National Airport, which opened in 1984 and has a 3.002-meter runway, serves as the main gateway to the island. It is capable of handling larger aircraft and currently connects the island to Athens and other national destinations. Zela Aviation will work closely with the municipality and the mayor of Skyros, Kyriakos Antonopoulos, to attract international tour operators and airlines for seasonal and charter flights. Cooperation with low-cost airlines is also being explored to position Skyros for a

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Surace Cucina Linz once again named best pizzeria in Upper Austria

Jan Gruber July 7, 2025 10:53

Surace Cucina Linz has once again been named Upper Austria's best pizzeria by the Falstaff community in 2025. This recognition, which has already been received several times, underscores the restaurant's commitment to traditional pizza craftsmanship and authentic Italian cuisine. Since its opening in 2021, Surace Cucina Linz has established itself as a place that aims to offer guests a "moment of Italy" in the heart of the Upper Austrian capital. According to those responsible, the secret of the pizza lies in the dough, which is prepared by experienced pizzaioli according to a family recipe that has been passed down for generations and is continually refined. After a rest period of 50 hours in a wood-fired oven, the dough acquires its unmistakable Italian flavor. Carmelo Surace, the restaurateur and ice cream expert behind Surace Cucina, was delighted with the repeated award and emphasized that the restaurant's goal is always to serve guests authentic Italian specialties and warm hospitality, just like at home. Restaurant manager Carmela Martino points out that classics such as San Daniele, Diavola, and Capricciosa are highly valued both in Italy and in Linz. Marco Natali, the pizzaiolo at Surace Cucina, comes from Apulia and has perfected the art of pizza making over the years. He prepares the dough daily from high-quality flour from Veneto, which is still ground in traditional stone mills, as well as mother yeast, water, salt, and the house-made Surace olive oil. Natali emphasizes that the most important ingredient is time; only with sufficient aging time can the dough be optimally processed and is easily digestible. At 380 °C in a wood-fired oven, the pizza finally achieves its characteristic flavor. The success of the

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