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July 11

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July 11

DDSG: ​​ABBA performers bring Swedish feeling to the Danube

Jan Gruber July 11, 2025 15:32

The Austrian shipping company DDSG Blue Danube, one of the successor companies to the legendary First Danube Steamship Company, offers so-called themed cruises year-round, but especially during the warmer months, departing from Vienna, among other destinations. These cruises differ from scheduled cruises in that they focus not only on transportation but also on entertainment and culinary delights. One prime example is the ABBA cruise ("Swedish Night"), currently operating from the Vienna Handelskai Shipping Center. The flagship MS Admiral Tegetthoff is used for this. But what exactly does an ABBA evening on a DDSG ship entail, and is it even worth it? Upon boarding the MS Admiral Tegetthoff, passengers are greeted by a friendly DDSG crew member. After presenting their reservation on a smartphone or on paper, any remaining fare is collected, and a table is assigned. On two decks, the catering company commissioned by the shipping company has already set up a festive table and lovingly prepared the menu as a "message in a bottle." The fact that the DDSG does not offer the catering itself, but rather has the catering done by service providers, has a very long tradition. To put it simply: The Steamship Company has always leased this out, and not even consistently, as it depends on the ship. Thus, to this day, there are various caterers who serve the food, but they are permanently assigned to the respective ship. On the MS Admiral Tegetthoff, this is JP Donau Catering by Pal Szakal. After a humorous welcome from the captain, the trip begins - in a double sense, because the

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Airbus to deliver 63 aircraft in June 2025

Jan Gruber July 11, 2025 15:02

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus delivered a total of 2025 aircraft to 63 customers in June 35. The company announced this on Tuesday. This brings deliveries this year to 306 jets to 65 customers worldwide. These figures underscore the group's continued production activity, which is back on track after the pandemic-related declines. Despite global challenges in the supply chain and material procurement, Airbus is striving to meet its production targets and meet airline demand. At the same time, Airbus recorded 203 gross orders in June. The majority of these orders were already publicly announced. Customers ordering new aircraft include well-known airlines such as ANA All Nippon Airways, Avilease, LOT, the International Airlines Group (IAG), Malaysia Airlines, Riyadh Air, Starlux, and Vietjet. These orders indicate continued strong demand for new aircraft, particularly in the wake of fleet modernization and expansion in the aviation sector. The diversity of customers, from leasing companies to established airlines and emerging players, reflects Airbus' broad market presence. However, Airbus also experienced cancellations last month. In June, orders for nine A320neo and seven A350F aircraft were canceled. Such cancellations are not uncommon in the aircraft industry and can have various reasons, including changes in airline fleet planning, financial difficulties, or adjustments to market conditions. Despite these cancellations, the net order balance for June remains positive, underscoring the overall robustness of Airbus's order book. The A320neo Family continues to be a best-seller in the short- and medium-haul segment.

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German aviation lags behind in recovery

Jan Gruber July 11, 2025 14:30

European air traffic is showing further recovery in January 2025, but is still well below the pre-crisis level of 2019. According to the new DLR Air Traffic Monitor, almost four percent more flights were offered across Europe than in the previous year, but this is still around 14 percent fewer than in 2019. The weak development in the so-called low-cost sector is particularly striking, which remains around 15 percent below pre-crisis levels across Europe. In Germany, the situation is even more pronounced. Although overall capacity increased by around 2,6 percent compared to the previous year, it is still well below the 35 level with a decline of almost 2019 percent. Low-cost capacity in this country has even collapsed by around 56 percent. The market share of low-cost airlines in Germany has fallen from 2019 to just 32 percent since 21,4. This development is largely due to the withdrawal of Ryanair, which expanded its capacity in Europe but reduced its capacity in Germany by a third. Ryanair has repeatedly criticized the high operating costs in Germany in the past, particularly the air traffic tax and air traffic control fees. The company called on the federal government to reduce these charges in order to make the German market more competitive. Experts from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) point out that the charges in Germany are among the highest in Europe. This is leading to airlines shifting capacity from Germany to other European countries. The current DLR study also shows that travelers who want to fly from a German airport this summer will have to dig deeper into the

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Disco shine over Lake Neusiedl: “Saturday Night Fever” conquers Mörbisch

Jan Gruber July 11, 2025 13:52

On the evening of July 10, 2025, the Mörbisch Lake Festival was transformed into a dazzling 1970s Brooklyn. The premiere of the musical "Saturday Night Fever" celebrated an ode to an era defined by the cult film of the same name and the timeless music of the Bee Gees. It was an evening full of nostalgia, impressive choreography, and the splendor of a past that continues to fascinate today. Expectations for this year's production were high, and artistic director Alfons Haider had every reason to relax. After several unsettled days, the weather turned up just in time for the premiere, and a balmy summer evening enveloped the thousands of visitors. Haider's decision to bring "Saturday Night Fever" to the lake stage seems to have been a perfect fit. He himself drew parallels between the hopelessness and despair of youth at that time, who found refuge in discos, and today, in which the Internet seems to play a similar role. An interesting thought experiment that lends the entertainment a deeper level. The set design, by Walter Vogelweider, was undoubtedly eye-catching and a masterpiece of illusion. The transformation of the lake stage into the New York borough of Brooklyn, with the striking Manhattan skyline and the imposing Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, was convincing and atmospheric. The glittering pink and the twinkling lights, which director Karl Absenger conjured up on stage in collaboration with the set designer, created the perfect backdrop for the vibrant disco life. Innovative film elements, integrated into the show for the first time, further enlivened the approximately 3.600 square meter stage and contributed to the

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Juist accessible by plane again: New airline and changed island logistics revive air traffic

Amely Mizzi July 11, 2025 13:42

The North Frisian island of Juist, a popular North Sea travel destination, will once again be accessible by plane from the coastal town of Norddeich starting next Monday. Scandinavian Air Charter will resume operations on this important route, replacing FLN Frisia-Luftverkehr, which suspended its flights at the end of February. The resumption of flight operations not only brings a new provider, but also notable changes to passenger transport from the island's airport to the town. These developments are of great importance for the island's connectivity and tourism. The return of air service to Juist: A fresh start. After a break of several months without a direct flight from Norddeich, islanders and guests alike are breathing a sigh of relief. At the end of February of this year, the traditional airline FLN Frisia-Luftverkehr ceased operations on the route, leaving a noticeable gap in accessibility to the island. However, starting next Monday, Scandinavian Air Charter will resume this important connection, as the island administration announced. The new airline will serve the route at least four times a day. Cessna 206 aircraft will be used. These aircraft can accommodate five passengers, each of whom is allowed to carry ten kilograms of luggage. The relatively small aircraft are typically used for short-haul flights to islands, where runways are shorter and demand is more specific. Due to the short distance of just a few kilometers and the often weather-dependent sea connections, the flight from Norddeich to Juist is a popular and quick travel option for many visitors and residents. Tickets for the flights are expected to be

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Berlin becomes center for Deutsche Aircraft

Jan Gruber July 11, 2025 13:35

Deutsche Aircraft, a German manufacturer of regional aircraft, opened a new office yesterday, July 8, in the historic Römischer Hof on Unter den Linden in Berlin. With this move, the company intends to expand its presence in Germany and consolidate its role as a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the local aviation sector. The Berlin office will serve as a central point of contact for strategic partnerships, political cooperation, and dialogue with decision-makers. The opening of the office in Germany's political center is intended to enable Deutsche Aircraft to actively shape the country's aviation strategy. Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, emphasized that the company's work goes beyond the civilian use of the D328eco. He referred to the development of the D328MR (Multi-Role) variant, which is intended to provide solutions for military needs, such as reconnaissance capabilities and air ambulance. The D328MR is designed specifically for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) missions, enabling the collection and analysis of data in challenging environments and thus supporting security-relevant decisions. Deutsche Aircraft's new Berlin presence will enable closer cooperation with federal policymakers and institutions. This should facilitate the pursuit of common goals in the areas of industrial value creation and sovereignty. The office opening follows the successful rollout of TAC 1, the first test aircraft of the D328eco, which took place on May 28, 2025, and is intended to underscore the company's technological focus. The Berlin office complements Deutsche Aircraft's existing main locations in Oberpfaffenhofen and Leipzig. Oberpfaffenhofen serves as a center for research and development and is significantly involved in the technical implementation of the D328eco program. Leipzig is developing

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Iberia plans Airbus A321XLR on intra-European routes

Stephen Steiner July 11, 2025 13:03

The Spanish airline Iberia has adjusted its current summer flight schedule from Madrid and will deploy the new Airbus A2025XLR aircraft on selected intra-European routes starting in August 321. This was reported by the portal "Aeroroutes" citing flight schedule data. The use of this long-haul jet on shorter routes is expected to serve the purpose of testing and training crews before it is deployed on the designated transatlantic routes. One of the planned flights will see Iberia fly the Airbus A2XLR to Zurich on August 2025, 321. Other intra-European routes on which the aircraft will be deployed include the connections from Madrid to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on August 5 and from Madrid to Paris-Orly from August 1 to 3. The Airbus A321 XLR, whose first delivery to Iberia took place in October 2024, is primarily designed for long-haul flights and, with a range of up to 8.700 kilometers, can serve destinations previously typically reserved for wide-body aircraft. The use of the A321XLR on intra-European routes is a common practice in the aviation industry to test operational procedures and familiarize personnel with the new aircraft before it is deployed on its actual long-haul routes, for example to North and South America. Iberia is already planning long-haul routes with this type, including routes to the United States and Brazil. With a typical seating configuration of around 182 seats in two classes (Business and Economy), the narrow-body jet offers an efficient option for longer routes with lower passenger volumes.

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Condor sues against EU approval of Lufthansa-Italy merger: Competition in airspace under pressure

Belinda Borg July 11, 2025 12:49

In May, the German leisure airline Condor filed a lawsuit against the European Commission seeking to annul the approval of the merger between Lufthansa and the Italian airline Ita Airways. The details of this lawsuit, case number T-320/25, were recently published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Condor is challenging the Commission's decision of July 3, 2024, which conditionally approved Lufthansa's participation in the Italian state-owned airline Ita Airways. This legal step underscores ongoing concerns about competition in the European aviation market, particularly with regard to the market power of the major network carriers. The controversial approval and Condor's key arguments The European Commission had given the green light for Lufthansa's entry into Ita Airways in July 2024. The agreement stipulated that Lufthansa would initially acquire 41 percent of the shares in Ita and could subsequently gradually increase this stake. However, this transaction was subject to extensive commitments designed to preserve competition in certain markets. Such conditions are a standard instrument of EU merger control to minimize the negative effects of corporate mergers on the market. Condor bases its complaint on five key arguments and accuses the Commission of violating the EU Merger Regulation. Specifically, the holiday airline criticizes the fact that not all affected markets were identified and not all relevant facts were considered in the decision. A key aspect of merger control is the precise definition of relevant markets in order to identify distortions of competition. Condor apparently argues that the Commission took an overly narrow or incorrect perspective here. Another point of criticism from Condor

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Wizz Air launches new app feature “My Journey” for travel management

Amely Mizzi July 11, 2025 12:31

Wizz Air is introducing a new feature in its mobile app called "My Journey," which will allow passengers to manage their flights in real time. This new tool aims to provide travelers with stress-free navigation during their journey, especially in the event of unexpected disruptions. The launch comes at a time when, according to Eurocontrol, European air traffic is expected to grow by a further five percent this summer compared to the previous year, exceeding pre-COVID levels. In light of potential disruptions beyond the control of airlines—such as insufficient air traffic control capacity in some parts of Europe or extreme weather conditions—"My Journey" is designed to provide passengers with important information and assistance directly on their smartphones. Travelers will now receive information on flight status, check-in details, boarding time, and gate number directly on their smartphones, in addition to notifications via other channels (calls, SMS, and emails). The feature also provides immediate information on eligibility for meal vouchers or hotel accommodations, and allows passengers to redeem rewards (meals, hotel accommodation, compensation) directly in the app. Furthermore, alternative travel options such as rebooking, refunds, or accepting a new flight suggested by the airline can be selected stress-free. Boglarka Spak, Head of Customer Experience at Wizz Air, explained that it's not just about flying, but about maintaining control in frustrating moments. "My Journey is the ultimate solution for our passengers – it allows them to take control of their travel experience, no matter what happens." This is a further step in the "Customer First Compass" initiative.

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Norwegian buys more Boeing 737-800 aircraft

Belinda Borg July 11, 2025 12:06

The Norwegian low-cost airline Norwegian has agreed to acquire three additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft from its own leased fleet. Completion of the transaction is expected in the third quarter of this year. This measure is part of the company's consistent strategy of repurchasing leased aircraft and thus reducing long-term operating costs. Norwegian plans to initially finance the acquisition of the aircraft with existing cash and subsequently arrange long-term financing. The airline expects a one-time book gain of approximately NOK 260 million, equivalent to approximately EUR 22 million, from this transaction. In March of this year, Norwegian announced the acquisition of ten Boeing 737-800s from the leased fleet, underscoring the continuation of this strategy. The Boeing 737-800 forms the backbone of Norwegian's fleet for short- and medium-haul routes. The aircraft model is considered proven and cost-effective to operate in the aviation industry. In the past, Norwegian had relied heavily on leasing to finance its growth. However, following a comprehensive restructuring during the coronavirus pandemic, the airline is pursuing a more conservative financial strategy. Since the crisis, Norwegian has focused exclusively on profitable short-haul routes within Europe. The airline previously offered long-haul flights, but discontinued them. The current business model is focused on low-cost point-to-point connections in the Scandinavian and European markets to ensure profitability and financial stability.

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