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August 12, 2025

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August 12, 2025

Korean Air introduces Rail&Fly service in Switzerland

Jan Gruber August 12, 2025 15:09

The South Korean airline Korean Air has launched a new Rail&Fly program in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The offer, available from August 2025, allows passengers to book combined flight and train tickets. With the new service, travelers can conveniently travel from Zurich Airport to numerous Swiss cities, such as Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, and St. Gallen. Combined flight and train tickets can be booked through the official Korean Air website and travel agencies. Train tickets are valid on the day of arrival or departure and can be issued up to 72 hours before departure via the SBB check-in page. A fee of five Swiss francs will be charged for individual seat reservations on the train. This initiative is part of Korean Air's efforts to expand its presence in the Swiss market. Korean Air recently reopened its office in Zurich and now offers three-times-weekly non-stop flights from Zurich to Seoul. Flights operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The new Rail&Fly service complements the existing flight offerings and offers passengers a flexible way to continue their journey within Switzerland. Cooperation between airlines and rail companies is a common model in Europe to facilitate travel to the airport and offer passengers a seamless travel experience. This service is particularly attractive to international travelers in Switzerland, which has a dense and reliable rail network. The Rail&Fly ticket significantly simplifies booking and planning for customers.

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Disney Cruise Line launches new ship “Disney Destiny”

Belinda Borg August 12, 2025 14:35

Disney Cruise Line is expanding its fleet with the new cruise ship "Disney Destiny." Scheduled to embark on her maiden voyage on November 20, 2025, the ship will operate permanently from Port Everglades, Florida. The "Disney Destiny" is a sister ship to the "Disney Wish" and the "Disney Treasure." With a gross tonnage of 144.000 and a capacity of 4.000 passengers, it will offer four- and five-day cruises to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean. The itineraries will include calls at one or both of Disney's private islands, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. The new ship's theme is "Heroes and Villains." The design and onboard entertainment are inspired by iconic characters from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films. Among other things, a statue of Black Panther will adorn the Grand Hall, and an image of the superhero Spiderman will adorn the stern of the ship. Guests can look forward to shows, encounters, and character appearances throughout the ship. A new Broadway play based on the Disney film Hercules is being developed exclusively for Disney Destiny. Disney Destiny is part of a comprehensive expansion strategy for Disney Cruise Line. Further new builds are planned for the coming years. Following the commissioning of Destiny, Disney Adventure will be stationed in Singapore. Another ship is planned for 2029 in Japan in cooperation with the Oriental Land Company. Disney has also commissioned the construction of four more ships, which are scheduled to enter service between 2027 and 2031. Some of these ships will

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Air France-KLM hit by hacker attack

Stephen Steiner August 12, 2025 14:08

The airline group Air France-KLM has fallen victim to a cyberattack. The criminal hacker group Shiny Hunters gained access to a customer platform and stole personal data. The exact number of those affected is currently unknown, but the airline confirmed that it has detected unusual activity and stopped the unauthorized access. The airline is in contact with the affected customers to inform them of the incident and warn them of possible phishing attempts. After further investigation, the customer data was accessed via a compromised third-party platform connected to the company's Salesforce environment. The stolen data reportedly includes names, contact details, Flying Blue numbers, and subject lines of previous customer service messages. According to the airline, payment information, passwords, or passport numbers were not affected. Air France and KLM have already reported the incident to the relevant data protection authorities in France and the Netherlands. The hacker group Shiny Hunters has previously made a name for itself through attacks on major companies such as Google, Cisco, and Qantas. The group is known for selling stolen data or using it as leverage for ransom demands. Air France-KLM has yet to officially comment on whether the hackers demanded a ransom. Industry experts point out that the use of third-party platforms represents a growing risk to data security. The attack is one of a series of similar cyberattacks that have recently increasingly affected companies in the aviation industry. This makes it necessary for passengers to be especially cautious when receiving unexpected messages or calls requesting personal information. The airlines advise their customers to carefully check the authenticity of messages.

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Crisis at the German aviation location: Airlines withdraw aircraft, BDL calls for political turnaround

Belinda Borg August 12, 2025 13:49

The German aviation industry is in a deep crisis. As the German Aviation Association (BDL) announced in Berlin, European airlines have reduced the number of aircraft stationed in Germany by a third since 2019. Their fleet size has dropped from 190 to just 130 aircraft, which, according to the BDL, has led to the loss of around 10.000 jobs and more than four billion euros in added value annually. According to industry representatives, this development is due to the massive increase in government spending, which reached a record level of 4,4 billion euros this year. While aviation is experiencing a boom in almost all other European countries, Germany is lagging dramatically behind in its recovery. BDL President Jens Bischof and other industry representatives are urgently calling on the federal government to implement the reduction in air transport tax promised in the coalition agreement in order to make the country attractive again. A country falling behind: The dismal record of air transport. The figures presented by the BDL at the presentation of its half-yearly report paint a bleak picture. Germany ranks 28th out of 31 European countries in terms of the recovery of air traffic after the coronavirus crisis. The situation is particularly dramatic for European point-to-point airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet. Their capacity in Germany is only at 78 percent of its 2019 level, while in the rest of Europe it has already reached 129 percent – a difference of 51 percentage points. This is a clear sign that these airlines, known for their price sensitivity, are avoiding Germany. A key reason for this development is the more than

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Almost 24-hour delay for Tui flight from Málaga to Antwerp

Jan Gruber August 12, 2025 13:33

Around 136 Tui fly Belgium passengers were stranded at Málaga Airport over the weekend. Their flight, number TB1002 to Antwerp, which was originally scheduled to depart at 18:10 p.m. on Saturday evening, encountered a technical problem. The flight was unable to take off until 16:25 p.m. on Sunday and landed in Antwerp more than 21 hours late. The affected passengers had to spend the night at the airport. After engineers rectified the technical problem on the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with registration OO-ETC, the departure was postponed several times. According to reports in the Belgian newspaper HLN, passengers were faced with several changed departure times, which were then canceled shortly before boarding. Some travelers criticized the inadequate communication from the airline. However, Tui spokesperson Sarah Saucin stated that passengers had been informed of the delays via text message. The stranded passengers of Tui fly Belgium had received little information on how to bridge their waiting time. Such delays, which lead to long waits at the airport, can give rise to compensation claims for travelers under EU law. For delays of three hours or more, passengers are entitled to a lump sum compensation, depending on the distance of the flight. The airline must also provide food at the airport.

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UnionPay and IHG launch promotion for international travelers

Jan Gruber August 12, 2025 13:01

UnionPay International (UPI) and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have announced an exclusive promotion for UnionPay credit cardholders outside of mainland China. Customers can receive instant discounts of up to 500 percent when booking at over 15 hotels in China. The promotion runs from June 10 to October 31, 2025, and is designed to enhance the travel experience for international visitors. IHG operates more than 800 hotels in mainland China, and over 500 hotels that accept UnionPay online payments are participating in the promotion. Participating brands include luxury and premium brands such as InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Regent Hotels & Resorts, and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, as well as mid-range brands such as Holiday Inn. Customers holding a UnionPay credit card issued in South Korea or a UnionPay SplendorPlus credit card will receive a 15 percent discount of up to 400 RMB. Other international UnionPay credit cards receive a 10 percent discount up to 200 RMB. UnionPay is a leading payment provider in China. With over 200 million cards issued in 83 countries and regions outside mainland China, the company enjoys widespread acceptance throughout the country. The cards can be used at virtually all ATMs and major retailers. Furthermore, international cardholders can link their UnionPay cards with popular mobile payment services such as Alipay and WeChat Pay. The cooperation is part of both companies' efforts to serve the growing market of international travelers in China. UnionPay International launched the SplendorPlus card last year, which is specifically tailored to the needs of international visitors and offers additional benefits such as access to airport privileges and dining perks.

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New start on the travel market: Air Conso is revitalized with FTI technology and expertise

Belinda Borg August 12, 2025 12:49

The reorganization of the Schmetterling Cooperation's ticket consolidator Air Conso is progressing with great momentum. After a period of uncertainty, the cooperation has made a strategic decision to revitalize its consolidator and position it as a strong alternative to the market leader. A key part of this reorientation is the acquisition of technology and personnel from the insolvent FTI ticket shop. With the arrival of a new managing director, the hiring of former FTI employees, and the implementation of modern booking systems, Air Conso is expected to once again become a major player in the airline ticket distribution market in the coming months. This step demonstrates how new business opportunities can arise in the wake of market changes and insolvencies. A coup for Schmetterling: The strategic acquisition of FTI resources. Air Conso's history has been on the brink of collapse in recent years. In a market dominated by its major competitor Aerticket, the Schmetterling Cooperation was looking for ways to strengthen its own consolidator. The insolvency of the travel group FTI in spring 2025, which also meant the end of the FTI ticket shop, presented an unexpected opportunity for a strategic reorientation. Within just a few months, important decisions were made: Schmetterling CEO Ömer Karaca spoke of the takeover as a "real coup." The acquired technology is "state-of-the-art" and provides the basis for a successful restart. A comprehensive project for the complete implementation of FTI technology is underway. The goal is the introduction of an independent flight booking engine based on the former Fare Wizard of the FTI ticket shop. The complete relaunch is planned for the next six months. Expanded service and new technologies for

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End of tax exemption for holiday work in Austria

Jan Gruber August 12, 2025 12:31

The decades-long practice of tax exemption for so-called holiday pay in Austria ended effective January 1, 2025. This change is based on a ruling by the Federal Finance Court (BFG) of December 19, 2024, and a subsequent statement by the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF). Since the beginning of the year, payments for holiday work have been taxed as regular wages. For employees, this means that while they continue to receive their normal salary plus the holiday premium for working on a holiday, this premium is now subject to income tax. The change particularly affects sectors with a high level of shift and holiday work, such as the hotel and catering industry. Georg Imlauer, Chairman of the Hotel Industry Association of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), described this step as a "hard blow" for employees. Imlauer criticized the fact that employees who work on holidays and overtime are now disadvantaged from a tax perspective than before. He also pointed out the tax treatment of overtime premiums, which can only be claimed tax-free in the last month of an averaging period. The Austrian hotel industry has been pushing for a change in the law for months that would restore tax exemption for holiday work. The Hotel Industry Association is appealing to politicians and unions to work for a swift amendment to the law. The measure is not only correct from a tax policy perspective, but would also send an important signal of appreciation to employees and business owners. The Austrian government is now being called upon to find a solution that will increase the net earnings of the affected employees.

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Dachstein remains Austria's most popular mountain on Instagram

Amely Mizzi August 12, 2025 12:00

A recent analysis by the communications service provider APA-Comm shows that the Dachstein continues to be Austria's most popular mountain on the Instagram platform. With more than a quarter of a million posts under the hashtag "Dachstein," the peak on the border between Styria and Upper Austria defends its top position. The study, which examined the hashtag presence of local mountains, was conducted for the third time and compares the data with analyses from 2019 and 2022. Since 2019, the Dachstein has more than doubled its presence on Instagram. According to APA-Comm, this is primarily due to the numerous photo opportunities on the mountain. Popular spots such as the south face, the glass "Sky Walk," and Austria's highest suspension bridge attract visitors who share their impressions online. The visible melting of the Dachstein glacier is also frequently discussed in the posts. Second and third place in the ranking are occupied by the internationally renowned Arlberg with over 190.000 posts and the Großglockner with 174.000 entries. The analysis also highlights that the Eastern Alps and regions such as Upper Austria are catching up in the rankings. The Traunstein, also known as the "Guardian of the Salzkammergut," recorded the largest increase among the top 170 mountains, with an increase of 20 percent. The neighboring Grünberg even recorded growth of 231 percent, climbing 26 places. Mountains in Lower Austria, such as the Schneeberg and the Rax, also improved, reaching higher positions in the rankings. Popularity on social media platforms such as Instagram has become an important indicator for tourism destinations. Hashtags and geographical tags, as evaluated by the APA-Comm analysis, are crucial for increasing reach.

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Lilium restart uncertain – AAMG shows interest in taking over the remainder

Stephen Steiner August 12, 2025 11:46

In the spring of 2025, the flying taxi pioneer Lilium finally went bankrupt after a second round of insolvency proceedings. An initial rescue attempt by the investor consortium "Mobile Uplift Corporation" had already failed. Now the Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG) emerged as a potential new interested party – with a large capital commitment and extensive plans. Founded in 2015, Lilium had pumped millions into the development of the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft "Lilium Jet" for years – but never delivered a series product. The German government rejected a €2024 million state loan guarantee in 50, prompting the company to file for insolvency in October 2024. At the end of December 2024, a rescue seemed imminent: The Mobile Uplift Corporation consortium intended to acquire the operating assets of its subsidiaries and announced capital support of over €200 million. In addition, approximately 750 of the 1 laid-off employees were to be rehired. But in February 000, the second insolvency followed: promised funds – including €2025 million from Slovakian entrepreneur Marian Boček – failed to materialize, and operations were discontinued. AAMG: New hope with strong investment appetite. At the beginning of August 150, AAMG expressed interest in the remnants of Lilium. According to its own statement, it has seed capital of approximately €2025 million and access to a further €250 million to reshape the brand. AAMG is specifically aiming for: Several companies are behind it: LuxAviation, Sigma Air Mobility (Luxembourg), and the Amsterdam-based HR consultancy Ambitious Group – together they form AAMG. Previous connections with AAMG date back to 500, when

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