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August 22, 2025

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August 22, 2025

DRSF initiates final reimbursement phase for FTI customers

Jan Gruber August 22, 2025 15:04

The German Travel Guarantee Fund (DRSF) has initiated the final phase of reimbursement for customers affected by the insolvencies of the tourism companies FTI and Big Xtra. To date, approximately €260 million has been paid out to approximately 180.000 applicants. According to the fund, approximately 22.000 consumers who booked package holidays or linked travel arrangements have not yet submitted a claim. The DRSF calls on these individuals to contact the fund immediately to receive the refund to which they are entitled. Applications can be submitted online via the refund portal or by mail. The fund points out that applications can still be submitted until the end of 2027. This deadline is based on the statutory limitation period under the German Civil Code. The DRSF was introduced following the insolvency of Thomas Cook to prevent future financial losses for package holidaymakers in Germany. The insolvency of the FTI Group is considered the first major test for the new guarantee system. The payouts made so far show that the system is intended to protect the financial claims of affected customers under package travel law in the event of insolvency.

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Norwegian launches new flight route from Stockholm to Egypt

Belinda Borg August 22, 2025 14:37

Norwegian Air will launch a new flight service in its 2025/26 winter schedule. Starting October 27, 2025, a direct route will be offered from Stockholm-Arlanda to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. The new service, which will operate once a week on Mondays, will complement Norwegian's existing flights to Hurghada. With this route, the airline is responding to demand for sunny destinations during the cold season, particularly among travelers from Scandinavia. The launch of the new route supports airport operator Swedavia's strategic goal of strengthening Stockholm-Arlanda Airport's international connections. Sharm el-Sheikh is a popular destination for vacationers seeking sun and beach in winter. The new service underscores Norwegian's role as a major provider of low-cost flights to holiday destinations. It reflects the continued high demand for winter travel from the Nordic countries.

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Menzies employees in Portugal announce strikes

Amely Mizzi August 22, 2025 14:07

The SIMA union has announced new strikes for employees of the ground handling company Menzies in Portugal. The walkouts are expected to extend over an extended period from September 3 to January 2, 2026, and affect all national airports in the country. The union's key demands include an increase in basic salaries above the national minimum wage of €870 and payment for night shifts. The union argues that current salaries do not comply with legal requirements. The conflict follows walkouts already carried out during the summer months. The strikes are planned in periodic blocks and are expected to include long weekends and the Christmas and New Year holidays. The walkouts aim to maximize air traffic disruption at Portuguese airports. Menzies, for its part, has stated that the cancellation of previous strikes was not the result of negotiation or a concession. The company's position remains unchanged. The conflict concerning ground handling underscores the tensions between employers and unions in the aviation industry.

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With the help of Plus Ultra: How Cubana de Aviacion is rebuilding the air bridge to Germany

Stephen Steiner August 22, 2025 13:49

A significant change is looming for travelers seeking to travel to Cuba from Germany. Starting in December 2025, the Cuban state airline Cubana de Aviacion will return to long-haul flights, offering direct flights between Frankfurt and the Caribbean island once again. This move will end a period in which German travelers were reliant on inconvenient connecting flights after other European carriers discontinued their direct flights. The resumption of flight operations, organized by the German general representative office Friends Touristik Marketing, signals renewed optimism in the Cuban tourism sector and offers travelers a new, hassle-free option for visiting the country. The flights will be operated with an Airbus A330-200, which is operated in cooperation with the Spanish airline Plusultra, underscoring the global interconnectedness of the travel industry. An end to detours: The new connection as a strategic step The resumption of scheduled flights by Cubana de Aviacion is a pivotal moment for the German travel market. Since the end of the 2024/2025 winter flight schedule, when German leisure airlines such as Condor discontinued their direct flights to Cuba, there has been a gap in direct air connectivity. The withdrawal of these carriers was the result of various factors, including economic difficulties and the declining tourist numbers of recent years. This meant that travelers who did not resort to ships or river cruises were forced to switch to routes via European hubs such as Amsterdam, Paris, or Madrid, which lengthened travel times and increased complexity. Cubana's new connection aims to close this gap and reconnect the German-speaking market directly to Cuba's most important destinations.

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Emirates secures additional A380 aircraft

Amely Mizzi August 22, 2025 13:33

Emirates Airlines has secured the acquisition of two additional Airbus A380s. The agreement was made with the South African bank Investec and provides for the acquisition of the aircraft upon the expiration of their leases. The transaction, known as a forward sale, allows Emirates to acquire the aircraft at a predetermined price, thus securing its fleet strategy for the long term. The airline currently has more than 100 superjumbos in its fleet. While many other airlines are phasing out the A380, Emirates continues to rely on the wide-body aircraft as a central component of its fleet. The acquisition of the two additional aircraft underscores the company's strategy of securing capacity for long-haul flights. The acquisition of the aircraft is seen as a signal of Emirates' confidence in the continued demand on busy international routes and demonstrates that the airline continues to view the superjumbo as a key component of its business model.

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Canary Islands: Tourism revenues rise

Belinda Borg August 22, 2025 13:31

The Canary Islands generated tourism revenue of €4,4 billion in the second quarter of this year. This represents an increase of 3,5 percent over the same period last year. According to the statistics institute Istac, revenue was primarily generated by Tenerife and Gran Canaria, which together accounted for two-thirds of total revenue. Despite the increase in revenue, however, the average daily budget per guest fell from €167 to €158. Differences were also evident by country of origin: guests from Switzerland spent the most, averaging €174 per day. Italian visitors, in contrast, brought up the rear with €122. Most tourists stayed in hotels, which remained the most important form of accommodation with a share of 58 percent. A notable trend is the high number of repeat visitors; over 70 percent of holidaymakers had previously visited the islands. Almost half of the tourists used package tours that included transport and accommodation.

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Norse Atlantic Airways discontinues last US route from Scandinavia

Stephen Steiner August 22, 2025 13:02

The Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways will discontinue its flight service from Oslo to New York–JFK in the 2025/26 winter schedule. This means the long-haul airline is giving up its last remaining route between Scandinavia and the United States. The discontinuation is part of a strategic realignment. The company plans to change its business model and focus more on wet leasing. In this form of leasing, the airline makes its aircraft, including crew, maintenance, and insurance, available to other airlines. This move follows the challenges in the low-cost long-haul segment. The airline has already discontinued several unprofitable routes. The focus on wet leasing will enable the company to achieve more consistent utilization of its Boeing 787 fleet and become less dependent on the fluctuations of scheduled air traffic. Norse Atlantic Airways' decision underscores the difficulties inherent in the business model of low-cost airlines on long-haul routes. In contrast, the market for wet lease services is considered stable and in increasing demand.

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New wave on Europe's rivers: How Celebrity Cruises is revitalizing the river cruise segment

Amely Mizzi August 22, 2025 12:48

The American cruise line Celebrity Cruises, known for its upscale ships on the world's oceans, is taking a strategic step into the European river cruise business. As announced, the company is preparing its new brand, Celebrity River Cruises, for launch in 2027. The news has attracted considerable attention within the industry, as the entry of such a renowned player could fundamentally change the established river cruise segment in Europe. Reservations for the inaugural season are now open, underscoring the cruise line's determination to quickly gain a foothold in this highly competitive market. The venture reflects the company's ambition to appeal to a new clientele and transfer the concept of "transformative" travel from the oceans to inland waterways. A new player on European waterways The river cruise market in Europe is dominated by a variety of providers, including established names such as Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways. Most of these cruise lines have tailored their ships and offerings specifically to the characteristics of European rivers over the decades. The entry of Celebrity Cruises, a brand belonging to the cruise giant Royal Caribbean Group, is therefore a significant step. It is certain that the company will not simply copy an existing business model, but will adapt its proven premium philosophy to the smaller ships and narrower waterways. With a focus on upscale design and a comprehensive service package, Celebrity River Cruises aims to differentiate itself through unique positioning. The company appears to believe that demand for a luxurious yet accessible river cruise experience is growing.

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Condor Holidays uses artificial intelligence for package holidays

Stephen Steiner August 22, 2025 12:32

The airline Condor, through its subsidiary Condor Holidays, has announced the introduction of a system based on artificial intelligence. According to the company, this makes it the first German provider to use such technology to create package tours. Developed by Neusta Data Intelligence, the system analyzes flight and hotel prices to automatically create travel packages. The goal is to present customers with offers that reflect current market conditions. The partner company HLX will continue to handle the operational processing of travel offers. Another innovation is a digital slider that will allow customers to customize offers according to their own preferences. This should enable a flexible response to demand in the travel market. Condor Holidays' move is a reaction to increasing competition in the industry. Other airlines, such as rivals Eurowings, are also expanding their package tour business. The use of artificial intelligence in this area is considered an indicator of the advancing digitalization of the travel industry.

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Parcel shipping in Austria continues to grow, letter volume shrinks

Jan Gruber August 22, 2025 12:09

A new annual report by the RTR Post Monitor confirms the ongoing trends in the Austrian postal market. In 2024, around 430 million parcels were transported in Austria, an increase of over 10 percent compared to the previous year. At the same time, letter volume continued to decline. Domestic letter mail fell by 6,1 percent to 480,9 million. According to the report, the development in parcel volumes is a direct result of the continued growth of online commerce, which is leading to an increasing number of goods being sent to private customers. In response to the rising parcel volume, the industry has massively expanded its delivery infrastructure. The number of pick-up points in Austria more than doubled to over 3.200 last year, placing the country in the middle of the European rankings. The report also points to a shift in consumer purchasing behavior away from brick-and-mortar stores and toward the internet. According to the authors of the report, the increase in cross-border online trade is leading to some of the added value in the Austrian economy flowing abroad.

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