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February 26, 2026

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February 26, 2026

Flydubai reports record profits and massive expansion of its route network

Amely Mizzi February 26, 2026 19:06

Flydubai, the UAE-based airline, has presented impressive results for the 2025 financial year. With a pre-tax profit of AED 2,2 billion (approximately USD 591 million), the company recorded strong profitability for the fifth consecutive year. Total revenue climbed by six percent year-on-year to AED 13,6 billion. This result was primarily driven by a record 15,7 million passengers carried and a strategic expansion into previously underserved markets. The Business Class segment, in particular, proved to be a key growth driver, with a 19 percent increase in demand. To solidify its market position as a central link in Dubai's aviation hub, Flydubai invested heavily in fleet modernization. In 2025, twelve new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft were delivered, bringing the total fleet size to 97 aircraft. The average age of the aircraft is just 5,5 years, ensuring high operational efficiency. A comprehensive modernization program for older aircraft was successfully completed to ensure a consistent passenger experience across the entire fleet. With an order for a total of 225 additional aircraft from Airbus and Boeing at the Dubai Airshow, the airline has also set its course for the next decade. The route network grew to 140 destinations in 58 countries last year. New destinations include Nairobi, Antalya, Riga, and Vilnius. Thanks to the close partnership with Emirates, over 2,5 million passengers were able to enjoy seamless connections via the joint network. Alongside this physical expansion, Flydubai has been driving digitalization: A fast and efficient online booking system is planned to be implemented from 2026.

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Linz: Subsidized flights to Frankfurt with DAT now bookable

Jan Gruber February 26, 2026 18:04

From March 29, 2026, Linz Airport will once again be connected to the international hub of Frankfurt. The Danish airline Danish Air Transport (DAT) will take over this strategically important route, thus ensuring direct access to one of Europe's most important air traffic hubs. The state of Upper Austria is providing subsidies for this. An ATR 72 aircraft with a capacity of 72 seats will be permanently based at Linz Airport for operations. This decision follows a period in which the connection was vacant after the withdrawal of the Lufthansa Group, which posed a particular challenge for Upper Austria's economy. The flight schedule includes a gradual increase in frequencies. While one flight will operate daily during the first week of operation due to the Easter holidays, the service will increase to twelve weekly connections from April to June. From July, the frequency will be increased to 14 flights, equivalent to two daily rotations. A further increase will take place from September 2026, when the route will be expanded to up to 17 weekly flights. During peak times, this means up to three daily connections, with which DAT is responding in particular to the needs of business travelers who rely on flexible connections at the beginning and end of the day.

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High passenger volume at the airport at the start of the Hamburg March school holidays

Stephen Steiner February 26, 2026 18:02

With the start of the March school holidays, Hamburg Airport is experiencing a significant increase in passenger numbers. The travel appetite of northern Germans is focused primarily on two contrasting segments: sunny destinations and classic winter sports regions. According to the airport operator, over 40.000 passengers are expected in the terminals on the peak days at the start of the holidays, particularly on Friday, February 27, and Sunday, March 1. With around 300 flight movements per day, operations are reaching a level that underscores the continued strong demand in the leisure travel sector. The Canary Islands and Egypt are the most popular destinations for holidaymakers due to their reliable weather. At the same time, connections to alpine regions remain a key element of Hamburg's flight schedule. With approximately 220 weekly direct flights to destinations such as Innsbruck, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, Bolzano, Graz, and Zurich, the airport is meeting the consistently high demand from skiers and mountain sports enthusiasts. For transporting the necessary equipment, the airport provides specialized oversized baggage counters in both terminals, although prior registration with the respective airlines is recommended. A clear trend is also emerging in the area of ​​long-haul travel, which is handled via the major hubs in the Middle East. Connections via Dubai and Doha give travelers access to a global route network with destinations in Asia, Africa, and Australia. To efficiently manage the increased demand during holiday periods, Hamburg Airport is increasingly relying on digital and automated solutions. These include over 30 self-service baggage drop-off machines and the "Slot & Fly" service. The latter allows passengers to reserve a time slot in advance free of charge.

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Emirates celebrates two decades of flight operations at its Hamburg base

Stephen Steiner February 26, 2026 17:02

Emirates will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its presence at Hamburg Airport on March 1, 2026. Since commencing scheduled service in 2006, the connection to its hub in Dubai has become a cornerstone of air travel in Northern Germany. What began with a single daily flight operated by an Airbus A330-200 was expanded to two daily rotations in September 2011 due to high demand. Over the past two decades, the airline has carried a total of 6,2 million passengers on approximately 22.500 flights and handled over 750.000 cargo shipments. Hamburg plays a special strategic role: In 2018, Emirates selected the Hanseatic city as the first German location to deploy its technologically advanced "Gamechanger" cabin on the Boeing 777. Emirates currently operates the Hamburg-Dubai route twice daily with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. These aircraft feature a three-class configuration and offer a cargo capacity of 17 tons per flight, closely linking Hamburg Airport to global trade flows. In addition to the direct connection to the United Arab Emirates, travelers primarily use the connection as access to destinations in Asia and the Indian Ocean. Particularly popular destinations include Bangkok, Mauritius, the Maldives, and Singapore. Hamburg's partner cities of Shanghai, Osaka, and Dar es Salaam are also efficiently accessible via the Dubai hub for both leisure and business travelers from Northern Germany. The partnership between Hamburg Airport and the Dubai-based airline is also reflected in the local infrastructure. Since 2009, Emirates has operated its own lounge at Hamburg Airport, which, at 900 square meters, is one of the largest.

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Air Astana strengthens cooperation with Airbus

Belinda Borg February 26, 2026 16:07

In February 2026, Kazakhstan's Air Astana Group will celebrate 20 years of its operational partnership with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Since taking delivery of its first A320 in 2006, the group's fleet has grown significantly and now comprises 59 aircraft from the Airbus family. This development underscores the airline's transformation into a market leader in Central Asia and the Caucasus. To secure future growth, shareholders recently approved the acquisition of an additional 25 A320 family aircraft. This move is part of a long-term strategy to modernize the fleet and increase operational efficiency in international competition. The collaboration between the airline and the manufacturer is considered groundbreaking for civil aviation in Kazakhstan. With its first direct order to Airbus in 2008, Air Astana sent a clear signal for the independence of the national aviation industry after 1991. A further technological milestone was the introduction of the Airbus A320neo in November 2016, making the airline one of the world's first operators of this technologically optimized variant. The group's fleet structure is now dual: While the full-service airline Air Astana operates long-haul and transit flights, its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan, founded in 2019, utilizes Airbus capacity for point-to-point regional connections. The Airbus A321LR, in service since September 2019, is of particular importance to the route network. With this narrow-body long-haul aircraft, Air Astana operates one of the world's longest non-stop routes for this type between Almaty and London, with a flight time of approximately nine hours. This range enables the group to serve a wide variety of destinations.

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Lufthansa Technik and Embraer are intensifying their cooperation on business jets.

Amely Mizzi February 26, 2026 15:07

Lufthansa Technik and Embraer have announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership. At the heart of the collaboration is the equipping of the new Praetor 500E and Praetor 600E business jet models with state-of-the-art cabin systems. Lufthansa Technik is acting as the central development and supply partner for the next generation of interiors. The cooperation covers the entire process from the initial concept phase through industrial design to series production. This strengthens the Hamburg-based maintenance group's position as a leading supplier of premium components for international business aviation. The technological centerpiece of the new cabin is the "Smart Window™," a 42-inch curved OLED touchscreen that is seamlessly integrated into the aircraft's sidewall. This system serves as a multifunctional interface, allowing passengers to control external cameras as well as regulate the entire cabin environment – ​​including lighting, climate, and connectivity. The system is complemented by "Omni-Fi" speaker technology. These membrane loudspeakers are invisibly integrated into the cabin lining and utilize a special ring mode converter technology to ensure omnidirectional sound dispersion despite their flat design. The digitalization of flight operations is supported by a new ground portal from Lufthansa Technik, enabling over-the-air updates and remote configuration of the cabin systems. This is intended to increase the operational efficiency of the Praetor fleet and facilitate adaptation to individual customer requirements. Embraer is also incorporating unique technological features into the Praetor family, such as a complete fly-by-wire system with active turbulence reduction. As a super-midsize jet, the Praetor 600E achieves an intercontinental range of over 7.400 kilometers, enabling nonstop connections between economic centers like London and New York. The collaboration between the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer and the German technical service provider builds on previous successful projects.

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Croisi Europe deploys paddle steamer for exclusive France routes for the first time

Amely Mizzi February 26, 2026 14:35

The European river cruise industry will experience a technological and touristic first in spring 2026 on one of France's most important waterways. Strasbourg-based shipping company CroisiEurope has announced that it will deploy a paddlewheel vessel on the Seine for the first time, starting in March. The RE Waydelich, a newbuild specifically designed for shallow waters, will use Paris as its central embarkation and disembarkation port, opening up sections of the Seine that are often inaccessible to conventional cruise ships due to their size. With a capacity of just 81 passengers in 42 cabins, the company is targeting a market segment that values ​​intimacy and unique nautical experiences. By combining traditional paddlewheel technology with modern jet propulsion, the ship achieves an extremely shallow draft, significantly increasing maneuverability in the narrow passages of the upper Seine. The launch will be accompanied by four themed voyages, each focusing on historical and cultural themes, some of which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the family-owned company. Technical Features of the RE Waydelich: The deployment of the RE Waydelich marks a strategic turning point in Croisi Europe's fleet planning for the French market. The ship utilizes a propulsion technology originally developed for the Elbe and Oder rivers to ensure adherence to the timetable even during periods of low water. The distinctive paddle wheel at the stern is not merely a visual nod to the era of paddle steamers, but a functional element of propulsion. Combined with a modern jet drive, this design allows for precise steering, enabling the ship to access berths directly in historic city centers that are closed to larger vessels.

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Eurowings expands flight offerings from Berlin-Brandenburg

Jan Gruber February 26, 2026 14:14

Eurowings has announced a major expansion at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). For the 2026 summer flight schedule, the portfolio will be increased to a total of 47 destinations, corresponding to over 230 weekly departures. A key component of this strategy is year-round connectivity to the Gulf region. For the first time, flights to Dubai will be extended beyond the traditional winter season. The airline will serve the emirate eleven times a week until the end of April, while six weekly connections will be maintained in May and June. Flights to Dubai from other German hubs such as Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, and Hanover will also be extended until mid-May, further strengthening the airline's position in traffic to the United Arab Emirates. In addition to long-haul routes, there is a strong focus on connecting European metropolises. Eurowings is establishing new nonstop connections from Berlin to London, Lisbon, and Sarajevo. Starting November 2, 2026, Rome will also be added to the flight schedule with four weekly flights. This measure aims to strengthen business and city travel from the German capital. At the same time, capacity to classic holiday destinations will be significantly increased. The route to Palma de Mallorca remains the most important connection in the network with up to 28 flights per week, carrying over 150.000 passengers annually. Destinations such as Olbia, Naples, and Kavala will also see increased frequencies or be newly integrated into the schedule. The growth strategy at BER is reflected in an increase in seat capacity to a total of 2,3 million for the current year – an increase of approximately 700.000 seats compared to the previous year.

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Police operation at Stuttgart Airport leads to widespread flight cancellations

Jan Gruber February 26, 2026 14:10

A police operation at Stuttgart Airport this morning severely disrupted flight operations, leading to numerous delays and cancellations. Around 10:30 a.m., the Federal Police ordered the early evacuation of the gate areas in the security zone. According to initial findings, the reason for the official action was an unauthorized individual who had passed through a security checkpoint without undergoing the required screening. This incident triggered the standard security protocol, which mandates a complete search of the affected terminals and a re-screening of all passengers and hand luggage that had already been screened. The evacuation affected not only passengers in the waiting areas but also those already on board their departing aircraft. All individuals had to be directed back to the public area of ​​the terminal. Only after a thorough search of the buildings by Federal Police officers were the security checkpoints reopened to the public shortly after 13:00 p.m. During the operation, large crowds formed in the check-in halls, resulting in significant waiting times for travelers. The impact on the flight schedule was considerable. According to airport management, approximately ten departures experienced delays of more than two hours. As a result of the disruption to processing, airlines had to cancel at least eight flights entirely later that day because crew times were exceeded or aircraft were unavailable for subsequent rotations at other airports. While incoming flights were not directly affected by the ground security measures, there were some delays in disembarking due to limited terminal capacity caused by the evacuation. Passengers who were scheduled to fly

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All Nippon Airways announces three new special liveries to celebrate the anniversary of Pokemon.

Amely Mizzi February 26, 2026 14:08

Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) and The Pokémon Company have announced a major expansion of their long-standing partnership to commemorate two significant milestones in their respective histories. In 2026, the companies will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon brand and the 40th anniversary of ANA's first international scheduled flight. To mark the occasion, three new aircraft with elaborate special liveries directly referencing the origins of the world-famous video game series will enter service throughout the year. The designs of the aircraft, named Pokémon Jet Red, Pokémon Jet Green, and Pokémon Jet Blue, are inspired by the colors and themes of the first editions of the games from 1996. This continues a tradition that began in 1998 and helped propel the Japanese market leader to global prominence. Beyond simply designing the exteriors, the project promises a deep integration of the theme into the entire travel experience, aiming to evoke nostalgic memories for previous generations while also attracting new audiences. Historic Synergies Between Aviation and Pop Culture: The collaboration between ANA and the Pokémon franchise is considered one of the most successful examples of co-branding in aviation. The announcement of the new jets coincides exactly with the three-decade anniversary of the release of the Red and Green editions for the Game Boy in Japan. Since the launch of the first Pokémon jet 28 years ago, ANA has designed a total of eight aircraft as flying ambassadors. Keiji Omae, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience at ANA, emphasized the emotional significance of this

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