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May 22

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May 22

Onur Air's protracted insolvency: Employees still waiting for compensation

Stephen Steiner 22 May 2026 06:07

The crisis surrounding the former Turkish airline Onur Air continues to worsen, with approximately 1.800 former employees, including pilots and cabin crew, waiting for years for outstanding wages and severance payments. The insolvency proceedings of the company, which ceased operations in 2021, remain legally stalled due to conflicting court rulings. After the 2nd Commercial Court in Bakırköy initially declared the company insolvent, this ruling was overturned by an appeals court, only to be subsequently replaced by another insolvency decision from the 1st Commercial Court. This legal stalemate continues to prevent the conclusion of enforcement proceedings and the payment of the rightful claims to those affected. Former employees are particularly critical of the manner in which they were dismissed and the communication from management. Many employees only learned of their official termination of employment in April 2023 through a notification from the Social Security Institution (SGK). Previously, the workforce had been strung along for an extended period with promises of an alleged sale of the airline or the arrival of new investors. The dismissals were recorded in the social security files under the specific code "23," further complicating the legal proceedings. The case has now reached the political level, with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security responding to parliamentary inquiries only by referring to ongoing investigations. The economic repercussions affect not only the skilled personnel but also thousands of family members who have been plunged into financial hardship by the lack of payments. While the legal battles continue, the airline's remaining assets are rapidly deteriorating. Some aircraft from the fleet remain at Atatürk and Antalya airports.

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First delivery of the ATR Highline to Berjaya Air

Amely Mizzi 22 May 2026 05:31

The aviation industry is currently experiencing a shift in the perception of turboprop aircraft, which have traditionally been seen as utilitarian workhorses for short-haul routes. A milestone for this segment was reached in Toulouse on May 19, 2026: aircraft manufacturer ATR delivered the world's first aircraft with its newly developed Highline cabin to Malaysian airline Berjaya Air. This special configuration breaks with conventional seating standards and aims to bridge the gap between commercial aviation and the private jet sector. With a luxurious interior that operates exclusively at a business-class level, the ATR72-600 model positions itself as a specialized means of transport for high-end tourism and exclusive charter services. Berjaya Air plans to use these aircraft to transport guests directly from international hubs to remote luxury resorts. This move highlights a growing market potential for operators who, despite challenging infrastructure conditions at island airports, do not want to forgo a consistently premium experience. The technological realignment of the ATR Highline series: Toulouse-based aircraft manufacturer ATR responded to a specific market demand for greater flexibility in the premium segment with the introduction of the Highline series. While regional jets often reach their limits when it comes to short runways or economic efficiency on extremely short-haul routes, turboprops offer structural advantages in these areas. The Highline product line encompasses various configurations, ranging from pure VIP layouts to hybrid solutions. This flexibility allows airlines to adjust their capacity at short notice according to seasonal demand or special charter requests. A particular feature of the ATR72-600 built for Berjaya Air is the radical reduction in seating capacity. While a standard ATR72-600 typically has between 72 and 78 seats, the Highline series offers significantly more space.

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Air India commences flight operations at the new Ludhiana-Halwara airport

Jan Gruber 22 May 2026 05:07

Air India became the first airline to commence commercial operations at the newly opened Halwara Airport in Ludhiana on May 15, 2026. The Indian airline now connects the important industrial city in the state of Punjab with the capital, Delhi, twice daily. The inaugural flight from Delhi landed on the new runway at 07:03 a.m. local time, followed by the return flight to Delhi at 08:00 a.m. The airline is operating this route with Airbus A320 family aircraft, which offer significantly higher passenger capacity and increased travel comfort for the region compared to regional turboprop aircraft. The launch of this route is strategically linked to the international hub in Delhi. Flight times have been designed to allow passengers from Ludhiana seamless connections to Air India's global network. Destinations in Europe and the United Kingdom, including London, Birmingham, Paris, Milan, and Rome, are easily accessible through coordinated transfer times within the same terminal at Delhi Airport. Passengers benefit from through tickets, a uniform baggage allowance, and the option to check their luggage through to their final destination, significantly reducing administrative burden. Further research highlights the economic significance of the new Halwara Airport for the Indian aviation sector. Previously, travelers from the industrial hub of Ludhiana often had to use the more distant airports in Amritsar or Chandigarh, or endure long car journeys to Delhi. The opening of Halwara as a civilian enclave on an existing Indian Air Force base is part of a large-scale infrastructure program by the Indian government to improve regional connectivity. The investments in the

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AeroExpress connects Warsaw and Łódź every 15 minutes.

Jan Gruber 22 May 2026 04:37

Poland is facing an infrastructural realignment that will fundamentally change transport links between the capital, Warsaw, and the industrial metropolis of Łódź. At the heart of this development is the AeroExpress (AEX) project, a high-frequency rail system intended to serve as the backbone for Poland's planned new central airport and the growing Warsaw-Łódź Duopolis region. With a planned 15-minute frequency between Warsaw and the new air traffic hub, and a 30-minute interval to Łódź, this connection is projected to become the busiest rail line in the country. By 2035, experts anticipate approximately 30.000 passengers daily on the AEX services alone. To handle this capacity, the government is preparing an international tender this year for specialized rolling stock capable of speeds up to 200 km/h. The goal is to create a highly efficient, reliable, and affordable alternative for the general public to private car use and the more expensive high-speed trains. Strategic Integration into the Port Polska Program: The AeroExpress system is an integral part of the Port Polska strategic investment program, coordinated by the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) company. This program aims to merge air, rail, and road transport into a modern, integrated system. The new central airport, which will replace the existing Warsaw Chopin Airport, serves as the geographical and operational anchor point. According to Maciej Lasek, the government commissioner for the central transport port, the AeroExpress is intended not only to transport passengers to the terminal but also to revolutionize daily commuting between Poland's two largest metropolitan areas. The trains will perform three functions simultaneously: ensuring airport access for travelers, facilitating daily commutes, and

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Lufthansa plans to issue new euro bonds to raise capital

Jan Gruber 22 May 2026 04:06

The Lufthansa Group is preparing to issue new euro-denominated bonds to raise fresh capital on the financial market. According to financial sources, the company plans to issue senior unsecured bonds with a maturity of approximately 5,7 years. Discussions with investors have already been initiated to gauge interest and determine the terms. The exact target amount of the issue has not yet been officially announced, but this step is intended to secure long-term liquidity within the holding company. This strategic move comes at a time when the entire aviation industry is facing significant economic challenges. In particular, the ongoing pressure from rising kerosene prices is severely impacting airlines' operating margins. By issuing the new bonds, Lufthansa aims to optimize its financing structure and refinance maturing liabilities. Analysts are closely monitoring how the market reacts to the group's creditworthiness, as the interest costs for new issues depend significantly on assessments of future profitability. Raising debt capital through the bond market is a proven instrument for Lufthansa to ensure financial flexibility for future investments and ongoing flight operations. In recent years, the group has successfully issued several euro-denominated bonds to resume fully private financing after the period of government support during the pandemic. The current issuance is being managed by several major international banks, which are overseeing the placement with institutional investors such as insurance companies and pension funds. This financing measure is also driven by the general market situation in European air travel, which remains highly volatile. In addition to fuel costs, other factors are also influencing the market.

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