Stephen Steiner

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Stephen Steiner

Boeing expands presence in Everett despite job cuts

According to media reports, the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has leased additional space in the Bridge Point Everett 500 Building A, a building complex located in the immediate vicinity of its aircraft assembly plant at Paine Field in Everett. The company will now occupy a total of 25.910 square meters in the facility. This news of the leasing of additional premises comes amid ongoing staff reductions at Boeing. Boeing itself has not yet provided any information on the intended use of the newly leased space. The independent real estate firm Kidder Mathews first reported on the transaction. The Bridge Point Everett 500 complex was completed in 2023 and consists of three warehouses with a total area of ​​approximately 44.410 square meters. The leasing of the additional space raises questions as it comes at the same time as significant job cuts at the aircraft manufacturer. Conflicting Signals: Expansion and Job Cuts in Everett In October 2024, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced plans to reduce 2025 percent of the company's workforce. The Everett plants have already been affected: According to a report in the Everett Herald, a total of 1.422 employees lost their jobs in two waves in January and February 747. These layoffs were justified by adjustments to the current financial situation and a more focused prioritization of the company. The Everett site is known for having the largest production building in the world by volume, where iconic aircraft models such as the Boeing 767, 777, 787, and the 1967 Dreamliner were assembled. In addition to the main assembly plant, the site includes important production areas such as paint shops, a runway, and a delivery center. The main building was built in 747 for the production of the Boeing XNUMX and now covers an area of ​​approximately

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Jet2 flight lands safely in Faro after hydraulic problem

A Jet2 flight, aircraft LS251, en route from Leeds Bradford in the United Kingdom to Faro in Portugal, was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Faro on the morning of May 12. The pilots had previously reported a hydraulic system failure and a possible flap malfunction. The Boeing 737-300, registration G-GDFN, was carrying only 24 people. The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported. As a precautionary measure, emergency protocols were activated, dispatching 50 emergency personnel and 21 vehicles to the airport. Following the aircraft's safe landing, investigations were launched to determine the exact cause of the reported technical problems. Air traffic at Faro Airport was not significantly disrupted by the emergency landing.

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Court rejects Boeing's motion to dismiss Alaska Airlines passengers' lawsuit

A Washington Superior Court judge has rejected Boeing's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit by passengers aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which suffered a mid-flight door stopper failure last year. The plane suffered an uncontrolled decompression and was forced to make an emergency landing. The judge's decision allows the plaintiffs to continue their case and attempt to prove that the defendants' actions were intentional or reckless and to recover damages. The judge denied Boeing's motion to dismiss the 38 passengers' claims for "intentional infliction of emotional distress," as well as similar motions by Alaska Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems. The lawsuit was originally filed in January 2024 by the law firm Stritmatter on behalf of six passengers, just days after the incident. The number of represented plaintiffs has since grown to 38 passengers and 14 family members, and the case has been moved to federal court. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and Spirit AeroSystems (the manufacturer of the doorstop) for negligence, product liability, fraud, and corporate malpractice. The most recent hearing was to assess the plaintiffs' claim for "outrage" under Washington state law. The defendants argued that the plaintiffs' allegations did not meet the legal threshold for "outrage," which requires conduct "so monstrous in character and so extreme in degree that it exceeds all possible bounds of decency and must be considered abhorrent and utterly intolerable in a civilized community." The judge dismissed

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Charity dinner at “Am Hof ​​8” raises funds for ME/CFS research

The exclusive private members club "Am Hof ​​8" in Vienna recently opened its doors for a special charity dinner in support of the Ströck family's WE&ME Foundation. At the event, head chef Michael Piroska created a multi-course gourmet menu featuring specialties from the Hoedl butcher shop and Thorhof Fisch & Wild, as well as fine wines from the Viennese sparkling wine manufacturer Kattus and the Wieninger and Markowitsch wineries. Transgourmet and the Ströck bakery also supported the benefit dinner with their products. The idea for this charitable evening arose from the friendship between head chef Piroska and the Ströck family, who themselves suffer from the chronic illness Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). In total, the dinner at "Am Hof ​​8" raised 4.500 euros for research into and treatment of ME/CFS. This little-researched disease affects up to 80.000 people in Austria and can have severe consequences. The WE&ME Foundation, founded by Gabriele and Gerhard Ströck, has been committed to scientific research, patient care, and necessary changes in the healthcare system for five years. Gabriele and Gerhard Ströck expressed their gratitude for the initiative and emphasized the importance of such events in raising awareness of ME/CFS and gaining new supporters. Johannes Kattus, founder of "Am Hof ​​8," emphasized that the club aims to be a platform for relevant social issues and that ME/CFS makes participation in social life impossible in severe cases. The WE&ME Foundation was founded in 2020 and is committed to basic research in the field of ME/CFS, as well as to improving patient care and creating

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New Managing Director for Operations at BER Airport appointed

The Supervisory Board of the airport operator FBB has appointed István Szabó as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). He is expected to assume the responsibilities of his predecessor, Thomas Hoff Andersson, in autumn 2025. With this personnel decision, FBB is relying on an experienced expert who has already successfully optimized operational processes at another European airport. Experience from Budapest should drive BER forward. István Szabó brings extensive expertise from his previous position at Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport, where he served as Managing COO and Chief Passenger Services Officer. During his time in Budapest, the airport was twice named the best European airport in the category of 2022 to 2024 million passengers per year in the ACI Airport Service Quality Ranking, in 15 and 25. Furthermore, with his involvement, Budapest Airport achieved a four-star rating from the rating agency Skytrax. These successes underline Szabó's expertise in operational business and in the implementation of quality initiatives. István Szabó began his professional career in 2005 as Managing Director of the security service provider I-SEC Hungary. He is fluent in German and English. From 2016 to 2020, he was responsible for airport security in Budapest as Chief Security Officer. Since 2020, in particular, as Chief Passenger Services Officer and Managing COO, he has been significantly involved in the introduction of quality improvements, including Remote City Check-in and the establishment of so-called Care Zones for passengers. His academic training includes studies in law and political science in Budapest. He is also a qualified European Aviation Security Manager and completed the

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Costa modernizes fleet and sells Costa Fortuna

Costa Cruises will complete a comprehensive fleet modernization program in November and simultaneously plan a restructuring. The Costa Serena, currently operating in Asia, will embark on a world cruise from Tokyo to Buenos Aires in 2025 and 2026 following its dry-dock modernization in November 2027, before returning to the Mediterranean in spring 2027. As part of this redesign, Costa will hand over the Costa Fortuna, the oldest ship in the fleet, to a new owner in September 2026. The modernization of the Costa Serena includes a new gastronomic concept with a central food court, restaurants by Michelin-starred chefs, a pizzeria, and a sushi bar. The main restaurants, pool areas, and suites will also be redesigned. Costa says it has invested over €2021 million in fleet renewal since 200. With the sale of the Costa Fortuna, a ship with a capacity of approximately 2.700 passengers, Costa aims to focus resources on modernized and more in-demand offerings. According to the company, Costa's strategy is focused on quality, innovative itinerary concepts, and more sustainable operations. The return of the modernized Costa Serena to the Mediterranean is intended to strengthen the offering in core European markets. The Costa Fortuna will remain in service until handover to the new owner in September 2026 and will offer cruises to Greece and Turkey in summer 2026 and to the Canary Islands in winter, as planned. The buyer of the Costa Fortuna has not yet been announced.

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Pegasus Airlines expands flight offerings to Germany and Switzerland

The Turkish airline Pegasus Airlines is expanding its route network to Germany and Switzerland. As reported by the portal "Aeroroutes," Pegasus Airlines will launch a new weekly connection from the Turkish capital Ankara (ESB) to Basel-Mulhouse Airport (BSL) on June 11, 2025. Shortly thereafter, starting June 21, 2025, another weekly flight connection will follow between Samsun (SZF) on the Turkish Black Sea coast and Berlin (BER). This announcement underscores the airline's commitment to strengthening its presence in Central Europe and offering travelers additional direct connections. New direct connections from Ankara and Samsun The new route from Ankara to Basel-Mulhouse, which will be operated once a week, will provide travelers from the Turkish capital with a direct connection to the trinational region on the Upper Rhine, which includes Switzerland, parts of France and Germany. Basel-Mulhouse is an important economic center and also offers cultural attractions. The introduction of this connection could be of interest to both business and leisure travelers. The second new route introduced by Pegasus Airlines connects Samsun with Berlin. Samsun is an important port city on the Turkish Black Sea coast and an economic center of the region. The planned weekly connection to Berlin, the German capital with its diverse cultural offerings and its importance as a European hub, should be attractive to both Turks living in Germany and German holidaymakers and business travelers. Pegasus Airlines further expands European route network Pegasus Airlines, a Turkish low-cost airline headquartered in Istanbul, is continuously expanding its route network in Europe. In addition to the now announced connections to Basel-Mulhouse and Berlin,

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ADV passenger survey: Destination traffic in Germany at historic low

The German Airport Association (ADV) published the first results of its current passenger survey in Berlin, which show that destination traffic at German airports has reached a historic low. While the share of incoming passengers, i.e., those travelers who visited Germany by plane, rose to 2017 percent of total passenger traffic until 32, this share has now fallen to just 21 percent. The ADV sees this as a clear sign of inadequate services in Germany. ADV Managing Director Ralph Beisel warned that Germany must recognize that any strengthening of air transport contributes to greater prosperity and growth. He pointed to Sweden, where the air travel tax was abolished, and emphasized the importance of European and intercontinental guests for German tourism. The 2024 survey shows that Germany, once an attractive travel destination, has experienced a downward trend since the pandemic. The federal government must also consider air transport in its efforts to strengthen Germany's attractiveness as a travel destination. The survey also revealed that private travelers represent the largest group in air travel, accounting for four out of five passengers. The share of vacation and recreational trips grew moderately compared to the previous ten years. Growth in private travel is primarily driven by visits to friends and relatives, as well as city trips, events, and cultural trips. The share of business trips, on the other hand, has fallen by 2014 percentage points to just 15 percent since 20. The most important means of transport to the airport remains the car, at 48 percent. The facilities at airports, particularly restaurants and shopping opportunities, are very popular. For the comprehensive representative passenger survey, over 125.000 departing passengers at German airports were interviewed last year.

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Nord Drivesystems optimizes baggage handling systems for airports

To support airports in designing energy-efficient baggage handling systems, the northern German company Nord Drivesystems offers the Nord Eco Service. This service provider, which specializes in innovative drive solutions for over 100 industries, makes a significant contribution to increasing efficiency in this important area of ​​airport logistics. The Nord Eco Service has already helped numerous companies improve the performance and energy efficiency of their systems through modernization and reduce the variety of components used. Potential for energy savings in drive systems "Baggage handling systems often offer savings potential, especially when considering the drive technology," explains Jörg Niermann, Head of Marketing at Nord Drivesystems. "We offer our Nord Eco Service to optimize existing systems and find the best drive solution." The Nord Eco Box carries out comprehensive measurements over a period of at least two weeks. Based on continuous loads, peak loads, and irregular conditions, it is determined whether the dimensioning of a system meets the requirements of the respective application. "We often encounter drive systems that are significantly oversized for the application in question, and we develop a new solution," adds Niermann. After installing an alternative system, a comparative measurement is carried out, followed by an analysis. Measurable results with Nord Eco: At an airport that was already using an energy-efficient drive concept with an IE3 motor, measurements with Nord Eco Service showed that almost 5 percent energy could be saved by using a DuoDrive solution with an IE20+ motor and a NordAC Link decentralized frequency converter. After a comparative measurement of both systems over a period of just over a year, a savings potential of 590 kilowatt hours was identified.

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Gas leak temporarily paralyzes flight operations at Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden Airport

A leak in a gas pipeline approximately 1,6 kilometers south of the Baden-Airpark site led to significant restrictions on flight operations at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB) today, Tuesday. Takeoffs and landings were possible between 11:50 a.m. and 15:50 p.m., but due to wind conditions, mostly only small aircraft were allowed to operate. Almost all scheduled passenger flights had to be canceled during this period. Disruptions and flight cancellations lasting hours: The airport announced that flight operations resumed at 15:50 p.m. after approval from the responsible authorities. However, significant delays to the flight schedule are expected until late in the evening due to the previous disruption. Flight operations are not expected to return to normal until Wednesday morning. In total, the disruption at FKB affects twelve arrivals and twelve departures, disrupting the travel plans of over 4.000 passengers. Some arriving aircraft were diverted to Frankfurt-Hahn and Stuttgart, from where bus transfers were organized for the passengers. According to initial information, the gas leak occurred during excavation work on a major pipeline between Rheinmünster-Stollhofen and Schwarzach, just about two kilometers from the airport grounds. However, the fire department gave the all-clear, stating that there was no danger to people and no evacuations were necessary. The energy supplier Badenova was on site and set up a bypass to divert the escaping gas without having to shut down the main pipeline. The affected area was cordoned off. Passengers should check online. Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport urged affected passengers to check the airport's website for the current status of their flights.

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