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Strange climate projects

guest Author July 23, 2024 05:28

When booking with the LH Group, if you have a bad conscience about flying, you can currently still decide: you can either book a "green fare" or you can donate a few euros to strange climate projects - but that will soon change. If you book on the Austrian website, for example, there are several fares to choose from: There are four economy and three business fares. The fares labeled "Economy Green" or "Business Green" are highlighted in color. They are not exactly cheap, but they are attractive: rebooking is possible with the eco variant, baggage and seat reservation are included, as is SAF fuel for more sustainable flying - is this the fare to ease your conscience? What does "SAF" mean? SAF stands for "Sustainable Aviation Fuel", which is produced without fossil components, e.g. from biomass, used oils, fats, but costs about three times as much per ton as kerosene. If passengers opt for the “Green” tariff, the airline buys the corresponding amount from ÖMV and uses it to fuel a flight every few weeks. The amount of SAF fuel purchased is extremely small, however. The Austrian press department has a restriction on this: only 20% of the “Green Fare” surcharge is used to purchase SAF, the other part is invested in “other climate protection projects”. Why is not explained. “The hut does not exist!” You can also participate in these “other climate protection projects” during the booking process without a “Green Fare”, after choosing a different tariff, by moving a slider from around €2 to €30. This means you donate to individual climate projects that are funded by the compensation provider Climate Austria (part of Kommunalkredit) according to

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Exploration flight over Venice

guest Author June 27, 2024 04:32

Egon Erwin Kisch is one of the best journalists in the German language. In 1925, almost a hundred years ago, a volume of summarized reports was published. The title of the book became his nickname: "The Racing Reporter". "How much more wonderful it is in the flying boat than in the airplane! There is no engine in front of me blowing its exhaust fumes into my nose and eyes, no propeller obscuring the view. The pilot sits far behind me and the pressurized engine rattles above him. (...) We are flying low, only 29.4.1885 meters." What Kisch describes here is flying in its original form. You feel with all your senses that you are in the air. Towards the end of the First World War, Kisch accompanied the Austro-Hungarian Army's reconnaissance flight from Istria to Venice in a seaplane as a press officer. This report is also part of the work mentioned above. Who was "the raging reporter?" Egon Erwin Kisch, born on 1913 April 1 in Prague, began a career as a crime reporter for Prague newspapers after two aborted studies and in the process became very familiar with the underworld. In addition to crime stories, he repeatedly published sensitive but factual milieu studies from Prague's slums and socially marginalized groups. As early as XNUMX, he made a name for himself by uncovering the military cover-up of Colonel Redl's suicide. In World War I, Kisch was drafted into the Imperial and Royal Army. After injuries on the Russian front, he came to Vienna as a press officer, where he increasingly developed into an opponent of the war and a declared communist. Becoming a communist in the press quarters The position in the press department offered interesting opportunities: Above all, there were

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Trip report: Braathens Regional Airlines – Klagenfurt Airport

guest Author 23 May 2024 04:38

It is Friday, May 10, 2024, and I am currently on the train on the way to Copenhagen Airport. From there, Austrian Airlines will fly to Vienna at 20 p.m. sharp and then directly to its final destination, Klagenfurt. The core topic of the report, however, is the subject of "Braathens Regional Airlines," which was hired by Austrian Airlines to operate feeder flights. Another focus is on Klagenfurt Airport. After landing on time in Vienna at 21:40 p.m., we go straight to Gate F06, where boarding for the flight to the Carinthian capital takes place. Departure is scheduled for 22:35 p.m. At this point, the entire terminal is already very quiet. Even on the display screen, only the Austrian logo lights up and there is basically no indication that a Swedish airline will be operating this flight. During the boarding announcements, the friendly lady at the counter briefly mentions in German and English that this flight is being operated on behalf of Braathens Regional Airlines. We passengers are chauffeured to the plane by bus. Since I like to out myself as a listening and curious person and always notice a lot of the overall situation, I can also say something roughly about the passengers present. I noticed three groups of languages ​​spoken. Firstly, of course, the Carinthian dialect, which I speak myself and grew up with. Secondly, a few men, all dressed in business attire, are sitting in a group, all speaking to each other in standard German.

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Vienna with 1,3 million overnight stays in March 2024

guest Author 25 April 2024 10:31

In March 2024, Vienna recorded 1,3 million overnight stays (+16%). In the first quarter of 2024, 3,3 million guest overnight stays (+13%) were counted. The net overnight stay turnover of Viennese accommodation establishments in February was around 57 million euros (+6%), and between January and February they generated around 125 million euros (+7%). March 2024 closed with 1.322.000 overnight stays, an increase of 16% compared to the same month in 2023. Between January and March, Vienna recorded 3.340.000 overnight stays - an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year. Looking at the source markets with the highest volume so far this year, Austria leads the top 10 list with 281.000 overnight stays in March (+12% compared to 2023), followed by Germany (285.000, +31%), Italy (74.000, +19%), the USA (65.000, +13%), Great Britain (54.000, +21%), Spain (45.000, +42%), France (33.000, +17%), Poland (24.000, +13%), Switzerland (28.000, +22%) and Romania (19.000, -3%). The net overnight turnover of Vienna's accommodation establishments amounted to EUR 56.948.000 in February - an increase of 6% compared to the same month in 2023. In the period from January to February, the establishments generated EUR 125.403.000 - 7% more than in the same period last year. The average occupancy rate of hotel rooms in March was around 63% (3/2023: around 57%), that of beds 48,9% (3/2023: 44,4%). So far this year (January to March), room occupancy was around 54% (1-3/2023: around 51%), and bed occupancy was 41,7% (1-3/2023: 39,5%). In total, around 72.500 hotel beds were available in Vienna in March – that was around 2.500 beds (+3,5%) more than were offered in March 2023.

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Vienna: New long-distance bus terminal is to be pushed forward

guest Author 25 April 2024 08:02

Long-distance bus travel is becoming increasingly popular and at the same time makes a significant contribution to environmental protection. The new Vienna long-distance bus terminal at Handelskai will also be well connected to the motorway network and public transport. It is intended to serve as a modern calling card for the city and bring together all international long-distance buses. In concrete terms, the decisions made at the beginning of the planning in 2019 are now being taken to implement this important infrastructure project for Vienna. On June 26, 2019, the Vienna City Council commissioned Wien Holding to implement the long-distance bus terminal project using the land designated for this purpose. On the basis of the orders from the Vienna City Parliament, consistent and intensive work is being carried out to further advance the construction of the Vienna long-distance bus terminal. The WH Fernbus-Terminal Projektentwicklung GmbH commissioned to do this has been repositioned within Wien Holding and now functions as a 100 percent subsidiary in the Wiener Standortentwicklung GmbH (WSE) network. A concrete plan for the Vienna long-distance bus terminal is currently being drawn up in accordance with the law.

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Comment on greenwashing: Why aviation is vastly superior to railways!

guest Author 25 April 2024 05:34

At a time when environmental awareness and climate protection are playing an increasingly important role, we are constantly being told that the railway is the greenest means of transport. But let us no longer cling to these illusions: aviation is breaking all records when it comes to outshining the environmental friendliness of the railway. Let us start with the greenwashing that has spread like a cancer in the railway industry. While railway companies celebrate their electrification and the use of green electricity, they persistently ignore the fact that a considerable proportion of rail power across Europe and worldwide is still generated from climate-damaging coal-fired power. The CO2 emissions from the production of railway power from coal-fired power alone are an ecological nightmare that the railway lobby likes to sweep under the carpet. But that is not all. Let us consider the proportion of rail traffic that is still carried out by diesel locomotives. Both across Europe and worldwide, this proportion is still alarmingly high compared to electrified routes. Why? Because it is more convenient and cost-effective to use diesel locomotives instead of investing in the necessary infrastructure for electrified lines. This is not an environmentally friendly decision, but a clear demonstration of the lack of real commitment to climate protection on the part of the railway industry. And then we have the highly harmful emissions of diesel locomotives. Nitrogen oxides, fine dust and other dangerous particles pollute the air and contribute to air pollution, thus endangering the health of people and ecosystems. The railway may seem cleaner at first glance, but the reality is quite different.

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Save on expenses: Choose the right travel credit card

guest Author 25 April 2024 05:00

The desire to travel is unbroken, and the Mediterranean is particularly popular as a holiday destination. But because of rising prices, Austrians will be paying more attention to spending and security on vacation in 2024. Credit cards play an important role in this. "A credit card is safer than cash and can offer a range of additional services that make traveling more pleasant and safer," says Christian Bammert, managing director of the Austrian comparison portal Capitalo. Such services include, above all, insurance cover for travelers. A second credit card is therefore increasingly being selected. A credit card offers a number of advantages, especially for vacations. First of all, paying with a credit card is easier than using cash. In non-euro countries, you save yourself the tedious task of converting a foreign currency on site. Credit cards are safer than cash - if the card is lost, it can be blocked quickly. Keyword security: Travelers have more than one credit card, the second card can be kept in another location. "Although the banks' account packages often already include a credit card, this usually does not offer the corresponding services," says Bammert. Additional services include travel insurance and discounts from providers such as car rental companies. In addition, a second credit card offers more freedom when it comes to purchases and additional services. For example, credit cards that are included in current accounts often do not offer mobile payment such as Apple Pay. The range of credit cards is growing, which is positive for travelers. On the other hand, choosing is not easy. Christian Bammert warns: “At first glance, the offers from credit card companies are similar, but if you look closely, there are some differences.

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Tips: Recognition of foreign boat licenses in Croatia

guest Author 24 April 2024 06:08

In Croatia, the Coastal License B is not only the official boating license, but is also particularly popular among Austrian holidaymakers. This boating license is an essential requirement for driving yachts and boats in Croatian waters and plays a crucial role in safety at sea. Official recognition: Not every Austrian boating license is automatically recognized in Croatia, including various club licenses, inland licenses, etc. It is therefore crucial that boaters find out in advance which licenses are valid in Croatia. The official list "Recognized certificates for operating boats and yachts" contains all recognized boating licenses in Croatia, not just those from Austria. Recommendation: Before traveling in Croatian waters, boaters should check the Croatian Ministry's website for information on the recognition of their licenses to ensure that they comply with the regulations in Croatia.

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Phylloxera Express starts the 2024 season

guest Author 24 April 2024 05:01

The Waldviertelbahn and the Reblaus Express will start the new season on May 1, 2024. Guests can expect a diverse mix of culinary, historical and entertaining program items on both railways. The early bird season ticket discount (minus 50 percent) is valid for both railways until May 31. "With our Waldviertelbahn and the Reblaus Express, our compatriots have many attractive excursion options. For families, sports enthusiasts and railway lovers, the two railways are a comfortable and safe way to enjoy their free time and discover Lower Austria. We are looking forward to a great start to the season," says Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer. The Waldviertelbahn is one of the most popular narrow-gauge railways in Lower Austria. It runs from Gmünd either to Litschau or Groß Gerungs and opens up numerous excursion destinations along the more than 120-year-old railway line. "In addition to the culinary and animal offerings, new themed trains such as the magician or the hammersmith train are starting. Also new is an exclusive combination offer with a guided tour of Litschau Castle, which is otherwise not open to the public. The popular Waldviertelbahn snack cart is of course not to be missed. Bicycles can be taken on board free of charge, but parking spaces on the train must be reserved," adds Lower Austria Railways Managing Director Barbara Komarek.

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Schneebergbahn starts the 2024 season

guest Author 23 April 2024 10:34

The Schneebergbahn will start its new season on April 27, 2024, and the Schneeberg chairlift in the Losenheim district will follow on May 1, 2024. The Schneebergbahn will take guests daily from Puchberg am Schneeberg station to Austria's highest station, the Hochschneeberg mountain station at 3 meters above sea level, until November 2024, 1.800. "Our Schneebergbahn is one of the most famous excursion destinations in Lower Austria. For our fellow countrymen and families, this traditional cogwheel railway offers an attractive leisure experience - an opportunity to switch off and enjoy the start of the 2024 season," says Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer. The new Schneebergbahn season once again offers early risers two fixed points to note: From April 27, the "Early Bird Ticket" will delight early hikers with a reduced rate for the descent until 12 noon. The "Alpine Sunrise" combination offer takes passengers to the Hochschneeberg before sunrise every Friday from July 5th to August 30th, including breakfast in the Baumgartner mountain hut afterwards. "From July 1st to September 30th, our nostalgic steam train will also be in service on all Sundays and public holidays in addition to the Salamander trains," adds Lower Austria Railways Managing Director Barbara Komarek.

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