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British Airways revises changes to loyalty program after criticism

British Airways has responded to widespread criticism of its planned spending-based model for its frequent flyer program by announcing that it will reverse some changes. Originally, the new system, which would link the awarding of frequent flyer status to spending rather than distances traveled, was intended to make the conditions for obtaining top status more difficult. This led to discontent among frequent flyers, as many travelers had difficulty achieving the status they were aiming for. As part of the adjustments, which are due to come into force on April 1, 2025, the name of the previous "Executive Club" will also be changed to "The Club." However, following criticism of the new rules, British Airways has decided to reintroduce an element of the previous system. In future, the number of flights taken will again play a role in awarding bronze or silver status. Travelers can therefore continue to qualify for these status levels by completing a certain number of flights rather than relying solely on their spending. This decision is a response to complaints from customers who found the spend-based model too restrictive. British Airways has responded to concerns and is now adapting its strategy to meet the needs of its loyal customer base.

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Gourmet voucher book celebrates its tenth anniversary with exclusive culinary experiences

The "2 for 1" gourmet voucher book of the premium lifestyle magazine "Signature" is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and is also presenting itself in the 2025 anniversary edition with an exclusive selection of first-class restaurants. The concept remains unchanged: in the selected restaurants, guests can enjoy two main courses for the price of one. The collection includes 180 vouchers with a total value of around 8.700 euros and gives gourmets the opportunity to discover Austria's top restaurants and save money at the same time. Editor Brigitte Cocyan emphasizes the magazine's years of expertise and the high quality of the selected restaurants, which makes the "2 for 1" gourmet voucher book a sought-after companion for connoisseurs. The new edition also personally presents twelve outstanding restaurants. Every month, gourmet expert and presenter Elisabeth Brandlmaier presents one of these restaurants and provides exciting insights into the best culinary hotspots in the country in a video review on the "Signature" social media platforms. The anniversary book is now available for 79 euros. With a print run of around 138.000 copies and wide distribution in top hotels and VIP lounges at international airports, the “2 for 1” gourmet voucher book has established itself as one of the most popular gourmet formats.

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Vinci exceeds market expectations for operating profit

The French construction and energy group Vinci significantly exceeded market expectations in 2024. Operating profit, measured as earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), rose by around eight percent to 9,0 billion euros, the company announced in Nanterre. Analysts had expected a smaller increase. Sales also increased by four percent to 71,6 billion euros. The bottom line was that profits increased by more than three percent to 4,9 billion euros. Vinci plans to increase the dividend by 25 cents to 4,75 euros. Management also expects further sales and profit growth for the coming year, excluding higher corporate taxes. The company, which operates airports in addition to construction and energy services, is benefiting from a recovery in passenger numbers, which are now back above pre-coronavirus levels. CEO Xavier Huillard was optimistic about the future and emphasized the potential for further growth in the coming years.

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Tuifly and Vereinigung Cockpit agree on new collective wage agreement

The pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has agreed on key points of a new collective wage agreement with the airline Tuifly. According to a circular from the union, which the editorial team of airliners.de has received, regulations on remuneration and annual increments have been made in particular. Accordingly, the remuneration tables are to increase linearly again in the future, and the remuneration of trainers and for additional flight hours will also be increased. However, no further details on the concrete implementation were announced. Another important part of the agreement is the extension of "Protocol Note Number 7", which deals with the provision and insurance of pilots. This agreement was originally due to expire at the end of 2024, but has now been extended by three years. The collective bargaining negotiations between VC and Tuifly therefore appear to be taking place without major conflicts. However, the final agreement is still pending. On the other hand, negotiations with the Verdi union for ground staff and cabin crew have not yet been concluded. Verdi recently rejected an offer from Tuifly and threatened to launch warning strikes in February 2025, as the employer's offer was not considered negotiable after the fourth round of collective bargaining.

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Air Busan searches after fire on board an A321

Following a fire on board an Air Busan aircraft that broke out on January 28, 2025, before departure from Busan to Hong Kong, Busan City Police conducted a search of the airline's offices on February 6, 2025. The two-hour raid was aimed at securing key information for a basic investigation and clarifying responsibilities. During the search, flight operations data and a passenger list were seized. Police are investigating who can be held responsible for the fire on board the Airbus A321-200, while a separate aviation accident investigation board is to determine the exact cause of the fire. The incident did not result in any fatalities, but destroyed the aircraft involved (HL7763, msn 3297). On the same day the search took place, Air Busan announced a change to its safety policy. Effective immediately, portable chargers are prohibited in the overhead bins and must be stowed in carry-on luggage under the seat. This is a first measure introduced after the incident, and other South Korean airlines are expected to implement similar rules. The Air Busan incident comes at a time when Korean aviation standards are under increased scrutiny following the fatal crash of a Jeju Air B737-800 in late December 2024.

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Emirates does not expect B777X deliveries before 2027

Emirates expects that there will be no deliveries of the new Boeing 2027X model until 2028 or even 777. Despite official information from Boeing, which suggests that the aircraft will be delivered in 2026, the Dubai-based airline is skeptical. Sources familiar with Emirates' financial and operational plans said that the first delivery could take place in the second quarter of 2027 at the earliest, but possibly not until 2028. Emirates is the largest customer for the Boeing 777X model, with a total of 35 B777-8s and 170 B777-9s on order. This puts the airline well ahead of all other customers, including Qatar Airways, which has ordered 60 B777-9s and 34 B777-8Fs. Deliveries of the B777X were originally scheduled to begin in 2020, but the model has still not received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The repeated delays in the development and delivery of the B777X have caused considerable inconvenience for Emirates. President Tim Clark criticized the problems and demanded that Boeing cover the costs of a comprehensive cabin renovation on the older aircraft such as the B777-300ER and A380-800. This is part of a larger compensation claim that the airline is making due to the years of delays. Boeing has received a total of 481 orders for the B777X, including from Air India, ANA, British Airways and Lufthansa. Nevertheless, the actual delivery of the first aircraft remains a major uncertainty.

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Korean Air achieves record revenue and increases operating profits in 2024

Korean Air achieved record revenue of KRW 2024 trillion (USD 16,1166 billion) and operating profit of KRW 10,96 trillion (USD 1,9946 billion) in 1,32. Particularly positive is the 159% year-on-year increase in operating profit in the fourth quarter. Net profit also returned to profitability, underscoring the company's successful business development. Despite a three percent decline in passenger revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to the ongoing recovery of global supply chains, Korean Air was able to secure its profitability. The airline strategically adjusted its capacities to the strong demand in winter tourism and expanded its premium service, leading to improved load factors. In the cargo business, Korean Air achieved revenue of KRW 1,1980 trillion, an increase of nine percent year-on-year. This was supported by continued strong demand from China in e-commerce and the seasonal increase in retail at the end of the year. Looking ahead to 2025, Korean Air expects uncertainty due to geopolitical changes but remains optimistic. The company is preparing for integration with Asiana Airlines to further strengthen its competitiveness as a leading global airline.

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Icelandair records strong passenger growth and record capacity utilization in January 2025

Icelandair achieved a significant increase in passenger numbers in January 2025. With a total of 264.000 passengers carried, the airline recorded an increase of 17% compared to the previous year. Capacity was also increased by 8%. Of particular note is the record load factor of 77%, which increased by 2024 percentage points compared to January 8. 29% of passengers travelled to Iceland, 19% came from Iceland and 45% used the flights for connecting flights. Despite a 3% decrease in revenue per passenger compared to the previous year - mainly due to the higher proportion of connecting passengers - Icelandair was able to compensate for the decrease with the improved load factor, resulting in higher revenue per passenger. Another positive aspect is the increase in block hours sold on charter flights, which increased by 96%, as well as a slight increase in cargo volume. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 11% per operational tonne-kilometer thanks to a more efficient aircraft fleet. Icelandair continues to expand and recently announced Miami as a new destination in North America. CEO Bogi Nils Bogason is confident that the company will continue to grow in 2025 and be able to offer its customers even more travel options. The high customer satisfaction achieved by Icelandair in the Icelandic Customer Satisfaction Index is seen as an incentive to continue improving the service.

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Scat Airlines sets course for Budapest

Budapest Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, announces the addition of another new airline and a new direct connection to Shymkent, Kazakhstan. From 27 May 2025, Kazakhstani airline SCAT Airlines will operate twice-weekly flights on this route on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The connection will be operated with modern Boeing 737 MAX 8200 aircraft, guaranteeing passengers a comfortable travel experience. This new route represents a significant milestone for Budapest Airport, adding a new airline, a new destination and another country to its network. The new service offers Hungarian travellers direct access to one of Kazakhstan's economic and cultural hubs. The connection is expected to not only boost tourism but also create new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation between Hungary and Kazakhstan. The new route to Shymkent underlines the growing importance of Central Asia for Budapest Airport. The airport aims to further expand its presence in the region and plans to develop further connections to key cities in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian destinations, strengthening Hungary as a key European hub for Central Asia.

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Discover Airlines receives German Design Award 2025 for outstanding design

Discover Airlines was awarded the prestigious German Design Award 2025 in the main category “Excellent Communications Design” last Friday in Frankfurt. The prize was awarded for the design of the brand, which was introduced as part of the rebranding in September 2023. The airline's “brand identity” was particularly recognized, which conveys a clear, modern and emotionally appealing visual identity. The German Design Award annually recognizes exceptional achievements in the fields of product design, communication design and architecture. Anne Platten, Marketing Lead at Discover Airlines, expressed her pride in the award and emphasized that the company's design approach relies on a strong visual identity that builds trust and emphasizes the joy of traveling. In June 2024, the company was also honored at the German Brand Award for “B2C Brand Strategy” and “Brand Strategy of the Year”. The German Design Award has been considered one of the most prestigious design awards in the world since its launch in 2012. Projects and products from 2025 countries were submitted for the 59 award, with the jury consisting of international design experts.

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