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Significant disruptions to regional train services to BER airport over the Easter weekend

Jan Gruber April 10, 2026 18:05

Reisende, die am Ende der Osterferien den Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (BER) nutzen möchten, müssen sich auf massive Behinderungen im Schienenverkehr einstellen. Aufgrund umfangreicher Bauarbeiten der Deutschen Bahn ist die wichtigste Verbindung zwischen der Berliner Innenstadt und dem Flughafen, der Flughafenexpress (FEX), am kommenden Wochenende vollständig unterbrochen. Die Sperrungen beginnen am Freitagabend um 21:00 Uhr und dauern bis Montagmorgen um 05:00 Uhr an. Diese Maßnahme trifft den Rückreiseverkehr der Osterferien empfindlich, da der FEX normalerweise die schnellste Anbindung vom Hauptbahnhof darstellt. Neben dem Ausfall des FEX sind weitere Regionalbahnlinien von den Baumaßnahmen betroffen. Der Regionalexpress RE20 verkehrt im genannten Zeitraum nicht zwischen dem Berliner Hauptbahnhof und dem Flughafen. Auch die Linie RB22, die Potsdam mit dem BER verbindet, ist unterbrochen; hier endet der Zugbetrieb bereits am Halt Ludwigsfelde-Struveshof. Wer aus der Berliner Stadtmitte zum Flughafen gelangen will, muss auf die Linien RB24 oder RB32 ausweichen, die über Berlin-Ostkreuz verkehren. Fahrgäste sollten jedoch beachten, dass auch diese Linien über den BER hinaus nicht weiterfahren, da Streckenabschnitte Richtung Blankenfelde und Ludwigsfelde ebenfalls gesperrt sind. Der Grund für die weitreichenden Sperrungen liegt in notwendigen Instandhaltungs- und Modernisierungsarbeiten auf dem Korridor zwischen Zossen und Schönefeld. Die Deutsche Bahn führt am Bahnhof Wünsdorf-Waldstadt Schienenschleif- und Kabeltiefbauarbeiten durch, während am Bahnhof Zossen Erdarbeiten sowie Gleisbauarbeiten auf dem Programm stehen. Diese Maßnahmen sind Teil der langfristigen Ertüchtigung der Dresdner Bahn, um die Schienenanbindung des Flughafens und die Fernverkehrskapazitäten Richtung Süden dauerhaft zu erhöhen. Trotz der kurzzeitigen Behinderungen ist das Ziel dieser Arbeiten eine höhere Zuverlässigkeit des Streckennetzes. Für

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Airbus records order boom in the first quarter of 2026

Jan Gruber April 10, 2026 17:06

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus concluded the first quarter of 2026 with a significant increase in deliveries and an exceptionally high number of new orders. In March alone, the company reported 331 firm orders, underscoring the industry's confidence in the capacity expansions planned for the coming years. Airbus delivered a total of 60 commercial aircraft in March, bringing the overall delivery figure for the first quarter to 114. The company is thus maintaining its ambitious target of delivering 870 aircraft to customers worldwide for the entire calendar year. A significant portion of the order volume is attributable to the US market. Cargo airline Atlas Air secured 20 of the new A350F freighter and also holds options for a further 20 of this type. Delta Air Lines also strengthened its partnership with the manufacturer with two large orders within a single month: At the beginning of March, the airline ordered 34 A321neos, followed by another 16 A330-900s and 15 A350-900s towards the end of the month. In addition, the leasing company AerCap, through its "NAS Aviation Services" vehicle, took delivery of a total of 100 A320neo family aircraft, most of which are intended for use by Frontier Airlines. At the same time, strong growth in the Asian air travel sector is further driving sales figures. China Eastern Airlines placed a significant follow-up order for 101 A320neo family aircraft, including 83 of the larger A321neo variant. Juneyao Airlines also expanded its fleet with an order for 25 additional A320neo and A321neo aircraft. Industry analysts interpret these figures as an indicator of a widespread recovery in global aviation, with highly efficient narrow-body aircraft playing a particularly important role.

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Criticism of special rights for airport expansion in Vienna-Schwechat

Belinda Borg April 10, 2026 16:03

The political debate surrounding land use at Vienna Airport is intensifying. At the heart of the criticism are the differing legal frameworks for large companies operating at the same location. While companies like OMV are subject to Lower Austria's spatial planning law when expanding their operations and must therefore negotiate with the local council, Vienna Airport AG utilizes the Federal Aviation Act for its expansion plans. This law allows for the expansion of operational areas, particularly for the growing cargo business, without the direct involvement of the affected municipalities or mandatory public consultation. Current project plans envision the airport developing over 47 hectares of new building land for industrial areas. Critics argue that this could circumvent local interests and spatial planning standards that apply to other industrial companies. While municipalities can contractually stipulate compensatory measures or noise barriers for regular rezoning projects, they are denied this option at the airport due to its special status under federal law. Furthermore, the financing of the new "Airport West" motorway exit is under discussion, as it remains unclear to what extent the public limited company will contribute to the costs, which are primarily borne by ASFINAG and thus by toll payers. The background to this development is a strategic shift within Flughafen Wien AG (Vienna Airport). With Airports Group Europe as the largest single shareholder, the current focus is less on the construction of the third runway and more on maximizing existing capacities and massively expanding the logistics infrastructure. This optimization strategy leads to an increased demand for space for office and warehouse complexes. Local representatives are therefore calling for a tightening of the law and a reassessment of what legally constitutes direct flight operations in order to restore municipal planning authority and ensure equal treatment for all stakeholders.

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TAP Air Portugal successfully completes restructuring plan with profit

Belinda Borg April 10, 2026 15:07

TAP Air Portugal, the Portuguese national airline, closed the 2025 financial year with a net profit of €4,1 million, marking its fourth consecutive year of profitability. Excluding one-off tax effects from new corporate tax rates, the adjusted net profit would have been €46 million. Operating revenues rose to a total of €4,313 billion, representing an increase of 1,2 percent compared to the previous year. This success was primarily driven by passenger business and a significant 10,7 percent increase in maintenance revenue. The airline was able to increase its liquidity to €765,3 million, thereby strengthening its financial stability in a market environment characterized by inflation and supply chain disruptions. A significant milestone was the official completion of the restructuring plan approved by the European Union. The European Commission confirmed that TAP had met all operational and financial requirements on time to restore long-term profitability. In this context, an extension until mid-2026 was granted for the sale of the stakes in the catering subsidiary Cateringpor and the ground handling company SPdH. In return, the airline commits to repaying approximately €25 million to the state shareholder. Successful restructuring is considered a prerequisite for the planned partial privatization of the airline, in which several major European airline groups have expressed interest. For 2026, management under CEO Luís Rodrigues is planning disciplined growth, with a stronger focus on the transatlantic network. The Brazilian market, in particular, is to be further expanded; two new destinations are planned, bringing TAP's total to 15 destinations in Brazil. At the same time, the airline is investing...

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Air Astana's fleet expansion: Delivery of another Airbus A321neo in Hamburg

Amely Mizzi April 10, 2026 14:05

The Kazakh Air Astana Group is consistently pursuing its expansion strategy and has taken delivery of a brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft was received directly from the Airbus plant in Hamburg-Finkenwerder and ferried to Kazakhstan. With this new addition, the group's total fleet, which includes the full-service airline Air Astana and the low-cost carrier FlyArystan, grows to a total of 63 aircraft. The capacity expansion primarily serves to handle increasing passenger volume and the strategic expansion of the route network in Central Asia and on international routes. By focusing on the Airbus A320neo family, the airline aims for a high degree of homogeneity across its fleet. This strategy enables significant cost advantages in maintenance, spare parts inventory, and crew training. Compared to its predecessors, the Airbus A321neo offers increased range and optimized fuel efficiency, which supports economical long-haul operations to Europe and Asia. The Air Astana Group is utilizing the new capacity for both its dense domestic Kazakh flight schedule and transit connections between the Middle East, India, and Western destinations. The fleet modernization is driven by the company's strong market position in the Caucasus region and Central Asia. As a publicly listed company, exhibiting on the London Stock Exchange as well as the trading floors in Astana and Almaty, the group is under pressure to continuously improve its operational efficiency. In addition to passenger transport, Air Astana is also expanding its air freight segment to better leverage Kazakhstan's geographic location as a logistical bridge between East and West. Industry accolades such as multiple Skytrax awards underscore the airline's commitment to maintaining its high standards despite its rapid growth.

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Aviation expert forum in Salzburg addresses economic location factors

Stephen Steiner April 10, 2026 13:07

To mark the 100th anniversary of Salzburg Airport, the industry platform Aviation Industry Austria is hosting a regional expert forum on May 7, 2026, at Amadeus Terminal 2. Under the title "An Airport as an Interface of Culture, Sport, and Business – For 100 Years," leading representatives of the Austrian aviation industry, as well as decision-makers from tourism and politics, will gather to discuss the strategic future of Austria's second-largest airport. The focus will be on the challenges of global competition for new airlines and ensuring regional accessibility for international guests. Since its opening in 1925, Salzburg Airport has established itself as essential infrastructure for the province. Current market data underscores its economic importance: as a key hub for winter tourism and the Salzburg Festival, the "Airgate" acts as an engine for local value creation. The expert forum will address the question of how regional airports can maintain their position in a volatile market environment with changing economic conditions. Discussions will focus on the necessary investments in handling infrastructure and the attractiveness of the location for both low-cost carriers and network carriers. The event's list of participants includes prominent figures from the industry, such as State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner and Julian Jäger, CEO of Vienna Airport and President of Aviation Industry Austria. Also represented are the operational management of Salzburg Airport, including CEO Bettina Ganghofer, as well as leading managers from international airlines, such as Edi Wolfensberger of Eurowings and Stephan Erler of Easyjet. The participation of Lukas Crepaz, Commercial Director of the Salzburg Festival, further underscores the close connection between air traffic and the region's flagship cultural projects.

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Lufthansa City Airlines and Verdi agree first collective bargaining agreement

Jan Gruber April 10, 2026 12:07

The newly founded subsidiary Lufthansa City Airlines has reached a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement with the Verdi union for its cockpit and cabin crew. The agreement, which comes into effect retroactively to April 1, 2026, secures a fixed pay structure for flight personnel until 2029. This initial agreement provides the company with the necessary planning security for the ongoing development phase and the planned fleet expansion. According to the company, the majority of employees chose Verdi as their negotiating partner, thus forming the basis for future social partnership. In addition to pay structures, the agreement also covers regulations on working conditions and company pension schemes. The collective bargaining agreements are strategically designed to strengthen the Lufthansa Group's competitiveness in the fiercely competitive European short-haul market. Uniform working conditions for cockpit and cabin crew are intended to achieve greater operational stability, which is particularly important at the Munich and Frankfurt hubs. Lufthansa City Airlines acts as a feeder airline, aiming to compete against price-aggressive rivals through an optimized cost structure. The agreement also includes provisions for performance-based compensation, directly linking the company's economic performance to employee remuneration. Additional market analyses demonstrate that this collective bargaining agreement is also a response to the tight labor market in the aviation industry. To achieve its ambitious growth targets, the company must be perceived as an attractive employer in Germany. Chief Operating Officer Peter Albers emphasized that the agreement provides a stable foundation for creating additional jobs and career opportunities. At the same time, cost pressures in the short-haul segment remain high, which is why the three-year term gives management the necessary flexibility to...

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Passenger growth at Berlin Brandenburg Airport despite regional crises and warning strike

Jan Gruber April 10, 2026 12:07

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) recorded an increase in passenger numbers in March 2026, despite significant external factors impacting flight operations. With a total of 1,98 million passengers, traffic rose by 1,2 percent compared to March of the previous year. This increase reflects robust demand in European travel, which offset the negative effects of geopolitical tensions and isolated strikes. Nevertheless, the military conflict between Iran and its adversaries, as well as a large-scale warning strike by the ver.di union on March 18, left a clear mark on the capital's airport's operational performance. The number of flight movements declined by 3,6 percent during the reporting period to approximately 14.700 takeoffs and landings. This decline was primarily due to massive flight cancellations to the Middle East. Because of the unstable security situation in Iranian airspace and adjacent regions, airlines canceled around 450 flights. This particularly affected major hubs such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, but also direct connections to Tel Aviv and Beirut. Additionally, the one-day warning strike on March 18th led to the cancellation of approximately 430 flights, as security checks and ground handling services largely came to a standstill, forcing thousands of travelers to rebook. The impact on freight traffic was especially drastic. Cargo handling at BER (Berlin Brandenburg Airport) plummeted by a third in March 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year, falling to 2.900 tons. Since a significant portion of air freight in Berlin is transported as cargo on passenger aircraft, the canceled long-haul flights to Asia and the Middle East resulted in an immediate capacity shortage. Industry experts also point out that the altered flight routes to circumvent the situation...

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Austrian Airlines uses Boeing 777s on short-haul German routes

Jan Gruber April 10, 2026 11:09

Austrian Airlines will increase its presence on high-frequency routes between Vienna and Germany in May and June 2026 by strategically deploying wide-body aircraft. According to a report by Aeroroutes.com, the Boeing 777-200ER, the largest long-haul aircraft in the Lufthansa subsidiary's fleet, will be used on selected flights to Frankfurt and Berlin-Brandenburg. Flights to Frankfurt will commence from May 13th to 17th, with the aircraft replacing regular medium-haul aircraft on Wednesdays and Sundays. This measure primarily aims to manage peak demand for business and feeder travel to the Frankfurt hub. The deployment of the "Triple Seven" is planned to be even more extensive on the Berlin route. From May 2nd to 8th and from May 16th to 22nd, the Boeing will operate flights between Vienna and the German capital on Fridays and Saturdays. Additional rotations are scheduled for May 29, June 19, and a multi-day period from June 10 to 12. By switching from Airbus A320 family aircraft to the significantly larger Boeing 777, Austrian Airlines is increasing its seat capacity per flight from approximately 180 to over 300 seats. This allows the airline to handle the high passenger volume without requiring additional takeoff and landing slots at already heavily congested airports. This operational decision is based not only on pure capacity management but also on logistical necessities and crew training. The use of long-haul aircraft on short-haul flights is often employed to train pilots and cabin crew on the specific procedures of the aircraft type or to transport larger quantities of passengers.

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Swiss uses wide-body aircraft on European short-haul routes

Amely Mizzi April 10, 2026 10:01

Swiss International Air Lines is planning a significant capacity expansion on selected European routes from its Zurich hub for the current 2026 summer flight schedule. According to current industry data from Aeroroutes, wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A330, A340, and A350 will be deployed on a total of seven routes on a temporary basis. These operational adjustments primarily serve to manage peak demand during the main travel season and to train crews on the new aircraft types. In particular, the Airbus A350-900, the Swiss airline's newest fleet member, will be seen more frequently on the European network. According to current plans, the Airbus A350-900 will operate the Düsseldorf route on Mondays and Wednesdays until October 21. The routes to Hanover, Nice, and Prague will also be served by the modern long-haul jet on a temporary basis. While Hanover will be served on Tuesdays in October, the Nice route will be concentrated in the summer months of July and August. Prague will benefit from an even higher frequency, as the Czech capital will be served by the wide-body aircraft three days a week. Using these aircraft on short-haul routes allows the airline to carry significantly more passengers per flight without requiring additional take-off and landing slots. This service is complemented by the deployment of the Airbus A340-300 on popular holiday routes to Spain. Alicante and Málaga will be served every Saturday, with Málaga being the focus during two periods extending into late October. A one-off flight with an Airbus A330-300 is also planned for the Stockholm-Arlanda route on May 17th. The purpose of these deployments is not only to manage capacity but also to optimize flight operations.

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