NEWS Report
IATA: airport security now back on agenda
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has admitted the debate on airport security will again open up in the wake of the Brussels bombings. Director general and CEO Tony
Tyler said the attacks on Brussels Zavantem Airport, which left 15 people dead, and a metro station in the city, killing a further 20, will again turn the spotlight on the safety of airports. However, he reiterated that the
safety and security of travellers remained a top priority around the world, while reminding the aviation
industry that it remains a target because of its ability to break down boundaries and better connect people. Speaking after the attacks, Tyler said: “Innocent people have been senselessly murdered in an attack on our humanity. Our thoughts are with the victims, and their families and friends.
“Questions of airport security will
surely arise. The safety and security of our passengers and employees is always top priority. “The aviation industry will continue
to work closely with governments as they fulfill their responsibility to
Wizz Air will operate out of Hamburg’s Fuhlsbüttel Airport
protect their citizens from evil acts with well thought-out and coordinated measures. “Aviation is a force for good. It brings the world together and fosters greater understanding of people and cultures. Those who commit terrorist acts know and fear this, and it is why air travel is so often a target.” The terrorists struck first at Brussels’ international airport at 8am local time when two suicide bombers detonated devices by check-in desks, ahead of the security zone for passengers heading airside.
The bombing was then followed about an hour later by a second suicide bombing at the Maelbeek metro station, which is close to the EU headquarters.
Alaska and Virgin America to merge
Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are to merge and create a major US west coast airline after the boards of directors unanimously approved a $4 billion deal.
Although described as a
Wizz Air to swap Lübeck for Hamburg
Wizz Air is moving its northern German operations from Lübeck Airport to Hamburg. Following the switch, the airline will use the city’s Fuhlsbüttel airport, the fifth busiest for passengers in the country, from the secondary airport north-west of Hamburg. The move is due to the ongoing financial issues at Lübeck Airport which has seen successive owners file for bankruptcy. Wizz Air will transfer its flights to Gdansk, Skopje and Kiev from next month and at the same time end its flights to Riga. It will continue to connect Hamburg to Gdansk with four flights a week and Skopje and
10 ISSUE 3 ROUTES NEWS 2016
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Kiev with twice-weekly flights from April 17, 2016. The airline is currently the sole
remaining scheduled user at Lübeck Airport since Ryanair switched its own operations in 2014. It has subsequently grown its presence from Hamburg Airport and will open a single aircraft base at the facility from winter 2016-17. “Northern Germany is an important
market for Wizz Air and we have found that a large percentage of our current passengers are coming from or going to places closer to Hamburg rather than Lübeck,” said Gyorgy Abran, CCO, Wizz Air. “This move to Hamburg, the second biggest city in Germany, will create further benefit to our travellers and support development of the economic engine.”
“merger agreement”, Alaska Airlines will take control of its rival operator after making a $57 per share cash deal to acquire Virgin America, representing a total equity value of $2.6 billion. Alaska said the takeover will give it an expanded west coast presence, a larger customer base and an enhanced platform for growth. It will also offer more customer choice as it increases Alaska Airlines’ existing footprint in California, bolsters its platform for growth and strengthens the company as a competitor to the four largest US airlines. The combined airline will also
offer more frequent connections to international airline partners’ departing hubs in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and will open up growth opportunities in important east coast business markets via better access to slot-controlled airports like LaGuardia Airport.
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