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12/08/2025

UGT union calls nationwide strike at Ryanair ground handling in Spain starting August 15

The UGT union has called a nationwide strike at Azul Handling, Ryanair’s ground handling subsidiary in Spain, starting August 15, 2025, and continuing every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31.

The strike will impact all Spanish bases, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, Alicante, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife Sur, Lanzarote, and Santiago, during key time slots: 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, and 21:00–23:59.

The union cites coercion to work overtime, disproportionate disciplinary actions, lack of stable employment, and violations of labour rights as key reasons. Punishments of up to 36 days without pay for refusing extra hours have been reported. UGT also accuses the company of ignoring union agreements and obstructing family-work balance rights.

Mediation has been requested before SIMA, but UGT places full responsibility for the disruption on Azul Handling’s alleged abusive labour practices.

The UGT union has called a nationwide strike at Azul Handling, Ryanair’s ground handling subsidiary in Spain, starting August 15, 2025, and continuing

08/07/2025

According to the latest industry reports, the Caribbean continues to position itself as one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations in 2025. According to data from ForwardKeys (a leading company in air travel data), the international bookings to the region have experienced a 14% growth in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This increase is a direct reflection of the confidence that most travelers have in the Caribbean and what it has to offer, which is characterized by its stable tropical climate, improved air connections, and growing demand for high-quality all-inclusive experiences.

The Caribbean stands out for its tropical climate, which is mostly warm to hot temperatures all year-round and a seasonality that’s properly defined; this combination is key for attracting travelers, making planning a holiday easier and certain.

Discover why the Caribbean continues to dominate travel trends in 2025 with its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and unparalleled experiences.

26/08/2024

Oman Air Reveals Luxurious New Business Studios Replacing First Class

Middle Eastern carrier - Oman Air has unveiled its plans to introduce a new Business Class product named "Business Studio" which will be replacing the carrier's existing First Class product onboard its fleet in the near future. The carrier assures that the experience, if anything, will be world-class.

The Business Studio

Oman Air today, introduced its new Business Class product, christened - Business Studio, which the airline states will be "Next Level" and will soon replace the airline's existing First Class product. These new products will still retain the spacious layouts of the cabins and features such as lie-flat beds.

The carrier states that by replacing the First Class with these next-generation Business products, it will better cater to the needs of premium customers while making the fares more affordable. However, the product will still maintain the airline's award-winning hospitality and services onboard, making the experience premium whether passengers are traveling for business or leisure.

The new cabin will be featured on the airline's fleet of Boeing 787s and will be first featured on the airline's services to London and Bangkok starting September 9th.

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The new product will be launched in a few weeks at London Heathrow and then in Bangkok soon thereafter.

20/07/2024

Global Airlines And Airports Down Due To IT Vulnerability

What initially looked like an issue plaguing US airlines is now being reported globally and across industries. Airports and airlines in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and India, among others, are reportedly facing service disruption.

According to BBC’s Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman, cybersecurity company Crowdstrike, which produces antivirus software, “issued a software update that has gone horribly wrong and is bricking Windows devices - prompting the so-called "blue screen of death" on PCs.”

Global airlines and airports report problems

In New Zealand, Christchurch Airport has reported IT issues across several systems, which have affected departures and arrivals. In Australia, Melbourne and Sydney Airports, along with Virgin Australia, have also confirmed operational disruptions. European low-cost giant Ryanair also posted on social media about facing disruption across the network due to a Global 3rd party IT outage. A similar update was given by South African regional carrier Airlink on X.

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The IT issue now involves several global companies and businesses.

03/06/2024

Qatar Airways Named ‘Airline of the Year’ by Airline Ratings for 2024

Qatar Airways has been named the ‘Airline of the Year’ for 2024 by the leading industry organisation, Airline Ratings. In addition to the ‘Airline of the Year’ accolade, Qatar Airways has also won ‘Best Business Class’ for the fifth consecutive year, as well as ‘Best Catering’.

The yearly Airline Ratings awards include several key categories: ‘Best In-flight Entertainment’ and ‘Best Catering’, ‘Best Cabin Crew’, ‘Best Environmental Airline’, and ‘Regional Airline of the Year’. Airlines are assessed based on various criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, safety rating, product rating, innovation, and forward fleet orders.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We, at Qatar Airways, stand for delivering exceptional customer experiences, and it is always reaffirming to be recognised for our relentless pursuit of service excellence. Receiving the ‘Airline of the Year’ accolade by Airline Ratings has reinforced our commitment to innovation and customer care that defines our brand.”

Airline Ratings Editor-in-Chief, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “In our objective analysis, Qatar Airways came out number one in many key areas although it was a very close scoring for the top five. The passenger reviews however scored Qatar Airways ahead of all airlines and its consistency and high standard of service delivery came through in the feedback.”

Qatar Airways receives top honors as the ‘Airline of the Year’ by Airline Ratings, alongside awards for ‘Best Business Class’ for the fifth consecutive year and ‘Best Catering’. Recognized for exceptional customer experiences and service excellence, Qatar Airways stands out among 25 glob...

11/12/2023

EU Adopts Proposals To Improve Passenger Rights

The EU's European Commission introduces new rules for passenger rights.

SUMMARY

New regulations from the European Commission will secure the right to a refund, limit down payments, and improve communication from companies to consumers.

The regulations aim to protect passengers by ensuring refunds and repatriation if a travel package provider goes bankrupt.

The regulations also provide increased assistance and protections for travelers with disabilities, including requiring aid for multimodal journeys and allowing helpers to travel for free.

The European Commission, a governing body of the European Union, has enacted new rules based on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic plus the 2019 bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Airlines. The new rules promise to secure the right to a refund, limitations on down payments, and improved communication from companies to consumers.

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The EU's European Commission introduces new rules for passenger rights.

27/11/2023

Haneda Vs Narita - Which Tokyo Airport Is Best For Travellers?

Discover which of the two major facilities is best for your needs.

Air travelers going to Japan get a choice of flying into one of two major airports in the country: Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND). Both airports cater to international and domestic traffic and are some of the busiest airports in the region. The HND airport is the older one located in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, about 23 kilometers south of Tokyo city.

NRT is approximately 75 kilometers east of Tokyo, making the journey into the city longer and relatively more expensive (using public transport). Tokyo NRT offers more international flights, including those from North America and Europe, while HND provides travelers with a more extensive domestic network.

Simple Flying compares the two airports in terms of their flight networks, facilities, times, and accessibility to the city and other destinations in Japan. The purpose is to give travelers a good understanding of which airport suits their travel best to and from Japan.

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Discover which Tokyo airport is best for your needs.

31/07/2023

Passengers blocked for hours in Ryanair plane without air conditioning under 42 °C

Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Malaga to Milan Malpensa (FR4949 operated by Malta Air Boeing 737-800 registered 9H-QBN) experienced a nightmarish ordeal on July 19 when the aircraft’s air conditioning system malfunctioned. The plane remained grounded in the scorching sun for hours, with outside temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius.

Passengers suffered panic attacks and some even passed out due to the extreme heat. After three hours, an ambulance intervened, and passengers were allowed to leave the plane, while the delay increased to more than twelve hours.

Ryanair claimed the delay was due to a “minor technical problem.” An Italian influencer on board described it as the worst flight of his life, and a video of the incident went viral on TikTok, prompting the Codici association to investigate the airline’s actions. The association calls for passengers to assert their rights and demand answers and compensation from Ryanair for the distressing experience.

- https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/ryanair/passengers-blocked-for-hours-in-ryanair-plane-without-air-conditioning-under-42-c/

16/07/2023

Top 5: Which Airports Have The Best Duty-Free Shopping?

Airports across the globe have upgraded their retail shopping areas in recent years.

Airports utilize duty-free retail shops throughout their terminals to encourage passengers to make purchases. The duty-free retail stores allow passengers to enjoy tax-free shopping while waiting for their planes to depart. Airports worldwide utilize unique duty-free retail shopping experiences to encourage more purchases. Below are considered some of the top airports that provide great retail shopping experiences and deals.

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Airports across the globe have upgraded their retail shopping areas in recent years.

01/07/2023

Which Airlines Are The Most Likely To Allocate Adjacent Seats To Passengers Under The Same Booking?

Seat reservation fees are a common element of booking airline tickets. Are they necessary if passengers want to sit together?

As summer holiday plans close in, those of us with a propensity for procrastination begin our scramble to find airline tickets that are somehow both last-minute and reasonably priced. A seemingly impossible paradox, this poses no concern to you. You know your deal-hunting skills are the stuff of legends.

And sure enough, against all the odds, what seems like hours of masterful online sleuthing uncovers that elusive-yet-affordable deal, swimming in a sea of overpriced, peak-season fares. It’s a no-frills ticket class, but you don’t mind a little inconvenience before you deplane in paradise, you tell yourself. After all, the pile of cash it will save you can be put to much better use on holiday frivolities.

It only takes a few clicks, though, before the magic wears off and the fees pile up. Would you rather not spend your vacation doing laundry? Better pay the price to bring your luggage. How will your kids hold up without food on the cramped four-hour flight? It might be a good idea to reserve some meals.

Not all hope is gone just yet; you know the total price is still less than you’d pay on those other airlines. Then comes the final screen – seat selection.

Reserving seats may cost upward of $20 each, likely more for those located along an exit row or toward the front of the plane. You realize that if you, your spouse, and your three kids are going to sit together, you will have to shell out an additional $100 or more for that privilege. Your miracle fare has definitively lost its luster.

Seat reservation fees are a common element of booking airline tickets. Are they necessary if passengers want to sit together?

12/06/2023

Air New Zealand 787 Skynest Wins Crystal Cabin Award

Air New Zealand is on top of the world after its game-changing Skynest walked out with a top award.

The way airliner cabins are laid out has not really changed all that much for decades, so it is just reward that Air New Zealand has won an international award for its truly innovative Skynest. The Kiwis picked up the Innovative Cabin Concept segment in the 2023 Crystal Cabin Awards, which were announced on Tuesday at this year's Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

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Air New Zealand is on top of the world after its game-changing Skynest walked out with a top award.

13/05/2023

These Airports Were Deemed The World's Cleanest In 2023

Most of the world's cleanest airports are located in Asia.

While cleanliness at airports may not be top-of-mind for most travelers, an unclean terminal will definitely attract negative feedback and poor reviews. In March 2023, Skytrax World Airport Awards published its rankings for a wide variety of categories. From the best baggage delivery to best airport art, the aviation organization unveiled how airports around the world performed over the past year. So which facilities were considered by Skytrax to be the cleanest?

Ranking methodology information

SkyTrax controversy aside, the organization notes that its survey includes an examination of over 550 airports. For its 2023 awards, data was collected between August 2022 until February 2023. SkyTrax says that the customer survey is not restricted to member airports and that any airport in the world can be nominated in the survey free of charge. It adds that no payment or reward of any type is made to survey respondents, with all submissions on a voluntary basis.

While the firm offers an extensive list of criteria for all of its categories, the main broad points it will likely consider for the 'cleanliness' awards are:

Terminal cleanliness, floors, seating and public areas
Cleanliness of Washrooms
Hygiene standards

Global rankings: SkyTrax's world's cleanest airports for 2023

Without further delay, the following airports have been deemed the cleanest in the world according to SkyTrax and its survey results.

Most of the world's cleanest airports are located in Asia.