Transport Infrastructure

Passenger Transportation Services

Passenger Transportation Services

EU Aviation body reinstates Middle East flight warnings as fighting resumes

As the U.S. - Iran war erupted again, the European Union 'Aviation Safety Agency' (EASA), on Tuesday, reinstituted and?toughened their warning to airlines in the Middle East. They told them?to avoid?the airspace?"of Bahrain,??Kuwait?, Qatar?, the United Arab Emirates?and over the Gulf of Oman?. EASA retracted its previous advisory just a week before, following a temporary easing of regional tensions due to the interim ceasefire signed between Washington and Tehran last month. In that warning, airlines were asked to be cautious when flying in the airspace of Israel, Jordan and Oman. The new,?restrictive warning is valid until the 29th of July....

Passenger Transportation Services

Frontier Airlines joins Starlink in a bid to attract travelers

Frontier Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will begin installing in-flight Wi Fi?across its fleet?in early 2027. In a bid to compete with Amazon's Kuiper, the Denver-based airline has signed up with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer in-flight Wi Fi. As airlines compete for customers, they are increasingly turning to high-end amenities. ?Frontier launched Starlink after the airline introduced first-class seats and?loyalty programs aimed at attracting higher spenders. In a recent statement, Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Dempsey stated that "we're continuing to make investments in the products and services most important to our customers." The terms of the agreement were...

Passenger Transportation Services

Travel restrictions tightened as Ebola threat rises

World Health Organization declared on May 17, 2014, that the Ebola outbreak is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in?the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also stated that there was a very high risk of it spreading to neighboring countries. This decision has led governments to increase travel-related 'containment' measures. The following is a list of?travel restrictions and screening steps announced by various?countries, as well as?measures taken by airlines. Travel Bans/Restrictions UNITED STATES On July 13, the U.S. announced that it would block American citizens living in the DRC, from flying back to the United States via commercial flights....

Passenger Transportation Services

Aena's Spanish Airports served 31.6 millions passengers in June

Aena, the airport operator, reported that 31.6 million passengers traveled through its Spanish 'airports' in June. This is 3.8% more than the same month last year. The growing passenger numbers in Spain highlight the country's resilience as an international tourism hub, even though other countries are struggling with geopolitical instability, delays in aircraft deliveries, labour shortages, and increasing?operational expenses that have slowed capacity growth. * The number of passengers increased by 3.7% to 156.2 million in the first half of 2026. This is slower than the rise of 4.5% a year earlier Adolfo Suarez Barajas, the airport at Madrid, was...

Passenger Transportation Services

Documents show that China's ICBC wants to return four 737 MAX aircraft leased by SpiceJet.

Two Irish companies owned by the leasing arm of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China have asked the Indian aviation regulator to deregister the four Boeing 737 Max aircraft leased to SpiceJet. The notices were made public on Monday by the regulator. They are a test for a law that India passed last year to make it easier to "repossess" aircraft by lessors. Sky High LXXX Leasing Company Ltd, Sky High LXXVIII Leasing Company Ltd did not explain why they wanted to be deregistered. Corporate records show that ICBC Financial Leasing is the parent company of the two companies....

Passenger Transportation Services

Norwegian Air Shuttle announces a larger-than-expected quarter loss

Norwegian Air Shuttle, a budget airline, reported a larger-than-expected operating loss for the quarter on Tuesday. The increase in fuel prices and the Supreme Court of Norway's decision regarding ETS obligations from 2020 were to blame. Norwegian's result was a dramatic reversal of its performance a year earlier, when it had made a profit?of 1.25 billion crowns during the period April-June and announced that it would pay its first ever dividend. Norwegian's operating losses were 603 million Norwegian crowns (about $61.7 million) in the second quarter. This was higher than the 517 million crowns loss that analysts expected. Budget airline...

Passenger Transportation Services

Sources say that Riyadh Air is looking at ordering 25-30 Boeing 787s as well as more Airbus.

Industry sources say that Riyadh Air is looking at acquiring between 25 and 30 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, by utilizing its contractual rights with the U.S. aircraft manufacturer. It may also increase its Airbus order list. The airline, which last week conducted 'its first commercial revenue flight', has ordered up to 72 Boeing Dreamliners by 2023. This includes 39 definitive orders and options for another 33. Sources said that Riyadh Air could announce its intention to convert the majority of these options into outright purchase as soon as next week at the Farnborough Airshow. However, they warned that details are...

Passenger Transportation Services

UN shipping agency opposes any fees in the straits after Trump plans Hormuz fee

The?U.N. The 'U.N. Trump stated in a post on Truth Social that the process would start immediately. He did not elaborate. A spokesperson for the United Nations said, "We're aware of this post and are awaiting more details." International Maritime Organization. "We've always maintained a consistent stance against fees - IMO is opposed to charging fees for the passage through straits that are used for international navigation." There is "no legal basis" to introduce tolls for transiting through a strait. Officials from the shipping industry expressed their concern at?the newest development. They added that, in their opinion, such a move...

Passenger Transportation Services

There are some flights to the Middle East that have resumed but there is still disruption.

Some airlines have maintained their suspensions, while others are increasing the number of flights they offer to certain parts of the Middle East following the conflict caused by the U.S.-Israeli?strikes against Iran. Here is an alphabetical update on the status of flights. AEGEAN AIRLINES The largest airline in Greece has cancelled flights to Dubai and Erbil until August 31 and to Baghdad and Baghdad until September 30. AIRBALTIC The cancellation of flights to Dubai is effective until October 24. AIR CANADA Canadian Airlines has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai and Abu Dhabi until October 24. AIR FRANCE-KLM Air...

Passenger Transportation Services

China's first five-year plan aims to boost consumption

China has set a target of retail sales of 60 trillion yuan (8.85 trillion dollars) by 2030 as part a five-year plan to increase consumption and raise household incomes. The plan, which was approved by the State Council on Monday and released, aims to increase service consumption in elderly care, childcare and healthcare, as well as?culture, sport, tourism and education. The report also calls for a stronger?tourism related spending, an increase in visa-free entries to more countries and?more international direct flights to Europe and the U.S., as well as countries participating in?Belt and Road Initiative. China's first 5-year plan aimed...

Passenger Transportation Services

Taiwan evacuates thousands as Typhoon Bavi hits Japan's southern islands

On Saturday, Typhoon Bavi pounded?Japan’s?southern Sakishima Island chain with heavy rainfall and violent winds as it headed toward Taiwan. Authorities warned of the dangers of flooding and landslides. Ishigaki Island, a part of Okinawa Prefecture, was strewn with debris, and only a few vehicles braved the rain and gale. The strong currents in a harbour were caused by the storm's strong winds, which reached a maximum sustained speed of 144 km/h (90mph) near the centre. Authorities warned of gusts up to 198 km/h. All Saturday, flights and ferry services in Ishigaki - a popular tourist spot - were suspended. More...

Passenger Transportation Services

Bahamas grounds Flamingo Air after 10 die in plane crash

The Bahamas' Prime Minister,?Philip Davis, said that 10 people were killed after an aircraft crashed on one of the Caribbean country's islands. Davis stated during a news conference that "once again, tragedy has marked a chapter of our nation's history." "Today was a celebration, but it has now become a mourning day." According to the Bahamian Aviation Accident Investigation Authority, the crash occurred at around 1:00 pm EDT, after the Cessna 402. took off from Lynden Pindling International Airport on its way to San Andros Airport. The authority stated that the aircraft "reportedly experienced difficulties" before it crashed into bushes....

Ground Transportation

Ground Freight

Amtrak, the US passenger rail company, sets a record for ridership and cuts losses

Amtrak, the U.S. passenger rail company, said Tuesday that it had set records for revenue and ridership in a single year. It also cut its losses by 15 percent to $598 millions and is aiming for profitability by 2028. Amtrak is a major effort in rehabilitating the infrastructure of the Northeast corridor between Boston, Massachusetts and Washington. It is expanding service throughout the United States by purchasing new Acela trains with higher speeds and replacing regional trains from next year. Amtrak reported that in the twelve months ending September 30, it had 34,5 million trips made by customers, an increase...

Transportation

Whaleboat sinks into river in Congo, killing at least 107 people

According to a government internal report viewed by us on Friday, at least 107 people died when a whaleboat caught blaze in the west of Democratic Republic of Congo. In a memo, the Ministry of Social Affairs stated that 146 people were missing after the boat, which was a narrow double-ended open vessel, caught fire near Malange Village in Lukolela Territory on Thursday night. The note stated that rescue teams recovered 209 survivors after the vessel burnt and drifted downriver. The fire destroyed the cargo and 15 riverside houses. The search operations continued Friday, with community volunteers and naval personnel...

Ground Transportation

As inventories shrink, premiums for copper contracts on the nearby LME soar.

The premiums for copper contracts near London Metal Exchange have increased to their highest level since October 2022 due to low inventories, large cash contracts and warrants held by traders. The title document that confers ownership on metal is a warrant. Tom-next, also known as the premium or backwardation that is charged for purchasing copper tomorrow and then selling it the next day, is currently trading at above The price of a metric tonne is $48. This compares to a $2 discount at the beginning of the week. The premium for the cash Copper Contract over the Three-Month Forward It...

Passenger Ground & Sea Transportation