Europe

The Vietnamese budget airline Vietjet entered into a 'contract with Pratt & Whitney (a subsidiary of RTX) to?supply GTF engine for 44 Airbus planes, bringing its total GTF powered fleet orders to 137. The deal was announced at the Singapore Airshow and includes 24 A321neo planes and 20 'A321XLR aircraft. Deliveries will begin in July. In a joint press release, the companies said that it also included a 12-year maintenance agreement. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Vietjet has deployed its first A321neo aircraft in 2018. It currently operates 42 GTF-powered aircraft, and plans to equip the...

In celebration of its 100th anniversary, Lufthansa, Germany's national airline, is reappraising the past to take a?greater level of responsibility for its actions in Nazi Germany, breaking with earlier attempts to separate their pre- and post-war identity. Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa, told journalists that the airline was proud of its current status in a statement released on Wednesday. "To ignore the dark, difficult years would have simply been dishonest." Even the decision to celebrate 100 years since the founding of the first "Deutsche Luft Hansa", reflects a change. The company has long stressed the legal and organizational break between...

In a case brought forward by a local consumer group, a Belgian court ordered Ryanair that it must stop some of its?marketing and commercial practices for flights purchased in the country. However, other practices were upheld. The ruling comes after regulators from several European countries tried to curtail Ryanair's aggressive price policies. This was in response to the business model of Ryanair, which relies on low ticket prices and charging extras for services that were previously included in the cost. The Brussels Enterprise Court, in a decision dated '28 January and seen on Tuesday by, said Ryanair must stop deceptive...

In a case brought by the local consumer group, a Belgian court ordered Ryanair that it cease some of its marketing and commercial practices for flights sold within Belgium. The 'court ruling' comes after regulators from several European countries tried to curb Ryanair aggressive pricing policies. This was in response to the business model of Ryanair, which relies on low ticket prices and charging extras that were previously included in the cost. The Brussels Enterprise Court, in a decision issued on January 28 and seen on Tuesday, said that 'Ryanair should stop practices like announcing discounts on false reference prices,...

The head of an organization representing global airlines, said that shortages of new efficient aircraft and alternative fuels are pushing up profits for the suppliers and putting in danger the industry's flagship goal of reducing emissions. Willie Walsh said that the use of older aircraft and the shortage of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) was driving up costs, and delaying a move to cleaner flying. Walsh said on TV the night before the Singapore Airshow, which runs from Feb 3-8, "I am still optimistic but cautiously optimistic that we will achieve net zero by 2050, although it is becoming more difficult."...

Uber announced on Monday that it is in discussions with Urssaf - the French social security agency. According to a report, Urssaf concluded that Uber should treat its drivers like employees. Uber's spokesperson stated on Monday that they were "currently?engaged?" in a collaborative, open, transparent and honest discussion with France’s social security agency, URSSAF". Urssaf said it would not comment on ongoing or individual cases for reasons of confidentially. French ?investigative publication Revue21 reported that Urssaf considered that 71,194 drivers who worked for ?Uber between 2019 and 2022 on independent-contractor agreements should have been defined as ?employees. Revue21 reported that...

The local train operating company halted all trains for a day on Monday, causing disruption to commuters and travellers arriving in Milan. The strike affected Trenord trains running between Milan's Malpensa Airport and the city centre as well as suburban lines from nearby cities like Bergamo or Brescia. Milan, Italy's financial capital, is preparing to welcome athletes, media representatives and delegates - just in time for the Milano Cortina Games opening on Friday. The regional branch of ORSA Ferrovie has called the strike in support of an ongoing dispute over "contract renewal" and worker safety. The local Olympic organizing committee...

In a late-Sunday newspaper article, EU Industry Chief Stephane Sejourne, who was co-signed by more than 1,100 CEOs, said that Europe must protect its own industries through a "Made in Europe" strategy. Sejourne wrote in an article published in newspapers all over Europe that "Without a pragmatic, ambitious and effective industrial policy, Europe's economy will be destined to become a playground for competitors." The French member of European Commission stated: "We need to?establish a true European preference once and for all in our most important strategic?sectors." The article was signed by CEOs from a wide range of industries including ArcelorMittal...

Commuters in Germany were faced with freezing temperatures and empty platforms as tens of thousands of public transport workers walked out on the job during a strike called Verdi. This resulted in the suspension of bus and tram services across most German cities. Verdi, the union that represents almost 100,000 transport workers, called for a strike last week after discussions with employers at municipal and state levels over?working conditions' stalled. Even as cities struggle with budget restrictions, the union wants shorter shifts and longer rest periods. In all but one of Germany’s 16 federal states (including Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen), the...

His mother confirmed that the child, who was thrown off a bus by his mother in northern Italy because he didn't have the full fare on him, will be a part of?the opening ceremonies of the Milano?Olympics Winter?Olympics? on Friday. Riccardo Z was an 11-year old boy who lived in a small town, less than 20 kilometers (12 miles), from Cortina d'Ampezzo. He did not have the money to pay for a surcharge on bus fares introduced by local transport companies for 'the Olympics' and had no choice but to walk home six kilometres through sub-zero temperatures and snow. This...

AMSTERDAM, 1 February - Airline KLM has resumed flights to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. It announced this late on Saturday after announcing that it would not fly over many parts of the Middle East because of 'rising tensions in the region. We have adjusted our schedule to resume flights on February 2, 3 and 4. KLM announced that flights to Dubai will be operated from February 1 to 6, with a modified schedule. KLM, Dutch arm of Air France KLM, has announced that it has already resumed flights in other destinations, including Riyadh, and Dammam. The?airline...

His 'family' said that an 11-year old schoolboy, who didn't have enough money to pay the bus fare surcharge for the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, was forced by sub-zero temperatures and snowy conditions to walk home?6 km (3.8 miles). Corriere della sera, Italy's largest circulation daily, has featured the story of Riccardo on its front page, amid concerns about price gouging during the Games from February 6-22. Dolomiti Bus, a local transport company, has increased the daily fare on a 'bus route' to Cortina d'Ampezzo (one of the Olympic venues) to 12 euros in exchange for more frequent service...

Western Balkans truckers' protests against restrictive EU entry laws have led to fuel shortages and losses of business as they blockaded cargo terminals at the borders of EU countries. Truckers in?Bosnia and Herzegovina?, Serbia?, Montenegro? and North Macedonia?launched protests against the EU’s new stricter entry/exit system, under which they could face detention and expulsion for exceeding Schengen's visit limits. The Montenegro energy ministry warned on Tuesday night that the country may face fuel shortages as a result of a blockade in the Adriatic port?of Bar. This is the main entry for fuel imports from overseas into Montenegro. Montenegro does not...

Montenegro may face fuel shortages as a result of regional protests and the blockade by truck drivers?of Bar's Adriatic port over restrictive EU entry laws?that could lead to their deportation if they exceed Schengen visit limitations. Montenegro has no own oil refinery and so the port of Bar is a major entry point for fuel imported from abroad. The port of Bar is also home to the largest fuel?depots in the country. The blockade of border crossings that began Monday in Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and North Macedonia has halted transportation along a crucial road corridor connecting?the EU to Turkey...

United Parcel Service, the largest package delivery company in the world, announced on Tuesday that it will close 24 additional facilities and eliminate up to 30,000 positions by 2026. This is due to its ongoing shift towards a'more profitable business. In midday trading, shares of the company rose 4%. The company also announced fourth quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations and forecasted a surprise increase in annual revenue. FedEx shares gained 2.6%. Carol Tome, CEO of the company, said in a conference with analysts that the company plans to reduce Amazon deliveries. "We are now in the last six...

Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. Ageas SA: Belgian and Dutch insurance group Ageas reported that its reinsurance unit Ageas Re had achieved inflows at a rate of 379 millions euros on 'January 1, 2026 compared with 206 million euro a year before. Its partnership activity in-force books now stand at 435million euros after the renewal campaign. ARGAN SA - French real estate firm Argan reported a full-year rental revenue of 212 millions euros, and recurring net profit of 154.8million euros. Its end-December Portfolio was valued...

Data from the London Metal Exchange showed that the share of China-made Copper among the available London Metal Exchange stock fell in December. This was due to the outflows?of the inventory in the LME registered?warehouses?in Asia. The percentage of copper stocks that are available - or those on warrant The data revealed that 79% of the - in LME's warehouses were of Chinese origin at the end last month. This was down from 85%?in November. A LME warrant is an ownership document. The absolute number of Chinese copper stock on the LME dropped to 87,475 tons by the end last...

PlusAI, the self-driving vehicle startup, announced on Monday that it would launch Southern Europe's very first program to test heavy-duty autonomous vehicles. It will also expand its partnership with Iveco Group and brand IVECO. Two IVECO S-Way truck equipped with PlusAI’s Level 4 autonomous driving.system will be tested on a 300-km route between.Madrid.and Zaragoza in 2026. A safety operator will also be onboard. Trials will be conducted with Spanish logistics operator Sese, and the regional government of Aragon. PlusAI in Silicon Valley, with offices in Europe and America, has been working with Iveco on joint research and tests for many...

Senalia, a grain export terminal operator, expects volumes to double in 2025/26 compared to last year due to a rebound in French harvest production and a brisk barley demand. Rouen, on the Seine River in Normandy, is France's main grain export hub. Rain-stricken 2024 reduced its export surplus, and port terminals were idle for part the season. Senalia, the cooperative-owned cereal exporter, has forecast that Senalia will load 3.8 millions metric tons in the current July-June period, up from just 1.8 million in 2020/25. This is exactly what it did two years ago. He said that 1.7 million tonnes of...

The Turkish distributor of China's Dongfeng Motor said that the company is in discussions with an investor to produce passenger cars in Turkey. Turkey is a large market with an annual sales volume of 1.4m vehicles. It also has a customs-free trade agreement with the EU. Chinese imports of cars to Turkey are subject to additional taxes, and Chinese automakers including Chery are seeking to set up production in Turkey with local partners. In a LinkedIn statement, Yavuz Cirak said, "We're working hard to begin production this year." Cirak is the CEO of Dongfeng’s local distributor,?Marcar, and was a part...

Goldman Sachs dominated again the league tables of global dealmaking for 2025. It took the?marketshare and top spot in an year marked by high stakes political dramas and ever larger mergers. Goldman's No. 1 ranking was boosted by the rise of $10 billion deals, of which there were 68 in the last year totaling $1.5 trillion - more than twice as much as the previous year. According to LSEG data, Goldman has the No. 1 ranking. The firm was involved in 38 of these 'deals', more than any other investment banking firm, and the total value of the deals it...

Goldman Sachs dominated again the league tables of global dealmaking for 2025. It took the market share and top spot in an year that was marked by high stakes political dramas and ever-larger mergers. Goldman's No. 1 ranking was boosted by the rise of $10 billion deals, which totaled $1.5 trillion last year, or more than double the previous year. According to LSEG data, Goldman ranked No. 1 in the world. The firm was involved in 38 of these deals, more than any other investment bank. Total volume of advised deals was $1.48 trillion. This was the most active period...

Snowfall in the Netherlands disrupted air and train?traffic on Monday. Hundreds of flights had to be canceled and trains around Amsterdam were at a standstill. ANP, a news agency, reported that Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, which is one of Europe's busiest hubs cancelled nearly 500 flights Monday morning. The airport was closed to all incoming traffic from 1200 GMT until then due to the snow. ANP reported that planes heading for Amsterdam were diverted to another airport. Schiphol was unable to be reached immediately for further comments. Snow and freezing temperatures had already forced the airport to cancel hundreds of flights...

Police reported that heavy snowfall caused a 20-kilometer (12.43-mile) tailback on an autobahn between Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, and Gdansk, a Baltic port town. The police report was made on Wednesday. According to the police, hundreds of people were trapped in their vehicles in freezing temperatures. However, the traffic was moving again by early Wednesday morning. Tomasz Marcowski, a police spokesperson in Olsztyn, said that the difficult situation started 'yesterday afternoon after 4 pm, when the first truck on the S7 route began to have difficulty approaching the slopes. This?led to an?overnight traffic jam that stretched approximately 20...