Europe

London, 12 August - Europe's largest travel company TUI missed its third-quarter operating profit expectations on Wednesday as bookings dropped and the price of jet fuel remained high due to a U.S.-Iran war. TUI's operating profit was EUR234.6m ($270.6m), down 27% compared to last year, and below the EUR274m projected by LSEG analysts. Europe's airlines have warned that booking windows are being shortened as travellers hesitate to book their holidays due to ongoing uncertainty linked to the Iran War. IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM are among the major?carriers that have announced they will either cut capacity or keep it flat...

Ryanair announced on Wednesday that it will 'deploy Google Gemini AI tools, and DeepMind models throughout its operations as part of a five-year cloud partnership. The technology is used to help manage crew scheduling and make operational decisions. Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline based on passenger numbers, announced that it would offer Alphabet’s Google Workspace services and Google Cloud to 35,000 of its employees. This will support its efforts toward a goal to?carry 300 million passengers per year by 2034. Eddie Wilson, Ryanair's CEO, said: "To support our growth, we must ensure that we have excellent infrastructure reliability. Our new dual-cloud...

On?Tuesday an ash cloud from Sicily’s Mount Etna volcanic eruption drifted over?Malta, forcing some airlines to cancel flights to the Mediterranean Island at the height tourism season. Malta International Airport posted a message on Facebook saying that "we're experiencing flight delays due to volcanic ash clouds" over the Maltese Islands, following recent activity at Mount Etna. A spokesperson stated that 19 flights were cancelled by mid-afternoon Tuesday, and a number of?other flights?were significantly delayed. Malta Airport is located 220 kilometers (140 miles), south of Mount Etna. Mount Etna is the most active volcanic mountain in Europe. It erupted again last...

The Latvian state-controlled carrier airBaltic has asked bondholders to allow it to secure EUR225m interim financing in order for the airline's near-term liquidity requirements. It is doing this as a way of securing its finances and avoiding default. The company stated that the plan was to "strengthen the airline on a long-term basis". It added that the flight schedule would be maintained as usual. According to airBaltic, Lufthansa has a 10% share in the company. The proposal is dependent on bondholder approvals and other approvals. The company also said that it proposed a permanent funding package, which "contemplates", the?bondholders converting...

A source with first-hand knowledge of the situation said that India's civil aviation minister summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson after a flight from Phuket to Delhi suddenly dropped 300 feet in altitude. Air India and the Minister's Office did not respond immediately to'requests for comment. The Indian authorities launched an investigation days before the government's move. Air India reported that the flight from the 'Thai tourist town experienced a'momentary elevation variation' while flying over Odisha in eastern India, resulting in injuries for 13 passengers and four crew members. The aircraft carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members safely landed...

Airbus, a European planemaker, announced on Monday that it would'send specialists to help aide in the investigation of a sudden loss of altitude by an 'Air India - Airbus aircraft during a flight last Thursday. Air India A320?VT-EXO operating flight AI2379, from Phuket to Delhi, lost a sudden 300 feet during cruise. The aircraft then stabilized and safely landed in Delhi. On the same day, the Indian government launched an investigation into the incident. They also said that they had obtained the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder of the aircraft for analysis. Eight passengers and four crew members...

Ukraine's?agriculture ministry told? On Monday, Ukraine's?agriculture minister? cited?Russian strikes? on the southern Odesa hub of the country. Taras Vysotskyi, the first official forecaster of exports since the Russian attack in late July that effectively stopped shipments out of Odesa port, which are crucial to Ukraine and global agriculture market. Before the increase, the ministry had forecasted exports at 43 million tonnes for this season. In recent weeks, Russia has attacked Ukrainian Black Sea port terminals, vessels that enter and leave the ports on a daily basis and their export terminals. The lower grain forecast highlights?the damage?attacks are inflicting? on a...

SAC, the operator of Catania airport in eastern Sicily, said that flights arriving there were suspended until 1500 GMT Monday after volcanic ash drifted from Mount Etna's newest eruption into the airspace surrounding the airport. Etna is the most active volcano in the world and it frequently causes disruptions to air traffic at Catania airport, Italy's 5th busiest airport by passenger traffic. SAC issued a statement Monday saying that "as the situation significantly affects operations, passengers should check with their airline the status of their flight before going to the airport". It added that the situation was constantly being monitored...

China is exporting its way out of an internal slump, causing what many Western governments refer to as a "second China shock." This strategy may be causing trade wars overseas, but it also creates a whole new group of potential domestic beneficiaries. In recent months, the dichotomy of China's robust export sector and its flagging economy was on full display. China's export?growth was 24% on a year-over-year basis in July, and it posted a $113 Billion trade surplus. This follows similar figures in June. It is now on track to achieve another trillion-dollar surplus by 2026. It recorded a disappointing...

Taiwan's Mirage fighters, made in France, were scrambled on Friday during an annual war game to show how they could be quickly re-armed and sent back into the sky during a conflict with China. The Han Kuang exercise began in Taiwan on Wednesday. The drills, which last 10 days, are aimed at assessing Taiwan's readiness to fight a possible attack by China. China regards Taiwan as its territory and has promised to take it back, if necessary, with force. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. The crew of a Mirage fighter towed Magic II and MICA, both French-made, to...

These are the?top stories from?the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these'stories' and cannot vouch for the accuracy of their content. Nielsen Holdings has agreed to purchase DoubleVerify for an enterprise value of approximately $2.15 billion. EasyJet, a British budget airline, has agreed to Apollo Global Management's takeover offer of 5.7 billion pounds ($7.68billion). ConocoPhillips' Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Lance, is retiring and will be succeeded by Andy O'Brien, Chief Financial Officer. Suncor Energy has named Peter Zebedee its new chief executive. Troy Little, the Chief Financial Officer of Suncor Energy, is no longer with the...

Apollo Global announced on Thursday that it had agreed to purchase European 'budget airline easyJet' in a deal valued at approximately PS5.7 billion ($7.7billion). Castlelake, the other potential buyer, abandoned its pursuit. Here's a look back at the 31-year history of the airline: Stelios Haj-Ioannou founded easyJet, launching flights from London Luton Airport in Scotland to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The low-cost airline challenges established carriers. EasyJet is listed in London with a valuation of PS777 million. 2009-2010 EasyJet is considering reducing fleet growth in the wake of a?global recession. Stelios steps down as founder of EasyJet to lead shareholder revolt...

German authorities opened a counterterrorism probe after a drone containing explosives, which was found at the Leipzig/Halle Airport cargo and military logistic hub in what interior minister called a "hybrid attack", was discovered. The drone was discovered by airport workers in a restricted zone late Tuesday night, causing flight cancellations and the closure of certain parts of the airport. On Wednesday, German Interior Minister Alexander "Dobrindt" said that the incident had opened up a whole new level of risk. Here are some details on the drone incident that occurred at Leipzig/Halle Airport this week. From a World War Two Destrotion...

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung, among other news outlets, reported that a Ukrainian cargo aircraft found parked next to an explosive-laden drone at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport on Tuesday night was actually carrying military ammunition. The report, also broadcast by NDR and WDR, cited a confidential police report and said that forensic experts determined the explosives on the drone to be of high military grade. These findings could raise the stakes of a wider counterterrorism investigation into the incident at a?airport that serves as a major military and cargo logistics hub, which the German government has classified as critical infrastructure. Alexander Dobrindt, the...

Russia said on Wednesday it had struck seven 'logistics centers in Kyiv, and the surrounding area overnight that were used to store or 'distribute goods for dual-use?and drones components.? And that its forces have hit three cargo vessels in the Black Sea. Could not independently verify the claims of the ministry about the nature and quantity of goods stored at the target sites. The attacks, which Ukrainian officials said killed at least fourteen people, were part an intensifying bombing campaign against what Russia claims are targets related to Ukraine’s drone forces. Since July 18, Ukrainian drones have attacked at least...

DHL, the German logistics group, increased its share-buyback program by EUR 500 million ($ 577 million) and reiterated its yearly forecasts following its second quarter results that exceeded market expectations. The group announced that the program, which was launched in 2022, will now be worth up to EUR6.5billion and run until 2027. DHL's revenue for the second quarter rose by 13% from a year earlier to EUR22.4 billion. This was above analysts' expectations of EUR20.41 billion in a consensus provided by the company. The group stated that the increase in fuel prices was due to higher fuel costs and higher...

CMA -CGM, a French shipping company, has acquired FedEx's "third-party logistics" business, valued at $1.4 billion. The deal was announced on Wednesday, in an effort to increase its presence both in the United States and the logistics industry. The deal, which is expected to be completed later this year, will give CMA CGM, via its CEVA Logistics subsidiary a total of 20,000 contract logistics employees and 150 warehouses in North America. CMA CGM announced that following the acquisition the companies will also develop partnerships, under which CMA CGM would be the "preferred ocean carrier" for FedEx, and they would collaborate...

The Financial Times reported that the French container shipping company CMA CGM was 'nearing' a deal to buy FedEx's third-party logistics division for $1.4 billion cash. The report said that the talks between the two companies have advanced to a point where a deal may be reached as early as Wednesday. Could not verify the report immediately. CMA CGM and FedEx didn't immediately respond to comments outside of regular business hours. CMA 'CGM will be diversifying into air freight and logistics. FedEx will be able to focus on its core network of air-ground deliveries after selling its third-party logistic business...

FedEx beat estimates for its quarterly profits?and projected an 11% increase in revenue by 2026. However, shares fell 5.7% after a margin drop in the core express segment. Delivery giant also predicted earnings per share between $16,90 and $18,10 for the year. It has shifted its fiscal year from May to coincide with the calendar, instead of its previous year-end. Analysts are still working on'models' that will allow them to compare the new forecast with their previous one. It also follows its June 1 spin-off of its freight trucking division, FedEx Freight. This is part of a multiyear effort by...

FedEx, a global delivery company, said that it expects its revenue to increase?about 11 percent and earnings per share to be in the range of 16 to 18 dollars. This comes after reporting on Tuesday a higher profit for the fourth quarter, helped by increased rates. FedEx's fiscal year has been aligned with the calendar. The fiscal year of FedEx ended on May 31, previously. This comes just weeks after FedEx Freight was spun off on June 1, as part of a multi-year effort to streamline its operations and reduce costs by billions of dollars. FedEx reported an adjusted profit...

Companies are trying to protect their workers and keep operations running as temperatures in Europe reach above 40 degrees Celsius. They also want to take advantage of the soaring demand that could be a relief. DHL, the German logistics giant, has provided its delivery staff in Germany with "cool boxes", which contain reusable cooling towel, water-activated arm coolers, and UV-protective collar guards. Construction firms have shifted their working hours so that they start earlier and end before the hotter part of the day. Retailers are struggling to meet the demand for portable air conditioners and fans. DHL stated that "extremely...

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look ahead at what the markets will be like in Europe and around the world. The yen is once again near its lowest levels?in the last 40 years, and the possibility of a joint intervention is looming after the?U.S. and Japan's finance minister met online. Treasury Secretary held an online "meeting" to discuss global financial markets. In the morning Asian trading on Tuesday, the yen traded at 161.60 to a dollar, its lowest level in two-years. It had moved within a few pip of levels that were not seen in decades during U.S. market...

DHL Express Europe believes that its aviation fuel supply is secure for the summer, despite the uncertainty caused by Iran's war. This was made possible by diversifying its sources and easing market pressures, according to Chief Executive Mike Parra. The jet fuel market has loosened over the past few weeks, as the demand for the product has weakened and the imports of it into Europe from the United States have increased. DHL Express is the largest division within German logistics and post services group DHL. It employs approximately 120,000 people around the world. DHL Express operates a fleet consisting of...

DHL Express Europe's CEO, Mike Parra, said that despite the uncertainty caused by a looming war in Iran, it is confident about its aviation fuel supplies for the summer. This is due to easing market pressures and diversifying its sources. In an interview with Parra on Tuesday, he said: "At this time, we do not have any risk" in major hubs, gateways or?major cities. No disruptions are anticipated. In recent weeks, the jet fuel market has loosened as the demand for it has slowed and imports from the United States of America, Nigeria, and South Korea have increased. The head...