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Europe
Ukraine to buy Rafale jets, air defence systems under France deal
Ukraine will use an European loan facility for the first time to buy next-generation Franco Italian air defence systems and French Rafale jet fighters. It has also been given approval to manufacture 'key' Western missiles in-house, as per agreements signed by Kyiv on Tuesday with Paris. Both countries announced that Ukraine would purchase 16 Rafale aircraft as the first of a fleet of 100 planned for November 2025. The order will be financed by the EU's Ukraine Support Loan Programme. The French and Ukrainian presidencies announced in a statement that training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians could begin as early
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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
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....
Passenger Transportation Services
The US pump pain worsens as more US-Iran conflict lifts oil prices
After weeks of declines in gasoline prices, U.S. motorists have experienced a new spike after renewed fighting between U.S. and Iran has pushed crudeoilprices up to their highest weekly increase?in eight week. The global refining industry is experiencing disruptions, and the 'U.S. Fuel exports tightened the supply further, and AAA data show that average pump prices increased 6 cents to $3.88 per gallon this week. This was the largest weekly increase since mid May. The renewed fighting between Iran and the U.S. over the Strait of Hormuz has sent energy prices sharply up this week. The U.S. summer driving period...
Passenger Transportation Services
Wall Street closes higher as investors look to earnings season
S&P 500 ended 'just short of a new record high' on Friday as a Nasdaq debut? by South Korea’s SK Hynix fueled optimism for memory-chip makers. Investors also looked forward to the quarterly earnings season, which begins next week. Artificial intelligence is back in the spotlight following SK Hynix's $170 opening price, which was 14% higher than its initial offering price. The semiconductor company raised more than $26 billion by selling American depositary receipts at $149 per piece on Thursday. U.S. stocks increased after U.S. president Donald Trump stated that Iran asked for continued talks, and the U.S. agreed. The...
Passenger Transportation Services
Wall St. slightly higher after SK Hynix's impressive debut limits losses in chips stocks
S&P 500 climbed to a new record high on Friday as a 'blockbuster Nasdaq debut by South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix fueled optimism for semiconductor?stocks. Investors also looked forward to the quarterly earnings season, which begins next week. Artificial intelligence is back in the spotlight following SK Hynix's $170 opening price, which was 14% higher than its initial offering price. This high-profile U.S. IPO brought artificial intelligence to a new level. Memory-chip maker raised $26.5 billion by selling American depositary receipts at $149 per piece on Thursday. U.S. stock prices increased after U.S. president Donald Trump stated that Iran asked...
Passenger Transportation Services
European shares end four-week winning streak due to tech selling off, US-Iran War
European shares shook off a four-week streak of gains on Friday. The oil market was rattled by a 'unwinding in tech stocks' and the resurgence of tensions?in the Middle East. Investors lowered their hopes for a quick relief from the energy shock, and the?pan-European?STOXX600 fell 1.8% this week. Brent futures rose 5% this week after the U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes. Washington also reimposed sanctions against Iranian oil. The NATO summit in Turkey added a layer to the uncertainty, as U.S. president Donald Trump called Spain "a terrible partner" and threatened halting trade with that country. He later softened his...
Passenger Transportation Services
European shares end four-week winning streak due to tech selling off, US-Iran War
European shares lost their four-week winning streak Friday as a result of a resurgence in tensions and unwinding in tech stocks. Investors lowered their hopes for a quick easing of the energy supply crisis. The?STOXX?600, the pan-European index, fell 1.8% this week. The U.S. traded strikes with Iran, and Washington reimposed sanctions on Iranian crude oil. The NATO summit in Turkey added a layer to the uncertainty. U.S. president Donald Trump had called Spain a “terrible partner” and threatened to stop trade with Spain, but later softened his rhetoric. The week's events have shown that geopolitical risk is still a...
Ground Transportation
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...
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...
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...