Benelux

Airbus has completed a marathon flight lasting more than 24 hours. The A350 jet, which is being 'developed for record-beating commercial flights' touched down in France on Tuesday. The test is a crucial step in Qantas Project Sunrise. It aims to launch one of the longest commercial passenger flights and revolutionize long-haul travel, by eliminating stopovers from Australia to Europe. The A350-1000ULR, specially adapted for the Australian airline's Sydney-London nonstop route is due to debut in 2027. Airbus has been testing the aircraft for two months since June. Airbus said the aircraft, which has a specially-designed extra fuel tank, was...

Avincis, Europe's leading aerial emergency services company, warns that Europe is not prepared for longer and more severe wildfire seasons. The chief executive of the firm told? Avincis' chief executive told?treffenificaresprache?nemzeug vo Ihre ore the company's CEO John Boag stated that bureaucratic barriers and longer European wildfire seasons have caused regional shortages in both aircraft and experienced pilots. Boag, a helicopter pilot who began his career in Australia's outback herding?cattle in a Bell 47 chopper in 1985, said that "globally, fire seasons have been getting longer. Aircraft are not moving from area to area and it is becoming increasingly difficult...

The European Consumer Federation and a prominent EU legislator are urging the European Commission to make sure that online shoppers do not have to pay?unexpected fees to cover a newly introduced customs duty. The EU introduced a EUR3 fee ($3.41) on low-value ecommerce imports which had previously entered the EU duty-free. BEUC, a group of consumer organizations from 31 European nations, believes that consumers should know the price including taxes. The group found that sometimes duties are only displayed late in the checkout or not at all. This can lead to an unanticipated charge. PostNL and La Poste are two...

Hassan Butt was a 17-year old British student who volunteered at the Farnborough Airshow in this week. For him, nothing was cooler than watching the planes and pondering the physics behind what kept them airborne. He said, as he answered questions from passersby. He wanted to be an aerospace engineer and focus on missiles. There was no shortage in the hall of displays, stalls, and recruitment campaigns aimed at capturing his enthusiasm and luring him along with other potential recruits. Butt was the perfect candidate. But industry bodies and businesses said that there weren't enough people like him. The UK...

Melia, a Spanish hotel group, announced that it had?stopped all operations at its?34 Cuban hotels on Friday due to the?hardening of US sanctions. The island's economic crisis and the escalating sanctions are a major factor. Melia cited operational, financial, and legal difficulties as reasons for leaving the island where it had been a major player since 1990. The hotels were managed by its Portuguese subsidiary, Ilha Bela?Gestao e Turismo. Melia announced last month that it was closing 15 of its hotels. The three major Spanish hotel chains have been involved in the tourism market of the island for decades. The...

As the Farnborough International Airshow nears its conclusion in the United Kingdom, airlines have revealed over 300 plane orders. Boeing has a slight advantage over European rival Airbus in the race for sealing deals, according to a tally. Here are some of the biggest deals, with 327 firm orders. This is slightly more than?the previous Farnborough airshow in 2024. The?tally falls short of the 800 orders that were expected, due to supply-chain issues and production bottlenecks. SMBC AVIATION CAPITAL Boeing and SMBC Aviation Capital have announced that they have ordered 100 737-MAX aircraft, 60 737-10 jets and 40 737-8. SMBC...

U.S. politicians fought with European counterparts for investment from aerospace, defense, and space companies as the industries boomed. The number of U.S. government and private companies exhibiting at the show has increased by 21% since the previous event in 2024. Now, the U.S. accounts for around a third. Nine U.S. Senators, several Governors and other local officials and state officials attended. Gareth Rogers is the chief executive officer of the Farnborough International Airshow. As global tensions increase, governments are increasing their?defence expenditures. Meanwhile, the aerospace supply chain is spending more to keep up with thousands of plane orders for Boeing,...

Saudi Arabian budget airline Flynas confirmed a?order on Wednesday for 25 more Airbus aircraft, joining a wave by other airlines in the kingdom who are expanding their fleets to support Saudi Arabia’s tourism and economic diversification objectives. Flynas has now committed to a total of 235 Airbus aircraft. This order highlights Saudi Arabia as one the fastest growing markets in the aviation industry. The airline 'confirmed' orders for a further?five Airbus A330 900 widebody jets, and 20 A321neos. Flynas has increased its A321neo A330neo order to 56 jets and their A330neo A330neo commitment from 20 to the latest deal. The...

An EU official revealed that the European Union was preparing to review airline ownership rules in order to prevent foreign investors gaining control over carriers. This could complicate US bids for easyJet, a low-cost airline. Officials said that the EU review was not previously reported and would "protect strategic independence" in order to keep control of regional carriers within the EU. The announcement comes as two U.S. investment firms compete for control of the major European budget airline easyJet. This is expected to test the limits of EU rules which require 51% local ownership. The official, who asked not to...

BermudAir has ordered 10 Airbus A220 aircrafts to expand its routes into 'Bermuda and Anguilla as well as Belize, Turks and Caicos, Turks & Caicos, Turks & Caicos', the startup airline announced on Wednesday. Adam Scott, BermudAir's CEO and founder, said that the A220 has the performance characteristics to help us expand our footprint and open more markets. The airline plans to double its 11 routes currently in operation by the end of the year. The A220-300 order was signed during the Farnborough Airshow. The Bermuda carrier has been operating since 2023. BermudAir plans to add up to 20 A220...

Airbus shares rose more than 5% on Wednesday after the European planemaker announced a EUR5billion ($5.7billion) share-buyback program and revealed new midterm targets, including a near-doubling of profits by 2020. Airbus announced late Tuesday that it was aiming for a core profit of EUR12 to EUR13 billion by 2029. This would be a significant increase from the EUR7.13 billion adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of last year, as well as a target far above EUR7.5 billion set in 2026. In a note for investors, Deutsche Bank analyst Christophe Menard stated that the EUR5 billion (or five billion euros) share...

Airbus announced its medium-term goals on Tuesday. These included a near-doubling of profits, and stronger shareholder returns. This showed confidence in the company's ability to ramp up production at a time when a battered aerospace industry is turning the corner with regard to supply disruption. The largest civil aircraft manufacturer in the world said that it aimed to achieve a core profit between EUR12 billion and EUR13 billion ($13.69 to $14.83billion) by 2029. It also announced a EUR5billion share buyback program. This goal is a significant increase from the EUR7.13 billion in adjusted earnings before taxes and interest that Airbus...

InPost, a Polish parcel locker company, announced on Friday that the consortium of FedEx International, Advent International and InPost investors will make a?buyout offer worth EUR7.8 billion (USD9 'billion). The offer is valid from May 26 until July 27. The company stated in a'statement' that regulatory clearances for the deal have already been received in China, Israel and Italy. InPost's shareholders support the all-cash?bid for a takeover announced in February, unanimously recommended by InPost board. For the deal to be completed, however, 80% must be?tendered. The EUR15.60 bid per share would allow U.S. FedEx to increase its reach in Europe...

InPost, the parcel locker company that was the target of an 'offer by a FedEx and Advent led consortium, reported a core profit in the first quarter of the year, which exceeded market expectations. Growth in Poland and in the Eurozone helped offset costs associated with the integration of Yodel into Britain. The adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortisation were 902.2 million Zlotys (249.0 millions) in the third quarter. This was above a consensus estimate from the company of 856million Zlotys. InPost's Poland division, which is still its main source of profit, saw its first-quarter deliveries increase 8%,...

The top American companies, from GM and Coca-Cola to Coca-Cola, are trying to reassure their investors that they will be able to weather the financial fallout of the Iran War despite the fact that fuel prices and packaging costs have risen. Since the beginning of the conflict, oil prices have increased dramatically. This has pushed up the cost of inputs in industries that are already under pressure from U.S. Tariffs. This increase forces companies to consider price increases at a time consumers are already feeling the strain. Reviewing company statements from the'start of war' revealed that 24 companies had withdrawn...

DHL Express Europe's CEO Mike Parra stated on Thursday that the company will continue to invest in the Middle East despite the conflict in Iran, as the region plays a crucial role for its business over the long term. The Deutsche Post DHL Group has announced investments of more than 500 millions?euros (577 million dollars) in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Parra, a journalist in Amsterdam, said: "Investments continue in the Middle East. We see the Middle East as having a key role for us from a long-term standpoint." The U.S. and Israeli...

The British money manager Aberdeen will vote against a proposed 7,8?billion euros ($9.25 billion),?takeover by a consortium led?by FedEx of the parcel locker company?InPost, claiming that the offer undervalues it materially. According to LSEG 'data, the firm holds a 0.2% share in InPost. It urged InPost to reconsider its support for the "unjustifiably" low 15.60 euros cash offer per share. According to an excerpt from a letter, Matthew Peacock is a research analyst with Aberdeen Investments. He said that the offer was opportunistic and aimed to exploit a temporary drop in the share price to the detriment of long-term shareholders....

Belgian postal operator Bpost, publishers DPG Media, Mediahuis and distributor PPP were 'held liable' for rigging public procurements for newspaper distribution, said the Belgian Competition Watchdog on Friday. Bpost, who had notified the authorities following an internal audit in 2022 that revealed signs of malpractice, would receive full immunity from any fines as part of a leniency program, said the regulator. The investigation cost Dirk Tirez, the then-CEO of the postal group, his job. In a press release, the regulator stated that the common goal of the companies was to make sure that bpost would receive the newspaper distribution concession...

Belgian postal operators Bpost and DPG Media, as well as Mediahuis, were 'held liable' for rigging public procurements?for distribution of newspapers. This was announced by the Belgian competition watchdog on Friday. Bpost, who had notified the authorities following an internal audit in 2022 that revealed signs of malpractice will be exempt from all fines as part of a leniency program, according to the regulator. Dirk Tirez's job was ultimately cost by the investigation. The regulator stated in a?press?release that the common?objective was for the companies to work together in order to make sure that bpost would be awarded the 2023-2027...

The companies announced on Monday that a consortium led by FedEx investors and InPost investors had agreed to purchase the parcel locker business in a deal worth 7.8 billion euros ($9.2 billion). This will allow InPost to expand its reach throughout Europe, while giving FedEx the opportunity to access the locker network. The 15.60 euro offer price per share is a 17% premium over InPost's Friday closing price, but below InPost 2021 IPO's 16 euros. The Amsterdam-listed shares opened at a 14% increase, trading at highs of May 2025. Hein Pretorius is the chair of InPost’s supervisory board. He told...

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These?stories have not been?verified and we cannot vouch for the accuracy of these stories. A consortium consisting of the U.S. private equity firm Advent International, the logistics company FedEx and investment companies A&R & PPF have agreed to buy Polish parcel delivery provider InPost. The deal is worth $9.22 billion. Innovent Biologics, a Chinese drugmaker, has partnered with Eli Lilly to develop a new treatment that could earn?upwards of $8.5 billion through milestone payments. - Grocery giant Kroger is planning to hire Greg Foran as its new chief executive....

InPost, a parcel?locker provider, reported on Wednesday that its fourth-quarter delivery volumes rose by a record?30% compared to the previous year. The company said that the growth was due to a strong business-to consumer growth, and momentum on its international markets. This was supported by strategic acquisitions made in Britain and Spain. InPost?also?said a special comittee continues to evaluate the?indicative?offer for all of its shares that it received from a?party unnamed, as announced on?6th January. The company reported that in Poland, the fourth-quarter volume rose by 5%, reaching a record high of 220.2 millions parcels. This was largely due to...

European shares rose?on?Tuesday, with indexes from Germany and Spain reaching record highs. Investors were confident about the economy despite increasing geopolitical tensions. STOXX 600, the pan-European stock index, ended 2018 with its biggest gain since 2021. This was largely due to falling interest rates and increased defence spending. Analysts say that while returns this year may not be as great, there is still room for growth. Matthew Sherwood is a senior global economist with Economist Intelligence Unit. There's still a cautious optimism. There are also things in motion that support growth. Goldman Sachs increased its 12-month target price for the...

InPost, a parcel locker company, said that it received a proposal on Tuesday for the potential acquisition of its entire shares. This pushed its share price sharply upwards. InPost declined to disclose the identity of the person who approached them, and said that it was not certain that the proposal would lead to a deal. The spokesperson for the company declined to comment. The company has never publicly stated that it was looking for a purchaser. InPost shares were up 16% as of 0823 GMT,? bringing the market value to approximately 6.7 billion euro ($7.86billion). On Monday, the company's stock...