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Nigerian FOB levies on imports are suspended after industry protest
Nigeria's Finance Ministry has ordered an immediate suspension of the levy on imported goods. Companies had claimed that the levy would increase the cost of doing businesses and hamper economic recovery. In a late-Monday directive, Finance Minister Wale Edun stated that the Nigeria Customs Service's (NCS) 4 percent Free on Board (FOB), introduced last month, would be suspended in order to address concerns raised by business. Edun stated in a press release that "Following consultations with stakeholders from the industry, trade experts and relevant government officials it became clear that the implementation 4% FOB charges poses significant challenges for Nigerian trade facilitation and the business environment as well as economic stability." Importers, business groups and others had warned against the tax, claiming that it would raise the price of goods, cause inflation and harm Nigeria's competitiveness in the trade market at a time the country is trying to reduce currency volatility and slow growth. The ministry stated that the suspension would allow for an in-depth review of the framework of the tax and its wider economic implications. It added that it would be working with the Customs Service and other stakeholders to create a "more equitable and efficient revenue structure". Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy, is trying to increase non-oil revenue amid falling crude production and increasing fiscal pressures. Businesses have protested against what they consider arbitrary taxes that increase costs and complicate trade. (Reporting and editing by Gareth Jones.)
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Allegro, an e-commerce company, teams up with DPD to launch a delivery program
Allegro, Poland's biggest e-commerce site, announced on Monday that it has signed a new contract with courier DPD to deliver parcels through the company's delivery service. Allegro is scaling and diversifying its logistics. Why it's important Allegro has taken steps to reduce its delivery costs. For example, it increased the merchant co-financing through its loyalty program and developed its own logistic muscle. KEY QUOTES Allegro stated in a filing that the agreement was part of its ongoing efforts to diversify and scale up the Allegro Delivery program by increasing cooperation with its logistic partners. By the Numbers Allegro stated that the agreement covered deliveries to DPD’s automated parcel machines and pick-up/drop-off points, as well as directly to customer addresses. Allegro said the contract will run until April 2020. Allegro has no volume commitments as part of the agreement. CONTEXT Allegro has launched its own delivery program, where it is responsible for the entire delivery process. Initially, Allegro teamed up with Orlen and then added DHL.
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SpiceJet, India's SpiceJet, adds eight more Boeing 737s to its fleet ahead of the festive rush
SpiceJet, the Indian budget airline in trouble, announced on Tuesday that it would lease eight more Boeing 737s to bolster its fleet for the upcoming winter and festive season. The airline has now added 18 Boeing jets to its fleet, including 10 previously leased Boeing jets that are scheduled to be delivered starting in October. SpiceJet signed several settlements with lessors, creditors and others in the last few years. However, it has struggled to expand its capacity. Last week, Carlyle’s Commercial Aviation Investment and Servicing unit paid $89.5 million in settlement to the airline. In June, the airline suffered its second consecutive quarter loss due to a weak demand for leisure travel on certain routes in the midst of India-Pakistan's worst fighting in decades. The company also noted that the delay in bringing its aircraft back into service was a major problem. (Reporting and editing by Sumana Niandy; Urvi Dugar)
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French and Benelux stocks: Factors to watch Tuesday
Here are some company news and stories that could impact the markets in France and Benelux or even individual stocks. BNP PARIBAS The French bank is one of the biggest in the Eurozone. It said Tuesday that it aimed for a ROCE ratio of 13% by 2028. They also expected a CET1 of 12.5% in 2027. VUSIONGROUP After reporting a net loss of 9.7 millions euros in the first half of the year, French electronic equipment maker Vusiongroup has raised its full-year target. COFACE Christina Montes De Oca, the CEO of Coface in France, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for North America. De Oca takes over position after Oscar Villalonga. Aéroports de Paris ADP, a French airport operator, reported a single-digit increase in its monthly traffic figures for August. The total was just over 37 million passengers. In a Tuesday statement, the French distributor of petroleum products said it was committed in exploring and considering possible options. This came as a reaction to press reports about "rumors regarding possible transactions" on group's shares capital. WENDEL, BUREAU VERITAS Wendel, a France-based investor, said that it would begin divestment through an accelerated booking process of 23.3 millions shares it owns in Bureau Veritas. This will reduce its stake to approximately 21.4%. EXAIL TECHNOLOGIES Exail Technologies, a French industrial machinery manufacturer, confirmed its annual goals after reporting a half-year revenue totaling 220 million euros. Pan-European market data: European Equities speed guide................... FTSE Eurotop 300 index.............................. DJ STOXX index...................................... Top 10 STOXX sectors........................... Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors...................... Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors..................... Top 25 European pct gainers....................... Top 25 European pct losers........................ Main stock markets: Dow Jones............... Wall Street report ..... Nikkei 225............. Tokyo report............ FTSE 100............... London report........... Xetra DAX............. Frankfurt items......... CAC-40................. Paris items............ World Indices..................................... survey of world bourse outlook......... European Asset Allocation........................ News at a glance: Top News............. Equities.............. Main oil report........... Main currency report.....
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U.S. aims to target China's grip over global ports with sweeping maritime missions
According to three sources who are familiar with the plan, U.S. president Donald Trump's government is on a quest to weaken China’s global network ports and bring in more strategic terminals to Western control. This is part of an ambitious effort by the United States to increase its maritime influence. It is also designed to alleviate growing concerns in Washington about being at a disadvantage in the event of conflict with China. The people said that Trump administration officials believed the U.S. Commercial Shipping Fleet was ill-equipped to support the military during wartime and Washington's dependency on foreign ports and ships is excessive. Three people have said that the White House may consider supporting Western or American firms to purchase Chinese stakes at ports. The three people did not name any firms, but cited BlackRock's proposal to buy CK Hutchison's port assets in 23 countries including Panama Canal as a good case study. They asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the issue. Requests for comments from the White House or U.S. Treasury were not answered. Sources say that, in addition to Panama, U.S. officials are also concerned by Chinese holdings of maritime infrastructure, including in Greece, Spain, the Caribbean and U.S. West Coast Ports. A spokesperson for the diplomatic mission of China in Washington stated that China has a normal level of co-operation with foreign countries within international law. The spokesperson stated that "China has been against unilateral sanctions, which are illegal and unjustified. This includes so-called long arm jurisdictions and actions that violate and undermine the legitimate rights and interest of other countries through economic coercion and hegemony. Beijing officials did not reply to our request for comment. The U.S. Government views Chinese investments in ports around the world as a threat to national security, said Stuart Poole Robb, founder and chief intelligence officer of KCS Group. He said that he was concerned about China using its assets to espionage or gain a military advantage, or disrupt supply chains in times of geopolitical crisis. GREEK PORT IN CENTRAL FOCUS Three sources confirmed that the U.S. will examine Chinese interests in the Greek Port of Piraeus. Piraeus, located in Athens in the eastern Mediterranean region, is an important hub for trade routes linking Europe, Africa, and Asia. COSCO, one China's largest port and shipping group, owns 67% of the Piraeus Authority. Sources close to Chinese shipping investors in Greece have expressed concern that Washington could target COSCO operations in Greece. COSCO and Greek government have not responded to comments. Greek officials previously stated that they were not informed of any plans to take control of Piraeus. Washington has already set COSCO as a target. In January, the Department of Defense included state-owned COSCO on its blacklist of Chinese military-linked companies. The designation does not entail immediate bans for U.S. businesses doing business with the listed companies, but it can be interpreted as a sign that further actions are being considered. The Development Research Center of the State Council (an official think-tank of China’s governing cabinet) said in a recent paper that the United States intended to attack China’s international influence through exaggerating the ‘China threat theory’ and use this excuse to force allied countries to choose sides in supply chain agreements. The U.S. Administration has announced measures to increase America’s small commercial maritime presence in the world. This includes encouraging domestic shipbuilding. It also wants to expand access U.S. controlled shipping registries and review global maritime chokepoints to assess shipping risks. China has a vast network of ports that it owns or leases through its state-controlled companies, such as China Merchants in Shanghai and SIPG. A report by the Council of Foreign Relations (a U.S. think tank) published last year stated that China, through its various companies, had invested in 129 ports projects around the world as of August 2024. According to U.S. Navy estimations, China's shipbuilding capacity is 230 times greater than that of U.S. shipyards, so it may take decades for the U.S. to catch up. The U.S.'s maritime push has contributed towards tensions between the U.S. and China, who see port and shipping assets integral to their Belt and Road initiative. This is at a moment when both superpowers have already been at odds over trade and tariffs. MEDITERRANEAN GATEWAY UNDER REVIEW The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission began a review in March of seven chokepoints on the maritime route. It stated that it wanted to identify "regulations, policies or practices" that create unfavourable conditions for shipping. This review examines the Strait of Gibraltar which separates Spain and Africa at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea. Two sources claim that the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's desire to strengthen trade relations with China has caused Washington to be concerned about Beijing's access its ports. When asked to comment on Chinese port investments, a spokesperson for the Spanish Foreign Ministry said: "We do not know of any concerns or approaches from third parties in this regard and it is therefore not appropriate for us comment." A spokesperson for the Spanish Port Authority confirmed that COSCO holds concessions to operate container ports in Valencia and Bilbao. Since returning to the White House, Trump has taken a number of steps to increase U.S. power over the oceans. In April, he signed an executive directive to revitalize shipbuilding capacities to expand the U.S. controlled vessel fleet. His administration is looking at a proposal for a new shipping registry to be established in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This registry would allow vessels to fly a U.S. flag without meeting the more stringent standards of the U.S. domestic registry. The U.S. will soon start charging Chinese-built or Chinese flagged vessels fees when they call at U.S. port. Trump also wants to seize the semi-autonomous Danish Greenland territory, which is close to the Arctic and has important shipping routes. Sources familiar with the plans say that this is the most ambitious attempt by the U.S. since Richard Nixon tried to boost domestic shipbuilding, commercial ship registry and U.S. maritime power. Poole-Robb, a KCS analyst, said that the U.S. will likely continue to build alliances and partnerships in order to counter Chinese economic growth and power in the near to medium term. CARIBBEAN SHIPMENT CONCERNS According to three sources, the United States is also concerned about Chinese investments in Jamaica's Kingston Terminal, which is a major maritime transhipment hub for the Caribbean because of its location and deep water port facilities. China Merchants owns a share in the company that operates Kingston's container port, along with France's CMA CGM. JISCO, a Chinese metals company, bought the Alpart refinery west of the capital and Port Kaiser in 2016. According to a June study by the Center for Strategic & International Studies, China's presence at Kingston posed the biggest security threat for the United States of all Beijing port projects in Latin America & the Caribbean. On a visit to Kingston in March, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, described China's strategy as being characterised by "predatory practices", using government-subsidised companies to "underbid everybody" and acquire assets. A State Department spokesperson responded to Rubio's remarks by saying that the presence of untrusted equipment in critical infrastructure around the world, such as ports, increased the risk for U.S. security. Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade spokesperson said that it was unaware of any U.S. communication about the reduction in China's influence on the Caribbean nation's maritime trade. During the first Trump administration, there was some resistance to Chinese investment in the area. Bruce Golding, former Jamaican prime minister who brought Chinese investment to the Caribbean nation, said: "I expect that the U.S. will increase pressure on us to reduce our engagement with China." COSCO, on the other hand, has invested with local partners at the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, the United States. The White House has not responded to a question about COSCO's U.S. investment. A senior executive at the Chinese operator of Darwin Port said that the U.S. firm Cerberus in Australia, founded by U.S. deputy secretary of defense Stephen Feinberg has expressed interest in purchasing the lease. Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, has promised to return the strategic port in the north to Australian ownership. He also reiterated this position during his July visit to China. Albanese's Office referred to Albanese’s previous comments. A U.S. official of defense, when asked to comment on the matter, said that Feinberg had not participated in any discussions or made any decisions about any acquisitions in which his former company might be interested. Since the end of the term of President Joe Biden, Democratic and Republican legislators have scrutinized China's ownership of its ports. A U.S. Port official who is familiar with the issue confirmed this. Carlos Gimenez said in February that the United States cannot and will not stand by as Communist China undermines our interests at ports.
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Maguire: UK gas traders must be aware of the weather this winter.
Wind speeds in the UK this autumn and winter could have a major impact on the UK gas market, and even the gas and power markets of Europe. If the wind farm output continues to be below normal, it could lead to a sharp increase in gas consumption by UK power companies heading into winter. Gas supplies will likely become tighter and gas prices higher. The UK could export more gas and electricity during Europe's peak gas period in winter if wind power production increases. SUB-PAR 2025 WIND... SUB-PAR 2025 FOR WIND... Ember data shows that the monthly UK wind electricity production fell below the output total of the previous year during six of first eight months 2025. The total wind power output in the first six months of this year is just under 48 terawatt-hours (TWh). This is 8.3%, or 4.3 TWh, less than what was produced during the same period in 2024. Wind farms accounted for the lowest percentage of electricity generated in the UK since 2022. In the UK, wind farms produced 31.9% (or about 35% of utility-scale) electricity from January to August. This compares to almost 35% in the same period in 2024. GAS OFFSET Gas-fired electricity generation in the UK increased by 17.5% compared to the same period last year and reached its highest level in two years. The UK's final coal-fired plant was shut down in September last year. This helped to boost gas-fired production this year. It also resulted in the highest total power generation ever recorded from UK diesel-fired stations. Gas-fired electricity accounted for a 33% share of UK utility electric generation. This is an increase from 29% during the same period 2024. Gas will continue to be the main source of power dispatchable in the UK, particularly during times when wind farm output is intermittent and falls short of expectations. LSEG data shows that gas will be the main source of heating for the UK power sector during the upcoming cold spells. Temperatures are expected to continue trending lower, but remain above the long-term norm in the next month. Seasonal Upwings As we move into the last months of the calendar year, both wind and gas tend to increase. The wind speed at the turbines increases with the change in season, which has historically led to a dramatic increase in the production of wind electricity. Ember data show that between 2019 and 2024 the UK's wind electricity production during the last three months of the calendar year increased by an average of 66% compared to its average during the quarter from July to September. The share of wind power in the UK's generation mix has also traditionally increased as the year progressed, from an annual average of 30% to close to 40% by the winter peak months. UK fossil fuel power plant generation also increases from mid-year to winter. The total amount of fossil fuel electricity generated between 2019 and 2024 is expected to be 18% higher than during the summer months, as the demand for heating increases in winter. In the past, gas and coal-fired plants have been cranked to produce more power, but now that the UK coal plants are closed, gas plants will be doing the bulk of the heavy lifting in the winter. TIGHT STOCKS The volume of gas available during sudden cold snaps that trigger an increase in demand will be a major constraint to the UK's gas generation capacity during the winter. The UK relies on its pipeline system to supply its gas, both from its own fields and exporter nations. It does not keep a lot of inventory in its domestic storage tanks. The UK power system will likely consume more gas during peak demand times, due to the absence of backup coal plants after 2024. This will put pressure on the existing gas supply network during unexpected spikes in demand, and cause a regular reduction of existing stocks. The stock drawdown has already been apparent this year. Average inventories between January 1 and September 15 were 41% lower than the same period in 2020, the lowest since the 2021. Gas traders traditionally stock up in September and October before the winter rush. This year, you still have plenty of time to do so. During cold, windy days, power companies can rely on the increased power supply from wind farms to help meet any additional demand. Some power providers may worry that UK wind output will remain below the year-earlier level for the remainder of 2025 and that more gas generation may be required to balance the system. Gas traders could see a consistent increase in gas demand throughout the year. They may also experience periods of higher gas demand when power demand spikes due to cold snaps. Gas traders need to be more aware of the impact that wind farms will have on gas consumption. These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for. You like this article? Check it out Open Interest The new global financial commentary source (ROI) is your go-to for all the latest news and analysis. ROI provides data-driven, thought-provoking analysis on everything from soybeans to swap rates. The markets are changing faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on You can find us on LinkedIn.
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Data shows that a sanctioned tanker has discharged Russian oil in India's Mundra Port.
Ship tracking data from LSEG/Kpler revealed that the sanctioned tanker Spartan discharged Russian crude at India's Mundra Port despite a restriction by Adani Group to the entry of ships on the blacklist at the terminal. Kpler data shows that the Suezmax tanker discharged one million barrels Urals crude to HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), Mundra terminal in India. Spartan (formerly SCF Samatlor) has been placed on the blacklist by both Britain and the European Union for violating sanctions when transporting Russian oil. Equasis showed that the ship was managed by Dubai's Nova Shipmanagement, and owned by Citrine Marine. HMEL or Nova Shipmanagement didn't respond immediately to requests for comments outside of office hours. Citrine Marine, based in Dubai, does not have any contact details. Noble Walker, another vessel sanctioned for carrying Russian oil and redirected to India's Vadinar Port on Monday. According to shipping data and reports from LSEG, Kpler and LSEG, the Noble Walker was heading to Mundra on Friday, with about 1,000,000 barrels of Russian crude oil for HMEL. Adani has issued an order to bar vessels sanctioned by Britain, the EU and the United States from entering its 14 ports. This includes Mundra, in Western India. The port is used by Indian refiners HMEL, Indian Oil Corp and others to import oil from Russia. Reporting by Florence Tan and Nidhh Verma from Singapore, with editing by Jamie Freed
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Trump Administration orders Delta and Aeromexico joint venture to terminate by January 1, 2019.
The Trump administration announced late Monday that it had ordered Delta Air Lines to dissolve a joint venture with Aeromexico by January 1, which allowed the carriers to coordinate flight scheduling, pricing, and capacity decisions between U.S. and Mexico. In July, the U.S. Transportation Department proposed to end the joint venture that had been in place for nearly nine years as part of several actions targeted at Mexican aviation. The department under Joe Biden announced in January 2024 that it was looking into ending it. Washington also warned that it may take action against European nations over restrictions at airports. The Department said Monday that the joint venture was ending because it "is necessary due to ongoing anti-competitive effects on U.S. Mexico City markets which provide an unfair benefit to Delta and Aeromexico." About 60% of passengers flying from Mexico City Airport into the U.S. are carried by these carriers. The airport is the 4th largest international gateway into and out of the United States. The U.S. Government said that it did not require Delta to sell its 20 percent equity stake in Aeromexico. The U.S. government said that it did not require Delta to sell its 20% equity stake in Aeromexico. Delta expressed disappointment that the Transportation Department had withdrawn approval of the venture. It said the move "would cause significant harm" to U.S. consumers, jobs and communities traveling between the U.S.A. and Mexico. We are reviewing Department's orders and determining next steps." Aeromexico and the Mexican government did not respond immediately to comments. Delta stated that the joint venture creates more than 310 million dollars of gross domestic product in the United States and nearly 4,000 jobs. It warned that up to $800,000,000 in consumer benefits per year could disappear, and that two dozen routes may be cancelled or smaller aircraft replaced. The Transportation Department announced in July that it would take action against the Mexican government for forcing cargo carriers to relocate their operations from Mexico City and for cutting flight slots. This had a negative impact on U.S. Airlines. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has ordered Mexican carriers file flight schedules. He also warned that his department may disapprove Mexican flight requests if they fail to address U.S. concerns about decisions made by Mexico in 2022 or 2023. The Transportation Department stated on Monday that Mexico continues to "continue along a pathway of market interference and distortion which adversely impacts competition in the U.S. - Mexico air services market." It also said that it "perpetuated an allocation system for slots that does not comply with international standards and benefits Aeromexico." The Department of Transportation warned that the venture would likely result in higher fares on some markets, reduced capacities and difficulties for U.S. carriers because of government intervention. (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue, Jamie Freed, and Kylie Madry; Additional reporting in Mexico City by David Shepardson)
INSIGHT-Airline pilots, crews voice issues about Middle East paths
In late September, an experienced pilot at lowcost European airline Wizz Air felt anxious after discovering his airplane would fly over Iraq in the evening amidst mounting tensions in between nearby Iran and Israel.
He decided to query the decision given that simply a week previously the airline company had deemed the route risky. In action, Wizz Air's. flight operations team told him the respiratory tract was now. thought about safe and secure and he had to fly it, without giving further. explanation, the pilot said.
I wasn't really delighted with it, the pilot, who requested. privacy from worry he might lose his job, told Reuters. Days. later on, Iraq closed its airspace when Iran fired missiles on Oct. 1 at Israel. It confirmed my suspicion that it wasn't safe.
In response to Reuters' questions, Wizz Air stated security of. team and guests was its utmost top priority and would not be. jeopardized in any situations, adding its choices on. where to fly are based upon rigid threat assessments in. partnership with third party intelligence experts.
Our aircraft and crews will only fly in airspace that. has been considered safe and we would never ever take any dangers in this. regard, Wizz Air likewise stated in a statement.
Reuters spoke with four pilots, 3 cabin team members,. 3 flight security specialists and 2 airline executives about. growing safety concerns in the European air market due to. intensifying tensions in the Middle East following Hamas' attack. on Israel in October 2023, that triggered the war in Gaza.
The Middle East is a key air corridor for airplanes heading to. India, South-East Asia and Australia and in 2015 was. criss-crossed day-to-day by 1,400 flights to and from Europe,. Eurocontrol data reveal.
The safety debate about flying over the region is playing. out in Europe mostly since pilots there are safeguarded by. unions, unlike other parts of the world.
Reuters evaluated 9 unpublished letters from four European. unions representing pilots and crews that revealed worries. about air safety over Middle Eastern countries. The letters were. sent out to Wizz Air, Ryanair, airBaltic, the European. Commission and the European Union Air Travel Safety Firm (EASA). in between June and August.
No one should be required to operate in such a harmful. environment and no business interests ought to surpass the. safety and well-being of those on board, checked out a letter,. resolved to EASA and the European Commission from Romanian. flight team union FPU Romania, dated Aug. 26.
In other letters, staff gotten in touch with airline companies to be more. transparent about their decisions on routes and demanded the. right to refuse to fly an unsafe route.
There have actually been no casualties or accidents impacting. industrial aviation connected to the escalation of stress in the. Middle East considering that the war in Gaza erupted last year.
Air France opened an internal examination after one of its. business aircrafts flew over Iraq on Oct. 1 during Tehran's. rocket attack on Israel. On that event, airline companies scrambled. to divert lots of aircrafts heading towards the affected locations in. the Middle East.
The ongoing stress between Israel and Iran and the abrupt. ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Syrian rebels at the. weekend have actually raised issues of additional insecurity in the. region.
The use of missiles in the region has actually revived memories of. the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern. Ukraine in 2014 and of Ukraine International Airlines flight. PS752 en route from Tehran in 2020.
Being accidentally shot-down in the chaos of war is the top. worry, three pilots and two air travel security professionals informed. Reuters, together with the threat of an emergency landing.
While airline companies consisting of Lufthansa and KLM. no longer fly over Iran, carriers including Etihad,. flydubai, Aeroflot and Wizz Air were still crossing. the country's airspace as recently as Dec. 2, information from tracking. service FlightRadar24 show.
Some European airlines including Lufthansa and KLM permit. crew to opt-out of paths they do not feel are safe, but others. such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and airBaltic do not.
AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss stated his airline meets an. worldwide safety standard that does not require to be changed.
If we begin a right of rejection, then where do we stop? the next person feels dissatisfied overflying Iraqi airspace. since there's stress there? he informed Reuters on Dec. 2 in. response to queries about airBaltic flight security talks with. unions.
Ryanair, which intermittently flew to Jordan and Israel. until September, stated it makes security choices based on EASA. guidance.
If EASA says it's safe, then, honestly, thank you, we're not. thinking about what the unions or some pilot think, Ryanair CEO. Michael O'Leary told Reuters in October, when asked about staff. security concerns.
EASA stated it has actually been involved in a number of exchanges with. pilots and airline companies on route security in current months worrying. the Middle East, including that disciplining staff for raising. security issues would run counter to a simply culture where. staff members can voice concerns.
INSUFFICIENT REASSURANCES
One Abu Dhabi-based Wizz Air pilot told Reuters he was. comfy flying over the conflict-torn area as he thinks. the market has a really high safety requirement.
However for some pilots and crew members operating at budget plan. airlines, the peace of minds of the companies are insufficient.
They informed Reuters pilots should have more option in refusing. flights over potentially hazardous airspace and requested more. information about airline security evaluations.
The reality that Wizz Air sends out emails asserting that it's. safe is unimportant to commercial employees, checked out a letter from. FPU Romania to Chief Operating Officer Diarmuid O'Conghaile,. dated Aug. 12. Flights into these conflict locations, even if they. are rescue missions, ought to be performed by military workers. and airplane, not by industrial crews.
Mircea Constantin, a previous cabin team member who represents. FPU Romania, stated Wizz Air never provided a formal action to this. letter and similar ones sent out earlier this year, however did send out. security assistance and updates to staff.
A pilot and a cabin crew member, who decreased to be named. for worry of vindictive action, stated they got warnings from. their companies for declining to fly on Middle Eastern paths or. hiring ill.
CONGESTED SKIES
Last month, 165 rockets were launched in Middle Eastern. dispute zones versus just 33 in November 2023, according to the. latest readily available information from Osprey Flight Solutions.
However airspace can just be enforcably limited if a nation. picks to shut it down, as in the case of Ukraine after. Russia's major intrusion in 2022.
Several airline companies have decided to briefly suspend flights to. locations like Israel when stress increases. Lufthansa and British. Airways did so after Iran bombarded Israel on April 13.
But this limits the airspace in use in the currently crowded. Middle Eastern skies.
Selecting to fly over Central Asia or Egypt and Saudi Arabia. to prevent Middle Eastern locations is likewise more expensive as planes. burn more fuel and some nations charge greater overflight costs.
Flying an industrial aircraft from Singapore to London-Heathrow. through Afghanistan and Central Asia, for example, cost an. airline $4,760 in overflight charges, about 50% more than a route. through the Middle East, according to two Aug. 31 flight plans. examined .
Reuters might not call the airline company as the flight plans are. not public.
Some private jets are avoiding the most important areas.
At the minute, my no-go areas would be the hotspot points:. Libya, Israel, Iran, just because they're sort of captured up in. it all, stated Andy Spencer, a Singapore-based pilot who flies. personal jets and who previously worked as an airline pilot.
Spencer, who has two decades of experience and flies through. the Middle East routinely, stated that on a current flight from. Manila to Cuba, he flew from Dubai over Egypt and north through. Malta before refuelling in Morocco to circumvent Libyan and. Israeli airspace.
EASA, concerned by industry experts as the strictest local. security regulator, issues public bulletins on how to fly safely. over dispute zones.
However these aren't necessary and every airline chooses where. to take a trip based on a patchwork of government notifications,. third-party security consultants, in-house security groups and. info sharing in between carriers, leading to divergent. policies.
Such intelligence is not usually shared with staff.
The opacity has sown fear and skepticism amongst pilots, cabin. team and travelers as they question whether their airline company has. missed something providers in other countries understand, stated. Otjan de Bruijn, a former head of European pilots union the. European Cockpit Association and a pilot for KLM.
The more information you offer to pilots, the more. informed a decision they can make, said Spencer, who is likewise an. operations expert at flight advisory body OPSGROUP, which. deals independent functional guidance to the air travel industry.
When Gulf players like Etihad, Emirates or flydubai all of a sudden. stop flying over Iran or Iraq, the industry sees it as a. reliable indication of danger, pilots and security sources stated, as. these airlines can have access to detailed intelligence from. their federal governments.
Flydubai told Reuters it operates within airspace and. air passages in the area that are approved by Dubai's General Civil. Air travel Authority. Emirates stated it continuously monitors all. routings, changing as required and would never ever run a flight. unless it was safe to do so. Etihad stated it only operates. through approved airspace.
Passenger rights groups are also asking for tourists to. get more details.
If guests decrease to take flights over conflict zones,. airline companies would be disinclined to continue such flights, said. Paul Hudson, the head of U.S.-based passenger group Flyers. Rights. And guests who take such flights would do so. informed of the threats.
(source: Reuters)