Divers

🌏 In Paris, a new attraction at the Eiffel Tower named “Le vertige de la tour” features a 40-meter-long suspension bridge, 60 meters above ground, connecting two pillars of the structure. It opened on February 19 and will only be available until March 9. This urban bridge, the tallest in France, is on the level of the tower's first floor. Visitors must register via a free QR code to cross the bridge within a reserved time slot. The bridge, equipped with double-layered safety nets, can support up to 30,000 kilograms per square meter, ensuring no risk of accidents or dropped possessions.

🛫 In 2024, IATA reported 19 airline closures, the lowest in a decade, while 28 new airlines started operations. Traditional airlines suffered the most with 11 closures, followed by seven low-cost and one cargo airline. The peak of airline bankruptcies was in 2020 during the pandemic, with 53 companies folding. Europe and Asia-Pacific saw the most new airlines, while North America showed few entrants. Economic uncertainty, high operational costs, supply chain difficulties, and geopolitical tensions hindered new competitors in 2024.

🚀 In a tragic incident, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight to Grozny was struck by air-to-ground missiles, mistaking it for a Ukrainian drone, resulting in the aircraft being severely damaged and denied landing in Grozny and a second local airport. The plane was forced to divert to Aktau, Kazakhstan, where it crash-landed, killing 38 of the 67 passengers on board. Survivors Zulfugar Asadov and Aidan Rahimli received medals for merit from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for their courage and professionalism during the incident. Kadyrov, a former terrorist, plans to build a memorial in Grozny for the victims. Chechnya has offered financial aid, but Azerbaijan demands an apology and admission of guilt from Russia, which has not happened. Investigations suggest the aircraft, an Embraer, was likely hit by a Pantsir S1 missile, typically used for air defense.

💾 Access free content by accepting cookies with a simple "Aceptar y Continuar" click, financing the platform and maintaining free access. Prefer privacy? Go ad-free and cookie-less as a "Premium member" with full content access and essential cookies only, plus manage consent for other cookies post-login.

🛫 In Iberia Express, the UPPA union is pursuing legal action over a dispute with management regarding pilot collective agreement updates, prompting IAG to consider a new low-cost airline for Barajas. Luis Gallego's group, unwilling to match the salary conditions of Iberia pilots as demanded by unions, explores either freezing Iberia Express or launching a new low-cost carrier with its AOC or intensifying collaboration with Air Nostrum. Iberia Express CEO Carlos Gómez communicated to staff the uncertain outcomes this could lead to for the airline's business model.

🚧 Booking.com faces a reduced €413 million fine, initially €486 million, from Spain's CNMC for anti-competitive practices as of July 2024. The OTA hired Clifford Chance to appeal the ruling, arguing disproportionality. The Spanish hotel sector, represented by Eskariam and AEDH, may seek over €3 billion in damages based on a September 2024 TJUE judgment. The legal battle could extend for years, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.

🎮 Donald Trump shared a controversial AI-generated video on TruthSocial and Instagram envisioning a rebuilt, tourist-friendly future Gaza. The video transitions from destroyed Gaza scenes to potential future prosperity, featuring Elon Musk throwing money and Trump lounging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

🛫 A Condor Airbus A321 from Fuerteventura to Munich experienced a landing gear malfunction shortly after departure. The crew requested a diversion to Gran Canaria, where they landed safely without further incidents, as reported by air traffic controllers on their X account.

✈️ Lunes: huelgas en aeropuertos de Colonia Bonn y Dusseldorf, 280 vuelos cancelados, 48 mil pasajeros afectados. Jueves y viernes, huelgas en Múnich durante carnaval. Múnich es esencial para Lufthansa en vuelos largo recorrido. Sindicato Verdi demanda aumento salarial del 8% o 350 euros lineales; negociaciones del 14 al 16 de marzo en Potsdam. 28 de marzo, huelga general en Grecia; afectará aeropuertos, aerolíneas, ferrocarriles y ferries. Italia: Easyjet enfrenta suspensiones por demandas salariales de empleados.

✈ Boeing considers returning to Russia three years after cutting ties due to the Ukraine invasion. Russia reports 34 of its 66 A320 aircraft are grounded due to a lack of spare parts. Russian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Denís Mánturov and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have not yet received an official request from Boeing, despite openness to the idea. Western sanctions have plunged Russian aviation into crisis, leading to a significant increase in air incidents.