Lufthansa

The European Commission today gave the green light for Lufthansa to buy Italian airline Ita (created after the closure of the historic Alitala).

Turkish Airlines has said that it was named "Best Airline in Europe" by Skytrax at the 2024 World Airline Awards.

Based on results from the independent surveys carried out by Skytrax, the flag carrier also won two other top awards at the ceremony, including the "World's Best Business Class Catering" and "Best Airline in Southern Europe."

German airline Lufthansa said Friday its planes would no longer use Iranian airspace as it extended a suspension on flights to and from Tehran amid soaring Middle East tensions.

"Due to the current situation, Lufthansa is suspending its flights to and from Tehran up to and including Thursday, 18 April," a company spokesperson said Friday.

The United States, Britain, and France have issued advisories urging their citizens to avoid travel to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories in the coming days. This caution follows Iran's threat of retaliation after an Israeli airstrike targeted the Iranian consulate in Syria a week and a half ago.

SunExpress, a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, aims to carry 15 million passengers this year, says the company's CEO, noting that the carrier served 12.6 million passengers last year.

The company's revenues amounted to 1.8 billion euros in 2023.

Germans faced more travel upheaval after train drivers announced Sunday a new 24-hour stoppage, hot on the heels of a strike announcement by Lufthansa cabin crew.

The GDL train drivers' union said the latest strike affecting passenger services would start at 0100 GMT on Tuesday and last until 0100 GMT Wednesday.

Germany was plunged into disarray on Thursday as strikes erupted across multiple fronts, disrupting travel plans for millions and compounding the economic challenges of a nation already mired in recession.

Airline tickets during the peak summer months in Europe are likely to increase in price again this year by up to 10%, according to Ryanair, due to issues with Boeing and Airbus planes.

The main union representing public transport workers in Germany has called for renewed bus, tram and underground strikes across the country, heaping further woes on travellers.

Verdi, which represents 90,000 workers in the sector, called on a "strike wave from  Feb. 26 to March 2".

Sofia Airport has issued warnings of canceled flights to and from Frankfurt and Munich due to a strike by Lufthansa's ground staff, causing significant disruptions to air travel.

Travelers are urged to immediately reach out to the airline and stay updated through the airport's website for information regarding alternative flight options.