Category: Ski Skiing News (Page 1 of 3)

Lufthansa Group plans to hire 13,000 new people in 2024

January 16, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra: LHAG) plans to hire around 13,000 new employees for a wide range of professions in 2024. New colleagues for the cockpit and cabin, technicians and new colleagues in IT are particularly sought after. However, jobs are also being advertised in other areas, such as ground staff at the Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. It is planned to recruit more than 3,500 people in the cabin and around 1,000 for the cockpit. In addition, around 2,000 technicians, roughly 800 trainees and approximately 900 IT experts are to join the Lufthansa Group.

Lufthansa recruited more than 13,000 new employees in 2023. In total, over 95,000 people are currently working for the Lufthansa Group in more than 90 countries. Job vacancies and other career opportunities are available on the company career website www.lufthansagroup.careers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Emirates A380 returns to Vienna, Austria

January 9, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Vienna, Austria, January 9, 2024 – Emirates is welcoming the new year in Austria with great news: Starting on February 21 until the end of the winter flight schedule (March 30, 2024), the flights EK127 and EK 128 which are currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be upgraded to a three-class A380 aircraft, boosting capacity and adding more options for travellers to and from Vienna.

Emirates’ flight EK127 leaves Dubai at 8:55 am and arrives in the Austrian capital at 12:25 pm. The return flight EK128, departs Vienna at 3:10 pm and arrives in Dubai at 23:40 pm, with all times local.

Emirates passengers travelling from Vienna will once again enjoy the unique experience offered by the world’s largest passenger aircraft, including First Class suites and shower spas, the onboard lounge and, of course, the best international and regionally inspired cuisine. The award-winning in-flight entertainment system ice offers up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment.

SBB takes skiers from around the world to the Swiss Alps

January 4, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

In order to meet the demand for sustainable and comfortable travel to winter sports areas, SBB offers direct trains, some of which run seasonally. With Snow’n’Rail, travelers also benefit from attractive discounts.

As soon as the first snow falls, snow enthusiasts from all over the world head to the Swiss slopes. According to Presence Switzerland, around a third of the Swiss population skis regularly. Many tourists also want to explore the Swiss slopes. Switzerland takes sixth place in the ranking of the most popular ski destinations. Many winter sports fans are placing more and more value on sustainable and comfortable travel by public transport. The SBB is also feeling this increasing demand and is therefore offering additional direct trains to the winter sports areas during the winter months. Other direct trains run to popular tourist destinations throughout the year. In addition to direct trains, which have already proven themselves in previous years, new offers will be added in the 2024 winter season.

New direct train to Einsiedeln

From January 13th to March 3rd, 2024, there will be two fast and direct connections from Zurich HB (departures at 8:27 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.) to Einsiedeln (arrivals at 9:19 a.m. and 10:24 a.m.) on the weekends in the morning and back again in the afternoon (departures at 3:32 p.m. and 4:38 p.m.). This RegioExpress takes cross-country skiers and sun-seekers directly to the trail without having to change.

New direct train Zurich HB–Brig

From Christmas to Easter (and on Ascension Day, Pentecost and from June to October) a new, fast direct train runs on Saturdays from Zurich HB (from 7.38 a.m.) with stops in Lenzburg, Thun, Spiez, Frutigen and Visp to Brig (at 9.38 a.m.) . On Sundays the train runs in the opposite direction from Brig at 4:18 p.m., arriving in Zurich HB at 6:32 p.m. The train takes skiers to the ski areas of the Bernese Oberland with a change in Spiez or Frutigen and to the slopes of the Valais ski areas from Visp or Brig. The train runs without stopping in Bern.

Vos Alpes Express

The “VosAlpes Express” has been running between Freiburg and Le Châble on weekends and public holidays from December 16, 2023 to April 14, 2024 (except March 16 and 17, 2024) for three years. The train leaves Friborg at 7:22 a.m. and arrives in Le Châble at 9:15 a.m. From Aigle there is a connection to Champéry to the Les Portes du Soleil ski area and from Bex to the Villars-Bretaye ski area. For the return journey, travelers use the “Verbier Express” at 5:27 p.m. from Le Châble and change in Bex (on the same platform) to the waiting “VosAlpes Express,” which arrives in Freiburg at 7:37 p.m. Supersaver tickets for the train are available in advance. Travelers also benefit from a 30 percent discount on their ski pass in Verbier and a 20 percent discount on the ski pass in Les Portes du Soleil when traveling with the “VosAlpes Express”. Further information can be found on the SBB website “VosAlpes Express”

Verbier Express

The Verbier Express runs between Geneva Airport and Le Châble on weekends and public holidays between December 16, 2023 and April 14, 2024 (except March 16 and 17, 2024). The train leaves Geneva Airport at 7:18 a.m. and Geneva at 7:29 a.m. and reaches Le Châble at 9:39 a.m. Conversely, it departs Le Châble at 5:27 p.m. and arrives in Genève at 7:40 p.m. and Genève-Aéroport at 7:47 p.m. When purchased in advance, travelers benefit from super saver tickets and, when traveling with the “Verbier Express”, a 30 percent discount on the 1-day ski pass for the Verbier sector. Further information can be found on the SBB website “Verbier Express”

Additional direct trains from Geneva to Chur

Since the timetable change in December 2022, two trains have been running directly from Geneva via Bern and Zurich to Chur and vice versa on weekends. Due to high demand, two additional direct trains were introduced on this line with the 2024 timetable. There are now four attractive direct connections in each direction spread throughout the day on weekends. Chur is an ideal starting point for onward travel to the well-known ski areas of Arosa Lenzerheide, Flims-Laax or Davos Klosters, as well as to smaller areas.

Direct train from Zurich Airport to Interlaken

Since the 2023 timetable, leisure travelers and tourists have been taking the IC81 directly and without changing trains from Zurich Airport and eastern Switzerland via Bern to Interlaken East. Direct trains also run with the IC61 from Basel SBB via Bern to Interlaken Ost. From there, the Jungfrau Railway takes snow enthusiasts to the Jungfrau Ski Region, which combines the three areas of Grindelwald-Wengen, Grindelwald-First and Mürren-Schilthorn. The Zentralbahn also runs from Interlaken Ost to Meiringen for an onward journey to the Meiringen-Hasliberg ski area.

More winter sports trains and extensions

As in previous years, the SBB is also running additional winter sports trains to Chur and Brig this winter, which will run on weekends with particularly high demand. Furthermore, existing trains will be extended where possible and necessary in order to be able to offer more seats.

Snow’n’Rail and winter excursions: Travelers benefit from a discount of up to 30 percent

In the 2023/2024 season, over 25 ski areas are offering public transport travelers up to 30 percent discount on single or multi-day tickets. In addition, when purchasing a leisure offer from Snow’n’Rail, travelers benefit from up to 30 percent discount on the ticket for the arrival and return journey. In addition to ski offers, there are also various winter trip ideas with mountains and views to choose from.

With a Snow’n’Rail ski pass, Intersport Rent gives customers a 15 percent discount on the rental of ski or snowboard equipment. The discount can be obtained both in the shop upon presentation of the ski pass and online.

Luggage transport

For a relaxed journey without heavy luggage, SBB offers luggage transport with which travelers can have their suitcases and ski equipment transported directly from door to door or train station to train station. You can find more information about luggage transport on the SBB website “Baggage check-in”

SAS to fly to over 40 countries in summer 2024

January 2, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Copenhagen, Denmark, January 2, 2024 – SAS customers can look forward to nine new European destinations this summer. From Copenhagen there will be direct flights to Ibiza, Salzburg, Genoa, Tromso and Dalaman in Turkey. SAS flights start from Bergen to London and from Oslo to Geneva, Milan and Tivat on the coast of Montenegro.

Southern European favourites

SAS is adding flights to long-standing favorites in Spain and Italy from all three Scandinavian capitals. From Stockholm and Copenhagen there will be up to 20 weekly flights to Malaga and from Oslo up to 17 flights to Alicante. Milan will have four daily departures from Copenhagen, there will be daily flights to Florence from Copenhagen and up to 25 weekly flights to Nice.

Oslo will have 14 weekly departures to Split, and it will be possible to fly with SAS from Stockholm twice daily to Milan and Paris in the summer. Oslo and Copenhagen also have year-round services to another Scandinavian favorite, Gran Canaria.

Northern Europe

From Copenhagen there will be five daily departures to Düsseldorf, four daily flights to Brussels and Gdansk and three daily flights to Warsaw and Vilnius. SAS will fly from Stockholm to Tallinn up to six times a day and to Vilnius three times a day. In addition, Stockholm will increase to two daily flights to Berlin, up to six daily flights to Helsinki, and increased frequencies to both Turku and Vaasa.

Domestic and the Nordic countries

There will be up to seven daily flights from Copenhagen to Bergen in the summer, while Oslo will have two daily departures to Aalborg and four weekly flights to Billund, and increased frequencies to Northern Norway. SAS is also increasing the number of departures between Stockholm and Visby, Kiruna, Skellefteå and Östersund.

More information about the upcoming long-haul flights: SAS INCREASING FLIGHTS TO NORTH AMERICA AND ASIA IN THE SUMMER PROGRAM – SAS (sasgroup.net)

SWISS to serve new European destinations in Summer 2024

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

SWISS will be making further additions to its short-haul route network in its 2024 summer schedules. Service between Zurich and Bremen will be newly offered in summer, too. Oslo will be added to the Geneva-based network; and the existing Geneva destinations of Copenhagen and Stockholm will also be newly served in the summer timetable period.

Bremen, which already enjoys winter SWISS service from Zurich, will now see this continued in the summer timetable period. The North German city boasts an Old Town and historic sights such as the Roland Statue and its fabled Town Musicians, along with a lively arts and culture scene. Attractively located on the River Weser and further featuring extensive shopping and dining options, Bremen is a truly appealing travel destination.

As previously announced, Cluj-Napoca and Košice will also newly join the SWISS short-haul network in summer 2024. Elsewhere, further frequencies will be added between Zurich and various existing European destinations including Alicante, Madrid, Naples, Venice and Vilnius.

New Oslo service from Geneva

Oslo will be added next summer to SWISS’s Geneva network. The Norwegian capital offers visitors a winning blend of contemporary architecture, green parks and cultural highlights such as its famed Opera House. The city is also attractively close to nature – fjords, forests and more – and features a lively culinary scene.

SWISS will also be providing new summer services on its existing Geneva-Copenhagen and Geneva-Stockholm routes. Copenhagen delights with its impressive mix of modern Scandinavian design, historic architecture and relaxed waterside ambience, while Stockholm boasts a picturesque site spread over 14 islands, well-preserved royal palaces and historic Old Town lanes. SWISS travellers will further be offered more frequencies between Geneva and the existing destinations of Athens, Brindisi, Brussels, Catania, Malaga, Palma and Valencia in the 2024 summer schedules.

SBB reports temporary failure will cancel Brig–Domodossola connections

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Due to a lack of approval from the responsible Italian authorities, certain SBB trains will no longer be able to operate on the Brig-Domodossola (I) route from January 1, 2024 until further notice. The corresponding trains are therefore canceled in both directions between Brig and Domodossola (I). This means that 38 of a total of 316 connections between Brig and Domodossola will be canceled every week. The EC trains to/from Milan and Venice as well as the BLS trains are not affected. These have appropriate approval in Italy.

Written confirmation required due to adapted fire protection regulations

The trigger is a corresponding fire protection regulation from the Italian Ministry of Transport, which will apply to passage through longer tunnels from the beginning of 2024. Due to border traffic agreements between Switzerland and Italy, the affected trains (Domino and EW IV) were previously exempt from this directive. Due to the pending adaptation of the border traffic agreement to the 4th railway package, a written confirmation from the Italian Ministry of Transport and the Italian Transport Authority is required for the approval of these two vehicle types for the journey between Brig and Domodossola. As soon as written confirmation is received, SBB will resume operations. SBB hopes that this will be the case as soon as possible. She asks travelers for their understanding and recommends checking the timetable in the SBB mobile app before starting each journey. If you have any questions, the SBB Contact Center can help you on 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/minute).

Hyatt Unbound Collection debuts Hotel Fluela Davos in the Swiss Alps

December 25, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Chicago, Illinois – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality brands, announced today the opening of Hotel Flüela Davos, marking the latest development in Hyatt’s portfolio growth in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and the newest addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. Hotel Flüela Davos joins three existing Hyatt hotels in Switzerland and signals Hyatt’s continued commitment to growing its luxury brands in sought-after destinations in Europe.

Located in the heart of Davos, and against the backdrop of the majestic “Magic Mountain,” the hotel is a story-worthy symbol of Swiss heritage. Built at a time when stagecoaches were the primary mode of travel for merchants and postal services, Hotel Flüela extended its hospitality to weary travelers – a tradition that endures to this day. For 155 years, this cherished landmark has been an essential part of Davos’ journey from a secluded Alpine village to a world-renowned mountainside health resort and spa town, and eventually to a thriving global hub for business and leisure. Today, Hotel Flüela Davos offers worldly independent travelers Swiss Alpine comfort in a captivating luxury setting.

Forward-Looking Statements

Alaska Air adds Porter Airlines as 30th global airline partner

December 13, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Alaska Airlines Group Inc (NYSE: ALK) is welcoming a new global airline partner: Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that begins its inaugural nonstop service between Toronto and both Los Angeles and San Francisco in January. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased later today at alaskaair.com. Mileage Plan members who buy Porter flights on our website also earn at least 100% of the miles flown and 100% elite-qualifying miles.

Porter’s new routes will link Los Angeles and San Francisco to Canada’s largest city and beyond with connections to destinations across Eastern Canada including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. Porter will fly the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft between California and Toronto, which is known for its quieter flying and greater fuel efficiency than previous generation technology.

Porter is Alaska’s 30^th global partner airline. Porter’s daily nonstop service between Los Angeles-Toronto begins on Jan. 16 with the airline’s operations conveniently located alongside Alaska’s gates at Terminal 6 at LAX. Porter’s San Francisco-Toronto service will launch the following week on Jan. 25. Porter is now selling flights with Alaska connections on its website.

Alaska and Porter will continue to strengthen our partnership next year. Coming in 2024, Mileage Plan and VIPorter members will earn miles in their respective loyalty programs no matter where they book their flights. Next year will bring even more benefits with access to mileage redemptions with enhanced availability for both Mileage Plan and VIPorter members on each other’s airline.

Forward-Looking Statements

Study commission for Margarethen platform access and new Margarethen Bridge

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

On December 12, 2023, the SBB and the canton of Basel-Stadt announced a selection process for the further development of the “Margarethen Platform Access” and “New Margarethen Bridge” projects. The teams that win the contract should find a convincing solution for the two structures in coordination with SBB and the canton. The final juried results should be available in spring 2025.

The Swiss government, canton and SBB want to expand access to rail and urban transport to the west of Basel SBB station. On the one hand, the SBB is moving the train stops more to the west on behalf of the federal government, thereby also relieving pressure on the main passerelle. On the other hand, the canton of Basel-Stadt wants to create an interchange for public transport near the market hall. This allows passengers to quickly and conveniently transfer from the train to the tram – and vice versa. This should also relieve pressure on Centralbahnplatz in the medium term.

Two major projects are being planned and will combine these two goals: the Margarethen platform access and a new Margarethen Bridge. The Margarethen platform access accesses all platforms with a passenger bridge parallel to the Margarethen Bridge, some of which are extended for this purpose. The new Margarethen Bridge creates the necessary conditions for the expansion of tram traffic and a better separation of bicycle and road traffic.

Click the link below to read the full story!

Study commission for Margarethen platform access

Air Canada makes Europe easy to explore by adding rail booking

December 5, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Montreal, December 5, 2023, CNW – Air Canada (Toronto: AC) today announced new air-to-rail booking options for customers to connect at European airports with four major passenger rail systems, making it convenient to explore the continent. Through new railway and distribution partnerships, Air Canada customers, when purchasing flights, can now also easily book onward rail trips to a multitude of destinations throughout France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to create a seamless travel itinerary.

With the launch of Air Canada’s European intermodal initiative, customers can now, while purchasing an Air Canada flight, at the same time book rail travel from European airports. Through the airline’s partnership with Lufthansa Express Rail Product and new collaborations with AccesRail & WorldTicket, customers can use a streamlined booking process to create a seamless travel itinerary that connects their flight with trips on trains operated by France’s TGV-SNCF Voyageurs, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, Swiss Federal Railways or ÖBB, the national railway of Austria.

For added convenience, customers can check in for all segments of their trip prior to departure, avoiding the need to obtain a train ticket at the station. As well, customers experiencing any flight disruption will have both their air and rail segments rebooked to provide peace of mind.

Wing-to-Rail Connections

France: Sold under codeshare on SNCF Voyageurs, customers can purchase a single ticket that connects them at France’s Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris to up to 22 SNCF Voyageurs high-speed rail destinations across France, including Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille and Strasbourg.
Germany: Air Canada is building on its existing intermodal rail connections with Lufthansa Express Rail which provides access to up to 24 stations on Star Alliance intermodal partner Deutsche Bahn within Germany from Frankfurt airport. With today’s announcement, customers now have expanded options to reach more than 5,600 railway stations across the country using Deutsche Bahn’s Rail and Fly products from Frankfurt and Munich. As of August 2022, Deutsche Bahn became an Intermodal Partner of Star Alliance, the first non-airline partner of any of the major alliances., and Air Canada plans to launch codeshare on the German rail in 2024 via the Lufthansa express rail product, offering customers added benefits.
Switzerland: Customers flying to Zurich or Geneva on Air Canada can now connect at the airport to Swiss Federal Railways trains and reach up to 11 stations throughout Switzerland, including such popular destinations as Basel and Lucerne.
Austria: ÖBB services are now also available from Vienna airport to up to nine railway stations across Austria, including Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck.

Additional details, including about the simple booking process, available routings and destinations, and other important information are available at www.aircanada.com.

New direct train to Einsiedeln

New direct train Zurich HB–Brig

Vos Alpes Express

Verbier Express

Additional direct trains from Geneva to Chur

Direct train from Zurich Airport to Interlaken

More winter sports trains and extensions

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