by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 20, 2014 | Airports |
Another month, another strike in Europe.
This time, the union representing Security Personnel at Frankfurt(FRA) is calling on 5000 members to walk off the job tomorrow (February 21, 2014) in protest to protracted labor negotiations. The Union is seeking a €3 Euro/hr raise for their members from their current hourly rate of approximately €10.
The strike is expected to last from early morning through the evening and will involve security personnel working in baggage screening and general terminal security.
Lufthansa has suggested that flight operations may be affected by this strike and that delays and cancellations are possible.
If you are flying to FRA today or tomorrow, you should research to see what options are available to you as alternatives.
You can check your flight status tomorrow by using this link.
Additionally, you should check you booking (CLICK HERE) to see if Lufthansa has not already rebooked you or provided you with options to help avoid a potentially tough travel day tomorrow.
I’ll update this later if anything changes. To get the info as soon as possible, please follow me on twitter, @LufthansaFlyer since I may not have time to put together an actual post.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 24, 2014 | Airports |
The union representing Air Traffic Controllers in the EU is threatening a strike that could cripple Airline traffic on January 29. The strike potential is spread out through several countries in Europe and each strike has a different start time and duration (see below).
The strikes are in response to the Single European Skies 2+ (SES2+) initiative set forth by the EU that promises to result in thousands of lost jobs in the ATC sector throughout Europe. The union representing the controllers insists that the SES2+ will create a dangerous operating environment for airlines and passengers transiting EU airspace.
The strike may result in over 14,000 controllers in Slovakia, France, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Hungary and other countries walking off the job to voice their protests on the 29th and 30th. German controllers have chosen to not participate in the strike.
If your travels involve flying in and around Europe on the 29th and 30th, you may want to have a contingency plan in place. Perhaps becoming familiar with railroad timetables from Deutsche Bahn & EuRail may be helpful in discovering options. The EuRail website does a good job in covering most European Railway systems.
Here is the latest from EuroControl as far as strike timing is concerned for next week (cut/pasted from EuroControl website):
ATCEUC called the EU strike for the 29th Jan.
European Transport Federation called for a strike on 30th Jan 2014.
Italy
29th Jan: Union called strike from 1200-1600 UTC.
30th Jan: Unions called strike from 1400-1415 UTC.
Following NOTAMs have been published : A0397/14 and A0398/14.
France
Cancellation of French Strike between 27th to 31st, but participating to the action on the 30th January, times of action to be defined.
DSNA teleconference will take place on Tuesday 28/01 at 0830 UTC.
Germany
Industrial action cancelled.
Portugal
Portuguese ATCO Union called for a strike on 29th January between 0700-0900 and 1400-1600 UTC.
Following NOTAMs have been published for 29/01: A0128/14-A0134/14 and A0135/14-A0139/14.
On the 30/01, AIS/COM and Maintenance staff may participate in an industrial action, some disruptions on those services may occur between 1300-1500 UTC.
Following NOTAMs have been issued for 30/01 : A0177/14-A0185/14.
Slovakia
ATCO Union has announced participation to the strike on 30th January for 2 hours between 0800-1000 UTC.
Czech Republic
ATCO Union has announced participation to the strike on 30th January between 0600-1800 UTC. “Working strictly according to the paper.”
Hungary
Based on the preliminary discussion with ATCO Union on 30th January for 2 hours between 0800-1000 UTC is planned.
Austria
ATCO Union has announced participation to the action day on the 30th January for 2 hours between 0800-1000 UTC.
Cyprus
ATCO Union has announced participation to the strike on 29th January for 4 hours, between 1300-1700 UTC.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 1, 2014 | Airports |
During my run this past weekend, I had scheduled an overnight stop-over in Lisbon so that I would have a chance to see the city instead of just transiting it. Since it was my first time in Lisbon I thought this made sense and I’m glad I did (more on my stay coming soon).
Almost always when I travel, I seek out opportunities for plane spotting and usually will pick my destinations based on this addiction. Lisbon was going to be a challenge because it is not known for its plane spotting (at least within the airport) because of the gate designs. Reviews that I read on Lisbon plane spotting were not positive and some reviewers stated it was impossible for decent spotting within the airport terminal. They must have had their eyes covered by their lens caps because nothing could be further from the truth.
Though ‘LIS’ is not known as a global gateway and is dominated by Portuguese national carrier TAP, it still provides great opportunities to see aircraft up close and to even see a few unique carriers and liveries as well. Is it FRA, MUC, LAX or ZRH? No. But is it worth packing your camera and exploring? Absolutely.
There are however a few challenges with LIS. One, most of the glass in the older part of the terminal has a dotted coating and a green hue to help with glare and Air Conditioning efficiency. However, if you make your way down to the new part of the terminal, specifically the large glass walls near Gate 26, you will be rewarded with clear views of LIS traffic and less tint in the glass. Incidentally gate 26 give you a good look at the Non-Schengen ramp so you’ll see most TAP ‘Heavy’ and international long haul flight departures.
Most of the following pics were taken from the gate 26 areas. Some were taken at other locations and aboard aircraft. I’ve indicated the locations in each photo’s caption.
Hi Fly’s A310 – notice the ‘less is more’ livery…. 🙂 Taken from aircraft while taxiing to takeoff
Plenty of European regional activity – This AF A319 is heading to CDG. Taken near Gate 22
Angolas TAAG 777 – taken from aircraft
Another view of D2-TEG, this time from terminal – notice the green cast? That’s due to the tinted glass in some parts of the airport.
EK’s 777 prepares for departure to DXB. Taken from Gate 26.
TAP heavies lined up at the non-Schengen gates. Taken from Gate 26.
Lufthansa’s A321 ahead of departure to FRA. Taken from Gate 16.
My SWISS ride to ZRH arriving from ZRH. Taken from Gate 26.
Sata is the Azores national airline. I love this livery. The metallic blue paint scheme does not come through here, but it is fantastic! Taken from aircraft.
TK’s 737 arriving from IST. Taken from Gate 26 as she parked at a non-Schengen gate.
LIS is the home base for TAP so there are tons of medium range TAP aircraft everywhere! Taken from aircraft.
A TAP A330 making her way to takeoff
Another example on a TAP A320
Another efficient livery – this time it’s Euro Atlantic’s Boeing 767 – though I suspect she will be heading to the paint shop soon based on other ‘YU’ aircraft I saw at the field. Taken near Gate 24
