Latest news with #InternationalFederationofAirTrafficControllers'Associations
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First Post
a day ago
- First Post
French air traffic control strike grounds 1,500 flights, disrupts summer holidays for 300,000 travellers
Major airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, were among the worst hit, with Ryanair cancelling 170 flights and easyJet 274, as the walkout coincided with France's 'Grand Départ' read more France's air traffic control officials have hit the streets to protest for better pay and more hiring, forcing major airlines to ground several flights amid the peak summer holiday season. The two-day-long strikes, which began yesterday, have impacted over 1,500 flights and disrupted summer vacation plans for nearly 300,000 travellers. Major airlines, including Ryanair and easyJet, were among the worst hit, with Ryanair cancelling 170 flights and easyJet 274, as the walkout coincided with France's 'Grand Départ'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ryanair, at the same time, has called for politicians to act as their businesses get hampered while air traffic controllers fight against overwork and burnout. Frédéric Deleau, vice president for Europe of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations, said that the protests in France 'will eventually have a negative impact on the network, that's for sure.' What are their demands? The strike, led by the UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT unions, centres on demands for better pay, increased staffing, and urgent upgrades to ageing equipment. France's civil aviation authority ordered airlines to cut flights by up to 50 per cent at some airports, with widespread delays and cancellations rippling across the continent. Airline groups and executives condemned the action, urging the EU to protect overflights and warning of more chaos unless Europe's air traffic system is reformed. However, the issue cannot be resolved quickly, as training new air traffic controllers takes a minimum of three years. Complicating matters further, certification to manage air traffic is restricted to specific sectors of Europe's highly fragmented airspace, which is overseen by 40 different air navigation service providers (ANSPs). Gloomy European skies Observers and experts have called this the 'worst summer till now' as flight delays and cancellations play a spoilsport in the civil aviation industry. Paul Reuter, vice president of the pilot union European Cockpit Association, said, according to Politico, 'Every summer since Covid has been the worst summer until now.' He added, 'We have a finite airspace, a finite number of runways, the airports have capacity constraints … any disruption, because have very little buffers, it's going to mess up the whole system. And that is probably what we're going to see this summer as well.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The European Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, has said that 2024 was the worst year for European aviation in terms of flight delays and warned that the 'situation this year is likely to deteriorate further.'
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE events in April 2025: AIM Congress 2025, Dubai AI Week, Arabian Travel Market and more
The UAE is set to host a range of major conferences, exhibitions, and global events throughout April, reflecting its influential role in shaping the future of several vital sectors regionally and globally. The events hosted in the UAE are distinguished by broad international participation, further strengthening its position as the world's leading destination for business tourism and international conferences. Among the highlights are AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai AI Week and the influential Arabian Travel Market. AIM Congress 2025 Abu Dhabi is preparing to welcome more than 25,000 participants, high-level figures, and top global investors during the AIM Investment Summit 2025, taking place from April 7 to 9 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi. More than 170 countries have confirmed their participation in the international exhibition held alongside the AIM Summit, which highlights sustainable development projects, the creation of job opportunities, and enhancing collaboration and connectivity among participants. UAE Emergency and Crisis Management 2025 The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority is organising the 8th edition of the World Crisis & Emergency Management Summit 2025, which will take place from April 8 to 9 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi. The authority also announced the organisation of the 'Crisis Management Technologies Exhibition' to run in parallel with the summit, aiming to showcase the UAE's leadership in fostering global partnerships, innovation, and the use of advanced technologies, with a focus on joint strategic initiatives that support preparedness and effective crisis response. Air Traffic Management Abu Dhabi will host the 64th edition of the Annual Conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA 2025) from April 28 April to May 2, with extensive participation from international organisations, government agencies, and many leading companies in the civil aviation sector. Local Production The 3rd edition of the World Local Production Forum will be held from April 7 to 9 at ADNEC, attracting over 4,000 participants. The forum will discuss key issues related to sustainable local production, technology transfer, and ways to enhance partnerships to ensure fair access to high-quality health products. Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is preparing to launch the second edition of Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week, taking place from April 15 to 17 2025 at ADNEC. The event is expected to attract more than 15,000 participants and more than 325 exhibiting entities. Culture Summit Abu Dhabi The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is organising the 7th edition of its leading global platform, the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, to be held from April 27 to 29 2025 at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi's cultural district. The summit will be held under the theme 'Culture for Humanity and Beyond', and will spotlight the vital relationship between culture and humanity in a time of accelerated transformation. Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit Dubai is preparing to host the Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit 2025, which will bring together more than 2,800 peace advocates from around the world, at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) in Expo City Dubai on April 12 and 13 2025. Dubai AI Week Dubai AI Week will take place from April 21 to 25 2025, featuring numerous conferences, initiatives, and exhibitions that reflect Dubai's vision for the future of AI and its vast opportunities. The event will host the third edition of the 'Machines Can See' Summit and the Dubai AI Festival, which is expected to attract over 8,000 AI experts, more than 500 investors, and over 100 speakers and 100 exhibitors from more than 100 countries. Gaming and Esports The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment has announced the launch of the 4th edition of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival, the largest event of its kind in the region, taking place from April 25 to May 11, 2025. The festival will feature GameExpo, the GameExpo Summit, the Dubai Cosplay Championship, Play Beyond competitions, along with city-wide tournaments, educational challenges, and interactive experiences that allow visitors to explore and learn within the gaming world. Arabian Travel Market The next edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, 2025. The event is expected to attract over 47,000 participants and will feature more than 2,600 exhibitors representing more than 161 global destinations. Sharjah Children's Reading Festival The 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival will be held from April 23 to May 4, 2025 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The festival will present a wide range of new book releases for children and youth, alongside a rich programme of interactive activities, theatrical and artistic performances, and educational and entertainment events lasting 12 days.
