Monthly Archives: May 2008
While Germany is taking all its nuclear power plants offline, the EU’s climate policy is aimed at a mix of nuclear and renewable energy sources
Germany has committed itself to phasing out nuclear power by 2022 and to replace the capacities with modern technology for fossil fuels like more efficient coal-burning power plants and renewables. In contradiction to Germany, most European countries and the EU … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Politics, Uncategorized
Air Berlin reconsidering long-haul destinations – does low-cost not work for longer destinations?
Air Berlin is the second largest German airline after Lufthansa and operates semi low-cost flights mainly in Europe, and to some destinations in China and North America since last month. The acquisitions of German competitors and a long-haul operator of tourist … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Uncategorized
Ties between China and Taiwan are warming
China and Taiwan are holding talks again about opening regular direct flights between mainland China and Taiwan. This is a major step out of the frosty relationship which derives from the Chinese Civil war in 1949 when the Chinese nationalists … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
International Aerospace Exhibition ILA 2008 in Berlin
The ILA 2008 air show opened on Tuesday in Berlin. It is among the largest and most important airshows in the world and is held biannually. It takes place on the southern section of Berlin’s Schoenefeld Airport which is … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
EADS, Airbus’ parent company, begging for more state support
Yes of course, competition is fierce, the process of designing new aircraft and producing them carries along lots of risks, but does this justify even further state support? EADS’ CEO Louis Gallois complains that Boeing received 800 million dollars of … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Politics, Uncategorized
South American nations launch a union modelled on the EU
There are several political and economic communities which have united to benefit from a single market and from the power of the community. Amongst the most important are the North American trade bloc NAFTA and the European Union. On May … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Global Issues, Uncategorized
EU climate dictatorship will fail and isn’t of any help either
European climate policy is all about regulating and defining standards. The European Commission is going mad when climate issues are concerned and eagerly tries to force all Europeans to buy the one and only European standard green(washed) car in the … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Environment, Uncategorized
An amazing airline! – Air Asia, the Asian low cost pioneer
Air Asia has turned from a tiny budget start-up airline, which started out taking over a debt-torn Malaysian airline to a profitable, leading low-cost, no-frills airline in Asia. It is estimated that Air Asia has the lowest operating costs and highest … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Uncategorized
Airlines and passengers are paying the bill for sky-high oil prices
Europe’s biggest airline, Air France-KLM, announced its first quarterly losses in five years and warned of an “awesome challenge” for the entire airline industry. Air France-KLM’sprofit collapse is in a row with the problems of numerous airlines in the US … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Global Issues, Uncategorized
Coal on the comeback trail?
Oil prices have finally crossed the $130 line and are heading for further records. And as OPEC ministers say they cannot halt the trend – they’d be stupid to keep prices down, wouldn’t they? – coal becomes more and more … Continue reading
Filed under Economy, Global Issues, Uncategorized
