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German rail operator Deutsche Bahn is to become a non-airline partner of Star Alliance, offering surface connections to passengers of the carrier group later this year. Deutsche Bahn will be the alliance’s first intermodal partner from 1 August. It states that the tie-up will “intelligently connect” air and rail, and potentially other modes of transport as the model progresses. Star Alliance chief Jeffrey Goh says the partnership “opens the doors” of the alliance “beyond the airline world”. “Our new model for intermodal partnerships creates the conditions for co-ordinated cooperation between different modes of transport in all Star Alliance markets,” he adds. Star Alliance carrier Lufthansa already has an air-rail co-operation, known as Lufthansa Express Rail, which offers a similar transfer capability, and the new arrangement builds on this predecessor. Lufthansa executive board member Harry Hohmeister says the Star Alliance intermodal initiative is “the next step”. “Once again we are pioneers in Germany for the intelligent linking of transport worlds,” he says. “We create added value for customers, for Germany as a business location, and for the environment and society.” The agreement is aimed at supporting efforts to reduce emissions in the transport sector, enabling travellers with the 26-airline alliance to use a single ticket to connect between flights and the rail network. “This is how we get more people off aircraft and onto environmentally friendly rail,” says Deutsche Bahn board member for long-distance passenger transport Michael Peterson.<br/>

Consumer rights advocates are demanding Air Canada provide compensation to many of the hundreds of thousands of passengers whose summer flights it cancelled — but whether the airline plans to concede remains up in the air. Canada’s largest carrier said Wednesday night it will cut more than 15% of its departures in July and August as the country’s flight network sags under an overwhelming travel resurgence. The move will see more than 9,500 flights, or 154 per day on average, dropped from the airline’s schedule — already operating at just 80% of pre-pandemic levels. The flights link mainly to the airline’s Toronto and Montreal hubs, and run along domestic or Canada-US routes. No international flights other than those to the United States were among the cull. “This Canada Day weekend will be difficult,” CEO Michael Rousseau told employees in a memo dated Thursday and obtained by The Canadian Press. “I wish I could promise you that the measures we are taking will mean an easy summer ahead. While they will certainly provide some relief, it will take time and effort and we likely won’t see the full benefit until the latter part of July.” Sylvie De Bellefeuille, a lawyer with Quebec-based advocacy group Option consommateurs, says many customers are “absolutely” owed compensation under Canada’s passenger rights charter. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), which took force in 2019, require compensation — distinct from refunds — of between $400 and $1,000 for a cancellation or significant delay that is “within the carrier’s control,” should the traveller opt to reject the rebooking, and in some cases when they accept it. “I believe it is the decision of Air Canada to cancel the flights,” De Bellefeuille said. “Therefore people should have a right of compensation.” While Rousseau apologized for cancellations and “customer service shortfalls,” the CEO also said in an email to travellers the schedule reduction stemmed from strains on the “global aviation system” — which falls outside Air Canada’s control — calling them “unprecedented and unforeseen.”<br/>

Wage talks between Scandinavian airline SAS and its pilots collapsed on Monday, triggering a strike that puts the future of the carrier at risk and adds to travel chaos across Europe as the peak summer vacation period begins. The action is the first major airline strike to hit when the industry is seeking to capitalise on the first full rebound in leisure travel following the pandemic. It follows months of acrimony between employees and management as the airline seeks to recover from the impact of lockdowns without taking on costs it believes would leave it unable to compete. At the same time, employees across Europe are demanding wage rises as they struggle with surging inflation. A strike could cost SAS nearly 100m Swedish crowns ($10m) per day, Sydbank analyst Jacob Pedersen calculated, and the company's future ticket sales will suffer. Shares in SAS were down 4.7% by 1511 GMT. "A strike at this point is devastating for SAS and puts the company's future together with the jobs of thousands of colleagues at stake," SAS CE Anko van der Werff said.<br/>

Furlough notices have been sent to employees of Scandinavian carrier SAS in Norway, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reported on Monday, citing a company spokesperson. Wage talks between the airline and its pilots collapsed earlier on Monday, triggering a strike that puts the future of the carrier at risk and adds to travel chaos across Europe at the start of the peak summer vacation period. SAS was not immediately available for comment. <br/>

The Belgian subsidiary of Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), Brussels Airlines, is cancelling close to 700 flights over the summer holiday period, around 6% of those scheduled, to reduce workload and avoid strikes, the airline said on Monday. "We are meeting the demands of the unions today and we hope it can rule out further actions (this summer)," Brussels Airlines spokesperson Maaike Andries emailed. "For long-term solutions, we will organise a meeting with the unions on August 23." The cancellations would lead to E10.2m in lost revenue, the airline added. Pilot and cabin crew unions of Brussels Airlines held a three-day strike last month, after complaining that the pressure of work was too high and that the company had been aware of the situation for around a year but failed to alleviate it. Across Europe strikes and staff shortages are forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights, causing hours-long queues at major airports, dashing hopes of a first summer holiday for many after COVID lockdowns.<br/>