Category: Aviation

Berlin Military Forum Spotlights VpCI® Technology for Enhanced Combat Readiness

The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Berlin successfully hosted a Military Forum on June 25, 2025, focusing on the “Combat Ready Preservation of Military Assets with Patented VpCI® Technology.” The event brought together military industry experts from across the globe to explore the crucial role of advanced corrosion protection in enhancing the operational readiness and longevity of military equipment.

The forum highlighted VpCI® technology, developed by Cortec® Corporation, a global leader in environmentally responsible corrosion protection. Cortec’s experts, alongside their partners, shared extensive field experience, highlighting VpCI® corrosion inhibitors in diverse applications for the United

States Navy, U.S. Air Force, and The Royal Navy. Experts from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States further enriched the discussions with case histories, showcasing successful global military applications of VpCI® technology. These examples demonstrated effective corrosion protection in both military industry production processes and during the preservation phase of assets.

“We’re delighted to be part of this important forum,” stated Ivana Radic Borsic, Vice President of Sales, Europe at Cortec Corporation. “It highlights the critical link between effective corrosion protection and maintaining a combat-ready military, especially as VpCI® technology significantly improves corrosion protection in both military industry production processes and the preservation phase.” Mrs. Radic continued, “We’re especially thankful to the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Berlin for hosting such a vital and informative Military Forum. It was an honor to share insights into VpCI® technology and our joint commitment to sustainable asset preservation.”

Attendees at the Military Forum had the opportunity to network with leading military industry experts and international partners. They engaged in insightful discussions on the latest advancements in corrosion protection, sharing knowledge and best practices. Participants also explored cutting-edge VpCI® solutions and their global applications, discovering innovative protective measures.

Cortec® Corporation’s commitment to sustainable corrosion solutions was also a key theme, with discussions on biobased formulations, recyclability, and waste management practices that align with circular economy principles. This focus on sustainability ensures asset preservation while minimizing environmental impact, matching with modern military objectives.

Military Forum served as a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, reinforcing the international commitment to utilizing innovative solutions for military asset preservation and readiness.

For this event, the Croatian Society for Materials Protection unveiled a new book: “Corrosion and Protection Using Inhibitors – Vapor Phase Inhibitors and Military Equipment” by Mr.sc. Tadija Madzar, retired Colonel, Croatian Army.

Cortec’s solutions are used by global military personnel and comply with various military and NATO specifications.

Qantas Airlines Hacked in “Significant” Cyberattack

Qantas says a cyberattack targeted their third-party customer service platform and may have impacted up to six million people. On June 30, 2025, the airline said it detected unusual activity on a platform used by its contact center to store the data of six million people, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and frequent flyer numbers.

Once the breach was detected, Qantas says it took “immediate steps and contained the system,” according to a statement.The company has initiated an investigation into the full extent of the breach. However, the company says it is expecting the proportion of data stolen to be “significant.”

Qantas released this statement:

Qantas can confirm that a cyber incident has occurred in one of its contact centers impacting customer data. The system is now contained.

We understand this will be concerning for customers. We are currently contacting customers to make them aware of the incident, apologize and provide details on the support available.

The incident occurred when a cyber criminal targeted a call center and gained access to a third party customer servicing platform.

There is no impact to Qantas’ operations or the safety of the airline.

What we know

On Monday, we detected unusual activity on a third party platform used by a Qantas airline contact centre.  We then took immediate steps and contained the system. We can confirm all Qantas systems remain secure.

There are 6 million customers that have service records in this platform. We are continuing to investigate the proportion of the data that has been stolen, though we expect it will be significant. An initial review has confirmed the data includes some customers’ names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and frequent flyer numbers.

Importantly, credit card details, personal financial information and passport details are not held in this system. No frequent flyer accounts were compromised nor have passwords, PIN numbers or log in details been accessed.

Actions we are taking

While we conduct the investigation, we are putting additional security measures in place to further restrict access and strengthen system monitoring and detection.

Qantas has notified the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Given the criminal nature of this incident, the Australian Federal Police has also been notified. We will continue to support these agencies as the investigation continues.

Qantas has established a dedicated customer support line as well as a dedicated page on qantas.com to provide the latest information to customers. We will continue to share updates including via our website and social channels.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said:

“We sincerely apologize to our customers and we recognize the uncertainty this will cause. Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously.

“We are contacting our customers today and our focus is on providing them with the necessary support.

“We are working closely with the Federal Government’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, the Australian Cyber Security Center and independent specialized cyber security experts.”

Passenger’s Behavior Causes Turn Back

An unruly passenger is facing charges after allegedly attacking a flight attendant onboard a plane that had departed from Hartford, Conn.’s Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, July 1.

The U.S. Department of Justice said a man was arrested for assaulting a crew member on an American Airlines flight that was headed to Chicago, Illinois, around 9:30 p.m. About 30 minutes into the flight, the man stood up, started taking off his shirt and ran to the back of the plane yelling “Help me,” according to officials. He then grabbed a flight attendant who was seated and shouted “you’re coming with me,” then forcibly pushing the flight attendant to the ground, according to officials.

The man is said to have tried to drag the flight attendant up the aisle. Passengers intervened and the man was brought back to his seat. He continued to act erratically and made incoherent statements, authorities said.

The captain declared an emergency and the flight was diverted back to Bradley Airport. State police arrested the man once they were back at the gate. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The FBI is assisting with the investigation.

Air Traffic Controllers Set to Strike Across France

French air traffic controllers are preparing to strike, reportedly on July 3 and 4. Airports in Paris are anticipating the strike by reducing flights by 25% at Paris airports and 30%-50% in other parts of the country. Airports across the country are urging travelers to check with their air carriers prior to coming to the airport on those days and to make other travel arrangements if at all possible.

Berlin Military Forum Spotlights VpCI Technology

The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Berlin successfully hosted a Military Forum on June 25, 2025, focusing on the “Combat Ready Preservation of Military Assets with Patented VpCI Technology.” The event brought together military industry experts from across the globe to explore the crucial role of advanced corrosion protection in enhancing the operational readiness and longevity of military equipment.

The forum highlighted VpCI technology, developed by Cortec Corporation, a global leader in environmentally responsible corrosion protection. Cortec’s experts, alongside their partners, shared extensive field experience, highlighting VpCI corrosion inhibitors in diverse applications for the United

States Navy, U.S. Air Force, and The Royal Navy. Experts from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States further enriched the discussions with case histories, showcasing successful global military applications of VpCI technology. These examples demonstrated effective corrosion protection in both military industry production processes and during the preservation phase of assets.

Dar Appointed as Independent Engineer to Facilitate the Modernization and Expansion of Paris-Beauvais Airport

Dar, a Sidara company, has been engaged as an Independent Engineer to support a five-year investment program, designed to modernize and expand the airport infrastructure of the Paris-Beauvais Airport, in France, serving five million passengers a year.

Launched by SPV Bellova and to be carried out by a design-build consortium (CC) which comprises Bouygues Bâtiment Grand Ouest, Bouygues Bâtiment International, Egis Avia, Egis Bâtiment, and Ameller Dubois, the modernization project includes airside, landside, parking, and building works as well as equipment installation.

As an Independent Engineer and through its local office, Dar France, the company will audit the design stages, monitor construction and project acceptance, and supervise and validate the resolution of any outstanding issues, up to the end of the defect liability period.

“We are exceptionally excited to support SPV Bellova and the design-build consortium CC in delivering a future-fit and sustainable modernization and expansion program for the Paris-Beauvais Airport, repositioning the airport as a key hub for France and setting a new standard for upgrading aviation infrastructure across Europe,” said Danny Aoun, Dar’s board member and regional director.

Anthony Martin, president of Bellova, added: “The modernization of Paris-Beauvais Airport marks a key milestone in strengthening the attractiveness and competitiveness of our region. We are proud to rely on the expertise of Dar France to help deliver a transformation that is exemplary, sustainable, and focused on quality of service.”

One of the world’s leading aviation consultancies, Dar contributes to exceptional global aviation projects, serving as the Lead Design Consultant on the UAE’s Al Maktoum International Airport and Africa’s largest new airport in Ethiopia. Dar’s role on the Paris-Beauvais Airport comes within its expanding portfolio of development projects in Europe, where the company is currently serving as the Master Civil Engineer on Poland’s upcoming Centralny Port Komunikacyjny. With its extensive experience in delivering complex airport projects, Dar brings invaluable expertise to the Paris-Beauvais Airport, covering industry best practices, innovative solutions, and world-class sustainability consulting expertise.

Bellova is the new concessionaire of Paris-Beauvais Airport. The company has been settled by the winning consortium composed of Egis (majority shareholder), Serena Industrial Partners, and Bouygues Construction.

Nimbl Launches New App for Apple and Android with Risk Assessment and Document Hosting Available at Operators’ Fingertips

Nimbl is launching its mobile app for iOS and Android. Operators can now perform risk assessments on the go, submit documents, track manual statuses, access files, and connect with their Nimbl experts —all in one convenient place. This launch reflects Nimbl’s commitment to increasing safety, easing operator workloads helping them fly compliant and stress-free.

Once logged in, subscribers can select their departure and arrival airport, and the system will automatically populate weather-related risks, giving them a score for each trip. They can also add other safety risks, and create mitigations on the spot, using all the same great features available in the desktop version. “This is a game-changer for the industry. Giving operators the ability to perform risk assessments anywhere makes it easier to adopt the system, and ultimately helps crews stay safe and come home to their families after each flight”, said Mark Baier, Nimbl CEO.

New clients can also access their “Projects” page to track their documentation progress, send comments to their expert Nimbl advisor for adjustments, and provide approvals. The “Questionnaire” tab allows them to quickly answer questions and upload documents or images directly from their device. The responses are automatically saved, letting them complete each section at their convenience.

Under the Docs tab, subscribers can see their company operations manual, Letters of Authorization, Emergency Response Plans, and any other files they want to store for secure and quick access. Subscribers are also able to keep up with the latest news and events via Sky Briefs. 

Man Kicks K9 Sniffing for Contraband at Dulles Airport

A man has pled guilty to assaulting a police K9 at Dulles International Airport. The report says he kicked the dog hard enough that it went airborne. According to an affidavit from a federal air marshal, an Egyptian national named Hamed Aly Marie, kicked the Customs and Border Protection K9 as it was helping screen luggage. It happened at a baggage claim area where EgyptAir Flight 981 luggage was brought after arriving at the Washington, D.C.-area airport.

The five-year-old beagle named Freddy, who is “trained to find illicit agricultural contraband,” was helping screen baggage in the baggage claim area when he “alerted to a piece of luggage.” Freddy tried to inspect it further, the affidavit said. The owner of the luggage, Marie, came over to the dog and an agent and started talking to the agent, the affidavit says.

“Shortly after the conversation began, Marie kicked K9 Freddy. K9 Freddy was kicked so hard that he was lifted off of the ground. K9 Freddy was injured and was taken to the veterinary emergency room,” the affidavit said.

Customs and Border Protection said Freddy’s injuries included “contusions to his right forward rib area.”

The man’s bag was allegedly filled with more than 100 pounds agricultural items prohibited from entering the U.S., including 55 pounds of beef, 44 pounds of rice, 15 pounds of eggplant, cucumbers and bell peppers, two pounds of corn seeds and a pound of herbs, according to a statement from Customs and Border Protection.

Emplifi Finds Airline Response Rates to Customer Questions on Instagram Increased 14% Since Last Year

Emplifi, a customer engagement platform, recently released a report highlighting social care trends and insights from the world’s leading airline brands. As part of its research, Emplifi analyzed social media activity related to customer service efforts for 38 airline brands between January 1 and June 30, 2025. The findings revealed a significant opportunity for improvement in airlines’ social care strategies, with 74% of customer service inquiries sent via a direct message on Facebook, Instagram, and X left unanswered.

Emplifi found that when airline brands do respond to social media customer service questions, they are more likely to respond on Instagram. Response rates to customer questions left in the comments section on Instagram posts increased 14% between 2024 and 2025—still a substantial number (68%) of questions on the social platform did not receive a response. Airline brands have witnessed a significant shift on X, with only 22% of customer questions answered on platform—down 15% since last year.

Customer engagement on X is also down: Emplifi’s data shows the overall volume of customer service inquiries directed at airline brands on X has dropped from, on average, nearly 40 per month at the start of 2024 to fewer than 12 interactions per month in May, 2025.

“If a brand wants to outperform its competition, it must prioritize social care and respond to customer service inquiries in real time—no matter how they are received. This has never been more true than right now for airline brands, an industry that is expected to meet travelers wherever they are online. From Instagram to Facebook to emerging platforms, having a presence across channels is now a reputation essential,” said Susan Ganeshan, CMO, Emplifi. “Fortunately, the rapid advancements in AI technology and AI agents make it possible for brands to maintain 24/7 customer service workflows that keep everyone happy. The airlines that are able to adapt to shifting consumer expectations by adopting AI-powered communication tools will lead the way.”

The Federal Aviation Administration predicts this summer will be the busiest air travel season in fifteen years, with more than 50,000 flights lifting off per day—up 4% over last year. More travelers equates to more customer service issues for airline brands. According to Emplifi’s data, nearly 70% of negative comments on airline brands’ Facebook pages are associated with customer service issues. More than 55% of the negative comments have to do with flight operations and another 52% involve compensation and refunds (reimbursement for cancelled flights, lost baggage, etc.).

While airline brands may have room for improvement when it comes to customer service response rates on social platforms, their response times outpace all industries except telecom. On Facebook, the average response time for an airline brand is 2.8 hours—on Instagram, it’s even shorter with airlines responding to customers, on average, in as quick as 1.4 hours. On X, airline brands average an impressive 15-minute response time.

Emplifi’s report also shows that airline brands are leaning into AI agents to boost their social care efforts: The number of customer service-related direct messages on Facebook answered by an airline brands’ AI agent more than doubled between January and June of this year.

“The swift adoption of AI agents within the airline industry is not only driven by rising customer expectations, but also by the need to be present across a diverse set of platforms,” Ganeshan added. “Our latest data shows that different generations engage with brands on different channels; Gen Z leans heavily on Instagram and TikTok, while older generations still turn to Facebook. Airlines must be everywhere at once, and AI powered social care tooling is the helper they need to get there efficiently.”

In addition to analyzing social care trends, Emplifi also ranked the top ten most mentioned global and U.S.-based airline brands on X. In the U.S., Delta, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines were at the top of the list. Globally, Saudi Arabian-based Flynas was the most mentioned airline on X, followed by Air India and Qatar Airways.

Cirium Introduces First AI-Powered Solution for On-Time Performance Analysis

Cirium, the global leader in aviation analytics, has launched OTP Improvement AI, a groundbreaking generative AI-powered solution designed to transform how airlines and airports analyze and enhance their On-Time Performance (OTP). This innovative tool addresses long-standing challenges in operational efficiency and disruption management, offering faster, smarter, and more proactive decision-making capabilities.

OTP Improvement AI sets itself apart by addressing the specific challenges airlines and airports face, such as the time-intensive nature of traditional OTP analysis and the struggle to manage cascading delays caused by factors like weather or technical issues. By using advanced generative AI, the platform transforms complex data into precise insights, enabling operators to analyze trends, streamline resources, and make swift decisions that minimize delays and improve the overall passenger experience.

“Operational disruptions, whether caused by weather, strikes, or unforeseen technical issues, can create a ripple effect across the air travel system,” said Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium. “With OTP Improvement AI, we’re equipping the industry with the tools to anticipate these challenges, take swift action, and ultimately deliver a better experience for passengers.”

A New Standard in Operational Efficiency

This cutting-edge platform enables aviation stakeholders to move beyond reactive problem-solving to predictive decision-making. Airlines and airports can analyze delay propagation, monitor block times, and assess unplanned disruptions with ease. The tool also supports scenario planning, benchmark analysis, and performance reviews, creating a 360-degree view of operational dynamics.

For example, an airline experiencing cascading delays due to severe weather can use OTP Improvement AI to test and identify possible alternative solutions, minimizing passenger impact and operational costs. Airports could similarly optimize resource allocation, ensuring better alignment with real-time conditions.

By connecting directly to Cirium Core which includes the OTP data, the solution sets a new standard for accuracy and insight across the aviation value chain.

Driving Results Across the Aviation Industry

The launch of OTP Improvement AI underscores Cirium’s commitment to driving digital transformation in aviation. Through AI-driven insights, the platform aims to enhance situational awareness, improve operational performance, and support industry players in meeting rising demands for agility and efficiency.

“Many operational teams today lack the tools to anticipate and mitigate disruptions before they escalate,” Bowen added. “Cirium’s latest solution empowers these teams with data-driven intelligence, enabling them to stay ahead of challenges, reduce delays, and improve decision-making across the board.”