Money Buzz! Europa

Category: Vienna

  • Austrian Airlines expands summer flight schedule with 15 destinations

    Austrian Airlines expands summer flight schedule with 15 destinations

    The Austrian federal government announced that the landing bans for flights from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, Egypt, Northern Macedonia, Romania, Serbia as well as Great Britain, Sweden and Ukraine will expire on July 31.

    This makes it possible to reintroduce these destinations into the flight program of Austrian Airlines.

    Due to local entry regulations, Austrian Airlines last removed flights to Shanghai and Tel Aviv from its program for the month of August.

    Flights to Bucharest, Chicago, Pristina and Sarajevo are to be offered as early as today, July 31. From August 1, the Austrian home carrier will be flying again to Belgrade, Cairo, Kiev, London, Podgorica, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana and Varna.

    New entry regulations in Austria

    No COVID-19 tests (PCR test) or quarantine measures are required for the entry of passengers from the following European countries: Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Vatican and Cyprus.

    Transfer passengers also do not require a COVID test.

    Austrians, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens as well as persons residing in Austria, who enter from a risk area, must carry a health certificate in German or English (with a negative PCR test, not older than 72 hours at entry) or, if testing was not possible prior to the entry, they are obliged to conduct a PCR test within 48 hours at their own expense. Until the negative test result is available, a self-monitored (home) quarantine must be carried out.

    The following countries or areas are considered having an increased risk of Covid-19: Albania, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kosovo, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nigeria, Northern Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, USA and Hubei Province (China).

    Third-country nationals are in principle subject to an entry ban, unless they enter from the Schengen area and can present a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. After entry, these persons must also undergo a 10-day self-monitored (home) quarantine. For this purpose, they must present a confirmation of accommodation, at their own expense.

    There are exceptions for certain groups of third-country nationals. These include those persons who are in a partnership with a person living in Austria. These persons can enter without quarantine and without a COVID test if they provide the appropriate proof.

  • Erste net interest income increased in Q1 2020

    Erste net interest income increased in Q1 2020

    Erste net interest income increased – mainly in Austria, but also in Romania – to EUR 2,396.9 million (+2.9%; EUR 2,329.7 million).

    Net fee and commission income declined to EUR 956.7 million (-2.4%; EUR 980.4 million) as lower income from payment services and lending was offset only partly by higher income from other fee and commission income categories.

    While net trading result declined significantly to EUR -19.2 million (EUR 310.1 million), the line item gains/losses from financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss improved to EUR 28.5 million (EUR -140.1 million), both line items being impacted by valuation effects due to market volatility amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

    Operating income decreased to EUR 3,471.9 million (-3.4%; EUR 3,592.9 million).

    General administrative expenses declined to EUR 2,114.7 million (-1.5%; EUR 2,146.0 million).

    While personnel expenses rose to EUR 1,265.5 million (+0.8%; EUR 1,255.9 million, other administrative expenses were reduced to EUR 583.3 million (-6.7%; EUR 625.5 million).

    Almost all payments into deposit insurance schemes expected for 2020 – EUR 92.3 million (EUR 92.9 million) – are already included in other administrative expenses. Amortisation and depreciation amounted to EUR 265.9 million (EUR 264.6 million).

    Overall, the operating result declined to EUR 1,357.2 million (-6.2%; EUR 1,446.9 million). The cost/income ratio rose to 60.9% (59.7%).

  • 90 percent of ATB Spielberg, Austria, workforce to be cut

    90 percent of ATB Spielberg, Austria, workforce to be cut

    At the Austrian electric motor manufacturer ATB, 360 out of about 400 employees in Spielberg are about to be fired, Heute writes.

    This would mean the end of production in Upper Styria.

    Until now, household and garden tools, such as lawnmowers, have been manufactured at the Spielberg plant. However, the factory was recently affected by massive order failures.

    A spokeswoman for the company told APA that production will be relocated within Europe. It is not known at this stage whether and when the machines will be removed from Spielberg.

    360 employees have been registered for dismissal in the early warning system of the Labour Market Service (AMS).

    ATB has been part of China’s Wolong Group since 2011. The company employs around 3.500 people worldwide, including those in Mönchengladbach, Leeds, Eindhoven, Vojvodina and Wuhan.

  • Vienna’s tourism dramatic decline continued in June

    Vienna’s tourism dramatic decline continued in June

    Vienna’s tourism dramatic decline continued in June with overnight stays falling by 88.0% to just 190.000.

    In the first half of the year, the decline caused by Covid-19 was correspondingly lower, with a decrease of 65% or 2.8 million overnight stays, thanks to the still positive months of January and February.

    In the period January to May, the turnover of accommodation establishments fell by an equally drastic decrease of 63% to EUR 133 million.

    After the ban on accommodation for tourist purposes until the end of May, tourism in Vienna started only slowly in June: Vienna’s accommodation establishments had 190.000 overnight stays in June, which is 88% less than in the same month of the previous year.

    At 47%, almost half of this income came from Austria (89.000 overnight stays, – 68%).

    There was also a modest increase in the DACH region: in June, Vienna counted 52.000 overnight stays (- 84%) from Germany, and 6.000 (- 85%) from Switzerland.

    All of the other countries from Vienna’s top 10 of the most night-time markets (USA, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, China, France, Russia) brought declines beyond the 90% mark.

    The average occupancy of hotel beds was extremely low in June at 14.2% (6/2019: 65.9%), and that of the rooms was around 18% (6/2019: around 85%).

    A total of around 39.000 hotel beds were available in Vienna in June 2020, around 42% less than in June of the previous year.

  • SPAR is the market leader in Austrian food sector in the first half of 2020

    SPAR is the market leader in Austrian food sector in the first half of 2020

    SPAR has achieved market leadership in Austria’s food retailing sector in the first half of 2020 with an accumulated market share of 34.0%, according to the market research company Nielsen.

    In January of this year, before the implementation of COVID-19 shutdown measures, SPAR overtook the competition for the first time in the company’s history.

    SPAR Austria increased its market share from 32.1% (2018) to 32.8% (2019) and now holds an outstanding 34.0% as domestic market leader in the first half of 2020.

    In the month of June, their market share stood at 34.5%.

    SPAR in Austria grew by 4.7% in 2019, more than double the Austrian food retail industry’s estimated growth of 2.1%, according to Nielsen.

  • Twin City Liner will return to Bratislava from August 1st

    Twin City Liner will return to Bratislava from August 1st

    From August 1, 2020, the new Twin City Liner will return to its main line and connect Vienna with the Slovak capital Bratislava three times a week, after a break of more than three months due to coronavirus pandemic.

    The new “Red Ticket” allows a trip with the fast catamaran at the price of 22 euros each way in the category Economy Plus.

    A quick booking is recommended as there are only 22 pieces per trip are available.

    For those who have not been able to get any of the coveted “red tickets” the “Twin City Liner Loyalty Bonus” offers a 10 percent discount on the regular ticket price – no matter in which category.

    Seniors (from 60 years of age), students, staff, civil servants and persons with special needs receive every Friday, during the entire season, an 50 percent discount on the Twin City Liner ticket (ID card required).

    During the entire 2020 season, up to two children travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult. In addition, there is also a Twin City Liner surprise package with children’s sunglasses, coloring book and crayons for the little ones.

    Timetable and tickets

    Departures on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays (and holidays) from the Vienna City ship station at Sweden Square at 9:00 A.M., arrival in Bratislava at 10:15 A.M.

    Return from Bratislava at 16:00, arrival in Vienna at 17:30.

    Single price per route and person: 22 euros with red ticket, economy from 30 euros, first class from 37 euros (main deck), Captain’s Lounge 47 euros (upper deck).

  • Swarovski to cut another 1.000 jobs in Austria

    Swarovski to cut another 1.000 jobs in Austria

    This autumn, a further 1.000 jobs are to be cut at Swarovski headquarters in Wattens.

    On Monday, 200 Swarovski employees at their main site in Wattens received their dismissal by email, Heute reported. 

    The group announced on Tuesday that a further 1.000 jobs will be cut in the autumn from a total of 4.600 employees. Managing director Robert Buchbauer called this a “painful but unalterable decision” in an ORF interview.

    Almost all employees in Wattens are on a short-time schedule until September.

    Also, as many as 600 jobs are to be terminated worldwide.

  • Austria: Registrations of used passenger cars decreased by 11.5%

    Austria: Registrations of used passenger cars decreased by 11.5%

    A total of 385.780 used passenger cars was registered from January to June 2020, 11.5% less than in the first half of the previous year.

    According to Statistics Austria, used car registrations still increased in January (+3.7%) and February 2020 (+0.1%), but significantly decreased during the COVID-19 related lockdown in March (-48.7%) and April (-39.1%).

    The decline was already less pronounced in May (-3.2%), and used passenger car registrations rose again in June (+26.8%).

    Diesel-driven (share: 59.4%; -13.3%) and petrol-driven passenger cars (incl. flex-fuel; share: 38.5%; -10.4%) recorded declines compared to the first half of 2019; alternative drives achieved a share of 2.1% and increased by 40.8%.

    Among the top 10 passenger car makes, the number of used registrations declined for all brands: Opel (-17.3%), Ford (-13.7%), Peugeot (-13.1%), VW (-12.0%), Renault (-11.0%), Mercedes (-9.8%), Audi (-9.6%), Seat (-9.5%), BMW (-8.0%) and Skoda (-0.5%).

    9.5% less vehicle registrations from January to June 2020

    In the first half of 2020, 493 663 used motor vehicles were registered, 9.5% less than in the first half of 2019.

    The used commercial vehicle market recorded an increase of 7 vehicles for lorries category (cat.) N3, while there were declines for agricultural and forestry tractors (-0.9%), lorries cat. N1 (-1.1%), lorries cat. N2 (-20.5%) and articulated lorries (-15.0%).

    For used two-wheelers, fewer motorcycles (-0.2%) and scooters (-4.7%) were registered compared to the first half of 2019.

  • BaronMerino to start its Kickstarter campaign on July 30

    BaronMerino to start its Kickstarter campaign on July 30

    An Austrian startup develops innovative patented Merino wool blend fabric and now seeks to finance their first clothing collection through crowdfunding.

    After two years in development, BaronMerino is ready to introduce their innovative new fabric that combines Merino wool with a synthetic material developed for use in sports underwear.

    The fibers are bonded together in a patented production process that preserves the natural odor-resistance, temperature regulation and quick drying properties of Merino wool and augments them with the comfort, durability and functionality of Meryl Skinlife.

    Kickstarting the first collection

    The first BaronMerino Collection features a blouse, polo shirt and t-shirt for women and a pullover, polo shirt and t-shirt for men and will be available in five popular colors.

    Recommended retail prices range from €85 to €127 with special discounts for early Kickstarter backers of up to 50%.

    Starting their 28 day Kickstarter campaign on 30th of July with a funding goal of 35.000 euros which will be used to finance the production of the fabric, as well as the manufacture and delivery of the garments.

  • CCC mobile app is available in Austria

    CCC mobile app is available in Austria

    CCC launched its mobile application on the Austrian market. It is available on Google Play and will soon be available in the App Store.

    Austria is the fourth foreign market, after the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, where CCC customers can use the mobile application.

    The CCC application makes it easier for customers to shop online thanks to the use of modern functionalities such as Visual Search – product search based on a photo (available on the iOS operating system, soon also on Android) or “Discover” (like / dislike) – searching by rating products available in the shop.

    The customer can also check the availability of products in stationery stores or find the nearest store. Users have access to the current promotional offer online and in stationery stores, while members of the CCC Club use the mobile version of their loyalty card.

    The group has a total of over 60 online platforms across Europe: through the eobuwie.pl, ccc.eu, MODIVO, DeeZee, and Gino Rossi domains.

    In 2019, CCC customers purchased over 52 million pairs of footwear in all sales channels.

  • Austrian population reached 8.9 million on 1 January 2020

    Austrian population reached 8.9 million on 1 January 2020

    8.901.064 people lived in Austria on 1 January 2020, according to the final results of Statistics Austria.

    Compared to the beginning of 2019, this represents an increase of 42.289 inhabitants (+0.48%). P

    opulation growth thus was slightly higher than in the year before: In 2018, the Austrian population had increased by only 0.41% (+36 508 people).

    About 96% of Austria’s population growth in 2019 was due to international migration gains of 40.613 people. However, natural population growth also contributed to the overall increase,

  • Vienna: Solar power meets the energy needs of all households in Josefstadt

    Vienna: Solar power meets the energy needs of all households in Josefstadt

    From January to the end of June 2020, Wien Energie generated more solar energy than ever before. Austria’s largest solar power generator increased its production by almost 60 percent year-on-year to 13,800 megawatt hours.

    The increase is mainly due to the dedicated photovoltaic expansion programme of Wien Energie.

    27 turbines with around 16 megawatts have been built since the beginning of the year alone or are currently in implementation.

    But the weather also played a part in this spring: In particular, May 2020 lived up to its name as a sunny month, almost every day the facilities here ran at peak performance.

    2030: Solar energy to power 250.000 households

    Wien Energie currently operates around 230 photovoltaic plants, 27 of which are citizen solar power plants. The installed capacity is just under 50 megawatts.

    This corresponds to an expanded area of around 750.000 square metres or more than 100 football pitches. More than 80 percent of the plants are currently on roof surfaces.

    By 2030, Wien Energie aims to generate solar power with an output of 600 megawatts. This means that 250.000 households or two cities such as Graz and Linz can be supplied together.

    The company will spend half a billion euros on this over the next ten years.