Latest news with #CharlesdeGaulle
Time Out
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Suvarnabhumi Airport now connects the most airlines on Earth
Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport tops the world's airports in one surprising metric: the number of airlines operating scheduled flights, according to a new ranking by FlightConnections and Brilliant Maps. The national gateway is officially the most airline-connected airport in the world, with 113 airlines flying in and out of its gates. That's more than Paris Charles de Gaulle, Dubai International and even Istanbul – some of the world's greatest aviation powerhouses. Here's what that looks like in numbers: 113 airlines operating scheduled flights 151 destinations worldwide 484 daily flights 51.6 million passengers in 2024 (expected to hit 65 million in 2025) All of this is part of a larger transformation. Suvarnabhumi climbed from 58th to 39th place in Skytrax's Top 100 Airports of 2025, thanks to recent upgrades like a new satellite terminal and revamped passenger experience zones. Once just a regional stopover, the airport is now stepping confidently into the ranks of top-tier global aviation hubs. Top five airports with the most airlines (2025) Suvarnabhumi (BKK) – 113 airlines Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris – 105 airlines Dubai International (DXB) – 97 airlines Istanbul (IST) – 93 airlines Rome Fiumicino (FCO) – 92 airlines Still, growth comes with growing pains. Bigger crowds mean longer queues, busier terminals, and rising expectations. If Suvarnabhumi hopes to crack Skytrax's top 20 by 2029, big numbers alone won't be enough. The airport will need faster security checks, smoother transfers, and less congested concourses that don't feel like rush hour. According to the latest Skytrax survey, Singapore's Changi Airport reclaimed the number one spot once again, with other Asian hubs dominating the top ten. Suvarnabhumi has made impressive strides but to climb further, it must continue prioritizing passenger experience as traffic continues to surge. With momentum on its side and major upgrades underway, Bangkok's main airport is well-positioned for the next chapter. The challenge now is turning connectivity into quality.
Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Chinese Navy Shadowed NATO Aircraft Carrier: Report
The Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—monitored a French aircraft carrier earlier this year in the contested South China Sea, according to a report published on Saturday. France is one of three European countries that have deployed aircraft carriers to waters near China since 2021 as part of the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative, which aims to maintain a continuous presence in the Indo-Pacific through sequential deployments. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, with claims that overlap those of neighboring countries. The East Asian power's armed forces have frequently shadowed Western militaries operating alongside regional allies and partners, such as the Philippines. France, a NATO member state, deployed its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle last November for a five-month mission in the Indo-Pacific, where its ally, the United States, faces challenges from China as both military powers jostle for naval dominance. Beijing has accused NATO of exceeding the geopolitical scope defined by the North Atlantic Treaty and using what it called "Eurasian security connectivity" as a pretext for maintaining a military presence in the Asia-Pacific. Citing a senior French naval officer at an event, the specialist outlet Naval News reported that Charles de Gaulle was monitored by a Chinese frigate as the aircraft carrier entered the Luzon Strait—a strategic waterway connecting the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. According to the report, the French naval strike group led by the Charles de Gaulle also encountered an unidentified Chinese aircraft carrier while operating in the South China Sea, where China maintains a "very substantial" presence of naval and coast guard vessels. Newsweek previously reported on the Charles de Gaulle's deployment in the western Pacific, where it conducted a war game in mid-February with U.S. and Japanese aircraft carriers—USS Carl Vinson and JS Kaga, respectively—in the Philippine Sea, east of the Philippines. Following the exercise, the French aircraft carrier participated in another war game with the Philippine military in waters of the South China Sea within the Southeast Asian country's 230-mile exclusive economic zone, before making a stopover at Subic Bay near Manila. While the Charles de Gaulle operated in the South China Sea, satellite imagery showed that one of China's two operational aircraft carriers, CNS Shandong, was not docked at its home port in southern China's Hainan province, suggesting a deployment in the South China Sea. The French officer also revealed that during the Charles de Gaulle's deployment near China, no ships assigned to the naval strike group transited the Taiwan Strait, which lies between China and Taiwan—a self-governed island that Beijing has threatened to take by force. Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, said at a press conference on June 26: "We firmly oppose NATO using China as an excuse to 'expand eastward into the Asia-Pacific' and urge NATO to reflect on its own behaviors, change course, and contribute more to global security and stability." Krzysztof Sliwinski, an associate professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, previously told Newsweek: "European carriers play a crucial role in maintaining open access to international waters, particularly in disputed regions such as the South China Sea. This effort challenges China's broad maritime claims and supports essential global trade routes that are important to both the U.S. and Europe." It remains to be seen which European aircraft carrier will be deployed next to the Indo-Pacific following the ongoing mission of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. Related Articles US Government Worker Prevented From Leaving China: What We KnowChina Leads List of Foreign Citizens Buying US PropertyIran Pivots From Russia to China in Quest for New Weapons After Israel WarThe 'World's Biggest City' You've Probably Never Heard Of 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Chinese Navy Shadowed NATO Aircraft Carrier: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—monitored a French aircraft carrier earlier this year in the contested South China Sea, according to a report published on Saturday. France is one of three European countries that have deployed aircraft carriers to waters near China since 2021 as part of the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative, which aims to maintain a continuous presence in the Indo-Pacific through sequential deployments. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, with claims that overlap those of neighboring countries. The East Asian power's armed forces have frequently shadowed Western militaries operating alongside regional allies and partners, such as the Philippines. France, a NATO member state, deployed its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle last November for a five-month mission in the Indo-Pacific, where its ally, the United States, faces challenges from China as both military powers jostle for naval dominance. The French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle is seen in Toulon, France, on November 28, 2024. The French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle is seen in Toulon, France, on November 28, 2024. CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images Beijing has accused NATO of exceeding the geopolitical scope defined by the North Atlantic Treaty and using what it called "Eurasian security connectivity" as a pretext for maintaining a military presence in the Asia-Pacific. What To Know Citing a senior French naval officer at an event, the specialist outlet Naval News reported that Charles de Gaulle was monitored by a Chinese frigate as the aircraft carrier entered the Luzon Strait—a strategic waterway connecting the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. According to the report, the French naval strike group led by the Charles de Gaulle also encountered an unidentified Chinese aircraft carrier while operating in the South China Sea, where China maintains a "very substantial" presence of naval and coast guard vessels. Newsweek previously reported on the Charles de Gaulle's deployment in the western Pacific, where it conducted a war game in mid-February with U.S. and Japanese aircraft carriers—USS Carl Vinson and JS Kaga, respectively—in the Philippine Sea, east of the Philippines. Following the exercise, the French aircraft carrier participated in another war game with the Philippine military in waters of the South China Sea within the Southeast Asian country's 230-mile exclusive economic zone, before making a stopover at Subic Bay near Manila. The French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle is seen in Subic Bay near Manila, the Philippines, on February 23, 2025. The French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle is seen in Subic Bay near Manila, the Philippines, on February 23, 2025. TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images While the Charles de Gaulle operated in the South China Sea, satellite imagery showed that one of China's two operational aircraft carriers, CNS Shandong, was not docked at its home port in southern China's Hainan province, suggesting a deployment in the South China Sea. The French officer also revealed that during the Charles de Gaulle's deployment near China, no ships assigned to the naval strike group transited the Taiwan Strait, which lies between China and Taiwan—a self-governed island that Beijing has threatened to take by force. What People Are Saying Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, said at a press conference on June 26: "We firmly oppose NATO using China as an excuse to 'expand eastward into the Asia-Pacific' and urge NATO to reflect on its own behaviors, change course, and contribute more to global security and stability." Krzysztof Sliwinski, an associate professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, previously told Newsweek: "European carriers play a crucial role in maintaining open access to international waters, particularly in disputed regions such as the South China Sea. This effort challenges China's broad maritime claims and supports essential global trade routes that are important to both the U.S. and Europe." What Happens Next It remains to be seen which European aircraft carrier will be deployed next to the Indo-Pacific following the ongoing mission of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
France 24
18-07-2025
- Health
- France 24
Frantz Fanon: From Martinique to Algeria, the journey of an anti-colonialist
Frantz Fanon, an anti-colonial and anti-racist icon, didn't hold back. During his short life, he spared no effort to fight for, as he put it: "the cause of the people, the cause of justice and freedom." World War II: The Awakening At just 18 years old, he left his native Martinique to voluntarily join Charles de Gaulle 's Free French Forces. The young soldier was decorated for his service, risking his life to fight the Nazis. But the recognition was superficial: Black people were subjected to racism, both in the military and in civilian life. He felt disillusioned – in France, his heroism mattered less than the colour of his skin. Years on the 'mainland' After studying medicine in Lyon, Fanon published his first book. "Black Skin, White Masks" examines colonialist constructs, in an attempt to break free from them. That same year, he completed his psychiatry internship at Saint-Alban, in Lozère, alongside François Tosquelles. This Spanish anti-fascist political refugee introduced him to an innovative practice of social therapy – a means of treating mental health patients with dignity. Life in French Algeria In 1953, Fanon was sent to French Algeria. At just 28, he became chief physician at the hospital in Blida. Following Tosquelles's principles, he transformed his department and revolutionised what was at the time a racist and morally bankrupt form of colonial psychiatry. At the same time, he became involved in the Algerian revolution, treating wounded fighters. In December 1956, he resigned from his hospital position and moved to newly independent Tunisia. There, he continued his work as a psychiatrist, contributed to the FLN (National Liberation Front) newspaper El Moudjahid, and represented Algeria at Pan-African conferences. Fanon would not live to see the outcome of his struggle. He died of leukaemia in 1961 at the age of 36, one year before Algeria gained independence. A hundred years after his birth in Fort-de-France in 1925, Fanon remains a powerful anti-racist and anti-colonial reference for intellectuals, artists and activists around the world.
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Scotsman
Edinburgh and Glasgow airports among those to hike drop-off fees while many major EU hubs have no charge
PA The RAC found there is no fee for dropping off at eight of the 10 busiest EU airports Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... More than half of UK airports raised or introduced drop-off fees for drivers in the past year, while most of the busiest EU airports still have no charge, according to new research. Eleven out of 20 UK airports analysed by the RAC have increased so-called 'kiss and fly' charges – which are typically levied for dropping off a passenger as close to a terminal as possible – since last summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The nine airports which raised their fees by £1 are Belfast City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Liverpool John Lennon, Newcastle and Southampton. Leeds Bradford and Glasgow both added 50p to their charges. Cardiff, which previously had no charge, introduced a £3 fee. Luton had no kiss and fly area last summer because of a car park fire, but now charges £5. The strikes could impact both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports | Scotsman/PA The RAC found there is no fee for dropping off at eight of the 10 busiest EU airports, such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Madrid airports. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said this makes increases in fees at UK airports 'all the more depressing'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He went on: 'The sky really does seem to be the limit when it comes to the amount drivers get charged for making the briefest of stops to let friends or loved ones out to catch a flight.' Mr Dennis said the main reason passengers get dropped off at airports is because they have bulky luggage, which means taking public transport 'can be impractical'. He acknowledged that many UK airports offer free options for dropping passengers off in car parks which require a walk or bus ride to the terminal. But he claimed these areas are 'often well away from the terminal' and drivers wanting to help a passenger get to the terminal will 'often end up overstaying the free period'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Dennis also expressed concern over the growing trend of airports replacing on-site payment with a barrierless system requiring payment to be made online or by phone. 'Anyone who doesn't notice the change or simply forgets to pay will inevitably be stung with a very unwelcome parking charge notice,' he added. London City was the only UK airport analysed which allows free drop-offs outside its terminal. Prices were frozen at Aberdeen, Belfast International, Bournemouth, East Midlands, Manchester and Stansted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Karen Dee, chief executive of trade body AirportsUK, said: 'All airports offer a free drop-off facility. They also have a wide variety of options to suit all passengers' needs, including premium drop-off in front of the terminal building for those who wish to use that. 'Where fees are charged, this helps airports manage and reduce congestion, noise, carbon emissions and air pollution for local communities, something that they are mandated to do by the Government and local authorities. 'These charges are a part of the airport business model and help enable the provision of the widest variety of flights from the airport.' Here is a breakdown of charges for each airport: £7: Bristol, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, Southampton and Stansted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad £6: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow and Liverpool John Lennon. £5.50: Aberdeen. £5: Bournemouth, East Midlands, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle. £4: Belfast City. £3: Belfast International and Cardiff.
