Europe imports 80% of digital tech; trade-to-GDP ratio above 50% and German debt brake

In September 2024 Mario Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank (ECB) presented a report on Europe to Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission:

The Future of European Competitiveness – A Competitiveness Strategy for Europe.

On 26 July 2012, then ECB President Mario Draghi gave the so-called “whatever it takes” speech, which now is widely considered as the turnaround point in the European sovereign debt crisis.

Shortly after, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced the details of its outright monetary transactions programme (OMT) tool.

Germany again the sick man of Europe

Czar Nicholas I of Russia in 1853 is said to have described the Ottoman Empire as the "Sick man of Europe." 

The phrase "the sick man of Europe" appeared in The New York Times in 1860.

The empire's decline was very long and after the Second World War, France, Britain and Italy earned the label "the sick man of Europe."

In 1967 the British government devalued the pound sterling against other currencies.

Harold Wilson, the prime minister said “From now on, the pound abroad is worth 14% or so less in terms of other currencies. That doesn’t mean, of course, that the pound here in Britain, in your pocket or purse or in your bank, has been devalued.” 

In 1971 President Nixon ended the postwar system where currencies were fixed to the dollar.

In 1976 the UK government called on the International Monetary (IMF) for a bailout.

Germany

Etihad Airways needs to address its failings

An Etihad Airways aircraft at Dublin Airport

Not too long ago, the American market dominated intercontinental flights serving Dublin, Ireland. Now, almost 50 airlines in total, are in the market. From the Middle East, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways service Dublin.

Etihad is the national airline of Abu Dhabi, which is part of the 7-country United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is the largest Emirate in the UAE, occupying 84% of the nation's land. It has 200 islands and a 700-km-long coastline. The total area is 67,340 square kilometres, and Abu Dhabi City is the federal capital of the UAE.

Emirates is based at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Garhoud, Duba. The airline operates out of Terminal 3, where flights arrive and depart from gates A, B, or C. Emirates says its the largest airline in the Middle East, with a fleet of almost 250 aircraft. It flies to more than 150 cities in 80 countries across six continents.

On October 15, 2024, at 6:00 a.m., I took a taxi from my hotel in Dublin. I had taken a flight to Dublin from Kuala Lumpur on October 1, 2024, using Etihad.

The scheduled 9:00 am flight from Dublin to Abu Dhabi on October 15 and a connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur were delayed until after 10:00 am.

About 20 minutes before arrival in Abu Dhabi a British staffer said people planning to go to Kuala Lumpur may be OK but if not the ground staff would help.

The Abu Dhabi airport has almost 100 gates. So it's a large place

I got a small piece of paper for instructions and that was it. (see the detail below).

Even the piece of paper missed that I had to go through two different screenings.

I went to LEVEL 3 but it was about 9:00 pm and relevant staff were not at their desks.

After about 40 minutes in a car, I arrived at Abi Dhabi's Marriott Bonvoy hotel. The staff was pleasant and I had 8 minutes in the restaurant before closure at 10:00 but it was poor.

I would give the hotel a 2-star.

I was in Business Class, which didn't matter.

On the 16th at 5 am I was picked up for a trip to the airport.

Ethid needs to improve its services and even on some of the long-haul aircraft, there is no onboard entertainment. 

__________________________________________________________ 

      Please go to ARRIVALS - LEVEL 0 and clear UAE Immigration

       After you have cleared Immigration, please proceed

      To Departures Area (LEVEL 3), Guest Services Desk (in front of

      Row C) for the transportation.           

 __________________________________________________________                  

World’s Top 100 Airlines 2024

Last Updated June 2024 - The Passenger's Choice Awards

This ranking of the top 100 airlines has been in operation for a quarter century.

"Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline at the 2024 World Airline Awards, the eighth time that the airline has scooped the Airline of the Year title in the 25-year history of the awards"