Latest news with #Neos
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Fresh flights send New Yorkers running for Italy's high heel
This month, Italian startup carrier Neos launched the first ever nonstop direct flights from America to the country's buzziest region, Puglia. The JFK to Bari route will operate once weekly through Oct. 15, with prices starting from $1,000 for standard economy seating and an upgraded Premium Relax cabin for around $400 more. The outbound flight is on Tuesday, with the return from Bari every Wednesday over that window. 5 Fly direct from JFK with Neos. Michela Celi Even better, there's a stylish and roomy new lounge at Bari airport so you can wait for that return in style. The region's been on the rise for a decade or more, but local experts say the Dolce & Gabbana show, which took place on a makeshift runway winding through the fairytale-like cottages, known as trulli, in Alberobello two years ago turbocharged curiosity. 'We saw a 120% increase in booking from US clients from the region for 2024, after that,' said Ben Julius, who runs Tourist Italy. 'And we already see a 50% increase on that for 2025.' Still, you won't have to worry about over-tourism issues as you might in Venice peak season or, certainly, in Rome during this Jubilee Year. Puglia's at its Goldilocks stage, right now, per Stellavision Travel's Zoe Shapiro, it's just right. 'The region is definitely in that incredible moment where there are wonderful hospitality options to be had but it's not over-explored yet.' 5 Puglia's OG boutique retreat, Masseria Trapana, is newly refreshed. Handout Thankfully, there's already a raft of superb hotels on tap. Pick of them is the chic makeover of the nine-room Masseria Trapana, run by expat Aussie Rob Potter-Saunders, who was a visionary when he opened a decade ago. La Fiermontina in central Lecce is a cluster of three properties, owned by a pair of wealthy Moroccan-Italian siblings. Book one of the four rooms they've installed in the museum they operate in tribute to their grandmother, a famous artists' muse born nearby. 5 Park at palace perches like La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso in Lecce. La Fiermontina New this year: the buyout-only 10-bedroom mansion house Casina Cinquepozzi, in the tiny village of Putignano, best known in Italy for its carnival celebrations. Nigerian jewelry designer Thelma West and her Neopolitan husband, Stefano Liotta, bought it to turn it into a stylish retreat for creatives. Otherwise, check out Trulli e Puglia, said Embark Beyond's Jack Ezon. 'Mimmo Patrizio Palmisano is the mayor of Alberobello, and a great guy who will invite you to his home,' he raved. 5 Enjoy a swish stay at Casina Cinquepozzi, Handout Don't miss the chance for a candelit meal in Grotta Palazzese on the waterfront in Polignano a Mare — not for the food, but for the setting, in dramatic grottos carved out from the cliffs there. The menu's more impressive at the Michelin-nodded Meraviglioso nearby — try some of the assorted pesce crudo. Wine lovers should make sure not to miss the 20-seater My Wine in Monopoli, where host-owner Gianni de Bellis offers advice and an encyclopedic selection. Olive groves abound here, too, of course and to see a farm dating back to the Roman era, complete with forests of hundred-plus-year old trees at Antica Masseria Brancati. Most of the action in Puglia, especially noteworthy hotels, is centered on the Adriatic stretch between the cities of Brindisi and Bari, but if you want to lounge on a top tier beach, you'll need to head over to the other, Ionian Coast, where the sandy spits are far more appealing. Campomarino is a standout, or head over to Tarento for boat trips to spot the Ionian dolphin in the northern reaches of the namesake sea, year-round. 5 The coveted Mathraki Beach on the Ionian coast. Dionisio Iemma – Several companies offer a quirky way to roam the back roads: classic cars. Puglia Auto Classica will rent you the likes of a Lancia Flaminia complete with the original red seats, while the aptly named 500 Journeys just launched a fleet of meticulously restored Fiat 500s. Antonello Losito, who runs Puglia-based Southern Visions has two must-see spots he suggests on any country adventure. Go to the Giardini Pistoia, a country estate that only recently opened to the public — there are concerts there during summertime, and a superb organic shop which sells the manse's own wines. Likewise, he recommends a detour to the Le Constantine Foundation which preserves and champions the skills — long synonymous with Puglia. 'The art of weaving is kept alive here,' he said, noting that the artisans' onsite shop sells everything from handwovens tablecloths or towels to wall hangings, scarves and shawls. Ezon adds another insider spot for handcrafted souvenirs: Barbara Sperti, a custom shirtmaker based in Putignano: 'It's worth a half-day detour with dinner in one of the great restaurants there,' he said. 'And her shirts are a bargain — totally made to measure at [approximately] $170.'
Local Italy
12-06-2025
- Local Italy
LISTED: The big changes for travel in Italy this summer
New direct flights Several international airlines have launched new direct flights to Italy in recent weeks in response to growing demand for non-stop travel options. Italian private airline Neos became the first-ever carrier to offer a non-stop connection between the US and Puglia on June 3rd, while American Airlines launched daily direct flights linking Miami to Rome Fiumicino and Dallas-Fort Worth to Venice Marco Polo on June 5th. British budget airline EasyJet is also set to strengthen its presence in Italy this summer by operating twice-weekly flights between Bristol and Palermo, Sicily, starting on June 26th. You can find a comprehensive list of all new flight routes to and from Italy this summer in this article. Jubilee celebrations in Rome Large tourist crowds are far from a rare sight in Rome over the summer months, as the Eternal City is the most visited Italian city, with over 30 million visitors a year on average. But the number of people travelling to the Italian capital is expected to increase sharply this summer due to special events related to the Vatican's Jubilee Year – a special Holy Year for the Catholic Church which focuses on forgiveness and the remission of sins. Though there are no up-to-date estimates of how many people will visit Rome this summer, planned Jubilee events are expected to draw millions of faithful to the city in the coming months. According to a recent estimate from Italian research centre Certa, around one million pilgrims will travel to the Eternal City in late July to attend the Youth Jubilee (July 28th-August 3rd). Besides an additional influx of tourists, the Jubilee is also expected to result in price hikes in a number of areas – from the hospitality industry (especially short-term holiday lets and hotel stays) to transport services and cultural sites. Higher US alert level for travel in Italy The US State Department raised its travel advisory warning level for Italy from one to two in late May, urging American citizens to "exercise increased caution' on upcoming trips. US authorities said the update was related to the 'risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy' without providing further details about specific terror threats. Though there have been no recent terrorism-related incidents in Italy, the State Department advised American visitors to 'stay alert', 'check local media for breaking news" and 'prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations'. New Marseille-Rome night train After a popular train line linking Paris with the Italian cities of Turin and Milan reopened in early April following a 19-month closure, train travel between Italy and France is set to expand further this summer with the launch of a new overnight train linking Marseille to Rome. Operated by Italy's Trenitalia, the Espresso Riviera service will run every weekend from July 4th to August 30th, with a travel time of just over 15 hours. Besides the new Marseille-Rome link, Trenitalia also plans to resume a popular night train service connecting Rome to Munich, Germany, on July 15th. American transport giant Uber is set to launch new helicopter services on Italy's famous Amalfi Coast this summer, providing well-heeled visitors with speedy connections between the seaside town of Sorrento and the island of Capri. Uber Copter will operate every weekend from July 26th to August 23rd, with round trips coming at €250 per passenger, the transport company said. Besides new helicopter rides, Uber will also offer free boat services between July 26th and August 24th, taking passengers from Sorrento's port to the picturesque cliffside town of Positano aboard stylish Gozzo 35 motorboats. here. Venice entry fee A contested ticketing system requiring day-trippers to pay an entry fee to access Venice's city centre was reintroduced on April 18th after undergoing a 29-day trial last year. The entry charge, which is part of wider plans to regulate tourist crowds and reduce the impact of mass tourism on Venice's infrastructure and artistic heritage, will be in place on a total of 54 dates this year. For a full list of dates and details on how the system works, see our guide. No 'key box ban' for holiday rentals (with some exceptions) People planning to stay in an Italian holiday rental property this summer will be able to check into their accommodation remotely - though there are some exceptions. A contested nationwide ban on remote check-ins was overturned by Lazio's Regional Administrative Court (TAR) in late May, with the court citing the lack of sufficient legal grounds and disproportionate burdens on property owners as the main reasons behind its ruling. The ban had been introduced by Italy's interior ministry in November, ending popular remote check-in practices for guests and leading to a spate of police operations aimed at removing key boxes (lock boxes containing the keys to a property) in cities around the country. Though the court's ruling overturned the national ban, local ordinances outlawing the use of key boxes by holiday rental owners were not affected by the decision. This means that cities that enforce key box bans under municipal laws (for instance, Florence) will continue to do so this summer. Transport strikes Transport strikes are frequent in Italy and this summer will be no exception as Italian trade unions have already announced multiple walkouts affecting air, rail and local public transport services. Quite conveniently though, strikes are generally planned and called well in advance in Italy, and the Italian transport ministry lists them on an online calendar (in Italian). This usually gives travellers some time to arrange alternative means of transportation or, when possible, reschedule their journeys. If you're planning to travel to, from or across Italy this June, you'll find a list of the major planned walkouts in this article. What doesn't change this summer? New EU visa and passport systems Originally scheduled to come into force in 2022, the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) have been repeatedly delayed due to incomplete border infrastructure. According to the latest available information, the EES passport check system could begin in October, with the ETIAS visa waiver scheme expected to be rolled out six months later. There is, however, no guarantee that the two planned changes won't be delayed again. For a full explanation of the EES and ETIAS schemes and what they mean for non-EU citizens travelling in and out of the EU, see our guide.
Local Italy
03-06-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
Italy's Neos airline to launch first-ever US-Puglia direct route on Tuesday
Milan-based Neos said it will offer weekly flights between New York JFK and Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport between Tuesday, June 3rd and Wednesday, October 15th. Flights to Bari are set to depart from JFK every Tuesday at 5pm and arrive in Puglia's capital at 7.40am the following day. Services in the opposite direction will depart from Bari every Wednesday at 11.35am and arrive in New York at 2.50pm. Passengers will travel on 335-seater Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners offering premium and economy class, the airline said. Puglia's Tourism Minister Gianfranco Lopane hailed the new flights as 'a formidable tool to position our region among the most sought-after international destinations'. 'This route not only makes it easier for American travellers, who are increasingly drawn to Puglia's beauty, culture, and traditions, to visit but also strengthens our ability to engage with a strategic market like the United States,' he added. Neos CEO Carlo Stradotti also expressed satisfaction over the launch of the new route, citing 'very strong interest' in long-haul links to Italy among Americans. 'Interest in [US-Italy] routes and ticket sales have exceeded expectations [...] and we haven't needed to use any promotions,' he said. The new seasonal link to Puglia will bring the number of New York-Italy routes operated by Neos to three, adding to existing JFK-Palermo and JFK-Milan Malpensa direct flights. The Italian airline's New York-Bari route is one of three US-Italy seasonal connections set to be launched this week, with American Airlines due to offer daily direct flights connecting Miami to Rome Fiumicino and Dallas-Fort Worth to Venice Marco Polo from Thursday, June 5th.
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
PlasCred Circular Innovations Inc. Reports 2024 Year-End Results
PlasCred Wraps Transformational Year: Long-Term Offtake Secured, Neos Facility Progressing Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2025) - PlasCred Circular Innovations Inc. (CSE: PLAS) (FSE: XV2) ('PlasCred' or the 'Company'), a Canadian clean technology company transforming plastic waste into renewable industrial hydrocarbon feedstock, today announces its audited financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2024, highlighting key milestones including a significant offtake agreement, major project advancements, and strategic funding initiatives. PlasCred secured a definitive five-year offtake agreement with a leading Global Commodities Company ('GCC') for the entire output of its first commercial facility, Neos. The agreement provides a fixed price of CAD $120.00 per barrel for Renewable Green Condensate™ ('Condensate'), PlasCred's proprietary low-carbon hydrocarbon feedstock used in the production of virgin plastics, with renewal options and rights of first refusal on future production from both Neos and the planned larger-scale Maximus facility. Under FCA Incoterms, the customer assumes transportation responsibility at the Scotford site. 'This offtake agreement significantly de-risks our commercialization pathway and confirms strong market demand for our product,' said Troy Lupul, President & CEO of PlasCred. 'We now have market validation, secured long-term revenue, and a strategically advantageous site-all the necessary elements to begin building Canada's circular plastics infrastructure.' Neos Facility Development - Strategic Hub at CN's Scotford Yard Construction of PlasCred's Neos, to be strategically located at CN Rail's Scotford Yard in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, is expected to commence construction in early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and financing completion, with commissioning anticipated late 2026. The Neos facility will process approximately 100 metric tonnes of plastic waste daily, producing around 500 barrels/day of condensate. The site's rail connectivity and proximity to Alberta's petrochemical infrastructure ensure efficient feedstock supply and product distribution. The facility will be co-located with the proposed Maximus plant, designed for phased expansion up to 2,000 tonnes/day processing capacity, yielding up to 10,000 barrels/day of condensate. Lifecycle assessments project Neos will annually divert over 36,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually and reduce approximately 51,000 tonnes of CO₂e, comparable to removing over 11,000 cars from roads each year. When fully operational, the Maximus facility is expected to deliver GHG reductions of more than 350,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually, significantly contributing to Canada's environmental goals. Alberta Innovates Grant Supports Technology Optimization In April 2025, PlasCred received a $500,000 non-dilutive grant from Alberta Innovates, Alberta's leading innovation funding agency, in collaboration with the University of Calgary's Centre for Advanced Polymers and Nanotechnology. The ongoing research focuses on enhancing product quality and energy efficiency of PlasCred's patent-pending catalytic pyrolysis process, directly benefiting the upcoming commercialization at the Neos facility. Project Financing and Execution Roadmap The Neos facility requires approximately CAD $25 million for construction and commissioning. PlasCred is actively pursuing a blended financing strategy that includes non-dilutive government grants, senior project-level debt, and strategic equity investments from industry partners. The Company is in advanced discussions with both capital and debt providers and anticipates finalizing the remaining components of the funding package ahead of the planned construction start in Q1 2026. While positive progress has been made, the Company notes that construction remains contingent to securing the full financing required. The company's executive team brings significant expertise to ensure effective execution. CEO Troy Lupul has successfully scaled multiple industrial companies, and CTO Dr. Wayne Monnery possesses over 30 years' experience in fluid processing and catalyst optimization, essential for advancing PlasCred's technological and operational milestones. 2024 Financial Summary As a pre-commercial company, PlasCred reported no revenue and incurred a net loss of CAD $3,175,785 for the year, reflecting planned investments in engineering, pilot operations, permitting, and commercial development. At year-end, total assets were CAD $851,757. The company had 70.8 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024. Full audited financial statements and MD&A are available on PlasCred's website and SEDAR+. Operational Results For the 12 months ending December 31 st , 2024, PlasCred reported the following: Net loss from operations: $(3,175,785) Basic and diluted loss per common share: $(0.05) Comparatively, for the year ending December 31 st , 2023 , 2023 Net loss from operations: $(3,092,996) Basic and diluted loss per common share: $(0.07) Financial Position as of December 31 st , 2024: Net current assets: $68,612 Total assets: $851,757 including our Primus facility Current liabilities: $ 1,399,511 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity: $851,757 Shares Outstanding: The company common shares outstanding totaled 70,780,636 as of December 31 st 2024. Subsequent event: In May 2025 the company closed a private placement for $452,500. 2025 Outlook - Transitioning to Execution Phase With 100% of Neos' planned output secured under a long-term offtake agreement, all Renewable Green Condensate™ will be delivered through PlasCred's Global Commodities Company ('GCC') partner into global markets for use in virgin plastic production. This agreement provides long-term revenue visibility and reinforces PlasCred's role as a key upstream contributor to the global circular plastics economy. In the year ahead, PlasCred's priority is to secure final project financing and commence construction of the Neos facility at CN Rail's Scotford Yard. The Company will also finalize long-term feedstock supply agreements and advance integrated logistics planning with CN Rail, which is positioned to support both inbound plastic waste and outbound product shipments. The near-term objective is to bring Neos into profitable, cash-flow-generating operations, establishing a strong commercial foundation for scaling into the larger Maximus platform. 'With completed engineering, secured offtake, and permitting in advanced stages, we are well-prepared for full-scale execution,' Lupul concluded. 'PlasCred is positioned to deliver significant environmental and economic impacts as we build Canada's industrial-scale circular infrastructure.' About PlasCred Circular Innovations Inc. PlasCred is at the forefront of rebalancing the future of plastics. The company is transforming plastic waste by granting it a valuable second life. With a vision of advancing towards a climate-positive future, PlasCred aspires to be among the largest advanced plastic waste recyclers in North America and globally. Their groundbreaking patent-pending technology is set to revolutionize the approach to plastic waste management and advanced recycling. PlasCred also has strategic partnerships with CN Rail, Palantir Technologies Inc., Fibreco Export Inc., and a Global Commodities Company . These collaborations provide PlasCred with world-class logistics, advanced operational intelligence, and stable long-term revenue, supporting its leadership in the circular plastics economy. For further information on PlasCred, visit our website at ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Troy Lupul - President & CEO Contact Information For more information please contact: PlasCred Circular Innovations Inc. Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Forward-looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Such statements relate to future activities, results, or developments anticipated by PlasCred Circular Innovations Inc. and are based on reasonable assumptions but involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by terms such as 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' or similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially due to economic conditions, regulatory changes, and other risks described in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR at . Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. PlasCred disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
New York Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
This Italian Port City Transformed Its Identity. Here Come the Tourists.
Antonio Maria Vasile began working two years ago to connect the United States directly with Puglia, the heel of Italy's boot where many Italian Americans can trace their heritage. Mr. Vasile, the head of Puglia's airports, tried to convince carriers that they should set their sights not on Naples or Sicily but on Bari, arguing that the regional capital offered rich culture, history and cuisine worthy of their time and money. 'We don't want to be relegated to being the south,' he said, referring to deeply ingrained biases in Italy against the more economically disadvantaged regions south of Rome. His efforts paid off late last year, when the Italian carrier Neos announced direct flights between Bari and New York's Kennedy Airport beginning the first week in June, the first ever route linking Puglia to the United States. The seasonal flights will run once a week through October. Mr. Vasile sees opportunities for all of Puglia, from farmhouse inns to seaside villages, but also for his city of about 330,000 people. 1/8 mile Adriatic Sea Corso Antonio DE Tullio Basilica of St. Nicholas Castello Normanno Svevo Cathedral of St. Sabino Old Bari ARCO BASSO Bari Map data from OpenStreetMap Rome Adriatic Sea ITALY PUGLIA Bari Naples Tyrrhenian Sea SICILY 100 miles By The New York Times Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
