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Raphael Cockx

@raphael.cockx.com
1K followers 339 following 1.1K posts

Newsroom developer and datajournalist at @tijd.be in Brussels Into trains, planes, not so much automobiles Lover of most things 🇨🇦 Possibly addicted to 🧀 Talk to me on Threema: threema.id/2ESZ3KKM

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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 29/09/2026
Obviously, I had to give this a try. So I'm now 'reserved' on a Antwerp to Frankfurt flight on Wednesday October 21st. Only needs 4 more passengers to actually take off :)
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 28/09/2026
Look at that, German on demand airline Vini will offer flights between Antwerp and Frankfurt (Egelsbach) plus Mannheim apparently. But only if there's enough demand for a specific departure date. Let's see how that works out. #AvGeek
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 27/09/2026
It’s getting to that time of year again when transatlantic radio reception becomes possible, even with a small radio and antenna like mine. It certainly takes a bit of patience and a fair amount of luck, but yesterday I managed to pick up VOCM from Canada once again. Distance: just over 4000 km.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 20/09/2026
There's Durex and there's Durex. I wouldn't mix them up.
Old piece of flint paper with an elaborate logo of the 'Durex Abrasives Corporation' of New York
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
European Parliament @europarl.europa.eu · 17/09/2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed today Members of Parliament. The EU and Canada share the same fundamental values. We are always stronger when we work together. Read more: link.europa.eu/Npnkrg
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stands at the speaker's podium in the European Parliament hemicycle in Strasbourg, with the EU flag visible in the background. A quote reads: "A Canada–EU alliance would create a beacon for other democracies, not defined by what we oppose, but about what we are for: freedom, solidarity, prosperity, sustainability." The European Parliament logo appears in the bottom right corner.
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 12/09/2026
‘Not as orange as he looks’: NI parties weigh Donald Trump’s united Ireland comments
irishtimes.com
‘Not as orange as he looks’: NI parties weigh Donald Trump’s united Ireland comments
DUP says future to be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not in London, Dublin or Washington
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 12/09/2026
I totally missed this diplomatic spat and how Algeria has closed its airspace to aircraft registered in the UAE. Clearly affects routing to places like Casablanca and even Lisbon or Madrid. Just another detour in the region 🤷 #AvGeek www.air-journal.fr/2026-09-12-l...
Flight path for Etihad flight EY757 on September 9th as shown on Flightradar 24. It shows the route passing east to west over the coast of Algeria.Showing flight EY757 again, now on September 11th. The route avoids most of the coast of North Africa, passing over the Mediterranean Sea from Egypt onwards and eventually over the Balerarics.
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
Jon Worth @jonworth.eu · 07/09/2026
Welcome to the #LongestTrainEU #CrossBorderRail record breaking thread! This journey starts Kemijärvi 🇫🇮 and ends Lagos 🇵🇹 18 trains, 100 hours 9 minutes, 4008km as crow flies, 6281 route-km Project background: longestjourney.crossborderrail.eu Follow live: longestjourneylive.crossborderrail.eu
Logo of the Longest Train Journey project showing the Tornio - Haparanda bridge
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 06/09/2026
Don't know what's going on here, but it can't be a regular occurrence to have 5 private jets land there within an hour of each other. Kirkenes is way up north in Norway, right at the Russian border. All of these started in the US about a week ago with stops in Canada, Greenland, Iceland... #AvGeek
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 05/09/2026
Had to use Google Lens to make sense of this sign. It really looked like 'no caterpillars allowed' to me.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 05/09/2026
What surprised me about the Fokker 50 flight yesterday is that they ran everything with just 1 flight attendant and no recorded announcement. Which meant she did the full safety briefing 'out of sight' in Swedish and English and then sort of mimed things like safety belt and life vest instructions.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 04/09/2026
Strange how when I passed by this place in Helsinki, a certain song started playing in my head. #iykyk
View of Helsinki Cathedral on Senate Square
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 04/09/2026
Ekstra, ekstra, ekstra! Read all about it!
A VR train in the station of Turku, Finland. Along the lower window is a green bar with the word Ekstra written three times in a row.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 04/09/2026
I like this airport so far 😊 Notice the reddish colour of the apron (and runway), made from local stone.
A Finnair ATR 72 is waiting on the apron at Mariehamn Airport, as seen from an outdoor terrace above. The apron as well as the runway aren't grey or black here, but have a reddish hue to them, made from local stone. Next to the plane is the word Mariehamn, formed by the shadows of those letters above the terrace.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 03/09/2026
After a day of sightseeing on Åland, tomorrow is #AvGeek day for me. Featuring a 30 minute domestic Finnish flight on a Swedish airline and most of all, a reunion with a 34-year old Fokker 50 formerly known as OO-VLZ when it flew (mostly) between Antwerp and London for VLM.
Map from the Great Circle Mapper showing the short route crossing the Baltic Sea between Mariehamn (MHQ) and Turku (TKU).
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 03/09/2026
I love holidays where locals ask you 'how did you find out about this place?'
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 03/09/2026
Made it to the Åland islands, the autonomous, Swedish speaking part of Finland. But more than all that, it's just really lovely here. 🇦🇽
View over a bay on the island of Järsö, with a rocky coast line, trees and a small pier
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 01/09/2026
Flying Brussels Airlines to Stockholm today. According to the SN app, my flight is operated by OO-SSR, on its way from Marseille - as shown by Flightradar24. According to the FR APP itself, it's OO-SSB coming in from Berlin. 🤔
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 30/08/2026
Using AM/PM in Dutch is weird to start with. But '16:09 PM' really doesn't make sense at all.
Ad from Brussels Airport showing how quick you can get to the airport by train. It shows someone getting on the train at '16:09 PM' and arriving at '16:29 PM'
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Ben Schlappig @onemileatatime.com · 30/08/2026
Awful: The Aviation Herald Founder Forced To Sell Home After Slovakian Airline Lawsuit onemileatatime.com/news/the-avi...
onemileatatime.com
Awful: The Aviation Herald Founder Forced To Sell Home After Slovakian Airline Lawsuit
The Aviation Herald founder Simon Hradecky was sued by Slovakian airline Go2Sky over a flight diversion report, and had to sell his home to cover the legal costs.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 27/08/2026
MediaMarkt just devalued its loyalty programme. This was in the mail this morning: "From September 28, you'll need 5,000 myMediaMarkt points to get a €20 voucher." Today? Just 1,000 points. Some airline and hotel loyalty programmes should be taking notes... (At least they warned me)
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 27/08/2026
Venezuela's LASER Airlines now flies between Barcelona and Madrid. It takes about 8 hours. So no, not THAT Barcelona. #AvGeek
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 25/08/2026
Surely a long shot, but has anyone visited the Åland Islands?
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 25/08/2026
Valencia? Ibiza? Really? But most of all: Luxembourg? REALLY? 🤬
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Technology Connections @techconnectify.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
When I wrote "we often rely on extraction efforts happening in other countries which may or may not be friendly" in my renewable energy video, Canada was not on my mind. But please, Canada - get nasty and fuck us up. You have every right to not be friendly, and we're counting on it.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 23/08/2026
Or maybe, I don't know, they want the benefits of free trade and neighbourly relations. Imagine that. 🙄
cbc.ca
Trump says Canada 'wants the benefits' of being a U.S. state in his 1st comments since trade talks broke down | CBC News
In his first comments since trade talks broke down, President Donald Trump said Canada "wants the benefits" of being a U.S. state "without being one." The president's brief post on his Truth Social pl...
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
starflyergold @starflyergold.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Exorbitant hotel prices are here to stay
giftarticle.ft.com
Exorbitant hotel prices are here to stay
Across the travel industry, the expensive option is outperforming the ordinary one
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 20/08/2026
"This room has no windows to create a tranquil, calm, and peaceful night’s stay."
static.klipy.com
Simon Cowell: It's a No From Me
Alt: Simon Cowell: It's a No From Me
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
There now follows a party election broadcast by the Count Binface Party, And if I do say so myself, it's a banger. #VoteBinface #Clacton
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 06/08/2026
Iemand nog op zoek naar een hotelkamer in New York voor 13 euro per nach? 😀
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 04/08/2026
I guess Brussels Airlines still sends passengers leaving from the A gates in Brussels to the 'pop-up version' of The Loft?
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 04/08/2026
Ok, this looks very cool but what I really want to know is why it says 'Antwerpen'.
Screenshot from Atlas Obscura showing a submarine used as a tourist attraction on Tenerife. Besides the name of the company, the word Antwerpen appears on the sub.
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De Tijd @tijd.be · 24/07/2026
Eurostar rijdt straks ook rechtstreeks van Londen naar Antwerpen
tijd.be
Eurostar rijdt straks ook rechtstreeks van Londen naar Antwerpen
Vanaf december kunnen Eurostar-reizigers rechtstreeks treinen van de Britse hoofdstad naar Antwerpen. In de omgekeerde richting is nog steeds een overstap nodig.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 22/07/2026
A new direct TGV train between Brussels and Basel? Yes please!
Screenshot from a SNCF document requesting authorisation for the new service from the French Autorité de régulation des transports. It shows plans to leave Brussels at 7:17 (Friday to Sunday only), arriving Basel at 12:24. Return trips would leave the Swiss city at 14:09, arriving in Brussels at 19:09. Calling at Lille Europe, TGV Haute Picardie (to Brussels obly), CDG, Champagne Ardennes, Meuse TGV (to Basel only), Lorraine TGV and Strasbourg.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 20/07/2026
This is seriously cool. A directory of 23,000+ color palettes inspired by thousands of 3000+ master artists from the Renaissance to impressionist art, with advanced tools for viewing, customizing, and analyzing the colors and palettes.
paletteinspiration.com
Palette Inspiration - Timeless Colors of the Great Masters
Browse, search, and filter beautiful color palettes inspired by the Old Masters.
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 16/07/2026
Aer Lingus to cut up to 500 jobs and drop routes out of Dublin
irishtimes.com
Aer Lingus to cut up to 500 jobs and drop routes out of Dublin
Airline will drop some routes to counter rising costs and competition
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 14/07/2026
"Commercial [Regional Air Mobility] services will begin from Rome Urbe later this year, connecting to airports including Rome Fiumicino, Pescara, Fano, Elba and Tortoli-Arbatax using aircraft with 9-19 seats." That (almost) makes it sound like they'd be flying from Rome to Rome. Surely not? #AvGeek
flightglobal.com
Tecnam plans to join Italian regional revolution with new airline offshoot
Airframer proposes new carrier flying P2012 commuter-configured piston-twin through Altair subsidiary. Italian airframer Tecnam has proposed the creation of a new regional airline under its ownership ...
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Jason Rabinowitz @airlineflyer.net · 08/07/2026
Ready for bad news? USDOT is proposing to amend its air fare advertising rules, potentially rescinding the 2011 Full Fare Rule. That'd let airlines go back marketing flights at only the base fare, excluding taxes and huge fees. COMMENT AGAINST IT NOW! www.regulations.gov/document/DOT...
regulations.gov
Regulations.gov
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 08/07/2026
I can (for now) listen to BBC Radio 5 Live on a portable radio here in Belgium. I however can't look up the schedule on the BBC website as I get redirected to bbc.com where no schedule page exists. Says a lot about analogue vs digital media.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 08/07/2026
“We, however, see the most likely eventual outcome for EasyJet as follows: existing operations (in-service fleet, near-term deliveries, slots, EasyJet Holidays) sold largely to the three European network carriers, and at least some of the orderbook finding its way to airlines outside Europe.”
flightglobal.com
EasyJet ‘likely’ to be broken up and sold to Europe’s network carriers if takeover goes ahead: Bernstein
UK carrier’s board warmed to US investment firm’s latest acquisition proposal over the weekend. If US-based investment firm Castlelake’s quest to acquire EasyJet is successful, the UK carrier would li...
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
De Tijd @tijd.be · 07/07/2026
Scorende Duivels jagen webverkeer de hoogte in
tijd.be
Scorende Duivels jagen webverkeer de hoogte in
De belangrijke en omstreden match van de Belgen in de achtste finales van het wereldkampioenschap voetbal heeft het nachtelijke internetverkeer in ons land een boost gegeven. Honderdduizenden fans volgden de wedstrijd, smartphone in de hand.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 07/07/2026
In today's not-really-surprising news: Antwerp Airport loses all TUI flights from next summer, leaving - for now - just one commercial operator. #AvGeek
tijd.be
Luchthaven Deurne verliest met TUI laatste grote klant
De touroperator TUI schrapt zijn laatste vluchten van en naar de luchthaven van Antwerpen. Daarmee verliest het vliegveld zijn grootste klant en pakken zich steeds donkerdere wolken samen boven de reg...
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 02/07/2026
Guess I got lucky yesterday, just spending 90 minutes in the virtual queue.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 01/07/2026
Happy Canada day. But also, sadly, this 👇
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 01/07/2026
Today's Eurostar (Rouge) adventure to Aachen: - "Train 9311 is delayed" (by mail) - "Train is cancelled“ (in the station) - “Train 9411 is on time" (on the platform) - Train arrives on time, shows Paris as the destination, yet another number and different carriage numbers. Chaos ensues.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 30/06/2026
Airlines have spent the past 25+ years developing websites to convey complicated flight schedules, pricing and options as simply as possible. The limited nature of chatbots means that a lot of this progress is lost. A deluge of words makes up for lack of visual clarity. #AvGeek
headforpoints.com
AI chatbots are a terrible way to book flights
AI chatbots are a terrible way to book flights, but some airlines keep trying. We try out a few of the recent entrants to the market versus their websites.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 25/06/2026
I wish these maps had city labels so I could find out where in Germany to go to enjoy those 26 degrees 😀
Map from Wetterzentrale for Saturday, showing a small 'island' of 26 degree weather in a sea of 30+ temperatures.
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Reposted by Raphael Cockx
Alex Selby-Boothroyd @alexselbyb.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
People are currently misspelling "kier" at levels scarcely seen since he became PM in July 2024. This is a legacy.
Search interest in "kier starmer" since Jan 2024
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 22/06/2026
Column: A beautiful thing about train travel is how often the journey itself can be as rewarding as the destination. That’s particularly true in Europe, where travelers can enjoy special trains along routes designed to maximize views of spectacular scenery.
washingtonpost.com
Guest Column | Three options for taking in Europe’s spectacular scenery by train or boat
Journeys through Norway, Switzerland and Germany that are as rewarding as the destination.
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Raphael Cockx @raphael.cockx.com · 22/06/2026
If you want to track something special on @flightradar24.com today, have a look at F-GZTP. ASL Airlines's trusty 737-700 - usually flying to Algeria - takes off at 16:00 for this year's first direct flight between Paris and the French 'collectivity' of Saint Pierre and Miquelon near Canada. #AvGeek
flightradar24.com
Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24
The world’s most popular flight tracker. Track planes in real-time on our flight tracker map and get up-to-date flight status & airport information.
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