Via dubai july eng 2014 by Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

www.viadubaionline.com

Issue 14 July 2014

Inside DCAA DHA team offer tips to prevent DVT and PE

DCAA celebrates Hag Al Layla

DCAA wins Pan Arab e-Government Excellence Award

UAE in Focus Foreign investment in 6 UAE rises to $10.5 billion DWC offers new offices at the heart of Expo 2020 site

Tracking Aircraft Movements 16

Dubai to have half of 28,000 7 UAE hotel rooms supply

Middle East 10 Major shift in GCC travel due to changing demographics

Abdulrazzaq Sayed Al Hashime

Cebu Pacific to start 11 flights to Saudi Arabia

DCAA saves AED2.6 million in procurements in 2013

International

Opinion Challenges of second century of aviation industry

Philippines to include 12 terminal fee in air ticket costs $1 billion to modernize 13 Belgrade airport

Cyber security centre established in Dubai

Air transport fuels global economic prosperity

Building a 21st Century airspace route network Patrick McLoughlin

Tony Tyler

Cargo & Logistics

Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu

Technology 20

Building a bright future together

Flashback

Michael Huerta

Message from the President In 2007, the functions of the Department of Civil Aviation were restructured. Accordingly, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) was established as a regulatory body, by a decree of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AlMaktoum, Ruler of Dubai, on proclamation of law No. 21 of 2007, as amended by law No. 19 of 2010, to undertake development of Air Transport Industry in the Emirate of Dubai and to oversee all aviation-related activities.

Via Dubai is the official bilingual monthly newsletter of DCAA, designed to highlight the initiatives and developments in the aviation industry and act as a knowledge-sharing platform for all the stakeholders and aviation professionals.

General Supervision Mohammed Abdulla Ahli Coordinator Hanan Al Mazimi Executive Editor Mohammed Abdul Mannan E-mail: viadubai@naddalshiba.com

Legal Disclaimer The views expressed in the articles are of the writers and not necessarily belong to DCAA. We take all reasonable steps to keep the information current and accurate, but errors can occur. The information is therefore provided as is, with no guarantee of accuracy, completeness or timeliness. The DCAA or Via Dubai does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. Via Dubai does not endorse or recommend any article, product, service or information mentioned in the newsletter. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional.

Editorial, Production, PR & Marketing Nadd AlShiba PR and Event Management

Tel +971 4 25 66 707 Fax +971 4 25 66 704 info@naddalshiba.com www.naddalshiba.com

Still miles to go Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

hrough sheer determination and unfaltering commitment and investments of the government and the aviation industry stakeholders, Dubai has remained a huge aviation success story. We are still miles to go in our journey of excellence and achievements. International reports indicate that Dubai International became the world’s busiest airport for international passengers by edging out London Heathrow in the first quarter of 2014. Dubai International handled 18.36 million international passengers in the first three months of 2014 as against the 16 million recorded by London Heathrow. Our stay at the top of the global ranking list is not a fluke occurrence but is sort of a precursor to the positive progress to the top for good next year. We are confident about the Dubai International remaining on track to handle more than 70 million passengers in 2014 despite the curtailment of operations due to runways modernization that is expected to finish ahead of the schedule. This has been a remarkable decade of growth for Dubai. Over the past decade, traffic at Dubai has more than tripled. A latest Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) report remarked that Dubai has been “rapidly adding traffic thanks to coherent aviation strategies and aggres-

sive airline expansion, with plentiful public investment in aviation infrastructure; an unrestricted Open Skies policy has also encouraged increasing levels of foreign airline operation.” Dubai Airports has plans to increase capacity at Dubai International from the current 75 million to 100 million by 2020, investing over $7.5 billion in the expansion. Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central will be able to accommodate 160 million flyers a year when it is fully complete. The airport is already open for cargo operations and passenger flights. Our stellar performance of Dubai International Airport and the amazing rise of Dubai as the fastest-growing global aviation hub have come in for praise by reputed international media. In a recent report, The New York Times noted: “Dubai’s rise as a modern crossroads connecting East and West – with the name of its hometown airline, Emirates, adorning the jerseys of the world’s best soccer teams – is a tale of globalization and ambition, and an audacious bet on the future of air travel.” A remark in the June edition of Forbes sums up Dubai’s aviation success story cogently: “If you want to be in aviation, there’s probably one town you want to be in right now: Dubai.” ◄

Printed by Printwell Dubai

Our Vision Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is driven by the vision of Dubai to become the global Aviation Capital contributing to prosperity and enabling growth for Dubai.

Our Mission Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is committed to support the aviation sector in:

E-mail: dcaa@dcaa.gov.ae Website: www.dcaa.gov.ae Tel: (971) 4 216 2009 Fax: (971) 4 224 4502 P.O.BOX 49888 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

u Capturing the full value potential as a global passenger, tourism, trade, cargo and logistic hub u Providing the capacity, connectivity and leveraging existing assets to meet the aviation sector and economic growth plans of Dubai u Ensuring sustainable and responsible growth committed to safety, health, environment and security u Providing and creating customer-focused services to gain competitive advantage from innovation, knowledge and efficiency u Building and retaining capabilities, for the aviation sector, while offering career opportunities for Nationals u Ensuring a transparent, effective and commercially balanced regulatory framework that reflects the interests of the aviation industry, Dubai and the UAE u Providing efficient and cost-effective services to the aviation sector

facebook.com/pages/Dubai-Civil-Aviation-Authority/299170846763911

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Message

from the Director General

DHA team offers tips to prevent DVT and PE

A Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

Bright outlook

even months into 2014, the outlook for the global aviation industry looks bright. In the first half of 2014, our aviation industry has posted an impressive performance report, reflecting the solid and growing standing of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular on the world aviation map. The entire Middle East region, led by the UAE, is outperforming other regions on several counts. In addition to unveiling impressive financial results, Emirates Airlines and flydubai have announced the continuation of their rapid expansion plans will benefit not only the aviation industry but also other vital economic sectors like tourism and retail with more passengers making their way to the region for business and leisure. Our budget carrier flydubai is doubling the number of destinations it serves in India, which is among the top source destinations for the Dubai International Airport. The enhanced route networks of both Emirates and flydubai have contributed enormously to the rising number of passengers at the airport. Dubai International Airport is continuing its growth in passenger throughput and cargo volume. During the first four months of 2014, traffic at Dubai International Airport climbed 11.9 percent to 24.52 million passengers. Freight volume handled by the airport rose 3.7 percent in April to 207,317 tonnes; in the first four months, volume grew 4.6 percent to 821,193 tonnes. The airport is expected to surpass 70 million passengers mark in 2014, about 5.4 per cent more than 2013 figures despite a substantial cut in the flight operations due to the 80day runways upgradation programme. Work on the runways refurbishment and upgrade project, which commenced on May 31, is progressing satisfactorily and we are confident that it will finish ahead of the schedule. A Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) study says the upgrades will ensure that the emirate has the infrastructure and capacity required not only to become the largest international airport by 2015, but also maintain that position. The report observed: “With Dubai Airports investing more than $7.5 billion in enhancements to existing terminals and the construction of new ones, as well as continued growth by the home carrier and the addition of new airlines, Dubai Airport’s growth will quickly leave behind the traditional international hubs.” Our performance and growth curve clearly suggests that the right policies being implemented by the UAE, including the Open Skies policy will make our aviation industry’s future bright. ◄

July 2014

team of Airport Medical Centre of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has offered tips to passengers to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). DVT is a condition wherein a blood clot forms in a vein of the deep system. DVTs can occur anywhere in the body, but are most frequently found in the deep veins of the legs, thighs, and pelvis. Studies suggest that PE occurs in 30 per cent of people with DVT. People traveling for extended periods of time (more than four hours) may be at increased risk of DVT and PE by air, bus, train, or car, but the risk is more with air travel. The team says traveling public should: * Exercise the calf and foot muscles regularly * While seated, bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes, every half an hour * To increase the blood flow in the legs, press the balls of feet down hard against the floor or foot rest every so often * Every hour, take a walk up and down the aisle if possible * Avoid having bags under the seat in front of you to make sure you have much space to move your legs * During stops, get up to stretch your legs * Drink plenty of water to avoid a lack of fluid in the body (dehydration) * Do not drink too much alcohol which can cause dehydration and immobility * Avoid drinking coffee which contribute to dehydration * Do not take sleeping tablets, which cause immobility * Avoid sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time, which constricts the veins * Wear loose-fitting clothes that aren't tight around your waist or your legs * Do not use regular socks with very tight elastic bands at the top * Do wear compression stockings which put gentle pressure on the leg muscles and help move blood to the heart * If possible, selecting an aisle seat * If you already have a risk of blood clots, talk to your doctor before taking a long trip. Your doctor may want you to take blood-thinning medicine. ◄

Inside DCAA

DCAA wins Pan Arab e-Government Excellence Award

DCAA celebrates Hag Al Layla

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has won a gold medal for its official Twitter page in a Pan-Arab e-Government Excellence Awards programme in the websites of government institutions category. The gold medal and Certificate of Excellence was received at the awards ceremony held at the Al Bustan Rotana Dubai hotel by Mohammed Lengawi, DCAA’s Director of Aviation Security and Accident Investigation Department on behalf of the DCAA Director General, Mohammed Abdulla Ahli. A number of government bodies from the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia competed in the awards programme. DCAA is in the forefront of Smart Government initiative in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The fifth edition of the E-government Excellence Awards was organized by the Dubai-based Arab Organization for Social Responsibility. ◄

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) organised a number of activities to mark Hag Al Layla, the 15th day of the Islamic month of Shaaban that precedes the Holy Month of Ramadan. Shawahin, a team comprising of officials from DCAA and other government organisations working at the Dubai International Airport, celebrated the occasion in true Emirati traditions with the involvement of children of the DCAA staff members. The team mem-

bers, accompanied by children, visited various departments of the DCAA, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFADubai), Dubai Police, Dubai Customs and Dubai Airports to celebrate the occasion with traditional gaiety and fervor. They also distributed Hag Al Layla gifts to the passengers in Terminal 1 of the Dubai International Airport which provided an opportunity to many of them to know about the Emirati culture and traditions. ◄

DCAA wins Pan Arab e-Government Excellence Award

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has won a gold medal for its official Twitter page in a Pan-Arab eGovernment Excellence Awards programme in the websites of government institutions category. The gold medal and Certificate of Excellence was received at the awards ceremony held at the Al Bustan Rotana Dubai hotel by Mohammed Lengawi, DCAA’s Director of Aviation Security and Accident Investigation Department on behalf of the DCAA Director General, Mohammed Abdulla Ahli. A number of government bodies from the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia competed in the awards programme. DCAA is in the forefront of Smart Government initiative in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The fifth edition of the E-government Excellence Awards was organized by the Dubai-based

Arab Organization for Social Responsibility. The E-government Excellence Awards aims to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the Arab governments for adopting the best Web standards

and practices on their websites and social media networks for more effective, open and transparent interaction with the populace, building bridges between people and state institutions. ◄ July 2014

Interview DCAA

We saved AED2.6 million in procurements in 2013 E-Supply system offered speed and transparency in transactions

n an exclusive interview with Via Dubai, Abdulrazzaq Sayed Al Hashime, Assistant Director of Corporate Support Department at Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), said procurement has not only resulted in a saving of AED2.6 million last year but the new e-Supply system helped in achieving speed and transparency in transactions, among other benefits. The DCAA philosophy, he asserts, is to buy best quality products and services at the lowest prices at the most suitable time. The DCAA is applying best practices, good governance methods and risk analysis strategy for its procurements management, says Abdulrazzaq, winner of the Best Government Employee Award of the Dubai Government in 2010.

What are the new developments in Procurement Section? The Procurement Section was started some time back and it introduced a new electronic system – e-Supplier. This is an easy and transparent system for those who use it inside or outside the DCAA. Any department or section which requires any product or service has to submit their requirement request to us and then we initiate necessary steps which include, if needed as per our policy and procedures, tendering through the Tejari system. Once we received quotations from the participating companies in a matter of three to five days, we choose the best supplier taking into considerations factors like cost effectiveness and quality of products and services. The electronic procurement system enables speedy and transparent transactions and prevents violation of rules and regulations in

July 2014

addition to the best use of our financial resources. What is the size of the DCAA’s annual procurements? Our annual procurements range from AED4 to AED5 million. Most of our procurements are for devices, electronic equipment, training programmes, souvenirs and stationary. For example, in the approved budget in 2013, AED7 million was earmarked for procurements, out of which AED4 million has already been spent. We were able to make a saving of AED2 million in the procurements we made which is equivalent to 36 per cent of the total budget and 64 per cent of the total procurement. The same goes for the training for which the total budget was AED820 thousand, while AED660 thousand was spent–a saving of about over AED159,000 which is equivalent to 81 per cent of the procurement

and 19 per cent of the budget. In order words, the Procurement Section was able to save more than AED2.6 million during the year 2013. What are the reasons behind switching over to e-Supplier system? The switching over to electronic system from the manual, paperbased system has been done after taking into consideration a number of issues, the most important being the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, about the Smart Government initiative to be implemented fully by 2015. We think the e-Supply system is a step forward towards achieving the Smart Government goal. The e-Supply system will also help achieve DCAA’s vision of a green future.

We strive towards achieving this vision through eliminating the use of paper, ink and stationary which have negative footprint. It goes without saying that technological developments will help us control the procurement process effectively. We are keen on making available all the necessary devices and software that enables us to do our work in the best possible way. Last but not the least, our transformation to eSupply system bring in clarity and transparency and prevent violations and transgressions. What is the philosophy of Procurement Section? Before talking about our philosophy, we should understand a clear distinction between cutting the spending and spending rationally. In the first case, the reduction is achieved through downsizing our procurement or

Interview DCAA

reducing the quantity or opting for less quality. In the second case, the reduction is achieved developing a network of suppliers and providers, a better coordination about the needs of different departments and developing the negotiation skills of our staff to get the biggest possible facilitation without sacrificing any provisions or quantities or quality levels. For example, we have discovered that business cards for DCAA staff costs a great deal of money. Those cards are printed in bulk for reasons related to fixed cost of printing but many a time the cards becomes useless as the staff was no longer working for DCAA or his/her designation has changed. The printed quantity of business cards thus becomes useless in many cases. So we came up with an agreement with

Our philosophy is to make procurements of best quality products and services at lowest price and suitable time a printing company that gives us the rights to print whatever cards we need during the year for a fixed sum which is far less than what we used to pay in the past. We have a specific system for the purchasing. Each order that cost more than AED10000 should be submitted to a panel consisting of three members, one each from the department which wants to procure items, Finance department and the Procurement Section. Our philosophy is to buy with the best quality products and services at the lowest price and at the right time.

What are the guiding principles of your work? Good governance is at the top of our list of rules and principles that we follow. It combines managerial, financial and supervision methods and best practices. Using such a system limits the dissipation of public funds, prevents violations and cronyism. This point is very important and relevant when it comes to the Procurement Sectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nature of work which involves dealing with a network of providers and suppliers and needs to ensure that there is no

conflict of interest or joint interest at the expanse of the work interest. We are also keen to adopt and benefit from the best managerial practices in the Procurement Section. Recently, we have started to implement Risk Analysis strategies to prevent mistakes. This approach has helped increase the productivity and efficiency. We are committed to using the Government Resources Planning (GRP) which is used by all government bodies within the emirate of Dubai. This system encompasses different components including supplier registration, e-suggestions and self-services. Also, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority allocate from 5 to 20 % of purchasing to Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid programme for young business leaders. â&#x2014;&#x201E; July 2014

UAE in Focus

Foreign investment in UAE rises to $10.5 billion

oreign direct investment (FDI) flows into the Arabian Gulf countries weakened in 2013 although the UAE reported a bumpy recovery to become the second biggest recipient in the West Asia, according to an UN study. Overall, FDI into West Asia decreased by nine percent to $44 billion, failing to recover for the fifth consecutive year from the fall registered in 2009, UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2014 revealed. While in countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, FDI flows continue to follow

a downward trend, in others like Turkey and the UAE, FDI recovery was weak or bumpy with flows remaining well below their pre-crisis level. Only in Iraq and Kuwait have FDI flows been on an upward trend in recent years, reaching record levels in 2013 and 2012, the report said. FDI flows to the UAE continued their recovery, positioning this country as the second FDI recipient in the region after Turkey. They increased by nine percent to $10.5 billion, albeit well below their level in 2007. This FDI recovery went with the economy rebounding from the

2009 debt crisis, driven by oil and nonoil activities, the report said. Flows to Saudi Arabia declined for the fifth consecutive year. They dropped by 24 percent to $9.3 billion, moving the country from the second to the third largest host economy in the region. It added that FDI flows to Kuwait are estimated to have decreased by 41 percent in 2013, after having reached record highs in 2012 owing to a one-off acquisition deal worth $1.8 billion. "The GCC countries enjoy a high level of foreign exchange reserves, and while each of them augmented its

investment abroad, a quadrupling of outflows from Qatar and a 159 percent growth in flows from Kuwait explain most of the increase," the report said. It added that outward FDI from the region is likely to continue to increase. In contrast, prospects for inward FDI remain bleak, as rising political uncertainty is a strong deterrent. The report also said that global FDI will rise 12.5 percent to $1.62 trillion this year. It also forecast sustained growth in coming years for FDI, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2015 and $1.85 trillion in 2016. ◄

DWC offers new offices at the heart of Expo 2020 site

ubai World Central (DWC), the world’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, has announced new offers of added office spaces at its Business Park that can cater to new companies setting up business in the UAE, particularly those coming from the growing small and medium enterprises (SME) sector. The new offices are available in three different sizes. Situated strategically at the entrance of DWC, also the venue for the Expo 2020, the Business Park Free Zone is ideally suitable for leading companies. Its world class office buildings offer unmatched scalability and flexibility. Business Park Free Zone offers very attractive commercial lease terms and 100 per cent ownership, and clients have the

July 2014

additional advantage of the state-of-the-art infrastructure at DWC, the easy accessibility to Al Maktoum International Airport, and the proximity to main highways to access markets in the MENA, Asia and Europe. DWC, the strategic new hub of Dubai in 2020, is expected to account for 60 per cent of Dubai’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2023. More than 20,000 square meters of office space has been leased in 2014 to date with additional space being fitted out at present to cater to Dubai’s SME segment. DWC’s Business Park boasts of swift business facilitation, where companies can set up offices within 10 days. Over 1,000 companies are already registered with DWC Business Park. ◄

UAE in Focus

Cyber security centre established in Dubai

is Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the establishment of a cyber security centre in Dubai to protect government information systems and the telecom network. The centre aims to develop the necessary cyber security methods, increase the efficiency of ways of protecting information and the exchange of information among all government bodies in the emirate. A board with Mohammad Daen Al Qamzi has been formed for the centre. The centre has been tasked with drawing up and implementing Dubai’s policy for government information security, and setting criteria to ensure cyber security. It will also prepare a strategic plan to deal with any threats and cyberattacks on government information in cooperation with government bodies. The government bodies and personnel are obliged to follow the cyber-related rules, regulations

ExecuJet Middle East expands DWC FBO

xecuJet Middle East, part of the ExecuJet Aviation Group, has opened an expanded FBO lounge in Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, to support the expected increase in traffic to the facility over the coming months. ExecuJet Middle East’s purpose-built 200 square metre FBO facilities is located next to the GA terminal and includes a VVIP passenger lounge, crew lounge, washrooms and showers. The FBO facility joins ExecuJet’s line station at Al Maktoum International Airport, which offers additional maintenance support during Dubai International Airport’s runways closure. ExecuJet Middle East’s award-winning FBO at Dubai International Airport is the largest dedicated business aviation terminal in the Middle East. ◄

and criteria set by the centre. The centre will also issue permits for the import and export of encryption software and hardware and penetration testing services. The centre will be responsible for combating all forms of cyber crimes in coordination with government, regional and international authorities. A new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows the significant impact that cybercrime has on economies worldwide. The report concludes that cybercrime costs businesses approximately $400 billion worldwide, with an impact on approximately 200000 jobs in the US and 150000 jobs in the EU. Cybercrime damages trade, competitiveness, innovation, and global economic growth. Studies estimate that the Internet economy annually generates between $2 trillion and $3 trillion, a share of the global economy that is expected to grow rapidly. Based on CSIS estimates, cybercrime ex-

tracts between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of the value created by the Internet. The report found that global losses connected to “personal information” breaches could reach $160 billion. Forty million people in the U.S., roughly 15 percent of the population, have had their personal information stolen by

hackers. It noted that governments are beginning serious, systematic efforts to collect and publish data on cybercrime to help countries and companies make better choices about risk and policy. Improved international collaboration, as well as public/private partnerships are also beginning to show tangible results in terms of reducing cybercrime. ◄

Dubai to have half of 28,000 UAE hotel rooms supply by 2016

ore than 28,000 hotels rooms will come online by 2016 in the UAE with half of them to be built in Dubai – thanks to the Expo 2020, according to a latest study. “With Dubai winning its bid to host the Expo 2020 event, the hospitality sector should be a major beneficiary, with up to 25 million visitors expected during the 6-month period,” JLL analysts said in the report. According to it, around 31 per cent, or 8,700 rooms, of the new hotel room supply will come online in Abu Dhabi. JLL forecast that Dubai is expected to maintain sustainable growth with a balance demand and supply in the short to medium term while Abu Dhabi witnesses selective recovery in hotel performance across the city. Helped by UAE airlines, the UAE tourism and hospitality market is expected to witness positive

and stable growth over the next three to five years, JLL said, adding that though local companies and high net worth individuals make up a big portion of investors in the UAE’s hospitality sector, increased appetite by global institutions and firms is now being witnessed on key assets and developments. According to World Travel and Tourism Council figures, the travel and tourism in-

dustry contribution in 2013 grew to AED199.8 billion compared to AED193.6 billion in the previous year. It projects 5 per cent annual growth, leading to contribution of AED325.4 billion by 2023, making up 16.4 per cent of the GDP. The UAE houses 590 hotels totaling more than 93,000 rooms at the end of 2013. International operators hold about 68 per cent of the total hotel room inventory. ◄

July 2014

UAE in Focus

EK to start Dubai-Frankfurt A380 service

mirates Airlines has announced that Frankfurt will be the next destination slated for its flagship A380 aircraft. The daily A380 service will start on September 1. Frankfurt was one of the first European destinations for Emirates and as the financial capital of Germany it continues to be strategically important. Deploying larger capacity aircraft, such as the A380, is central to helping the carrier meet the growing passenger demand between one of the Europe’s busiest economic regions and the emerging economies of Asia, Middle East and Africa, through seamless, swift connections via its Dubai hub. Frankfurt is currently served with a triple daily Boeing 777 operation. With 48 A380s in its fleet, Emirates is the largest operator globally of the Airbus superjumbo, which has carried over 25 million passengers since its launch in 2008. Emirates also operate nine freighter flights per week to Frankfurt. Over the last five years, over 191,000 tonnes of cargo have been export-

ed from Frankfurt to Dubai. Main commodities out of Frankfurt include machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronic equipment. Germany will be the second

most served European country by the Emirates A380 after the UK. Munich is also served by a double daily A380 operation. So far in 2014, Emirates has introduced

NATS signs Dubai airspace deal

he UK air traffic service provider NATS has signed a Memorandum of Co-operation with flydubai. The deal will allow the two organizations to explore how their core capabilities can be utilized to deliver significant benefits to the airline’s business. The initial focus of the co-operation will examine how NATS can use its extensive operations and global air traffic management knowledge to benefit current and future flydubai operations. The agreement will aim to deliver measurable improvements in the safety, capacity and efficiency of flydubai’s flights, in addition to enhancing the airline’s productivity, contingency and growth capabilities, which are part of flydubai’s seven focal pillars of programme improvement. The next few months will see NATS focus on bringing ex-

July 2014

A380 services to Barcelona, London-Gatwick and Zurich. It will soon launch Kuwait on July 16, Mumbai on July 21 and Dallas/ Fort Worth on October 1. ◄

UBF launches Mobile Wallet in UAE

tensive Procedure Design experience forward in collaboration with members of the Aeronautical Services team at flydubai to deliver improvements to specific

procedures in consultation with the relevant ANSPs and Civil Aviation Authorities. NATS is currently working on projects in Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. ◄

he UAE Banks Federation (UBF) has launched the implementation of the Mobile Wallet project. The comprehensive digital payment solution has been developed by a special committee of nine member-banks headed by the CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB). For the multi-phase project, the UBF is co-ordinating with banks such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, ADIB, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Standard Chartered, First Gulf Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank. The Mobile Wallet is the financial component of the Smart Government initiative. Smart Government has identified over 90 services provided by government departments requiring digital payment.◄

UAE in Focus

LinkedIn study UAE is the most-popular destination for migrating professionals

he UAE has emerged as the most popular destination for professionals looking to migrate, according to a new study by networking site LinkedIn. The global study, which tracked talent migration among the 300 million members on LinkedIn’s network, found that the UAE gained 1.3 per cent as a percentage of its total workforce in a 12-month period, topping a list of 20 nations. Of this talent inflow, 75 per cent was from outside the Middle East, and more than 40 per cent reported a new role with a promotion and higher designation, a statement said. India was the top destination from where most professionals moved to the UAE, followed by the UK, Pakistan, the United States and Saudi Arabia. The industry sectors that attracted the most talent were management & leadership, engineering, sales accounting and lifestyle. The UAE has attracted more professional talent as a percentage of its workforce than countries such as Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, Singapore and Aus-

Arik Air adds Lagos-Dubai route to its network

rik Air has reinforced its position as West and Central Africa’s largest commercial carrier by expanding its reach to the Middle East, becoming the first Nigerian airline to offer a commercial service between Abuja and Dubai. The first commercial flight on the new route is currently slated for July 28th and will subsequently operate five weekly flights. Current planning has the Lagos-Dubai route operated by an Airbus A330-200. The A330 will offer a two class configuration with 30 Premier Business Class seats and 187 Economy Class seats. ◄

tralia. Ali Matar, Head of Talent Solutions, LinkedIn MENA, said: “This latest study shows that two Middle Eastern nations, UAE and Saudi Arabia, have gained talent at 1.3 per cent and 0.9 per cent respec-

tively. Talent inflows are from Europe, USA, the Subcontinent, and other Arab nations, showing that the Gulf states still retain their attractiveness for employment. ” The UAE is building up its talent

base as it prepares to host Expo 2020 in Dubai. The six-month long event is expected to provide up to 277,000 new job opportunities in the market and boost the economy. ◄

Emirates to launch A380 service to Mumbai in July

mirates Airlines will launch a daily A380 service to Mumbai International Airport on July 21. EK 500 and EK 501 between Dubai and Mumbai will be upscaled to a three-class A380 aircraft, leading to a capacity increase of 2,127 seats per week in each direction. This offers passengers flying to India from key destinations in North America and Europe the chance to experience Emirates’ hugely popular flagship aircraft on this route. In addition, Emirates will deploy larger Boeing 777 aircraft to Delhi and Hyderabad to serve growing demand. Delhi will have 980 additional one-way weekly seats

while Hyderabad will increase its capacity to add 672 one-way weekly seats. A combined total of 3,779 one-way weekly seats will be deployed on Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad through these aircraft upgrades. This follows the recent bilateral discussions between the governments of Dubai and India, which provided a phased increase of 11,000 seats for Dubai carriers. National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has modelled the impact of Emirates up-gauging daily services to Mumbai from Boeing 777s to an Airbus A380. The annual incremental economic benefit from

up-gauging one service is $8.3 million in additional GDP per return flight and the creation and support of over 1000 jobs. The Emirates A380 operating on the Mumbai route will feature 14 private First Class suites, 76 Business Class lie-flat seats and a spacious cabin for 399 Economy Class passengers. Emirates currently has 48 A380s in service, more than any other airline globally. Emirates received 12 of the giant double decker aircraft over the last year. More than 25 million passengers have travelled on the Emirates A380 since it was first launched in 2008. ◄ July 2014

Middle East in Focus

Major shift in GCC travel due to changing demographics

he Arabian Gulf region is poised for a new era of travel as investment in infrastructure, new tourism sectors, and governmental initiatives to ease intra and extra-regional movement make the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) more attractive to leisure and business travellers. According to the new Amadeuscommissioned report, Shaping the Future of Travel in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Big Travel Effects, additional unfolding demographic forces such as a steady inflow of expatriate workers, robust natural population growth and a growing middle class, will combine to drive a new and divergent set of travel behaviors and needs in the region. The report, which uses information gathered from a survey of

1,000 travelers from the region as well as interviews with thought leaders in the travel industry, was written by Frost & Sullivan and Insights. It examines and contextualizes the various ways a new travel landscape will develop in the Gulf region over the next fifteen years. Key findings include; economies in the GCC are diversifying beyond oil, tourism will have a trickledown effect, and the GCC is working to make travel easier.Today, nearly 25 per cent of the GCC’s population is under 15 years of age. As this demographic becomes tomorrow’s decision makers, it will shake up traditional behaviors to become increasingly self-directed. The coming-of-age of the GCC’s youthful population will reshape the travel industry in the region

Oman Air to receive 11 new B737s

man Air will soon receive 11 new Boeing 737s and six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will join the airline’s 30-strong current fleet from later this year. Oman Air also has three Airbus A330s on order. Oman Air currently operates 17 Boeing aircraft and will be receiving a further 14 Boeing airliners over the next couple of years. These include the innovative B787 Dreamliner. Founded in 1993, the airline has since witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East. Oman Air’s fleet currently consists of four Airbus A330-200s, three Airbus A330-300s, 17 Boeing 737-700s/800s, four Embraer E175s and two ATR 42s. Six Boeing 787 Dreamliners are on order for delivery from 2015, ◄

EU entry ban threat for Lebanese carriers

ebanon’s Minister for Public Works and Transport Ghazi Zeaiter has expressed surprise at the European Union’s warning that it would ban Lebanese carriers from flying over Europe if the government does not appoint the committee which oversees aviation safety. Angelina Eichhorst, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, had said that Lebanese airlines may face a possible ban from operating within European airspace if proper measures to improve aviation safety measures were not taken. Lebanese airlines are currently facing the possibility of a complete ban from operating within EU territorial airspace. This follows a significant delay in addressing safety concerns raised by the International Civil Aviation Organization in December 2012. The EU Air Safety Committee has identified as the root cause of concern the overdue implementation of Lebanese Civil Aviation Law Nr 481/2002. The EU Air Safety Committee will hold its next meeting in November 2014. ◄

July 2014

over the next fifteen years, as digital natives instinctively turn to mobile technologies and social media to plan, book and manage travel.

The travel providers who address the nuanced needs of the region’s population stand to thrive in the coming decades. ◄

Singapore Airlines to stop Riyadh, Cairo flights

ingapore Airlines will stop flying to Riyadh and Cairo from September 2014 because of what it called sustained weak performance on both the routes. The airline will stop flying to Riyadh on September 28 and to Cairo on September 30. However, flights will continue to Jeddah, the gateway to the Saudi holy city of Makkah. Singapore Airlines said it would refund passengers who hold tickets for flights to the two cities after the flights are suspended. It added that connections to both Riyadh and Cairo are still possible on other airlines via Dubai. Singapore Airlines flies three times a week to Cairo and Riyadh. The Jeddah flight operates via Riyadh,

but will stop at Dubai from October 2 onwards. Singapore Airlines faces tough competition on Middle Eastern routes from Emirates and Qatar Airways. The number of tourists visiting Cairo could have dropped drastically partly due to the political instability in Egypt, although demand from the Middle East remains strong. In 2012, SIA halted services to Abu Dhabi and Athens, citing similar reasons. Last year, SIA cancelled its non-stop services to New York’s Newark Airport and Los Angeles — the world’s longest commercial flights — due to fuel prices and low demand. Cairo is served thrice weekly through Dubai, while Riyadh is served thrice per week. ◄

Middle East in Focus

KSA orders aircraft bird strike avoidance radar system

Gulf Air ends downsizing

audi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has ordered advanced bird strike avoidance radar which will be installed at King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jazan. The MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar is currently used by the US Air Force and Navy and at commercial airports throughout Europe and Africa. This will be the first bird radar system at a commercial airport in the Middle East and the fifth commercial airport in the world to use bird strike avoidance radar operationally for real-time aircraft-bird strike risk warnings. Since 2003, MERLIN systems have been providing real-time bird strike alerts to air

traffic controllers, flight safety managers and pilots at US Air Force and Navy airfields and at commercial airports in Europe. NASA also used two MERLIN systems . ◄

Cebu Pacific to start flights to Saudi Arabia

hilippines budget carrier Cebu Pacific is planning to continue its expansion into the long-haul market with the introduction of flights to Saudi Arabia as early as August 2014.. The airline is planning to use its new 436-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft on flights to Riyadh and Dammam. According to a report, Cebu Pacific plans to allocate a second aircraft to the long-haul market in August 2014 when flights are expected to be launched to two new destinations in Saudi Arabia. A previous report published by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) revealed that Cebu Pacific would serve one destination in Saudi Arabia with four flights weekly, while the second destination

would be served with three weekly flights. The airline is also aiming to launch service to Kuwait by the end of the year. Cebu Pacific has already accepted delivery of four A330 aircraft. Currently, only one aircraft has been allocated to long-haul operations serving Dubai. When Cebu Pacific began its first long haul route to Dubai in October 2013, the carrier achieved a dismal load factor of 36 percent in spite of opening the route to ticket sales several months in advance. In April and May of 2014, the carrier achieved a minimum load factor of 80 percent, but this is not expected to continue into the lean months of Ramadan. ◄

o more job cuts will be made at Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, after more than a quarter of its staff faced the axe in 2013, according to a report in Gulf Daily News. An aggressive restructuring strategy launched in December 2012 has enabled Gulf Air to halve its losses and report its strongest financial results in eight years. The scheme included a 27.2 per cent reduction in manpower last year with 1,024 employees leaving the airline. Expatriate employees made up 60 per cent of those made redundant and of the 429 Bahrainis who left the airline, 381 opted for a voluntary retirement scheme. This means the airline has 2,742 employees on its payroll as of December 31 last year. “With 65 per cent of the total workforce being Bahraini - the highest level in history - Gulf Air continues to be a key employer committed to developing a national workforce of aviation professionals,” said Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Gulf Air board chairman Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. “The restructuring has put the national carrier on track towards long-term commercial sustainability.” From January to December last year, the airline’s losses were cut by more than BD100 million or 52.4 per cent - from BD195.8 million to BD93.3 million. ◄

Air transport plays key role in ME economies

T Queen Alia Airport fares well in ASQ survey

ueen Alia International Airport (QAIA) has recorded significant improvements in nearly all 18 service and facility categories under the Q1 2014 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey. Airport International Group (AIG), the Jordanian company responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of QAIA, said the Kingdom’s

prime airport recorded the highest score in improvements within the categories of: Overall satisfaction with the airport; availability of baggage carts/trollies; efficiency of check-in staff; feeling of being safe and secure; and speed of baggage delivery service. QAIA also ranked 38th from over 200 airports worldwide, ◄

he air transport industry plays an important role in supporting the growth of economies across the Middle East, according to a new study released by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). The report outlines how air transport supports two million jobs and $116 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) in the region. Of the two million jobs across the Middle East region, 356,000 are within the industry itself and the rest are supported as part of the industry’s supply chain and the significant role air transport plays in the tourism sector. ATAG Executive Director, Michael Gill, says the report also outlines the worldwide impact of the industry which supports over 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in GDP worldwide. ◄ July 2014

International

Emirates cancels $16 billion A350 order

mirates Airlines has cancelled its entire order for Airbus A350 wide-body longhaul jets months ahead of the launch of the modern jets, posting significant setback for European aircraft maker Airbus. After ten years in development, the Airbus A350 wide-body long-haul is due to achieve certification by aviation authorities before the end of 2014. Airlines around the world had filled Airbus order books with agreements

to purchase more than eight hundred A350s over the next several years. Now the order book is seventy jets and $21.6 billion smaller. Emirates Airlines made the announcement after a review of its fleet requirement plans. The order had been placed in 2007, and the first deliveries were scheduled for 2019. Emirates Airlines President Tim Clark had been

a critic of the A350 as overweight and over-late in its delivery schedule, with delays caused by the challenges of developing allnew carbon-fiber fuselage technology and new, more efficient Rolls Royce engines. The A350 is the main emerging competition to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which entered service in late 2011, and is also made with new-generation composite materials. The Dreamliner was in turn designed as a challenger

Philippines to include terminal fee in air ticket costs

tarting October, passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila can expect shorter queues as the airport’s terminal fees will be integrated into the prices of their airline tickets. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and international air carrier representatives have agreed to include the international passenger service charge (IPSC), commonly known

as terminal fees, in the price of airline tickets. The integration of the terminal fee in airline tickets will lessen the queuing time for departing passengers at the NAIA, as well as free up a sizable area at the airport since the terminal fee counters will be removed. The Philippines is currently the only ASEAN country that collects terminal fees at the airport. The MIAA is set to sign the

memorandum of agreement with air carriers under which the terminal fee will be integrated by default in the tickets, whether purchased online or through ticketing offices or travel agents. While the integration programme will begin in October 2014, there is a one-year transition period that will end in September 2015. Full implementation of the policy will be in October 2015. ◄

48 airlines have over 100 aircraft fleet each

lobally there are 48 airlines with over 100 passenger aircraft, according to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Fleet Database. There are 70 airlines with over 75 aircraft, and 102 airlines with over 50 aircraft. This is ranked on AOCs and excludes regional partners operating under a different license, as well as subsidiaries operating under

July 2014

their own license as well. Of the 48 passenger airlines in the world today with over 100 aircraft, six are in mainland China: Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. And of the world’s 10 largest airlines by passenger fleet size, three are in China. The world’s airlines are greatly skewed by the numerous

(745) airlines operating at least six aircraft - one reason why the global market is so irrationally competitive. Looking more closely at airlines with over 50 aircraft, only 18 have more than 200 aircraft, 10 more than 100 aircraft, and finally only two – Delta and United – operate more than 700 aircraft. ◄

to the Airbus 330, which Airbus will continue to produce until at least 2020. Emirates has not yet announced whether it will order Dreamliners to replace the cancelled A350 order, or some other aircraft. Emirates recently ordered fifty A380s, the biggest Airbus, and CEO Tim Clark has said the big aircraft exceeded expectations. The change of heart by Emirates represents the biggest-ever order cancellation for Airbus. ◄

15 new passenger airlines to launch in China

ccording to a report by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), China in the next year could see about a 50 per cent increase in its number of passenger airlines which stands at 15. This rapid growth comes as China loosens restrictions on new carriers that have been in place since midlast decade. These new carriers join about 10 airlines launching in other parts of Asia in 2014. Whereas those 10 airlines outside of China are exclusively low-cost carriers, almost all of China’s new carriers will be full-service – at least initially. There is a wave of LCC interest in China accompanied by some regulatory liberalization, such as on minimum fare pricing. The report said 13 Chinese airlines could each have a fleet of over 100 aircraft by 2020. Of the 48 passenger airlines in the world today with over 100 aircraft, six are in mainland China. And of the world’s 10 largest airlines by passenger fleet size, ◄

International

$1 billion to modernize Belgrade airport A

bout $1 billion will be invested in the expansion and modernization of Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport. According to a report in Večernje Novosti, the privatepublic partnership model will be used to build a third terminal for the needs of the national airline, reconstruct Terminal I, build a second runway, the largest cargo center in the region, as well as a new hotel, and the project has already sparked a great deal of interest. The interested companies include two based in the UAE.

One of them is Arabtec, which, according to Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, will be involved in the construction of affordable housing in Serbia. Talks with potential UAEbased concessionaires will take place in Belgrade soon, the daily reports. Prospective concessionaires also include companies based in France, Austria and Russia. The expansion of the Belgrade airport is necessary due to the announced launch of direct flights to the US and a number of new flight destinations. ◄

AirAsia entry intensifies competition in India

ndia’s domestic aviation sector is set to witness severe competition with the entry of AirAsia India, the Indian arm of the Malaysian no-frills airline. AirAsia India became the fourth budget carrier in the country -- after IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir -- after its maiden flight takes off from Bengaluru to Goa in June. Besides these, full service airline Jet Airways also operates a low-cost service JetLite. IndiGo dominates the local market with 31.6 percent share, followed by Jet Airways-JetLite combine with 21.8 percent and Air India with 18.3 percent, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCAA) data. AirAsia India has promised to offer low and competitive airfares; will focus on connecting tier-II cities to begin with. “Our airlines’ fares will be about 35 percent lower than the

current market rates,” AirAsia India Chief Executive Mittu Chandilya said. AirAsia already operates international routes into the Indian cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata and Trichy. The new entrant has already triggered the fare war by announcing fares as low as Rs 990 for its Bangalore-Goa and Bangalore-Chennai routes, forcing the rival carriers, including IndiGo to come out with matching fares. IndiGo also announced promotional fares for just Re1 on the Bangalore, Chennai and Goa routes, taking on the competition from AirAsia India’s Rs5 fare (excluding airport tax and other applicable fees) offer and putting on sale over 25,000 promotional seats with travel period validity until October 25. Other budget carriers have also been on a low-fare spree . ◄

Airline industry to face rapidly expanding

wC US has released Tailwinds, its annual report on the airline industry, which reveals that the global airline industry is set to face more aggressive competition in the coming year, charged by expansion of the low-cost carrier (LCC) business model, the rapid growth of airlines in the Middle East, and a rise in joint ventures (JVs) to increase international flights. With a successful year in growth and operating income in 2013, the overall industry picture is favorable, but with competition on the rise, driving efficiencies by becoming a ‘connected airline’ can help airlines better navigate the landscape and stay ahead. According to the report, global airline revenues are expected to have reached a new high of $708 billion in 2013, driven by increased passenger revenue resulting from more flights and scheduled passengers. Additionally, LCCs continued to gain global market share, increasing to over 25 percent in 2013, restraining the yields of the legacy carriers. Airlines also saw operating expense relief in 2013 due to lower fuel prices, while there has been an uptick in labor and maintenance costs.◄

Aircraft GHS market to surge

he Aircraft Ground Handling System market (Passenger Ground Handling Equipment, Cargo Ground Handling Equipment, Aircraft Ground Handling Equipment) could be valued at $347.50 million this year, and is expected to reach $456.76 million by 2019. According to a latest study by Markets and Markets, growth in the market will continue to depend largely on the increase in number of airlines and airports. Expansion, up-gradation of existing airports, and technology advancements, will also increase the demand for aircraft ground handling system market. Different designs and airframes made of composites, could force ground service providers into alternative processes and equipment, which would have a significant impact on the cost factor. The other advantage will be that improvements in aircraft design and equipment may improve efficiency, thereby reducing ground handling costs. ◄ July 2014

Opinion

Challenges of second century of aviation industry

By Tony Tyler Director General & CEO IATA

viation is the life blood of the global economy, supporting over 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in annual economic activity. As we stand at the dawn of commercial aviation’s second century, what will define our future success? We can take some inspiration from the Chicago Convention—which is marking its 70th anniversary this

year. We are achieving the vision of the Chicago Convention on an enormous scale. As a global industry, our financial performance does not yet match the value that we deliver. This year we expect airlines to achieve a collective global profit of $18 billion. The brutal economic reality is that on revenues of $746 billion we will earn an average net margin of just 2.4 per cent. That’s less than $6 per passenger. Our customers expect efficient global connectivity. But the regulatory structure prevents the global consolidation that has happened in other industries. By creatively working together—through alliances, joint ventures, franchising and domestic consolidation—we are seeing some significant results. We are moving forward with the Global Aviation Data Management project—known as GADM. This

will create the world’s largest resource of operational information. Fueled by data collected from partners including ICAO, the FAA, and EASA, it is perfectly consistent with the global mindset needed for aviation’s second century. Airlines help fund global aviation security with taxes and fees costing $8.55 billion a year. And passengers still say that security remains their biggest travel hassle. IATA is partnering with the Airports Council International (ACI) and others to change this. The goal of our Smart Security programme is to improve effectiveness, efficiency and the passenger experience. Cargo shipments must be made more secure through global standards and cooperation with governments and across the supply chain. That is the framework for the IATA Secure Freight programme which now has live pilot projects in

8 countries. A similar approach is needed to guard airline and aircraft IT systems against the risk of cyberattack. The (Arabian) Gulf governments have understood and acted on the industry’s needs for airport infrastructure. Airports here rank among the most impressive in the world. But air traffic delays result because the region’s governments are not managing finite airspace as a common resource. Aviation is powering economies and lifting the human spirit. We have broken the bounds of speed and distance with ubiquitous global mobility. In 100 years we have turned our enormous planet into a small world. In doing so, we have created a very big future for us all. ◄

Excerpts from the speech at the IATA’s 70th AGM in Doha, Qatar

Building a 21st Century airspace route network

By Patrick McLoughlin Secretary of State for Transport United Kingdom

ritain’s economy is today recovering faster than Germany, Japan or the US. And three times faster than the independent Office of Budget Responsibility predicted last year. We haven’t yet secured the longterm and balanced recovery that is the government’s biggest priority. And there are few better engines for growth than aviation. An industry that contributes £11 billion to our economy and carries 2.3 million tonnes of freight a year and employs around 220,000

July 2014

people in the UK. A vibrant aviation industry is crucial to our prosperity. We also know that our competitors will overtake us if we fail to plan for our future capacity needs. Maintaining our hub status is absolutely pivotal. That’s why we’ve set up the independent Airports Commission. The commission’s interim report – delivered at the end of last year – is a significant step towards our ultimate goal. A long-term, sustainable aviation programme that will meet the UK’s future capacity and connectivity needs. The challenge for the future goes beyond airport capacity. Led by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the Senior Delivery Group, this is an industry that recognises the need for change and investment. If we want to remain a world aviation leader, we need to modernise some of the ageing systems and technologies that make up our aviation infrastructure, in particular the airspace route network.

In March, for example, NATS recorded its second lowest ever monthly figure for delays. Although it handled 0.6 per cent more traffic, delays attributable to NATS totalled just 329 minutes. But the shortcomings in older parts of the system are increasingly evident. We also have increasing competition for space in our skies from military, police and emergency aircraft. And from general aviation and business flights. We have been working with the industry to develop its future airspace strategy. This is a flagship programme that provides the blueprint for a modern airspace system. We have established a functional airspace block with Ireland to optimise service provision in our airspace.This has already realised £57 million of savings through more direct routings of aircraft. And it’s expected to save almost £250 million by the end of 2019. We’re developing a performance plan to improve efficiency and capacity, while maintaining safety.

Now the focus is shifting to implementing a more modern and efficient airspace control network. By 2020, it’s predicted that these changes will save around £200 million in fuel, reduce CO2 emissions and minimise delays. The new strategy will also allow local communities to have some say in how airspace is managed. The UK aviation has suffered from stagnation, underinvestment and lack of consensus. Today, the industry’s prospects are brighter than they have been for years. As our economy recovers, we will be ready to meet rising demand for air travel, with a sustainable plan for growth.And by working in partnership with the industry, we will ensure that Britain remains a global aviation leader. ◄

Excerpts from the speech at the Aviation Club, Institute of Directors, London

Opinion

Air transport fuels global economic prosperity

By Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu President ICAO Council

y the year 2030, scheduled air traffic globally is expected to more than double, from the current three billion passengers a year to some 6.4 billion. The number of flights will similarly increase from the current 30 million to some 60 million a year. This consistent growth holds the promise of still greater contributions from air transport to global economic prosperity and the social development of nations.

The potential impact of rapid growth on the safety, security, air navigation capacity, environmental performance and overall sustainability of the industry is also our major challenge. The ICAO and its Member States must continue to collaborate proactively to respond effectively to the demands of this growth. In order to achieve the required safety performance objectives, our focus in particular will be on the implementation of the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP). In the near term, the GASP calls for all States to have implemented effective safety oversight capabilities by the year 2017, while in the mid-term all States should achieve full implementation of their State Safety Programmes and Safety Management Systems. The implementation of the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and its Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) strategy, will help to propel and coordinate the needed modernization of the global air navigation system and ensure the safe and effective management of

future air traffic growth. The AFI Plan is now aligned with the Safety Targets and Declaration that were adopted in 2012. One of the Safety Targets requires that at the end of 2013, a minimum of 19 African States should have achieved the global average of 60 per cent in effective implementation of safety requirements. However, only 15 African States have so far reached that target. The ICAO has established a dedicated Safety Fund (SAFE) to support States in need through voluntary contributions from other donor States and organizations. At ICAO, we have set into motion a new training policy to reinforce the efforts of States in the development of Human Resources in Aviation, through the adoption of competency-based and technology-driven approaches. Many training organizations are benefitting from the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS and our Aviation Security Training Programmes. Additional ICAO Security and Facilitation assistance will also be provided to

African States with respect to enhancing passenger and cargo security, travel document modernization, automated border control systems and e-Passports, as well as capacity-building. The ICAO supports increased liberalization in air transport, and we will continue to provide every assistance to facilitate your efforts in this area. The ICAO is also according due priority to the landmark decision of the 38th Assembly on the development of a global market-based measure (MBM) scheme for civil aviation. As of 7 December this year, ICAO will have been serving the global aviation community for some 70 years. Cooperation has made our global aviation network what it is today and it remains our most valuable asset in everything we do. ◄

Excerpts from the speech at the 3rd session of the African Union Conference of African Ministers of Transport, Equatorial Guinea

Building a bright future together

By Michael Huerta Administrator Federal Aviation Administration United States of America

ince its establishment in 1958, the FAA has been steadfast in its core mission to ensure the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. As aviation grew and changed, we’ve had to continually evolve. In the 1920s, the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce ensured safety, but also pro-

moted the aviation industry, a dual mission that the FAA would continue to have until the 1990s. In the 1930s, the Civil Aeronautics Authority was responsible for rulemaking, but also accident investigation. That latter responsibility was transferred to the National Transportation Safety Board in the 1960s. In 1967, Department of Transportation was formed and we became one of several modes that work to make America’s infrastructure safe and efficient. We’re now at another pivotal moment in aviation history where we are witnessing a variety of changes. The industry is becoming more globalized. Air traffic providers are moving from radar-based to satellitebased air traffic systems. As we build NextGen, we also have to think about sustaining critical parts of our existing infrastructure, much of which is aging. New users are entering our airspace – unmanned vehicles and

commercial space launches. And we’re seeing a generational turnover among our workforce. We have to address all of these changes in a budget environment with a great degree of uncertainty. From sequester to government shutdown, we endured a great deal of disruption. In December last year, Congress passed a two-year budget, which provides us with some degree of certainty and temporarily avoids the cuts we would have had to make under the sequester. But unless there’s another fix, the sequester will be with us again in 2016. The budget uncertainty has prompted a lot of discussion about how best to provide certainty for the FAA in the future.The FAA has traditionally provided a variety of services to our airspace users in addition to air traffic control. We provide flight plans, weather briefings, updated navigation charts, aircraft certification and pilot certificates. We are

increasingly being asked to do more with less. We have to prioritize our work, knowing that we cannot continue to provide all of the services we have in the past. We’re having a robust discussion with our stakeholders about what we might be able to consider to stop doing, or do differently, through innovative business methods and technologies. About 56 years after the FAA was created, the aviation industry is robust and diverse. Looking ahead, in just 10 or 20 years from now, we’ll see even more rapid change and growth. . The decisions we make together today will have a great impact, and shape what aviation will look like for decades to come. Let’s work together to leave an even safer, more efficient aviation system for the next generation of aviators. ◄

Excerpts from the speech at NATCA Annual Legislative Conference, Washington, DC

July 2014

In Focus

Keeping Track of Aircraft Movements Global airlines industry is seeking real-time aircraft tracking after the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 disappearance mystery

ven as the largest international search effort in aviation history is attempting to locate the whereabouts of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370 which went missing in mysterious circumstances in March, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in cooperation with the global airlines body, International Air Transport Association (IATA), is working on creating a global flight tracking system. The UN agency that oversees international civil aviation says it has set a ‘near-term’ deadline for the implementation of a worldwide airline tracking system. A 20-member task force consisting of airline regulators, airlines, pilots and aircraft parts manufactures is working on the plan. At its 70th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Doha, IATA confirmed that the Aircraft Tracking Task Force (ATTF) expects to be in a position to deliver draft options for enhanced global aircraft tracking to the ICAO in September, leading to presentation to the industry before year-end. IATA announced plans to establish an industry task force to develop recommendations to improve global flight tracking. “The loss of MH370 continues to be on everybody’s mind. IATA is working with (UN body) International Civil Aviation Organization to find a global solution to improve aircraft tracking,” remarked Tony Tyler, IATA Director General and CEO. The commitment made at the time of the task force announcement was to have them available by the end of 2014. IATA, which represents 240 airlines comprising 84 per cent of global air traffic, had invited ICAO and key stakeholders throughout the aviation industry to participate in the ATTF. The first meeting of the group was held on 13 May 2014. Separately, but in conjunction with IATA, ICAO held a Special Multi-disciplinary Meeting on Global Flight Tracking on May 12 & 13. An outcome of the ICAO meeting was a consensus among Member States and the international air transport industry on the

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July July 2014 2014

near-term priority to track airline flights. ICAO will also begin considering performance-based international standards, on a priority basis, to ensure broader adoption of airline flight tracking across the aviation system. ICAO and IATA are working together to conduct a survey of vendors to identify options. Over the next few months, the ATTF will develop a set of performancebased recommendations to better ensure global aircraft tracking—meaning that there will likely be a number of options that airlines can consider. These recommendations will be developed through an assessment of available products and services used for tracking commercial aircraft against specific criteria, including factors such as performance parameters, coverage, security, and cost. Additionally, the ATTF will define a minimum set of performance requirements that any system should achieve. The ATTF includes representatives from IATA, ICAO, Airlines for America, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Civil Air Navigation Services Organization, Flight Safety Foundation, International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations, International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Airbus SAS, Bombardier Aerospace, and Embraer Commercial Aviation. IATA Senior Vice President for Safety and Flight Operations, Kevin Hiatt, said: “Aviation stakeholders are united in their desire to ensure that we never face another situation where an aircraft simply disappears. While Member States work through ICAO to develop and implement performance-based global standards, the industry is committed to moving forward with recommendations that airlines can implement now.” Malaysian investigators suspect someone shut off MH370’s data links making the plane impossible to track, prompting the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to call upon the ICAO to adopt real-time tracking of civilian aircraft.

“In an age of smartphones and mobile Internet, real-time tracking of commercial airplanes is long overdue,” he said in a signed article in the Wall Street Journal. He also called for a change in airplane communications systems that would prevent critical systems from being switched-off in mid-flight – the key problem that led to the Flight MH370 veering of course without the controllers having any notion of the situation. Najib called for changes that would “make it harder for an aircraft to simply disappear, and easier to find any aircraft that did.” He said the capacity of the cockpit data recorder, one of a plane’s two black boxes, should be extended from two hours currently to recording the entire flight, while its location beacons should be made to last at least 90 days, instead of 30 days now. “The global aviation industry must not only learn the lessons of MH370 but implement them,” he added.

The mysterious disappearance has sparked a global drive for a system that would enable controllers to pinpoint the exact route and last location of an aircraft. IATA said its members would implement measures voluntarily, before any rules were in place. “In principle the community has agreed. There’s no question this is something we need to do,” Nancy Graham, director of ICAO’s Air Navigation Bureau, said in Kuala Lumpur. “We are developing the voluntary path and a rule for the

Europe wants improved black boxes

uropean aviation safety regulators want to hasten the introduction of improved “black boxes” on commercial airliners. The mandatory operational life of beacons attached to flight-data recorders should be extended to 90 days from 30 days two years earlier than initially planned, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said. Airplanes traversing oceans should also carry beacons with greater range. The flight-data recorders that store information vital to crash investigations come with beacons designed to aid search teams trying to locate the devices. In its latest opinion, which is not yet a binding requirement for the industry, EASA said it wants aircraft to feature beacons with a

90-day minimum transmission to give search teams more time to recover the devices. The technology should be introduced by 2018 rather than by 2020 as previously planned. EASA also wants airliners flying more than 180 nautical miles over water to have an additional beacon transmitting at a different frequency with greater detection range from 2019. An alternative is to equip the aircraft with other technology to pinpoint the location of a crash site to within 6 nautical miles. The regulator also is requiring that cockpit voice recorders be upgraded to store 20 hours of conversation, rather than just two hours as is currently the case. EASA had already proposed an increase to 15 hours.

In Focus

future. We intend to have regulation to support that globally.” Asked whether the cost of implementing new standards was a stumbling block for airlines, she said: “Not at all, they’re absolutely in solidarity. There’s no price you can put on safety or certainty on where the aircraft are.” Experts say the technology to implement real-time tracking is available and relatively simple. Inmarsat Group, a satellite company whose data helped track MH370, has

offered to provide airlines with tracking at no cost. Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, said that the service is being offered to all 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft already equipped with an Inmarsat satellite connection -- most of the world’s long-haul commercial fleet. Chris McLaughlin, a senior Inmarsat executive, said the uptake of the service could be almost immediate on 90 per cent of the global fleet of widebody aircraft as they have the necessary equip-

Tim Clark: Curb pilot powers at all times

irlines must take steps to stop pilots deactivating communications systems as well as improving tracking, says Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines, the world’s biggest international airline which is also the world’s biggest operator of wide-body aircraft, with a fleet built around A380 superjumbos and Boeing 777s. Any universal adoption of measures that will pinpoint a plane throughout a flight is useless without moves to stop cockpit crews overriding the technology. He said: “What we have to do is ensure that aircraft systems cannot be interfered with, even by pilots. Once you’ve done that, as long as you have that system working all the time, why bother to increase the tracking capability? It’s already there.” The industry veteran added:

“If we can prevent any kind of interdiction and system disablement in flight by anybody or anything, that’s all you need to do. As long as you’ve got the satellite communications working and the ACARS systems working, that provides sufficient data for anything to be tracked. If you disable that then you will have problems.”

ment already installed. He said a simple software upgrade would extend that to “virtually 100 per cent” of long-haul aircraft flying today. The service would enable the aircraft to transmit data about its speed, height and direction over the Inmarsat network every 15 minutes. He added that providing the basic service for free would cost Inmarsat about $3 million a year. “It is a marginal cost to us but we think it is worth it.” He said the company hoped to recoup those losses by convincing more airlines to sign up for its premium services which allow the aircraft to transmit information back to the maintenance base about the performance of its systems, such as its engines and fuel consumption. The Inmarsat system on MH370 was not active because Malaysian Airlines was one of the many airlines around the world that had not signed up for the satellite services. Rival firms such as Iridium Communications, however, say outfitting a jet with the tracking system could cost more than $100,000. Graham says ownership and protection of flight data were among the issues that needed to be ironed out before a global tracking system was put in place. “Aviation is the first global business and in global businesses you have to determine where the lines of boundary are,” she said. A European proposal to increase the maximum amount of recording time on cockpit voice recorders to 20 hours from two hours ran into opposition from Airbus and pilot groups. Some pilots expressed concerns about longer recordings, saying they could be misused by employers, released without their authorization or used in court without their permission. Malaysian Minister of Communications, Ahmad Shabery Cheek, says that regulators and the industry needed to find a better balance between privacy and safety. “It’s between allowing a pilot the ability to shut down electronic components in emergencies, or mitigating that power. These are issues we will also have to consider in trying to come to a standard,” he said. Graham denied there had been a lack of urgency in implementing flight-tracking reforms following the 2009 crash of an Air France jetliner in the Atlantic Ocean, and said tracking would not have prevented the MH370 disaster. “Global tracking would not have prevented this incident,” she said. “We don’t know right now what caused this accident.” One idea is an independentlypowered transmitter that relays where the aircraft is even if electric power is lost completely. Other ideas including extending the battery life of the acoustic

‘pingers’ on each plane’s ‘black boxes’ and (for crashes into the sea), slowreleasing, floating luminous dye from a nozzle activated by contact with salt water. In the latter case, the dye would float to the surface and be dispersed by the tides, hopefully leaving a trail that can be seen from the air and tracked back to where the plane is located. The technology for constant worldwide aircraft tracking has long been available; however, the standards and regulations enforcing its use have not kept pace with the development, said Chief Operations Officer of Inmarsat, Ruy Pinto, Inmarsat’s COO. He said there is no need to wait for further development to implement a system that would have prevented, not the Flight MH370 disaster, but at least the complete loss of control by air-traffic controllers about the plane’s whereabouts. “What we are trying to do now is to remove what some may consider a commercial barrier to speed up the uptake of satellite-based positioning services in the aviation community. By eliminating a commercial barrier, we are shortening the time required to update the procedures and helping the aviation community to adopt satellite tracking services.” The free tracking service will be available on Inmarsat’s Classic Aero and Swift Broadband systems. The company is further exploring possibilities to use its existing systems for black box data streaming in critical situations, to allow investigators to have this vital information at hand without having to search for the black box, which, as in the case of Flight AF447 and MH370, could be almost inaccessible at the bottom of the sea. International consensus on real time aircraft tracking is building and India has already issued a circular to instruct airlines to track all aircraft in real time. “We hope this means the learning has begun and we want to crystallize and leverage on what has happened,” said the Malaysian Communications Minister Shabery. “We are aware of the growing interest within governments to look for alternative means to track aircraft and the need to set up processes for real-time tracking of flight data.” ITU Secretary-General Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure, said: “The aviation and aerospace industries epitomize state-of-theart in technology; and air travel is the safest mode of transport in the world. Yet, even as the multi-nation search for the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft continues, we must make every effort at the international level to develop realtime tracking solutions for the aviation industry.” ◄ July July 2014 2014

17 17

Cargo & Logistics

Air cargo carriers battles tough competition

he International Air Transport Association (IATA), which had its 70th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Doha in early June, painted a negative picture about the air cargo industry saying that the cargo volumes will total about 52 million tonnes this year, effectively unchanged since 2010. As more cargo shifts to passenger planes and back onto the seas, airlines have to rethink their cargo operations or risk the freighter plane becoming a thing of the past. Some carriers have already reduced the number of freighter planes they operate, but more drastic changes to shorten transport times and regain ground lost to the shipping industry are needed. Air freight built a reputation for getting bulky, expensive goods from A to B as quickly as possible. Even today, the $6.8 trillion worth of goods transported by air cargo every year represents 35 percent of international trade by value but only

0.5 percent of total volumes. The growing demand for plane travel means more and more freight is being transported in the holds, or bellies, of passenger planes. “The industry needs a structural redesign,” Glyn Hughes, director of cargo industry management at IATA, said. Airlines have so far reacted to

the tough cargo market by cutting capacity and taking freighters out of service. Lufthansa Cargo has postponed a decision on whether to take more Boeing 777 freighters. Other carriers such as Air France-KLM, Singapore, Japan Airlines have all reduced the number of freighter planes

they operate. Air France-KLM - whose passenger aircraft currently account for 72 percent of total freight capacity compared with 54 percent in 2007-2008 - plans to make a decision in a couple of weeks on whether to reduce its fleet of freighteronly aircraft further. The carrier has already cut its freight-only capacity by 11.5 percent to 14 aircraft in 2013. IATA wants its members to shave 48 hours off shipping times - pointing out that of the 6.5 days on average it takes to get air freight from door to door, only a few hours is actually spent in the air. It is therefore encouraging airlines to simplify procedures with freight forwarders and ground handlers, and to cut down the amount of paperwork it creates by moving to digital documents. The association said that just 14.3 percent of contracts, known as airway bills, were in electronic form in 2013, short of its target of 22 percent for 2014. ◄

More work needed before full ACAS roll-out in US

coalition of associations representing air freight forwarding companies in the US has voiced concerns about expanding the Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) programme which analyzes advance data on inbound air shipments to the US to assess risk. It is currently in its pilot phase, but Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has signaled they intend to expand it to apply to all inbound air cargo. The Air forwarders Association, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, International Air Cargo Association and Express Delivery and Logistics Association jointly sent letters to CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While noting that they supported the concept of the ACAS programme’s riskbased analysis at the shipment level, they expressed concern about “certain issues which we feel have not yet been fully resolved within the ACAS pilot.” The groups are therefore calling for more work to be done to determine how the ACAS programme will be applied to small and medium sized forwarders before they are brought under its requirements.◄

July 2014

UPS opens air hub in Taiwan and logistics centre in China

PS has opened important new infrastructure in China and Taiwan as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has opened its relocated Trans Pacific Hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The company has also opened a new contract logistics distribution facility near Beijing Capital International Airport to extend the firm’s business-tobusiness and business-to-consumer reach in China. The new air hub in Taipei offers 82,000 square feet (7,600 square me-

tres) at the airport’s Air Cargo Terminal Logistics Warehouse, a 40 per cent bigger site than the previous location of the hub. UPS said the facility was equipped with the latest sorting capabilities to support Taiwanese businesses trading internationally, particularly locally-based high-tech manufacturing companies who face increasing global competition. The relocated hub operates 28 weekly cargo flights connecting Taiwan to major global markets in Asia, Europe and the United States. ◄

Cargo & Logistics

$35 million settlement in air cargo cartel suit

$35 million settlement of an Australian class action suit against an air cargo cartel won the court approval. Importers and exporters had sued airlines including Qantas Airways Ltd, Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines Ltd , Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and British Airways for services provided between 2000 and 2007. The pact, without admission of liability by the airlines, was first announced in April. Air cargo carriers have faced hefty penal-

Global RTLS market to reach $44 billion mark by 2020

E-tailers growth ensnared in India’s logistics jungle

he global real time locating systems (RTLS) market, which was worth $11.7 billion last year, is expected to grow to $43.7 billion by 2020 at a CAGR of 21 per cent. GPS has emerged as a market leader among all RTLS technologies surpassing active RFID and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24 per cent between 2013 and 2020 to reach market revenue of $15 billion in 2020. The higher adoption of GPS technology can easily be attributed to its enhanced accuracy levels and application in tracking high valued assets such

as airplanes and cargo ships. The RTLS market is in its transition phase with increasing adoption of GPS and Wi-Fi technologies in comparison to conventional RFID. Real time locating technologies gained importance due to its application in inventory management and security. Moreover, increasing innovations in RTLS market has extended the application of real time locating technologies in tracking high value assets with higher precision rates than ever, according to a study by Allied Market Research (AMR). ◄

ties from competition authorities in Australia the European Commission and the US for price fixing. Air New Zealand has been awarded $3.2 million towards its legal costs by the Federal Court in Australia as part of the settlement of a class suit by other airlines. Last year Air NZ agreed to pay $7.5 million to as part of a settlement with New Zealand’s Commerce Commission, on top of the $10 million it had already spent defending the claim. ◄

nline retailers jostling for a chunk of India’s $13 billion e-commerce trade are so desperate to avoid snarled roads and inefficient railways that they fly their packages in the passenger cabin of costly commercial flights. India’s largest domestic etailer Flipkart as well as bigger global rivals like Amazon and eBay are widening their supplier networks or racing to build multi-million dollar logistics networks to circumvent crumbling infrastructure, keen to attract customers by shrinking delivery times to same-day or even as short as nine hours. In the meantime, they remain at the mercy of commercial airlines, which frequently remove their parcels to make room for passengers, highlight-

ing one of the challenges to expanding in an e-commerce market that consultants say is growing at a compound rate of 34 percent a year, and which saw online retail sales of $1.6 billion last year, according to Reuters. Up to 90 percent of goods ordered online in India are moved by air, which pushes up delivery costs by around half, according to several online retailers and logistics companies. With a population exceeding 1.1 billion, a burgeoning middle class and better Internet access, India’s e-commerce potential is huge. Online retail sales are expected to surge to $76 billion by 2021, according to consultants Forrester, and the segment is growing at a much slower pace than other emerging markets, including China. ◄

July 2014

Technology

US trade bodies lobbies for airplane cabin voice calls

Boeing, Embraer to open biofuel research center aviation

akers of smartphones and networking gear urged US regulators to end a ban on in-flight calls, their voices to an issue that’s roused public cries against noisy airplane seatmates. The Federal Communications Commission should end its ban so text, data “and even voice connectivity” can be available to airborne passengers, including those on longhaul international flights, three trade associations said in a joint filing to the agency. Airlines could decide what services passengers could use, the trade groups said. The groups weighing in were the Telecommunications Industry Association representing makers and suppliers of networks, including Intel Corp.; the Information Technology and Industry Council with members including Google Inc. (GOOG) and Akamai Technologies Inc.; and the Consumer Electronics

Association representing phone makers Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co. The FCC is considering allowing airline passengers to make voice calls using their mobile phones at altitudes above 10,000 feet. Its ban was put in place in the 1990s because of potential interference to wireless networks on the ground. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler made his proposal after aviation regulators loosened restrictions on onboard use of Wi-Fi connected electronic devices such as Amazon.com Inc.’s Kindles and Apple’s iPads. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx expressed concern about allowing voice calls, and his department is considering whether the change would be fair to consumers. Together, the agencies may decide to block voice calls while permitting other uses, such as texting and e-mail, according to a report by Bloomberg. ◄

oeing and Embraer have announced that they will open a joint research center to advance a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in Brazil. Under a memorandum of understanding, the two companies will perform joint biofuel research, as well as fund and coordinate research with Brazilian universities and other institutions. The research will focus on technologies that address gaps in a supply chain for sustainable aviation biofuel in Brazil, such as feedstock production and processing technologies. The companies’ biofuel research center will be located in Sao Jose dos Campos Technology Park. In 2013, Boeing, Embraer and the Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa of the State of Sao Paulo (FAPESP) completed an action plan – Flightpath to Aviation Biofuels in Brazil – that identified gaps in a potential biofuel supply chain. The joint research between Boeing and Embraer will help address those gaps. ◄

easyJet in technology focus

E Lighter-than-air transport systems can reduce fuel

doption of lighter-than-air (LTA) transport systems will have a massive transformational impact on humanity as they can bring benefits through 85 per cent reduced fuel consumption with virtually no expenditure on building additional infrastructure facilities, said Don R. Hartsell, Commissioner and Managing Director, World Air League, and a sustainable lifestyle proponent.

July 2014

Speaking at a lecture organized at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology auditorium, Hartsell pointed out that LTA systems represent one of the most proven sustainable technology solutions for managing an important aspect of global commerce - the efficient transportation grid. The lecture was attended by a large number of students, faculty members, enthusiasts in environmental

technology and green industry stakeholders. An overview of the proposed inaugural World Sky Race®, which is planned in December 2016 as a historic competition of lighter-than-air ships racing 30,000-plus miles, was also offered by Hartsell. The event includes 18 back-to-back races that span the globe, with the winner to be crowned the World Sky Champion. ◄

asyJet will be applying new and innovative technologies to help operate its fleet of 220 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft even more efficiently and reduce delays while maintaining its industry leading punctuality and safety records. The airline announced it is working with Coptercraft, Measurement Solutions and Bristol Robotics Laboratory to modify existing technology so that drones can be employed to inspect its fleet of Airbus aircraft. The drones will be programmed to scan and assess the planes reporting back to engineers on any damage which may require further inspection or maintenance work. The drones are currently in development with a view to trialing them in the coming months and introducing them into operation as early as next year. ◄

Technology

Honeywell to redefine air travel experience

oneywell Aerospace, part of the US-headquartered diversified Fortune 100 technology and manufacturing leader with annual sales of $12 billion, asserts that in-flight travel will see the use of tablets, wireless facilities, voice-recognition features and various apps in the near future. Officials said consumer electronic devices and technologies are expected to make their way into commercial aircraft to enhance crew and passenger experience. Consumer tablets such as the iPad may soon be used to house the pilots’ Flight Management Systems (FMS).The hard keys, buttons and knobs on the FMS may be replaced by digital keys on the iPad screen. Multiple opportunities have been identified that can, significantly, improve and simplify the pilots’ use of the FMS. The technology is also in line with the lifestyle and demographics of the pilots. These young pilots grew up with touch screen devices, and having the FMS in the digital format would make it easier and more intuitive for them. The tablet is just the interface mechanism between the pilots and the aircraft FMS, while the

backend remains the same. The use of tablet as FMS interface for pilots gives them the flexibility in communicating with the aircraft. Honeywell is also looking at the use of voice recognition and gesture. With all the security aspects covered, the pilot could take home the tablet and make their flight plans anywhere and, later, connect it to the system when they enter the cockpit to fly the aircraft.

Honeywell is working with partners like Pilatus Aircraft, Jeppesen and Aspen Avionics to develop these programs to wirelessly upload databases and flight plans to avionics. The system will also provide the ability to wirelessly download maintenance information and enhance passenger experience by providing real-time moving maps to the passengers. These wireless connectivity applications will greatly improve

operational efficiency for pilots and operators. Honeywell is also creating new lightweight material for use in making parts of the aircraft. Some of its prototypes may not see daylight but several others will be market ready over the next few months to years. To take advantage of the voice recognition capabilities this company is using speech recognition in maintenance, repair and overhaul operations (MRO). Presently, technicians have to read and analyses multiple pages of data before they can identity the problem in the aircraft. Among the many other things it is doing for the future, Honeywell Aerospace is trying to push forward is the Electric Green Taxiing System (EGTS).The taxi system will use electric power from an aircraft’s auxiliary power unit, rather than use a single jet engine to move the plane into takeoff position and back to the gate after landing. It is working with its joint venture partner Safran, a French aerospace company, on that. This initiative, if accepted by airlines, can save them millions of dollars yearly in fuel cost. ◄

New Zealand publishes report on SMART Approaches

Beijing produces revolutionary aviation material

uckland Airport, Airways New Zealand and the Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ) have released a draft report on the SMART Approaches flight path trial. The final report will be published in the fourth quarter of 2014. The SMART Approaches trial tested three new flight approaches to Auckland airport, two from the north and one from the south, utilising satellite based navigation enabling shorter, more efficient, curved landing approaches. A joint release stated: “The global move towards the satellite based navigation technology used in the SMART Approaches flight path trial is an initiative

embraced by the International Civil Aviation Organization which aims to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment and communities, while

maintaining safety levels. The trial found SMART Approaches reduced flight times and led to a significant reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions.◄

eijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials has produced a new material combining graphene and aluminum alloy and developed technology to mass produce high quality graphene membrane and powder. Sources involved with the institute, which is affiliated to China Aviation Industry Corporation said that the new material may lead to a revolutionary change in the aviation industry in the future. The new material has a yield strength of 58 per cent and a tensile strength of 25 per cent and opens up the possibility of using graphene to produce high end alloys. The institute plans to use the material to enhance titanium alloys to produce new materials for aircraft. ◄ July 2014