Via Dubai Magazine | August 2015

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

www.viadubaionline.com

Issue 27 August 2015

Emirates lists $913 million sukuk

Inside DCAA

Airbus to build electric-powered planes in 2018 DCAA participates in DIHQA

7

DCAA hosts Ramadan campaign

7

DCAA hosts Iftar party

8

The Empowered Traveller

UAE in Focus Busiest summer schedule for Abu Dhabi airport

13

UAE visa online for GCC expats

14

16

Opinions Focus on NextGen ATS

36

Michael P Huerta

Technology 46

Innovate to lead the industry

Open Skies valuable for cargo

37

David J. Bronczek

38

Cargo & Logistics 44

Stewart Wingate

Data protection rules for drones

39

Airlines 40

Giovanni Buttarelli

ATM 32

Our Smart Services DCAA Smart App will allow the customers the below services: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Issuance of Landing permissions Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Carriage of Restricted Articles Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Aerial Work Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Aircraft Warning Light Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Heliport Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Pyrotechnic Display Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Building Height (Below 300m) Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Building Height (Above 300m) Issuance of Approval for Heliports Certification Issuance of Approval for Crane Operation Issuance of Approval for GSM or other communication tower Issuance of Approval for Balloon Operations Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Sky Trackers / Space Cannon

Registration Requirements: • • • • • • •

Company Name Company Address Telephone Number Fax Number PO Box City Choose one secret questions

• • • • • • •

Username Password Email Address Name Mobile Number Emirates ID Number Category (Individual - Airline - Agency - Expert - Provider)

You can download the application

by searching in App Store and Play Store by typing DCAA or scan the QR code

For more information, please call technical support on: +971 56 6810685 August 2015 2 email: it.support@dcaa.gov.ae

www.dcaa.gov.ae

CONTENTS 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.

Inside DCAA DCAA hosts Iftar party

General Supervision Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

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Coordinator Hanan Al Mazimi

DCAA hosts ‘Our duties are different in Ramadan’ campaign

Executive Editor Mohammed Abdul Mannan Creative Manager Mohammed Al Jarouf 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.

Advertise with us 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

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DCAA Interview ‘Our goal is to ensure the highest level of compliance with aviation security requirements’

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Majed Al Sarrah

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

http://www.facebook.com/DCAADubai

twitter.com/DcaaDubai

Augustyoutube.com/user/dcaadubai 2015

1

CONTENTS

UAE in Focus

Airbus to build electricpowered planes in 2018

12 UAE, Pakistan signs updated ASA

46

12 Emirates lists

$913 million sukuk

33 Saab signs remote tower deal

13 Busiest summer schedule

34 TBS to save 80,000 minutes of

13 Automated announcements

40 Asian airlines came close to

14 ExecuJet gears up

with the IAA LHR delays

‘break-even’ in 2014

42 Saudi Gulf to start operations in November

44 Panalpina acquires its Egyptian agent

for Abu Dhabi airport

in 25 languages in Dubai for DWC move

14 UAE visa online for

GCC expats 15 Tawazun, Boeing break ground on new aviation factory

Good Drop 20 2

August 2015

CONTENTS

Cover Story

The Empowered

Traveller

16

Middle East News

International News

24 Dammam airport to receive

28 Beijing airport runway to

24 MEA orders Embraer

29 Plans for new Dublin Airport

26 Royal Air Maroc & Qatar

30 Beijing airport runway to

nine million passengers Legacy 500

Airways form JV

27 Nile Air expands network 27 Saudia to be launch operator for A330-300 Regional

reopen after overhaul runway ready

reopen after overhaul

31 Chengdu’s new airport to

handle 40 million passengers

31 Warsaw airport’s terminal redeveloped

August 2015

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August 2015

Message from the President

Hang out at DXB Dubai International, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, attracts an overwhelming passenger rush during three peak periods – summer season, two Eid breaks and year-end holidays.

This year, the task was daunting as the Eid Al Fitr break happened during the summer rush. Dubai Airports prepared well in advance to meet the challenges effectively and smoothly.

It also took upon itself the task of creating awareness about the extended facilities at the Dubai International that the passengers could enjoy while being early to board the flights.

Dubai Airports launched a wider campaign, Hang out at DXB, to encourage travellers to arrive earlier to Dubai International and enjoy a full range of airport products and services, while ensuring that all customers depart on time.

The airport operator encouraged passengers to complete as many processes as possible before they get to the airport including online check-in and registering for flight updates on the airport’s website.

The operator also geared up for the summer peak by adding support staff and May I Help You (MIHY) staff at key locations such as immigration and security check points during the busiest periods.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Thousands of people work at our airports to ensure that we deliver a world class service to each and every passenger.

When the summer season ends, we are sure about surpassing the previous year’s record in terms of number of passengers and other key performance parameters.

The year started well for us and we are hopeful about making 2015 a record year in terms of overall performance with every stakeholder, especially Emirates and flydubai with their route network expansion, contributing to our amazing and inspiring success story. 

I would like to reiterate that our service culture is central to our success and is supported by continuous development and enhancement in every aspect of airport operations.

August 2015

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Message

from the Director General

Strengthening Aviation Security W

hen the Chicago Convention was drafted in 1944, no one foresaw the need for aviation security. It was only in 1960s the aviation security emerged as a serious issue.

In 1963, under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) leadership, the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Tokyo Convention) was adopted.

This was followed by several conventions that provided for aviation security.

Provisions for international aviation security were first disseminated as Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention in 1974, and since then have been improved and updated 14 times, the last being in November last year.

The UAE has been a frontrunner in aviation security and has enjoyed an excellent track record.

The UAE National Civil Aviation Security Programme stipulates the standards to which airports, airlines and any agency involved with civil aviation operation must adhere to. To this effect, the ultimate control is the ICAO Annex 17 and UAE Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs).

In April this year, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a new law on aviation security.

This is a major step forward towards ensuring the security and safety of civil aviation in Dubai.

The law aims to enhance safety and security measures in Dubai’s airspace to ensure smooth air transportation according to international standards approved by the ICAO and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

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August 2015

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

Further, the law aims to apply best practices to ensure best usage of Dubai’s airspace and prohibit all acts that may endanger airplanes, airports or any facility related to aviation services.

The Aviation Security Section is responsible for ensuring, through a process of Inspections and Audits, the security processes at Dubai Airports comply with International and National Standards. It reviews and accepts Aircraft Operator Security Programmes of new and current operators and Airport Security Programme of both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International.

The security inspections are carried out at several areas of the airports to ensure that high level of security is maintained. This year, the Aviation Security Section has increased the number of inspections by 20 per cent.

Our role is to ensure highest aviation security levels where ever it matters and required. Our performance and future plans in aviation security domain have been elaborated in details in an interview in this issue. 

Inside DCAA

DCAA participates in DIHQA

T

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) continued its strong participation in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) this year. The participation in the event, held from June 19 to July 8, is the outcome of the Authority’s keenness to participate in community and religious events, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The DCAA Director General, His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, accompanied by directors and heads of various DCAA departments and sections and other staff members, attended the event. He hailed DIHQA as a great initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to support Islam and Muslims. He said the

DCAA hosts ‘Our duties are different in Ramadan’ campaign

DIHQA encourages the younger generation to memorize the Holy Quran and excel in its recitation. His Excellency Mohammed Ahli presented a memento to Ibrahim Bu Melha, Cultural and Humanitarian Advisor to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of DIHQA Board. 

T

he Sawaheen Team at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) organized competitions and other events as part of the campaign entitled, Our duties are different in Ramadan. During the month long campaign, they organized weekly quiz competitions on religious and historical topics.

The winners were presented Dubai Duty Free (DDF) vouchers and other gifts. The first week of the programme was dedicated to DCAA followed by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA-D), Dubai Customs’ Air-

port Operations and Dubai Police (Airport). This programme is held every year during the Holy Month of Ramadan to create awareness about various aspects of Islam among the staff members. 

DCAA, Beit Al Khair charity initiative

T

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), in collaboration with Beit Al Khair, organized a charity initiative during the Holy Month of Ramadan, titled, Will Give You Your Ediyah. This year’s initiative focused on workers and their happiness.

They were offered money and certificates as a token of appreciation for their work. It is part of DCAA’s initiative to support the society and humanitarian initiatives. DCAA thanked Beit Al Khair for the successful conduct of the initiative. 

August 2015

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Inside DCAA

DCAA hosts Iftar party T

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) organized Iftar party during the Holy Month of Ramadan for the staff members of the DCAA and Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS).

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August 2015

The DANS employees participated in the DCAA Iftar party for the first time. Children from Beit Al Khair also participated and took part in the competitions and won prizes during the event.

Employees also took part in the completion and were presented gift vouchers. The annual party was designed to promote team spirit and strengthen friendly relations among the employees. ď‚ƒ

Inside DCAA

August 2015

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DCAA Interview

Majed Al Sarrah, ICAO AVSEC PM, Head of Aviation Security, Aviation Security & Accident Investigation Department, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)

‘Our goal is to ensure the highest level of compliance with aviation security requirements’

T

he UAE continues to strengthen its efforts to ensure highest levels of compliance in aviation security.

In this regard, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, recently issued Law No.7 of 2015 on Airspace Safety and Security in the Emirate of Dubai to improve aviation safety and security in Dubai. Under the law, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has been tasked with supervising and accepting all safety and security activities and procedures within the sector.

“The new law by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is a major step toward ensuring and enhancing the security of civil aviation in Dubai,” Majed Al Sarrah, ICAO AVSEC PM, Head of Aviation Security, Aviation Security and Accident Investigation Department, DCAA told Via Dubai in an exclusive interview.

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August 2015

Al Sarrah spoke about DCAA’s initiatives and how the department is coping with growth in the sector.

Excerpts from the interview: The Dubai International Airport is now the world’s busiest for international passengers. What are the challenges you are facing amid the rapidly growing aviation sector?

The biggest challenge in today’s world is keeping the airports safe and secured due to unrest in many countries.

Airports are sensitive facilities for any country as it is a country’s connection and portal to the rest of the world.

Potential threats make us highly cautious about security. In Dubai, our goal is to ensure the highest level of compliance along with the national and international aviation security requirements - whether it is at airports or other related facilities and areas.

Our department ensures high level of aviation security implementations according to the national and international requirements in all areas related to aviation in the emirate. Growth has its own set of challenges, but the top priority is the aviation security.

What role does your department play toward ensuring aviation security?

Our role is to ensure aviation security compliance beside ensuring the fulfillment of the minimum security requirements level - whether it is concerning airports; entities engaged in aviation related activities and other related areas.

We ensure the compliance of the UAE’s national civil aviation security legislations, which have been framed in accordance with the international laws and regulations. So we ensure that the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP)

by GCAA is implemented in airports and all other aviation related activities, areas or organisations in the emirate.

Our role is not limited to the airports alone. For example, if you are going to start an aviation related company in Dubai, one of the procedures is to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from DCAA, you cannot proceed with the application unless you have fulfilled the DCAA requirements.

DCAA Interview

We achieve this through Quality Control activities which cover Audits and Inspections. Audits are conducted on all processes and areas of the entity whether it is an airport, foreign air operator or an aviation related company, While inspections are done for different processes and areas at airports, Our team of highly skilled and certified inspectors ensure the aviation security is foolproof, and all the requirements are implemented.

Our department also has a memorandum of understanding concerning security screener’s licensing singed between Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Police, dealing with issuing licenses for security screeners. The security screeners are people who screen passengers and baggage to avoid potential threats, at the airports. Anyone who works as a screener needs to undergo training after which they are issued a license which needs to be renewed regularly. As many as 2155 security screeners have been licensed till date.

Which are the most commonly carried prohibited items?

As we deal with the security part, we have received reports where people carried forbidden items, most of which are for personal use, where the General Department of Airports Security – Dubai Police has captured (34032)

forbidden items just in the first half of the year 2015, including Sharp tools, martial art weapons, Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) and some other prohibited items.

Passengers these days are quite aware.

Easy availability of information through the Internet, social media, keeps them updated on items that are not allowed in a particular country.

At times we do come across people who complain they were not aware, but my suggestion and advice to passengers is to check the regulations before they travel in order to avoid any hassles, it is preferable to contact the DCAA via the available communications channels.But in general, I would say the incidences of people carrying forbidden items due to lack of awareness is positively improving nowadays.

In this regard, we get reported immediately by the General Department of Airports Security – Dubai Police when prohibited items are discovered and detected whenever they arrive from different countries with all the details about the passengers carrying the prohibited items, All the information goes to a unified system between DCAA and GCAA concerning Reporting Of Security Breaches (ROSB).

How will your role change with the coming up of the Al Maktoum International Airport?

We have already started to conduct inspections at Al Maktoum also to ensure compliance of the aviation security national requirements and regulations. In 2014, we carried a total of 62 security inspections.

These security inspections are done for different areas of the airports to ensure minimum national requirements of aviation security is maintained. This year, we have increased the number of inspections by 20 per cent as these also including Al Maktoum International Airport.

At both Dubai International and Al Maktoum, we have a joint team of certified national inspectors along with the General Department of Airports Security - Dubai Police to carry out this task.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has issued a new law to improve aviation safety and Security in the emirate. How, do you think, will the law impact on aviation security?

The Law No.7 of 2015 on Airspace Safety and Security in the Emirate of Dubai by His Highness is a major step toward ensuring the safety and security of civil aviation in Dubai. As we are witness to massive changes in the aviation sector, there is a serious need for such laws to ensure the aviation security.

For my department, I believe it will empower our authority and legal jurisdiction needed to enhance the levels of quality and to accomplish our objectives within a systematic framework in accordance with the legislative structure of aviation security in Dubai. 

August 2015

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UAE in Focus

UAE, Pakistan signs updated ASA

T

he UAE has updated Air Services Agreement (ASA) with Pakistan allowing open skies approach on new points in Pakistan including Quetta, Turbat, Gwadar, Panjgur as well as increased passenger capacity to Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has allowed five airlines of the UAE to carry out unlimited operations at these four airports under the agreement. The CAA said that Pakistani airlines would also enjoy unlimited traffic rights to all UAE airports.

It said traffic rights to the UAE airlines for Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar had been frozen at the current level for the time-being due to infrastructure constraints at these airports.

All outstanding issues like replacement of obsolete text of the 1973 bilateral air services agreement and other anomalies in various memorandums of understanding have been removed. The air traffic rights are now city pair specific and no more airline specific as had been the case earlier, accordng to a report in The Dawn. 

The air traffic rights are now city pair specific and no more airline specific

Emirates lists $913 million sukuk

H

is Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of DCAA, Chairman of Dubai Airport and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, rang the market-opening bell to celebrate the listing of a $913 million sukuk by the world’s biggest airline by international passenger traffic on NASDAQ Dubai.The listing brings the total value of sukuk

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August 2015

listed on Dubai’s exchanges to $34.96 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s position as an international centre for sukuk activity and underlining its growth as the global capital of the Islamic economy, the Dubai-based international financial exchange said.

Sheikh Ahmed said as Emirates continues to strengthen its global network and fleet,

NASDAQ Dubai’s exceptional links to international and regional investors provide the airline with an effective platform to support its aircraft financing initiatives.

The transaction set many new milestones including being the first time that a sukuk has been used to finance and pre-fund the acquisition of our A380 aircraft. 

UAE in Focus

Busiest summer schedule for Abu Dhabi airport A

bu Dhabi International Airport handle its busiest ever summer. As many as 1,504 flights departed from Abu Dhabi each week, 22 per cent more than in the previous year (2014: 1,233).

New destinations available to passengers this summer included Johannesburg, Madrid, Venice, Pune, Entebbe and Edinburgh as well as direct flights to Brisbane.

Etihad Airways alone increased its weekly schedule by 68 flights, with 963 flights taking off to destinations all around the world.

More aircraft flew this summer to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with 49 additional flights per week to Indian destinations Pune, Mangalore,

Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Kochi, Delhi and Hyderabad, five additional flights per week to Pakistan, and two extra flights per week to Bangladesh. Certain other routes around the world, such as Hong Kong, Milan, Seychelles, Melbourne, Jeddah & Riyadh and Tehran, also saw increased frequencies. 

Automated announcements in 25 languages in Dubai

D

ubai Airports has introduced a new initiative to cater to its growing global passenger base at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC), by making automated announcements in up to 25 languages.

The new system also supports Dubai Airports’ “silent airport” policy at both the airports by making automated boarding announcements specific to the passenger boarding gates, premium lounges and transfer desks.

The new system will standardise all boarding announcements. Boarding

announcements will be made in 12 languages in Concourse A and in ICAO standard languages at open gates in Concourse D, Terminal 2 and Al Maktoum International, which includes English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese. The new system will be rolled out to all boarding gates across both airports by August.

Chris Garton, EVP Operations at Dubai Airports, said: “The implementation of automated boarding lounge announcements is another step towards delivering the service excellence. The multilingual system also recognises that we cater to passengers from across the globe.” 

August 2015

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UAE in Focus

ExecuJet gears up for DWC move

E

xecuJet Middle East, part of ExecuJet Aviation Group, is working on first design concepts for its new $35 million terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central (DWC), ahead of the move of all general aviation traffic to the airport in 2017.

The terminal design will be based on ExecuJet’s current facility at Dubai International, with increased hangar floor space and a dedicated parking hangar.

The terminal is expected to be constructed by Q1 2017, said Mike Berry, Vice President, Middle East, ExecuJet Aviation Group.

ExecuJet currently has an FBO facility at DWC which includes a VVIP passenger lounge, crew lounge, washrooms and showers. 

NASJET signs handling deal with Jet Aviation

N

ASJET has signed a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) global service agreement with Jet Aviation which will provide handling services through its global network of FBOs to the fleet of NASJET aircraft.

NASJET operates a diverse international fleet of more than 70 aircraft. Jet Aviation currently manages 19 premium FBO facilities across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. The agreement was signed at EBACE 2015 in Geneva by Monica Beusch, head of Jet Aviation FBO Services, EMEA & Asia, and Saad AlAzwari, NasJet CEO. Jet Aviation’s fixed base operations provide customers with executive VIP terminals, conference rooms, business services, passenger and crew lounges, snooze rooms, crew showers and weather and flight planning services. 

UAE visa online for GCC expats

F

rom October 1, expatriates residing in the GCC will be allowed to enter the UAE only through obtaining entry visas online when travelling by air.The move aims to expedite entry and avoid long queues at the airport, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) said. The application system, accessible on the GDRFA-D website, also enables a payment system to complete the entire process.

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August 2015

The UAE currently allows visa-free travel for nationals from 46 countries worldwide, including the US, the UK, Australia and Japan.

Early last year, the UAE announced that all European Union citizens will receive visas on arrival, including citizens from 13 EU member states who earlier required pre-entry visas. The country also modified its visa system, introducing multiple entry visas for

students, medical tourists and business visitors.

According to Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), of Dubai’s 13.2 million international overnight visitors in 2014, 2.98 million were drawn from GCC countries – an increase of 12.4 per cent on 2013 – and 1.55 million came from non-GCC countries in the MENA region – an increase of 18.1 per cent. 

UAE in Focus

Tawazun, Boeing break ground on new aviation factory

U

S planemaker Boeing and its UAE-based partner Tawazun Precision Industries (TPI) have broken ground on a new treatment facility for metallic parts in Abu Dhabi.

Officials said the factory at the Tawazun Industrial Park will introduce a new aerospace manufacturing capability in the Gulf region.

The project, made possible by the Tawazun Economic Council, was first announced at the Dubai Air Show in 2013, and is scheduled to be operational in 2016.The project will create high value jobs in the

UAE, and enable TPI the opportunity to produce complex metallic assemblies for Boeing and its suppliers around the world.

The development of key capabilities through partnerships is of mutual benefit to both Boeing and the UAE. 

Dubai to have world’s first 3D-printed office

T

he world’s first fully 3D-printed office building will soon take shape in Dubai.The structural components, interior furniture and all the detailing will be constructed layer by layer using a massive 20foot tall 3D printer.

The finished parts will then be assembled at a busy intersection in Dubai.The structure is part of the UAE’s strategy to employ technology to improve the lives of residents and further develop the country’s economy.

The building is a result of a partnership between Dubai, design engineering company WinSun Global, and architecture and engineering firms Gensler, Thornton Thomasetti, and Syska Hennessy. The 3D office is the first major project undertaken by the Museum of the Future, launched in Dubai earlier this year.

In China, WinSun successfully 3D printed 10 full-sized single storey houses in 2014, each costing less than $5,000. Additionally, it has successfully built a three-storey, 11,840 square-foot mansion for a total cost $161,000, as well as a five-storey apartment block. 

August 2015

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Cover Story

The Empowered

Traveller

A

latest research study asserts that digital revolution has changed the way consumers shop for travel products and interact with brands and the travel businesses have to adapt to this change.

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August 2015

Consumers have been empowered by the influence and reach provided by review websites and social media.

Consumers are more influential than ever and every consumer is a potential ‘evangelist’ or critic, said the report, Engaging The Empowered Holidaymaker, published by Deloitte LLP.

said: "Digital has also fragmented the consumer path to purchase and made it difficult for businesses to track consumer activity across devices and within mobile apps. This means businesses could be less equipped to use consumer data and insight to inform business strategy and meet consumer expectations."

Graham Pickett, Global Lead Partner, Travel & Aviation at Deloitte LLP,

Consumers have access to a wider range of products as well as an increas-

Cover Story

Graham Pickett

ing number of tools that allow them to search and compare thousands of flights and hotels in an instant. The popularity of these sites is expected to increase, with the comparison site market forecast to expand by a compound annual growth rate of more than 40 per cent until 2017.

Consumers have more opportunities to share experiences and influence others.

Not only is usage increasing, but reviews are becoming more important in their booking decisions. As consumers move from consuming content to cre-

ating it by writing reviews, their power and influence will continue to increase.

Consumers are more influential than ever and travel businesses run the risk of losing control over their reputation.

Fragmentation across devices has also made it difficult for businesses to identify and learn more about their consumers. As a result, businesses could be less able to understand and meet consumer expectations.

The digital revolution and subsequent changes in consumer behaviour have transformed travel from a seller’s to a buyer’s market. To adapt to this change, travel businesses need to undergo their own transformation from a product-centric to a consumer-centric model and put the consumer perspective at the heart of every business decision.

To keep pace with changing consumer behaviour, businesses need to consider the consumer perspective in every business decision; offer a more personal user experience to differentiate and encourage consumers to look beyond metrics; create a recommendation culture.

Word-of-mouth marketing is compar-

atively low cost and self-perpetuating and can help to reduce customer acquisition costs; introduce an integrated experience across channels and devices and offer incentives to encourage users to sign in on every platform to track consumer activity across devices and within apps.

At the same time, travel businesses need to adapt to the fragmentation of the digital channel. The research shows

Digital revolution has changed the travel market from a seller’s to a buyer’s one

that a third of holidaymakers used two or more devices when researching their most recent holiday, and only 17 per cent of holidaymakers who carried out research on their smartphone also used the device to book.

One of the challenges for businesses is how to track consumer activity across devices and within mobile apps. A consumer that abandons an online basket in their tablet app and then books using their laptop can appear as two separate consumers. This has had a negative impact on sales conversion rates. Businesses need to adapt their operations to keep pace with changing consumer behaviour.

Digitally-led disruption

In the past, the consumer path to purchase was linear and would transition from research to transaction to ex-

August 2015

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Cover Story

The research shows that these sites are having a direct impact on the value of brand equity

perience. Consumer decisions were primarily influenced by the travel industry, either through advertising or sales staff, and were restricted by a limited access to and selection of products. Comparing these products was time-consuming and people could only refer to friends and family for personal recommendations.

The internet is the primary method of research, and search engines allow consumers to start holiday research with just the fragment of an idea, before refining it through further inspiration. The research shows that nine in ten holidaymakers carried out research before booking their last holiday, and two-thirds researched destinations online.

Consumers also have an increasing number of touch points through which they can engage with travel businesses.

This has fragmented the consumer journey across online and offline channels, and across multiple devices. Fragmentation has been accelerated by an increased use of smartphones and tablets, as these devices offer multiple mobile apps alongside web browsing. Consumers are also better equipped to compare products than ever before and the use of price comparison sites is high.

These comparison sites have increased competition and made it harder for travel businesses to earn and maintain customer loyalty. The consumer journey no longer ends with the experience of the product. Consumers use social media and review websites to share their opinions and influence others both before, during and after their holiday.

Evolution rather than a revolution

The disrupted path to purchase has been more of a steady evolution than a revolution, but travel businesses have been slow to adapt to changing consumer habits. These changes to the path to pur-

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August 2015

Cover Story

chase can be grouped into three digital trends: the rise of a better informed, empowered consumer; the growing role of consumer reviews and social media in the decision-making process and the use of multiple channels and devices.

Other consumer industries face the same issues. However, the challenge is magnified for the travel industry. The high value of holiday products, flights and hotels continues to dissuade consumers from making the final purchase through their smartphone or tablet, increasing the use of multiple channels and platforms. Shopping cart abandonment rates are also higher for the travel industry than the wider retail market.

The growth of comparison sites demonstrates the endurance of recessionary, deal-hunting consumer behaviours.

Consumer confidence and real wages have improved, but the desire to find the best deal has become ingrained in the mindset of the travel consumer. The growth of comparison sites demonstrates the endurance of recessionary, deal-hunting consumer behaviours.

The commoditisation trap

The high use of price comparison sites means consumer decisions are being influenced by metrics such as price, star ratings and consumer review

Deloitte research shows that consumers are more likely to use a comparison site when shopping for flights and accommodation, than when shopping for other products. They are also more likely to look for information on social media sites when purchasing a package holiday. The consumer journey has changed from a linear path to a cycle, where each consumer’s experience feeds into another consumer’s decision process.

The consumer journey no longer ends with the experience of the product

Travel comparison sites have been instrumental in empowering consumers.

Growth in the travel comparison site market is expected to continue: a study

by Momondo projects the market will expand by a compound annual growth rate in excess of 40 per cent until 2017.

scores, and Deloitte research shows that price is the primary driver in the decision-making process.

This growth will be driven by innovations that add to the functionality of these sites. In March this year, Google signed an agreement with Routehappy to display information on legroom and the availability of inflight Wi-Fi, power sockets and video-streaming within its Google Flights tool. Comparison site Kayak has also innovated by adding a tool available to consumers that can forecast whether an airfare is likely to go up or down.

The research also shows that these sites are having a direct impact on the value of brand equity. Holidaymakers who booked their last trip using a price comparison site are the least likely to be influenced by a company’s reputation and are 30 per cent more likely than average to base decisions on price.

These sites have increased price competition and travel products are at risk of becoming commoditised. While personalisation is a growing trend across the wider consumer goods and

services industry, travel businesses can also use consumer data to offer personalised loyalty incentives.

This can also help businesses maintain the value of loyalty schemes while cutting back on rewards such as free flights that are less sustainable in a low margin trading environment. Consumer decisions are being shaped by metrics such as price, star ratings and consumer review scores.

Redefining relationships

In redefining their relationship with consumers, travel businesses should evolve from a product-centric to a consumer-centric model that considers the consumer perspective in every business decision. Businesses can also improve consumer trust and build deeper relationships through two-way conversations.

Decision-making process

Consumers have also been empowered by having more opportunities to share experiences and influence others. They are also more likely to be influenced by each other than by content created by travel businesses. From consumers to content creators, consumers’ influence will increase as they move from consuming content to creating it by writing reviews.

Deloitte research shows that a third of holidaymakers have posted a travel-related review on a review website and 16 per cent have posted or discussed positive or negative holiday experiences on social media.

This activity is expected to continue to increase as the digital age divide contracts and older consumers become more active online. The research shows that baby boomers are already almost as likely as millennials to visit and be influenced by review websites, and are actually more likely to have contributed by writing a review. 

August 2015

19

Special Report

Good Drop

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he air transport industry has cut the rate of mishandled bags by 61.3 per cent globally since 2007, creating $18 billion in total estimated cost savings.

The rate of mishandled bags in 2014 was 7.3 bags per thousand passengers, down from a peak of 18.88 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2007, according to the SITA 2015 Baggage Report. This decline comes despite a significant rise in passenger numbers over the same time period, peaking at 3.3 billion passengers in 2014. SITA regards a mishandled bag as checked baggage that is delayed, damaged, pilfered, lost or stolen.

The increased pressure on existing systems nudged the rate of bag mishandling up in 2014 to 7.3 bags per thousand passengers, from its all-time low of 6.96 the previous year. More than 80 per cent of the mishandled bags last year were delayed, with transfers between connecting flights the leading cause of late delivery.

In 2014, mishandled transfer bags accounted for 49 per cent of all delayed bags or 11.81 million bags.

However, the majority of bags were reunited with passengers within one to two days. Airlines and airports are continuing to invest in new technology to optimize passenger and baggage processing, including selfbag tagging, self-bag drop, systems automation and bag ticketing.

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August 2015

Francesco Violante

By 2017, around 69 per cent of airlines would provide passengers with real-time updates on the location of their bags According to SITA’s 2014 Airport IT Trends Survey, baggage processing and management ranked among airports’ top investment priorities, with investments in self-service processes, such as kiosk and bag-drop technology leading the way. By 2017, around 69 per cent of airlines said they would provide passengers with real-time updates on the location of their bags, with 66 per cent looking to provide these updates via smartphone apps.

Airlines and airports are looking for new ways to enable passengers to file missing bag reports themselves.

Around 18 per cent of airlines al-

ready offer passengers the ability to report missing bags via self-service kiosks and 10 per cent via smartphone apps; by 2017, nearly twothirds of airlines expect to offer these services.

Baggage tracking is set to improve further in coming years as a result of IATA Resolution 753: Baggage Tracking. The resolution, which goes into effect in 2018, requires IATA members to “maintain an accurate inventory of baggage by monitoring the acquisition and delivery of baggage.”

SITA’s proprietary BagMessage system delivers more than 2.5 bil-

Special Report

Automation is the key to success Francesco Violante, CEO, SITA, remarked: “The improvement in baggage handling over the past seven years is largely a result of strong technology investment and innovation in baggage systems automation and processes.

The rising passenger numbers will continue to place pressure on baggage infrastructure and processes, so the industry cannot afford to become complacent.”

lion messages between airline departure control systems and automated baggage systems annually.

SITA’s community baggage systems process more than 2.5 billion messages annually, helping ensure that bag and passenger travel on the same flight.

Today, about a third of airlines and airports offer their passengers the ability to self-tag their luggage via tags printed at kiosks.

Although over the next three years, airlines are set to draw ahead according to the 2014 Airline IT Trends Survey, by which time 82 per cent expect to be offering solutions, compared to 69 per cent of airports detailed in the 2014 Airport IT Trends Survey.

Airports currently lead the way with bagdrop solutions: 38 per cent provide assisted bag-drop stations and those implementations are expected to double by the end of 2017.

The increase in fully self-service bag-drops over the same period will be even more rapid, rising from 16 per cent to 62 per cent.

While airlines have been slower off the mark – 33 per cent currently provide assisted bag-drops and nine per cent offer fully self-service bag-drops – they will overtake airports, with 86 per cent expecting to offer assisted bag-drops and 70 per cent automated bag-drops by the end of 2017.

The increase in fully selfservice bagdrops over the same period will be even more rapid New mobile services from airlines are being shaped by the rapid adoption of mobile devices and an IATA resolution that its member airlines will track baggage during the journey from 2018.

It is early days for bag-tracking services: only 10 per cent of airlines provide real-time information for passengers today; but a six-fold increase in adoption is planned, to reach 69 per cent by 2017.

The growth rate is expected to be even faster for providing bag location updates via smartphone apps.

A handful of airlines provide these updates today (five per cent), but 66 per cent expect to be doing so by 2017.

Airlines are more advanced than airports in providing kiosks where passengers can make a missing bag report: 18 per cent offer this facility compared to eight per cent of airports. Airlines are likely to maintain their lead over the next three years, by which time 65 per cent are set to provide the service, compared to 34 per cent of airports. Just over 10 per cent of airlines provide passengers with missing bag information via smartphone apps and enable passengers to make their own missing bag reports via smartphone apps, but two thirds or more expect to be doing so by the end of 2017.

August 2015

21

Special Report

Unified size guidelines for carry-on bags the initiative and will soon be introducing the guidelines into their operations.IATA is working with baggage tracking solutions provider Okoban to manage the approval process of bag manufacturers.

Each bag meeting the dimensions of the specifications will carry a special joint label featuring IATA and Okoban as well as a unique identification code that signals to airline staff that the bag complies with the optimum size guidelines.

Several major baggage manufacturers have developed products in line with the optimum size guidelines, and it is expected bags carrying the identifying label will start to reach retail shops later this year. Recognition of the IATA Cabin OK logo is expected to grow with time as more airlines opt-in to this IATA initiative.

Roughly, 40 percent of passengers say they would make more uses of some kind of self-tagging method if it was available; and a similar percentage would make more use of both staffed bag-drops and self-service bag-drops. Two thirds of passengers say they would definitely use this service. If their bags are missing, passengers also want the ability to act immediately and self-process missing bag reports at the airport, either via their smartphones or a kiosk: 62 per cent and 54 per cent respectively would definitely use these services if they were available.

Delayed bags comprised 80.2 per cent of mishandled bags (down from 81.3 per cent in 2013); damaged and

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August 2015

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a new initiative to optimize the accommodation of carry-on bags given differing carry-on bag sizes and airline policies.

Transfer bag mishandling, when passengers and their luggage are moving from one aircraft to another, or from one carrier to another, represented the majority of delayed bags; accounting for 49 per cent of all delayed bags in 2014, up from 45 per cent in 2013.

In real terms, 11.81 million transfer bags were delayed in 2014.

Working with airline members of IATA and aircraft manufacturers, an optimum size guideline for carry-on bags has been agreed that will make the best use of cabin storage space.

The industry has almost halved the number of delayed transfer bags compared to 2007 when they also accounted for 49 per cent of all delayed bags.

A size of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) means that theoretically everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger. An “IATA Cabin OK” logo to signify to airline staff that a bag meets the agreed size guidelines has been developed.

In 2014, all stages of the bag’s journey came under the microscope, with airlines and airports focusing their efforts on driving innovations around tagging luggage and self-service bagdrop solutions. Some airports also made investments into bag system automation.

A number of major international airlines have signaled their interest to join

In real terms, 11.81 million transfer bags were delayed in 2014 pilfered bags reduced slightly to account for 14.3 per cent (15.4 per cent in 2013); and lost or stolen bags represented 5.5 per cent. The average time it takes to reunite passengers with their bags and close the mishandled bag file extended to an average of 1.6 days, or about two and a half hours longer than in 2013.

The industry made headway on solutions for both passengers and aviation industry stakeholders to track bags across the entire journey and provide bag data to operations staff, wherever they are in the airport, with concept work undertaken during the year set to roll out this year.

Projects to extend self-processing to bag-drop are picking up pace around the world. IATA’s resolution 753 will herald a major step change in baggage handling when it comes into force in 2018.

Its requirement that member airlines monitor and log the status of their passengers’ bags through the major stages of the bags’ journey is set to bring multiple benefits.

Air France-KLM is leading a partnership with FastTrack Company, Samsonite and KPN, with input from Delta Air Lines and Sky Team, to de-

Special Report

velop an e-tag and a tracker that will turn suitcases into connected devices.

The tracker, which uses GSM, GPS and Bluetooth technologies, features a patented Auto Flight Mode that ensures that it will be switched off and on at appropriate points in the flight to meet all regulatory requirements, even in regions with the most stringent GSM regulations. The project team is currently in the end-to-end testing phase. Plans are in place for a soft launch with staff and frequent flyers in Q3 or Q4 this year.

Space is a precious commodity in airports, with ground handlers under pressure to reduce their foot print and even desk top space is at a premium.

SITA Lab is helping the industry to meet these demands by developing a WorldTracer application for tablets, featuring a process-oriented graphical user interface that allows non-baggage staff to access baggage data. It was trialed in a number of airport scenarios last year.

IATA is introducing a requirement for airlines to track bags (record the

delivery and acquisition) at key process steps by 2018. The new resolution requires evidence of tracking on arrivals, transfer and loading to the aircraft, as well as a baggage manifest message to be provided to subsequent partners in the journey, such as the airport of arrival.

A big area of development in 2014 that will grow in 2015 and beyond is the use of baggage XML messaging.

A pilot was completed between two airlines and airports that sent baggage process messages between trial par ties. This year, this will be extended to mirror a physical journey for real bags. Finally it will be able to publish and subscribe for baggage messages. Airports will benefit by being able to reduce the space required for baggage check-in and improve their operational performance.

By implementing these web services, both airlines and airports will be able to track and trace baggage automatically, reducing the number of lost bags, which will improve passenger satisfaction, improve efficiencies and profit margins. ď‚ƒ

Baggage Centre of Excellence Etihad Airways is setting up a Baggage Centre of Excellence, which focuses on optimizing processes and platforms to boost efficiency, as well as combining back office functions to achieve economies of scale.

The Centre will support all preflight and post-flight inquiries related to baggage within the Etihad Airways global network, including 24-hour customer service, tracking and tracing, baggage projects and innovations.

This year, Etihad Airways has set itself the goal of achieving a 100 per cent baggage reconciliation system (BRS) network, which will be the foundation for further baggage enhancements. It is also investigating value-added baggage services, including permanent tags with self-tracing capability and specially-designed premium suitcases that would be offered to members of it loyalty scheme.

August 2015

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Middle East News

Dammam airport to receive nine million passengers

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he King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) handled more than 8.49 million passengers last year, a growth rate of 12 percent, beating regional competitior airports for the second consecutive year.

International traffic increased by 10 percent and now accounts for more than half of KFIA’s passenger traffic, with the addition of new airlines or increased services from existing airlines such as Lufthansa, Philippine Airlines and Jet Airways to Europe, southeast Asia and south Asia.

During the first quarter of 2015, KFIA’s international traffic grew by over 16 percent as the airport continues to introduce more direct flight connections to Asia and Europe.

Yousef Al-Dhahri, Director General of KFIA, told Saudi Gazette, :“In the first quarter of 2015, KFIA achieved a growth rate of 18.5 percent, handling over 2.4 million passengers.

This is the highest number of passengers handled in a single quarter in KFIA’s history.

The airport is on track to welcome more than 9 million passengers this year.”The KFIA and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) are working together to further improve connectivity.

Cairo airport to open T2 in November

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he Cairo International Airport will see the start of operations of the Terminal 2 in November, with the official opening expected in March 2016.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the plans is to reach 75.5 million passengers annually by 2020, compared to the current 54.5 million, through developing and expanding airports.

This strategy comes in line with the Tourism Ministry’s strategy to reach 20 million tourists by 2020. Expansion projects have begun in numerous airports. 

The airport continues to grow from strength to strength, anchored by a management and operational partnership with GACA and Changi Airports International (CAI). KFIA is served by 35 airlines and has added 15 new destinations since 2008. 

ME airlines likely to post $1.8 billion net return

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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced an upward revision of its industry outlook for this year to a $29.3 billion net profit with all regions expected to see an improvement in profitability.

They will also see capacity expansions but these are expected to broadly match the expansion in demand. This aligns with the global expectation for capacity to expand 6.2 per cent, slightly behind the projected 6.7 per cent increase in demand. The regions are expected to deliver widely divergent levels of profitability.

The Middle Eastern airlines are expected to post a collective $1.8 billion net return for 2015 for an average net margin of 3.1 per cent ($9.61/passenger). 

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August 2015

Middle East News

MEA orders Embraer Legacy 500

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mbraer Executive Jets has announced that Middle East Airlines (MEA) has placed an order for one midsize Legacy 500 and an option for a second aircraft of the same model.

Work begins on Bahrain airport modernisation

The delivery of this aircraft is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2015. The national airline of Lebanon is establishing a business jet company to offer charter flights, with the base of its operations at its corporate headquarters, at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.

“We are elated that MEA has selected the Legacy 500 for its new charter business fleet,” said Marco Túlio Pellegrini, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Legacy 500 will deliver the efficient performance and low-cost operation required for a successful charter business.” 

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ontractors have started to lay the groundwork ahead of construction of a new terminal building at Bahrain International Airport.

With an expected completion date of early 2019, the terminal is part of the airport’s modernisation programme, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, quoting Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal Ahmed.

Bahrain Airport Company chief executive Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said some tenders related to the modernisation programme had yet to be awarded. The airport modernisation programme consists of two phases - one is the new terminal building and we are in very advanced stages of that programme, he said. 

Two more Saudi cities on flydubai network

f

lydubai has announced plans to expand its Saudi network, with direct flights to Gizan and Jouf.The low-cost airline started operations to Gizan on July 10 with daily flights with four flights a week to Jouf beginning the following day.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to further expand our network in Saudi Arabia.We look forward

to seeing our flights to these two major cities further strengthen the strong cultural and trade ties between our two nations.”Stretching along the southern Red Sea coast, the Gizan province includes the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia’s first natural reserve.Located in the north of Saudi Arabia, Jouf, which is home to 500,000 people, features historical Islamic monuments and hosts one of the largest land ports in the Middle East. 

August 2015

25

Middle East News

Royal Air Maroc & Qatar Airways form JV

Prince Naif Airport gets $394 million expansion

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audi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has awarded a SR1.48 billion ($394 million) contract for the expansion of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport in Al Qassim region.

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oyal Air Maroc (RAM) and Qatar Airways have announced a joint venture.

RAM will operate from Casablanca to Doha three times a week from September 9 with its 787-8, supplementing Qatar’s existing daily service. Qatar Airways is expected to open a service to Marrakech and will gain

access to RAM’s Africa network from Morocco.

RAM is eyeing Asian connections. Accessing Qatar’s Asian network has smartly taken precedence over a risky plan for RAM to fly to Beijing. The JV between RAM and Qatar, orchestrated at the government level, brings strategic value to both.

The revamp plan includes a new 60,000-sq-m airport passenger terminal which will be divided into four floors, including departure and arrival lounges and baggage claim area, reported the Arab News.

It will also boast of a VIP lounge of 3,500 sq m, a mosque covering 1,600 sq m area and the airport administration building which will measure 2,800 sq m. The project also includes a large conference room. 

Oman Air plans to operate 55 aircraft by 2017

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man Air plans to operate 55 aircraft by 2017, 15 more than the 40 it is scheduled to be flying by the end of this year.By 2020, it plans to operate a fleet of 70 aircraft to 75 destinations.

It has plans to expand on routes and frequencies to the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. It does not plan to fly to Australia, South America or North America.Oman Air is targeting to carry 6 million passengers this year compared with 5.1 million last year.

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August 2015

The airline officials are hopeful of courting Delta, Lufthansa and Swiss Air in launching direct flights to Muscat where their passengers can

connect onto 110 weekly Oman Air flights to India. Oman Air could fly daily to Munich in Germany, Milan in Italy, and Zurich in Switzerland. 

Middle East News

Nile Air expands network I

n a major expansion of its network, Nile Air added three new routes, including a new country market, neighbouring Sudan.

The new link between Cairo and Port Sudan is operated on a twice weekly basis, Nile Air’s first international service in Africa. It will bring competition and enhanced connectivity to a route

currently served on a weekly basis by Sudan Airways.

The Cairo-based scheduled carrier currently flies from three points in Egypt to five Saudi Arabian destinations plus Kuwait and has been shielded from the worst of the downturn by its diverse customer base and Middle Eastern route network. 

Saudia to be launch operator for A330-300 Regional

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audi Arabian Airlines will become the first airline in the world to operate the new Airbus A330-300 Regional. The fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft will join Saudi Arabian Airlines’

existing Airbus fleet of twelve A330300s and 50 A320 Family.The A330300 Regional is set to boost capacity on several of Saudi Arabian Airlines most in-demand routes, enabling the

Qatar, Philippines firms up new air agreement

Understanding on Air Services, increasing the maximum number of flights for each country from the current eight flights per week to 14, or an increase of six flights per week.

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he Philippines and Qatar have signed a new Memorandum Of

The parties also agreed to accomodate unlimited flights between Doha and other airports in the Philippines, except Manila. Previously, the en-

airline to better serve the Saudi Arabian and regional travelling public.

Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines, said: “The A330-300 Regional’s unique flexibility, high capacity and operational capabilities will enable us to expand our domestic and regional network and better absorb growing passenger traffic.” In addition to the A330-300 Regional, Saudi Arabian Airlines has also chosen to grow its A320 Family fleet with more of the world’s most flexible, productive and comfortable single aisle aircraft on the market.  titlements outside Manila were 14 per week to Clark and 14 per week to Cebu.Qatar Airways is currently flying out of NAIA Terminal 1 eight times a week to Hamad International Airport. There are six Middle East carriers that fly out of NAIA, Cebu and Clark: These are Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabia, Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines, Kuwait Airways and Etihad Airways. 

August 2015

27

International News

Boeing forecasts demand for 38,050 new airplanes

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oeing has projected a demand for 38,050 new airplanes over the next 20 years, an increase of 3.5 percent from last year’s forecast.

The US planemaker released its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO), estimating the total value of those new airplanes at $5.6 trillion. Until 2034, the Middle East region will require 3,180 airplanes.

The commercial airplane fleet will double, from 21,600 airplanes last

year to 43,560 airplanes in 2034.

Fifty-eight percent of the 38,050 airplanes delivered over that time will be to accommodate growth.

Passenger traffic will continue to grow at about a 4.9 percent annual pace, near the historic trend line of five percent. More than seven billion passengers will fly by the end of the forecast period. Cargo traffic will grow at about 4.7 percent per year.

The single-aisle market continues to be the fastest-growing, largest overall segment, requiring 26,730 airplanes over the coming two decades.

These aircraft are the foundation of the world’s airline fleet, carrying up to 75 percent of passengers on more than 70 percent of the world’s commercial aviation routes.

This sector is fueled by growth in low-cost carriers and airlines in developing and emerging markets.

About 35 percent of the single-aisle market will go to low-cost carriers.

Boeing forecasts that the widebody segment will require 8,830 new airplanes, led by small widebody airplanes in the 200- to 300-seat range such as the 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner. While airline growth still accounts for the majority of new demand, a large and growing number of aging aircraft will require replacement.

About two to three percent of the installed fleet will require replacement each year. The air cargo market continues to strengthen and will drive demand of 920 new airplanes over the 20-year forecast. 

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August 2015

International News

Plans for new Dublin Airport runway ready

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lans for a €300 million second runway at Dublin Airport have gained new impetus following the IAG takeover of Aer Lingus which plans to use the airport to feed traffic from Europe to North America.

Over the next five years IAG plan to boost Aer Lingus feeder traffic through Dublin by an extra 2.4 million passengers a year.

Dublin is the fastest growing airport in Europe for long-haul traffic this year. Plans for the construction of a second runway, which first emerged more than 30 years ago, look set to be fast tracked. Passenger numbers travelling through Dublin leapt by 8pc to 21.7 million last year and are already 15 per cent up on that figure in the first four months of 2015.A spokesperson told The Sunday In-

dependent: “We are currently examining the various options regarding the delivery of a second parallel runway at Dublin Airport, but have not yet made a final decision. A second parallel runway has been part of the overall development plan.”

Dublin Airport now has two flights per day to Dubai and Abu Dhabi with Emirates and Etihad both flying twice a day since last year. Passenger numbers to the Middle East and North Africa doubled between 2011 and 2013. 

August 2015

29

International News

Beijing airport runway to reopen after overhaul

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eijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) has finished the overhaul of a runway and has put it back into service.

BCIA started the maintainance on the middle of its three runways on May 23. About 32,000 square meters of the runway has been repaired and over 130 centerline

Tashkent to get second international terminal

lights replaced. The overhaul affected 11 airlines and hundreds of flights were canceled.

The middle runway was put into use in 1958 and became dilapidated due to heavy traffic in one of the world’s busiest airports.

BCIA handles an average of 1,650 flights every day. 

Seychelles see rise in private jets

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he second international passenger terminal, at a preliminarycost of about $310 million, will be built at Tashkent’s airport between 2015 and 2019, a representative of Uzbekistan Airways has been quoted as saying by Trends News Agency.

The source said the construction of a new passenger terminal is included in the airline’s investment programme for the next five years. Currently, Tashkent’s airport has three terminals – two main passenger terminals and one terminal for special and VIP services, called Tashkent-1.

The passenger terminal Tashkent-2, with a capacity of 1,300 passengers per hour is used serving the passengers of international airlines, and Tashkent-3, commissioned in 2012, with a capacity of 400 passengers per hour, serves passengers of domestic flights. 

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eychelles has been witnessing an increase in private aircraft flying to the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Some 184 private planes have been recorded to have landed in Seychelles from January to April this year, with models ranging from the Global Express, Falcons, Gulf Streams and even Boeing 737s and 777s often seen lined up at the designated parking bay at the Seychelles International Airport.

The figure represents nearly half of the 412 private aircraft that landed at Pointe Larue airport, on the eastern coast of mainland Mahé last year, hinting that the same figure or more is likely to be achieved in 2015.

A total of 230,257 visitors came to its shores in 2014, which also include figures from the private jets. 

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August 2015

International News

Chengdu’s new airport to handle 40 million passengers

Turkey to make domestic airplane by 2019

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he Turkish government has introduced a national airplane construction project entitled “A Turk in the Sky,” with jets completely designed and built by Turkish engineers and flying as soon as 2019.

“The first plane to be built within the framework of Dornier 328 model will start flying in 2019,” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said at the project’s launch ceremony in Istanbul.

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he Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has confirmed plans to build a second airport to serve Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan province.

Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport is currently the fifth busiest hub in China, handling 37.5 million passengers in 2014.It is also becoming an increasingly important international gateway, with Lufthansa, BA, KLM, Etihad and Qatar Airways among the airlines that currently fly to Chengdu.

“The design of the 628 model airliner will be completed in 2020. The first [628] flight will be in 2023,” he added. The planes will not only be used as passenger airliners but also as military transport aircraft, VIP planes and air ambulances.

The Dornier 328 model, which is used in other countries, has the capacity of 32 passengers. By using this model, Turkey will develop the 628 model with the capacity of 60-70 passengers by 2023. 

Traffic is expected to surge to 62 million annual passengers by 2020, exceeding Shuangliu’s current capacity of 50 million. 

Warsaw airport’s terminal redeveloped

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arsaw Chopin Airport’s first modern terminal has been redeveloped in a new form.

Following a major overhaul, it has lost its original violet-red roof colour, but is now larger and more comfortable, making it possible to handle over 20 million passengers annually.

The new seven-storey facility has 1,300 rooms and offices within a 645,834 sq ft space, housing 48 check-in desks and six self-service check-in kiosks, with the possibility to add more in the future. In the new arrivals and departures halls there are also ticket desks, travel companies, additional car rentals and airline offices.

Its retail offers 15 new shops within an area of almost 32,200 sq ft.

Ten new bars and restaurants are provided within an area of 26,900 sq ft. Another new addition is the building’s direct access to the underground railway station, significantly shortening the time needed to get to the train. 

August 2015

31

ATM

A ‘talking’ drone for ATC

HungaroControl supports Dubai concept

New ATM initiatives in Bahrain

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n international team including experts from HungaroControl has been working on a concept of operations, operational requirements and business case for the use of remote tower technology in Dubai.

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n a world first, researchers at the RMIT University in Austraila have developed a talking drone that can converse with air traffic controllers just like a normal pilot.

The project is the result of a partnership between RMIT, Thales Australia and it’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Air Traffic Management (CASIA), and UFA. The project is designed to develop and demonstrate an autonomous capability that would allow a drone to verbally interact with air traffic controllers.

Using the system, an air traffic controller can talk to, and receive responses from, a drone just like they would with any other aircraft.

The new system enables a drone to respond to information requests and act on clearances issued by an air traffic controller, using ATVoice, UFA’s voice recognition and response technology. 

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August 2015

The aim is to explore how remote tower operations could offer a sustainable and safe contingency solution for ATC operations by Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International in Dubai World Central (DWC).

The project will also feature an additional feasibility study to assess if remote tower technologies can be used in Dubai to ensure sufficient contingency to maintain 100 per cent of the actual traffic at these airports.

HungaroControl is currently implementing its remote tower technology at Budapest International Airport. 

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ahrain’s Air Navigation Directorate at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications has announced the completion of several important projects including a new automatic system to optimize the utilization of manpower at the ATC Centre.

The system specifies the number of air controllers required for each shift based on the requirements within Bahrain’s FIR. A call-out system has also been developed which will further enhance the use of resources at the ATC Centre.

The second phase of the development of Aeronautical Information Management Systems (AIMS) project was completed. This is in addition to the Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing System (IFPS) to support the implementation of the Air Traffic Flow Management system.The Air Traffic Flow Management system supported by the IFPS will serve the international air traffic between the Middle East region and neighboring regions in future. 

ATM

Saab signs remote tower deal with the IAA

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efence and security company Saab has signed a contract with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to deliver a Remote Tower Centre to Dublin Airport and the corresponding remote tower installations at Cork and Shannon Airport. Electronic Flight Strips (EFS) will be installed at all three airports.

Saab’s Remote Tower solution is the world’s first operational and approved system. The Remote Tower installation at Cork and Shannon will be operated from Dublin Remote Tower Centre and will be a part of the large scale evaluation carried out by SESAR, Single European Sky ATM Research. 

A6,Eurocontrol collaborate on NewPENS

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he A6 Alliance of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and Eurocontrol are to work together on defining a major piece of communications infrastructure required to underpin the European Commission’s Single European Sky initiative.

The two organisations are collaborating to define the provision of the New Pan-European Network Services (NewPENS), the groundto-ground network infrastructure used for both voice and data communications between ANSPs; and the enabler for iSWIM, mandat-

ed by the Pilot Common Project (PCP) as the fifth ATM function.

NewPENS will transport the data from the Network Manager and Eurocontrol Centralised Services to all ATM stakeholders from Eurocontrol member states and other states within the ICAO EUR/ NAT Region and its neighbouring states.

AeroMACS could be next best thing

T

he Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System (AeroMACS) could be the next big thing.

AeroMACS is a new broadband data link that has the ability to support the ever-expanding range of ATM communications technologies emerging under the modernization initiatives of NextGen and Single European Sky. The system aims to bring wireless, broadband connectivity to airports for surface operations and can conceivably be brought onto aircraft to interact with avionics systems.

The FAA is turning to AeroMACS to replace or supplement these operations with an IT infrastructure that will be more cost effective to preserve and can also enable new operations such as Airport Access to SWIM (AATS). The system is already in the process of being implemented at several airports in the US to replace these operations with a faster, more effective and easier to maintain the IT infrastructure.

The need for a broadband system for aviation operations goes beyond replacing aging wires, and overflows into the speed and reliability that will be necessary to support new ATM operations as air traffic systems evolve. 

NewPENS will provide a common, secure IP-based network service across Europe, making it easier to share information while at the same time reducing costs. 

August 2015

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ATM

TBS to save 80,000 minutes of LHR delays

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he Time Based Separation (TBS), a new way of separating arriving aircraft by time instead of distance, has been hailed as a major milestone in cutting delays at London Heathrow airport.

Developed by NATS and Lockheed Martin, TBS is expected to halve headwind delays, the single biggest cause of arrival delay at the airport.TBS is on track to save 80,000 minutes of delay per-year at Heathrow.

TBS on final approach addresses the biggest single cause of arrival delay at the airport. Heathrow has been operating at 98 per cent capacity for over a decade. Under normal conditions NATS air traffic controllers land around 42 aircraft an hour at Heathrow, however that falls dramatically in a strong headwind when aircraft fly more slowly over the ground.

The TBS system uses real-time wind data to calculate the optimum safe time between arriving aircraft, therefore allowing separation distances to be reduced in order to maintain the landing rate. 

India to issue licences to 2000 ATCs

I

ndia’s civil aviation regulator plans to issue licences to about 2000 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and over 60 aerodromes ahead of the audit by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in November.

The audit, the third in nine years, would cover issues such as aerodrome operations, air traffic control, airports,

FlightAware launches network tracking

F

lightAware has launched its multilateration (MLAT) Mode S network for tracking non-ADS-B equipped aircraft. MLAT tracking leverages the company’s ground-station

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August 2015

and air navigation mechanism. There are around 2,300 ATCOs manning the Indian airspace at present.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had said that India was bracing up for more reviews by international agencies after getting back the top aviation safety rating from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  network of 3,000 FlightFeeder Mode S receivers in 100 countries via multilateration of transponder signals.

Non ADS-B Out-equipped aircraft, which represent the majority of business jets in Europe, can use the MLAT network for real-time positions.

MLAT is currently available throughout Western Europe, over 40 states in the US, Japan, Singapore, Eastern

Australia and New Zealand, with additional coverage being added this year.

FlightAware also announced several new capabilities in its global flight tracking, including real-time flight plan data for flights operating in Europe under a tail number, premium international weather imagery, and the ability to track flights without flight plans. 

Mario Scotto, General Manager of Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi, joined the establishment in October 2012 to oversee all facets of the hotel’s operation, including the financial aspect, guest engagement and talent development.

An Italian national and hotel veteran with over 40 years of exposure in Europe, Middle East and African, Mr. Scotto is particularly adept in the start-up hotel category. Prior to joining Mafraq Hotel, Mr. Scotto held the position of Group General Manager at the Safeer Hotel Group in Muscat, Oman, as well as positions in the City Seasons and Flora Hotel Group in Dubai, UAE. Mr. Scotto has successfully relaunched Mafraq Hotel following a change in ownership in 2012. Quick to make his mark, 2013 – 2015

proved great years for the hotel reputation and revenue, first with close engagement of supporting local community and government organization , focusing on charity, sponsorships and events. Second with the brand receiving several awards and recognitions from different partners, government bodies, educational institutions and interactive online channels.

The list includes the Certificate of Excellence and Travelers’ Choice Award - Bargain Category 2014 from Trip Advisor, Booking.com, and several contributing to successful widening hotel’s brand image globally.

Mafraq Hotel Abu Dhabi is a four star hotel resort locally own and managed property, offers travelers the perfect balance of a culturally rich encounter with a modern twist.

The atmosphere at Mafraq Hotel is so peaceful and relaxed it’s easy to forget that you’re actually in the heart

of a bustling business town. The hotel is just a short drive from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island attraction district and only a few minutes from Bawabat Al Sharq Mall where world-class restaurants and shops are present to have a shopping spree .When you’re here, all of that fades into the background and you find yourself caught up in the moment simply contents you to enjoy time away with friends and family.

For more information on Mafraq please visit www.mafraq-hotel.com

August 2015 T: 6596666 2 971+ | F: 5822899 2 971+ | P.O.Box: 6770 Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. | email: info@mafraq-hotel.com | www.mafraq-hotel.com

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Opinion

Focus on NextGen ATS In addition to re-thinking our certification process for aircraft, the FAA is also re-thinking about requirements for general aviation pilots. The FAA is working to define how a person can fly without a third-class medical certificate while maintaining the highest level of safety.

Michael P Huerta Administrator Federal Aviation Administration USA

T

he FAA is focused on putting the Next Generation Air Transportation System in place.

One of the most important developments we’re working on is the shift from radar-based aircraft tracking to satellite-based tracking.

The FAA installed the baseline ground infrastructure for the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast system last year. The FAA has set a January 2020 deadline to equip for ADS-B Out in controlled airspace. The FAA is seeking to smooth the transition to ADS-B by identifying and resolving the barriers delaying operators from getting equipped.

Also, En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) is one of the largest technology changeovers in the history of the FAA. ERAM is a faster computer platform that replaces our legacy system, which had its roots in the 1960s. It gives us a much bigger, richer picture of our nation’s air traffic – and allows controllers to better manage flights from gate to gate.

Another program we are using to improve air traffic control displays is called Stars Fusion. The FAA is also evolving in the way we think and approach our processes – especially when it comes to certification.

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August August 2015 2015

The FAA is embedding risk management into every level of its business. We needed to focus on identifying areas of risk – and mitigating them before an incident occurred. We’ve been working together for years to introduce more risk assessments into our decisionmaking processes.

An important factor contributing to our ongoing improvement is the widespread adoption of Safety Management Systems, which have produced safer, more efficient outcomes for small and large carriers alike. The FAA finalized a rule requiring most US commercial carriers to have Safety Management Systems in place by 2018.

It codifies the risk-based decision-making process that we’ve developed cooperatively with industry over the last decade-and-a half. It also puts us in line with internationally-recognized best safety practices.

We must continue the modernization of our air traffic control system with stable funding for our core operations and NextGen investments.

The aviation products we make in America are essential to the health of our national economy. Seeing your planes crisscross the globe are a sign that US innovation is alive and well. 

Edited excerpts from a speech at the Wichita Aero Club Luncheon

Opinion

Open Skies valuable for cargo F

edEx has grown tremendously since 1973. Our fiscal year 2014 revenue was $45.6 billion. FedEx serves more than 220 countries and territories. Our aircraft fleet numbers over 660 aircraft, including new Boeing 777s and 767s.

In the US, we serve every address in every community and our aircraft can be seen at almost 300 US airports.

Our industry is an essential component of a rebounding American economy. The connectivity we provide for US businesses, both small and large, is critical for their global expansion.

FedEx and other US cargo carriers depend on Open Skies to provide our aircraft and their important cargo access to global marketplaces. Our ability to exploit the rights set forth in those agreements means that FedEx aircraft span the globe.

Air cargo carriers, such as FedEx, move the high-value, time-sensitive products essential for the US to create more high-paying jobs.

We also are leader in carrying American products in the B2C markets of e-commerce, where there are new cross-border opportunities for US small and medium enterprises. We cannot operate internationally and provide efficient, cost-effective services without Open Skies.

Some US passenger carriers have questioned Open Skies, specifically as it relates to Middle Eastern carriers.

These carriers do not fly extensively between foreign points like FedEx does. They believe they have little to risk by limiting foreign carrier access to US markets.

What they want is for the US government to protect them from competition from able, attractive new entrants.

David J. Bronczek President & CEO - FedEx Express Former Chairman, IATA

For FedEx, the Open Skies agreements with the Middle Eastern countries are very valuable. Under the agreement with the UAE, we have established a hub in Dubai.

FedEx alone operates almost two-third more flights to the Middle East than all the US passenger carriers combined. Modifications to this agreement might spell the end of these opportunities, closing off those markets to our customers.

The US should not return to the restrictive, inefficient, expensive agreements of the past where customers, communities, air cargo, and the greater US economy suffered. FedEx urges the US government to honor the Open Skies agreements it has negotiated with over 110 countries. The US should not capitulate to the interests of a few carriers who stand ready to put their narrow, protectionist interests ahead of the economic benefits that Open Skies provides to the people of the US. ď‚ƒ

Edited excerpts from the open letter to the US Secretaries of State, Transportation and Commerce

August 2015

37

Opinion

Innovate to lead the industry We’ve introduced state of the art self-service bag drops; latest check-in queue measuring systems and new airlineapps that integrate live flight information.

Stewart Wingate CEO Gatwick Airport United Kingdom

I

f the UK is to remain the world’s most important aviation centre, we need to enshrine the principle of competition into everything we do.

Low-cost carriers have transformed the market over the last ten years – and their growth is set to double again by 2040.

They have forced the airports to adapt and deliver the quick turnaround times essential to their business model.

All our airports, with the exception of Heathrow, have had to adapt to this new reality. Our operations are now more efficient; offer better value for money; and put our customers first. But this has gone hand in hand with the other defining change in the UK airports industry: The breakup of the BAA monopoly.

Since 2009, separate ownership has allowed us to compete and thrive. We have transformedGatwick from Heathrow’s neglected cousin, into a world-class airport. We embraced 6-sigma and Kaizen philosophies in everything we do and have innovated to drive efficiency and introduce best practice.

We have invested over a billion pounds in new infrastructure and introduced new technologies that have revolutionised our processes, such as fully automated ticket barriers and next generation scanners.

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August August 2015 2015

On the airfield, our collaborative decision making process with our airline and control tower partners has has enabled us to improve the efficiency of ouroperations to deliver fast turnaround times and eke out more slots.This investment of time, money and thought has led Gatwick to be the most efficient single runway airport in the world.

In 2009, we were running at 31 million passengers a year.

Last year, we went over 38.5 million and this year we expect 40 million passengers.

We are working to attract new airlines and routes; we already serve more destinations from our single runway today than Heathrow does from two. We fundamentally believe that providing passengers with choice results in more competitive fares and better service. We’ve already seen Emirates go double-daily with the A380.

Over the next seven years, we are investing a further billion pounds in improving our infrastructure. The old monopolies on routes and connections are being challenged by innovative airlines and airports. Technology is giving passengers control and choice.

Gatwick is adapting services to meet their expectations.

During the winter of 2016, our biggest carriers will operate with greater efficiency and pass on the benefits of a simpler operation to their passengers. In short, separate ownership and lighter regulation have freed Gatwick up to take the initiative; to challenge the norms; to innovate; and to lead the industry.  Edited excerpts from the speech at The Aviation Club, London

Opinion

Data protection rules for drones I

n the EU, there is recognition of the potential social and economic benefits that can be derived from the commercial use of the drones. Alongside industry’s efforts in deploying this technology, the EU has put forward plans to remove barriers in the EU single market.

I believe that, irrespective of the various regulatory issues at stake, we need better understanding of why since its infancy, new drone technologies have significant implications for privacy and data protection These aircraft systems are often combined with data processing tools such as cameras, microphones, sensors, GPS, which allow the collection and further processing ofpersonal data concerning identified or identifiable individuals.

A few countries also protect information relating to legal persons. Drones are mobile devices, almost unnoticeable, and it is hard to identify who is using them: so transparency and accountability are paramount concerns.

The trouble is that the current legal framework at EU and national level - specific rules, procedures and best practices – are inconsistent, fragmented, obsolete or too general for industry to understand what needs to be done in practical terms. In Europe, a number of general rules on privacy and data protection are already applicable to the processing carried out via drones.

Giovanni Buttarelli Data Protection Supervisor European Union

when allocating permits. We do not necessarily need to amend the existing European and national data protection framework to accommodate drone technology. However, there may well be benefit in guidelines and recommendations by data protection authorities cooperating on this issue.

These authorities may also play an important role in supporting designers, developers and industry to correctly address those challenges and better embed the principles of privacy by design and privacy by default.

The EU should play a leading role in raising awareness ofmanufacturers, users and data subjects on the existing data protection framework, regardless of the size of the RPAS.

We need to build a comprehensive regulatory framework that enshrines personal data protection as a core element. The civil use of drones needs to be better addressed at European and at national level, on the basis of best practices and where necessary new harmonised rules which are compatible with Europe’s new data protection rules currently being negotiated.

At the design phase, manufacturers should implement privacy by design and by default.

The civil aviation authorities need to consider the impact on the fundamental rights of individuals

Edited excerpts from the speech at the Framing the Future of Aviation Conference, Riga.

There is a need to increase transparency towards data subjects and facilitate the identification of the controllers. Data protection impact assessments should be carried out. 

August 2015

39

Airlines

Asian airlines came close to ‘break-even’ in 2014

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he Asia Pacific airlines in aggregate operated at close to ‘break-even’, according to the Kuala Lumpur-based Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). AAPA said: “Downward pressure on airfares from stiff competition and excess capacity, as well as the effects of high fuel costs and Asian currency volatility, were the major factors leading to the decline in airline profitability, despite further steady growth in both passenger numbers and air cargo traffic volumes.”

Overall, the region’s carriers achieved aggregated operating revenues of $176.6 billion for the calendar year, 1.9 per cent more than the $173.4 billion recorded in 2013.

Passenger revenue increased by 1.4 per cent to $135.4 billion, driven by an encouraging increase in traffic

demand, which more than offset the fall in passenger yields.

traffic, in revenue passenger kilometre terms, grew by 4.7 per cent.

The upswing in demand helped lift cargo revenue to a combined total of $20.8 billion for the year, a 2.7 per cent increase compared to 2013. During the year, international passenger

International air cargo traffic, measured in freight tonne kilometres, also registered a 5.3 per cent increase following several years of weak cargo market demand. 

Turkish Airlines gets 125th Boeing airplane

B

oeing and Turkish Airlines celebrated a milestone with the delivery of the airline’s 125th airplane purchased from Boeing – a

Next-Generation 737-900ER – and one of 12 airplanes the Turkish flag-carrier will take delivery of this year.

Their relationship stretches back to 1968 when the airline first purchased one McDonnell Douglas DC-9. In 1974, it began operating the first of the Boeing 7 Series, taking delivery of two 727-200s.

Since then, Turkish has grown to become one of the world’s leading carriers and currently operates a mix of Boeing 777-300ERs and 737 Next-Generation airplanes.

The Next-Generation 737-900ER is a short-to-medium range twinjet that increases the capability of the Next-Generation 737 family. Today’s 777-300ER is the most fuel and cost-efficient airplane in its class departing on time 99.5 percent of the time, making it the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world. 

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August 2015

Airlines

FAI adds eighth Learjet 60 to fleet

G

ermany-based general aviation and air ambulance specialist operator FAI rent-a-jet has announced the induction of an eighth Learjet 60 (S/N 281) into its fleet. The aircraft, wholly owned by the company, replaces the last Learjet 35A in the FAI portfolio.

Learjet 60 models will also replace the four remaining Learjet 55 aircraft in the fleet over the next twelve months. With a total of 14 Learjets based at its Nuremberg headquarters, FAI continues to be the largest Bombardier Learjet operator outside of the Americas. 

Philippines suspends two LCCs

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he Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has ordered the suspension of the air operator certificate (AOC) of lowcost carrier SEAIR International and Magnum Air (Skyjet) for various “safety observations” in reference to the report by the European Union Assessment Team.

Alitalia to part ways with Air France-KLM in 2017

A

litalia has announced that it will not renew its partnership agreement and ancillary joint ventures agreements with Air FranceKLM when they come up for renewal in 2017. The initial agreements date back to 2009.

The agreements include the government of passenger services operated by the three carriers between both Italy and France and Italy and the Netherlands and beyond, and incorporated the marketing, sales and distribution of Alitalia Cargo belly services undertaken by Air France-KLM. Italy’s national airline signed a deal with Etihad Airways in August last year in which the Gulf carrier acquired a 49 per cent stake, becoming the company’s largest stakeholder. 

The suspension will remain in effect until the CAAP is assured that the necessary corrective actions and compliance with aviation safety standards have been undertaken by the respective airlines.

South East Asian Airlines International (SEAIR) was told that the airline had “15 observations” ranging from management structure, accident prevention, flight safety program, and flight data management.

Boutique airline Magnum Air (Skyjet) incurred “eight observations” ranging from flight data monitoring, quality assurance, airworthiness and maintenance control. 

August 2015

41

Airlines

Emirates to launch daily service to Bologna

E

mirates will start a daily service to Bologna from November 3. Bologna will be the carrier's fourth Italian destination bringing its total weekly flights to Italy to 56.

Saudi Gulf to start operations in November

S

audi Gulf Airlines aims to begin flying in November after receiving regulatory approvals, the new Dammam-based carrier said.

Owned by the Abdel Hadi Al-Qahtani & Sons, the airline plans to fly from Dammam to three destinations, initially with a fleet of four Airbus A320s, Samer Majali, the group's president and senior adviser, told Reuters.

Initial flights from Dammam will be to Jeddah, Riyadh and one international destination, with further destinations added in 2016 as the fleet expands. The airline's

domestic flights will offer first class and economy fares, while international flights will provide business class and economy class services. In addition to the A320 aircraft, the airline signed a $2 billion deal with Bombardier last year to purchase 16 CSeries jets with an option for a further 10.

Delivery of the CS300 jets, which seat between 130 and 160 passengers, is expected to begin late this year or early 2016. Only national carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines and budget operator National Air Services currently serve a domestic market of about 27 million people. 

To be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, the new flight will add 5,040 international seats per week to and from Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo will offer up to 23 tonnes of cargo capacity per day.

Emirates has been contributing to Italy’s connectivity since 1992 when it first launched flights to Rome.

In the last 23 years Emirates has grown its presence in Italy and supports more than 10,000 jobs and contributes €747 million to the economy.

Emirates currently operates a triple daily flight to Rome and Milan and daily flight to Venice.

Emirates also operates a daily A380 flight to New York from Milan. 

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August 2015

HK Express fleet to expand in 2016

H

K Express, Hong Kong's only low cost carrier, expects to add A321s to its all-A320 fleet, allowing it to grow, despite constraints on traffic rights and slots.

HK Express, which in October this year will turn two, is expected to car-

ry over two million passengers this year and by end of next year will have 15-20 aircraft, including five to ten A321s. HK Express moved into profitability in December 2014 and had been profitable in the first quarter of 2015. HK Express relaunched as a LCC with an all-A320 fleet. 

Airlines

IATA wants uniform rules for child safety seats

C

iting a lack of uniform rules for the use of child restraint systems on planes traveling internationally, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has drafted proposed guidelines and is calling on airline safety regulators to put the recommendations into practice.

Standards for child safety restraints onboard airlines differ from country to country. IATA promotes the

Southwest Airlines goes global

U

S-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines will extend its services from Houston's Hobby Airport to eight international locations by the

use of approved child restraint systems (CRS) to secure infants and children onboard aircraft.

In an effort to clear up the confusion and ensure safe global travel for small children, the IATA issued its Guidance on the Safety of Infants and Children on Board.

The association will collaborate with the International Civil Aviation

end of this year. It also plans to operate a daily flight service between Denver and Puerto Vallarta starting November 1, subject to regulatory approval by the Mexican government.

Moreover, flight service between Orange County and Santa Ana will begin from November 7. Southwest

Organization (ICAO) to implement the recommendations across the board. IATA is seeking a standard that can be seamlessly integrated into airline operations. 

Airlines will also offer flight service every Saturday between Baltimore/ Washington and Liberia, Costa Rica from November 7, subject to governmental approval. The airline initiated its international service in July 2014 with flights to Aruba, Bahamas and Jamaica in the Caribbean, the Dallas-based carrier said. 

AirAsia PH to be profitable in Q2 2015

A

fter incurring losses in its first three years, the Philippine unit of Asia’s biggest budget carrier AirAsia Berhad will likely mark its first prof-

itable quarter this year, the Center for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said. It noted that AirAsia’s 2014 restructuring program helped the airline reduce

operational costs and increase its revenue.After AirAsia Berhad’s local unit incurred losses in its first three years, CAPA said it expects the company to be profitable in the second quarter of this year, as “costs have been reduced and unit revenues have improved through a combination of load factor and yield improvements.”

Last year, AirAsia Berhad restructured its Philippine operations, cutting overall capacity and reducing the size of its fleet. AirAsia Berhad operates in the Philippines through the Philippines-registered company, AirAsia Incorporated, where it has a 40 per cent stake. 

August 2015

43

Cargo & Logistics

Panalpina acquires its Egyptian agent

S

witzerland-based supply chain solutions provider Panalpina has acquired its Egyptian agent, Afifi, a highly respected family-owned company specializing in freight forwarding customs clearance and logistics.

The move is an important step in Panalpina’s continued strategic expansion in growth economies, in particular in the Middle East and

Africa. Afifi has been Panalpina’s agent in Egypt for the last 20 years.

Since 1995 Panalpina has counted on Afifi as its agent in Egypt for ocean freight air freight and projects services. Afifi was established in 1936 in Cairo by Mohamed Afifi.

The two companies reached an agreement under which Panalpina

will acquire 100 percent of Afifi.

The Panalpina Group operates a global network with some 500 offices in more than 70 countries and it works with partner companies in a further 90 countries. 

Freighter demand accelerating

T

he air freight market will need about 125 new freighters per year to meet growth and replacement needs over the next 20 years, according to forecast issued by Air Cargo Management Group.ACMG’s forecast for 2015

assumes a “baseline-growth” scenario, which uses a 4.5-percent annual growth rate in freight ton kilometers (FTKs).

tion units and passenger-to-freighter conversions) added per year from 1990 to 2014.

The projection compares favorably to the average of 95 freighters (produc-

ACMG calculates a need for about 60 added freighters per year to offset the capacity of freighters retim the existing fleet. Global air freight demand has experienced an unprecedented level of volatility since 2000.

In fact, three of the worst years ever in terms of air freight traffic declines have taken place since 2000.

The baseline forecast calls for the fleet to grow to 2,887 units through 2034. 

DHL to spend $108 million on Cincinnati expansion

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August 2015

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HL is investing $108 million to expand its Americas hub facility at the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky airport (CVG) to meet the demands of continued growth in international e- commerce and global trade.The CVG, one of DHL’s three global hubs, connects the US to the DHL global network spanning Asia, Europe and the Americas.Processing

approximately 46 million international shipments annually, the CVG hub handles shipments bound for the US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America.

It also connects nearly 100 service centers, gateways in Los Angeles and New York, and a hub in Miami to more than 220 countries and territories around the world. 

Cargo & Logistics

Etihad cargo revenue past $1 billion mark

E

tihad Airways’ cargo revenue topped $1 billion for the first time in 2014 as freight traffic grew four times faster than the global market to reach an all-time high.

The strong cargo performance helped Etihad Airways to post its best ever results, with net profit up more than 52 percent at $73 million on a near 27 percent rise in revenue to $7.6 billion.

The UAE-based carrier, which has a fleet of 10 freighters, increased cargo revenue by 19.2 percent to $1.1 billion from $928 million in 2013 as volume soared 16.8 percent to 569,000 metric tons from 487,000 tonnes.

James Hogan, President and CEO, said: “We are forecasting significant growth for 2015, driven by key initiatives to expand its capacity and scope, and to leverage equity and other partnerships.” 

Air Djibouti to commence cargo operations

A

ir Djibouti, the Republic of Djibouti’s new national carrier, has confirmed it is on schedule to commence cargo operations later this year.

The government’s strategy for Djibouti and one of its Vision 2035 pillars is the development of the country as a regional and commercial hub for trade in East Africa, chairman Aboubaker Omar Hadi said.

Air Djibouti was established in February this year and it has already secured cargo aircraft to the European Union and Dubai, and is expected to announce further details of its freight operations soon. 

Unmanned aircraft are the future for air cargo

M

ore than 30 mostly European organisations are pressing for the development of unmanned cargo aircraft (UCA).

Forwarders, shippers, universities and aircraft manufacturers, grouped under the name Platform for UCA (PUCA), are researching technological and regulatory issues and hoping to attract investment.UCAs are expected to be cheaper and more efficient than piloted aircraft, and PUCA sees commercial possibilities in those with a

10-tonne payload, to cover thin traffic routes.The group’s plans, which could take 15 to 20 years to come to fruition, are backed by the European Shippers’ Council (ESC).One of the challenges will be airspace, and SESAR, the single European sky project, is already considering how it could work.

Airbus, which is also involved in the project, is advocating “sky tunnels” for unmanned aircraft, to ensure they are not in the same space as traditional aircraft. 

August 2015

45

Technology

Airbus to build electricpowered planes in 2018 T

he E-Fan concept aircrafts are set to become a reality in 2018.

Airbus will build a final assembly line for the E-Fan aircraft in Pau, France.

The manufacturing plan will be in close proximity to Daher, a design firm known for its disruptive innovations in the fields of surveillance, aviation and aerospace.

The company demonstrated its E-Fan light aircraft last year, but industry insiders say they will manufacture two E-Fan aircrafts.

First aircraft to be manufactured will be a two-seater, very similar to the concept that took the skies from Bordeaux Merignac Airport a year ago, while E-Fan 4.0 is a working name

for the four-seater version of the said aircraft.

E-Fan will be sold as Voltair E-Fan, with Voltair being the subsidiary of Airbus, which was formerly known as EADS. The name is a tribute to Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta, an inventor that created the first battery and with whose surname we grown acquainted with the SI system unit for electric potential named Volt.

It is expected that the first E-Fan aircraft from the assembly line takes to the skies in fourth quarter of 2017, with mass production to follow in 2018. The company plans to certify the aircraft by Q4 2017, using current, manually assembled aircraft. Airbus is targeting flight schools and civil aviation community for its E-Fan airplanes. The commercial aviation version of the said technology is set between 2030-2050. ď‚ƒ

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August 2015

Technology

Successful trials of dronedetecting airtraffic radar

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new type of air-traffic radar which can spot small quadcopters at distances of up to eight kilometres away, could offer a solution to plug the technology gap created by the rise of unmanned airborne devices.

The holographic radar, developed by Cambridge-based Aveillant, uses a sophisticated set of algorithms to sieve through radar returns to provide the most detailed picture of the airspace.

During a series of tests, underway since the end of 2014, the technology has proved that it can identify a drone as small as 35 cm wide and 19 cm tall at a distance of almost 7.5 km in only a few seconds.

The inability to spot such remotely operated devices is the major weakness of conventional air-traffic radar technology. There has been an increase in public drone activity, including drone flights over sensitive sites such as nu-

clear power stations and government buildings, and incidents of proximity with civil airliners. The industry needs a surveillance solution capable of continuous, intelligent interrogation of the airspace, providing 100 per cent surveillance of every target, including drones. Conventional air-traffic radars, designed in the pre-drone era, focus on detecting large aircraft across distances of several hundred kilometres, not small drones flying much closer by. ď‚ƒ

High-speed WiFi to airplanes over land and water

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aving the way for a new era of in-flight wireless connectivity similar to what is available at home or in the office, Honeywell Aerospace and Inmarsat have suc-

cessfully completed the first phase of hardware and satellite network flight tests for GX Aviation broadband services.

The tests, which included streaming YouTube videos and live radio, online conference calls and downloading files, were conducted in the UK in June, validating the ability to deliver high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity while over land and water.

The team of Honeywell, Inmarsat and iDirect staff are working very closely to bring GX to market.

The satellite network for GX Aviation is already operational in the Indian Ocean region for government, maritime and enterprise customers using the first Global Xpress satellite. ď‚ƒ

August 2015

47

Technology

iPad glitch delays AA flights in US

I

ndustrial network connectivity manufacturer B&B Electronics, which has emerged as global intelligent IoT/M2M expert, introduced wireless sensing platform for IoT at the Innovation Podium at Dubai Airport Show 2015.

devices – combine to form the IoT Edge Processing Architecture.

The B&B Electronics’ edge processing technology helps bridge the gap between IT and OT (operational technology).

It aggregates data from existing equipment, translates disparate machine protocols into a language IT can understand, transforms that data into useful information and delivers it to applications ready for analysis, leading to actionable intelligence. 

The advanced Internet of Things (IoT) processing architecture enables deployment of connected intelligence applications starting at the network edge.

B&B Electronics’ produces technologies like the Wzzard Intelligent Sensing Platform for creating wireless sensor networks (WSNs) where customer applications and logic reside at the network edge, and its SWARM intelligence-based cellular edge gateway

ITW GSE launches solution for voltage unbalance

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TW GSE, at the forefront of new aircraft requirements and market developments, has developed the AXA 2400 Compact to fulfill the next edition of the ISO 6858 norm regard-

ing voltage unbalance and phase displacement at the aircraft connector.

Speaking at the Innovation Podium of Dubai Airport Show 2015, Xavier Charrondiere, Senior Market Manager & GSE Specialist, ITW GSE, Denmark, said the 2400 series is the market’s best choice when it comes to solid-state, point-of-use units.

It is small and simple, reliable and robust. It has all kinds of outstanding

technical qualities from the unique output voltage, the smart ITW GSE user interface, software up-date via USB and the standard overload capabilities that match all types of aircraft.The AXA 2400 compact GPU is the safe choice for the supply of modern aircraft. As the only GPU in the market, it has 400 per cent overload at output. Also, it provides 90 kW continuous at an ambient temperature of 56°C. The AXA 2400 Compact is equipped with the patented Plug & Play system.

Therefore, you experience an outstanding voltage quality at the aircraft plug. This is what matters and what makes your aircraft accept the voltage from the GPU. The magnetic wave-shaping topology ensures a clean input power with a unity power factor and a current THD less than five per cent. It suits all types of aircraft including A380, A350 and B787. 

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August 2015

Technology

Cavotec launches new generation 400Hz Converter

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avotec INET, a specialist in power conversion equipment for aircraft, has launched a comprehensive range of 400Hz systems for airports worldwide.Introducing the new generation of 400Hz Cavotec Converter with HOI Interface at Innovation Podium of Dubai Airport Show 2015, Thomas Dreyer, Managing Director of Cavotec Germany, said that the innovative equipment includes 400Hz, 28VDC, 270VDC power conversion units, distribution networks with distribution cables, cable coilers and underground floor solutions, and related accessories

and technical services. He said that Cavotec INET manufactures fixed and mobile point-of-use 400Hz solid state frequency converter units from 30kVA up to 312kVA. Its self-contained outdoor rated model is specifically designed to mount with smaller foot-print units for configuration in a hangar bay

or lab setting or under PBB (50 or 60Hz input). These units meet all aircraft power specifications as well as 400Hz avionics and radar equipment. The unique 12-pulse power topology results in lighter weight, lower noise, higher efficiency, and insignificant input harmonic current compared to any other units on the market. 

Vision-guided robot provides logistics automation

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etch Robotics has announced the launch of a vision-guided robot tandem called ‘Fetch and Freight’, which are designed to autonomously complete various tasks in logistics and warehouse operations.

The system is comprised of a mobile base (Freight), and an advanced mobile manipulator (Fetch), and is designed specifically to assist in high-pressure logistics and e-commerce warehouse environments.

Fetch and Freight are built upon the open-source robot operating system ROS and include software to support the robots and integrate with the warehouse environment.

The robots are designed to work alongside humans, performing such tasks as warehouse delivery and pick and pack.

Used in tandem, Fetch and Freight are capable of handling the vast majority of all items in a typical warehouse, according to Fetch Robotics.

Each of the two robots features different sensors for purposes of autonomous navigation. Fetch has a modular gripper that is equipped with an ISO standard interface, and includes an Ethernet connection so that users can integrate a camera for vision. 

August 2015

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