Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
Workshop on Happiness 6 Agenda initiatives
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DCAA hosts seminar on youth and aviation sustainability
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DCAA honours Dubai 8 Fitness Challenge and Dubai 24 Hour Marathon winners and participants
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is now one of Top 10 aircraft leasing companies in the world with a fleet of 400 aircraft worth more than US$14 billion.
DCAA Interview
Farnborough Airshow to get permanent hall
Shaima Al Qasimi
The facilitator to bring the world to Dubai
UAE in Focus GCAA hosts first 15 Aviation Youth Circle
Facial recognition trial at Brisbane Airport
Issue 56 January 2018
Rapid ascent
Inside DCAA DCAA participates in 10th ICAO conference
www.viadubaionline.com
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18 Passengers are more connected than ever
ASEAN Community Carrier concept
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Violeta Bulc
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Middle East News 16
International News 18
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Angela Gittens
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Airlines total revenues to touch US$824 billion in 2018
Cargo & Logistics 24
Technology 26
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
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• • • • • • •
Username Password Email Address Name Mobile Number Emirates ID Number Category (Individual - Airline - Agency - Expert - Provider)
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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 2 January 2018 email: it.support@dcaa.gov.ae
www.dcaa.gov.ae
Message
from the President
Another year of stellar success
T
he New Year brings us an opportunity to celebrate the previous year’s achievements.
Dubai International and Al Maktourm International remains in a mode to add capacity. Dubai is on track to achieve a passenger traffic target of 146 million by 2025. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has established a framework for the use of drones within the Emirate of Dubai in order to keep the movements of aircraft safe. Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) implemented a project to streamline the air traffic by introducing new air traffic management procedures and new way points. Dubai is projected to have 665,000 aircraft movements by 2020. Following acquisition of an Irish company, the Dubai Aerospace Enterprises (DAE) is now one of Top 10 aircraft leasing companies in the world with a fleet of 400 aircraft worth more than US$14 billion.
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
The Dubai Airshow recorded an order of US$113.8 billion. Emirates placed US$15.1 billion order for 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, taking its total wide-body commitment with Boeing to 204. flydubai has 76 aircraft on order from Boeing. The Dubai Duty Free (DDF) recorded sales in 2017 of US$1.93 billion. These successes have been made possible with the cooperation of our strategic partners and I am optimistic about 2018 being another successful chapter in Dubai’s history.
Emirates and flydubai took measures to consolidate their businesses and find efficiencies across their networks, by going in for a tie-up to build a combined network of 240 destinations by 2022.
January 2018
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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 Al-Maktoum, 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.
CONTENTS
Inside DCAA 06 Workshop on Happiness Agenda initiatives
Via Dubai is the official bilingual monthly newsletter of DCAA, designed to highlight the initiatives and developments in the aviation industry and act as a knowledge-sharing platform for all the stakeholders and aviation professionals.
General Supervision Mohammed Abdulla Ahli Coordinator Hanan Al Mazimi Creative Manager Mohammed Al Jarouf
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Editor Shveta Pathak
DCAA participates in 10th ICAO conference
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DCAA hosts seminar on youth and aviation sustainability
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.
DCAA Interview Shaima Al Qasimi
The facilitator to bring the world to Dubai
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Editorial, Production, PR & Marketing Nadd AlShiba PR and Event Management
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Our Vision
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is driven by the vision of Dubai to become the global Aviation hub 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
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Message
from the Director General
Towards making things grow further
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or the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), 2017 was another year of challenges and opportunities.
Driven by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we co-hosted a global conference on Aviation and Law. For the fifth time, we successfully hosted the World Aviation Safety Summit (WASS) with over 450 experts discussing the most pressing issues concerning aviation safety and proposing new strategies for the sector. We signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) for an initiative to enhance customer experiences towards making Dubai the most business-friendly city and a preferred investment destination. We have signed with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to co-operate in Research and Development (R&D) and launching joint projects that contribute to enhancing safety and security. DCAA also inked an agreement with Al Falah University (AFU) to support education and training workshops. In addition, DCAA signed an MoU with the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones, for exchanging data and information on civil aviation and another MoU with the Academy of Technical Training. Continuing our efforts to keep the civil aviation safe, we tightened the rules and regulations for drones. We issued the first NOC for an academy for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) training. DCAA is looking forward to support such academies specialized in drone activity. The UAE, represented by the Emirate of Dubai, is the first country to regulate the operation of UAV systems. The Authority and Dubai Police hosted an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Forum to inform and educate the industry on the safe and legal use of drones. We have participated the Year of Reading in 2016 and the Year of Giving last year and conducted
Mohammed Abdulla Ahli
programmes. This year will be no different with the Year of Zayed to honour the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Authority, in cooperation with the Dubai Police, launched a Smart Application for the issuance of permits for transport of dangerous goods to and from Dubai International. It allows the users to complete the transaction within two working hours, compared to the previous time period of two days. The Authority participated in a number of events and initiatives in Dubai and overseas. Under the direction and supervision of DCAA President His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, we are continuing our march towards excelling further in civil aviation domain to keep our country’s reputation high in the world. ď‚ƒ
January 2018
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Inside DCAA
Workshop on Happiness Agenda initiatives
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n line with the UAE National Agenda launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and based on the directions of its Director General, His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) launched its vision of happiness and positivity, along with the agenda which will help achieve it through adopting a global scientific methodology that measures happiness based on three main pillars: customers, partners and employees. This is meant to ensure its vision of “sustainable happiness”. The Human Resources Department organised an introductory workshop on Happiness Agenda’s initiatives, which will be implemented at the DCAA with the aim of upgrading delivered services to contribute to enhancing the happiness index.
Hamad Moin Al Janahi, Director, Human Resources Department, and Happiness Champion chosen by the Government of Dubai, introduced the participating employees to the general framework of the initiatives agenda, including initiatives meant to achieve “participation, awareness raising, development, solidarity and recognition”. He explained a happiness working group will be formed consisting of employees representing all the divisions of the Authority. This will be coordinated with the Strategy
DCAA participates in 10th ICAO conference
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n international affairs team of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), headed by Saood Abdulaziz Kankazar, Executive Director, Air Transport and International Affairs Sector, along with Rathnaweera Nawinne, Legal Advisor (Aviation), has participated in 10th ICAO Air Service Negotiation Conference (ICAN), which took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka for four days from on December 4, 2017. The aim was to update existing bilateral air transport agreements and sign new ones with a number of countries participating in the event. The participation of DCAA was part of the UAE’s delegation, which comprised representatives from all the different sectors of aviation in the UAE, including the national airliners.
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and Corporate Excellence Department, Customers Service Centre, Marketing and Corporate Communications Office, and Information Technology Department with a view to activate initiatives and discuss the obstacles that prevent employees and customers alike from enjoying happiness in the work environment. Initiatives will also be examined and best practices adopted to achieve desired goals, in addition to assessing current practices and including them in the Happiness Agenda programme.
Inside DCAA
DCAA hosts seminar on youth and aviation sustainability
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mployees of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) participated in a youth dedicated seminar entitled “Youth and Sustainability of Aviation Sector” hosted by DCAA. The seminar was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the DCAA and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, GCAA, and a number of youth from across the aviation sector.
Much to reminisce in the Year of Zayed
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n the UAE, 2016 was the Year of Reading and 2017 the Year of Giving. Now, 2018 is the Year of Zayed.
This marks 100 years since the birth of the Founding Father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, a leader, statesman and modern visionary. The UAE will fondly celebrate his invaluable contribution towards nation building. Rarely in history do we see men who leave footprints that generations after them will follow. He is best known for promoting peace and tolerance, universal human values, gender balance, environmental protection and pioneering spirit and charity. The Year of Zayed is being held under four main themes of Wisdom, Respect, Sustainability and Human Development. The UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said that the union Sheikh Zayed created among the seven emirates “was based on unity and solidarity to build a progressive society that benefits everyone, and in which people live in security and stability”. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, explained: “Sheikh Zayed instilled in us the willpower and determination to challenge and achieve the impossible. This is why we are always convinced that we are capable of being pioneers and to become one of the best countries in the world. He inspired us to see his way to the future, to follow in his footsteps with confidence and insight, and to consolidate the gains and achievements.” The Year of Zayed is not just about remembering him, but also upholding the virtues he lived by, and instilling them now and in the future.
January 2018
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Inside DCAA
DCAA honours Dubai Fitness Challenge and Dubai
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is Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), honoured the employees who excelled in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, with Top 5 positions, in both men and women categories. Those honoured also included DCAA employees who participated in Dubai 24 hour marathon. The DCAA keenly encourages its employees participate in different sports and community activities. ď‚ƒ
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January 2018
Inside DCAA
24 Hour Marathon winners and participants
January 2018
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DCAA Interview
Ms. Shaima Al Qasimi, Director International Affairs Department, DCAA
The facilitator to bring the world to Dubai
T
he International Affairs Department under Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) plays a crucial role in attracting international airlines to the hub, offering world class facilities and services. More new international airlines are scheduled to start operations to Dubai. Dubai continues to be on a winning streak as far attracting the whole world to the city with world class infrastructure, tourism attraction, investment opportunities, shopping extravaganza, and above all one of
the top global aviation hubs, Dubai airports and facilities. The International Affairs Department under Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) plays a crucial role in attracting international airlines to the hub, offering world class facilities and services. Via Dubai spoke to Ms. Shaima Al Qasimi, Director International Affairs Department, DCAA, to know the crucial role played by the department in attracting the world to Dubai. With her important role in the department, Ms. Shaima Al Qasimi, is responsible to monitor and analyse airlines’ plans and operational activities, with a view to determining the impact of these on DCAA’s interests and take necessary steps for encouraging these carriers to introduce and develop their operations at Dubai. What is the crucial role played by the department in
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safeguarding the aviation interests of Dubai? International Affairs Department Coordinates with Federal government agencies, such as the Ministry of Economy, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), local civil aviation entities and other appropriate authorities, on matters connected with Air Transport Policy and procedures for negotiations; and represents the Dubai Government at Air Service negotiation meetings and takes all necessary steps to protect and advance the aero-political rights of designated carriers of Dubai. The International Affairs Department is tasked with responsibility to hold negotiations on air transport agreements with other states with the purpose of establishing relationships and to enhance the international air transport methodology. The department is also responsible to establish, enhance and sustain a contact point between international and local aviation authorities. It plays a crucial role in managing affairs pertinent to air rights of Dubai aviation policy and in following up
DCAA Interview
for executing those agreements regulating air transport services. The department also makes prior plans and comprehensive analytical studies on all states intended to be involved in negotiations, schedules of air routes as well as to provide statistics on all civil aviation affairs. Which are the new airlines scheduled to start operations to Dubai? New airlines scheduled to start operations to Dubai include Azur Airlines from Russia, Badr Airlines from Sudan, UT Air from Russia, Saudi Gulf from KSA, Medview Airlines from Nigeria and Royal Wings from Jordan. Further, Royal Flight from Russia will start charter flights to DWC. What is your role in maximising international air transportation links between Dubai and airports around the world? DCAA represents Emirates of Dubai, together with our stakeholders, at bilateral or multilateral negotiations between UAE led by the GCAA and other States. DCAA liaises and coordinates with the GCAA to secure
and safeguard the interests of the designated airlines in the Emirate of Dubai. We also work towards encouraging foreign airlines to operate to the airports in Dubai and provide them necessary approvals in that regard. What are the attributes of Dubai that attract international attention? Well known strength of Dubai as an attractive tourism destination for tourist world-wide, supported by booming economy, well maintained safe environment, remarkable infrastructure braced by different means of transportation include the air transport, served by two of the major/well-known carriers, Emirates and flydubai connecting Dubai with the world via massive operation network. What is the growth outlook for Dubai aviation? And what are the challenges? The outlook for Dubai Aviation is to accomplish the vision of our leaders for Dubai to be the number one and to be a leader regionally and globally in all fields.
The aviation sector is challenged by many factors such as environmental, economic, political, natural disasters, safety and security, health, etc. that is faced around the world. Dubai located in a geographically advantageous location provides unlimited connectivity between points from east to west. You are acting as the central point of contact for international operations in relation to aviation activities. How is that you acquired the skills? Notwithstanding the qualification obtained through colleges and study chairs (Diploma in Business account + Bachelor in Business Administration), it was very enriching to interact with the experts from the leading airline management from Emirates and flydubai, internship program in the ICAO HQ., attending the specialised training courses conducted by IATA in Aviation regulation and management. Not to forget the daily challenges faced by the super developing industry which requires deep analytical review and study how to overcome any obstacles might occurred and to take the lead in such challenging sector. ď‚ƒ
January 2018
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Cover Story
Rapid ascent
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is now one of Top 10 aircraft leasing companies in the world with a fleet of 400 aircraft worth more than US$14 billion
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ircraft leasing started five decades ago in the 1960s, just as commercial aviation was taking off. From less than one per cent share in the 1970s, aircraft leasing has since grown its market share of the global fleet.
A 10-year outlook for the commercial airline fleet by Oliver Wyman says the in-service commercial airline fleet is forecast to grow from nearly 25,000 aircraft at the beginning of 2017 to over 35,000 by 2027. Upward global air passenger traffic and aircraft replacement demand are expected to add 40,000 new aircraft and require at least US$3 trillion funding, of which aircraft leasing is projected to at least maintain its 42 per cent market share. While there are over 160 operating lessors globally, the sector is dominated by players with 50 or more aircraft in their portfolios. The global aircraft
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leasing industry’s top 50 lessors had a fleet value of US$256 billion. GECAS and AerCap are the aircraft-leasing market leaders. The commercial aircraft financing and leasing business of GE,
GECAS has a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft in operation or on order. AerCap has 1,506 owned, managed or on order aircraft in its portfolio. China’s Avolon has a fleet of 910 aircraft valued at
Cover Story
the world’s top aircraft lessors behind the likes of GECASE and AerCap.
Khalifa AlDaboos
US$43 billion, making it the world’s third-largest aircraft leasing company. The Dublin-headquartered Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (AWAS) was acquired by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. AWAS has a fleet of 263 owned, managed and committed narrow and wide-body aircraft.The acquisition propelled DAE into becoming one of the world’s largest aircraft lessors after the deal tripled its portfolio of owned, managed and committed fleet to about 400 Airbus, ATR and Boeing aircraft worth more than US$14 billion and made it one of
“Our leasing business has been growing at a rapid clip and this acquisition more than doubled the current size of our business. Our committed long-term ownership will allow us to provide a more comprehensive range of aviation fleet and financing solutions to our clients across the globe,” remarked Khalifa H. AlDaboos, Managing Director of DAE, a Dubai government-controlled company. DAE began using the brand name ‘DAE Capital’ to conduct its aircraft leasing business after the deal. It had raised US$2.3 billion to finance the acquisition. The deal increased DAE’s number of aircraft leasing customers to include 117 airlines in 57 countries. Firoz Tarapore, CEO of DAE, remarked: “The outlook for 2018 is strong. The integration of the leasing [businesses] is on track and scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2018. We expect to add approximately two billion dollars of new assets in 2018 and secure our long-term growth through an order with one or both [of the main] OEMs. We will focus on the most liquid narrowbody aircraft such as the A320neo and the 737 Max. We will also reserve capital to serve our clients’ requirements from
their committed order book.” Established in 2006, DAE changed its focus in 2015 to invest in MRO companies and further deepen existing relationships with airlines. DAE’s engineering division Joramco has a state of the art MRO facility in Amman. After divesting US maintenance, repair and overhaul house StandardAero in 2015, DAE was left with one business to focus: a leasing operation with a fleet of 66 aircraft and a portfolio value of around US$4 billion. Remarked Khalifa AlDaboos: “The management sees a number of trends in the aviation industry that present opportunities for DAE to further grow its leasing business and support its customers’ needs for capital. DAE currently has capital available and is seeking opportunities to engage in sale/ leaseback transactions of new, narrowbody aircraft while helping customers free up cash and get into modern, fuelefficient aircraft. There is a sizeable opportunity to expand within the aerospace sector in the UAE and the Middle East.”
January 2018
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UAE in Focus
Airships to race to Dubai A
irship technology dates back to at least the start of the 20th century, yet there has never been one flown in the Arabian Gulf region. Two pioneering companies are bringing airships to Dubai, and both have longer-term plans that will follow on from their initial conceptproving flights in 2018. Airships Arabia announced three contracts. One will see the firm bring a Skyship 600 to the UAE by the end
of the first quarter of 2018. The firm will partner with Aircraft Support Industries to design and build a hangar at a site still to be determined in the UAE. Underpinning those projects, the company has closed its seed funding round: Saeed Al Ghaith, Vice Chairman of Arsa Group, is investing an undisclosed sum as part of a longterm partnership. The initial tasks possible with the
Skyship 600 will be limited: the year-round operations will focus on advertising opportunities, passenger carriage and some surveillance. Humanitarian aid missions are also on the agenda, with the payload capacity of a large hybrid airship offering options to ensure food aid reaches the places where it is needed, not just the nearest airport. The Skyship 600 will be operated in the UAE by Skyship Services Inc, the manufacturer of the aircraft.
UAE aviation will soar higher
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he aviation sector is expected to contribute nearly AED200 billion to the economy by 2020, says a media report. Propelled by four flagship carriers that are on a consistently vibrant expansion mode and spurred by ongoing huge spending on aviation and tourism infrastructure by governments, the UAE aviation industry is set to reinforce its role as a key driver of the nation’s diversified economy in 2018. With non-oil sectors expected to account for nearly 90 per cent of the UAE’s economy by 2025, aviation and logistics will continue to be the highest contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) after manufacturing. While manufacturing will contribute 21 per cent by 2025, aviation will account for 16 per cent and logistics at 15 per cent of the nation’s GDP by 2025. According to aviation experts at a recent
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Arab Aviation Summit, the sector is expected to contribute nearly AED200 billion to the country’s economy by 2020, providing up to 750,000 jobs. The aviation sector is a crucial economic pillar for Dubai, accounting for more than 27 per cent of Dubai’s GDP, or US$26.7 billion, according to Oxford Economics. This is expected to increase to 37.5 per cent by 2020 with a total annualised
impact of US$53.1 billion. In the next 20 years, the UAE’s aviation sector is expected to stand next to that of the US and China, according to Jeff Johnson, Vice-President of Boeing International and President of Boeing Middle East. He said the UAE would need more than 55,000 pilots and 62,000 technicians in the same period as a result of its growing aviation industry.
UAE in Focus
GCAA hosts first Aviation Youth Circle
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he UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted a highly constructive Youth Circle entitled ‘Youth & Sustainability in Aviation’ in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Emirates Engineering in one of Emirates’ maintenance hangars at Dubai International Airport. The Circle was attended by around 70 young people from the UAE representing a range of technical
and managerial backgrounds in the aviation sector. The aim of the gathering was to discuss issues that young Emiratis face in building sustainable careers the aviation sector and propose potential solutions for the issues raised. The group discussed a number of topics relating to sustainable career development, as well as the future of the aviation sector in the UAE
more widely. Specifically discussed were a number of initiatives to more closely align education with potential careers in aviation and programs to encourage Emirati youth to take up more technical and non-technical sector jobs; the main outcomes from the discussion was to stablish ‘Youth Aviation Council’ which was proposed by GCAA and to include a course about civil aviation in national service program.
Dubai to host Global 7000 aircraft mock-up
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ccording to reports, the full-size mock-up will make its debut in the Middle East to showcase the aircraft’s unparalleled spaciousness, luxury, and comfort, as well as its high-end, fully equipped kitchen. First unveiled in Geneva at the 2014 European business aviation conference and exhibition (EBACE), the 32-meter long mock-up is a full-scale reproduction of the Global 7000 aircraft. This exclusive visit to the UAE marks the mock-up’s maiden voyage to the Middle East. Jetex will celebrate its arrival with a lavish cocktail event held in the
convivial surroundings of its flagship Dubai South facility on January 17. The Global 7000 aircraft mock-up is expected to remain at the terminal for just under a month, offering guests a rare opportunity to arrange an appointment for a special private viewing. The Global 7000 aircraft
will be the first and only aircraft in its class to offer four living spaces and a dedicated full-sized crew suite, and its meticulously crafted interior will incorporate bespoke living areas where passengers can work, dine, sleep and relax in unparalleled luxury and comfort.
January 2018
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Middle East News
Egypt, Russia sign protocol to resume flights
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n Egyptian-Russian cooperation protocol in maintaining civil aviation security has been signed. The protocol intends to resume flights between Cairo and Moscow for the first time since 2015, starting February 2018, the statement added. Russian tour operators will be free to resume flights between the two countries starting February 2018, Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi told Egypt Today. The Cairo International Airport has satisfied all the Russian requirements for aviation security, which paves the way for Russian flights to resume their activities in Egypt. Flights between the two countries were halted in 2015 after a Russian passenger jet crashed in Sinai, 224
people were reported dead. Egypt has exerted strenuous efforts and adopted tighter security measures in airports since the terror attack to keep pace with international aviation security standards.
The protocol is highly anticipated to restart mass tourism from Russia to Egypt, for its first stage, direct flights will resume to Cairo and then will gradually resume to further resort destinations.
Jeddah’s new airport to open in May
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he initial opening of Jeddah’s new King Abdul Aziz International Airport will take place in May,
according to the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA). The new airport includes 810,000 square metres
of terminals, 200 counters design for completion of travel procedures and 80 self-service counters as well. The number of aircraft that can be received simultaneously is 70 connected to the terminal as well as 28 aircraft on the tarmac. Taif International Airport will support the King Abdul Aziz International Airport when it opens in 2020. The GACA has assigned the new Taif International Airport to the private sector. The new airport is expected to open in December 2020, according to the Head of the GACA, Abdul Hakim AlTamimi.
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Middle East News
Bombardier expects new aircraft to boost ME activity
B VistaJet targets Middle East for expansion
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usiness jet operator VistaJet has doubled its Middle Eastern business last year, and aims to increase its growth in the region with new approvals to operate in Saudi Arabia. The company hopes to capitalize on what it says is a trend in the region from fractional jet ownership or full ownership of business aircraft. VistaJet has seen its flagship Program membership double in the Middle East in 2017. Program membership is a multiyear subscription that allows members the highest-level access to VistaJet’s fleet. The company is pitching the Program membership as an alternative to business jet ownership. It believes its globally uniform product and operations worldwide positions it to capture more of the changing Middle East
business aviation market. The company recently received approval to operate in Saudi Arabia. That country provides the largest share of VistaJet’s business in the Middle East, at 39 per cent. The UAE’s share is 30 per cent, with seven each from Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt. VistaJet flies to 1,600 airports worldwide, and 68 airports in the Middle East. Dubai is its largest base in the region, with customers most frequently flying from there to Nice, Moscow, Mumbai and London. It operates a fleet of more than Bombardier business aircraft, including Global 6000s, Global 5000s, Challenger 850s and Challenger 605s. All of its jets sport a uniform livery and cabin and allow customers to tailor the inflight experience.
ombardier Commercial Aircraft’s Market Forecast 2017-2036 covering the 60 to 150-seat segment sees growth in the Middle East with expected delivery of 450 aircraft in that market segment, or four percent of the forecast 12,550 deliveries worldwide with a total value of US$820 billion. Bombardier said its Q400 aircraft along with its CRJ regional jets and C Series aircraft can meet any requirement from 60 to 150 seats. The large regional aircraft category (60-100 seats) will account for 200 deliveries, while the small single-aisle category (100-150 seats) will take 250 aircraft. This will result in a fleet 3.4 times larger than at present. “We are well positioned to take advantage of a move to strict capacity management in the region,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, vice-president of sales for the Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are the only aircraft manufacturer with that capability and we look forward to working with Middle East airlines as they expand their intra-regional networks.”
Middle East carriers net profits to improve in 2018
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iddle East carriers are forecast to see net profits improve to US$600 million in 2018, up from US$300 million in 2017, according to International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) forecasts. Demand in 2018 is expected to
grow by seven per cent, outpacing announced capacity expansion of 4.9 per cent - the slowest growth since 2002, the report added. The region’s carriers face challenges to their business models, and from low oil revenues, regional conflict,
crowded air space and the impact of travel restrictions to the US. IATA forecasts global industry net profit to rise to US$38.4 billion in 2018, an improvement from the US$34.5 billion expected net profit in 2017.
January 2018
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International Middle East News
Australia gives temporary visas to foreign pilots
Farnborough Airshow to get permanent hall
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he aviation industry body in Australia is pushing for 4-year visas for foreign pilots.
From the start of 2018, foreign pilots are being given two-year visas to curb the shortage in the country. The shortage of pilots is so acute that aircraft have to be grounded. The government had removed pilots from the list of jobs open for migrants in April last year in a bid to preserve Australian employment. But the shortage of pilots forced it the government to go for a rethink. Pilots have been added to the temporary migration list, but the process would undergo a review every six months to check if Australian pilots were being given priority.
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new permanent Hall 1 at the 2018 edition of Farnborough International Airshow will replace the temporary building from previous shows. The Farnborough International Airshow will take place in July, and according to the organizers, visitors familiar with the show will notice quite a few changes. Although the number of exhibitors—1,500—will be around the same as the last show in July 2016, a range of changes and upgrades are in progress. First up is the new Hall 1, as construction on a vast new permanent main show building started after the last show. Amanda Stainer, Commercial Director of Farnborough Airshows which also runs the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS), told AIN that it is a brand-new permanent facility on two floors, with 12,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Singapore Airshow to showcase emerging technologies
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ingapore Airshow, to be held from February 6 to 11, will focus on emerging technologies and give start-ups a platform to pitch their ideas to larger players. The biennial event at Changi Exhibition Centre will feature technological innovations in areas such as autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, as well as nextgeneration maintenance, repair and
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operations (MRO) technology Four business forums are to discuss key challenges facing the global aviation industry. Start-ups will have a “direct nexus” to investors, accelerators and corporate partners, allowing them to network with these larger players, and pitch their business ideas to them. About 50 local and overseas start-ups are expected to take part in the airshow.
A highlight will be the Republic of Singapore Airforce (RSAF) launching its 50th anniversary celebrations on February 7, the second day of the airshow. The event will also feature the second run of the Singapore Airshow Aero Campus (SAAC) - a programme aimed at getting secondary and tertiary students, as well as young working adults, interested in the sector.
International News
Search for MH370 plane resumes
Airports set to install e-gates for Aadhaar-based travel
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y January-end, India’s aviation ministry is expected to complete the process of creating a template document for instituting an Aadhaarbased system at airports.
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he search for MH370 has resumed after a research ship left South Africa, bound for a search area off the coast of Perth in Australia. The Malaysian government has enlisted the US seabed exploration company, Ocean Infinity, which chartered Norwegian ship Seabed Constructor, due to arrive in Perth on February 7 after it set sail from Port Durban. The Malaysian Airlines flight disappeared in March 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board,
sparking the largest search in aviation history. Its disappearance is one of the world’s greatest aviation mysteries and sparked the largest ever search, costing about US$200 million. The Australian-led search for the aircraft was suspended in January 2017, much to the anguish of distraught relatives. At the time it was suspended, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released findings from international and CSIRO scientists that identified a smaller 25,000 square kilometer area with “a high probability” that it contained the aircraft.
Sacramento McClellan airport sold to private entity
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acramento McClellan Airport is now one of the largest privatelyowned airports in the US. The former Air Force base features a 10,600-foot runway, and is home to the air operations of several government agencies. California’s Sacramento County has completed the sale of Sacramento McClellan Airport to real estate operator McClellan Business Park.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has chosen Aadhaar as the digital identity needed for paperless airport entry and major Indian airports are expected to install e-gates to allow Aaadhar-based travel from 2019. At present, passengers have to show printed or mobile air tickets and a government identity card to enter airports. Under the new system, airport entry would be based on biometrics. Airports will then be allowed to adopt biometric readers and other technology vendors to implement the system. A database that talks freely between the stakeholders—airports, airlines and Aadhaar authorities—is already being worked out.
The company owns the majority of land from the former McClellan Air Force Base, which was handed over by the military in 2000, and has transformed it into a business park.
Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Cochin airports and the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), which runs over 100 airports, have shown interest in moving to the new system which would not only save costs but also improve their security architecture.
The county approved the sale of the 1,100-acre airport, located 20 minutes from the state capital’s downtown, in September. It is one of the largest privately owned facilities in the country and boasts a 10,600-foot runway.
Airports at Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Lucknow and Kozhikode are among the worst-hit by congestion, with air traffic growing in double digits and expected to touch about 115-20 million in 2017.
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Opinion
ASEAN Community Carrier concept H
alf of the world’s traffic growth over the next 20 years will be to, from, or within the Asia-Pacific region.
By 2030, it will be world leader in air traffic, with a market share of 38 per cent. The economic growth and aviation development in the ASEAN region remains dynamic. As the two major regional integration initiatives in the world, ASEAN and the EU are natural partners. Over the past 25 years, EU have completely transformed what used to be fragmented and protected national markets into the world’s largest liberalised and integrated regional aviation market encompassing 28 countries. Europe’s consumers and economy have reaped remarkable benefits from the creation of the single EU aviation market. Based on EU-wide licensing rules, we have moved away from the concept of national carriers to one of EU carriers. The concept of EU designation is now widely accepted around the world. The ASEAN are also exploring a possible ASEAN Community Carrier concept. ASEAN and the EU could become a critical mass that could influence the global debate and efforts aimed at modernising ownership and control requirements in this most global of all industries. EU will be able to support ASEAN in the creation of the ASEAN single aviation market through the “ASEAN Air Transport Integration Project. The regulatory environment for civil aviation has traditionally been based on national sovereignty. But the challenges facing aviation today cannot be addressed solely within national boundaries. They require cooperation and integration within regions as well as between regions. We are working for integrating our fragmented national air spaces and air traffic control systems, along with redesigning Europe’s airspace architecture and developing a more functional, cost-efficient and better performing Single European Sky. We cannot deny that European aviation is going through challenging times. The global economic recession hit Europe harder than other world regions. We are also facing difficult challenges in implementing the Single
2020
January January 2018 2018
Violeta Bulc Transport Commissioner European Union (EU)
European Sky and there is a lack of capacity at a number of increasingly congested key hub airports. In terms of air transport, EU-ASEAN traffic is already significant, both for passenger and cargo services. Passenger traffic between the EU and ASEAN is expected to increase by around five per year over the next 20 years. However, a very significant and growing part of the incremental market growth between the EU and ASEAN is being diverted through hubs in other regions. We should work together to remove obstacles between the EU and ASEAN so that our carriers can enjoy the best possible conditions to compete and grow in this market. I believe we should consider the prospect of a comprehensive air transport agreement between ASEAN and the EU. The ASEAN Transport Ministers have welcomed the idea. I intend to propose to the European Commission that we seek a mandate from the EU Council of Transport Ministers to start negotiations between the EU and ASEAN on a comprehensive air services agreement. If Europe works together with ASEAN to the fullest extent, we can extend the proven benefits of a single market to a much larger interregional one.
Excerpts from the speech at the EU-ASEAN Aviation Summit-2017 in Singapore
Opinion
Passengers are more connected than ever T
he fundamental value of an airport is its ability to serve as an economic engine for its community as it accommodates and promotes air service demand. As global passenger traffic is expected to double by 2031 – as projected by ACI’s World Airport Traffic Forecasts (WATF) 2017–2040, competition among airports to attract passengers and airlines is expected to increase. To stay ahead, airports need to build an optimal environment that delivers value to passengers and businesses. Passengers are more connected than ever, and they want to interact more with the airport through various media platforms at different points of time and along their journey. Implementing technology and analytics solutions throughout the airport ecosystem is essential to creating a modern, efficient, and profitable airport operation that delivers a positive passenger experience. In order to support airports in their quest to thrive in a digital world, the ACI has come out with the ACI Airport Digital Transformation Best Practice. It brings airports a step closer to digital-readiness. The best practice document serves as an aid for managers to make decisions and implement their own journey into the digital world. In this highly-competitive environment, airports are challenged to enhance their appeal to increase their community’s share of air travel and tourism.
Angela Gittens Director General, ACI World
about business transformation in a digital world. It is both the implementation of new technologies and the integration of existing technologies to deliver a better passenger experience. To further help our member airports on digital transformation, ACI has developed the Digital Airport Survey. This survey will help airport authorities assess their maturity in adopting and using digital transformation technology tools. Once completed, members can share results with ACI to receive specialized guidance on how to enhance this evolution. Now is the time for airport leaders throughout the globe to embrace the airport digital transformation, using emerging technologies and processes to achieve their business objectives.
While safety and security remains the top priority, airport leaders must also innovate to find ways to differentiate their business and enhance the customer experience, including using technology to meet and exceed passenger expectations. In today’s digital world, there is no escaping the power of data. Harnessing its benefits is key. But, digital transformation is not only about technology: it is also
January 2018
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Airlines
Airlines total revenues to touch US$824 billion in 2018 T he International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts global industry net profit to rise to US$38.4 billion in 2018.
Highlights of expected 2018 performance include: a slight decline in the operating margin to 8.1 per cent, an improvement in net margin to 4.7 per cent, a rise in overall revenues to US$824 billion, a rise in passenger numbers to 4.3 billion and a jump in cargo carried to 62.5 million tonnes. 2018 is expected to be the fourth consecutive year of sustainable profits with a return on invested capital. Passenger numbers are expected to increase to 4.3 billion in 2018. The cargo business continues to benefit from a strong cyclical upturn in
volumes, with some recovery in yields. Cargo revenues will continue to do well in 2018, reaching US$59.2 billion. The fuel bill is expected to be 20.5 per cent of total costs in 2018. All regions are expected to report improved profitability in 2018 and all regions are expected to see demand growth outpace capacity expansion. Carriers in North America continue
to lead on financial performance, accounting for nearly half of the industry’s total profits. The Middle East carriers are forecast to see net profits improve to US$600 million in 2018, up from US$300 million in 2017. Demand in 2018 is expected to grow by 7.0 per cent, outpacing announced capacity expansion of 4.9 per cent - the slowest growth since 2002.
2017 was the safest year in aviation history A n influential survey of airlines has revealed 2017 being the safest year in aviation history.
absent from the 2018 list are the US airlines Delta and United. New entries on the list are Dubai-based Emirates and China’s Hainan Airlines.
Airline accidents have been on a consistent global decline since 1992. Australia-based aviation analysis website AirlineRatings.com studied 409 airlines it monitors, out of which 20 stood out as the “best of the best”. These 20 airlines from across Asia, Europe and the US are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence and the launching of new more advanced aircraft. From 2014 to 2017, it named Australian airline Qantas the world’s safest airline and commended it for being “the lead airline in virtually every major
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January 2018
To arrive at its top 20, AirlineRatings. com takes into account safety factors including audits from aviation’s governing bodies and lead associations, government audits, airlines’ records of crashes and serious incidents and fleet age. operational safety advancement over the past 60 years” without a single fatality in the jet era. Long-established airlines such as Hawaiian and Finnair too have perfect records in the jet era.Notably
According to the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), which records all air crashes and incidents reported around the world, there were just 10 fatal accidents involving commercial flights last year, resulting in 44 deaths.
Airlines
Singapore Airlines introduces new cabin products
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he Singapore Airlines has capped a busy 2017 with the delivery of a new A380. It introduced new cabin products as the first of five new A380s were placed into service. The airline has another big year as it takes delivery of 787-10s, introduces a new regional business class product and resumes nonstop flights to New York and Los Angeles. The first of five new A380s was placed into service on the Singapore-Sydney route. The aircraft is the first to be fitted with SIA’s new business class seat and Suites product. SIA is taking delivery over the year of five new A380s in a new 471-seat four class configuration. These will be the first five aircraft to feature its new long haul premium cabin products and replace its five oldest A380s, which are being returned to lessors. SIA will subsequently retrofit 14 A380s with the cabin products. SIA’s A380 fleet will be maintained at 19 aircraft but capacity is increasing as the airline transitions the entire fleet to the new 471-seat configuration, replacing the current combination of 441 seat and 379 seat aircraft.
Emirates to launch London Stansted service in June
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mirates, which had been rated among the top 20 safest airlines in the world in 2017, will launch a new daily route from Dubai to London Stansted in June. It will be the first Middle Eastern airline to operate out of the popular North East London airport. The daily route will be operated by the airline’s new three-class Boeing 777300ER. With the introduction of the London Stansted daily service, there will be 10 Emirates flights daily connecting Dubai and London. The new gateway will be the seventh UK airport that Emirates operates out of in the UK; other locations include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester and Glasgow.
Stansted airport will also be vital for Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates and the world’s largest international cargo airline, due to its large cargo handling capabilities. The carrier connects cargo customers to over 154 cities across 84 countries in six continents and flies 140,000 tonnes of cargo in and out of the UK in an average year.
PAL hopeful to become 4-star airline in 2018
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hilippine Airlines Incorporated (PAL) is hopeful that it will be able to join the prestigious circle of 4-star carriers in 2018, as it accelerates efforts in expanding routes, upgrading fleet and modernizing passenger service.
by London-based air transport rating organization Skytrax. The flag carrier shifted to high gear on initiatives to raise its rating by airline or airport rating company Skytrax to 4 stars in 2018, and eventually to 5 stars by 2020.
This is part of its efforts to earn 5-star status as a globally competitive full-service airline in 2020, along with carriers like EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Etihad Airways. PAL is currently rated as 3-star airline
The goal is not a quick fix but a multi-year top-to-bottom re-invention of the airline. Once it achieves its ratings target, there is a plan to sell up to 40 per cent of the country’s oldest airline to a foreign investor.
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Cargo & Logistics
Cinderella of the airline business
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he air cargo business is an important part of the aviation mix and is characterised by three main modes: belly-hold freight on passenger aircraft, all-cargo operations and parcels services.
has shifted from town centres to motorway junctions, it looks as if airfreight operations are starting to follow them. A Center of Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) report said the biggest cargo airports tend
to be situated at major passenger hubs, and where there are airport cities. Those airports are fairly static; there are few that are challenging the established order, unlike in the passenger segment.
All-cargo operators and, to a lesser degree, parcel distributors have tended to congregate at primary passenger hubs airports. There is an increasing trend to move away from those centres in favour of smaller regional airports, where surface distribution attributes are better. In some cases, cargo airlines are even finding it difficult to obtain slots are some of the larger airports. Just as the location of distribution centres
Africa’s air cargo up for grabs
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he value of cargo goods transported globally by air is expected to rise to US$6.2 trillion in 2018, about a third of global trade volumes, and African airlines have been encouraged to take advantage of this increase, particularly through the soon to be implemented Single African Air Transport Market.
The Single African Air Transport Market, which currently includes only 23 of the 54 African countries, is aimed at creating a single unified aviation market on the continent and, together with the liberalisation of civil aviation regulations, is seen as a major potential driver of the continent’s economic integration agenda.
IATA’s chief economist, Brian Pierce, confirmed that air cargo remains a key driver for economic development but noted that some borders are becoming more difficult to cross, which is a major challenge for an industry that depends on open borders. Pierce further pointed out that whilst global cargo performance is in the midst of a strong economic upturn, driven mainly by e-commerce, current demand for air cargo is actually growing faster than available capacity. Pierce went on to say that due to the state of affairs, airlines’ asset utilisation has improved substantially, as 2017 cargo revenues were up 15 percent and growth is expected to continue into 2018, leaving the heads of air cargo operators confident about 2018 markets.
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January 2018
Cargo & Logistics
Sheremetyevo opens new cargo terminal
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oscow Cargo has launched the commercial operation of its airfreight complex at Russia’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, and is due to start work on a second phase in 2018.
The new cargo terminal, with a handling capacity of 380,000 tonnes per year, covers 43,200 square metres and has automation systems involved in around 60 per cent of all production processes.
The investment in airfreight facilities continues as Russia prepares to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup and with surging volumes for AirBridgeCargo, the Russian freighter airline hubbed out of Sheremetyevo.
Alexander Ponomarenko, Chairman of of JSC Sheremetyevo International Airport, said that a “significant growth” in cargo turnover and the “rising demands” of cargo airlines had led to a major increase in airfreight
Air Canada Cargo adds key destinations
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ir Canada, the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada, has enhanced its daily air cargo freight services between Mexico and South America. It commenced its wide body Boeing 767 services to and from Mexico beginning January. The new flights will provide connectivity with already operating aircrafts from Mexico City, and to the recently expanded weekly operated routes
between Bogota, Lima, New Lima, Sao Paulo and Santiago/Buenos Aires. Air Canada Cargo increased its Bogota service, from four to five flights every week. Similarly, Lima service from Toronto was increased from three to four flights every week and New Lima from Montreal twice per week. Its Sao Paulo and Santiago/ Buenos Aires services were upgraded to a Boeing 777 aircraft.
volumes at the Moscow hub. The total growth rate of cargo traffic volume at Moscow Cargo in the first eleven months of 2017 was 35 per cent compared with the same period last year. The volume of transfer cargo on international flights pouring through Sheremetyevo increased by 80 per cent in the same JanuaryNovember 2017 period. He forecast that the airport expects to handle more than 700,000 tonnes of cargo per year by 2024.
New airside perishables centre planned for Heathrow
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new chilled airside perishables centre is set to open at Heathrow Airport on Sandringham Road this year. The new centre is being developed by Matthew Rye and Gav Singh of Airport Perishables Handling (APH) and operations at the 25,000 square feet facility are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2018.
January 2018
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Technology
Electric aviation technology takes off in Australia
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ustralia’s first electric plane has successfully completed its maiden flight in Perth, after taking off from Jandakot Airport and conducting a series of mid-air tests.
Hybrid electric plane technology moves ahead
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irbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens have joined hands to develop hybrid electric engine plane technology as part of a push towards cleaner aviation. The E-Fan X programme will first put an electric engine with three jet engines on a BAE 146 aircraft. They want to fly a demonstrator version of the plane by 2020, with a commercial application by 2025. Firms are racing to develop electric engines for planes after pressure from the European Union (EU) to cut aviation pollution. Airbus will be responsible for overall integration as well as the control architecture of the hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries, and its integration with flight controls. Rolls-Royce will be responsible for the turbo-shaft engine, two megawatt generator, and power electronics. Along with Airbus, Rolls-Royce will also work on the fan adaptation to the existing nacelle and the Siemens electric motor.
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January 2018
The aircraft completed a circuit pattern in front of ordinary petrol powered aircraft and conducted two of those circuits with a perfect take-off and landing.
Purchased from Europe, the Pipistrel Alpha Electro twoseater, single-engine is a production aircraft that’s powered by two lithium-ion batteries and can be recharged in just one hour. The team at Electro.Aero say it may actually be far safer than travelling on board conventional fuel-powered aircraft.
Facial recognition trial at Brisbane Airport
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echnology provider SITA says trials of facial recognition technology at Brisbane Airport have shown a 70 per cent reduction in processing times for boarding and check-in. In March 2017, Air New Zealand, Brisbane Airport and SITA commenced an Australia first trial featuring the use of facial recognition technology at checkin and at the boarding gate. Under the trial, passengers heading across the Tasman from Brisbane flying Air New Zealand approach a self-service check-
in kiosk featuring SITA Smart Path technology. At checkin, the kiosk creates a “single secure token” using sophisticated biometrics – which in this case is the passenger’s face – that is linked to passenger’s travel documents. When it comes time to get on the aircraft, passengers simply walk through an automated boarding gate which uses facial recognition technology to verify the correct passenger is boarding the correct aircraft without the need to present a boarding pass, a passport or travel document.
Technology
Exciting innovations for travellers in the offing
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he future air travel experiences are likely to be more efficient and less stressful with exciting innovations on the horizon.
Broadband Wi-Fi is right now not uniform or ubiquitous, but in 2018 the most-important trend to watch will be moves by air carriers to provide reliable in-flight Internet connectivity. In the near future, expect most airlines adopting the technology and allowing passengers to get connected on their laptops, tablets and smartphones. Chatbots will continue to make inroads in the customer support capacity. Air travel customers are not quiet about their dissatisfaction overall with the customer service experience currently being provided, but providing information quickly and efficiently will be by utilizing chatbots online or even via telephone This will help decrease hold wait times significantly and handle cancellation calls, flight delays and general baggage questions handily. This will free up live agents to deal with calls that require nuance and greater care. Another way robotics is getting into the overall air travel experience is in airports. San Jose and Oakland International Airports began using the robot as an “Airport Guide.” This model scans boarding passes and guides travellers to their gate in five languages. A robot airport experience in research and development phase is
autonomous luggage movers that will follow passengers around the airport - and even out into a city. Voice-enabled apps will allow the passengers to search for flights – possibly discuss the upgrades. Also in the works is the voice enabled flight search. CheapAir.com was the first to market with a voice-enabled mobile app. Artificial Intelligence (AI) features that “remember” individual passengers’ personal data like age, home city and even likes and dislikes will serve up contextual travel suggestions for the next trip search. Air travel is going to continue to grow and without biometric technology, the existing airport infrastructure wouldn’t be able to accommodate
the numbers of travellers. Increased security concerns and international travel requires a more efficient security process that will zero in on security risks with laser-like focus. Biometrics will be a crucial part of this calculus. At the moment, biometric technology (fingerprints) is being used with PreCheck to quickly verify the already vetted PreCheck, lowrisk passenger pool. In the future, it is possible that biometrics will allow low risk passengers to be quickly identified, allowing officials to focus more time on rooting out suspicious behaviour and identifying high risk travellers. Retinal scans are another biometric mode that will become a reality in the coming time.
January 2018
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