Via dubai english june 2017

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

Inside DCAA Dubai International Holy 6 Quran Award

10x project initiative

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Air India officials visit DCAA

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www.viadubaionline.com

Issue 49 June 2017

DCAA marks successful participation in Airport Show 2017

UAE in Focus Dubai airport handles 22 7.6 m passengers in April Top graduates to join 23 Abu Dhabi’s ORAT team

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ATM Airports to switch to 30 virtual control towers Optimising

Cyber resilience steps needed

capacity

North European Free Route Airspace established

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InFlight Labs launches 32 autonomous tracking system

Opinions 28

Angela Gittens

28

29

Dr. Fang Liu

Robot co-pilot

27

Air freight demand strengthens 42

Airlines 34

IATA warns against possible new electronics ban

Cargo & Logistics 38

38

Technology 42

‫يونيو ‪June‬‬ ‫‪2017‬‬ ‫‪2017‬‬

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‫‪June‬‬ ‫‪20172017‬‬ ‫يونيو‬

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June 2017

Message

from the President

Show of strength

T

he Middle East is steadily gaining momentum in taking the global centre stage for growth in civil aviation industry. It is set to become the fastest growing region of the world for the airline industry, characterised by the highest growth in terms of both new airline capacity and revenue passenger kilometres (RPK). The Middle East and Asia-Pacific will continue to lead among all regions, with RPK growth of 9 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. Further, the region is expected to add the newest capacity this year, with the number of seats growing by 10 per cent. In short, the aviation industry expansion in the Middle East continues to surpass average global growth rates.

With a number of aviation mega-projects underway across the GCC and wider Middle East, airports are expanding steadily, with capacity projected to rise 10.1 per cent in 2017 and passenger numbers 9%.

The UAE is poised to lead Middle East air passenger growth in 2017 with an annual increase of more than 6.3 per cent, as predicted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Dubai is rightfully establishing its position as one of the top aviation hubs in the world. The major contributory is of course a well-orchestrated strategy right from the fledgling years envisaged by our leadership. It is in this backdrop that we should see the just-concluded Airport Show.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Yet again, Dubai has proved its mettle to host an event of global standard to showcase its prowess in civil aviation and service. The 17th Airport Show became instrumental in proving the fact that the aviation industry expansion in the Middle East continues to surpass average global growth rates.

As expected, the show brought together solution providers from around the world giving them the opportunity to explore the latest trends and bring forward innovative products and services designed to support ongoing industry growth and service enhancements. . Let’s hope that it will ultimately translate into increased inflow of investments and passengers, which will ultimately take us closer to our goal of making Dubai one of the top aviation hubs in the world. ď‚ƒ

June 2017

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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 10x project initiative

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

Air India officials visit DCAA

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DCAA visits DED

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 Aviation experts share experiences, insights and critical issues concerning aviation safety at 5th WASS

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

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Michael Rudolph 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

youtube.com/user/dcaadubai

Message

from the Director General

Well-equipped and ready

D

ubai is all set to see intensified growth across all sectors, especially the aviation industry, with the Dubai International Airport expected to receive 90 million passengers by the end of 2017. The projections are encouraging as well as challenging as demand for air travel through Dubai will reach the range of 142.8 million by 2025. Encouraging, because Dubai’s popularity and importance as a global aviation hub is reaching far and wide; and challenging, because we must ensure an easy, excellent, safe and pleasant experience to our guests. Dubai is already among the top 3 busiest airports in the world and we are well-equipped and experienced to handle this massive growth and scale.

Efficient handling of the growth in passenger numbers, cargo, air services, traffic and related services is invariably related to qualified manpower and technology adoption, particularly in this era of disruptive technology. Dubai has already scaled new heights on these counts. Whatever is lacking, if at all, is made up by constant updating and adopting global best practices. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s active participation in the just concluded 17th edition of Dubai Airport Show was one such opportunity to learn from global leaders and experts on products and processes.

Airport Show is among the world’s largest platform that brings the latest technologies, exhibitors and

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

experts from all across the world. The DCAA had a highly successful participation at the show, where we highlighted the latest services and our initiatives toward ensuring the safety of skies. The show was not only a platform where we showed innovative use of technology in the area of aviation security, our team also explored the world’s latest technologies that were showcased here, thereby learning the latest global trends, which gives a better and deeper understanding of technological advancements and their role in aviation sector.

More than the encouraging participation by global companies, experts and organisations from across the region, it was the show of confidence in Dubai’s immense potential to lead the industry from the front 

June 2017

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Inside DCAA

Dubai International Holy Quran Award

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E Mohammed Abdullah Al Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, attended the activities of the 21st session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. He was accompanied by the executive directors, some of the directors of departments and some department heads of Dubai Civil Aviation and HE Ibrahim Boumelha, Dubai Ruler’s Advisor for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Award. 

10x project initiative T

he 10x project team is organising a series of meetings on an ongoing basis, where the panel discusses the ideas put forward for this initiative and how to apply them on the ground.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the 10x initiative to put Dubai ahead of other cities of the world in terms of innovation.

His Highness wants select departments under the government of Dubai to start implementing today what other cities in the world will begin implementing after 10 years. The team is conducting regular workshops

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June 2017

to discuss innovative ideas and how to adopt best practices and implement them on the ground, which will serve Dubai and the UAE in general. The modus operandi is during the meeting, a company is hosted to showcase its services and implementation mechanism for the projects. As part of

the plan, the team is hosting a number of companies to discuss and explore the best innovative solutions. 

Inside DCAA

Air India officials visit DCAA

H

is Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, received Mr. Melwin D’Silva, Air India Express Regional Manager for Gulf, Middle East and Africa, and Mr Pradeep Mangtani, Sr Asstt General Manager (Commercial), Air India.

During the meeting, they discussed ways of mutual cooperation between the two sides, exchange of knowledge of best practices, in addition to discussing a number of topics, including the increase in the number of passengers between the Dubai and India. The meeting also discussed the possibility of meeting soon to renew the current agreement to include the current growth between the two countries to cope with the continued growth in the number of passengers. 

Year of Giving: Holy Ramadan ideal time to practise charity

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s the year 2017 has been declared as the Year of Giving in the UAE, this Holy Month of Ramadan assumes special reason to practise it in the true sense and spirit what is envisaged when the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared it and followed by a directive by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Rule of Dubai.

Thus Holy Ramadan is a month of giving and seeking blessings as well as spreading the culture of giving and magnanimity. Giving charity is an important practice to adopt during the Holy month. Scholars suggest some simple ways by which residents can contribute to the Year of Giving this Ramadan:

DCAA visits DED

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bdulla Mohammed bin Khediya, Director of Air Transport Department, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Abdullah Al-Dhanhani, Director of Consumer Protection, visited the Department of Economic Development - Consumer Protection Sector. They were received by Ahmed Al Awadi, Consumer Protection Manager and Ahmed Al Zaabi, Senior Consumer Complaints Manager. The visit was aimed at using the expertise of the Consumer Protection Sector in solving consumer complaints, raising awareness and reaching out to a large number of consumers. 

Monetary help: You can make contribution to various NGOs working as part of Year of Giving in the UAE. Contributing a small regular amount of money can go a long way in helping realise the motives of this special year in the UAE. There are various international charity apps that help you send money to different parts of the world.

Give away clothes: There are various clothing banks across the country where one can donate clothes. This is also an opportunity for parents to encourage their children to help others by encouraging them to give away their extra clothes, footwear and toys. You can also give away old books.

Prepare Iftar: Prepare simple meals for Iftar and distribute it to labourers, guards or anyone hungry in your locality.

You may also choose to distribute some juices in the nearby mosque.

Distribute dates and water: Distribute water and dates to whoever is passing by just outside your locality. There are scores of people who are commuting around the time of Iftar and have nothing at hand to break their fast with.

June 2017

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DCAA Interview

Michael Rudolph, Head of Airspace Safety with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)

Aviation experts share experiences, insights and critical issues concerning aviation safety at 5th WASS

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t the recently concluded 5th World Aviation Safety Summit (WASS), hosted by the DCAA, Michael Rudolph, Head of Airspace Safety with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), who is responsible for safety oversight of commercial as well as other aviation entities within Dubai, spoke about the importance of WASS for aviation safety experts.

How do you view the role of World Aviation Safety Summit (WASS) as a platform for aviation safety experts?

In its fifth edition, WASS is bigger with more than 450 local and international aviation industry experts discussing the most pressing issues concerning aviation safety and proposing new strategies for the sector. This clearly indicates the keenness of the aviation industry to further its knowledge and ensure a safe and successful future for air travel.

For aviation safety experts in particular, WASS is an ideal platform where local and international stakeholders from regulatory authorities, airline operators, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, pilot associations, safety organisations and air traffic control services shared key strategies for the safety culture of the future. This has helped us understand the practical issues, latest trends and gave insights into aviation safety.

How is the summit helping aviation security amidst the rapid growth in aviation sector?

We are continuously providing safety awareness and the World Aviation Safety Summit is an ideal platform for delivering safety messages to attend the conference and those interested in the aviation industry.

The summit, which is hosted by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, has become an ideal platform for thought leaders of the global aviation safety sector to discuss essential safety measures in order to efficiently manage the processes, threats, risks and calamities facing aviation safety professionals worldwide.

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June 2017

With air traffic recording a strong growth and estimated to double over the next 15 years, WASS has become an ideal platform to discuss the challenges in safety and demands of the booming aviation sector. ď‚ƒ

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: email:

+971 56 6810685

it.support@dcaa.gov.ae

9 June 2017www.dcaa.gov.ae

Cover Story

Highlights latest offerings and services at the world’s largest annual aviation event

DCAA marks successful participation in Airport Show 2017

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he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) marked a successful participation in the recently concluded Airport Show, the world’s largest annual airport event, held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group, visited the DCAA stand during the Airport Show 2017, where the civil aviation authority highlighted its services and latest offerings.

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June 2017

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General, DCAA, said “Airport Show is among the world’s largest platform that brings the latest technologies, exhibitors and experts from all across the world. The DCAA had a highly successful participation at the show, where we highlighted the latest services and our initiatives toward ensuring the safety of skies.

The show was not only a platform where we showed innovative use of technology in the area of aviation security, our team also explore the world’s latest technologies that were showcased here, thereby learning the latest global trends, which gives a better and deeper understanding of technological advancements and their role in aviation sector.”

Cover Story

“More than the encouraging participation by global companies, experts and organisations from across the region, it was the show of confidence in Dubai’s immense potential to lead the industry from the front,” added Ahli.

During the show, DCAA’s employees visited international pavilions and exhibitors, who brought the world’s latest technologies catering to different requirements of the aviation sector.

Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Public Security in Dubai visits DCAA stand at the Airport Show

The 17th edition of the Airport Show involved participation of 300 exhibitors from 50 countries, who showcased a wide line-up of latest smart and innovative technologies and solutions set to transform the rapidly growing aviation industry.

The show also had participation from more than 60 civil aviation authorities from across the world.

The exhibitors also used the B2B event as platform to introduce new products and services, strengthen their business presence as well as forge new business relationships.

The DCAA actively participates in local, regional and international aviation events such as the Bahrain International Airshow and others.

The civil aviation authority also hosts an annual World Aviation Safety Summit, which has established itself

as the meeting place for thought leaders of the global aviation safety sector to review best approaches conducive to efficiently managing the processes, threats, risks and calamities facing aviation safety professionals worldwide. 

June 2017

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UAE in Focus

Airport Show 2018 to be held from May 8-10, 2018

Airport Show-2017 a resounding success, concludes with over 7,200 attendees

T

he 17th edition of the Airport Show, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group, concluded with resounding success with more than 7,200 attendees from aviation industry worldwide.

Reflecting a strong confidence in

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June 2017

Middle East’s aviation sector and the Airport Show, more than 50 per cent of the exhibitors confirmed their participation for the next year.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed said: “The aviation industry expansion in the Middle East continues to surpass average global growth rates. Future projections are equally promising and are behind the ongoing and considerable investment in aircraft,

technology and infrastructure. The Airport Show brings together solution providers from around the world giving them the opportunity to explore the latest trends and bring forward innovative products and services designed to support ongoing industry growth and service enhancements.”

More than 300 exhibitors from 50 countries showcased a wide lineup of latest smart and innovative

UAE in Focus

technologies and solutions during the 3-day show, which has established itself as the world’s largest annual B2B event.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers for the Airport Show, said: “The unprecedented success of the Airport Show is a testament to the strong growth in the aviation industry in Middle East and the investment to the tune of billions of dollars toward expansion programmes, which are fueling global aviation growth. The collaborative opportunities approach if regional authorities and integrators with neighbouring authorities and global suppliers facilitates unparalleled opportunities. We are proud to announce that more than 50 per cent of the exhibitors have booked for the next year’s Airport Show, which will be held from May 8-10, 2018.”

The 17th edition of the Airport Show had the largest ever international representation with eight dedicated country pavilions, for global participants to showcase and launch their products, services and solutions.

The exhibitors said Airport Show 2017 helped them strengthen their existing business relations and they also received serious business enquiries.

Strong confidence

As Airport Show grew from strength to strength over the years, many exhibitors celebrated their long association with the iconic aviation event, also mirroring the opportunities generated with the strong growth of Middle East’s aviation industry .

The German Pavillion, the largest pavilion with 34 exhibitors, celebrated the 17th year of its participation at the Airport Show this year. Dieter Heinz, President of the German Association for Airport Technology and Equipment (GATE), founder of German Pavilion in Airport Show and an aviation industry veteran, said: “Dubai, in particular, the UAE and the Middle East, are among the most important markets for airport technology for us as they are always

looking for the best technology and advanced systems. During these years of our participation at the Airport Show, there is a cooperation on both sides and the German companies have understood the requirements of the region, which they develop and bring the solutions and the technology to suit those requirements.

There is a local appreciation of the quality and reliability and confidence in German technology and in our association, we have not only catered on a large scale but also for small companies.”

He added, “Airport Show is one of the most attended aviation events and the show has grown over the years. We are very happy with our association and certainly look forward to our participation in the show next year.”

The France Pavilion, which made its first appearance at the Airport Show nine years ago, featured 14 exhibitors, providing the participants of the world’s leading B2B event for the airport industry the opportunity to gain insights into their latest portfolio of products and expertise in different domains.

The SWISS Pavilion was organised

June 2017

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UAE in Focus

by T-LINK, which serves export oriented Swiss companies as an ideal networking platform to access the local market or to extend present business relationships.

The Swiss and UK pavilions included 12 exhibitors each this year. The North American pavilion had seven exhibitors, while the China, Denmark and Benelux pavilions had 23 exhibitors.

Hosted Buyers

The Business Connect programme at the Airport Show, that witnessed

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June 2017

participation from over 200 buyers from more than 50 regional authorities, provided unparalleled opportunities to the participants.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East said there were more than 1,500 meetings every day during the show.

UAE in Focus

4th WTCEME

The 4th World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo Middle East (WTCEME), concluded successfully with exhibitors exploring new opportunities generated with the strong growth in the region’s aviation sector.

The Middle East region commands a big chunk in the global travel catering market, estimated at $15 billion and expected to increase to $17.6 billion by 2020. The region’s share in the global travel catering market has been fast rising above the global average growth of five per cent due to massive expansion of airports and airline networks.

More than 70 exhibitors showcased a wide range of travel catering services and solutions, including food, snacks, beverages, food packaging, processing, preparation and preservation equipment, tableware and chinaware, accessories, toiletries and travel amenities at the WTCEME.

Adriano Buono, Sales Manager, Laurieri, said the exhibition was good this time. “We met a couple of people and expect business deals later-on.”

The company already supplies its products to big airlines such as Al Italia, Air France, Swiss Air Austrian Airlines, and Saudi Airlines among others.

Buono mentioned that the company will participate in this exhibition next year. This year, it was their second participation.

Another Italian company Forno Damiani showcased their signature items at the show. Rita Preziotti, Marketing Manager of Italy’ leading snacks company launched its new products at the exhibition. “We introduced a new range of seven products at the exhibition. This is our first time and the exhibition was good to connect with aviation industry people,” she said.

June 2017

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UAE in Focus

During another key-note address, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Deputy Director General Omar Bin Ghaleb talked about UAE Aviation Outlook 2025. He hoped that by 2025 the country will successfully address many of the challenges to the industry by adopting corrective measures.

Global Airport Leaders Forum Dubai invested around $7.8 billion (GALF) during the last two years to improve

Aviation leaders and experts highlighted key aviation industry issues, challenges and opportunities for the industry worldwide during the 5th Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), co0located with the Airport Show.

the infrastructure. “We are planning to increase the capacity of Dubai Airports to 118 million passengers by 2023 and we are expecting the number of passengers to increase at both the airports to 90 million by the end of 2017,” said Griffiths.

The aviation industry experts highlighted that the industry is facing short-term and long-term challenges and there are also opportunities on increasing travel demand in the wake of competitive price on lower oil price.

Dubai International ranked the world’s busiest airport for international traffic.

Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Airports, in his keynote address, talked about oil price, global economy, political unrest and consumer confidence as short-term factors. “If oil price goes up it will be another problem for the industry,” Griffiths said.

He added that technology, urbanisation, economic balance of power and resource scarcity are the long-term factors. He appreciated the role of technology to increase the customer experience at the airports. The cost of infrastructure improvement is phenomenally high for any airport, he said adding that smart technology can play an important role to improve the capacity and service.

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June 2017

Aviation sector is contributing a lot to Dubai’s GDP and also creating a lot of employment opportunities.

He mentioned that the aviation will contribute $88.1 billion or 45 per cent of the Dubai GDP by 2030.

Aviation industry is going through a lot of changes in the wake of some uncertainties but it is a very interesting place to be, said Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman of CAPA- Centre for Aviation.

Women in Aviation

Women in Aviation Middle East, hosted its 2nd General Assembly of Women in Aviation, held during the Airport Show.

The general assembly was attended by eminent international women aviation leaders, aviation industry professionals and women aspiring to join aviation sector. The general assembly and career orientation programme provided the participants an opportunity to get inspired and hear women who are motivating millions with their success in this sector.

UAE in Focus

Among the sessions were a special panel on ‘Inspirational Stories’ of the most successful and talented women in aviation around the world who have made it to the top of their organisations, a session exploring the wide spectrum of roles in aviation, as well as a practical guide on how to excel in these roles for aspiring young professionals, a presentation on key developments that will shape the Middle East’s future aviation landscape and the economic stimulus these will create for the region and a panel discussion on preparing

the aviation leaders of tomorrow. The 17th Airport Show was supported

by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), Dubai Airports, dnata, Supply Chain and Logistics Group (SCLG) of Middle East and UAE Contractors’ Association, alongwith with emaratech as the gold sponsor, FMT as the silver sponsor and Huawei as the ICT Partner. 

June 2017

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UAE in Focus

Exhibitors at Airport Show, the world’s largest annual B2B aviation event, held from May 15-17, 2017, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

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June 2017

UAE in Focus

May 2017

June 2017

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Interview

Maximus Air eyes expansion

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aximus Air is looking to expand its fleet and reach to new markets, according to its top official.

Operating out of Abu Dhabi Airport, Maximus Air specialises in endto-end cargo solutions, especially moving outsized air cargo, using a fleet that includes an Antonov AN124-100 and two Ilyushin IL-76TDs. “We have three aircraft and we are looking to expand. We always look at opportunities in niche markets,” Maximus Air director Antonov & Illyushin Fleet Tony Sanders told Via Dubai.

The cargo carrier’s other segments include VIP transport; the transportation of dangerous goods; equestrian and other live animals; rapid response; and humanitarian relief goods.

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June 2017

As the most versatile of air cargo companies in the region, Maximus Air is capable of carrying loads up to 120 tonnes, from a small package that fits on a cargo pallet to a virtual ‘palace-on-wheels’, either through major airports or less established landing fields. “Our business is very good and we are pleased with the direction our business taken,” Sanders said.

Maximus Air can carry huge piece of cargo and very heavy piece of cargo as well, he informed. “Our system onboard is designed to carry very large pieces safely,” he added. The airline can go anywhere in the world, he said, adding that Maximus Air is authorised to

operate in all continents including the US, South America, etc.

Responding a question about offices in other parts of the word, he replied: “These time with modern communication there is no need to have offices everywhere. We can serve anywhere in the world from our Abu Dhabi office.”

The company’s philosophy is rooted in offering customers responsive, practical, and cost-effective solutions which combine a personal approach with customer service.

This approach has led to it being crowned Cargo Operator of the Year (Cargo Airline) in 2008, 2010 and 2011 Middle East Supply Chain & Transport Awards. 

Interview

‘Middle East aviation highly progressive in adopting latest innovative solutions’

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nalogic Corporation, US-based leading edge healthcare and security technology solutions provider, made its Middle East debut of ConneCT, a breakthrough in checkpoint security scanning technology, during the recently held Airport Show in Dubai.

The company, which has been providing solutions to airports for over 16 years, views the Middle East aviation as a high potential market, that is keen on adopting latest innovative solutions.

Talking to Via Dubai, Mark Laustra, VP Global BD & Government Relations, Analogic, said the transformation being witnessed in Dubai is exemplary and Middle East cities are highly progressive when it comes to adopting the latest technology.

“The Middle East debut of ConneCT reflects our keenness to enter the Middle East market, which is very progressive. ConneCT is designed to dramatically improve security, lower

airport screening costs and increase passenger throughout using an upgradeable computed tomography (CT) platform that makes it easy for airports and regulators to respond to changing security and operational requirements,” he said.

open the bags and the system easily detects sensitive items and explosives. It increases passenger throughput significantly as it can scan over 300 passengers per hour compared to the existing 150 an hour,” said Laustra.

With features including an open network architecture, industry leading 3D imaging technology, and automated threat detection, it represents a transformative advancement in the security industry, comparable to the advent of smartphone in the telecom industry. “The existing technology uses 2D scanning, which means you cannot see underneath the bag without opening it, but in case of ConneCT, there is no need to

Asked about the challenges airports will face with international passenger numbers expected to rise to 7.2 billion by 2032, Laustra said airports need to not only invest in technology, but also integrate its use.

As airports worldwide explore new types of security lanes and tray return systems intended to streamline security process, Analogic says ConneCT was engineered to integrate with a wide variety of tray return systems, allowing airports to optimize checkpoints with the tray return systems of their choice.

The next-gen checkpoint scanner has an open architecture, allowing regulators to respond faster to threats. The ‘open system approach’, combined with Analogic’s superior 3D imaging technology, automated threat detection software, airport friendly user interface, and streamlined design will give airports in the Middle East the world class security solution they require, said Jim Ryan, senior Vice President of Security and Detection Systems. 

June 2017

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UAE in Focus

Dubai airport handles 7.6 m passengers in April

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otal flight movements reach 35,285; Average number of passengers per movement 225; Dubai International handled 217,881 tonnes of freight. Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed more than 7.6 million passengers in April, 2017.

Passenger numbers reached 7,622,946 in April, up 9.2 per cent compared to 6,979,063 recorded during the same month in 2016.

Following four months of robust growth, the year to date traffic reached 30,119,542 compared to 27,926,958 passengers during the corresponding period last year, an

increase of 7.8 per cent. During April, the average number of passengers per movement was 225, an increase of 7.1 per cent year-on-year.

Total flight movements also grew by around 1 per cent to reach 35,285 in April. In terms of cargo, Dubai International handled 217,881 tonnes

of freight in April, up 1.9 per cent compared to the same month last year.

Regionally, the Indian subcontinent saw the biggest volume with over 1.69 million passengers, followed by Western Europe (1.67 million), and the GCC (1.3 million). 

Jet Aviation to go operational at VIP Terminal

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and intends to hold a grand opening at the Dubai Airshow in November 2017.

Jet Aviation plans to go operational at the world’s largest purpose-built VIP Terminal in third quarter 2017,

The up-scale 600-square meter FBO will feature three customer lounges, a conference room, crew lounge and operations center, two prayer rooms,

et Aviation and Al Mulla Business Group are outfitting a brand new facility in the shared terminal at Dubai South.

shower facilities and a separate sitting room for chauffeurs.

A large Duty Free store is also located at the executive terminal.

Until a hangar facility at Dubai South becomes available, the company will offer line maintenance services through the FBO and continue to provide base maintenance services through its MRO facility at Dubai International Airport.

“We’ve had a number of recent developments in our global FBO network, but given the policy emphasis on migrating business aviation traffic through Dubai to DWC, we are very pleased to soon reopen our FBO operation at Dubai South,” said Stefan Benz, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MRO and FBO, EMEA and Asia. 

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June 2017

UAE in Focus

Top graduates to join Abu Dhabi’s ORAT team

Flydubai teams up with Amadeus for loyalty programme

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bu Dhabi Airports has selected 19 candidates from its National Development Programme (NDP) to join its Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) team, which was launched earlier this year to prepare the Midfield Terminal Building for operations.

The candidates were selected based on their educational qualifications and performance in the NDP at Abu Dhabi Airports. The move to the ORAT team will give them the opportunity to engage in on-site training and experience to enable them play their role in operating

the new terminal once it comes on line, the airport said. The Abu Dhabi Airports board of directors invited the candidates to its most recent board meeting, which was held at the MTB site, in one of the piers.

Chairman, Awaidah Murshed Al Marrar, said: “This move is not only significant for these young national elites, but also for us at Abu Dhabi Airports, as we know we can only deliver a sustainable aviation industry by empowering and training the youth of this nation to become their future leaders.”

DCAF’s second hangar completion on track

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C Aviation Al-Futtaim, a joint venture between DC Aviation Group based in Germany and Al-

Futtaim, has announced that its second hangar located at Dubai South is on course for completion before the end of the year.

The 6,800sqm hangar will more than double the hangar capacity bringing its total land-side plot area to 24,000sqm and apron area to 13,000sqm. The new hangar will enable DCAF to add two singleaisle aircraft maintenance bays and provide enough space for an additional workshop and equipment storage. 

ow-cost carrier flydubai said Amadeus’ technology has enabled it to develop a loyalty programme ‘OPEN’ with an innovative and flexible approach to meet traveller needs.

The programme allows travellers to earn points, with at least one OPEN reward point for every $1 spent (excluding tax and fees).

The programme also includes a co-branded credit card through a partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank.

“Amadeus’ cutting edge technology has enabled flydubai to develop a loyalty programme with an innovative and flexible approach that truly meets traveller needs,” said a statement.

“We had clear objectives when we were designing our Rewards programme. OPEN, flydubai’s new rewards programme, is simple and straightforward.

Our rewards programme gives our members the ability to earn points easily, spend points at any time, flexibility on how they pay and can earn points together,” said Nahed Al Kheily, Vice President of Ancillary Revenue at flydubai.

Travellers can team up with family and friends to pool points, and the programme also includes a co-branded credit card through a partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank.

June 2017

23

Middle East News

Kuwait Airways reviews its strategic plan

fleeting exercise. It is building a new temporary terminal to ease congestion at Kuwait International Airport and is investing heavily to improve staff training.

The national carrier of Kuwait aims to win back passengers who have been lured away by newer fleets and larger route networks of other Gulf carriers.

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he state-owned carrier Kuwait Airways’ new CEO Ebrahim Abdullah Al-Khuzam said he will make a thorough assessment and review on the progress of the airline’s five-year strategic plan.

Earlier Kuwait Airways appointed AlKhuzam as its new CEO, succeeding Rasha Al-Roumi, who resigned in April. Al-Roumi also held the post of chairwoman. Al-Khuzam was appointed

MEA to beef up fleet with 10 new Airbus A 321s

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ebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) is expected to receive 10 new Airbus 321 planes as of 2019 to beef up its current fleet, according to the Chairman of the national carrier Mohamad al-Hout. “The first five Airbus planes will be delivered to us in 2019 and in 2021 we will expect to receive the remaining five,” Hout said at news conference on the occasion of codeshare agreement between MEA and Turkish Airlines. The airlines began codeshare from May 15., 2017. El-Hout said the agreement was “signed between two members of two different airline alliances, which proves the ability of both carriers to expand their networks to cities not served by their aircraft.” 

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June 2017

to the airline’s board in April and has now assumed the additional role of CEO. Al-Khuzam was formerly the MD of AREF Investment Group and has held several other senior positions in finance and telecommunications companies.

The state-owned carrier, which had been in the doldrums for much of the 1990s and 2000s, is undergoing a major re-

Al-Khuzam said, “While it will be my job to assess the progress Kuwait Airways is making, with regards to the five-year transformation plan, I would like to assure all passengers, employees and stakeholders that the ambitious acquisition strategy of 35 new aircraft by 2021—and a thorough reform of the airline’s operations, commercial and service infrastructure—will be a consistent guideline for taking the airline forward over the coming years.” 

Royal Jordanian receives 7 Boeing 787-8s

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oyal Jordanian has received all seven of its ordered Boeing 787-8s which Chairman Said Darwazeh described as an important factor in helping the carrier respond to competitors.

The sixth and seventh 787s entered service over the past year on a capital lease basis, a payment method that ends with ownership of the aircraft.

The first five 787s were acquired on an operational lease basis.

Meanwhile, the airline reported a 2016 net loss of JD24.6 million ($34.5 million), a sharp reversal from 2015’s net profit of JD16 million. The Jordanian national

carrier cited hefty provisions for foreign exchange losses for the negative results.

Another important development is the appointment of a new CEO. The airline has appointed Stefan Pichler as President and CEO. Pichler, former CEO of airberlin, succeeds Suleiman Obeidat.

Chairman Said Darwazah noted Pichler’s three decades of airline industry experience, which has included positions as managing director at Fiji Airways and CEO at Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways. Pichler started his career in sales at Lufthansa, working his way up to become CCO of the German flag carrier. 

Middle East News

Middle East to lead global airline industry growth

T New Gulf Air board to redraw growth plan

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ulf Air’s new board is currently assessing and tailoring the Bahrain national carrier’s business strategy focusing on the airline’s future within the dynamic field of aviation and in line with the airline’s longstanding mission.

“We are optimistic for what the future holds for our national carrier,” said Gulf Air board Chairman Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

He was speaking after the first board of directors meeting following the appointment of its new members and under the chairmanship Alzayani.

he Middle East is set to be the fastest-growing region of the world for the airline industry this year, according to new forecasts issued by ratings agency Moody’s, with the highest growth in terms of both new airline capacity and revenue passenger kilometres (RPK, a common industry metric).

its report that the Middle East carriers’ traffic growth slowed to 4.9 per cent in March compared to a year ago, which was a considerable slowing from January and February year-over-year demand growth.

“The Middle East and Asia-Pacific will continue to lead among all regions, with RPK growth of 9 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively,” said Jonathan Root, Vice President at Moody’s. “However, these rates represent declines of 1.8 and 1.9 percentage points in their respective growth rates.”

This is related more to developments seen last year, while any impacts from the laptop ban will be visible from April results onward. Overall, however, the region has seen the fastest year-on-year growth in international RPKs so far this year, with robust growth on routes to and from Asia and Europe. Capacity increased 9.4 per cent, and load factor dropped 3.1 percentage points to 73.1 per cent.

In comparison, Africa will enjoy growth in RPK of 4.5 per cent (down 1.3 percentage points compared to last year) and North America will see growth of 2.5 per cent (down 0.7 percentage points). Latin America and Europe are both predicted to see an acceleration in RPK growth of 0.5 and 0.2 percentage points respectively, taking both to 4 per cent. Meanwhile, IATA said in

The financial impact of weak oil prices is the main cause of slower growth in the Middle East, as it leads to lower levels of economic activity in the region. Moody’s said it expects GDP growth in the Gulf in 2017-18 to remain weak by historical standards, with an average of 1.6 per cent across the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 

He stressed the importance of professional synergies and collective efforts in support of Bahrain’s national carrier and for the greater benefit of the kingdom.

“Today’s meeting was not only an important strategic milestone in support of our mutual endeavours and mission to direct and support Gulf Air, but it marked a critical junction whereby momentum was set for our airline’s future trajectory. 

June 2017

25

International News

Russia forays into production of commercial aircraft

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ussia has formally forayed into production of mainline commercial aircraft with the successful maiden flight of its new MS-21 medium range passenger plane on May 28, 2017.

Manufacturer Irkut Corporation and its state-controlled parent company United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said an MS-21-300 model had successfully completed a 30-minute flight at a height of 1,000 metres and traveling at 300 km an hour.

Squeezed by Western sanctions over its role in the Ukraine crisis, Russia is trying to rejuvenate domestic

industrial production to make the country less dependent on foreign firms.

The test flight comes just three weeks after China staged the maiden flight of its new C919 passenger jet, highlighting the growing competition to industry heavyweights Boeing and

Airbus. Russian officials have said the MS-21 is superior to its Westernmade counterparts in many respects and will be snapped up by both Russian and foreign carriers, but Western analysts says both Russia and China face a huge challenge to shatter the transatlantic airplane duopoly. 

China-Russia jv to develop widebody planes to rival Airbus A330-900 C hina’s Comac and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation officially established their joint venture to develop a long-range widebody airliner.

Dubbed China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Company (Craic), the entity established what UAC calls an “equivalence principle,” under which each side takes a 50 per cent share in the program—known as the C929 by the Chinese. It remains unclear whether the sides have agreed on a name, however, given that the Russian partner believes it implies a Comac designation. The agreement calls for final assembly in Shanghai.

Craic’s board of directors consists of four members from each side; UAC

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June 2017

appointed its vice president, Vladislav Masilov, as the company’s first chairman, while Comac nominated its assistant president and general manager of its widebody arm, Guo Bozhi, as Craic’s first general manager.

The new widebody would seat some 280 passengers and fly to a range of

6,500 nautical miles, placing it roughly in the category of the Airbus A330900. The airplane, an agreement to establish a partnership for which Comac and UAC signed in June of last year during Russian president Vladimir Putin’s official visit to China, would cost between $13 billion and $20 billion to develop. 

International News

IATA warns against possible new electronics ban

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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed alarm at the possibility of an extension to passengers departing European airports of the US ban on large personal electronic devices in the cabins of airliners as officials from the Department of Homeland Security met with European Commission officials.

In a letter to EC Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc and US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac urged the adoption of several short-term measures as an alternative to the broad extension of the current ban on devices such as laptop computers from several origin airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The measures, said de Juniac, would mitigate the danger of

a large number of lithium batterypowered devices in airplanes’ cargo holds, a prospect IATA considers an unacceptable risk.

The measures IATA recommends include the use of explosive trace detection at primary and secondary checkpoints, visual inspection of PEDs for signs of tampering, passenger

questioning about the purposes and origin of the device, the possibility of turning on the device to help determine its provenance, the deployment of “behavioral detection” officers and canines, recognition of trusted traveler programs and the identification of high or low-risk passengers, and increased training for screeners to detect PEDbased threats. 

FAA asks airlines to remove unsafe seats

The seats could cause neck injuries during otherwise survivable crash landings.

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he US Federal Aviation Administration is ordering airlines to remove a specific kind of seat from some smaller airliners because of the risk of neck injuries in survivable crashes.

The order covers 10,482 seats used mostly on mostly smaller regional jets.

Airlines will have five years to remove the seats.

Airlines, including some from other countries worried about meeting the standard, complained it would be uneconomical to fly with fewer seats on their planes.

Airlines complain the order will cost them millions more than the nearly $900,000 that the FAA estimates it will cost US carriers to remove the seats.

The FAA says the seats can slide forward in crashes and cause passengers’ heads to slide down the back of the seats in front of them, hitting their chins on the tray tables.

Zodiac Seats California, the seat maker, and two companies that use the seats in their planes, Canada’s Bombardier and Brazil’s Embraer, argued that the order was based on limited research.

Delta Air Lines called for more testing.

At issue are the “Slim” or “Slimplus” seats made by Zodiac Seats California LLC. The seats are on planes such as Boeing’s 717-200 and MD-90-30 aircraft, Bombardier’s CRJ700, CRJ900 and Q400 aircraft, and Embraer’s E170 and E190 planes.

Zodiac, Bombardier, regional airline SkyWest and others protested that the FAA underestimated the cost of removing 10,482 seats, which the FAA put at $890,970.

The seats have been installed on planes including some models of Boeing 717s and MD-90s, Bombardier Series 900s, and Embraer 190s and ERJ 170s. 

June 2017

27

Opinion

Optimising capacity T

he growth of air transport has led to increased congestion both at airports and in the airspace.

Worldwide, some 300 airports are directly affected by airport coordination, meaning that a slot allocation process needs to be imposed or voluntarily applied.

Of these, over 180 are fully coordinated airports, an increase from 142 in 2012.

With the constraints on increasing capacity in the short- and medium-term, it is likely that many airports will continue to be slot constrained. Traffic congestion at airports obviously causes delays for airlines and passengers, with the associated costs for both. But traffic congestion can lead to lowered growth in air service which tends to flatten where slot constraint persists. This constraint on volume growth in turn can lower the social and economic benefits that airports generate, decrease network connectivity and increase ticket prices as incumbent airlines face decreased competition.

It is the best interest of airport operators and the communities they serve to promote efficiency in the allocation and use of the capacity that they build, maintain and operate. Airport infrastructure is an expensive and limited resource yet airport operators have historically had little or no influence on the decision-making with respect to slot allocations.

Airports Council International (ACI) through its Expert Group on Slots urges states to facilitate more effective engagement by all stakeholders, including airport operators, to improve industry guidance on slot allocation that takes national interests and drivers of economic benefit into account, such as accommodating new entrants to drive trade and tourism.

This approach was welcomed by states during the 39th Triennial International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. Deficiencies in the slot allocation

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Angela Gittens Director General, ACI World

process were agreed to be addressed by the aviation industry through the Strategic Review of the World Slots Guidelines (WSG) to ensure that a globally compatible process is maintained.

The Strategic Review of the WSG is a collaborative initiative among ACI, the World Wide Airport Coordinators Group (WWACG) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), with the objective to improve and optimize the WSG so that all stakeholders contribute and benefit from a harmonized global process. Over the next three years, ACI, the WWACG and IATA will engage states and other stakeholders and report to the next ICAO Assembly, where conclusions of this important project will be drawn. ď‚ƒ

Opinion

Cyber resilience steps needed O

ur collaborative future will be characterized by cyber security threats, aircraft tracking and satellite-based surveillance and increasing proliferation of new unmanned and space-based operations and many more technological and institutional changes.

While ICAO has been active for almost a decade now in the safe integration of larger Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) which engage in cross-border operations, we have now been called upon by our member states to develop a UAS (unmanned aircraft system) airspace management tool for lower altitudes, along with drone registration and identification solutions.

Our goal is to develop an effective air traffic management system for UAS, and to better define the issues involved – whether technical, operational or legal – while ensuring safety remains the underlying priority. The sooner this framework is agreed upon globally, the sooner industry will be able to launch their UAS businesses within a more harmonized environment globally.

Dr. Fang Liu Secretary General International Civil Aviation Organization

heed to these risks, we must be cautious as well given that the increasing integration of such systems, due to cost or other factors, can also lead to single points of failure being established which can increase, rather than mitigate aviation’s overall cyber vulnerability. 

Edited excerpts of a speech at the Meeting of European and North Atlantic Directors General of Civil Aviation in Paris.

Cyber security too poses many challenges for international aviation and air transport more generally.

Whether we are talking the hardware and software supply chain, the up-loading of flight or entertainment data and software to aircraft, reservations networks which can disrupt scheduling, or Air Traffic Management systems and communications, we must be fully conscious of the fact that many of our legacy technologies and related procedures have not benefitted from more modern, security-by-design architecture.

This points to the need for near-term prioritisation of suitable back-up systems and procedures, cyber resilience steps, and security overlays. But as we pay

June 2017

29

ATM

Airports to switch to virtual control towers

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pioneering new digital air traffic control system will enhance safety and improve resilience, setting a new standard for the global aviation industry. Efficiency and safety are the driving forces behind the use of remote towers.

Remote towers are planned in a number of countries. Remote tower solutions provide a smarter approach to air traffic control by digitising and integrating airport functions.

The state-of-the-art technology from Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions, which is tried and tested and already in use at Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall airports in Sweden, offers several advantages for efficient air traffic management.

In 2019 NATS, Britain’s air-traffic management company, will replace the control tower at London City Airport with a remote service operating at NATS’s air-traffic control centre 145 km away. Saab has been testing the idea in several places outside Sweden.

One is Australia, where video from the airport at Alice Springs, in the middle of the country, has been transmitted

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June 2017

to air-traffic controllers in Adelaide, 1,500 km away on the south coast.

London City Airport has announced it is to become the first UK airport to build and operate a digital air traffic control tower, with a multi-million pound investment in the technology.

By introducing a completely digitalized panoramic view, a new world of aerodrome control emerges. Saab and the Swedish Air Navigation Service Provider, LFV, have successfully collaborated to put world’s first Remote Tower into operation.

These remote control towers receive a live video feed from cameras positioned around an airfield. The images are stitched together by computer and displayed on screens to create a virtual view of the runways and taxiways being monitored. In

some cases the screens surround the air-traffic controllers, creating a 360° image. Separate screens can be used to display different airfields, because some remote towers will control flights in and out of a number of airports.

Efficiency and safety are the driving forces behind the use of remote towers.

They offer the prospect of substantial savings as airports no longer need to build and maintain expensive tall structures. Operating costs should also fall, if air-traffic controllers are shared between a number of airports.

Such savings should particularly help little-used airfields, which would pay for control-tower services only when needed. In Norway’s case, the overall cost of air-traffic services at the airports involved is expected fall by 30-40 per cent. That means lower fees for airlines and cheaper fares for passengers. 

ATM

North European Free Route Airspace established T

he north European Free Route Airspace programme (NEFRA) has celebrates its successful completion.

The programme launched in 2013 when six north European pledged to establish seamless cross border Free Route operations between Danish/Swedish and North European functional airspace blocks (FABs).

The ambitious plans have now become reality through a series of operational and technical enhancements allowing

operators to plan and fly the most efficient trajectories above FL285 irrespective of FAB borders.

The final NEFRA’s milestone was successfully accomplished on May 25 by connecting the Free Route Airspace (FRA) in Norway with the seamless FRA area already available across Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden. This has expanded the area where aircraft operators can fly their preferred trajectories as if in one airspace, marking completion of the four-year programme.

The NEFRA programme has been a cooperative effort by technical and operational experts from six air navigation service providers in neighbouring Danish/Swedish and North European FABs – Avinor, EANS, Finavia (now ANS Finland), LGS, LFV, and Naviair.

It originated from regional FAB-wide FRA initiatives in DK/SE FAB and NEFAB, setting cross border free route operations as the ultimate goal for ensuring the most costeffective and fuelefficient flights in the whole area. 

China to reform air space management C hinese regulators will submit proposals to reform management of the country’s air space in a bid to ease flight delays and boost aviation growth, one of the country’s top air traffic control officials said.

He said air space congestion was becoming particularly severe around Beijing and the Pearl River Delta, requiring current governance systems and capabilities to be modernized.

Cai Jun,Deputy Director of the Air Traffic Control Commission, said that the plan aims to eventually integrate civil and military management of China’s air space and improve the country’s flight route network.

“We understand that reforming the management of the airspace...is an essential need,” said Cai, whose Air Traffic Control Commission is overseen

by China’s State Council and Central Military Commission.

“Pushing ahead with civil and military integration is an important measure and a requirement that will help us adjust to the global air traffic management system and accelerate China’s transformation into an aviation power.”

China is set to overtake the United States as the world’s largest aviation market by 2024, but airlines and travelers often complain that the military can unilaterally cancel or delay commercial flights for reasons such as military exercises.

Local media estimate the military may control up to four-fifths of the country’s airspace. The staterun China Daily newspaper said in January that China’s flight delays averaged at 33 minutes last year, and that the country’s biggest airports in Shanghai and Beijing faced the worst delays. 

June 2017

31

ATM

InFlight Labs launches autonomous tracking system

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nFlight Labs has developed the first autonomous distressed aircraft tracking system that communicates via a satellite-toaircraft link that is activated by ATC.

The tamper-proof Smart GADSS system continuously tracks the aircraft through all phases of flight via global navigation satellite systems and the search and rescue satellite constellation.

It follows a 2015 decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to recommend airlines fulfil a requirement for a 15-minute aircraft tracking standard.

US-based InFlight Labs provides industry-leading solutions for realtime distressed aircraft tracking that supports the Global Aircraft Tracking initiatives and meets the world-wide ICAO mandates for ELT and GADSS. The recommended standard is performance-based and not prescriptive, meaning that airlines would be able to meet it using the available and planned technologies and procedures they deem suitable and would provide for a future Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS).

The concept of operations for the GADSS was developed by ICAO over 2014, subsequent to the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 and then by a special multidisciplinary meeting on global flight tracking which ICAO which was convened soon after. InFlight Labs said its Smart GADSS system is a

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game changer for tracking aircraft that may be in a distressed situation or for an aircraft that is no longer in communication with ATC and are presumed missing.

The unique feature of Smart GADSS is the fact that it can be activated when there is a loss of either radio or transponder communication with an aircraft, or when a pilot squawks a 7700-emergency message, or broadcasts a mayday distress call. It can also be reset while an aircraft is in flight; thus making it the first GADSS to offer this functionality.

Further, had this technology been installed on Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, InFlight Labs said the aircraft would have been tracked through all phases of the flight.

Smart GADSS was developed so that another incident like MH370 never happens again, according to company spokesman Joseph Bekanich.

The Smart GADSS tracks the distressed aircraft using GPS-based technology as well as the global search and rescue satellite constellation (COSPAS-SAT) allowing continuous tracking of an aircraft’s location at one minute intervals. Smart GADSS can also send a detailed burst message to selected aviation and government authorities, providing them with information regarding geographic position, altitude, and

airspeed, among other things, within moments of a triggering event.

In addition, Smart GADSS has developed a complement of smart products such as Smart ELT (which can trigger the existing ELT during an inflight crisis either by preprogrammed parameters or by ground-based command, i.e. ATC) and Smart ADS-B. The smart technology is also configurable to be activated by other avionics such as a FDR, ADS-B, TAWS, or the aircraft transponder, monitoring avionics to detect an anomaly or power interruption and triggering either the Smart GADSS and/or Smart ELT. “The self-powered Smart GADSS weighing less than 2 lbs, and is designed to plug and play into the existing aircraft’s electrical/avionics systems architecture without any modification to the existing avionics interface or wire configuration; thus minimising the cost of fleet deployment,” said Bekanich.

“Smart GADSS is a powerful asset that will offer real-time assistance to track missing or distressed aircraft on a world-wide basis. InFlight Labs’ Smart Avionics will fill the void for global aircraft tracking, addressing avionics anomalies, power interruptions, and device tampering concerns.” 

ATM

June 2017

33

Airlines

Cathay Pacific cut staff in turnaround strategy

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athay Pacific is to shed almost 600 staff in the biggest round of job cuts made by Hong Kong’s flagship airline in 20 years.

Airline staff are told that 190 management jobs are to go immediately and that a further 400 non-management staff will be cut by mid-June. The cuts are one of the first major tasks overseen by new chief executive Rupert Hogg, who replaced Ivan Chu Kwok-leung earlier this month.

Hong Kong’s flagship airline – comprising Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon – has been haemorrhaging cash in recent years and lost HK$3 billion in the past year alone. Due to better performance in other areas of the business – such as catering and its shareholding in Air China – overall losses were HK$575 million over the same period.

Losses have mounted due to cheaper airfares and a slump in the number of passengers using business class. Rising competition from Middle East carriers and state-owned Chinese airlines have

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taken a toll, alongside the company continuing to pay a high price for fuel after failing to anticipate a collapse in the price of oil.

No department will be spared from the broad review of staffing costs, productivity and efficiency, which will affect all employee levels. The most senior and middle-ranking managerial posts would be targeted first before the company reviews lower-ranking posts in areas where duplication and overlap exist.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are expected to be saved with the 600 job losses, and the redundancy measures will go some way to reaching a 30 per cent cost reduction target at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters in Hong Kong.

As many as 800 job cuts were initially being considered, the sources said.

The city’s premier carrier, also one of Asia’s biggest international airlines, is in the early stages of a three-year programme to turn around losses in the business, and is aiming to save HK$4 billion in costs over the period, including HK$2 billion this year and HK$1 billion in each of the following two years.

One of the airline’s major shareholders, Air China, has described the cost-cutting plan as “feasible”.

Cathay currently employs 19,000 people based in Hong Kong. Not counting frontline staff, including pilots and cabin crew, that leaves 5,300 employees in a variety of head office functions.

Savings from staff costs – HK$19.7 billion last year – could be tricky. The airline is expected to add 1,300 cabin crew this year, while cutting management and costs at its headquarters. 

June 2017

35

Airlines

IndiGo to launch regional operations with up to 50 ATRs

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ndia’s IndiGo has placed a conditional order for 50 ATR 72600s, signalling the low-fare carrier’s intention to launch regional operations by the end of the year and take delivery of as many as 20 of the Franco-Italian turboprops by the end of 2018.

Under the term sheet signed between IndiGo and ATR, the airline can reduce the number of airplanes delivered “under certain conditions.” The value of the commitment, if completely fulfilled, would total $1.3 billion based on list prices and rank as one of ATR’s largest ever orders.

known as UDAN, established to boost economic development, employment and tourism by better connecting small and remote cities.

IndiGo’s plan coincides with the launch of the Indian government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme, also

India’s airlines carried nearly 100 million passengers domestically last year, and official projections call for continued annual growth rate of more than 20 per cent, making it the world’s third largest market by 2020. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, India expects to see 100 new airports built within the next two to three years, while the government grants financial support and other incentives to make air travel affordable. 

Qantas A380 gets new engine as investigations get underway

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WO investigations are underway into the engine shutdown on a Qantas A380 two hours into a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne recently. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is examining why the

fourth engine dramatically lost power as the aircraft climbed past 33,000feet, prompting the flight crew to take action. With the temperature soaring, the far right engine was shut down and the aircraft returned

to LA where it underwent immediate inspection. Qantas confirmed a replacement engine had arrived in LA and the A380 was expected to be back in service soon.

As well as assisting the ATSB, Qantas was undertaking its own investigation into the incident late Saturday night Australian time.

Airline spokesman Stephen Moynihan said they believed the engine failed due to a problem with the low pressure turbine.

“We’re talking to Rolls Royce, as the manufacturer, to understand why this happened,” said Mr Moynihan.

“The engine itself will be sent back to Rolls Royce to be assessed. 

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June 2017

Airlines

Airbus delay hits Ethiopian Airlines’ business class goals E

thiopian Airlines was betting Airbus SE’s new A350 widebody would help it lure lucrative businessclass passengers away from the likes of Emirates, but nagging delivery issues are putting Africa’s largest carrier behind schedule.

The airline won’t receive 10 new planes by the end of June as planned, with some coming as late as next year, Thomas Gabreyohannes, the carrier’s director for Germany and central Europe, said in an interview. Ethiopian is counting on the A350s to increase sales of premium tickets, similar to the boost it saw after becoming the first African airline to fly Boeing Co’s 787 long-haul Dreamliners.

“When we received the Dreamliner,

our business-class traffic jumped,” Gabreyohannes said in Frankfurt. “We hope the A350 will have the same impact.”

The delay represents a stumbling block for state-owned Ethiopian, which despite regional political unrest and violence, is increasingly challenging bigger rivals that have

extensive African routes. Ethiopian has built one of Africa’s rare corporate success stories with the continent’s only consistently profitable airline shuttling passengers from around the world to more than 50 African cities in addition to dozens of destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, mimicking models like that of Dubaibased Emirates. 

PAL aims to become 4-star airline this year

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hilippine Airlines (PAL) is aiming to become a four-star airline this year, bringing it closer to its target to join the ranks of five-star carriers by 2020.

“We’re working to become a fourstar airline by the end of the year,”

manage its fleet and reach its earlier announced goal of achieving five-star full service carrier status by 2020.

PAL and Cebu Pacific currently have three-star rankings based on the Skytrax World Airline Rating, the leading international airline rating system that classifies carriers by the quality of front line product and staff service standards.

PAL President Jaime J. Bautista said in a briefing. At the same time, the Lucio C. Tan-led flag carrier is keen on concluding talks with a possible foreign partner by year-end, as the airline is open to taking in “more than one investor.” A strategic investor is expected to help PAL better

According to Skytrax’s Web site, the certified 4-star rating “recognizes those airlines that provide a good product standard across different travel categories, combined with delivering good standards of staff service for both the cabin service and their homebase airport environments. 

June 2017

37

Cargo & Logistics

Air freight demand strengthens M iddle Eastern carriers record 16.3% increase in freight volumes as demand remains strong between the Middle East and Europe but traffic to Asia has weakened.

Middle Eastern carriers’ year-onyear freight volumes increased 16.3 per cent in March 2017 and capacity increased 2.7 per cent, according to the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) figures.

International freight volumes increased 16.4 per cent year-on-year in March – the fastest pace since June 2015.

Seasonally-adjusted freight volumes maintained their upward trend.

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The year-on-year growth rate has recovered after having moderated in late-2015 and is now back in line with the long-run average. Demand remains strong between the Middle East and Europe but traffic to Asia has weakened.

IATA released March 2017 demand growth results for global air freight markets showing a 14 per cent expansion measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) compared to the same period last year. This was the

fastest pace of growth recorded since October 2010. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), grew by 4.2 per cent year-on-year in March 2017.

All regions, with the exception of Latin America, reported year-onyear increases in demand in March 2017. Airlines in Europe and AsiaPacific posted the strongest growth accounting for two-thirds of the industry-wide increase in demand.

The remaining growth was split

Cargo & Logistics

between North American and Middle Eastern carriers, with African airlines making a modest contribution.

March performance contributed to very strong first quarter growth in freight volumes. After adjusting for the impact of the leap year in 2016, freight demand in Q1 2017 increased by nearly 11 per cent.

Capacity increased by 3.7 per cent over the same period (leap year adjusted).

The strengthening of air freight demand in March is consistent with an uptick in world trade and a six-year high in new export orders.

An increase in the shipment of silicon materials typically used in high-value consumer electronics shipped by air, is also likely

underpinning a portion of the strong performance.

“March capped a robust first quarter with the strongest year-on-year air freight growth in six-and-ahalf years. Optimism is returning to the industry as the business stabilizes after many years in the doldrums,”said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “There is, however, still much lost ground to recover while facing the dual headwinds of rising fuel and labour costs. It remains critical to use the improvement in the industry’s fortunes as an opportunity to enhance the value offering by implementing modern customer-centric initiatives that streamline processes and reduce costs,” he added. 

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Cargo & Logistics

Emirates SkyCargo offers special service for pharma customers

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mirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has increased the range of solutions available to its pharma customers by entering into agreements for global container rental services with two leading players in the market: SkyCell and va-Qtec, in addition to its existing cooperation with Envirotainer.

The agreements allow Emirates SkyCargo to offer its customers a variety of specialised temperature controlled containers for the transportation of pharmaceutical or life sciences products.

Emirates SkyCargo’s customers can have temperature sensitive pharma and life sciences products shipped using one of SkyCell’s temperature controlled containers. The Swiss made containers are designed to maintain products at +2°C to +8°C and +15°C to +25°C safely even under extreme outside temperatures such as -35°C to +65°C for several days. The patented containers use innovative material technology to recharge in Emirates SkyCargo’s cool chain network thus enabling “door to door” for a closed supply chain and have close to real time temperature monitoring capability.

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Pharma customers across Emirates SkyCargo’s global network of 155 destinations can now also choose to have their temperature sensitive shipments transported in va-Qtainer’ containers - advanced passive containers providing temperature controlled solutions for six temperature ranges from -70°C to +25°C in extreme ambient conditions. ‘va-Qtainer’ rental containers are available in 5 different sizes taking up to two US pallets inside and offer constant and deviation-free temperature control for several days without using external energy sources.

Emirates SkyCargo’s agreements with SkyCell and va-Q-tec supplement its existing in-house pharma offerings which include the Emirates SkyPharma Cool Dolly which transports cargo from aircraft

to storage areas in Dubai maintaining temperatures as low as -20°C and the ‘White Container’- a special container coated with insulators to counteract high external temperatures, giving customers a wide variety of transportation options for their pharma shipments.

In 2016, Emirates SkyCargo launched Emirates SkyPharma- the air cargo carrier’s complete solution for transporting temperature sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. The carrier also inaugurated a brand new, state of the art facility at Dubai International Airport dedicated to the transport of pharmaceuticals. Emirates SkyCargo operates the world’s largest multiairport hub certified for EU Good Distribution Practice Guidelines (GDP) for medicinal products for human use

by Bureau Veritas Germany. 

Cargo & Logistics

dnata spreads cargo wings

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round handling specialist commences cargo operations in the USA with investments in Houston and Dallas.

Ground handling specialist dnata is spreading its cargo wings more across the world with it reaching an agreement with Lynx Holdings LP to acquire its AirLogistix USA cargo handling operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH) in the USA. The 30,000 sq ft facility includes the only dedicated perishable cargo facility at Houston airport. This state-of-theart cargo handling centre is suitable for all perishable products including pharmaceuticals, fruits, vegetables, fish and flowers, and further establishes dnata as a global leader in perishable cargo handling.

In 2016, over 16,000 tonnes of perishable cargo were handled from this warehouse. In addition to this, the facility also has capacity to handle up to 20,000 tonnes of regular air cargo.

As part of this transaction, AirLogistix USA and dnata have committed to open a similar facility at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in summer 2017. This second facility will be 37,000 sq ft, again including a dedicated perishables handling facility.

“Our strategy is to offer the highest level of service in each market we operate”, said Stewart Angus, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President of International Airport Operations. “The AirLogistix USA operation fits the bill and will further enhance our growing international cargo network. This represents dnata’s first step into the US cargo market.

We look forward to working with the Houston and Dallas Fort Worth Airports to support continued growth at these important airports,” he added.

“Having started the company from the concept of service excellence, I am

delighted that AirLogistix USA will now be part of the dnata team” said Ray Brimble, AirLogistix USA founder and owner. “I am passing AirLogistix USA into good hands. dnata’s commitment to service and safety at the highest standards and its continued investment in its product is in line with our philosophy, and ensures our customers will continue to receive the quality service they expect.” dnata has continued to significantly expand its global cargo offering, including the opening of 18 new cargo facilities in the past five years. With the investments in Houston and Dallas Fort Worth, dnata now handles over 2.8 million tonnes of cargo at 42 airports worldwide.

The experienced management team, including President Kerry Galegher, will remain in place. Employee terms and conditions will also remain unchanged. 

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Technology

JetBlue on trial of self-boarding system

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etBlue is to run a trial of selfboarding using facial recognition on flights between Boston and Aruba. The airline is working with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to test a new biometric selfboarding process as part of ongoing trials to implement a biometric exit process in the future.

JetBlue will be the first airline to integrate with CBP to use biometrics and facial recognition technology to verify passengers at the gate during boarding.

Passengers can join in the trial without prior enrollment or registration. Passengers who want to take part simply step up to the camera for a quick photo, so no need for a boarding pass or passport.

The camera station will connect to CBP to match the image to passport, visa or immigration photos in the CBP database and verify flight details.

The passenger will be notified on an integrated screen above the camera

Robot co-pilot

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S-based Aurora Flight Sciences has successfully demonstrated an autonomous ‘robot pilot’ flying and landing a Boeing 737 in a simulator.

The project has been masterminded by the US Department of Defence’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). Named

Alias (Aircrew Labour In-Cockpit Automation System), the versatile robot pilot has previously flown a Cessna aircraft and even a helicopter.

During the demo, Aurora’s ALIAS technology showcased its ability to assume the functions and land the

when they are cleared to proceed to board.

Removing the passport from the process speeds it up and means the camera area takes up less space than traditional egates.

SITA will supply the technology to capture the facial biometric, integration with the CBP database and JetBlue’s departure control system. JetBlue will issue iPad minis to staff, so that they can help passengers. 

plane in the event the pilot becomes incapacitated.

The ALIAS program seeks to take advantage of advances that have already been made in aircraft automation systems, including progress made in unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), to ultimately help reduce pilot workload, enhance mission performance, and improve aircraft safety.

The ALIAS system includes the use of in-cockpit machine vision, robotic components to actuate the flight controls, a tablet-based user interface, and speech recognition and synthesis. Aurora is also working on a version of the system that aims to support the pilot by tracking the aircraft’s physical, procedural, and mission states, thereby increasing safety by actively updating the pilot’s situational awareness. 

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Technology

RampVR, first virtual reality training tool for ground operations

Rolls-Royce’s BR710 reaches 10 million flight hour milestone

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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched RampVR, the industry’s first virtual reality (VR) training platform for ground operations.

RampVR allows users to safely immerse themselves in ramp operations and experience a variety of scenarios in different operating conditions. RampVR also provides users with built-in metrics to track their performance, and real-time access to key reference material.

RampVR is the latest “plug-andplay” virtual reality training solution for ground operations. It combines high-spec virtual reality hardware and software with IATA training for ground operatios professionals. It complements theoretical knowledge with effective practical training in a very realistic environment, without disrupting active operations on the ramp.

“Improving ramp safety and reducing damage to aircraft and ground equipment through better education and training is an industry priority, but training in this extremely active environment can be a challenge,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Director for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security Products, at the IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) in Bangkok. 

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ntroduced in 1995, the RollsRoyce BR710 powerplant has passed the 10 million flight hour mark, in the process earning a reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency. The engine —which powers large-cabin business jets such as the Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000, as well as Gulfstream’s GV and G550—has helped achieve numerous records for speed and range during its two decade-plus career. Currently, there are more than 3,200 of the engines in service, with more than 70 per

cent of them enrolled in the enginemaker’s CorporateCare support program.

“We’re very proud to have reached this milestone,” noted Stephen Friedrich, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing for business aviation. “The BR700 family, with its combination of modern technology and proven performance, has been very successful for us and the BR710 has propelled our market leadership in this sector.” 

Universal uvGo App for flight plans, airport info

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wo years after launching its uvGo mission-management system, Universal Weather and Aviation has unveiled an iPhone version of the mobile app that provides access to uvGo. With the new version customers will be able to access uvGo using Universal’s iPad app and via the web. The iOS version is a native app and thus capable of storing information on

the mobile device, which facilitates offline access to the information.

The uvGo app provides trip information for Universal customers, including flight plans, worldwide weather, service confirmations, airport and FBO details, fuel pricing for UVair providers, and access to the Satcom Direct FlightDeck Freedom datalink system. 

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