VIA DUBAI ENGLISH OCTOBER 2018

A dream is now a reality

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

Inside DCAA Saudi National Day Celebrations

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www.viadubaionline.com

Issue 65 October 2018

DCAA and DED to 6 strengthen aviation sector Awareness Campaign

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DCAA INTERVIEWS Mohammed Al Ali DCAA’s advancements in work techniques and employees’ efficiency are impressive Nasser Al Najjar DCAA participated in GITEX 2018 as part of Smart Dubai platform

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UAE News Emirates declared fourth 14 busiest airline globally flydubai to operate double daily flights to Kiev Boryspil

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Airports set up incubator labs on their premises

Airport design: Need for human-friendly approach

Chinese Yunnan Province delegation calls to jointly build DAE’s quadruples profit 15 an Air Silk Road between in H1 2018 UAE and China

DUBZ launch luggage pickup, storage and delivery service

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ATM 22

Airlines 23

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Opinion Air transport growth shows remarkable resilience Angela Gittens

Cargo & Logistics 24

Developing aviation is not a race 20

Alexandre de Juniac

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Technology 28

The union is the only guarantee for stability and security in this part of the Arab World, and the interests of the union are above all.

Sayings by Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Message

from the President

A cargo hub of choice

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eing at the crossroads of global trade routes, Dubai has centuries-old history of attracting international trade and commerce. Cargo continues to play a crucial role in its growth and development. Dubai is now the cargo hub of choice with both government and private sector playing an increasingly vital role in its growth.

Cargo tonnage handled in Dubai between 1990 and 2013 grew at an average rate of 13.5 per cent per year, compared to global average trade volume growth of 5.6 per cent per year.

Dubai International posted a record 2.65 million tonnes of cargo for 2017. Al Maktoum International, which began as a cargo airport in 2010, is home to 23 scheduled cargo operators that fly to as many as 68 destinations.

It handled 972,295 tonnes of freight in 2017. Upon full completion, it will have an ultimate capacity exceeding 16 million tonnes of cargo per annum.

In its first year in 1985, Emirates’ SkyCargo handled over 10,000 tonnes of freight, with just a Boeing 747 Freighter.

Today, the cargo carrier operates 14 freighters to over 40 destinations across six continents. In 2017-2018 financial year, it carried 2.6 million tonnes of cargo. It is today the world’s largest international cargo airline measured by freight tonne kilometres flown (FTKMs).

Budget carrier flydubai’s cargo division began operations in 2012 and continues to grow and expand. It now offers services to 300 destinations around the world.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

With flydubai operating flights to 62 destinations which did not previously have direct links to Dubai, the opportunity to transport goods directly has seen strong demand.

Strategically located within eight hours flying time of twothirds of the world’s population, Dubai ranks sixth globally measured by air cargo traffic. Its central position, coupled with the growth of Emirates and flydubai as major players, has helped it become an air cargo hub. Dubai created the world’s first integrated logistics and multi-modal transport platform - with the Dubai Logistics City (DLC), Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone and its cargo airport, Al Maktoum International, at its core.

Air cargo accounts for more than 30 per cent of international trade. The global cargo airlines industry is in the mature stage of its life cycle. Air cargo has been a tremendous enabler for economic development and trade facilitator. Air cargo annually transports approximately 35 per cent of world trade by value.

October 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

Saudi National Day Celebrations

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DCAA and DED to strengthen aviation sector

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 Marketing Manager Fahed Rahmani 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.

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DCAA Interviews

Mohammed Al Ali

DCAA’s advancements in work techniques and employees’ efficiency are impressive

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Nasser Al Najjar

DCAA participated in GITEX 2018 as part of Smart Dubai platform

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Our Vision

The World Airport, Dubai

Our Mission

Leading and sustaining Civil Aviation Sector by providing capacity, building a competitive edge through innovating, developing people and leaders and achieving customers’ happiness.

Toll Free:80083222 Contact number:+97147770000 Fax:+97142244573 Email: info@dcaa.gov.ae; dcaa@dcaa.gov.ae http://www.facebook.com/dcaadubai

DCAA website:www.dcaa.gov.ae Working Hours:Sunday – Thursday, 0730 - 1430 (GMT+4) Location:Dubai International Airport, Terminal (1), Level (1), Gate no. (4), (Arrivals Side) P.O. Box:49888 Dubai - United Arab Emirates twitter.com/dcaadubai

youtube.com/user/dcaadubai

Message

from the Director General

In quest of happiness

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appiness is a mental or emotional state of wellbeing defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy and overall well-being.

Experts say measurements of well-being can be used effectively to assess the progress of nations. Studies show happy people live 7.5 years more and take onethird less sick days. Unhappy people cost companies 100 days of productivity.

Every country endeavours to keep its people happy, but a few are serious about making a big difference.

Since February 2016, the UAE has the world’s first cabinet minister of Happiness.

A huge task is cut out for the UAE which has been ranked first in the Arab world for the fourth consecutive year and 20th among the 156 countries in the UN’s World Happiness Report, advancing one rank from last year. The UAE Vision 2021 aims for the Arab world’s second biggest economy to be among the best in the world in the UN Human Development Index (HDI) and to be the happiest of all nations.

The UAE government’s 90,000-odd employees, working in over 50 organisations, have been striving towards a national charter of happiness and positivity.

Select employees have been trained to become the first generation of Chief Happiness Officers in the UAE government - first country in the world to create such position.

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

The UAE has declared that it wants to become the world’s happiest country in 2021. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is the first and only country which measures Gross National Happiness (GNH) which it claims is much richer objective than GDP or economic growth. It has been argued that the state be made responsible for happiness and tolerance of its citizens.

DCAA, which has a Chief Happiness Officer, is on a mission to ensure its employees are happy by being healthy, connected and fulfilled. The Authority established a Happiness Team on Happiness Day, i.e. March 20th . The most important role of the Happiness Team is to keep asking questions, listening and taking action accordingly. People have a balanced life if they’re healthy and that’s part of being happy.

Ensuring employee happiness is crucial to increasing productivity.

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Inside DCAA

Saudi National Day Celebrations

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aud Abdul Aziz Mohammad Kankzar, Executive Director of Air Transport and International Affairs at Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), participated in the celebrations to mark Saudi Arabia’s National Day, which was organized by the team at the Dubai Airports.

The ceremony is a confirmation of the strong relationship between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Saudi National Day is celebrated on September 23 every year to commemorate the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree in 1932.

DCAA and DED to strengthen aviation sector

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he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) have discussed ways to simplify licensing procedures for the civil aviation sector and take action to strengthen this important sector

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which accounts for about 28 per cent of Dubai’s GDP. This came during a meeting by DCAA officials with His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the DED at his office. DCAA team comprised

Abdullah bin Khidiyah, Director of Air Transport, Nasser Al Khater, Head of Commercial Aviation and Consumer Protection Division, and Ibrahim Al Malahi.

During the meeting, Al Qamzi stressed the importance of the joint cooperation agreement signed recently by the two organisations.

He added that it will enhance coordination between the two parties as the aviation sector in Dubai continues to achieve more progress and development thanks to the guidance of the Government of Dubai and its steps to accord the local economy with more leadership and excellence.

Inside DCAA

Awareness Campaign

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he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s (DCAA) Aviation Security and Accident Investigation Department is organizing an awareness campaign on the electronic services of the Aircraft Control Section.

During the campaign, the electronic services will be presented and explained in detail. After the presentation specialists will address the queries from the participants.

The campaign aims at raising the awareness of companies and organisations in the fields of aviation, shipping, aircraft maintenance and other strategic partners and customers.

These services facilitate the transport process in the air, sea and land, whether internal or external flights, which enhance and raise the level of safety in aviation.

Sports development

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miratis enjoy falconry and racing horses, camels, salukis and dhows. However, with changing times and laws these are now practised purely as a regulated sport.

The UAE Founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan devoted extensive efforts in developing almost all the modern sports. Every emirate has given every attention to the sports sector. He started endurance rides in the UAE. The modern era brought several sports to the UAE such as football, golf, polo, tennis, rugby, cricket, sailing, yacht and motor racing. Popular adventure activities include sky diving, cycling, quad biking, dune bashing, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, snorkelling, scuba diving and ice-skating.

Equestrian sports include endurance, show jumping, eventing, dressage and racing.

Establishing and maintaining sports clubs is under the scope of social development services. The UAE is keen on providing the necessary support for sports, through the construction of many modern sports facilities such as football stadiums, car-racing tracks, golf courses and training centres throughout the country.

The government has established sports cities to promote the uptake of sports. The UAE is home to sports cities like Zayed Sports City, Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai Sports City and Dubai Motor City.

The International Cricket Council’s head office is located in the Sports City.

The UAE regularly hosts championships, which include Arabian Gulf League, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Dubai Desert Classic, Dubai Tennis Championships, Rugby Sevens, Cricket tournaments and Dubai World Cup.

October 2018

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DCAA Interview

Mohammed Al Ali, Director of Information Technology, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)

DCAA’s advancements in work techniques and employees’ efficiency are impressive

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he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s (DCAA) vision manifests itself in seeking to realise Dubai’s vision to become the capital of global aviation, and hence, the various departments of the Authority are keen to attract ambitious Emirati talents that can not only perfectly implement its policies and strategies, but take them forward to leading positions as well.

Mohammed Al Ali, who recently joined the Authority as the Director of Information Technology Department, is showing great enthusiasm to stamp his impression at the workplace. He is obsessed with leadership and a dream that occupies the mind of this Emirati employee in each and every job he occupies.

“I was very pleased to join DCAA, and would like to thank the management for giving me the chance to participate in realising the vision of Dubai in the aviation sector, in addition to the limitless support provided to me as a new employee and the cooperative efforts to provide me with the pieces of information I needed to establish a crystal clear idea about the nature and strategy of work,” he said.

“Working for DCAA provides great experience to the employee by virtue of working with highly qualified team, but at the same time, it represents a top challenge.

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We are keen to make Dubai the smartest city in the world; an endeavour that is not impossible for Dubai to achieve given the vision and support of our wise leadership Before joining the team, I had been filled with a passion for development and improvement, but then I was not only impressed with the organisational procedures in place at the Information Technology Department, but also with the work team and work environment, which have all placed a higher-thanexpected challenge on me,” he added.

Work Challenges

Despite only joining DCAA in June 2018 and is still orienting himself to the Authority and the work environment, Mohammed Al Ali has

a good idea about the place by virtue of his previous work experiences.

“Our Department is relatively small considering the number of its staff, but is big in terms of its achievements and the level of development and advancement it has reached.

I hope to continue the story of success my colleagues have started. I have many challenges when it comes to further development, but I like to put my stamp in this area, which is about matching the developments and rapid changes at the level of both the Government of Dubai and the world. All the directorates of the Government of Dubai are faced with the same challenge…expectations are high, competition is there and the obsession for leadership is always haunting us. We are keen to make Dubai the smartest city in the world; an endeavour that is not impossible for Dubai to achieve given the vision and support of our wise leadership, and the support we derive from all our colleagues,” he remarked.

DCAA Interview

Al Ali explained that there are some local government entities that are inspirational to others. He added: “We learn and benefit from other government entities, such as “Smart Dubai” which have in place strategies and initiatives that can be of benefit to the smart transformation of our services. On a global level, we are always updating ourselves on the latest developments made by the developed and leading countries in the field of civil aviation.

There are a number of countries we aspire to challenge and compete with. One of these is Estonia, which, though a small country, has reached a very advanced stage in terms of technical development, linking of government agencies and information sharing. We look forward to compete with such countries, and it is here that our obsession for leadership lies.”

Self-Competition

Mohammed Al Ali emphasised that “we are in a constant competition mode and the one who seeks development and advancement will always be engaged in not only competing with others, but also competing with their self.” He added: “I have an ambition to add further development and technological advancement to the Authority to make it the best ever.

For example, I have noticed that the completion of some transactions takes 30 minutes- a great achievement by the Authority-, but my ambition is to challenge ourselves and break this record by a new one that would be added to the Authority’s book of records and ultimately rank it as number one globally. This can be done by completing transactions in a record time not exceeding few minutes.

This is the goal I want to achieve with the help of the strong team I work with in the Authority”.

Quoting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as saying “In the race to excellence, there is no finishing line”, he added: “There are many challenges facing us in terms of development and advancement. These challenges are external and not internal.

They are related to the readiness of the other entities we are dealing with, especially private sector ones. We deal with companies outside the UAE, and the challenge lies in their level of development and readiness, and this is kind of challenge that we will work to overcome, especially with the availability of a strong management and strong team.”

After graduating from the Higher College of Technology (HCT), Mohammed Al Ali joined Dubai Municipality as a programmer in the IT Department. In a short period of time not exceeding four years, he served as Head of the Technical Support Unit, thanks to a set of achievements, top of which is implementing and activating the GRP human resources system in 2006-2007, upgrading and developing the old internal systems to improve internal procedures, and working on the project of detaching the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment from the Municipality.

Al Ali moved in 2010 to work in the Licensing Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and his most important achievements are the development of work, especially in the Agency, in addition to linking the traffic systems with a view to exchange traffic fines tickets and vehicle and driving licenses’ transactions; the electronic transformation of services; and the transformation and development of services to become compatible with smart phones, which all have contributed RTA winning several awards at local and regional levels.

After working hours, Mohammed Al Ali has a variety of hobbies, including flying, which he likes since he was in school, but he was not lucky to study this field, because he was not aware of the right place to study aviation. Al Ali has other hobbies such as diving and traveling. He also participates in voluntary activities at important national events, such as organising the Special Olympics for people with disabilities, participating in a campaign to clean the marina of Dubai International Marine Club, and participating in the organisation of the “My Blood to My Country” campaign.

October 2018

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DCAA Interview

Nasser Al Najjar, Head of the Technical Services and Support Section, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)

DCAA participated in GITEX 2018 as part of Smart Dubai platform

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he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) participated in the GITEX Technology Week 2018 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 14 to 18, a platform which showcased the latest products and innovations in the field of technology. This year’s edition shed light on four main areas: smart cities, augmented reality, virtual reality and smart manufacturing.

Speaking about the importance of the DCAA’s participation in GITEX Technology Week, Nasser Al Najjar, Head of Technical Services and Support Section of DCAA, said: “The GITEX Technology Week highlights the general trends for technology in the region and beyond, and enjoys a big reputation amongst digital specialists, information technology fans, technology entrepreneurs and heads of companies alike.

Hence is the importance of DCAA’s participation in this event.”

The Authority participated in GITEX Technology Week as part of the Smart Dubai’s platform. Preparation for the event by the Authority’s team has taken more than four months, during which coordination has been made with Smart Dubai, the Dubai World Trade Centre and the internal sectors of the Authority to provide new services during the GITEX. Al Najjar explained that DCAA showcased during this year’s edition a number of projects, the most

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DCAA Interview

Authority launched new services - IIAN and Synergy important of which is “IIAN” service, which is part of the processes of implementing artificial intelligence in our work through a system dedicated to inspectors to help them investigate aviation accidents.

It is one-of-a-kind in the field of aviation. Launch of the service and announcement about its implementation was made during the second day of GITEX. The second project involved the launch of “Synergy” system, which smartly shows performance indicators

and reports on the level of Authority in a matter of few minutes. The system had been introduced to a selected group before, but was presented to the public at GITEX.

enhancing and implementing Dubai Vision 2020, and how to make Smart Dubai services fully smart on an internationally leading and distinguished level.

He added that DCAA also introduced an RPAS tracking system on the third day of GITEX, during a public awareness lecture delivered at the main hall of the Smart Dubai platform, in addition to showcasing the Authority’s services in general.

He said: “We had a successful participation by DCAA at GITEX 2018, which highlights the intelligent transformation of our work, and which aims to communicate directly with the public to shorten time and facilitate the mechanisms of work at all times.”

Al Najjar indicated that the importance of the Authority’s participation in GITEX stems from the need to introduce the public to the kind of services provided by the Authority, their importance to the field of aviation, and their role in

It is to be noted that last year’s edition of GITEX was attended by 147,133 visitors, who were impressed with the intense diversity and the size of future-looking innovations on display by 4,473 exhibitors from 97 countries.

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Cover Story

A dream is now a reality W

ith an investment of AED50 million, the first commercial cargo terminal at DWC has opened. It is the first project by RSA National, a joint venture between UAE-based RSA Global and National Air Cargo, a US-based carrier

Air cargo plays a crucial role in today’s world and serves as a key engine of economic growth and development.

It supports trade and investment, promotes connectivity, and improves efficiency and competitiveness. Air cargo accounts for more than 30 per cent of international trade. The global airfreight industry is worth more than US$70 billion. This year, more than US$6.8 trillion worth of goods, equivalent to 35 per cent of total world trade by value, will be transported around the world by air.

When the Dubai Logistics City (DLC) was announced in 2007, not many were sure about its success as the world had started witnessing a catastrophic economic meltdown.

In March 2009, DLC licensed its

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first logistics operator to commence operations, but the first phase of the DLC was opened on October 2010. RSA Logistics completed the construction of its 25,000 square metre distribution centre in a record 12 months on a 65,000 square metre plot. In October 2013, Dubai became the 50th city in the world - and the first in the Arabian Gulf - to have two airports within its urban conurbations - within a geographical distance of just 35 kilometres.

Spread over an area of 18.5 square kilometres, it is the world’s first truly-integrated logistics platform with all transport modes, logistics and value-added services, including light manufacturing and assembly, in a single customs bonded and Free Zone environment - to serve a market of

more than two billion consumers in near and far regions.

In addition to the bonded road link to Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), a 57-square-kilometers tax-free, zero customs facility housing over 7,000 companies from 138 countries, and the Jebel Ali Sea Port, the world’s sixth largest container terminal, Dubai World Central’s unique multimodal capabilities are supported by links to all main motorways in the UAE – and also the in-the-making Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) highspeed rail network.

The corridor bridges Jebel Ali Port and the Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai World Central (Dubai South), bringing together for the first time in the Middle East, all of the

Cover Story

components needed to create a true multimodal logistics platform. Dubai is accelerating new standards of seamless connectivity via the 12-km-long Logistics Corridor, offering sea-to-air cargo transfer in a mere four hours.

Leveraging this multi-modal platform, the Logistics District has witnessed a phenomenal growth in trade value since its form inception, contributing to Dubai’s reputation as a global logistics centre.

“This is a quantum leap for the logistics business in the Gulf and the greater Middle East and will cater to the region’s requirements up to 2050,” His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, had remarked at its launch. Today, Dubai is now the cargo hub of choice.

Dubai International posted a record 2.65 million tonnes of cargo for 2017, up 2.4 per cent on the previous year.

Al Maktoum International is home to 23 scheduled cargo operators that fly to as many as 68 destinations around the world. It handled 972,295 tonnes of freight in 2017, up 8.3 per cent compared to 2016. Upon full completion, it will an ultimate capacity exceeding 16 million tonnes of cargo per annum.

Dubai’s very own, Emirates SkyCargo, is today the world’s largest international cargo airline measured by freight tonne kilometres flown (FTKMs), with its terminal equipped to handle 700,000 tonnes per year.

Dubai’s budget carrier flydubai’s cargo division services 300 destinations around the world. Dubai ranks sixth globally measured by air cargo traffic.

Over 125 airlines serve the two airports, facilitating the movement of passengers and cargo to and from 260 destinations across six continents.

On September 19th, the first project

by RSA National, a joint venture between UAE-based RSA Global and National Air Cargo, a US-based carrier, took off with the opening an air cargo terminal at Dubai World Central, as it seeks to capitalise on growth within the logistics sector.

The first phase of the terminal involved an investment of AED50 million. The company will focus on the key segments of e-commerce, perishables, government and defence, humanitarian, and fashion and retail where it sees strong growth potential.

The joint venture was launched in November 2017.

Remarked His Highness Sheikh Ahmed at the opening: “RSA National air cargo terminal is an impressive and welcomed development and supports Dubai’s efforts to remain at the forefront of aviation and logistics globally.”

RSA National is especially targeting emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia where it sees stronger economic growth. RSA Global is a multimodal 3PL specialist.

The smart transit hub for road, sea and air, will drive growth in the logistics sector, which is set to

increase by 4.8 per cent by 2021, said Abishek Ajay Shah, Co-Founder and Group CEO, RSA Global.

“We believe the launch of RSA National’s flagship air cargo terminal is a game changer for the UAE’s aviation and logistics industry to claim the number one spot.

We have designed this smart facility to deliver innovative multimodal, tech-forward supply chain solutions and plan to expand as the region’s demands grow. The sky’s the limit.”

RSA National’s vision is to operate as a one-stop, boutique integrator offering multimodal supply chain solutions: specialising in innovative and quality services for its customers in established and emerging sectors as well as niche products including perishables and dangerous goods.

The terminal’s location on the Dubai Logistics Corridor linking DWC to Jebel Ali port will give customers multimodal access through one single supplier. As an Authorised Economic Operator and with Dubai Police and Customs situated on-site, customers will experience faster clearances and inspection prioritisation for a smoother transaction.

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UAE in Focus

Emirates declared flydubai to operate double daily flights fourth busiest airline to Kiev Boryspil globally ubai’s low cost carrier, flydubai, has moved its existing operations to

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ubai’s Emirates Airlines, which served 289 million passengers in 2017, has been declared the world’s fourth-busiest carrier in the world in terms of total scheduled passenger kilometres flown carrying 289 million travellers last year.

According to figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the first three positions have been held by US carriers American Airlines (324 million), Delta Air Lines (316.3 million) and United Airlines (311 million). Another US-based, carrier, Southwest Airlines, is at fifth.

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Boryspil International Airport Kiev from October-end.

From October 2, double daily flights are available between Kiev and Dubai. flydubai launched its operations to Ukraine in 2013 and offers 17 weekly flights from Kiev and Odessa to Dubai. Through flydubai’s expanded codeshare partnership with Emirates, Ukrainian passengers also are offered unmatched travel options via Dubai’s aviation hub.

Emirates will codeshare on this route as part of the Emirates flydubai partnership announced in July 2017. With the partnership, passengers from Ukraine will have an opportunity to travel via Dubai to the hundreds of destinations all over the world.

The airline now operates a fleet of 271 aircraft, one of the youngest fleets in the world.

Today, it is the world’s largest wide-body airline and the largest operator of Boeing 777. Over 1,200 Emirates flights depart Dubai each week on their way to destinations on six continents.

Emirates today serves 161 airports in 86 countries, operating the world’s largest fleets of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. Over the next few years, the airline will welcome to its fleet, 35 Boeing 777-8s, 115 Boeing 777-9s, 8 Boeing 777-300ERs and 58 Airbus A380-800s.

Emirates is the only airline to fly all variants in the Boeing 777 family.

Emirates operates the largest A380 fleet with 104 aircraft in service and another 58 pending delivery.

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Etihad to deploy cloud technology for better customer experience

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tihad Airways has partnered with the US-based Farelogix to enhance merchandising and distribution capabilities.

The partnership aims to strengthen Etihad Airways’ position in aviation industry. The deployment of new generation technology from Farelogix will enable Etihad to provide unique, customised offers to its guests and strengthen its businesses.

Etihad’s strategy will focus on broadening ancillary offerings to customers, allowing for more

personalised travel options across all distribution channels. In addition, the airlines plans to implement FLX Merchandise, a cloud-based solution from Farelogix, to create personalised product and service propositions that increase customer satisfaction.

As the industry’s leading merchandising engine, FLX Merchandise will help Etihad to showcase optional products such as preferred seats, priority boarding and other amenities that improve customers’ travel experience.

UAE in Focus

DAE’s profit quadruples in H1 2018

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ubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), one of the world’s top 10 aircraft lessor and the Middle East’s biggest aircraft lessor, has registered a four-fold increase in profit before tax for the first half of 2018 over the same period last year following its merger with Ireland-based AWAS and stronger credit margins.

Profit before tax was US$224 million for the first half, compared with US$42.5 million for the same period last year. Pre-tax profit margin was 31.5 per cent. Total revenue was also up nearly three times to US$711.4 million from US$228.7 million for the same period last year, which the company attributed to a substantial growth in fleet following

its merger with Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services, one of the world’s largest commercial jet aircraft leasing companies.

Swiss billionaire DUBZ launch launches Vista luggage pickup, storage and delivery Global in Dubai Global Holding is set service Vista to consolidate the business

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UBZ, a luggage pickup, storage and delivery service, has been launched in Dubai.

It is offering travellers time and comfort by getting bags picked up or dropped off, stored, and even checked in from hotel or home, instead of the airport during the day- a convenient service for every traveller.

DUBZ cofounder and CEO Omar Abou Faraj says DUBZ was launched to enhance the traveller’s experience, starting off by providing a pick-up service from and to the Dubai airport.

Today, through the DUBZ website, travellers can arrange a pick-up, and have their luggage checked in and collected by a DNATA agent from their home or hotel anywhere in Dubai, allowing travellers to then enjoy their day baggage-free.

aviation industry.

The company has been endorsed by further US$200 million investment from global private equity firm Rhône Group.

Headquartered at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the fully integrated group will offer global, all-encompassing, asset-lite services for customers.

The revolutionary aviation group will spearhead the consolidation of the fragmented and expanding business aviation market.

Vista Global is the world’s most comprehensive business aviation group and is built on four pillars with complementary services for consumers and trade.

It is the first group that has built the scale and the know-how to offer the entire set of private flying solutions

for its clients, setting a new global benchmark for the industry.

Vista Global will offer the very first worldwide leasing and financing service for customer looking to purchase a dedicated aircraft. It will also support aviation companies looking to improve services to their clients through the most advanced technology, providing an end to end platform in a very fragmented global operator marketplace.

“Vista Global has been my vision ever since I started VistaJet in 2004. I wanted to create something truly new, something that would industrialize and consolidate the fragmented business aviation market across the entire range of flight service offerings,” remarked Thomas Flohr, the Swiss billionaire.

October 2018

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Middle East News

Saudia begin flights to Erbil

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il-rich Kuwait has suspended the license of Wataniya Airways for three months.

It warned that failure to address the operational “issues” that led to flight cancellations in August leaving 1,500 passengers stranded in foreign capitals would mean authorities would permanently

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audi Arabian Airlines is launching a new destination to Erbil in Iraq and will operate three weekly flights non-stop from Jeddah.

Located approximately 350 kilometres north of Baghdad, Erbil is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan and the most populous city in northern Iraq.

From September 2017 to March, 2018, following the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, all commercial international flights were suspended. The Erbil International Airport remained open for domestic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic flights.

The announcement of the new route was made after Saudia resumed flights to Baghdad in October 2017. Prior to this, there were no direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Iraq for 27 years.

The airline is expanding its route network consistently, increasing air links and seat capacity both intra-regionally and internationally.

Following the airline’s start of flights to Baghdad, the increase in travel demand between the two countries within a short period of time has provided growth opportunities.

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Kuwait suspends Wataniya Airways licence

October 2018

revoke the airline’s permission to operate. The Minister of State for Services Affairs, Dr. Jenan Boushehri, announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to suspend the permit for the airline for three months, according to a September 5 communique issued on official news agency KUNA.

Saudi to require 8,800 pilots by 2024

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audi Arabia will require 8,800 pilots and 11,700 aviation technicians by 2024 to meet growing demand in the industry.

Bander Khaldi, Managing Director of the kingdom’s National Aviation Academy, attributed the need for thousands of pilots to attrition replacement and fleet growth.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation market is seeing strong growth on the back of the kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 programme, which aims to diversify the economy.

The country’s airports recorded

eight per cent passenger growth in 2017, to reach 91.8 million, with numbers anticipated to hit 100 million in 2018, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

Five airlines now serve the domestic market, compared to only two airlines two years ago.

National carrier Saudia, the biggest in the market, has been focusing on expanding in the overseas market, and has seen international passenger growth of 14 per cent in 2017 and 12 per cent in the first half of 2018.

October 2018

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ADP Ingénierie

Airport design: Need for human-friendly approach Beijing-Daxing terminal designed by ADP Ingénierie and Zaha Hadid is a textbook case

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ir travel will keep on increasing as the century goes. IATA forecasts passenger demand will double over the next 20 years. This increase in traffic encourages the creation of mega-airports, major hubs able to absorb a maximum of passengers.

This situation generates different challenges that airport stakeholders must face should they want their infrastructures to prosper and guaranty a high level of satisfaction from the passenger experience.

This is the reason why airports, either existing or to be designed, must take into consideration all these elements and grow with a human-friendly approach. The central challenge is to bear in mind all users and stakeholders – owner, operator and airlines- each of

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October 2018

whom approach the facility from a different perspective but who will be united in putting the passenger at the center of airport operations.

Looking at the airport from the passenger’s point of view, planners and designers must seek to alleviate the stress induced by the most trying aspects of air travel: • How to rapidly move through the steps of the departure process – travel to the airport, park, get information, get oriented, check-in, pass immigration and security – in order to arrive at the boarding area where it is possible to finally relax, shop, or work • How to move easily through the arrival process – pass immigration, reclaim baggage, get oriented, find

ground transport – in order to arrive at the final destination The new Beijing-Daxing terminal, designed by ADP Ingénierie and Zaha Hadid, has been thought with a human-friendly approach and can be considered as a textbook case.

Located 60 km south of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the new Beijing-Daxing International Airport will eventually have seven runways and over 100 million annual passengers, making it one of the largest airports in the world.

With 700,000 square meters of floor area and a 5-kilometer total façade length, Terminal 1 on opening -- scheduled for late 2018 -- will have an annual

ADP Ingénierie

Copyright: @ADP Ingénierie_Zaha Hadid

capacity of 45 million passengers that can be expanded to 72 million passengers.

A ‘human-friendly’ approach is expressed by an architecture that is in touch with human movement, perception and connection, so that the traveler feels at one with the terminal environment.

At Beijing-Daxing, this approach takes several unique and innovative forms: First, human movement.

Passengers walk a minimum distance from curbside to airside.

This is achieved through the star-shape of the terminal with its relatively short concourse arms.

And by stacking international and domestic process levels on top of each other, with two easily accessible sets of departure and arrival levels.

Second, human perception.

Travelers can intuitively ‘read’ the terminal. The openness of the Copyright: @ADP Ingénierie_Zaha Hadid

central space allows the passenger to understand how the terminal functions, thus reducing the stress of not knowing what lies ahead. The feeling of well-being is heightened by the fluid quality of the architecture, which enhances the sense of movement through the terminal.

Third, human connection.

Travelers feel closely connected to their ultimate destination, the city or region of Beijing. This is achieved by locating the rail station directly below the terminal, making transfer between air transport and ground transport rapid and easy.

A human-friendly approach to terminal design goes hand-inhand with a technically-efficient approach.

Again, in regard to movement.

Thanks to the compact shape of the terminal and short walking distances, passengers reach their gates quickly and easily, increasing the efficiency of the terminal process. And there is no need for an APM in this first phase of airport development, thereby reducing initial capital and operating costs.

The stacked processing levels also increase efficiency, allowing a separate level to be dedicated for fast-track frequent flyers.

And in regard to spatial openness. Not only does the open architecture enhance the well-being of the passengers, it also allows flexibility for future evolution.

With minimal structural supports provided by innovative megacolumns, changes in functional layout can easily implemented.

Beyond the planning and design of the airport itself, we need to consider its broader impact on the city and region.

By virtue of its land expanse, airspace volume and catchment area, airports exert a significant impact on their surrounding region. The interactions between the airport and its environment – natural, urban or agricultural – will only grow stronger with time and demand balanced planning and management at a regional level.

This is everyone’s duty in the airport industry to rethink their way of working to understand and develop a constructive relation between the airport and its environment.

October 2018

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Opinion

Air transport growth shows remarkable resilience G lobal demand for air transport—measured by airport passenger traffic growth – has continued to show resilient growth in a year which was rife with economic uncertainty.

top 30 airports with over 15 million passengers are located in just two countries, China and India.

Air cargo also experienced a revival across many of the world’s airports in 2017, posting a record-breaking jump of 7.7 per cent from the previous year.

Global air service growth has remained resilient but the continuing impact of protectionism and trade wars on international air transport services will likely have a major impact on airports in the future.

The benefits of increased air travel are clear and further liberalization should be welcomed to maintain growth and improve connectivity to the benefit of the global trade and local communities.

As well, aircraft movements increased by three per cent in 2017, the highest annual percentage growth increase since 2004. The world’s airports accommodated almost 8.3 billion passengers, more than 118 million metric tonnes of cargo, and around 96 million aircraft movements.

The industry has been characterized by its ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity and, despite escalating preoccupations regarding these moves towards economic protectionism in advanced economies, 2017 saw robust growth in global trade and air transport demand.

While strong competitive forces continue to drive innovation and improvements in efficiency and service for passengers, airports face the challenges of meeting the continuing global growth in demand for air service.

These encouraging results may be a sign that fears concerning the impact of inwardlooking policies have not fully precipitated consumer and business confidence in the shortterm.

Most of the world’s fastestgrowing large airports are located in emerging markets and aviation’s centre of gravity continued to shift eastward in 2017; 16 of the fastest-growing

Strong overall business and consumer confidence, coupled with low cost fare offerings by many carriers, continued to stimulate demand and boost the propensity for air travel.

Worldwide, there was a robust year-on-year passenger increase of 7.5 per cent in 2017 over 2016, one of the strongest growth rates on record with every region experiencing growth.

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October 2018

Angela Gittens Director General ACI World

To help to ensure communities continue to reap the social and economic benefits of air service growth, national policy should be focused on facilitating growth over the long-term, setting out clear objectives for their aviation sector.

Opinion

Developing aviation is not a race I

n early 2016 India launched its aviation strategy. This enters India into an elite club. Few states have understood that aviation is an economic catalyst and taken such a comprehensive approach.

The state of Indian aviation is rich on contrasts. On the one hand we will soon celebrate 50 months of consecutive double digit growth.

And all indications are that this will continue. By 2037 we expect 500 million passengers traveling to, from and within India. That’s treble today’s numbers.

India’s airlines are preparing with 1,000 aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next eight years. And even that may be not be sufficient to satiate the thirst for travel. While it is easy to find Indians who want to fly, it’s very difficult for airlines to make money in this market. The recent steep rise in fuel prices and steep fall in the value of the Rupee are putting acute pressure on profits.

India’s development needs airlines to be able to profitably accommodate growing demand.

Focusing on infrastructure, what has happened with India’s airport infrastructure over the last decade is amazing. It is clear that India has the capacity to develop effective infrastructure. Passenger numbers will grow. And infrastructure must not be a bottleneck in fulfilling the needs of travellers and the economy.

Looking more broadly, technology can help accommodate growth by increasing terminal throughput with modern processes. In the air navigation field, technology can also expand capacity—particularly by safely enabling the flexible use of airspace between civil and military authorities. Flexible airspace capabilities will be key to accommodating future growth.

Airports are important to passengers, airlines and the community. Decisions on privatization must balance the interests of all three stakeholders.

That can only happen with robust dialogue. And we are eager to work with the government on the concession structure to define the next steps in India’s airport development. The infrastructure issue is critical for India’s future.

India needs a comprehensive and strategic master plan for its airport infrastructure.

Alexandre de Juniac Director General and CEO International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Excerpts from the speech at the International Aviation Summit in India

Developing aviation is not a race.

October October 2018 2018

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ATM

New aircraft control tower at Oshawa airport

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AV CANADA’s new $9 million state-of-the-art air traffic control tower has opened at the Oshawa Executive Airport.

This new structure replaces the previous tower, right, which was built in 1968. It is almost four metres taller, improving controllers’ sightlines.

The new tower building belongs

New Zealand’s new ATC tower opens for business

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elson Airport, one of New Zealand’s busiest regional airports, has opened its new air traffic control (ATC) tower. Costing an estimated NZ$6 million, the tower is likely to be the last bricks and mortar tower to open in New Zealand as the industry moves from radar to digital technology.

The new tower is part of the airport’s NZ$32 million redevelopment project, which when complete will include a new terminal and infrastructure upgrades.

to Nav Canada, a private, notfor-profit company that owns and operates Canada’s civil air navigation services including owning and running the air traffic control tower at the Oshawa airport and as well as the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The old building was built in 1968 and was one of the oldest towers in the system.

COCESNA going in for ATC modernisation

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ir traffic control (ATC) communications provider Rohde & Schwarz has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central American aviation safety service provider, COCESNA, to equip airports with its communications technology.

COCESNA manages the airspace of Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The airspace, which borders on Mexico in the West and Panama in the East, also includes major areas over the Caribbean Sea and the South Pacific Ocean.

Under the terms of the agreement, the company will initially deploy its ATC communications system at the Ilopango Airport in San Salvador. The system will comprise an R&S VCS-4G IP based voice communications system (VCS), Controller Working Positions (CWPs), R&S Series4200 stationary ATC radios as well as supplementary components such as voice recorders, emergency radios and antennas.

Czech Republic starts training Norwegian ATCs

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ir Navigation Services of the Czech Republic, with its training institute CANI, has been selected to deliver ATC Initial Training for Avinor AS over the next three years.

During the contract period CANI will deliver Basic and Rating Training to more than

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October 2018

60 new trainees from Avinor Air Navigation Services. After successfully launching the project for training of the next generation of air traffic controllers for Bosnia and Herzegovina and signing an agreement for training of ATCOs from Malta earlier this year, ANS CR and CANI have reached another important milestone in

securing a multi-year training agreement with Avinor AS, one of Europe’s leading ANSPs. In the first year, CANI will train 15 students for ADI/APS ratings.

During the following years of the contract it is anticipated that up to 24 students will be trained each year, evenly divided between ADI/ APS and APS/ACS ratings.

Airlines

Passenger flights in US becoming crowded

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early 849,000,000 people flew on the airplanes of US carriers in 2017, a 13 percent increase since 2005, according to the US Bureau of Transportation statistics. At the same time, there were nearly 1.6 million fewer flights last year compared to 2005 — a 13 percent decrease.

While scheduled routes stay the same, the frequency of an airline flying those routes each day have decreased to

ensure that they can be flown with appropriate crewing. And the passenger load factor — the average percentage of airplane seats occupied across all flights — has increased to about 85 percent.

In the 21st century, the acceptable percentage of seats filled on US carrier flights has risen by about 15 percent.

More people with fewer seats means that planes are becoming increasingly crowded:

KLM working to reduce carbon emissions

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t is estimated that the airline industry produces between 2-3 per cent of all manmade CO2 emissions.

time. That’s great news for the global economy. But what about global ecology?

The number of people flying each year is increasing, dramatically. In 2004, almost two billion passengers took to the skies. By last year that number had more than doubled -- eclipsing the four billion mark for the first

Some airlines are taking environmental stewardship far more seriously than others. KLM is a prime example. The flag carrier of the Netherlands is spearheading innovations into this vital aspect of aviation.

American Airlines launches live streaming TV on flights

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merican Airlines has added live television to its spectrum of inflight entertainment options.

The service, coming to over 100 of the airline’s narrowbody aircraft, is delivered through the Gogo 2Ku satellite connectivity on each aircraft – the same signal used to provide high speed Wi-Fi to the cabin. Twelve channels powered by DISH network are available to passengers in flight. This service is on top of the current live television service that American already provides on some satellite-equipped longhaul aircraft.

Indian domestic airlines to post US$1.9 billion losses

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ndia’s domestic airlines industry is expected to post losses of up to US$1.90 billion this fiscal year, amid headwinds due higher costs and lower yields.

Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) says full service carriers are critically placed and could lose US$1.75-2 billion in the current fiscal year largely because of their uncompetitive cost base on domestic operations and a lack of profitability on international routes.

Government-owned airline Air India, and private sector carriers Jet Airways and Vistara are the three full service domestic airlines. CAPA estimates that though the full-year result of three budget carriers - IndiGo, GoAir and SpiceJet - is likely to range between break-even modest profitability, the possibility of a full-year loss can’t be ruled out.

October 2018

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Cargo & Logistics

Air Transport Cooperation Promotion Conference

Chinese Yunnan Province delegation calls to jointly build an Air Silk Road between UAE and China

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hinese carrier Uni-top Airlines is planning to operate B747 freighter flight between Kunming in China and Dubai, according to Mr Yang Fan, Vice President of Uni-top Airlines.

Addressing an air transport cooperation promotion conference held by Chinese Yunnan provincial delegation in Kempinski Hotel Mall of Emirates in Dubai, Mr Yang Fan said: “In order to support the development of civil aviation and trade between China and the UAE, Uni-top airlines is planning to operate B747 freighter flight with 3 flights per week between Kunming and Dubai.”

The Chinese carrier currently operates B747F and A300F. Mr Joe Beydoun, Head of Cargo Business Relationships Commercial & Communications of Dubai Airports,

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October 2018

who attended the UAE Air Transport Cooperation Promotion Conference organised by a delegation of the Yunnan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, expressed full support from Dubai Airports for those operations.

Delegation leader Mr Zhang Changsheng, Deputy Director of Yunnan Provincial Development & Reform Commission and Director General of Yunnan Provincial Civil Aviation Development Administration, said: “Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the UAE in July, and the leaders

of the two countries unanimously decided to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Cargo & Logistics

We expect to strengthen joint marketing promotion for airline flights, tourism market and especially air cargo market in order to push the development of bilateral economy and trade, and we also expect to promote abundant green agricultural products with Yunnan plateau characteristics to the UAE for sharing,” he said.

“We had a meeting with Capt.

Khalid Humaid Al Ali the Director Air Transport Department of the General Civil Aviation Authority of UAE, and he welcomed more flights between airports in UAE and Yunnan province,” he said.

“I believe that the two sides will fully participate the “Belt and Road” construction, build an air silk way, promote interconnection and intercommunication, play complementary advantages, stimulate trade vitality, foster the cooperation and win-win sails, work together in the same boat, cooperate sincerely, and write a new chapter of friendly air transportation cooperation,” he added.

Chinese cargo airline Uni-top Airlines is set to start operations between Kunming and Dubai “Strengthening the tourism, trade and commercial links between China and Dubai is a key strategy for Dubai Airports,” said Khalil Lamrabet, Director – Aviation Business Management, Dubai Airports. “We are honoured and excited to welcome Uni-top Airline’s new service from Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to Dubai World Central (DWC). DWC, which is already in the top 25 airports worldwide for international trade volumes, is ideally suited for this service with stateof-the art facilities and a dedicated, bonded link to Jebel Ali port.”

Yunnan province is China’s major tourist and agricultural province, with extremely rich natural resources and abundant plateau green ecological agricultural products. There were more than 580 million visitors

to Yunnan and US$4.8 billion of agricultural products such as tea, coffee, vegetables and fruits have been exported in 2017.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Yunnan Provincial Government have jointly signed ‘The Kunming International Aviation Hub Strategic Planning’, in order to build Kunming Changshui international airport into an international hub that is safe, efficient, accessible, integrated, green and intelligent. It is planned that by 2030, there will be 500 air routes including 200 international and regional routes with 120 million passengers and 1.78 million tons cargo by running 5 runways in Kunming Changshui international airport.

The Chinese delegation included Mr Lu Xuesong, Mr Xiao Zhiwen, Mr Zhang Bo and Mr Yang Zesong from the Government of Yunnan Province, and Mr Feng Feishi from Uni-top Airlines. More than 20 traders, cargo agents and media attended the promotion conference.

October 2018

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Cargo & Logistics

TAC Index brings transparency to air cargo industry

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ong Kong-based TAC Index has developed the first-ever air cargo pricing indices for major global trade routes that can be used at the Settlement Price for both physical and paper contracts.

TAC Index Managing Director John Peyton Burnett described air cargo as one of the last major commodities in the world to have never been indexed. It is a US$70 billion market that carries 35 percent of global trade despite the fact that it is only one percent of trade by volume.

These indices will enable air cargo futures to be traded as a risk management tool, and will enable all industry parties to benchmark their air cargo rates against the wider market.

Centurion Air Cargo closes its doors

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enturion Air Cargo has surrendered its air carrier operating certificate (AOC) and has decided against continuing to pursue the resumption of operations.

According to the US Department of Transportation (DoT), the Miamibased freighter operator ‘operated under its certificate and exemption authority until December 31, 2016, when Centurion ceased all operations’.

In January 2017, the DoT informed the carrier that its economic authority would be suspended until it had re-determined its fitness to resume operations, with a limit of one year.

In December 2017 the carrier requested and was granted an extension of the limit until March 2018. It later filed for another extension until June 30.

Etihad Cargo, Trinity Logistics renew partnership

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tihad Cargo and Trinity Logistics USA have renewed their air cargo partnership, with Etihad operating three weekly Boeing 777 Freighter services into Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) in Columbus, Ohio, on behalf of the New York-based global logistics provider.

Originally signed in June 2016, the extended partnership allows Trinity to continue to serve the high fashion industry for which it is most renowned, forwarding apparel from Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Hanoi (Vietnam), two of the world’s largest garment exporters, to Columbus Ohio in the US. In addition to these three weekly services, the partnership was further expanded to introduce an onward Etihad Cargo freighter connection between Rickenbacker Airport and East Midlands Airport (EMA), in the United Kingdom.

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October 2018

Air China seek funds for an air cargo venture

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ir China’s parent is seeking private money for an aircargo and logistics venture with planned total investment of US$1.5 billion as part of Beijing’s mandate for state-owned firms to diversify their ownership.

China National Aviation Holding, the state-owned controlling shareholder of Beijing-based Air China, is among companies looking for private partners under the nation’s so-called mixed-ownership reform, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The carrier is following in the footsteps of China Eastern Airlines which diversified holdings at its logistics and cargo business last year as part of government efforts to boost competitiveness of state companies.

Air China previously said its parent had begun reforming its ownership structure by selling stakes in air cargo businesses to non-state investors.

Air China, which owns a stake in Cathay Pacific Airways, has a cargo joint venture with the Hong Kong-based company. The two airlines are in talks regarding attracting private investors for Air China and its parent’s cargo operations.

Cargo & Logistics

Emirates SkyCargo adds Emirates Pets to its specialised services

E Logistics startup brings efficiency to air cargo booking

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iami startup SkySpace Cargo has released the world’s first air cargo trading platform to digitize booking transactions.

The company is linked to more than 100 airlines to create a neutral environment for freight forwarders to price, book and manage cargo shipments.

Price transparency has become the norm in most industries, but the logistics field has lagged behind, with most transactions taking days to complete. Phone calls, emails, faxes, time zones and language barriers create inefficiencies in an already complex negotiation process.

Pricing is kept intentionally opaque and can be subject to last-minute changes. Bringing the process online saves hours of labour and reduces inaccuracies in documentation that can cause further delays.

Freight forwarders can complete a days-long process in minutes, then upload customs documentation directly to the platform. Cargo is counted, measured and photographed at origin to identify any damage concerns prior to shipment.

mirates SkyCargo has launched Emirates Pets - a new and improved air transportation product developed by a team of experts to offer a convenient and comfortable air transportation experience for domestic pets.

The product builds on Emirates SkyCargo’s existing capabilities to transport pet animals on its flights and offers new features such as door to door transportation as well as booking return flights for pets.

With Emirates Pets, the entry level solution, Emirates SkyCargo will offer airport to airport transportation for pets across the carrier’s network of over 160 destinations.

The owner of the pet will be responsible for completing all the required paperwork and clearances needed for the transport of the pet from one country to another.

In addition, Emirates SkyCargo has also entered into a partnership with Snoopy Pets, a leading pet relocation service provider based out of Dubai, to offer a new premium door to door transportation service, Emirates Pets Plus, across 16 markets.

GSP breaks ground on US$30 million air cargo facilities

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$30 million cargo facility is being built at GreenvilleSpartanburg (GSP) International Airport in the US. The 110,000-square-foot warehouse and 13-acre cargo ramp, scheduled to open in the spring of 2019, will accommodate three Boeing 747-800 aircraft simultaneously.

The facility will bring a significant increase in cargo, jobs and will be able to accommodate several large aircraft at the same time. The 110,000-square-foot warehouse and 13-acre cargo ramp are scheduled to open in the spring of 2019. It will be

able to accommodate three Boeing 747-800 aircraft simultaneously.

GSP’s new cargo apron is partially being funded by US$11 million from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program.

The cargo apron is expected to cost US$17 million and the warehouse will cost $13 million.

In fiscal year 2018, the airport district’s Cerulean Aviation supported more than 1,200 cargo flights. GSP’s cargo numbers increased nearly 39 percent between 2016 and 2017 and the airport moved from No. 84 to No. 72 on the FAA’s list ranking airport cargo data.

October 2018

27

Technology

Airports set up incubator labs on their premises

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ore and more airports around the world are pushing the boundaries of innovation by setting up incubator labs on their premises, creating a collaborative meeting point for start-ups, developers and tech experts.

Many cutting-edge inventions often find some of their first applications in the constrained airport environment; from artificial intelligence, virtual reality, driverless vehicles, biometrics and smart infrastructure.

Airports make for perfect testing grounds due to the fact that they often act like a microcosm, welcoming a large number of international guests, combining different means of transport with retail, security, catering and crowd management, all while trying to maintain a sustainable operation.

By creating innovation labs under their roofs, airports have managed to tap into a mutually beneficial relationship: while the airport gets to implement the latest tech in everything from passenger flows to advanced security solutions and lucrative digital retail offerings, small start-ups and individual

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October 2018

developers can enjoy useful financial backing at the start, as well as use the airport as a launching pad from concept to commercialisation later on.

As the world’s sixth busiest airport for international traffic, Changi Airport is perfectly placed to break new ground.

At the beginning of 2017, Changi Airport Group (CAG) partnered with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to launch its Living Lab, a $35 million programme to drive innovation over the next five years.

The project came after a string of world-first innovations were implemented over the years at the airport, and helped cement its commitment to “increase its pace of innovation” and step up its competitiveness. The Living Lab brings together CAG with innovation-driven companies and

start-ups, while opening up the live airport environment to testing new technologies.

This year, Munich Airport joined the ranks and embarked on a futurefocused project, under the name of LabCampus. The project will see an innovation centre built on the airport campus, at the heart of a busy transport hub with links to over 260 destinations worldwide and room for real estate development. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the busiest airport in the world – is currently testing the waters and considering developing its own innovation centre. HartsfieldJackson is already a member of the American Association of Airport Executives’ Airport Innovation Accelerator, the industry’s prime location to explore, discuss, and launch innovation in airports.

Technology

Sabre launches industry-first pricing technology

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abre Corporation, a USheadquartered technology solutions provider to the global travel and tourism industry with customers in 160 countries, has launched Sabre AirVision Dynamic Availability and Sabre AirVision Fares Optimizer, two pricing solutions that uncover new revenue opportunities by enabling airlines to address rapidly changing market conditions in real time.

Etihad Airways and Aegean Airlines will be the first Sabre customers to implement the solutions. Pricing is one of the most complex issues in the aviation industry, and airlines are under immense pressure to adapt prices in line with constantly changing market conditions.

Sabre AirVision Fares Optimizer empowers airlines to strategically adjust their fares based on realtime market data. It recommends pricing structures based on customer segmentation and competitor price checks, and generates fare recommendations by estimating each customer’s potential willingness to pay.

Then, for more tactical adjustments, Sabre AirVision Dynamic Availability enables airlines to quickly respond to ever evolving market dynamics.

These two solutions, coupled with Sabre’s shopping data and Revenue Optimizer technology, aim to give airlines a complete pricing and revenue management offering.

UK’s first flying electric vehicle conducts test flight

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orget self-driving cars, flying air taxis could be taking you to work in four years’ time all thanks to Vertical Aerospace.

The flying electric vehicle could be flying you to work in 2022 with the UK successfully completing the first test flight.

The Bristol-based start-up has been working on developing electric aircraft vehicles, designed specifically for vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL).

In June this year, the company’s eVTOL aircraft completed its first ever test flight, a major step in its mission to revolutionise how people fly.

Vertical Aerospace was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, the brains behind OVO Energy, with an aim to make air travel on-demand and carbon-free. Over the past two years, the company has grown to 28 engineers and technical experts, from companies such as Airbus and Rolls-Royce, who have been working on the eVTOL aircraft.

The start-up wants to solve environmental issues surrounding air travel. Annual air passenger journeys are projected to reach 7.2 billion by 2035, which will have a major impact on local air pollution.

The 750kg aircraft successfully flew across Cotswold Airport in Kemble, Gloucestershire, proving that its technology works and therefore paving the way for eVTOL aircraft to be used more regularly in the future.

World’s longest-span aircraft hangar gets its roof

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roof truss weighing 7,200 tonnes, which was mostly pre-assembled on the ground, has been lifted into place at the new Beijing Daxing International Airport, an international hub.

It capped around four months of operation. The hangar has a longer span than any structure of its kind.

The 7,200-ton roof truss, 404.5 metres long and 97.5 metres wide, was mostly pre-assembled on the ground and then elevated to a height of 38.5m after three rounds of roof

raisings. The hangar, which sits beside the runway, could not be built too high because of safety concerns about take-offs and landings. So the W-truss was adopted for building the hangar roof, helping to lower its height.

Covering an area of 390,000 square metres, or about the size of five football fields, the long-span hangar can hold a maximum of 12 aircraft, including two A380 jumbos, three Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft and seven narrow-bodied planes.

October 2018

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Tourism

Los Cabos makes a dramatic tourism turnaround

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os Cabos, Mexico’s most diverse tourism destination, registered a record six percent growth in domestic and international visitors year-to-date, an increase driven largely by the nation’s investment in dramatically improving safety and security over the last year.

Los Cabos is located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula and boasts a dramatic desert backdrop nestled by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. A growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas and state-of-theart convention facilities add to the destination’s unmatched appeal.

The dramatic turnaround – fuelled by across the board upgrades to the destination’s security processes, personnel, and infrastructure – have led to significant new investments in direct flight routes and hotels, with more than 500 weekly flights and over 1,000 hotel rooms added in 2018 and 1,200 more to be opened before the year ends.

Hotel investments have totalled more than US$1 billion over the same period.

Los Cabos implemented an emergency five-point plan in September 2017 to overhaul its security procedures

Kuwaitis rank third in ‘halal’ tourism expenditures

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study issued by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has revealed that Kuwaitis ranked third internationally after the Emiratis and Saudis in ‘halal’ tourism expenditures for the year 2017.

The study was based on data from Mastercard and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), stating that Kuwaitis spent US$10.7 billion for

‘halal’ tourism last year, while Emiratis spent US$17.6 billion and Saudis spent US$16.1 billion. The study revealed the UAE continues to top the list in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in terms of providing better and competitive environment for investment in travel and tourism, and it is equipped with advanced technology while providing better infrastructure for air transportation in the world.

throughout the destination. Since then, Los Cabos has recorded a record year of tourism totalling more than 1.8 million visitors from January to August 2018 – improving upon the already record numbers achieved in the same period in 2017.

Croatia hosted 15.7 million tourists

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rom January until August, a total of 15.7 million tourists visited Croatia, up five per cent from the same period last year.

Croatia is an Eastern European country with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea encompassing more than a thousand islands Croatian Tourist Board says the first eight months of this year witnessed 88.5 million overnight stays, four per cent more than the same period last year. Away from the coast, Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb, recorded 774,000 tourist arrivals, up nine per cent from last year, and 1.6 million overnight stays, 11 per cent more than 2017.

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Tourism

UAE is among Top 20 medical tourism destinations

UAE tourists to get VAT refund starting November

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ccording to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), medical tourism generated more than US$381 million for the emirate in 2016. The UAE has steadily cemented its position as the destination of choice for medical tourists due to its wide range of state-of-the-art technology, affordable treatments and highly specialised doctors.

Experts across the country’s medical sector are optimistic about the UAE’s progress in becoming the world's top destination for quality healthcare in the coming years. The global medical tourism market is reported to be currently around

T US$100 billion and is growing at a rapid rate of approximately 20 per cent year on year.

The UAE and Oman are expected to record the highest growth rates in healthcare spending between 2017 and 2022 at 9.6 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively, according to Alpen Capital. The UAE has already witnessed a sizeable increase in medical tourists who are drawn to the country for treatments ranging from major surgeries to rehabilitation and cosmetic corrections.

Myanmar tourism industry courts Asian markets

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yanmar’s tourism industry is turning its eyes to the Asian market as many Western online travel agencies (OTAs) discourage travel to the Southeast

Asian country bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand.

In particular, OTAs in the US, Canada, England and Scandinavia have drastically downplayed Myanmar as a tourist destination following the Army’s crackdown on the Rohingya community in northern Rakhine, which drove out nearly 700,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh. A report by an independent UN fact-finding mission said the action had “genocidal intent” and urged that the military leadership be investigated for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.

he United Arab Emirates will be refunding its five per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods and services to millions of tourists starting November this year.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) says the VAT refund system will initially be available at the three main UAE airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, but will be installed at 12 exit points, including land borders and ports, soon after, by the end of the year 2018.

The minimum amount that makes tourists eligible to claim their VAT refund will be AED250, according to the guidelines issued by the FTA and Tourist Refund Scheme operator, Planet. Tax-free shopping will be possible for all tourists above 18 years-old.

Until December 16, the three airports will be the only points at which VAT could be refunded, but from that date onwards, nine more locations will be added: Al Maktoum International Airport, Abu Dhabi Port Zayed, Al Ain Airport, Al Ain land border, Fujairah Airport, Ras Al Khaimah Airport, Al Ghuwaifat land border, Hatta land border, and Dubai Mina Rashid Harbour, according to Planet’s website.

October 2018

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