Via Dubai Magazine | October 2015

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

www.viadubaionline.com

Issue 29 October 2015

Inside DCAA DCAA staff briefed 7 on intellectual property DCAA conducts Climate 8 Change Policy and Aviation programme

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ATC Global 2015

UAE in Focus Emirates fleet stands at 238

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Dubai is world’s fifth 17 fastest growing city economy

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Aviation Man of the Year

Opinions ERAM replaces the legacy system

We must manage cyber risk

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Tony Tyler

Technology 48

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Abdullah Al Hammadi

DCAA is ‘proactive’ in aircraft accidents prevention

Michael Huerta

Cargo & Logistics 46

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Airlines 45

ATM 38

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

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

Registration Requirements: • • • • • • •

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

• • • • • • •

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

You can download the application

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

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

www.dcaa.gov.ae

With heartfelt sorrow, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority extend deepest condolences to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai On the sad demise of Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum We pray to Almighty Allah to keep his Soul in peace and let him live in paradise October 2015

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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 AlMaktoum, Ruler of Dubai, on proclamation of law No. 21 of 2007, as amended by law No. 19 of 2010, to undertake development of Air Transport Industry in the Emirate of Dubai and to oversee all aviation-related activities.

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

Inside DCAA ATC Global 2015

General Supervision Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

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Coordinator Hanan Al Mazimi Executive Editor Mohammed Abdul Mannan Creative Manager Mohammed Al Jarouf E-mail: viadubai@naddalshiba.com Legal Disclaimer The views expressed in the articles are of the writers and not necessarily belong to DCAA. We take all reasonable steps to keep the information current and accurate, but errors can occur. The information is therefore provided as is, with no guarantee of accuracy, completeness or timeliness. The DCAA or Via Dubai does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. Via Dubai does not endorse or recommend any article, product, service or information mentioned in the newsletter. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional.

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DCAA staff briefed on intellectual property

7 DCAA hosts charity lecture

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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:

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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 October 2015 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

CONTENTS

Cover Story

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Aviation Man of the Year

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Middle East News

International News

30 MSI deal for Muscat

36 $441 billion investment in

30 Deal to establish Saudi

36 Caribbean’s newest airport

31 Egypt signs up to Middle East

36 Myanmar airport project

and Salalah airports Rotorcraft Support Center airspace programme

2520 airport projects terminal opens

delayed on fund shortage

32 Deal to advance air navigation surveillance in MENA

32 Turkish Airlines grows faster in Egypt

October 2015

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October 2015

Message from the President

Investing for a bright future T

he aviation industry is undergoing a paradigm shift globally due to increase in the people’s propensity to fly and rising air connectivity.

In almost every part of the world, airports, especially those handling international traffic, are in the midst of expansion and modernization of existing terminals and new infrastructure development to meet the future demands.

According to a Mid-Year 2015 report by CAPA, about $440.6 billion is the size of investments in 2520 airport construction projects globally; out of which 340 are new airport projects. That figure is higher compared with the $390.2 billion estimated earlier in January.

The Middle East in general and Arabian Gulf states in particular are pumping in billions of dollars in the race to building new airports or expanding the existing facilities to meet the future demands. The report says that $32.7 billion in airport investments are under way or planned in the UAE. Airports are capital intensive businesses highly dependent on economies of scale. IATA noted that about $40 billion are being invested in airport infrastructure in the Arabian Gulf alone by “far-sighted” governments.

A report has rightly put it that airports are a unique class of asset offering greater growth potential.

Unlike more traditional infrastructure assets, airports serve airlines as their primary clients and therefore share in the fortunes and woes of a highly-cyclical industry.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Runway expansions, control tower improvements and infrastructure upgrades are absorbing a sizable portion of this massive spending, but the sleek new terminals and lounges are the cynosure of all eyes.

A survey done by GALF suggested that Middle East region holds ‘highest potential’ for airport investments over the next five years.

In Dubai, we are prepared to make for ourselves a better and bright future. Our $7.5 billion investment in Dubai International Airport and launch of the first phase of Al Maktoum International in Dubai South will make us ready for the future and offer the best customer service and travel experiences, whilst contributing to the development of the global aviation industry.

October 2015

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Message

from the Director General

Aviation safety tops our agenda A

viation safety affects everybody. Since the launch of scheduled commercial aviation operations 100 years ago, the aviation industry stakeholders have worked continuously to improve the sector’s safety performance.

There has been a decline in accidents and serious incidents over the years, underpinned by a continuous improvement in safety. The long term improvement in global airline safety is due to a combination of several positive trends.

Aircraft have become more reliable, safety systems and culture have improved enormously and the standard of training has become notably higher. Improved air traffic control technology and better collision avoidance systems have also impacted. Safety inspections are now far more effective. Aircraft inspections are much more detailed and stringent and have incorporated improved technologies.

ICAO noted that one of the key elements to maintaining the vitality of civil aviation is to ensure safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations at the global, regional and national levels. The ICAO works constantly to address and enhance global aviation safety through a variety of coordinated activities.

ICAO strives to achieve a balance between assessed risk and the requirements of practical, achievable and effective risk mitigation strategies. ICAO continues to promote the implementation and development of new safety initiatives.

ICAO is committed to improving aviation safety and enabling seamless co-operation and communication between stakeholders.

The Dubai government has been investing considerably to expand and enhance the aviation infrastruc-

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October 2015

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

ture to meet the requirements of the civil aviation development in the Emirate of Dubai and also to support the development of the global aviation industry. Top on the priority list is the development of Dubai South, with Al Maktoum International as its nucleus, to make it the world’s biggest aviation hub.

At the DCAA, we are at the forefront to ensure aviation safety by being ‘proactive’ in accidents prevention, among other things.

The tasks of the DCAA’s Accident and Incident Investigation Section have been enlarged in line with the phenomenal growth of the aviation industry. The new aviation law on Airspace safety and Security in the Emirate of Dubai is expected to further strengthen these efforts. The massive and ceaseless growth of the aviation industry has thrown upon us several challenges for which we are prepared well in advance.

Inside DCAA

DCAA staff briefed on intellectual property I n the framework of strengthening cooperation between the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Dubai Customs, the Intellectual Property Department at Dubai Customs, organized a presentation to on the intellectual property (IP) for the DCAA employees.

The lecture covered various aspects of Intellectual Property and knowledge transfer. The initiative between the two organizations is designed to strengthen the role of governmental partnership and cooperation in line with the goals of the Dubai Strategic Plan for the management of intellectual property.

Dubai Customs is exerting relentless efforts to combat fake and counterfeit products and other items that can harm the safety and health and the interests of trademarks owners.

The department has a separate section tasked with following up on issues related to intellectual property and trademarks.

Dubai Customs is also keen on maintaining international trade’s legitimacy, as Dubai is considered a focal gateway for Western and Eastern trade movement. It has made great efforts in educating and raising awareness of the IPR and the hazards and harms of using counterfeit products on the community and the health of its members. The IPR Department commenced its operations in June 2005. 

DCAA hosts charity lecture A

n educational and awareness lecture, hosted by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), provided insights to the DCAA and Dubai Police Airport Security personnel into various types of charities and endowments and the definition of Waqf and its virtues and contribution to the society.

The lecture, organized by the Government of Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, comes in line with the DCAA’s keenness to develop and promote close relations with the government and corporate stakeholders in the community development domain. At the end of the lecture, officials of the two organizations exchanged mementos. 

DCAA staff offered discounts T he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) hosted an open day for Ajmal Perfumes with the staff getting discounts in the range of five to 20 per cent on perfumes and Oudh products.

Ajmal Perfumes, over 64 years of crafting memories.

Founded 64 years ago, Ajmal has a vast portfolio of over 300 of the finest and most captivating fragrances. Ajmal has a strong retail presence with over 155 exclusive retail outlets across the GCC. DCAA employees are offered discounts by various organizations for a variety of products and services. 

October 2015

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DCAA News

DCAA conducts Climate Change Policy and Aviation programme

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he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) hosted a stakeholder awareness training programme on ‘Climate Change Policy and Aviation’ in September.

The three day programme, conducted by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), covered topics specific to the aviation industry such as aviation climate policy and international aviation industry negotiations on climate change issues, as well as climate change policy implication for government, airlines and the aviation sector.

have steadily moved into the center of discussions and debates.

The challenge of addressing environmental concerns in aviation is no easy task as seen by the contentious negotiations at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) General Assemblies of late. Environmental issues

In 1968, the ICAO Assembly adopted a resolution which conceding the effect of aircraft noise around the airport. In 1971, the ICAO assembly adopted a resolution which recognized the adverse impact on the environment that

October 2015

When charting a brief history of ICAO’s focus on environmental protection it becomes apparent that the industry’s focus and scope on environmental issues have widened since the signing of the Chicago Convention in 1944.

may relate to the operation of aircraft.

These events led to ICAO promoting initiatives that minimize the adverse effects of international civil aviation activities and promote activities that benefit people and the environment, whilst achieving the safe and orderly development of civil aviation and safeguarding the quality of human environment.

An example of this is the Standards and Recommended Practices for Aircraft Noise that was first adopted by the Council in 1971 and was designated as Annex 16 to the Convention. The Annex dealt with several aspects relating to aircraft noise.

DCAA News

The Council also established the Committee on Aircraft Noise (CAN) to assist the ICAO to develop aircraft noise related aspects. Further to this the ICAO council took initiatives to look into the impact of engine emissions this resulted in establishing the Committee on Aircraft Engine Emissions (CAEE), tasked with developing specific standards for aircraft engine emissions.

Several standards were adopted by ICAO in 1981 relating to the emissions exhaust limits and other related pollutants.

In 1983, the Committee Aviation Environment Protection (CAEP) was established to assists the Council in formulating new policies and adopting new Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) related to aircraft noise and emissions, and more generally to aviation environmental impact, consolidating ICAO’s previous environmental work under one umbrella.

Today, CAEP undertakes a wide range of specific studies under its scope, as requested by the Council.

CAEP informs the Council’s and the Assembly’s decision making by providing aviation environmental trends assessment including future air traffic projections and impact assessment of proposed policies and developments for the Council to review and consider. To achieve the industry objective of environmental protection a coordinate effort across the industry and a concerted effort from the contracting states is essential.

In recognizing this need, the Government of Dubai, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, embarked on taking several initiatives to meet the challenges.

The law establishing the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority No. 22 of 2007 as amended by Law No.19 of 2010, spe-

cifically provides that, inter alia, the functions and power of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is to “apply environmental protection policies in line with federal and local environmental policies”.

His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General, DCAA, said: “In pursuing the progressive vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and implemented under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the successful completion of the climate change policy and aviation awareness training programme fulfils a fundamental need of utmost importance; that before policies and any regulatory framework are set, a clear understanding of the policy landscape is understood by the local industry.”

He added: “Our commitment to environmental issues as the aviation industry regulator is to promote the development and growth of the aviation sector and to continuously minimize the impact on the environment in support of the Emirate of Dubai’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Amongst our strategic goals one of which is to develop a flexible regulatory environment in accordance with international aviation regulations and best practices. We are also focused on further strengthening DCAA’s good working relationship with aviation and government stakeholders.” 

October 2015

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DCAA News

ATC Global 2015

Connecting the Continents

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rom October 5 to 7, key decision-makers, civil aviation regulators, Air Traffic Management (ATM) experts, airports and airlines executives and technology providers gathered in Dubai and utilized the ATC Global 2015 to build partnerships and networking, share knowledge and expertise, showcase latest technology and innovations and debate critical issues and future growth trends facing the ATM industry.

Organized by UBM in partnership with UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and supported by Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), Dubai Airports and Emirates Airline, the ATC Global 2015 Exhibition and Conference was the flagship event of ATC Week, a series of independent events celebrating air traffic control.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Air-

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October 2015

ports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of DANS, the milestone event took place at Dubai International Conference and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and welcomed delegates and speakers from 106 countries, 45 more than in 2014 edition.

Remarked His Highness Sheikh Ahmed: “Aviation has been an instrumental engine in driving unprecedented growth in the economy of Dubai. It has benefited from a clear vision and investment in innovative minds, technology, and

research and development. The ATC Global 2015 participants will contribute toward shaping the future of the air traffic management sector.”

At the opening ceremony, one minute silence was observed to pay homage to one of UAE’s prominent sports and humanitarian personality, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who died in Dubai recently following a heart attack.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, His Excellency Mohammed

DCAA News

Abdulla Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman of DANS, said it was a matter of pride that the ATC Global was taking place in Dubai for the first time and started on the UAE Civil Aviation Day. It was on October 5th in 1929 that the Imperial Airways made its first landing in Sharjah.

He underscored the need for enhancing efforts for knowledge and expertise sharing to make the ATM and air navigation smooth and efficient compatible with the rapid air traffic growth globally. He took the opportunity to enlighten the participants about various initiatives taken up for a more efficient and effective ATM in the UAE, including the airspace restructuring programme and new laws to regulate drones.

Mohammed Ahli remarked: “We are proud of the accomplishments we have achieved in the aviation sector, and as we continue on our journey to further growth, cooperation between DANS and International organizations is a highly crucial asset to complement this.

We are always keen on sharing the Dubai story with all entities who are interested in participating in the growth of the sector.”

The conference, themed Connecting the Continents, debated about various crucial topics like global connectivity, interoperability, legislations and regulations, aircraft communication, tracking and surveillance, performance based navigation (PBD), GBAS and Aeronautical Information Management (AIM). The event also featured 21 workshops and seminars on the exhibition floor covering a wide range of topics including ATM in Africa,

Aircraft Satellite Communications, the Middle East ATM Enhancement Programme, Surveillance and Tracking and Remote Tower and Dynamic Airspace Use. An impressive array of international exhibitors showcased a wide range of industry critical services and innovative technologies also await attendees. Lockheed Martin, Thales, Azimut, Aireon, GAL ANS, HungaroControl and SESAR JU were amongst them.

The ATC Week was designed to highlight the importance of air traffic control and the contribution it makes to the global transport infrastructure.

The events included the Dubai Air Navigation Services ATC Tour during which the attendees were provided insights into the Air Traffic Control Tower, Approach and world’s largest 360 Tower Simulator (TOSIM) located at the Al Maktoum International Airport. Then there was Aviation

System Block Upgrade (ASBU) implementation Workshop, collaboration between IATA and its regional airline members, Emirates, and ICAO Workshop focused on the air navigation performance planning process detailed in the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) along with ASBU methodology, major traffic flows and cost effectiveness.

The ASBU Implementation Workshop took into consideration the current and forecast traffic flows originating or overflying the Middle East and/or Africa. The GCAA organized a tour for the participants to Sheikh Zayed Centre, the largest and busiest air traffic management facility in the Middle East.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Air Navigation Committee has awarded aviation consultancy Helios a contract to develop a detailed study and implementation roadmap to harmonize air traffic management (ATM) provision across the six GCC states. 

October 2015

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DCAA Interview

Massive aviation growth holds several challenges for the industry regulator

DCAA is ‘proactive’ in aircraft accidents prevention Abdullah Al Hammadi Head of Accident & Incident Investigation

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espite the massive expansion of aviation industry in general and the airports and fleet of national carriers and foreign operators in particular, the Emirate of Dubai boasts of an excellent safety track record with one of the world’s lowest rates of aircraft accident and incidents.

The role and responsibilities of the Accident and Incident Investigation Section at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) have been enlarged in line with the phenomenal growth of the aviation industry.

What are the major role and responsibilities of your Section?

Our Section is basically handles two major functions – Prevention of accident and Investigation of the accident.

We pursue a proactive policy as prevention is better than the cure.

A new aviation law is expected to further strengthen the efforts to meet the challenges of ensuring aviation industry function better and safer.

We follow different ways in handling our tasks to ensure continuity of our excellent track record in accident prevention and take the safety levels a few more notches up.

In an exclusive interview with Via Dubai, Abdullah Al Hammadi, Head of Accident & Incident Investigation Section at the Aviation Security & Accident Investigation Department, share insights into what aviation accident investigation is all about and how DCAA is working towards a better future.

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October 2015

As a part of this responsibility is to inspect the Foreign Operators aircraft, and also conduct hazard inspections in order to ensure accident/incident prevention. Earlier, we use to conduct the Foreign Operators inspection randomly but now it is done on a scheduled basis for better coordination

and successful results. Our team is made up of qualified Emiratis investigators and inspectors.

The Section’s work has been enlarged due to the increasing number of operations at Dubai International Airport and in Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA) in Dubai World Central (DWC), which has been recently rebranded as Dubai South.

Accident/Incident Investigation Section is guided by a mix of ICAO annexures, which includes the annex 13 aircraft accident and incident Investigation, annex 8 airworthiness, annex 14 aerodromes, annex 7 operation of aircraft and annex 19 Safety Management System which has been introduced recently, along with the GCAA regulations.

DCAA Interview

On the airside, we do oversight the operators, runways, taxiways, aircraft stands and parking bays to ensure that the airport operators, foreign aircraft operators and ground handling agencies are complying with the national and international regulations. All of these precautions are in place in order to avoid accidents and incidents.

How do you differentiate between an accident and incident?

According to ICAO annex 13 classifications of the accidents and incidents, that the accident is an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft, which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, in which a person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of being in the aircraft, or direct contact with any part of the aircraft, or the aircraft

sustains damage or structural failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics, and require major repair or replacement, except for engine failure or damage limited to the engine, or the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible. However, the Incident is an occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft which affects or could not affect the safety of operation.

In Emirates of Dubai, DCAA have signed a MoU with GCAA- General Civil Aviation Authority – UAE with regards to annex 13 aircraft accident/ incident Investigation, as the GCAA is the federal regulator representing UAE in any international event.

This MoU draw’s the roles and responsibilities of the two parties, in particular the accident and incident

occurred within Dubai CTA – Control Terminal Area, this jurisdiction is conducted in collaboration with the GCAA for which DCAA had entered into MOU. Our crucial task is this kind of events as a team member is to respond to the accident reporting within 60 minutes from any point in Dubai to the accident site, securing the wreckage and the evidence right after rescuing or removing the deceased people from the accident scene and this to be done with an assistance of the various government organization such as the ambulance, police, civil defense and other emergency services.

There will be an occasion where a Foreign Operator involved in such accident and the state of registry will dispatch their accredited investigator to participate in the accident.

October 2015

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DCAA Cover Interview Story

A part of annex 13 accident investigation, DCAA accident/incident investigation section conduct the non-annex 13 accident investigation process for those accident/incident, which do not fall under annex 13 criteria as well as drafting the final report for the accident within two months of accident and seeks the involved parties feedback.

The final report of the accident will be released after incorporating the acceptable feedback a long with the recommendations given by DCAA. This practice is amid to avoid the re-occurrence of accident and to facilitate the corrective action by the in-

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volved party, followed by a follow –up audit to see that the recommendation are being implemented by meeting the involved parties to demonstrate the action taken for the improvements and close the loopholes effectively.

What are the major challenges posed by the aviation growth?

The massive and ceaseless growth of the aviation industry has thrown upon us several challenges. We have two international airports within Dubai’s urban limits.

Dubai International has last year become the world’s number one airport for international passengers and this year it will witness close to 79 million

passengers. The increase in size of operations of both airports and also the fleet of aircraft operators is really a big and continuous challenge.

We have to ensure that every stakeholder is complying with the national and international rules and regulations in terms of safety. Another challenge is the fast emergence of aviation sports related in Dubai like (skydiving) with various activates such as parachuting, paramotoring and other aviation games, which require an oversight.

Another big challenge is preparing for the flydubai operations at the DWC. The Dubai carrier has announced that it will commence new passenger services from Al Maktoum Interna-

DCAA Interview

was supported by Emirates Airline, dnata, and Dubai Airports.

FOD is a major problem at the airports around the world as well as a threat to aircraft and Dubai is no different. In 2011, we have successfully conducted another campaign on Safe Driving in airside.

Managers and supervisors were the target audience for this campaign. A significate finding and recommendations came out of this campaign to many stakeholders in order to be taken in their consideration as well as a mentoring programme was provided by the institute to those participants. Our Section has come out with a new initiative, which called “Thought Flights” for the aviation sector in Emirates of Dubai prior of Expo 2020 by seeking new smart ideas and creative suggestions provided by aviation community, public, government and privet sector to support and prepare for Expo 2020. It is going to be three years programme.

tional with effect from 25th October 2015, the commencement of its winter schedule.

What have been major achievements of the Section?

In 2010, we conducted Safety Marathon Campaign to create awareness of the industry stakeholders about the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) at Dubai International Airport.

We published informative brochures in English, Arabic and three other languages, and we have run three awareness sessions a day for three month where we have managed to educate around 3500 airport staff who have benefited from the campaign which

The broad elements that will be covered under the new initiative includes airport infrastructure, development of aviation services, aviation business , services at airport and the aviation rules and regulations with emphasis of customers and passengers right.

How is the new aviation law going to strengthen the industry?

The new aviation law issued in April 2015 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is expected to further strengthen the efforts to meet the challenges of ensuring aviation industry function better and safer in the coming years.

The Law No 7 of 2015 regulates the activities of the civil aviation industry, applies best practices to ensure the

optimum use of Dubai’s airspace and prohibit all acts that may endanger aircraft, airports or any aviation services facilities. The new law also defines acts that constitute risk on aviation facilities, air operations, airplanes, passengers and air traffic.

The legislation also allows increased inspection and oversight of activities in the industry.

The legislation pertains to all responsibilities of the aviation authority, including upgrading and developing aviation equipment that complies with domestic and international regulations.

The Article 3 of the new law covers our responsibilities and it is expected to strengthen our work.

How many accident investigations have been conducted last year and in H1 2015?

In 2014, there were five annex 13 cases and two of them closed, and three cases were opened till the end of June 2015. We have released three Non-annex 13 accident investigation final reports last year and two Non-annex 13 accident investigation final reports in the 1st half of 2015.

In 2014 we have responded to fifteen emergency calls related to aircraft accident, while in the 1st half of this year we handled eight calls. Last year, we carried out 231 Foreign Operators Inspections, while in 2015 1st half we conducted 208 inspections.

This is due to effective scheduling of our inspection with GCAA instead of the unscheduled inspection carried out earlier. As far as the hazard inspection concern, it was stood at 75 inspections last year, in the other hand there was 22 hazard inspections was conducted in 1st half of 2015. 

October 2015

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UAE in Focus

Emirates fleet stands at 238

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mirates Airline received record deliveries of four new wide-body aircraft worth $1.5 billion in one day that cemented its place in history not just as the biggest customer and operator of the 777 family, but it also signifies the dramatic growth in its business and fortunes since taking its first 777-200 back almost 20 years ago.

The event also marked the 150th Boeing 777 delivery milestone. The bumper delivery included two Boeing 777-300ERs, one Boeing 777 Freighter and one A380 aircraft.

Emirates has received 14 new aircraft so far in 2015, which include nine A380s, four Boeing 777-300ERs and one Boeing 777 Freighter. During the same period, the airline retired eight aircraft, comprised of four A340-500s, three A330-200s and one Boeing 777200.Emirates is already the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777 and the A380.

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October 2015

The A380 aircraft delivered this week brings the total number of this iconic double-decked aircraft in the Emirates fleet to 66.

The additional three Boeing aircraft marks the 150th Emirates Boeing 777 delivery milestone, and takes the current Emirates 777 fleet size to 147.

Emirates had received its first Boeing 777 in 1996. With a range of up to 17,446 kilometres or 9,420 nautical miles, Emirates’ Boeing 777s serve almost 100 destinations across six continents, enabling the

airline to connect almost any two points on earth.

Including the most recent deliveries, the total number of aircraft in the Emirates fleet stands at 238 with an average age of 6.5 years, representing one of the youngest fleets in the skies.

The airline has 270 additional aircraft on order, worth a total of $129 billion at list prices. Its order book includes 46 Boeing 777300ERs, 115 Boeing 777-9Xs, 35 Boeing 777-8Xs and 74 Airbus A380s. 

UAE in Focus

Dubai is world’s fifth fastest growing city economy

Sharjah airport expansion plans

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harjah Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) is reviewing the master plan and budget for the expansion of the Sharjah International Airport. The master plan of the scheme was awarded to Bechtel International on January 2014.

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ubai has been ranked among the top 10 cities that are powering economic growth within their nations.

A report by the Brookings Institution has ranked Dubai fifth worldwide for 2014, up from 18th position in the previous year. The report said Dubai’s growth was boosted by a 4.7 per cent annual rise in employment.

The emirate also recorded the fastest growth relative to its national economy with a 4.5 per cent rise in gross domestic product, or GDP, per capita, versus 1.6 per cent growth for the UAE as a whole.

Overall, the report found that economic activity and growth in 2014 remained disproportionately concentrated in the world’s major metropolitan areas. 

The main scope of the Bechtel is to provide SCAA with a master plan that will increase the capacity of the airport from 8.5 million passengers per year to 25 million passengers by 2025.

The main assignment is the preparation of a 20 year plan. The scope of the master plan also included the construction of a shopping mall and a hotel that will be located near the Sharjah International Airport. 

620 kg of ivory seized at Dubai airport

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ore than 620 kilogramme of ivory worth AED5 million was seized at Dubai International Airport recently, the General Administration of Airport Security at Dubai Police said.

The ivory, seized from five different smugglers who were all coming from African countries, was destined for countries in America and Asia.

They were arrested while transiting through Dubai Airport. Ivory trade is internationally banned according to the CITES convention, which the UAE joined in 1990. The illegal trade has led to the endangerment of various species, including Asian and African elephants, from which ivory is harvested from.

Earlier this year, Airport Security handed over more than 300 kg of raw ivory to the Ministry of Environment and Water.Dubai Customs officials said the intelligence reports by UAE authorities, Interpol and IFAW are infiltrating illegal ivory trade networks

and stemming the flow of elephant tusks through major transit hubs such as Dubai. Officials said more than 1,500 ivory seizures by Dubai Customs between 2011 and 2014. There was only one ivory seizure made in Dubai in the first six months of this year. 

October 2015

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UAE in Focus

Flights between UAE and Philippines to soar

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lights between the UAE and the Philippines will see a 25 per cent increase soon, possibly connecting more regional airports in the southeast Asian nation to the hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a senior Philippine aviation official confirmed to Gulf News.

The Philippines and the UAE concluded two-day talks in which they agreed to increase air traffic rights between the two nations from the current 28 weekly flights to 35 from each side.This raises the total number of weekly flights to 70 -- from

the existing 56 -- between the two countries.

The negotiations between UAE and Philippine carriers with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) ended on a happy note.

The parties agreed to increase the maximum number of flights per week for each country from the current 28 flights to 35, subject to the condition that the UAE carrier operating such additional flights to Manila is bound to also operate separately to Clark or Cebu within one

year from signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.Currently, weekly flight entitlements between the UAE and the Philippines stand at 28, which already doubled from 14 following the air talks in 2012.

Emirates and Etihad Airways have 14 flight entitlements each (or a total of 28 weekly flights) in the Dubai/ Abu Dhabi-Manila (and vice versa) sectors. Philippine Airlines (PAL) has 14 weekly flight entitlements while PAL Express and Cebu Pacific will have seven each on the same route. ď‚ƒ

Unique B2B travel technology platform goes live in UAE

T

ravRays has launched a complete end-to-end technology platform which encompasses an advanced Booking Engine combined with customer profiling, comprehensive reporting and management capabilities.

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October 2015

The systems act as a platform where travel agents, travel suppliers such as airlines, car rentals and hotels can be both a supplier and a customer at the same time.

agents under the platform. Annually, about 16 million airline seats are sold in the UAE, out of which about 60 per cent are going through the travel agencies.

TravRays is powered by a unique caching and fare pricing engine, ensuring the lowest and the most accurate fares.

According to IATA, last year air tickets worth $4.1 billion were picked up in the UAE. IATA-approved agents sold 7.4 million air tickets in UAE last year. The UAE ranked 18th in the world for the volume of air tickets sold through the IATA-approved travel agencies last year. ď‚ƒ

TravRays is currently focused in the UAE, and it will expand to GCC markets in next two years. In the UAE, it has set a target of bringing 2500 travel

UAE in Focus

GBAS hAS lAnded

UAE and Gabon inks Open Skies deal

UAE to begin restructuring crowded air space

T

T

he UAE represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has inked an Air Service Agreement on Open Skies basis and signed a MoU with the Government of Gabon.

The two delegations agreed that any number of designated airlines of both parties will have the right to perform scheduled air services between the two countries. The MoU allows full flexibility on the routes, capacity, number of frequencies and types of aircraft, in any type of service (passenger or cargo).

The signed memorandum also includes the exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights. In addition, both Parties agreed to allow unrestricted non-scheduled/ charter operations between the two countries. 

he UAE is to start restructuring its crowded air space next year.Like road networks, air space is divided into corridors.

Only some is open for use by civilian traffic, while the rest is reserved for military purposes.

With the expansion of air travel from Gulf hubs - as well as existing fleets, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad Airways have almost 700 aircraft on their order books - concerns have been raised that available space for flights will impinge on growth.

“This is a potential risk, which if not responded to today will face severe consequences tomorrow - not only for efficiency but

also for safety and security,” said Ahmed Al Jallaf, Deputy Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). “We don’t want things to pile up until an accident takes place.” 

Introducing SmartPath® For airports around the world, SmartPath is the most important arrival in over 50 years. One SmartPath station can provide up to 26 precision approaches, enabling multiple approach paths and touchdown points to all runway ends, with flexibility to support the unique needs of even the world‘s most challenging airspaces.

SmartPath is already supporting safer and more efficient landings at airports worldwide including Frankfurt, Newark and Sydney.

To see how it could transform your operations search SmartPath.

October 2015

For more information visit aerospace.honeywell.com/ATM © 2015 honeywell International Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Cover Story

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Aviation Man of the Year

2020

October October2015 2015

Cover Story

O

n the 5th of October 1932, a singlepropeller Britishowned Imperial Airways plane carrying four passengers landed in Sharjah, the first flight to carry airline passengers to the then Trucial States which became UAE at the end of British Protectorateship on December 2, 1971.

In the past 83 years, the aviation industry in the UAE has been transformed into one of the best and fastest growing in the world.

In acknowledgement and recognition of this game-changing milestone and massive transformation that the civil aviation industry has undergone, the UAE cabinet declared October 5 to be observed every year as the UAE Civil Aviation Day. On the occasion of UAE Civil Aviation Day for 2015, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was honoured by the Civil Aviation Sector with the ‘Aviation Man of the Year’ award for his ceaseless and committed efforts to develop and promote the aviation industry.

His Excellency Eng. Sultan Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said: “Awarding HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum the ‘Aviation Man of

the Year’ title is an honour to the UAE Civil Aviation Day because it is a recognition of a man who spared no effort to improve the UAE civil aviation sector, in light of a wise vision that strikes a balance between holding advanced positions on the international civil aviation level and maintaining a distinguished standard of aviation quality and safety.”

The UAE Civil Aviation Day is to promote national awareness of the UAE civil aviation sector’s achievements.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said that the aviation industry in the UAE has made “qualitative leaps” at all levels.

“From this standpoint, the UAE occupies second place after the United States in terms of the number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding to facilitate air traffic between it and the majority of countries. The air

October 2015

21

Cover Story

national in Dubai South that will increase capacity to 120 million passengers a year.

Mohammad Ahli

traffic across the state’s airspace is expected to increase to 1.2 million movements by the end of 2020,” he said in the statement.

supports sectors including tourism, trade and industry, creating around 250,000 jobs in the different sectors, according to the statement.

He noted that the development of the air transport sector in the country has facilitated transportation and enhanced international trade “due to the immense potentials of this sector in terms of capacity and services provided for travellers, airlines and airfreights.”

A number of aviation sector developmental projects are taking place in the UAE. For instance, the ongoing expansions of Abu Dhabi Airport will increase its capacity by 2017. When the Midfield terminal is completed, Abu Dhabi Airport will be able to accommodate 40 million passengers every year.

Also, in September 2014, Dubai Airports announced a $32 billion expansion of Al Maktoum Inter-

The UAE civil aviation sector contributes up to 12 per cent in the GDP (gross domestic product). It

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Sultan Al Mansouri

October 2015

His Excellency Mohammad Abdulla Ahli, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and CEO of the Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), pointed out two recent achievements: The UAE being ranked first in aviation safety and security, and Dubai International Airport ranking as the world’s biggest airport in terms of the number of international passengers.

Ismail Balushi, Assistant Director General of Aviation Safety Affairs at GCAA, said the UAE has topped the list of countries in terms of applying aviation safety standards as per the International Aviation Safety Assessment programme run by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Through the UAE Civil Aviation Day, the government seeks to reflect “the concerted efforts by the aviation industry in the past

Cover Story

ebrating the UAE Civil Aviation Day by witnessing the progress in the industry’s iconic Midfield Terminal Building, at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

decades resulting in remarkable progress and cutting-edge development”, Sultan Al Mansouri had remarked when announcing the day. “All these factors have contributed to the success we see today.”

The GCAA explained: “The 5th of October aims to highlight the importance in understanding the aviation history and legacy, the continuous outstanding advancement in capacity-building and innovation as well as promoting safety and efficiency of air transport,” it said. On the 5th of October 1932, the first passenger plane landed in Sharjah at 4pm. Since then, the UAE has seen remarkable devel-

opment and is now in the forefront of modernization and innovation.”

On the occasion of UAE Civil Aviation Day 2015, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, accompanied by Ali Majed Al Mansouri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, took an aerial tour of the Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) “to review the construction progress made on the future gateway to the capital city.”

The minister commented: “In the last few decades, the UAE has seen unprecedented growth in air transport, and I am pleased to be cel-

The MTB is the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi Airports’ multibillion-dollar capital investment program, designed to create additional capacity to handle the increase in passenger traffic. The project is expected to be 70 per cent complete by the end 2015, and once the MTB is operational, overall airport capacity will increase to 45 million passengers per year.

DANS hosted a delegation to commemorate the UAE Civil Aviation Day. A senior delegation comprising of key dignitaries and officials from the global aviation sector, during their participation in ATC Global 2015, visited the Air Traffic Management facility in DANS in Al Maktoum International Airport. 

October 2015

23

Cover In Focus Story

Big Troubles From

Little

Ones

Globally, wildlife strikes have killed more than 258 people and damaged over 245 aircraft since 1988.

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ird strike damaging aircraft is almost a daily happening in the commercial aviation industry globally. During the past century, wildlifeaircraft strikes have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives worldwide, as well as billions of dollars in aircraft damage.

Wildlife strike reporting for both commercial and general aviation airports continues to increase, according to a new report by renowned wildlife expert Dr. Richard A. Dolbeer. At the request of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Dolbeer recently published the wildlife report, which shows that 47 percent of the wildlife strikes that occurred from 2009 to 2013 were reported to the FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database. That number

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October 2015

is up from 42 percent for the previous reporting period of 2004 to 2008. The report also highlights a decrease in the number of damaging strikes, greater reporting of birds of all sizes, and the decrease of damaging strikes within the airport environment. Other findings note a decrease in the average bird size involved in strikes, and an increase in the number of reports that identify the bird species. The report concludes that the level of reporting is adequate to

track national trends in wildlife strikes, so mandatory reporting is not necessary at this time.

This report summarizes data from the US National Wildlife Strike Database for the 25-year period 1990 through 2014. This analysis documents the progress being made in reducing damaging strikes for commercial aircraft but also shows the threat from aircraft collisions with wildlife is real and increasing.

In Focus

Airports across the world have to use increasingly ingenious ways to keep birds clear of the flight paths of air traffic. Elliot the eagle owl has helped scare away pigeons and other small birds at East Midlands airport in Leicestershire.

A border collie called Sky helped teams at Southwest Florida International airport. Being a natural predator, she was able to chase away birds such as herons and moorhens. At Salt Lake City airport, wildlife teams enlisted a group of pigs to help disperse a group of California gulls who had an island habitat close to the airport and flew across the airfield on a daily basis. The pigs invaded their habitat, eating their eggs and before long the migrating birds moved on.

Given that thousands of flights take place every single day across the United Kingdom, it is extremely rare for a socalled bird strike to occur. If one does take place, it is even rarer for it to cause a major problem as modern aeroplanes are built to withstand the force of hitting a bird.

However, large flocks of birds can be dangerous to aircraft, especially if they are sucked into the engine. Airport staff is constantly looking at ways to monitor the number and types of birds on and around their airfields and stop them from becoming a potential danger. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said work is needed as there has been an increase in bird strike reports at both Norwich International Airport (NIA) and Stansted Airport in recent years. At the NIA, 24 reports were made in 2011, which rose to 36 in 2013 and 48 in 2014. At Stansted reports have also risen from 98 in 2011 to 114 last year.

Pilots and operators should be knowledgeable about the hazard, and flight crews should use facts, data, and standard operating procedures to reduce the potential for and consequences of a bird strike. Flight crews can reduce the possibility and effects of a bird strike by increased awareness and by following recommended procedures.

Bird strikes are a lesser hazard to aviation than other well-known hazards such as loss of control in flight, controlled flight into terrain, and runway excursions, but they can and do present risk that needs to be addressed. The first bird strike was recorded by the Wright brothers in 1905, and the aviation wildlife hazard has been a risk to aviation ever since.

According to Bird Strike Committee USA, an organization that was formed in 1991 to facilitate the exchange of information and promote the collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data, bird and other wildlife strikes cause more than $650 million in damage to US civil and military aviation annually.

In addition, bird strikes put the lives of crew members and passengers at risk — more than 200 people have been killed

worldwide as a result of wildlife strikes since 1988. The Bird Strike Committee takes a similar data-driven approach to the bird strike issue that organizations such as the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) takes to reduce commercial aviation fatality risk.

While bird strikes usually inflict most damage on the engines, all areas of an airplane can be damaged. Airplane damage and effect on flight from bird strikes are closely correlated to kinetic energy, derived from the mass (determined by bird species) and the square of the speed of the collision. (A 20 percent increase in speed raises the kinetic energy by 44 percent).

Three-quarters of bird strikes involve the wing or engines, but they can damage almost any part of an airplane. Single or multiple large birds, relatively small numbers of medium-size birds, and large flocks of relatively small birds are all problematic and have resulted in accidents.

The aviation bird-strike hazard is a global and industry-wide issue affecting all aviation stakeholders, including pilots, mechanics, airlines, airport operators, air traffic controllers, wildlife personnel, aviation safety analysts, airplane and engine manufacturers, flight training organizations, and the traveling public.

In July 2011, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) launched an On-Line Facility for Bird Strike and Wildlife Hazard Reporting as part of the existing Reporting of Safety Incidents (ROSI) system. This facilitates not only mandatory industry reporting but also establishes an essential interface between the GCAA and ICAO in relation to the ICAO Bird Strike Information System as well as collection of Operator Cost and Engine Damage Information.ď‚ƒ

October 2015

25

Exclusive Interview

Open Skies debate should be on business models, not politics

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he Middle East aviation industry has witnessed tremendous progress during the tenure of Raymond Benjamin, the outgoing Secretary General of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“In recent years, the Middle East has been the only region experiencing a double digit passenger and freight traffic growth rates, and the 13.4 per cent growth recorded in 2014 -was more than double witnessed anywhere in the world,” he remarked during the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF-2015) held in Dubai.

In an exclusive interview with Via Dubai, he spoke about Open Skies policy, air transport liberalization and areas that the Middle East’s aviation industry needs to pay attention to.

How important is Open Skies policy and how ICAO supports the aviation industry?

An enormous traffic growth is being witnessed in all parts of the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific and Middle East. We have seen very rapid expansion of airports in the

26

October 2015

Raymond Benjamin

Emirates can be a good model for liberalisation Middle East; doubling of capacity.

Along with the growth, there has been congestion in the skies. ICAO has been advocating about flexible use of airspace.

In this region, I understand it is sensitive. It implies better civilian-military coordination so that the airspace is used depending on each one’s needs. ICAO has adopted an ‘air navigation global plan’ globally and is now looking at regional levels to implement it more effectively.

I am optimistic that all governments in the Middle East will understand that it is in their best interest to have

an increase in capacity to serve the customers. We have to take into account the fact that in this region there are number of conflicts going on for years now. ICAO is very worried about it and we are forbidding or advising … not to fly over a certain areas. There are a number of dangerous areas in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya which are of great concern to us. ICAO do display details of threats to the airlines and then it is the responsibility of airlines to decide where they want to fly.

How about air transport liberalization?

A number of carriers in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region are advocating Open Skies policy. However, a number of countries in the Middle East are seeing it as a threat to their own legacy carriers and are advocating fair competition to block this. I think this debate should go on technical

Exclusive Interview

grounds and on business models and not on controversies or political statements. ICAO believes liberalization is important as it increases traffic, allows customer satisfaction and gives them the option of more destinations to fly to.

Is it better for airlines to compete?

The advantage aviation brings to economies is much higher than the protection of one particular carrier.

Some countries, for example the Dominican Republic, decided that they need tourists. They calculated that aviation is bringing up to 20 per cent of their GDPs. In some parts of the world, especially in the Arabian Gulf, governments have identified aviation as a strategic tool for their economies. The UAE is a classic example. Again, these countries are benefitting the economies of other countries by buying airplanes, bringing tourists and business for them. I believe that cooperation is better than struggling and it will bring immense benefits.

Is Emirates a good model for liberalization?

Of course Emirates can be a good model for liberalisation. Some countries which have seen their airlines dominate the markets are worried by the fact that their capitals are no longer hubs or that they are losing transit traffic. Recently, Frankfurt airport announced it lost 30 per cent of transit traffic in the last five years because of other hubs which are also developing. But it is all about competition. Aviation has always been seeking competition.

How is the cooperation between ICAO and the UAE?

ICAO has 36 member-states on its Council, some representing more

than one country. A few years ago, the UAE put a bid to become a council member and they succeeded.

Since then, the UAE has made a lot of contribution to ICAO development. Captain Ayesha Al Hamli, who sits on the council, is the new face of the country. Secondly, the UAE has been hosting a number of key events and has always let ICAO benefit of the hospitality. They have also made financial contributions to ICAO. Their interest in ICAO is a win-win situation and I believe the UAE will continue contributing to ICAO in the years to come. They have always been advocating that they are following ICAO standards. I am an advocate of this kind of relationship with the other Gulf countries. I see them as imaginative and wishing to grow.

Is there a need for a Gulf body on the lines of Eurocontrol?

Not all countries in Middle East have resources to oversee and deal with air navigation matters like safety and security. I was in Doha recently where it was decided to establish a regional safety organization. This organization will allow states to pool together their resources and make them available to the entire area. This kind of thinking of pooling resources and having an organization that can look into air navigation issues, so that we have more capacity in the region, is something that has to be considered.

What is the role of ICAO on the issue of spacing between the aircrafts?

The spacing between the aircrafts essentially depends on operations and requirements. Safety is paramount. Depending on the progress that technology is making, we can accept shorter space horizontally and vertically as well, between the

There are different challenges within the Middle East aviation aircrafts. If we look into the skies, there is a lot of traffic. To be safe, it depends more on operation, the kind of aircraft and willingness of countries to accept. All of this has to be harmonized worldwide. That’s where ICAO comes into picture.

What is your advice to sustain high growth in the Middle East?

Firstly, when we talk of Middle East, it is not homogeneous where everyone is equal. In terms of resources, there are ones who have them and then there are those who are struggling to survive. There are different challenges for different sub regions within the Middle East.

While the UAE is looking at challenges of the 22nd Century, others are looking at challenges of the 20th Century. About the Gulf, I believe the challenge will be not in the expansion of airports or the use of technology, but problem is in the skies... in the airspace management.

Here you have military constraints‌ we know about the unrest in the region. The fact remains that some of the airspace is forbidden. That is the big challenge. At the same time, collaboration is an important and we have to work together. Commitment and technical expertise is also needed. ď‚ƒ

October 2015

27

Special Report

B

A Clean Future

oeing, the world’s leading airplane manufacturer, continues to focus not only on building a bigger, better airplanes but also on further improving the environmental performance of the company and the aviation industry through its operations and products.

Jim McNerney

Since the dawn of the Jet Age, airplanes have increased fuel efficiency by 70 percent and reduced the noise footprint by 90 percent.

“At Boeing Commercial Airplanes, we continued to design, build and deliver the world’s most fuel-efficient airplanes, such as the 787 Dreamliner and future products like the 737 MAX and 777X,” said Jim McNerney، Chairman and CEO, Boeing, remarked.

Ursula English, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, Boeing, added: “We are working with our customers and global partners to meet aggressive, industry-wide targets to improve fleet fuel efficiency while reducing carbon emissions and noise.

And we remain focused on leading the aero-space industry to develop sustainable aviation biofuel around the world.”

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October 2015

Cleaner Products

Boeing has forecast that, to meet passenger demand for air travel that is projected to grow five percent annually, the global commercial fleet will grow by nearly 37,000 commercial airplanes over the next 20 years, more than doubling the number of airplanes currently in service.

According to The Boeing Company Environment Report 2015, the company is committed to zero absolute growth from its 2012 baseline in greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste to landfill and water intake; and zero growth in hazardous waste generation (normalized to revenue) through 2017.

The aviation industry, which the UN estimates is responsible for about two percent of global manmade carbon emissions, has set aggressive goals for carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions in 2050 compared to 2005 levels.

In aviation, fuel costs, efficiency and profitability are tightly linked since jet fuel can account for up to 40 percent of airline operating budgets.

This is why the aviation industry has long been focused on reducing fuel consumption, which also reduces carbon emissions. Since the dawn of the Jet Age, airplanes have increased fuel efficiency by 70 percent and reduced the noise footprint by 90 percent.

Special Report

The trend toward greater efficiency will continue as Boeing delivers its new generation of airplanes. The Dreamliner family is 20 to 30 percent more fuel-efficient and reduces CO2 emissions by 20 to 30 percent compared to the airplanes it replaces. The 747-8 is 16 percent more fuel-efficient and 30 per cent quieter than airplanes it replaces. It is also 29 percent more fuel-efficient per trip than its competitor.

The 737 MAX will be 14 percent more fuel-efficient than today’s Next-Generation 737s and 20 percent more efficient than the original Next-Generation 737s. The 777X will be the largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet in the world. The 777X will be 12 percent more fuel-efficient than its competitor.

Boeing is developing 777X environmental performance targets for reductions in emissions and community noise for each phase of flight from departure through arrival. A variety of innovative technologies, services and strategies are available or in development to assist the 777X and its operators achieve environmental performance targets.

Boeing is actively partnering with customers around the world to support their environmental goals. For example, Alaska Airlines uses more than a million gallons of jet fuel every day to operate its all-737 fleet. Since

The Boeing

ecoDemonstrator

Program is the company’s multiyear effort to accelerate the testing 2012, Alaska Airlines has ordered 37 737 MAX airplanes.

More Efficient Flight Operations

Boeing is a leader in developing the technology to improve the efficiency of the air traffic system and airplane flight operations. With improved air traffic management, pilots are able to make changes in speed or route that will reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and community noise on each flight.

These operational efficiencies will enable airlines to take advantage of new and future airplane capabilities.

Boeing has helped train airlines and assisted Air Navigation Service Pro-

viders (ANSPs) to certify new operational procedures collectively known as Precision Based Navigation, which allows an airplane to fly an extremely precise path.

Boeing has worked with numerous airports to certify Required Navigation Procedures, enabling shorter paths to a landing and savings of between 100 pounds (45.3 kilograms) and 400 pounds (181 kilograms) of fuel for every arrival.

Boeing is working to enable greater sharing of operational data between airplanes and ground-based systems.

This would allow airlines to better communicate with ground control while the airplanes are flying. Increasing the flow of information benefits trip-planning, helps minimize delays and reduces fuel consumption.

One market-leading product in this new portfolio is the Boeing Fuel Dashboard, which harnesses operational data to help airplane operators drive decisions to help reduce fuel use and emissions.

Boeing is now providing airlines and corporate flight departments with these new tools to monitor fuel consumption, identify fuel savings opportunities, and track and report carbon emissions. ď‚ƒ

October 2015

29

Middle East News

Egypt invests in regional airports

T MSI deal for Muscat and Salalah airports

T

hales has been selected by the Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communications for the full deployment of an integrated security solution for Muscat International Airport and Salalah’s new airport.

Thales is taking charge as Master System Integrator (MSI) for both airports, and is providing a high technology integrated security solution managed by an airport operation control centre includ-

ing perimeter intrusion detection system, video protection system, access control, screening equipment, security check points, access and backbone network along with data centres to ensure high performance and quality of services.

he Egyptian Airports Company (EAC) has chosen SITA to help it modernize IT systems at five regional airports. The airports will be fitted with a range of solutions to help improve the passenger experience and increase operational efficiency.

EAC says it is enhancing the passenger experience with new self-service opportunities and the latest baggage solutions, and using SITA’s worldclass airport management system to manage flights, gates and baggage efficiently. 

Thales will be responsible for testing new technologies, training operators and developing new procedures for improving the airports’ multi-faceted operations. 

Deal to establish Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center

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oeing has signed an agreement with Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Alsalam Aircraft Company to create the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center in the Kingdom.

The joint venture will have locations in Riyadh and Jeddah providing comprehensive, in-country maintenance repair and overhaul support for Saudi Arabia’s diverse rotorcraft fleet.

The Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center builds upon Boeing’s decades-long partnership with the Kingdom. The joint venture will support the Kingdom’s commercial and defense rotorcraft platforms, including the

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October 2015

Boeing-built AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and AH-6i. Formation of the joint venture is expected to occur

in late 2015 or early 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. 

Middle East News

Egypt signs up to Middle East airspace programme Egypt has become the latest country to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the ICAO Middle East Airspace Management Enhancement Programme (MAEP) joining founder members, United Arab Emirates and Sudan.

Ahmed Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Assistant Director General, Air Navigation Services Provider of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) who chairs the MAEP Board, said two more countries are expected to sign the MoA ahead of the October board meeting in Cairo.

The October meeting will debate and finalize the establishment of a permanent MAEP project management office (PMO) to be headed by a dedicated project manager – five

MoA signatories will be needed to give the go-ahead. The industry-led, interim PMO has been working “behind-the-scenes” on funding proposals, including the feasibility of sponsorship from international organizations. The UAE has already committed to making an in-kind contribution.

The permanent PMO will look at developing a regional master plan and evolve project charters and produce projected cost and benefit analyses.

The ICAO MAEP initiative is aimed at developing regional co-operation for air traffic management and route network optimization in one of the world’s highest air traffic growth regions. 

October 2015

31

Middle East News

Deal to advance air navigation surveillance in MENA

A

irbus Middle East, Airbus ProSky and Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC) has signed a Memorendum of Cooperation (MoC) to advance Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Communication Navigation Surveillance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Many national airlines in the region are preparing for expansive growth over the next decade and beyond, projected in the range of five percent or more annually.

As a result the demands on the region’s ATM system are mounting and changes to increase access and capacity are crucial to future growth of the regional industry.

Eng. Mohammed Sherif, Director General, ACAC, remarked: “There have been significant changes in the global approach to ATM and aviation in the MENA which is shifting in how Air Navigation Services are provided. 

KKIA Terminal 5 to be ready by year end

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is Excellency Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), visited the new Terminal 5 in King Khaled International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh to inspect the work in progress.

The Terminal 5 project is being implemented to transfer passenger traffic from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 during the period of the expansion and development of Terminals 3 and 4.

The new terminal will contribute to the expected growing number of passengers once all the other terminals are completed.

Terminal 5 is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 and after that testing for operational readiness; activation and transition (ORAT) will begin. 

Turkish Airlines grows faster in Egypt

A

fter launching services to Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada in 2013, Turkish Airlines has grown quickly in the Egyptian market, and last year the Star Alliance member outperformed all of the carriers in relation to seat capacity growth (Turkish Airlines 20 per cent, Qatar Airways 18 per cent, Etihad Airways 16 per cent and Emirates 8.3 per cent).

One of the most competitive rivalries at the moment in the aviation in-

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October 2015

dustry is the challenge laid down by Turkish Airlines to the dominance of the Middle East Big 3 (MEB3) in the global hub and spoke market.

Within Africa, Turkish is indeed the best-connected airline in relation to the non-stop destinations served when compared to the MEB3 – 29 versus Emirates (20), Qatar Airways (17) and Etihad Airways (eight) according to OAG Schedules Analyser. 

October 2015

33

Middle East News

Iraqi airline banned from flying over EU airspace I

raqi Airways has been barred from entering the airspace of 28 European Union (EU) countries, including the UK where it operated so far- as well as four other European nations following a number of safety lapses.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Executive

Director Patrick Ky said the organization received “credible and specific safety reports containing examples of alleged failures to comply with applicable international (ICAO) safety standards by Iraqi Airways and the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.” 

Saudia starts nonstop Riyadh-Los Angeles service

S

audi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has started its first nonstop flight from Los Angeles to the kingdom’s capital city of Riyadh. Saudia Boeing B777-300ER made this

inaugurate flight which, at more than 16 hours, goes down in the history as one of the longest flights in commercial aviation today.The Saudi flag carrier launched its Jed-

dah to Los Angeles nonstop service in March last year. It started with three flights a week, and during the summer peak season, the frequency for this route was increased to five flights weekly.

The nonstop LAX-RUH flights will only be limited to the month of August due to the airline’s peak period.

The service is expected to be restored in the future to fulfill the needs of Saudi Arabian students and the diplomatic community, as well as business travelers who prefer to fly nonstop to the Saudi capital. 

Air Arabia profit drops four per cent in H1

A

ir Arabia recorded a net profit of AED237 million in the first half, down by four per cent on the same 2014 period.

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October 2015

The Sharjah-based low-cost airline said the fall in net profit was “mainly driven by pressured yield margins due to market conditions as well as a number of strategic investments” made by the airline in the first half of this year which will begin to fully deliver value in the near future.”

The airline’s turnover for the first six months reached AED1.75 bil-

lion, in line with the corresponding period of 2014. The airline flew 3.6 million passengers in the first six months, up nine per cent on the corresponding period of 2014.

The airline’s average seat load factor - or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats - during the first half of 2015 stood at a high 79 per cent. 

Interpreting local traditions, embracing tomorrow’s needs

© ADPI

Engineers and architects creating outstanding and profitable airport facilities

Chongqing International Airport, Terminal 3 China, Chongqing

www.adp-i.com A member company of Aéroports de Paris Group

October 2015

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International News

$441 billion investment in 2520 airport projects

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whopping $441 billion has been invested in 2520 airport projects across the world in the first half of 2015, according to a report.

A mid-year review by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) about airport construction activities and associated capital expenditure revealed that there are 340 new airport projects globally. By end of July, CAPA said it is aware of 2,520 airport construction projects worldwide, a figure that is slightly higher than the one reported in January 2015 (just over 2300).

There are some apparent contradictions between the total of projects and the total of investment, with Europe leading the way in the former category but only coming in fourth in the latter, while Asia’s investment exceeds its projects by some margin in the tables. This is explained by the considerably greater value of individual projects in Asia Pacific, and in the Middle East. 

Caribbean’s newest airport terminal opens

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he twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has opened one of the most modern international airports in the Caribbean.

The 23,000 square meter new terminal for the destination more than doubles the capacity of the adjacent previous terminal, making way for an increase in passenger use of the V.C. Bird International Airport as

October 2015

With faster immigration processing times, user friendly innovations and features, the near $100 million terminal will greatly improve the visitor experience, allowing travellers expedited access to Antigua and Barbuda, and maximum sun time on the destination’s 365 beaches. 

Myanmar airport project delayed on fund shortage

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long-delayed international airport project in Myanmar has been postponed again, by four years this time, because of a delay in securing funds. A South Korean company first planned to build the Hanthawaddy International Airport on an old World War Two Japanese airfield near the town of Bago, about 100 km (60 miles) north of the commercial city Yangon. However, the project was abandoned in 1994, soon after a groundbreaking ceremony.

The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the country’s fourth

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the largest gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.

international airport was now expected to open in seven years.

The launch date of the fourth international airport in the country had been put off from 2018 to 2022 due to delays in getting ODA (official development assistance).

In 2014, a Japan-Singapore consortium called Yongnam-CAPE-JGCC won a bid to build the airport at a cost of $1.5 billion with 49 percent of that being secured through an ODA loan and the rest from private loans and the consortium. 

International News

DFW Terminal D completes 10 years A new airport for St. Helena

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t. Helena, one of the few remaining outposts of a once-mighty British empire, is gearing up for the economic boost that tourism can bring about. A new 40-room hotel is due to open next year. Just 4,500 people live on St. Helena, but the airport will provide a vital connection for more than 10,000 islanders living overseas, mainly in the UK.

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allas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport has observed 10 years of successful operation for International Terminal D, the Grand Hyatt DFW and the Skylink people mover system.

DFW will undergo major enhancements to the Terminal D experience. The transformation should be complete by the end of 2016.

Terminal D has elevated DFW’s international stature for air service

by helping the Airport attract nine new international carriers and 20 new international destinations.

It resulted in DFW’s annual international business growing by over two million passengers, an increase of 38 per cent.

Skylink train cars have transported over 141 million people, or nearly the population of Russia, and they have accumulated over 32.4 million fleet miles, roughly equivalent to 68 round trips to the moon. 

Once a strategic Atlantic shipping port of call, St. Helena has been isolated by the lack of an air connection.

Reaching Saint Helena currently involves passage on RMS Saint Helena, the mail ship that, every three weeks, covers the five-and-a-half day journey from Cape Town, South Africa. 

Germany to run Greece’s tourist airports

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irport operator Fraport, which is controlled by the German state of Hesse and the Frankfurt city utility, is paying 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for a 40-year concession to manage 14 regional Greek airports.

Greece committed to raise 50 billion euros ($55 billion) by selling state assets as one condition of its new 86 billion euro international bailout.

The airport deal is the first major transaction under the privatization program.

Fraport said it would spend around 330 million euros upgrading the airports. The Greek government hopes the deal will boost tourism in the regions.Airports on some of Greece’s most visited islands, such as Crete, Corfu, Zakynthos, Rhodes and Santorini, are being privatized.

Greece is one of the most popular destinations for German tourists -- 2.5 million visited the country last year.

Greece first agreed to sell the airports to Fraport back in November 2014. 

October 2015

37

ATM

London to cut plane noise with steeper landings

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o quiet things down for its neighbors, London's Heathrow airport is experimenting with steeper approaches for planes.

Beyond the annoyance of jets roaring overhead, high noise level may pose legitimate health concerns.

Scientists have found a correlation between people living near airports and an increased risk for stroke,

coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease.That’s why London’s Heathrow Airport and NATS are asking planes to descend more steeply as they come in to land, in a bid to cut down on noise made by the airport that serves half a million flights a year. In a trial run, planes landing at Heathrow will increase their approach angle from three to 3.2 degrees. 

AOPA releases new digital flight planning tools

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ircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has released two new digital flight planning tools—the AOPA Flight Planner, powered by Jeppesen, and AOPA GO, a new mobile application. Both applications are available exclusively to AOPA members and are designed to complement the association's existing tools, AOPA Airports and AOPA Weather.

AOPA GO and AOPA Flight Planner will sync pilot profile, aircraft profiles, waypoints, and

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October 2015

flight plans across devices. The AOPA Flight Planner is a Webbased application that serves as an efficient preflight planning tool for general aviation pilots.

With multiple chart graphic and overlay options, the AOPA Flight Planner allows pilots to completely customize their view and get the information they need most to plan their flights. Overlays include real-time weather graphics, routing details, airspace and obstacles, ground references, and airports. 

UAH to help reduce fuel cost, distance

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ndia’s much-awaited Upper Airspace Harmonization (UAH), which has started operations in air traffic control of NSC Bose International Airport, will help in reducing fuel costs and bring down distance between air-routes in domestic sector.

UAH was successfully launched and is part of safety and air navigation services improvement, Airports Authority of India officials said. The upper airspace harmonization will enable in reducing fuel cost and also bring down distance between air-routes in domestic sector as it will directly connect the air routes.

It will bring improvement in Air Traffic Maintenance (ATM) operational efficiency, safety of aircraft operations, fuel efficiency and savings in operating cost for airlines, and reduction in pilot/controller workload.

UAH includes state-of-the-art integrated ATS automation system, integration of multiple radar and ADS-B sensors, airspace restructuring with multiple sectors and remote operation of VHF from Kolkata using IP-based voice communication control system, the national airports body said.

AAI has already successfully implemented this concept in Chennai FIR, which is part of its initiative towards establishing a single continuum of upper airspace, 26,000 ft. and above.

This will facilitate uniform application of separation standards and procedures with significant benefits including enhanced safety and operational efficiency. 

October 2015

39

Opinion

We must manage cyber risk A related vulnerability comes from the introduction of greater levels of automation. There is no question that automation significantly enhances safety and aircraft capabilities while simplifying many rote tasks. The more systems we automate, the more vendors we have and the more interfaces that can be targeted for attack.

Tony Tyler Director General & CEO International Air Transport Association (IATA)

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yber security is a new and dynamic threat. Aviation is a specific target for those intent on doing cyber mischief and theft -or worse. Airlines are the highest value target for fraudsters and close to fifty percent of all phishing attempts are made against airlines and airline passengers.

We structure our internal information security program around three main goals: to guard against unauthorized external or internal access to IATA’s IT systems; to ensure early detection should an unauthorized access occur; and to be able to react quickly to address any intrusion and assure secure business continuity.

IATA’s role is to assist airlines in developing a robust cyber security strategy and to help drive coordination of global efforts to address cyber threats to aviation. Last year we launched the Aviation Cyber Security Toolkit.

It is intended for airlines but is also applicable to airports, ground handlers and others in the value chain.

Many airlines and airports have robust systems in place to address common hacking threats. Cyber experts have to improve their expertise constantly. What we are facing is close to an asymmetric warfare in which it is easier to attack than to defend. There is a need to adopt a holistic approach.

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A key component of managing risk is effective sharing of information, including common or mutually understood policies and procedures for doing so.

Today, constraints of national classification systems and ambiguities around the legal rights and mechanisms for sharing information across borders are particularly challenging.

Governments need to adopt threat-based, risk-managed and outcome-focused frameworks that are balanced against industry capabilities and sustainability. This is a much better way to address evolving threats than prescriptive measures that are not able to adapt to the constantly shifting cyber arena.

The global aviation system is an attractive target for a large-scale cyber-attack, or for a targeted attack on some of its most vital elements. While we cannot eliminate cyber risk, we must manage it. This will require a deeper collaboration between authorities, industries and the academic world through an effective information sharing program. ď‚ƒ

Edited excerpts from a speech at the Civil Aviation Cyber Security Conference, Singapore

Opinion

ERAM replaces the legacy system E

n Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) is one of the largest technology changeovers in the history of the FAA. We completed it in March and it’s functioning smoothly in the 20 high altitude air traffic control centers across the continental US right now.

ERAM is not just a faster computer system – it’s a network that replaces our legacy system, which had its roots in the 1960s. We are now able to handle air traffic in a much more collaborative way. We can see a much bigger and richer picture of our nation’s high altitude air traffic. ERAM gives us a big boost in technological horsepower over the system it replaces. This computer system enables each controller to handle more aircraft over a larger area, resulting in increased safety, capacity and efficiency.

ERAM processes data from nearly three times the number of sensors as the old system. It can track and display nearly double the number of high altitude flights, and enable controllers to handle additional traffic more efficiently. It’s going to make all air traffic flow more smoothly across the country.

With tools that are now available through ERAM, our air traffic computers can generate specific trajectories and speeds that will allow controllers to make the most efficient use of the airspace and cut down on congestion.

With the more precise picture that ERAM gives us, there’s a greater opportunity for more efficient spacing of aircraft and to use NextGen procedures that save fuel and cut down on emissions.

Michael Huerta Administrator Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), USA

is called Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B). Last year we finished the coast-to-coast installation of the ADS-B network. By 2020, it will become the FAA’s primary means of tracking and separating aircraft.

With ERAM in place, the FAA has fulfilled an important commitment in modernizing the nation’s NextGen air traffic control system. We did not make this progress alone. We did so by creating a close collaboration between management, labor and industry.

Together, we are enhancing safety and increasing capacity in what is already the world’s safest aviation system. 

Edited excerpts from a speech at the ERAM Press Conference at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Eventually, ERAM will allow controllers to push a button and send a written message to a pilot in advance, allowing them to change course and steer around storms and congestion, once again improving on time arrival and decreasing delays. Our new system now links seamlessly with another technology that processes satellite-based GPS information. This system

October 2015

41

Opinion

Travellers looking for personalized experience passenger. Despite high occupation rates and the decrease in fuel prices, or the revenues generated by ancillary services, airlines have failed to find a way to increase that average income.

Luis Maroto President & CEO Amadeus Group

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ast year we achieved significant successes in both of our main business lines: Distribution and IT Solutions.

In 2014, we processed 526 million bookings, 4.6 per cent more than the year before. And that air bookings by travel agencies grew by 5.2 per cent, a figure higher than the distribution industry as a whole, which grew at a 3.2 per cent pace. This difference is the consequence of an increase in our market share, which by the end of 2014 was 41 per cent. We expect to continue growing over the next few years to reach nearly one billion passengers boarded in 2017.

Amadeus operates in an industry closely linked to the evolution of the world economy, which is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent this year. Based on this outlook for growth and in line with our own evolution, we expect to continue expanding both of our business lines: Distribution and IT Solutions.

The explosion of Internet and mobile devices has given the traveller more power than ever before in their relationship with companies in our industry.

The traveller is now looking for a more personalized experience and integrated services. IATA estimates that airlines generate average income of seven dollars per

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At Amadeus, we believe in a model that pursues generating higher revenues, putting the traveller at the center of the travel industry ecosystem. In that model, the traveller has access to information in a fast, transparent and objective way, whatever channel he decides to use.

This is guaranteed by the current distribution model.

Our vision is to connect all travel services providers to facilitate the interaction of all players in the travel value chain: what we call the travel ecosystem. For this to happen, we need to enrich the content we offer, and also to develop our IT solutions, to move towards a greater personalization of services for the traveller. Our vision is focused on generating revenue in a sustainable manner.

We defend a sustainable distribution model in which all players, from the airline to the traveller, can benefit from the advantages of interacting in an intelligent, objective and transparent way. ď‚ƒ

Edited excerpts from a speech at the Amadeus IT Holding SA Shareholders’ General Meeting, Madrid

Opinion

Liberal aviation policy for sustainable future T

here are four key challenges which I believe are especially important to tackle to develop a sustainable future for international civil aviation.

First, competent aviation professionals will continue to be in short supply, particularly in emerging economies.

The talent pool is limited, and the shortage is worsened by competition with other industries for the same talents.

ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative is pivotal in helping emerging economies to build up a pool of competent aviation professionals. Singapore strongly supports this initiative.

Second, airspace is increasingly becoming a scarce resource worldwide, as more aircraft fly in the same amount of airspace. This challenge of increasingly crowded skies will be particularly felt within the AsiaPacific, with airlines in the region accounting for 70 per cent of all new single-aisle aircraft deliveries. There will be pressure on air navigation service providers (ANSP) to handle more aircraft, and less room for error.

By partnering each other through data-sharing arrangements, ANSPs can access more surveillance data and implement tighter separation between aircraft while enhancing air navigation safety. We also have to improve the coordination of airspace between different ANSPs to eliminate errors and inefficient routes.

Europe has taken the lead towards such seamless airspace management with the introduction of functional airspace blocks. Other regions should study how such concepts can be adopted or refined to suit their needs.

Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore have developed the concept of a multi-nodal air traffic flow management based on collaborative decision-making.

The third key challenge is improving the already very high aviation safety standards. We must continue to find

Lui Tuck Yew Minister of Transport Singapore

ways to improve safety processes and practices even more. Singapore is working with ICAO to establish an Asia-Pacific regional data collection, analysis and information sharing system. When implemented, it will help the Asia-Pacific region improve its safety record.

Fourthly, the aviation sector is prone to excessive competition and low returns, impacting its financial viability and thus weakening its enabling role for the wider economy. Low cost carriers in this region have placed very optimistic aircraft orders in their eagerness to cement a market foothold.

As governments and regulators, while we feel compelled to intervene in the workings of the market, we should refrain from doing so. The best way for us to support this is by providing a liberal air rights regime. It is partly for this reason that Singapore adopts a liberal aviation policy. 

Edited excerpts from a speech at the 5th World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum, Singapore

October 2015

43

Airlines

Emirates retires older planes; reduces fleet age

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mirates Airlines is continuing with an ambitious fleet renewal programme that sees older planes leaving service to be replaced by now ones.

As a result, its planes now have an average age of less than 75 months.The airline took delivery of 24 new aircraft in 2014 and 26 new ones are planned to enter service this year. Seven aircraft left service in FY 2014/15 and ten more are set for retirement in 2015/16.

Delta Air Lines shrinks Dubai service

Recently, the airline’s last 777-200 left service. The aircraft departed from Dubai International to Arizona for de-registration in mid-July.Since joining the Emirates fleet in 1996, A6-EMF flew an estimated 60 million kilometres (enough to fly to the moon and back nearly 80 times) and transported hundreds of thousands of passengers to destinations as far and wide as Warsaw and Ho Chi Minh City. 

Indian carriers to increase winter flights

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ndian airlines have sought permission to operate 1,418 additional flights per week during the forthcoming winter months, which is an increase of 11.3 per cent than the 12533 flights operated by the carriers in the ongoing summer schedule.

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elta will fly nonstop to Dubai from its Atlanta hub between four and five times per week starting October 1, down from daily service this summer.

The second-largest US passenger carrier has revised its schedule to reflect the change, part of a broader 15 to 20 per cent cut in capacity to the Middle East and Africa that Delta announced in April.

Delta said in a statement that daily service would return in the spring of 2016. Delta is the only airline that flies between Atlanta and Dubai. Its service reduction will leave the Washington-Dubai flights on rival United Continental as the only remaining daily nonstop US carrier this winter.

Emirates currently operates a freighter service to Atlanta and currently flies passengers to nine US cities from Dubai, with plans to add more. Qatar Airways will launch Atlanta-Doha flights in July 2016. 

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The winter schedule of the Indian airlines commences from the last Sunday of October. The country’s eleven scheduled carriers together have sought permission to operate 13,951 flights a week in domestic skies during the winter as against a total of 12,533 during the current summer schedule.

The increase in the number of flights amounts to 13.37 per cent when compared with last winter when the carriers had operated 12,305 flights. Two new airports - Durgapur in West Bengal and Cudappa in Andhra Pradesh - will see operations during the winter schedule, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

Airlines

flydubai announces flights to Asmara

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ubai-based flydubai has announced the addition of Eritrea to its African network. Direct flights between Dubai and the capital city of Asmara will commence on 25 October with four flights a week. The flights will mark the start of the first direct

link between Eritrea and the UAE. Asmara is the second African destination added to the flydubai network this year after Hargeisa.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai CEO said: “We are keen to reflect the UAE’s ef-

forts to support emerging markets, particularly in East Africa.

Adding to our recent operations to Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Somaliland, we are delighted to add a direct link between the UAE and Eritrea.” flydubai launched its first African route to Djibouti in 2009 followed

by Addis Ababa in 2011. Last year, it added six new routes to its network, connecting Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. With the addition of Asmara, flydubai operates 60 weekly flights to 13 destinations in Africa. 

Air Canada adds Dreamliner to its fleet

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ir Canada has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, a larger version of the Dreamliner 787-8 already in its fleet.

from Toronto beginning this fall and as more of these aircraft enter the fleet it will expand its international network even further.

The Dreamliner is the world’s most modern commercial aircraft and the larger 787-9 version’s greater range and capacity will enable Air Canada to further expand its international network.Air Canada has announced two new 787-9 routes to Delhi and Dubai

The first designated routes for the Boeing 787-9 are non-stop services from Toronto to Delhi beginning November 1 and to Dubai beginning November 3. Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 190 destinations on five

UAE to receive the new British Airways Dreamliners

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ritish Airways is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-

9 aircraft this year with the UAE, Oman and Delhi routes among the first to welcome the Dreamliner.

The airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, complete with a new First class cabin, will start flying to Delhi from October 25 with UAE and Oman to follow later in 2015.

continents. In 2014, it served more than 38 million customers.

Air Canada took delivery of its first Dreamliner in May 2014 and will receive a total of 29 new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft by 2019, in addition to eight 787-8 aircraft already in operation. 

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways Area Commercial Manager for the Middle East & Central Asia, said: “In response to our passengers’ demand for luxury travel options, we have selected Abu Dhabi and Muscat among the first routes to welcome the new Dreamliners.” 

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Cargo & Logistics

Logistics and IoT - A perfect match

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study by DHL and Cisco has asserted that Internet of Things (IoT) presents a unique technology transition that will have huge implications for the logistics business.

The two companies share a belief in the potential of IoT to revolutionize business processes across the entire value chain, and particularly the experiences of customers. Enterprise IoT deployments have grown by 333 percent since 2012.

Current calculations estimate that IoE represents $19 trillion in Value at Stake globally over the next decade. Supply chain and logistics alone are estimated to provide $1.9 trillion in value, which is a promising indication of the untapped potential and profits to gain from utilizing IoT in the logistics industry.

This value will come from five primary drivers: innovation and revenue; asset utilization; supply chain and logistics; employee productivity improvements; and enhanced customer experience.Optimizing asset utilization to drive greater operational efficiency is at the very heart of IoT val-

ue; according to Cisco’s calculations, it accounts for roughly 25 percent of the total Value at Stake from IoT. Vehicles are among the assets most ripe for improved efficiency, especially in terms of traffic and fleet management.

In-vehicle telematics and vehicle-infrastructure integration have been vanguard applications in the use of

A connected fleet could pave the way for predictive asset lifecycle management

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sensor data. With IoT, traffic and fleet management applications herald a new wave of efficiency gains.

The logistics industry is a key player poised to benefit from the IoT revolution.

With millions of shipments being moved, tracked, and stowed by a variety of machines, vehicles and people each day, it is no surprise that logistics and IoT is a perfect match. Many of the technologies behind IoT — including sensors, microprocessors and wireless connectivity — have been in use in various logistics applications already.

Indeed, the logistics industry was among the first adopters of IoT technologies in operations, from the introduction of handheld scanners that

Cargo & Logistics

IoT can play an additional role in health and safety digitized the delivery process to the multiple sensors that monitor cargo integrity and delivery truck performance.

Warehouses have always served as a vital hub in the flow of goods within a supply chain. With thousands of different types and forms of goods being stored in the average warehouse today, every square meter of warehousing space must be optimally utilized to ensure specific goods can be retrieved, processed, and delivered as fast as possible. The result is a high-speed, technology-driven environment that is ideal for IoT applications. In the warehouse, the widespread adoption of pallet or item-level tagging — using low-cost, miniscule identification devices such as RFID — will pave the way for IoT-driven smart-inventory management. IoT can also drive optimal asset utilization.

role in health and safety, preventing potential collisions and alerting drivers when they need to take a break.

End-to-end supply chain risk management is yet another area in which IoT is becoming increasingly useful.

The key to success lies in understanding the convergence of these use cases with one another. To successfully implement IoT in logistics will require strong collaboration, along with high

levels of participation between different players and competitors within the supply chain, and a common willingness to invest.

The shared end goal will be to create a thriving IoT ecosystem. Bountiful opportunities exist for logistics providers to leverage IoT in their organizations in order to increase productivity, reengineer existing processes and provide new services that challenge traditional business models, the study concluded. 

The study expects IoT to provide the next generation of track and trace: faster, more accurate and predictive, and more secure. Through IoT, logistics providers will gain clear visibility on the movement of goods — meter by meter and second by second — as well as item-level condition monitoring to ensure that goods arrive in time, at the right place, and intact.

Another key area of IoT opportunity is fleet and asset management. A connected fleet could also pave the way for predictive asset lifecycle management. IoT can also play an additional

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Technology

Airbus patents hydrogen-powered hypersonic airplane

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

On a typical commercial airline, flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo takes over 10 hours. With the grounding of the Concorde fleets in 2003, flying faster than the speed of sound reverted to a military monopoly, but that hasn’t kept engineers from trying for a revival.

The Airbus Group has filed a patent for an ultra-rapid air vehicle capable of traveling over 5,500 miles—roughly the distance from

Los Angeles to Tokyo, or Paris to San Francisco—in three hours. Concorde’s hydrogen-powered successor is unlikely to leave the drawing board any time soon.

The patent, Ultra Rapid Air Vehicle and Related Method for Aerial Locomotion, describes the outline of a plane powered by turbojets, ramjets, and a rocket, all designed to help propel either two or three tonnes of cargo or 20 passengers at speeds of

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up to Mach 4.5, at an altitude roughly between 98,000 and 115,000 ft, over distances of roughly 5,600 miles in three hours.

the supersonic boom that hampered Concorde’s deployment beyond the North Atlantic, where it flew at twice the speed of sound for over 20 years.

In the US Patent and Trademark Office application, it has been described as an improvement over two previously realized supersonic airliners, the Concorde and the Tupolev Tu-144, both of which are retired. “This is very much a research concept rather than a concrete (pro-

Announcing a similar proposal in 2011, Airbus Group, then known as EADS, said it would take 30-40 years to enter service, if at all. But the patent is designed to put down a marker for technology that could be useful in other developments.

gramme) towards re-establishing supersonic flight,” said an Airbus official told the R&D Magazine.

The proposed air vehicle travels twice as fast as the retired Concorde, at an altitude at least 12 miles higher. The concept comes as commercial space companies such as Virgin Galactic pursue plans for low-level space flights. By climbing almost vertically, the new “ultra-rapid air vehicle’s” designers hope to avoid

Airbus says it is working on two hypersonic projects, one with Japanese partners and another with Russian and Australian involvement, with the aim of conquering speeds up to Mach 6.

The British Concorde, operated from the 1970s to 2003 and Russia’s briefly flown Tupolev Tu-144. Both of these planes exceeded Mach 2, and both had their fair share of problems: on July 25th 2000, a Concorde airliner crashed, killing all 113 on board.

The Tupolev Tu-144 crashed at its 1973 Paris Air Show debut, and had a wretched safety record after that.

Concorde began scheduled services in 1976, though only 14 ever went into service. However, the jets were withdrawn in 2003 following a crash in Paris three years earlier, ending the age of travelling faster than sound for all. 

Technology

New aircraft could be boon for farmers

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oreign experts are calling Arai Agro, Kazakhstan’s first domestic light aircraft, a “flying SUV” for its size and agility.

The plane was demonstrated for domestic and international experts, showing off its acrobatic capabilities for more than an hour against the background of the snow-capped peaks of the Zaili Alatau Mountains near Almaty.

The plane, designed for the application of pesticides, was built by Almaty’s Aviamaster Aircraft in cooperation with Canada’ Zenair. The plane can fly up to 1,200 kilometres at an altitude of 4,200 meters.

Specialists made 30 changes to the components and design of the plane in order to adapt it for Kazakhstan’s climate and A-95 gasoline. The small, maneuverable jet does not require hangar storage or prepared runways.

Floats give it the ability to land on water and it also has skis for operation in snow-covered areas or over water.

The cost of the plane is $198,000 and working over an area of 200,000 hectares, it pays for itself in 2.5 years.

In addition to crop dusting, the plane can also be used for the airborne geophysical exploration of minerals, anti-poaching operations and to evacuate patients from remote and inaccessible places.

Ninety five percent of Kazakhstan’s 200,000 farms and agro-formations are small acreage, from 50-1,000 hectares, and using larger agricultural planes like the standard AN-2 is not economically feasible for them.

The agile Arai Agro could fill this gap, providing small-scale domestic farmers with high-tech options, according to a report in The Astana Times. 

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