Malaysia Airlines Cut Bag Claims Time in Half with iPad App

November 20, 2013
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Baggage Handling Systems in AirportsMalaysia airlines have announced that they have cut the average processing times for bag claims in half with the advent of a new application from SITA, the World Tracer tablet app.  The application gives airline agents the ability to check the status of a missing bag for passengers who are unfortunate enough o arrive without their luggage.

An airline agent armed with an iPad or tablet device can print a claim receipt for the passenger and can proactively manage the claim in just a few minutes, rather than the lengthy process that the passenger has to go through to locate a desk and fill out the forms.

Malaysia Airlines will trial the app at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for six months.

Automated baggage handling systems are gradually reducing instances of lost baggage, an annoying and deeply inconvenient occurrence for passengers.

The entire baggage handling process in airports is becoming more and more streamlined.  Many airport operations now incorporated self service bag drop facilities for multiple airlines and online check-in.

The aim is to reduce airport operational costs and greatly enhance passenger experience with a smooth check-in and no queuing.

Business Jet Manufacturers Busy at Dubai Air Show

November 20, 2013
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The Dubai air show has been busy this year with aerospace companies doing deals behind the scenes for rich and powerful Middle-Easterners with sales for private jets and helicopters.

Demands are high for security, good, robust construction and high performance.

Eric Trappier, Chief Executive of French Dassault Aviation, said that over the next 10 years, “We hope to double our orders in the Middle East where we have strong work and which attracts more and more competitors in the field of business aviation.”

Mr Trappier says that business aviation is rapidly growing in the Middle East, because of the demand for flexibility from customers.

Dassault were there to promote the new range of 5X business jets, originally unveiled in October in Las Vegas, which are expected to enter service in 2017.

American Beechcraft believe the region is a ‘key market’ for business aviation and has a market share of 69% for the turboprop products in the Middle East and 88% in North Africa.

“We do see this is a very strategic market for us and we expect growth over the next five years,” said Richard Emery, President of Sales for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Beechcraft.

Luxurious Flying ApartmentsHe described some of the luxury aircraft as ‘flying apartments.’

Embraer Executive Jets announced a purchase agreement for a Lineage 1000 to Arab Wings.

Style and comfort is a big factor for the purchase of executive jets here in the Middle East.  The analogy of the flying apartment is pretty accurate, but also pretty luxurious, with the incredible designs.

French interiors designer Jacques Pierrejean said “The market has evolved with aircrafts that have changed in size. We are more and more carrying flying apartments.”  His latest project was the design for the interior of an Airbus Corporate Jet for Emirates, who earlier this year launched their VIP charter flights service.

The design is luxurious, with large living room space and mini suites with shower.  The movement towards larger aircraft is a reflection upon the demand for ‘home comforts.’

U.S. Government Shutdown Delays Cost Business Aviation $1.9 Billion

November 19, 2013
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Business Aviation Services Affected During ShutdownAccording to a report this month by US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the delays caused by the recent partial Government shutdown delayed 156 aircraft deliveries, costing Business Aviation $1.9 billion.

The FAA’s aircraft registration was closed for the 16-day duration and they are now working to clear the backlog of delayed registrations.

The shutdown came at a bad time for the aviation industry, with the fourth quarter traditionally being the busiest period for new shipments of aircraft.

At a Capitol Hill rally of aviation leaders held during the shutdown, Ed Bolen, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO said, “Imagine if no citizen of the United States could buy or sell a car, purchase or refinance a home or if the sale of any other critical goods came to a complete and grinding halt – that’s what has basically happened in business aviation.  Because business aviation is more regulated than other industries, the shutdown has had a far more dire impact on business aviation than for other industries.”

In addition to these delays, the report commented that, with the vast majority of its workforce furloughed, the National Transportation Safety Board were prevented from fully investigating 48 aircraft accidents; only 2, it is revealed, were investigated, while the rest, and other ongoing inquiries have been put behind schedule.

All in all, the Government shutdown has caused a loss to the US economy of between $2 billion and $6 billion across all sectors including small business, import and export, health sectors and private-sector lending.

It has been found that the most serious and lasting damage may have been made to the quality of governmental workforces, with the system possibly viewed as being ‘broken’, future government and military employees just may not be attracted to these sectors.  The report says, “Government agencies and the military could find it hard to attract and retain the “kind of driven, patriotic Americans to public service that our citizens deserve and that our system of self-government demands.”

Heavy Investments Made into Gulf Airports Security

November 13, 2013
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Advanced & Comprehensive Airports Security

As air travel grows significantly every year, so airports security becomes a bigger issue across the world.

Gulf States are making hearty investments into airport security for the entire network, encompassing physical perimeter security, security personnel and advanced camera technology in addition to information management and security.

Governments and aviation enforcement authorities are placing strict security requirements and measures to counter potential risks, threats and hazards before they occur, while keeping passenger inconvenience to a minimum.  A tall order in today’s busy airports.

Aviation and airports security companies have a huge responsibility to ensure flight safety, passenger and crew safety and the ability to anticipate threats before they happen.  This sector is big business, with an estimated global aviation security market value of $22 billion, but with Gulf passengers expected to total 450 million by 2020, it has never been more of a necessity to keep those passengers safe and moving on the ground and in the air.

Airbus Pledge to Lower Fuel Consumption by 15% by 2015

November 13, 2013
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Airbus Pledge to Lower Fuel Consumption by 15%David Velupillail, Marketing Director for Airbus Corporate Jets, is confident that the new Sharklet and new engine options can deliver up to 15% in fuel savings, a huge consideration for airlines flying every day.

In addition, Airbus expect a reduction of 8% in operational costs and a huge 10% reduction in emissions compared to the A320 series.

Orders are expected to reach more than 4,000 of the new reworked engines, which should be completed between late 2015 and early 2016 and with order books containing 2,600 already, targets should be reached.

The new engine options will be equipped with either the CFM International advanced LEAP-X engine or the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM.

Mr Velupillail said, “We will begin flight testing next year.  The deliveries to the airlines won’t begin until the end of 2014.  Eventually it will feed through to the corporate jets, but that is some way off yet.”

Blogging from Space in-Flight Internet – Testing of Earth-to-Space Communications

November 12, 2013
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Blogging from Space with in-flight internetWe have all heard of in-flight internet and many of us may have used it during long-haul flights.  In-flight internet providers are constantly striving for faster, cheaper and more accessible features for passengers.  But what about in-flight internet from space?

In-Flight Internet from Space may be here sooner than you think, as SatWest Communications prepare to test a temporary wi-fi hotspot in space on board a rocket.

“It’s our first test of the technology in space,” said Brian Barnett owner of SatWest, “We use the technology on the ground, and in airplanes already, and this will be the first test in space.”

Internet in Space will require an infrastructure to send messages and Mr Barnett is aware of the private sector demand for such technology, as well as Universities across the world.

The rocket will have aboard a satellite phone and an email device.  After launch in New Mexico, there will be a series of messages sent from high school students in Albuquerque – famous lines and quotes from space movies, to be exact.

Once receive by a Phoenix ground station, the messages will be relayed to the closest Iridium satellite to the rocket, which will be travelling at a maximum altitude of 112 kilometers, just past the edge of space.

Currently the International Space Station does have the facility to transmit messages to the ground via NASA systems and although in the experimental stages, the SatWest technology aims for a cheaper and simpler option with the permanent installation of wi-fi.

 

$6 Billion Earmarked for Airport IT Investment

November 12, 2013
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Airport IT & Management Services ProvidersAccording to the recent release of the 2013 SITA/ACI/Airline Business Airport IT Trends Survey, around $6 billion will be spend in airport IT investments by the end of this year.

Approximately 90%, it is estimated; of global airports expect their annual IT spending to increase next year and the focus across all is upon passenger experience.

Airports are spending their investments on passenger processing technology, alongside passenger and information services to improve overall airport operations.

Growing steadily on the priority list is the management of IT information across the sector.

Business intelligence transforms airline data into useful information that can then be used to maximise revenue, improve passenger experience and monitor passenger flow, while effectively managing airport resources.

Airport management solutions can encompass a whole range of functions, from passenger processing, airport operations – front end and back office – and baggage handling.

Multi, common-use technology and systems can help to integrate the entire process, giving access to DCS and flight planning applications across a wide-ranging network and protocols.

Solutions such as ARINC AviNet Airport seamlessly manage operational and mission-critical messaging across the board, giving airports the flexibility they need, while managing costs with sharing capabilities.

Currently, only 8% of airports have achieved their data requirements according to the survey.

Airbus Cabin Services Communications Retrofit Approved for A380

November 12, 2013
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Airbus, Panasonic Avionics and Lufthansa Technik have joined forces in a retrofit operation to improve cabin services for all in-service A380s.  The agreement will bring broadband connectivity and mobile phone services to the aircraft.

David Bruner, vice president for global communications services at Panasonic Avionics said, “With this agreement we have made great progress with Lufthansa Technik towards providing this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers. We can now provide our broadband services on every aircraft type, which has always been our goal.”

Cabin Services Solutions for Enhanced Passenger ServicesIn addition to the benefit for passengers with access to the Internet and the ability to send and receive calls and SMS messages, the retrofit will bring enhanced Cabin Services possibilities for cabin crew.

Cabin Services give cabin crew greater access to flight information, passenger information and can be forewarned of problems, i.e. lost baggage in advance to enable them to deal with issues on board, before touchdown.

Other cabin services providers, such as ARINC, offer global solutions to airlines to enable increased passenger services efficiency and experience.

Major Overhaul of Gatwick’s Vintage Technology Planned to Improve Communications Infrastructure

November 10, 2013
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Operational Messaging & Communication Infrastructure SolutionsThe communications infrastructure of Gatwick Airport is set for a major overhaul to replace vintage 1950’s technology for the latest cloud-based communications services.

Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport serving an ever-increasing passenger list of 34.2 million every year.  The project will vastly improve passenger services in addition to 2,500 airport end-users and commercial customers, while reducing costs as staff will be given access through any device.

A five-year contract to upgrade and revamp the communications infrastructure will be carried out by Xchanging, with support from Cisco and Fujitsu.

The aim is to understand the communications infrastructure with a heavy focus upon making Gatwick a key contender, not just for the UK, but for Europe as a key choice.

Michael Ibbitson, CIO of Gatwick airport said, “ By adopting this new approach, we will be transforming the way our staff operates – video conferencing with each other, for instance and working from home effectively during snow days.  This slicker operation will have a significant impact on passenger experience which is what we are always striving to improve.”

The project began earlier this autumn and has a hosted voice and collaboration service.

It is critical for communications infrastructure to understand the messaging needs of an airport and operations to ensure maximum benefits and operational productivity.  Consultancy providers are worth their weight in this respect.

General Aviation ‘Red Tape’ Regulations Alterations Planned by the UK

November 8, 2013
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It has been announced that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) plan to look at what are deemed as unnecessary bureaucracy regulations within the UK general aviation industry this week.

The GA Red Tape Challenge, launched in April, includes proposed changes by the CAA which have been suggested by GA industry stakeholders and operators, in the hope that a deregulation of certain aspects of the industry will be affected.

It has been said by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that the Department of Transport in the UK can start to apply the same safety requirements expected of commercial aviation to non-commercial under EU regulations for the fitness and performance program (REFIT).  The CAA will be looking for clarification of the regulatory conditions for GA aircraft.

Robert Goodwill, aviation minister for the Department of Transport said, “General aviation is an extremely important sector of UK civil aviation and it is right that we do everything possible to enable it to thrive. That includes making sure that, where appropriate, we ease the burden on what are often smaller operators and businesses who find navigating a complex regulatory framework particularly challenging.”

“We are absolutely committed to improving the way we regulate GA. We have made a start, for instance deregulating in some areas and delegating responsibilities in others. But there is much more we can do,” said Dame Deirdre Hutton, chairman of the CAA. “The new, dedicated GA Unit is a formal recognition that GA needs a different and less onerous regulatory regime to commercial air transport.”

In the US, similar reforms are being proposed by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, who are awaiting decisions to be made by the Senate in relation to smaller aircraft and the FAA’s regulatory conditions for the category.