FAA Ask for ICAO Flight Plan for all International Border Crossings

May 11, 2013
Business Aviation News
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It has recently been announced that the FAA have issued new requirements for International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) flight plans for all border crossings, even for flights within the U.S. airspace, VFR or IFR. Most GA operators will be able to operate within the US borders, but the FAA have still said that they would still prefer an ICAO flight plan to be issued.

The ICAO flight plan form, updated in November and implemented in March of this year in the Aeronautical Information Publication, is now required for any flight that crosses any International border or flies above 29,000 feet, operating with RSVM.  The changes were published in the Aeronautical Information Manual concurrently.

Growth in Bombardier Raises Profile in Business Aviation

May 9, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Bombardier, the third-largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, experienced a rise in business jet orders during the first quarter.

Rising production costs have caused a fall in profits, but the company is well-placed for the future, according to their Chief Executive, who said “We’re very well positioned for future growth.”

Bombardier has delivered 10 more aircraft than last year at this point, with 39 business aircraft already and a further 13 commercial aircraft, an increase from 6 this time last year.  This all spells good things for Bombardier, making them a serious contender in the business jet market, currently dominated by Airbus and Boeing.

The Company also build high-speed, commuter and regional trains and currently have an ongoing joint venture in China with the new ‘Zefiro 380 high-speed train’, reaching speeds of 385 kph during last month’s testing.

U.S. Perimeter Security Sector Expects Drop in Spending

May 7, 2013
Business Aviation News
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After the devastating events of 9/11, the demand, and subsequent investment in airport perimeter security skyrocketed with an estimated 650 million U.S. dollars spent in that sector between 2001 and 2011.

Although the FAA shelled out $58 million in grants to improve safety, a recent Frost & Sullivan report expects a steep drop in demand for perimeter security in terms of new fencing and security systems in airports, as no new airports are expected to be built in the U.S. in the foreseeable future.  Most works in the perimeter security sector will be repairs and refurbishments over the next five years and those will mostly be granted to local firms and suppliers, it is estimated.

“You will see some stagnation and a decline [in the market],” said John Hernandez, Frost & Sullivan senior aviation industry analyst, “It will never go up to the point it went up to after 9/11.”  Mr Hernandez added that the security enhancement area of the industry sector, the area that provides security cameras, sensors and monitoring, could, “Look rosier.”

Controlled Access to Passenger Data Debate Continues

May 3, 2013
Business Aviation News
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It has been recently discussed that passenger data, if utilized and analyzed properly, could improve profitability for the airline industry.

Of course, this is a highly debatable subject in some sectors, due to concerns over security and data-sharing, not just passenger data, but all kind of data ranging throughout global industry.

However, passenger data is already accessed via a ‘cloud’ by government and security agencies and is carefully tagged to ensure the passenger data or any other information does not fall into ‘other’ hands.

The implementation of a ‘Data Lake’ could be the answer, enabling secure access to passenger data and related data that could be used by authorized analysts to weigh up the global aviation industry possibilities for improvement and increased profitability.

So, What is a ‘Data Lake’ & How Could it Affect Passenger Data?

A ‘Data Lake’ is basically a common storage pool with each piece of data being tagged with appropriate security information.  This will, through the use of metatags, control who is able to access the information, be it passenger data for an airline or fuel prices, for example.  The security information will stay with the data, tagging it in with certain criteria for analytical value.

The idea will place analytical information within fast and easy, but above all, secure and controlled reach of analysts, with those security tags firmly in place!

ARINC Asia Pacific at FTE Asia Conference

May 2, 2013
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ARINC have announced that Michael DiGeorge MD of ARINC’s Asia Pacific will speak at the Future Travel Experience Conference, hosted in Hong Kong’s Asia World Expo.

ARINC will be exhibiting their latest developments in Common Bag Drop solutions and innovations such as Roving Agent and VeriPax, the Passenger Reconciliation System.

Mr DiGeorge will moderate a working panel session to highlight the theme of the event, which is ways to facilitate rapid passenger growth, while enhancing the passenger experience by speeding up processing of those passengers and their baggage.

ARINC’s common bag drop solutions include the Self-Service Baggage Drop desks, which give the passenger greater control of their journey, enabling them to check-in online, and then process their own baggage at these dedicated points, used for multiple airlines.  Passengers can tag their own baggage, drop their baggage and save time queuing, also helping airport terminals to save valuable space and giving them greater flexibility with staffing, removing the need for airline dedicated desks.

Mr DiGeorge said, “I am pleased to be sharing strategies to help airlines and airports make the best possible decisions regarding passenger and baggage processing methods.”

Calgary Airport Authority Agree 10 Year Extension to ARINC Contract for vMUSE platform at YYC.

May 1, 2013
Business Aviation News Introduction
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Canada’s fourth largest airport, Calgary International (YYC) has announced it will extend its current contract with ARINC, providing via the successful vMUSE platform, Common-Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) for a further 10 years.  The Calgary Airport Authority agreed the extension of the system with the addition of BagLink, the passenger-friendly, Common Use Self Service system and Local Departure Control on the vMUSE platform.

ARINC has been working with the YYC and CAA for 10 years and are looking forward to providing their existing and future passengers with an enhanced travelling experience for the next decade, especially with the addition of the new terminal, currently under construction and expected to be in use by 2015.  The new terminal will incorporate ARINC’s pioneering common-use technology, seamlessly integrating into the existing operations of the airport.

ARINC’s industry-leading, innovative communications, passenger and baggage processing solutions herald the past, present and future of aviation travel, benefiting airlines, airports, passengers and crew in Calgary and across the globe.

UTC Supports FCC Proposal to Protect Mission-Critical Communications

April 22, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Last week the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) supported the FCC proposal to provide a specific spectrum for mission critical communications and urged them not to include commercial mission critical communications service providers, which could lead to congestion or interference in the band.

UTC also supported the decision to combine the 3.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz bands, leading to the creation of a 150 MHz juxtaposed spectrum, offering additional capacity and allowing for coordination of real-time operations within a regulatory framework, preventing interference, relying on a Spectrum Access System.

“The 3.5 GHz band can be used effectively to support various utility communications needs, such as grid modernization and emergency response in the aftermath of hurricanes, storms and other disasters when utilities work with public safety and restore service,” said UTC’s Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs & Deputy General Council, Brett Killbourne. “As such, UTC applauds the Commission for its initiative in proposing in the 3.5 GHz rulemaking to establish a Priority Access tier for utilities’ and other mission critical communications.”

Airport Security Providers Under Pressure to Eliminate Queues

April 21, 2013
Business Aviation News
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The pressure is on for Airport security providers to step-up technological solutions after the IATA announced its intention to eliminate queues at airports by 2020.

This year the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will run ten more trials for the initiative to implement its ‘Checkpoint of the Future Roadmap’, aimed at the elimination of queues in airports by the end of the decade.

Trials are already underway at London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Geneva airports and involve the pre-screening of passengers, explosive detection and biometric data verification instead of traditional scanning methods.

Concerns have arisen as passenger numbers continue to grow year after year, but passenger processing has slowed by over 50% since the events of 9/11.  The new advanced security checkpoint is set to be introduced by 2014 and will speed up the process, eventually eliminating queues altogether.

“We are slowly moving toward the same alignment on security that we have achieved on safety. But we are not there yet and that concerns me greatly,” Tony Tyler, CEO & Director General of IATA, told the Ops conference in Vienna last week.

Airport security providers, such as ARINC’s PSIM solution, are already delivering biometric and automated airport security with their industry-leading technology.  ARINC provide their PSIM solution in over half the U.S. nuclear installations and are ahead of the game when it comes to mission-critical communications and biometric scanning.

Airport Security Providers

Airport Security Providers

Use of In-flight Connectivity Grows with Oman Air

April 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, announced an increase of 130% in internet package sales and a 180% jump in connectivity income over the last year.   The most significant rises are with the use of Smartphones on the Muscat to London Heathrow service.

Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Pearce said, “The increase in passengers’ use of the service in 2012 underlines their growing expectation that similar levels of connectivity should be available in the air as they are on the ground.  I am pleased that the continued increase in uptake since we introduced the service in 2010 shows that Oman Air still leads the field in this area.”

“Digital communications are playing an increasingly important role in all our lives and, in addition to onboard connectivity and services such as online booking and web check-in, Oman Air is rapidly expanding its online customer engagement. Our social media presence is growing daily and we are offering many more online-only special offers than ever before. Having pioneered onboard connectivity, we are committed to remaining in the vanguard of 21st Century communications,” Pearce concluded.

Border Control Biometrics to Improve Airport Security for Ghana

April 19, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Ghana is the latest country to implement biometrics to improve airport security and enhance border control.  The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) recognised the need to streamline the immigration process with the implementation of electronic border control, visa and permit applications and the installation of electronic gates at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport to enhance airport.

GIS director and Commissioner of Police Dr Peter A Wiredu said, “To maintain Ghana’s economic development, we need an immigration system that can meet the challenges of rapid growth in international travel.”

The GIS has awarded the contract to implement the scheme to Gemalto, who will, with the assistance of Avalon Biometrics, install the fully computerized system.  Dr Wiredu added, “Gemalto has contributed to more than 80 successful government programmes worldwide and has all the required project management skills, reputation and expertise to deliver the country’s new IT infrastructure.”

The eGhana project, which encompasses this initiative, will also set up an online portal, data centre and network upgrade for visa applications and issuance of permits.  The project will allow Ghana to monitor the movements of its borders, as growth continues and will enhance passenger experience with faster, controlled processing while maintaining airport security like never before.

Airport security systems such as that offered by ARINC – AviNet Airport – are becoming increasingly popular worldwide as they offer airlines the chance to improve security whilst concurrently improving efficiency.