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PSIM & Airport Security Awards for Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Intergraph®

August 14, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Airport Security Management SolutionsBaltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) recently achieved an award with Intergraph Security Solutions for recognition of their PSIM system for Physical Security Information Management procedures. The airport also won Most Notable Airport Security Program, Large Airports.

The Consolidated Dispatch Centre (CDC) at BWI provides emergency calls delivery across the airport, using a fully integrated platform with software, hardware and multi-system and agency coordination services. The CDC responds to security system-wide calls and additionally, provides a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to the Anne Arundel County.

“This highly successful project provided our security and public safety personnel with cutting-edge emergency response technology,” said Paul J. Wiedefeld, chief executive officer of BWI Marshall.  “The improvements to the consolidated dispatch centre help ensure increased responsiveness and situational awareness.  We are honoured by the recognition from Government Security News.”

Sophisticated PSIM solutions are necessary within a secure aviation environment. Many security systems incorporate physical security systems, from perimeter fencing and monitoring to personnel access systems and information management systems for all mission critical facilities.

Dubai Refurbishment to Bring Surge in Passenger Traffic & Plans for APIS

August 14, 2014
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Find out more about Advance Passenger Information (APIS)According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Makhtoum, president of DCAA and chairman of Dubai airports, the runway refurbishment at Dubai International Airport is expected to bring in a significant surge of passenger traffic.

The expected rise lends weight to the proposed introduction of Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).

“We are confident the completion of the major runway refurbishment program in our history and full schedule operations ahead of the Eid holidays will bring in a significant surge in air traffic,” he said in a message to Via Dubai, the official bi-lingual newsletter of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

“We are confident about the airport handling over 70 million passengers in 2014, which will bring us further closer to becoming the world’s number one airport for international passengers,” he said.

Via Dubai also announced the GDRFA Dubai is working on plans to launch the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) by the end of this year, or early next year, once approval of the Ministry of the Interior has been granted.

The next project in the pipeline for the airport is a new concourse, which will be connected to an existing terminal by train and is expected to be open in the first quarter of 2015.

The new concourse, the fourth at the airport, is part of a $7.8 billion expansion program, specifically designed to boost the airport’s traffic capability to more than 100 million passengers per year by 2020. The development program is intended to give the airport a capacity for 160 million passengers per year by the time the final phase is completed.

Manila Immigration Bureau Plan to Introduce APIS

August 8, 2014
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APIS Transmission ProvidersManila’s Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to introduce APIS in a bid to exclude unwanted foreign visitors. The Advance Passenger Information System, mandatory for U.S. travellers, will be operational following government approval.

The BI commissioner, Mr Siegfred Mison said on Friday that ‘immigration authorities from countries where passengers originated will be required to submit names and personal circumstances of passengers boarding airlines and ships bound for the Philippines, allowing those with derogatory records to be segregated pending further security checks’.

The planned introduction of APIS is a part of preparations for two big events in Manila’s calendar, namely the visit of Pope Francis in January 2015 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference (APEC) in November.

“As soon as the measure is approved we will bid it to interested parties the APIS scan data base which will receive and accept the information sent by the BI foreign counterparts,” said Mison.

Signature Flight Support Adds Scottsdale AirCenter to Its Global Portfolio

August 6, 2014
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Arizona Airport FBO, Scottsdale AirCenter’s aFlight Support & Business Aviation Services Providersssets have been acquired by Signature Flight Support, it was announced today. The 16th largest business aviation airport in the U.S. and a dedicated general aviation airport serving the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, Scottsdale AirCenter is one of only two FBOs on the field. Signature Flight Support is the world’s largest fixed-base operation and distribution network for business aviation services and is a division of BBA Aviation PLC.

Services include fuelling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, maintenance and an extensive range of passenger and crew facilities.

Business aviation services and flight support services providers across the world ensure the smooth running of operations within airports. Many providers also offer flight planning and communications solutions for the flight deck and for airport operational productivity, largely running ‘behind the scenes’ of operators.

Scottsdale AirCenter is housed in a modern facility with 145,000 square feet of hangar space for large cabin business aircraft and 12,000 square feet of terminal space. Additionally, the centre has concierge services, passenger lounge, pilot and crew lounge and gift shop with an extra 32,000 square feet of shop and office space.

Maria Sastre, President and Chief Operating Officer for Signature Flight Support commented on the acquisition, “Scottsdale AirCenter represents an important addition to our world-class FBO locations in our global network. Their reputation for exceptional customer service was one of many attributes Signature considered in making this acquisition. Scottsdale AirCenter is a fantastic facility in a key market for Signature. We welcome the staff and customers of Scottsdale AirCenter to the Signature family.”

 

 

Gatwick Baggage Handling Fiasco Looks Grim for Swissport

August 6, 2014
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Other Bag Drop Solutions ProvidersRumours are circulating that the aviation arm of John Menzies, the newspaper and magazine distributor, could take over from baggage handlers Swissport at Gatwick Airport if a repeat of last months’ baggage fiasco occurs.

The airport was forced to apologise to hundreds of passengers who were told to go home empty-handed because of what was later described as a ‘failure to meet service levels’ by Swissport.

Following the debacle, Monarch Airlines cancelled two Swissport contracts at Gatwick and Manchester, while International Consolidated Airlines said it will ‘look at other opportunities’ should the delays continue.

John Menzies provides cargo and passenger ground-handling services, including ticketing, check-in, baggage reclamation and passenger lounge facilities, which makes up two-thirds of its current aviation business revenue. There is no doubt that share prices would make a dramatic increase should they take over from Swissport as Gatwick and Manchester airports baggage handlers.

TSA Award Passenger Screening Contract for U.S. Airports

August 5, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Electronic Borders Technology for Effective Passenger Screening

A Credential Authentication system is to be installed at major U.S. airports for screening passenger information in place of visual inspection. The seven-year, $85 million contract has been awarded by the Transport Security Administration (TSA) and will read multiple security features contained within passenger identification documents to ensure that it is genuine.

MorphoTrust is a provider of identity solutions and will undertake the contract for the TSA. “MorphoTrust E-CAT is the culmination of many years of work to address airport security requirements following the 9/11 tragedy, while simplifying travel for American citizens,” MorphoTrust CEO Bob Eckel said. “It is also just the beginning of our vision for what’s possible in air travel, creating a future in which passengers can move easily and securely from the curb to the gate without boarding passes or security lines.”

The electronic security industry is helping to secure borders across the world with the latest technology. EBorders solutions are helping to take security to another level with solutions for passenger processing and screening, the secure and reliable transfer of Advance Passenger Information, biometric security and bioterrorism detection systems.

Airport Operations Management Business Acquired by Exelis

August 4, 2014
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Airport Operations Integrated with Management SolutionsExelis, aerospace and defence information company headquartered outside Washington, VA, have announced their acquisition of Orthogon; German airport operations management business, providing applications for air traffic flow management and decision-making to airport operators and ANSPs across the world.

The Orthogon business designs and develops traffic optimisation applications and predict traffic demand on runways, giving airport operators flexibility to optimise their resources both on the ground and in the air.

“The acquisition of Orthogon expands our aviation solutions portfolio and international market position,” said Pam Drew, Exelis president of the Exelis Information Systems division. “With our global airport presence and Orthogon’s queue management applications we see opportunities to deliver solutions to our customers that will lower costs and increase capacity and efficiency of their operations.”

Airport management systems integration is a necessary part of the process of information management. Additional applications available from other providers of airport management systems can include ‘back-office’ applications that assist with the smooth and efficient operation of baggage handling systems and passenger processing. As airports grow busier, with estimated passenger flow on the increase to the tune of more than 5% each year, operational productivity can suffer without key integrated systems in place.

Self-Service Bag Drop Solution at Halifax Stanfield Airport

August 3, 2014
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Self Service Bag Drop Solutions ProvidersSelf Service bag drop solutions offer improvements to passenger processing and minimise ground delays. Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the first in North America to offer self-service baggage drop for all their passengers, working closely with their airline partners.

“This new, fully automated, self-serve baggage drop system uses the latest technology to simplify the check-in process for airline passengers,” says Joyce Carter, Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA), President & CEO. “With airline customer service agents available to assist passengers if necessary, this improved level of service speeds up the check-in process and makes it possible for passengers to avoid line ups at counters.”

The airport followed the lead of airports across the world, when looking for ways to streamline these vital processes and ensure that ground delays were kept to a minimum during peak flow seasons.

“We welcome any airport improvements that enrich the travel experience for our guests,” says Jon Quinton, Station Manager for WestJet in Halifax. “This new system helps travellers move through the check-in process more quickly, and frees up our team members to get out from behind the counters and assist those guests who need a little extra attention.”

The new baggage handling system formed a part of a larger project to modernise the terminal space within the International airport. The domestic and international check-in halls in addition to U.S. preclearance have been renovated to create additional space, with future growth in mind. A stylish new exterior has changed the face of the airport and are a part of a 10-year plan to meet the needs of current and future passengers.

There is little doubt, if we look at the affect that self-service bag drop has upon the world’s busiest airports, that the new system will streamline passenger processing and increase operational productivity for Halifax Stanfield.

Electronic Surveillance Strengthened at Dominican Republic Borders

August 2, 2014
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Electronic Surveillance SolutionsThe Dominican Republic is steadfast in its determination to strengthen border control and has just increased electronic surveillance to help the fight against smuggling and illegal entry across the borders.

An additional 150 security cameras have been installed, making a total of 220 now operational over the past three years. They provide 24-hour surveillance at 42 border crossing points and will provide additional assistance to the military presence.

Electronic surveillance equipment is increasing in popularity as the world looks to enhance border control. Solutions from large companies, such as ARINC, can reinforce situational awareness and provide additional assistance to sometimes overstretched personnel and maintain a constant vigil at border checkpoints on the ground and in airport environments.

Physical security solutions can include access management, biometric detection and bioterrorism detection systems in addition to security surveillance cameras and recording equipment.

Identity Management Solution Streamlines Security at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport

August 1, 2014
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Physical Security & Access Solutions ProvidersThe busiest airport in Latin America is positively humming at the moment with the elevated traffic levels for the World Cup. Expected traffic increases ahead of the Olympics has encouraged a push for modernisation in the airport and security systems.

GRU has implemented an Identity Management System, including both physical and access solutions, which is intended to streamline airport operations. GRU engaged Quantum Secure for the implementation of their ‘SAFE for Aviation’ software.

Identity Management Software can help to streamline operations with the ability to define credentials with necessary privileges and security checks requirements, lifecycle management, and the management of watch lists and TSA ‘No-Fly’ lists during the enrolment process.

Using the software, operatives will be able to use Smartphones and Tablets with the Aviation Mobile Infraction module.

The software is also able to create an audit trail for all employees and visitors, with the option of using fingerprint technology. The sophisticated software will revolutionise the way that GRU employs personnel (temporary and permanent) and moves them, visitors and contractors around the airport.

“SAFE is designed to the TSA paradigm, so we have brought those concepts to GRU, which are meeting and exceeding ANAC’s current capabilities, making airport security more traveler-friendly, secure and streamlined,” said Ajay Jain, President and CEO of Quantum Secure. “With SAFE, GRU is able to streamline its security and credentialing operations, ensure compliance with TSA-level policies and future-proof its physical security infrastructure while also benefiting from significant cost reductions.”