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Moscow Region Looking for Investors for Fourth Airport

November 20, 2013
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Support for Russian Aviation from Global CompanyPlans are on the table for Moscow to develop the Ramenskoe Test Airfield into the fourth regional airport and the city are on the lookout for investors for the project.

Planners want to have a multi-functional centre, with facilities for International passengers and low cost airlines by 2015 and expanding capacity to 10 million passengers per year by the end of 2019.

The plans have an estimated cost of 7 billion rubles, or $214 million for the airfield development, well known for hosting the MAKS International Aviation and Space Show.  Ramenskoe airfield has been in operation since 1941 and has one of longest runways in Europe at 5,402 metres in length, enabling them to accept any type of aircraft with no weight restrictions.

The airfield was used during the Second World War having ground-attack and long range aircraft based there.  Many Russian aircraft have been tested there and today it houses aircraft of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior and Federal Security Service.

Investors are invited to bid under strict requirements – 25% minimum shares should be traded on the stock exchange; investors should not be affiliated with any airline operating regular passenger and cargo traffic; investors should not be an aircraft manufacturer and the company should have previous airport infrastructure construction.

Interest has already been attracted in the project, with three of the largest Russian private airport holdings.  Requirements are tight, as investors must also hold international certificates such as maintenance of foreign aircraft and passenger handling.

It is an exciting project and highlights the fast pace of the growing industry.  It is thought by some that the project may turn out to be designed for charter flights and growth in business aviation might suggest that to be a prudent measure.

Many companies are supportive of the emergence of Russia’s growing aviation sector.  ARINC have a focus with a Russian language website dedicated to the provision of critical Type B messaging.

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.

$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.

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.

ARINC Marks Milestone with vMUSE Over Windows 7 at Dubai

November 5, 2013
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ARINC EMEA has marked a major milestone at Dubai International this week being the first global site to use vMUSE for a total of 34 international airlines, all newly certified to run over Windows 7.  This list includes Emirates airline, which use their Mercator Airport Control System (MACS) with ARINC’s passenger processing vMUSE platform.

vMUSE Solutions Milestone at Dubai InternationalA new five-year agreement was signed between ARINC and dnata in 2012 for the upgrade of the iMUSE to the latest vMUSE version of the platform.  ARINC provided the software, Emirates the hardware, offering an advanced Virtualised Dual Core solution that has delivered a balance for Emirates between technology and cost.

vMUSE is also being utilized to support multiple airports from a common infrastructure. Graham Parker, Manager Business Technology ‐ dnata Airport Operations and Cargo said, “With vMUSE live at Dubai International, we have begun the rollout at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central for the passenger terminal opening in October.”

“We are delighted with the success of vMUSE at Dubai International,” said Tony Lynch, ARINC’s Regional Director, Middle East & Africa. “It is the perfect migration path for airlines and airports embarking on CUPPS regardless of where they are today and where they plan to be in the future. Whether it’s an iMUSE terminal emulator, CUPPS application, or airline native application, vMUSE can support it, and can handle any combination of these simultaneously.”

ARINC are directly focussing on the growth from emerging markets in the Middle East and now have a site in Arabic for ease of use in the sector.

Best Practices in Russian Aviation Fuel at IATA Forum

November 1, 2013
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Russian Aviation EmergenceGazpromneft-Aero, leading provider of Russian aviation fuel solutions will showcase their best practices with regard to international aviation fuel supply standards at the Aviation Fuel Forum of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the US.

The company, who has worked with IATA for the past five years, will also receive an IATA award in light of the cooperative relationship they share.

Gazpromneft-Aero have revolutionised the russian aviation fuel infrastructure with significant investment in that area and the construction of new refuelling complexes, seven of which have earned IATA’s highest quality fuel-supply status and safety standards.

The company, in partnership with IATA runs International training programs held in Novosibirsk, the only programs of its kind in Eastern Europe for airline, aviation fuel suppliers, oil companies and refuelling complexes.

There are many International companies showing support for the emerging Russian aviation market, ARINC Direct, industry-leading business aviation specialists have a Russian language site for the provision of business aviation services including passenger communications, flight support services and essential flight deck communications solutions.

NextGen FANS Component Updates in EBook

November 1, 2013
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FANS Component UpdatesThe Future Air Navigation System or FANS component updates for the FAA’s NextGen air traffic control modernisation plans have been released in an instructional eBook by Duncan Aviation.

The company released the updates at the NBAA Convention and compiled the information to include an explanation of the FANS Component 1/A, what equipment will be needed to upgrade, how it works, all the regulatory information and what the benefits will be of the enhanced communications systems for CPDLC and ATS services.

Justin Vena, a Duncan Aviation avionics installations sales representative said, “Although there are no easy answers in the retrofit market, our ‘Straight Talk About FANS’ is meant to clarify the FANS protocol and how the mandates affect communications systems in various aircraft.”

An instructional information ‘class’ was held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, to explain CPDLC (Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications) and ADS-C (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract), including component bases, set-up and ATC hand-off.  In addition, the session also addressed the NextGen FANS component updates for the mandatory introduction in Europe and the North Atlantic tracks.

$1.1 Billion Capital Improvement for Airport Operations Approved by Orlando Aviation Authority

October 18, 2013
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On Wednesday, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority unanimously approved a $1.1 billion scheme to improve airport operations, passenger processing and capacity for Orlando International Airport.

The expansion plans will hope to increase the capacity from the current 24 million to 45 million passengers per year.

The project will incorporate major improvements to airport operations for passenger processing capabilities including a new terminal ticket lobby and baggage handling facility.

In addition to the passenger processing improvements will be airfield projects and ground transportation plus terminal and airside upgrades and new additions.

The South Terminal APM Complex will be connected to the North Terminal via a people mover, giving direct connection to the South Terminal parking garage.

“Once we hit the trigger of 40 million annual passengers and now 2 million annual arriving international passengers, we’ll start the final design and construction of phase one of the South Terminal project, which will be a new terminal,” said Phil Brown, GOAA Executive Director.

Eight airlines are in support of the project, expected to begin in 2014 and take three years.  Five airlines have lodged objections, however, to the people mover and car requisitions from North to South Terminals.

The board have made it quite clear that they will not move forward with the expenditure of the entire budget without just and clear reasoning for proven, worthy spending.

The funding has been sourced from both state and federal grants, passenger facility charges and general airport revenue.  The improvements will greatly enhance passenger processing and baggage handling for a direct impact upon the passenger experience.

New Facility with Enhanced Passenger Processing Launched by Quintessentially Aviation

October 17, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Quintessentially Aviation FBO will launch its new FBO facility with efficient passenger processing at Shannon Airport at the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas.

The new FBO commenced operations at the beginning of this month and is part of a joint venture between QA and Sky Handling Partners.

Custom Clearance Shannon is the only place outside the Americas that can furnish business aviation with US pre-clearance and boasts turnaround times of approximately 45 minutes, which has made Shannon an attractive place for passengers of both departures and arrivals into the US with swift and smooth passenger processing.

“We anticipate that 90% of our clientele will be transatlantic clients wishing to maximise the ease of clearance opportunities at the airport. They are also likely to be high net worth individuals originating in Russia or the Middle East, so Shannon’s strict security monitoring, is also an attraction” said Brendan McQuaid, Managing Director, confirming why Shannon Airport was selected for the inaugural QA FBO.

Expected to be completed at the end of this year, the large crew facilities will include a rest area, showers, WiFi, flight planning capabilities and satellite television with a new passenger lounge with contemporary style and service.

The company are hoping to attract new clientele with the new facility in addition to the competitive fuel pricing structure developed in partnership with World Fuel.

Quintessential Aviation FBO hope that this new facility will be the first of many and look forward to its success.

Upgrade of Airport Management System at Ten Airports in India

September 27, 2013
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Airport Management System ProvidersAirport Management System provider, SITA, has been awarded a seven year deal with Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the implementation of their systems in 10 airports in the country.

In partnership with NIIT Technologies, the company will also provide airport operations control centres as a part of the $130 billion airport modernisation programme.

The airports involved in the programme are Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Calicut, Jaipur, Mangalore, Pune, Trichy, Trivandrum and Guwahati, whose combined annual passenger numbers are expected to rise to 450 million over the next six years.

The airport management systems will help with the implementation of collaborative decision making (CDM) to increase efficiency and in turn, more cost effective overall.

The AAI intend to install and run Common User Terminal Equipment across 38 airports, with automated baggage handling solutions, further streamlining operations through the airport management system.

Other airport management systems providers include ARINC, who offer a fully integrated suite of services with their industry-leading AviNet Airport system.  The company, who have recently been bought by Avionics manufacturer Rockwell Collins for $1.39 billion, bring innovative and cost efficient communications solutions for airport management systems, CUTE technology and automated baggage handling with AviNet Airport.