Archive

Tag Archives: aviation communications

Realise the potential of next generation passenger connectivity

August 30, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

ARINC are offering airlines the next generation of passenger connectivity and personal electronic device support with their product Cabin Connect.

ARINC work in partnership with Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband solution to deliver enhanced bandwidth so that airline passengers can now surf the internet, send and receive email, and use universal messaging all through their own portable electronic device, be that laptop, tablet computer e.g. iPad or Playbook, smart phone or portable gaming devices.

ARINC Cabin Connect SwiftBroadband

ARINC Cabin Connect SwiftBroadband

Alongside this ARINC offer AirCrew connect, a solution offering cabin crew connectivity to allow crew to become more efficient and offer a better level of customer service to passengers inflight. Cabin crew can now act as a concierge service for those important passengers, can collect real time CRM data as well as active fault finding and reporting. Anything that can be done on paper can now be logged and sent while inflight, allowing airlines to enjoy increased operational efficiencies.

Thanks to AirCrew Connect it is also possible to do real time fault finding, providing increased efficiencies as any issues with the IFE or onboard systems can either be remedied in flight (dependent upon the airline’s IFE hardware provider) or engineers can be booked to be waiting on stand for the aircraft to arrive at its destination, thus decreasing the amount of downtime the airframe requires.

Supporting various commercial models, ARINC can work with airlines to find the best unique solution to offer to your passengers and crew, creating differentiation and increased value that can help to promote passenger loyalty.

To find out more about the service please visit the ARINC Cabin Connect website.

CommutAir Picks ARINC For Passenger Security Reporting

August 30, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

CommutAir has chosen the ARINC AviNet Global Data Network Solution to transmit crew Advance Passenger Information to ensure adherence with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) passenger reporting requirements. The new proprietary reporting guidelines were created by CBSA in response to privacy and data quality concerns.

CommutAir said it selected ARINC to create a customized solution that would comply with CBSA’s new Data Acquisition Solution guidelines. On behalf of the carrier, ARINC will perform the required message format and communications protocol conversion to meet CBSA guidelines.

CommutAir is headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont with operations centered in Cleveland, Ohio and Newark, New Jersey. The company provides regular flights into Toronto and between more than 20 cities throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern U.S.

ARINC can examine the aviation messaging needs of any aviation user, and make a quick check of potential savings easily available through an online calculator. ARINC says “We understand Type B messaging better than anyone. That’s why we’ve developed a consultancy service to help you understand it too. Use our message calculator tool to gain an immediate idea of the size of your potential saving and then contact us to confirm the numbers”.

The online calculator can be found at: ARINC Type B Check

Airlines Need to Invest in Passenger Communications

August 21, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

It was recently reported that only a quarter of passengers satisfied with on-board wifi services. A study from FlightView found that despite the increase in uptake of services by airlines just 28% of passengers were satisfied with their service.

So how can airlines offer a better service to their passengers?

ARINC Direct offers a series of solutions for business aviation owners and operators with this very problem in mind. With ARINC in-flight broadband you can deliver solutions to promote passenger loyalty. Integrated satellite services allow you to offer your passengers easy-to-use products based on Inmarsat or Iridium satellite communications services, allowing passengers to stay connected.

ARINC Direct’s Satellite Services offer reliable, cost-effective, voice and data services for your aircraft whenever and wherever you may fly.

Passenger Communications - Satellite Communications

Passenger Communications – Satellite Communications

For voice communications the ARINC business aviation services keep passengers connected with the ability to make calls, send and receive faxes, and stay online anywhere in the world.For the full range of passenger communications services offered by ARINC direct please visit the ARINC Direct Flight Support site.

In Focus: Aviation Type B Messaging Uses

August 21, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

After the many technological advances we have seen over the last months and years we wanted to do a focus piece on one of the fundamentals in aviation communications for business aviation and commercial airlines, and how one company has lead the way in providing Type B communications.

AviNet Type B messaging provides reliable and economical messaging for mission-critical business-to-business communications for the aviation industry. Processing over 15 million messages daily to over 700 industry users worldwide, AviNet Type B is used for a variety of message types including GLOBALink ACARS®, passenger reservations, weather data, and flight planning.

ACARS

ACARS (or Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) is a type of aircraft communication system which was designed by ARINC to replace the VHF voice service (the voice service was used for all communications between aircraft and ground stations before the introduction of data link). The ACARS system was first introduced in 1978. ACARS is the only data link infrastructure with pole-to-pole global coverage, therefore used to deliver the critical reliability airlines depend on all their flights.

Passenger reservations

Passenger reservation is part of the process of an airline computer reservation system. The system contains airline schedules, fare tariffs, passenger reservations and ticket records. Passenger reservations are offered as part of ARINC’s AviNet Type B messaging.

Weather Data

Weather data or weather reporting is part of flight operations. ARINC offers the latest weather prediction and reporting services to the aviation industry and airports around the world. ARINC’s Graphic/Text Weather Service (or G/TWS) provides near-real-time graphic and text weather information to flight crew using GLOBALink data link services.

ARINC also provides terminal weather information to aircraft taking off or landing, including precipitation data, gust fronts and wind shear microbursts information within 15 nautical miles of the airport. The ARINC meteorological data collection and reporting system collects real-time weather reports such as wind and severe weather advisories.

Flight Planning

Flight planning is the process of describing a proposed aircraft flight and the flight plans produced typically involves two safety-critical components: fuel calculation and compliance with air traffic control requirements. These components ensure aircrafts can safely reach the proposed destination and to eradicate the mid-air collision risks. Appropriate flight planning also minimises the costs of flights by choosing the optimal route, height and speed; and also by minimum on board fuel load for the proposed journey. Flight planning requires accurate weather forecasts to calculate the impact on fuel consumption due to head or tail winds and air temperature.

For further information please visit: http://typebmessaging-avinet.com

NASA asks pilots to participate in flight deck communications study

July 31, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

General aviation pilots have been invited to participate in a study with the FAA, from data collected through the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).

The Aviation Weather in the Cockpit and Aeronautical Information Services via Data Link study hopes to gain information about incidents while pilots were using weather or AIS information in the cockpit.

“The information may be textual and/or graphical, obtained via data link or other sources to include ACARS [aircraft communications addressing and reporting system] and cell phones, on the ground or in the air,” said the NASA press release.

The study examines the type of weather data received, its accuracy, the cockpit display used, software or applications used to receive meteorological information, and end user graphical interface ratings.

Pilots who wish to participate in either study can do so by filing an ASRS report or, in some cases, by filing a report with the FAA’s Aviation Safety Action Program.

For airlines and operators who are concerned about either the accuracy or efficiency of the aircraft messaging ARINC also provide a service to analyse the cost effectiveness of current Type B communications and provide a consultancy on infrastructure and IT surrounding it. For more information please visit www.typebcheck.com

ARINC to Implement Significant Flight Deck Technology Upgrade for Cathay Pacific

July 24, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

July 24, 2012  – Today we heard that ARINC will be working with Cathay Pacific Airways to implement an advanced information management system into its full fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. This deployment represents the airline industry’s most significant upgrade in flight deck communications technology in more than 30 years.

ARINC reported that the communications solution “creates a true “e-Enabled aircraft” by offering fully-customized, integrated communications management of flight operations, data communication services, cabin services, maintenance, diagnostics, and vital safety information. As such, it represents breakthrough communications technology for the airline industry.”

Cathay Pacific now has the capability to select the most cost-effective communications connectivity for the aircraft and maintain a consistent data delivery connection between aircraft and remote host systems.

“Automating the flight bag saves paper, but the benefits for airlines like Cathay Pacific go far beyond that. The volume and complexity of airline operations means that the right solution can provide significant benefits across the board,” said Randy Pizzi, Vice President of ARINC’s International Division.

For more information on the full range of flight support and flight deck communications services offered by ARINC Direct who specialise in business aviation customers please visit business-flight-support.com.

Dominican Republic Chooses ARINC for Border Security Solutions

July 14, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

Director of Immigration for the Dominican Republic Jose Ricardo Taveras introduces ARINC representative Jorge Ramirez (far right).
(Government of the Dominican Republic)

The ARINC Electronic Borders solutions have been seen again in the news this week after ARINC announced that the government of the Dominican Republic had chosen them for all air and maritime border security solutions.

A press conference was held to introduce ARINC to the transport sector as the technology provider of choice for aviation and maritime advance passenger information (API) system solutions to help secure the nation’s borders.

ARINC’s ability to meet the government’s border security requirements with expertise, technology competence, and cost-efficiency defined them as the clear choice for Dominican Republic officials. Other providers did not have the qualifications to meet the necessary air and maritime technology requirements. The country has plans to work with ARINC to implement an advance passenger information system for ground transportation.

ARINC’s API and PNR solutions form part of the ARINC Electronic Borders portfolio, developed to meet today’s challenges in border security. For more detailed information on how ARINC can help airlines, agencies and operators manage the complete stay of passengers in a cost efficient way please visit electronicborders.com

Could Airport Delays be Reduced with Advance Passenger Information?

July 12, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment
ARINC AviSec - Passenger Data Transfer & Advanced Passenger Information - airline passenger data & aircraft communications - ARINC business aviation security

ARINC AviSec – Passenger Data Transfer & Advanced Passenger Information – airline passenger data & aircraft communications – ARINC business aviation security

Passenger numbers at UK airports is growing 5% per year – meaning that the airports are under increasing pressure to process more passengers, more quickly, with ever more stringent security checks.

Whilst automatic gates and iris/fingerprint recognition help to improve the passenger processing experience one suggestion to help alleviate the problem has been earlier delivery of advance passenger information.

The use of passenger data in advance would allow screening, prior to arrival. Passengers are already required to provide data about themselves and their journey at different points before departure. From the outset, they supply key information as part of passport and visa applications. This basic identity and biographic information is being strengthened through the linking of the passport or visa to biometric data, fingerprints, facial images or iris scans. In addition, individuals increasingly provide further information to the airline through advanced passenger information when they reserve their ticket and then, at check-in, creating an assured picture of individual and travel plans.

Consolidating this data and making it routinely available to immigration authorities as soon as it is collected will enable them to carry out effective profiling and pre-clearance of travellers. Authorities will be able to use this data to identify in advance any potential risks to public safety, national security or association with criminal activity. .

The challenge for airlines and operators is transmitting this data effectively. When choosing a provider of passenger data transfer airlines need to be assured that they not only receive a reliable and cost efficient solution at the present, but that they are using a provider that can cope with future innovations, such as those suggested here.

ARINC has been delivering high-performance messaging the aviation for over 50 years and is the innovative leader in aircraft communications. Their AviSec Messaging product deals directly with this and customers can rely on an accurate service that will evolve with border security developments. For more information please visit: avisec-messaging.com

Evolving Self-Service Kiosks

July 4, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment
Evolving Self-Service Kiosks

Evolving Self-Service Kiosks

In June Airport Business Magazine featured the evolution of the kiosk. As passengers come to expect technologies to make their check in process simpler companies such as ARINC have reacted to the demand to offer ever increasingly advanced solutions.Common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks are now extensively used across Europe, but now we are seeing the next generation – kiosks that allow passengers to check-in, select their seat, print boarding passes, and print out their own baggage tags.

ARINC provides cost effective solutions for private and commercial airlines to improve efficiency and security.

In recent years common-use technology that enables multiple airlines to share computer systems at airport check-in desks and boarding gates has become well established. The next decade will see many airports and airlines moving away from PC-based applications to those hosted in cloud computing environments. The advantages of hosted services include not only lower capital outlay and greater efficiency, but also a reduction in power consumption, space requirements and IT airport costs.

ARINC will continue to exploit the benefits of common-use technology by designing new systems to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. At the same time, the company provides a comprehensive service to enhance customers’ legacy solutions, ensuring they are CUPPS (Common-use Passenger Processing System) compliant and certified.

It is all part of the service at ARINC, which has significant experience in delivering reliable, versatile and innovative solutions to improve all airport operations, from baggage management and passenger reconciliation to terminal optimisation and automated turnaround activity.

Why is efficient ACARS is so important?

June 3, 2012
Business Aviation News
Leave a comment

This week I wanted to focus on how some technologies can make or break an airline. An article that appeared on thehindu.com demonstrated how ACARS has been so important for one airline.

IndiGo has been showing a resounding success, with high seat take up rates and good profit margins whilst its competitors are grounding planes.

Now handling over 1 million passengers each month IndiGo was set up in early 2006 by Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia of InterGlobe Enterprises. The success has been attricuted to many actors but Kapil Kaul, regional head, Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA), states that one of the chief reasons for IndiGo’s success is its focus — “on-time performance, clean, neat aircraft, and good service”.

In India air travel is relatively expensive and therefore the key has been to appeal to a customer base on time saving benefits – for this reason a significant delay on a 55 minute flight would be a disaster. IndiGo has carved out a reputation for flawless “On Time Performance”, and an average on-time record of an amazing 90 per cent.

By using ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing And Reporting System), a constant radio and satellite communication between aircraft and ground stations, the airline has maximised it efficiency. Before every departure, an automatic message is triggered from aircraft to control centre and the departure time recorded immediately. Similarly, the moment the flight lands an automatic message is triggered from aircraft to control centre. These timings are recorded “real time” and without human intervention.

There is no doubt that the efficiency of IndiGo set it apart from its competitors in India, and demonstrated the importance of reliable aircraft messaging.

ARINC offer aircraft messaging solutions, including AviNet for Type B Messaging, to business aviation users, make such reliability affordable with fixed pricing plans. ARINC also include a consultancy service for those who want re-examine their Type B Messaging costs and make infrastructure more efficient.

For more information please visit typebcheck.com

IndiGo Success Due to ACARS

IndiGo Success Due to ACARS