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Vladivostok International Airport Acquired

November 26, 2016
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Vladivostok International Airport Acquired | Aviation NewsIt has been announced that Russian Vladivostok International Airport has been acquired by a consortium, including Basic Element, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Changi Airports International (the investment arm of Changi Airport).

The consortium aims to ‘create a high-tech aviation facility’ to raise standards in the region and to create a key hub. Already, the consortium has begun to expand the airport’s route network, and believes that the location of the airport is ideal to become the ‘gateway between Russia and the Asia-Pacific’.

Changi Airports International CEO, Lim Liang said, ‘Together with our partners, RDIF and Basic Element, we will develop Vladivostok International Airport as one of the best air hubs in the region with strong air connectivity and top-class service – two of our priority areas. We will showcase the uniqueness and vibrancy of Vladivostok and Russian Far East to the rest of the world through the airport, and open up this region to the vast opportunities in international trade and tourism.’

Free Electric Car Charging Soon to Become Available at Birmingham and Luton Airports

November 10, 2016
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POD Point and Airparks EV Charging Points | Airports NewsElectric vehicle (EV) charging stations are soon to be operational at Birmingham and Luton airports, and will be free to use for drivers of electric vehicles using the car parks. These will become the first off-airport parking facilities to offer free vehicle charging.

The airport car parking facilities, run and managed by Airparks, will see the EV stations installed by POD Point, the leading provider of electric car charging units in the UK. Erik Fairbairn, CEO of POD Point noted that ‘this is a move that simply makes sense for all parties.’ Continuing, he said, ‘It not only gives EV drivers a clear destination of choice for knowing their car will be secure and well managed while away, but also peace of mind of knowing that whatever time of day they land back, their car is charged and ready to go.’

Airparks, the latest partner for POD Point, is proud to be the first off-airport car park to offer the free facility. Andrew Bird, GM at Airparks said, ‘We’re committed to constantly evolving our products to benefit our customer’s needs; and this new service means that people driving electric vehicles can use Airparks’ car parks and return from their trip to a fully charged vehicle. The EV market is growing year on year and we hope that Airparks will be the car park of choice for EV owners flying from Birmingham and Luton.’

Rockwell Collins to Acquire B/E Aerospace for $8.4 Billion

November 3, 2016
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Announced on October 23, Rockwell Collins is set to further expand its cockpit and cabin solutions product portfolio with the acquisition of B/E Aerospace for the sum of $8.4 billion.

B/E Aerospace began life in 1987 as Bach Engineering, and has enjoyed success since then, expanding with acquisitions such as EECO Inc, PTC Aerospace Inc and Aircraft Products Gallery, changing its name to B/E Aerospace Inc in 1992.

Its strong position in the cabin interiors sector has spread to aerospace consumables and logistics, distribution and energy services.

Growth since its inception in 1987 has been significant, and B/E Aerospace now employs more than 10,000 personnel over 35 facilities around the world.

Acquisition of B/E Aerospace will add value to Rockwell Collins’ considerable portfolio, as the image below demonstrates.

Rockwell Collins Expanded Product Portfolio | B/E Aerospace

Air China and Lufthansa Sign Deal for China-Europe Flights

September 26, 2016
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Airport Messaging News | Business Aviation BlogIt has been announced that a 2-year old memorandum of understanding between Air China and Lufthansa will be implemented at the beginning of the summer season of 2017 to provide jointly-operated flights in and out of China-Europe.

The joint venture will enable the two airline operators to collaborate more closely to increase the number of code-share flights and will also include subsidiaries of Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International.

Carsten Spohr, of Lufthansa said, ‘This ground-breaking joint venture will fundamentally strengthen our competitive position on routes between Europe and China.’

Chairman of Air China, Cai Jianjiang said, ‘[The joint venture] is another major step of Air China’s globalisation strategy. We will further expand network coverage in China and Europe, enhance the flight connections in beyond markets and optimise flight schedules.’

Shannon Airport Passenger Screening Trials Underway

September 20, 2016
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Airports News | Business Aviation BlogIreland’s Shannon Airport has become the first international airport in the world to take part in a pioneering EU-funded trial for passenger screening using a new pre-clearance check point.

The initiative takes a combination of European and US pre-clearance check points, and amalgamates the best of each into one new concept, designed to comply with dual regulations.

The trial will focus on improving passenger experience, while making the most of the technology to enhance airport security screening. Currently, US-bound passengers must move through two separate screening systems, and queue separately each time.  The new system utilises just one check point, performing both screening requirements for compliance with each mandate.

Today, passenger experience is high on the priority list for airport operators, where traffic is increasing at an average rate of 5% every year. It is critical to maintain passenger flow to minimise airport congestion, yet equally, if not more important to realise security goals concurrently.

The trial of the new passenger screening check point will begin this month and run for an initial ten-week period.

Proposed UK Border Scheme Branded a ‘Gimmick’ by Unions

September 12, 2016
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Beating the queues and improving security through technology | More about passenger facilitationAs the world remembers the 15th anniversary of the tragedy that was 9/11, the latest border scheme to come out of the UK has been branded a ‘gimmick’ by staff unions, who called for increased staffing instead.

The UK Home Office has said that under the new scheme, travellers could choose to pay between £5 and £17.50 for a ‘fast-track’ passage through its borders. The proposed scheme will not be available at all airports, and will be trialled at Gatwick airport, leaving skeptics in some doubt that current staffing levels will be sufficient to cope with the different lanes. Concerns have also been raised for passengers who will not be willing to pay being left facing longer delays than they were before.

Branding the proposal as ‘ridiculous’, a spokesperson for the Public and Commercial Services union said, ‘This is a ridiculous idea that exposes just how understaffed our borders are. What happens if everyone opts to pay £5? We’re back to square one. Instead of gimmicks like this, the Government needs to properly invest in staff to work at ports and airports because the shortages are there for all to see.’

Nick Trend, consumer expert for Telegraph Travel said, ‘This confirms a growing trend of airports charging for services which should be efficient and free,’ following news that some UK airports already charge for a fast-track service. Continuing, he said, ‘The risk from the consumer point of view is that airports deliberately allow the queues to build up so that frustrated passengers feel the only way to have a decent experience of the airport is to pay more for the privilege.’

Technology is in place to streamline passenger facilitation and processing in an increasing number of airports around the world. Strengthening border control is of paramount importance in a world that has seen dramatic improvements since 9/11. Border technology providers, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC airports, aim to improve passenger flow with Common Use Identity Management – using integrated systems to increase airport resource management, security and passenger experience.

UK’s Gatwick Airport Vies with Heathrow for Expansion

August 9, 2016
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gatwick-airport-expansionGatwick airport is directly contesting with Heathrow for an expansion of its facilities, as both airports vie for position in the race to build and operate another runway.

An additional runway at Gatwick could generate as many as 28,000 jobs, according to a new report issued recently by Arup. It is also estimated that an expansion of facilities and services could result in the stimulation of 120,000 UK-wide jobs, in addition to future opportunity for young people with the establishment of an apprenticeship fund that could amount to £3.75million.

A new initiative has recently gained ground for Gatwick airport in the form of a partnership alliance with three UK universities – Brighton, University College London and Imperial College London – offering three places each year for graduates to join the engineering teams at the airport.

A spokesperson for Gatwick has confirmed that the airport can also ‘deliver a new runway faster [than Heathrow], and have a spade in the ground before 2020.’

The airports expansion project has been big news in the UK for a number of years, following protests by residents near both sites concerning noise and environmental pollution issues.

The UK Government has delayed a decision about any airport expansion project until October 2016.

Miami International Airport to Improve Baggage Handling Systems

August 8, 2016
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Miami International Airport to Upgrade Baggage Handling Systems | Business Aviation BlogMiami International Airport has plans in place to begin an upgrade of its baggage handling systems, replacing a part of its security screening system and automated sortation.

The upgrades will also include modifications to baggage conveyancing, electrical and power distribution systems. The TSA is backing the project with a grant to Miami-Dade County of $101 million to support plans to build a 60,000ft2 extension to the current Central Terminal BHS, which will include a security corridor between Terminals G and H.

As advancing technology continues to offer opportunities for increased efficiency and security, airports around the world are looking to these next-generation baggage handling systems to deliver enhanced passenger experience, whilst making sure than capacity for expansion and adaptability remains at the forefront of all planning.

Ground delays are an expensive issue for both airlines and airports, and as passenger numbers continue to increase, operators must ensure that improvements work to significantly improve operational efficiency and security.

Miami-Dade County look forward to the project, which is hoped will create more than 600 local jobs for both direct and indirect employees.

Self-Service Passenger Experience for the Future of Aviation Travel

August 5, 2016
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Airports around the globe are pushing forward with self-service solutions to make passenger experience better, and to allow greater flexibility for resource and personnel management within the airport environment.

In addition to self-service check-in and baggage handling, the future of aviation travel may involve complete automation using the next generation of biometrics to handle passenger security screening, passport control and data sharing with government departments and agencies.

Rockwell Collins is a major player in the airports infrastructure sector, and has been working on and thinking about innovations in biometrics and identity management for almost a decade.

The use of biometrics, and in particular facial recognition technology, is faced with challenges in the aviation industry, quite aside from the privacy and data sharing issues that continue to be hotly debated around the world.

According to the Director of Strategic Programs for Rockwell Collins’ Global Airports business, Mr Tony Chapman, ‘Everyone is looking for something more unique than facial features. It’s good, but you have to look at the camera.’

Although the idea of complete, biometrics-powered automation is still some years away, it is good to know that some of the biggest innovators in the world are working towards a solution.

Isle of Man Host Sixth Business Aviation Conference

June 14, 2016
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IoM Aviation Conference | Business Aviation BlogThis month will see the Isle of Man host the sixth aviation conference, aimed to bring business aviation industry participants and professionals together from around the world.

Organised by the ICM Group, the conference is business oriented, and billed as this year’s ‘must-attend’ event. Approximately 150 business aviation professionals are expected to attend the Villa Marion venue in Douglas later this month, and opportunities for networking will take place during and after the event.

Find out more about the conference here.