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Advanced Airport Management System Company Acquired by Woolpert

June 23, 2014
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Airport Management Systems ProvidersElectronic Logging System (ELS), software for airport operational management, has been acquired by Woolpert, Dayton-based geospatial, infrastructure management and design company. ELS is designed to simplify specific record-keeping and FAA compliant tasks including collaborative processes, airfield safety inspections and reporting.

“Woolpert is excited to work with existing ELS clients to help them achieve even greater levels of efficiency,” said Woolpert’s senior vice president and aviation practice leader, Tom Mochty. “We also look forward to assisting new clients who have been looking for the right opportunity to modernize the tools in their operational toolkit.”

Airport management systems providers bring real-time benefits to operations, with features for NOTAMs information, critical messaging, maintenance management and passenger information processes, encouraging increased efficiency and ultimately, greater operational productivity. Systems differ according to provider and companies such as ARINC, offer comprehensive messaging platforms to ensure seamless reliability throughout the messaging environment.

Woolpert maintain ‘business as usual’ for all existing ELS clients and users of the system, offering 24/7 support and hope to bring improvements over the coming year to enhance the functionality of the current software.

UAE Private Jets Most Popular Destination is Nice, France

June 22, 2014
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nice-business jets 22-06-14According to a recent study conducted by Private Jet Charter, the French city of Nice is the most popular destination for private jets out of the UAE, with five trips per year.

Following a close second is Paris for shopping, with four trips annually, then London for business, with two trips per year.

Nice is thought to be the most popular destination due to the belief that UAE high-net-worth individuals prefer to escape the hot summer months by travelling to high-end parts of Europe. Geneva is also popular for skiing during the season.

The report goes on to comment that UAE private jet users appreciate the ‘luxury and hassle-free environment’ that is provided by private charter and many are beginning to use private jets to connect to scheduled commercial airlines to destinations that are not on a standard route.

The staunch growth witnessed in the UAE of business aviation is also partly attributed to the new Al Makhtoum International Airport in Dubai, which now has exclusive private jet facilities with reduced slot restrictions and luxurious lounges.

It is thought that more and more exclusive requirements will need to be met across the UAE and further afield as the business aviation community grows.

Satellite Passenger Connectivity Services Selected by Thaicom

June 16, 2014
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Passenger Connectivity Communications Providers

Thaicom, a leading satellite communications provider in Asia Pacific, has selected Hughes Network Systems to deliver satellite broadband technology for passenger connectivity for SE Asian airlines in partnership with Global Eagle Entertainment.

“Thaicom has expanded our In-flight Connectivity (IFC) offering as a part of our Mobility Services, utilizing the latest satellite-based communications technologies that have extensively served sea-air-land connectivity targeting customers in Thailand and Southeast Asia,” said Dr. Sakon Kittivatcharapong, senior vice president of Ground System Operations at Thaicom PLC. “With In-flight Connectivity our airline partners will gain significant advantages by reducing operational costs while adding more value to their services.”

As passenger connectivity in the rear of the plane is becoming as increasingly important to airline operations as the connectivity in the cockpit, airlines are feeling the pressure to provide end-to-end cabin services. Satellite networks partnerships give seamless passenger connectivity for in-flight broadband and in-flight entertainment at costs that are becoming more and more competitive. With the rules beginning to relax about the use of personal tablets in the cabin, and the bandwidth capabilities growing, we can soon envisage the marketplace competition getting decidedly heavier.

Private Jets Call for Better Infrastructure

June 12, 2014
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Business Jet Communications Solutions ProvidersPrivate jet operators are noticing that as executive aircraft get bigger, faster and with longer-range capabilities, the demand for parking, hangar space and landing slots is causing problems. There is a widespread call for improved infrastructure to allow some flexibility within the flight plan.

Flight planning involves many thousands of minute calculations, including slot management and route management and as executives fly to further-flung destinations with fewer facilities, parking problems are causing increasing headaches for operators.

Many International airports are unprepared for the volume of business jets, having been designed 10-20 years ago when business jets were traditionally smaller.  This has resulted in rising parking charges and, in some cases, limited slot times that require faster turnaround times on the ground and parking elsewhere before returning to collect the owners.

Flight planning must take all these factors into account and is a service that is offered by third-party providers for business aviation. Most individual owners cannot afford the luxury of a full-time planning department as commercial carriers employ. Flight planning providers, such as ARINC Direct, specifically cater for private jet operators, whether with one aircraft or an entire fleet.

Manufacturers are working towards making improvements to the infrastructure of business aviation, Gulfstream, for example, opened the first service centre in Asia; in Beijing, and has added four full-service airport centres with maintenance and hangar facilities exclusively for business jet aircraft. Earlier this year Bombardier opened a service centre in Singapore, realising that growth will spell more demand.

New e-Scan Radar & Camera Surveillance Solution to Enhance Border Control

June 9, 2014
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Border Control Solutions for AirportsAs issues of border control and security mount, the introduction of a new lightweight, mobile radar and camera surveillance system, designed specifically for border hotspots has been welcomed into the fray of electronic border solutions.

The system, designed and manufactured by British company, Blighter Surveillance Systems, features a Passive Electronic Scanning Array (PESA) radar, low-light camera, integrated radar tracker and thermal imaging system that can be mounted on a vehicle for deployment within minutes.

Capable of detecting a walking person at 4.6 miles or a moving vehicle at 13.7 miles, the system cues the camera to follow and identify its target. The ‘Blighter Scout’ is perfect for mobile surveillance in areas that are difficult to reach, or where fixed towers are prohibitively expensive.

Electronic border solutions are expanding in airports and border control areas across the globe, offering enhanced security and operational efficiency in even the most remote locations. The provision of such solutions serves to remind us that physical and information security is still at the forefront of global awareness.

Delhi Airport Installs Advanced Passenger Information System

June 8, 2014
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Find out more about Advanced Passenger Information SystemIn a bid to enhance security and to check smuggling, Indira Ghandi International Airport (IGIA) has received the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) to keep track of passengers.

The system, put in place by the customs department, will provide an electronic database of all passengers, crew and airline staff that flow in and out of the airport. APIS systems are mandatory in the US and flag high-risk passengers while expediting the movements of low-risk passengers. The system maintains a high security situation, while streamlining ground operations and minimising delays.

The system will run as a pilot project within IGIA in the short term, with a plan to implement the Advanced Passenger Information System at all other international airports across the country. It is estimated that more than 3,000kg of gold is smuggled into the country every month and the new security measures will assist officials to keep track of ‘red flag’ passengers.

Providers of APIS systems, such as ARINC, can implement the solution tailored to the individual requirements of each airport, regardless of size or capacity.

First Shared European Advanced Information Management System Plans

June 7, 2014
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Find out more about Airline Information ManagementIn support of the Single European Sky initiative, plans have been announced by NATS, British air navigation service provider (ANSP) and Avinor, a Norwegian equivalent, to share an aeronautical information management system. The plan is a vital step forward in the Borealis Alliance of ANSPs that will look to share operational information and the association provision costs with airlines and airports across Europe.

A remotely hosted system, accessed over a secure web portal, will provide common use tools and applications that will support all the core functions for operations.

Advanced Information Management systems bring mission critical transmissions and messaging within a secure, reliable network that is easily accessible to those who need it. As airlines, airports and other partners look for ways to manage information and reduce costs, AIM systems are adaptable and offer a scalable solution for widespread improvements.

NATS head of information, Andrew Sage said, “Our joint procurement has already saved both Avinor and NATS, as members of the Borealis Alliance, considerable resource and capital investment.  It clearly signals the desire for ANSPs to collaborate as partners, motivated by business drivers, and achieve the aims of the Single European Sky.”

Head of technical and aeronautical information management at Avinor, Torunn Carlsson said, “The new system will help us improve efficiency in the IAIP production chain, and give us the opportunity to provide more and better value added information management services.”

EU In-flight Connectivity to be Delivered by Inmarsat

June 6, 2014
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In-flight Connectivity Solutions ProvidersBritish satellite communications company, Inmarsat has announced its intention to deliver high-speed, EU-wide in-flight connectivity with a unique integrated telecommunications network including an order for a new s-band satellite, Europasat.

“We believe that the same in-flight connectivity opportunity exists in Europe and that, with the support of EU telecoms regulators, Inmarsat can rapidly bring to market unique, high speed aviation passenger connectivity services to meet this market demand on an EU-wide basis,” said Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce.

Inmarsat capabilities already include seamless coverage via Global Xpress and will place them ahead of the competition for in-flight connectivity for passengers.

Widespread interest is being shown by major airlines and passengers could soon be looking forward to the same connectivity that is currently only enjoyed by the business aviation community, with the deployment of Europe’s first 4G broadband network.

Currently, the company are working on shared system to reduce initial costs in partnership with Hellas-Sat, a non-competing European satellite operator and Thales Alenia Space for the construction of a satellite on a shared basis. Europasat will also support the next-gen emergency network services for public protection and disaster relief.

The aviation network deployment, planned for the end of 2016, will be enabled by Inmarsat’s current existing authorisation to operate integrated satellite and terrestrial communications in 30MHz of S-band frequencies spanning the 28 Member States of the European Union. The licensing process has already begun with EU member states and Inmarsat has received strong support for its application from a high number of EU telecommunications regulators. It is hoped that a consistent regulatory foundation can be accomplished quickly in order to facilitate the swift implementation of the services for the benefit of businesses and passengers across the EU.

Changi Airport Trial Self Service Bag Drop

June 6, 2014
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More information about self service bag dropSingapore’s Changi Airport is currently trialling self service bag drop and check in desks in a bid to streamline passenger processing services, according to the Changi Airport Group (CAG).

Terminal One will run the trial until the end of August with Jetstar airline and will encompass two bag drop units with self-tagging capability and four check-in kiosks alongside the Jetstar counters for passengers on selected flights.

The airport is exploring ways to improve passenger experience and minimise delays and the pilot program is part of an ongoing trial with the Fast and Seamless Travel at Changi (FAST@Changi) initiative aimed at using the latest technology to improve operational productivity and efficiency.

“The implementation of FAST@Changi is in line with a wider global push towards increasing automation at airports to improve productivity and efficiency, while providing passengers with greater flexibility and convenience,” said Mr Tan Lye Teck, Executive Vice President of Airport Management at CAG.

As more than 80% of global travellers now use online check-in facilities, there is an increase in the need for greater passenger control. Many baggage handling providers offer self-service options including the innovative multiple airlines bagdrop which allows for cost sharing in addition to the valuable terminal space-saving benefits.

Cost-Cutting Continues at Malaysia Airlines

June 5, 2014
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Manage Costs with Aviation ConsultancyFollowing the disappearance of flight MH370, Malaysia Airlines are suffering from the biggest financial crisis in its 40-year history. The airline had experienced losses for the past three financial years, but was beginning to recover to a break-even point in 2014 until the tragic disappearance occurred. The airline recently released figures that revealed a record $138million loss for the first quarter.

Needless to say, Malaysia Airlines are looking for ways to reduce operational costs if it is to recover and indeed survive for the next 12 months. The company are committed to examining every area of operations in a bid to save money and have a plan in place to implement measures that could bring them to a break-even point in 2015.

This month will see the retirement of the final Boeing 737-400 aircraft in the MAS fleet, being replaced with the more fuel-economic and lower maintenance 737-800s. Also, the airline plan to introduce business class seats with a reconfiguration of the cabin spaces to produce higher revenues and plans for the purchase of Airbus aircraft have been put on hold for the time being.

As competition grows within the industry, airlines all over the world are looking closely at operational spending, and in that respect, MAS are not alone. Both commercial and business carriers can save money in many areas of productivity, including messaging costs, which can run into tens of thousands of individual messages each day. Companies such as ARINC offer consultancy services specifically designed to tailor messaging packages to help airlines to cut costs.

“We have to look at the business model that will allow us to be sustainable over the next 40 years,” said Hugh Dunleavy, MAS director of commercial operations.