Archive

Tag Archives: aviation messaging

Providers of B2B Aviation MessagingMost travellers do not realise how much B2B messaging impacts the entire airline process, from passenger reservations through maintenance, security and even refuelling and providing in-flight catering services.

Typically, airlines use Type B messaging for many functions, such as electronically transferring orders of meals, fuel and when turnaround times on the apron are often as tight as 30 minutes, delays can occur if just one function is out of synchronisation.

Aircraft maintenance teams also utilise B2B messaging when ordering critical parts, simplifying and streamlining what could otherwise be a complex logistical process.

Behind the scenes messaging is vital to airlines, airports and operators, needing to be reliable and swiftly delivered to ensure you, the passenger, is not kept waiting.

United Airlines Offer Air Miles to Hackers in Bug Bounty ProgramUnited Airlines has today launched a unique scheme designed to locate gaps in the security of their online services, apps and websites, inviting hackers to find and report vulnerabilities in exchange for air miles.

Submissions could achieve up to one million air miles as the airline searches for problems such as brute force attacks, timing attacks, cross-site scripting, forgery attempts and the most serious – proof of a vulnerability that could lead to remote code execution.

Exempt from the scheme are onboard systems investigation, with UA promising prosecution of breach of these actual systems. There are also exceptions of entry in the so-called ‘Bug Bounty Program’ more information can be found here.

Advance Passenger Information to Assist Global Aviation Security - APIS ProvidersAt the Global Airport Leaders Forum in Dubai last week, the UAE Minister of Economy and Commerce and GCAA Chairman HE Eng. Sultan Al Mansoori predicted that the UAE will have one of the busiest airspaces in the world within the next 15 years.

Commenting on this suspected growth, the Minister said that major technology investments will be required to ‘keep up with the new challenges’.

He also reiterated that the introduction of Advance Passenger Information earlier this year, with operations based in the Abu Dhabi dedicated Centre for API, was a ‘model to maintaining border security’.

The requirement of API is increasing around the globe and is a step in the right direction to track the movement of high-risk travellers and expediting low-risk passengers.

Find Out How Your Aviation Business Can Save on Aircraft Messaging CostsSuperior Aviation Group, Texas-based aviation supply company with headquarters in China, have announced the formation of AvConsulting Services with a primary objective to provide aviation businesses with support and consultation services for aircraft operations in China.

It is not unusual for aviation companies to branch into consultancy services. ARINC provides consultancy for aircraft messaging and aim to save businesses more than 30% of mission critical messaging exchange costs across the board.

Find Out More About Dana AirAll across the globe domestic airlines are experiencing difficulties with rising operational costs, airport fees and high insurance to name but a few. This is no more apparent than in Nigeria, where the newly appointed manager of Dana Air has spoken out this week about the need for government reform to encourage ‘friendlier policies’ for the aviation sector.

Mr Mbanuzo highlighted that domestic airlines pay approximately 35% in operational charges, facing challenges such as expensive aviation fuel, fluctuating currency exchange rates and the regime of VAT on air transport.

While it is clear that airlines need some help from governmental policy to stay afloat, cost cutting measures can be put in place in many areas, from aviation messaging to streamlined operations. An aviation messaging audit can reveal areas that can be improved, such as mission-critical transmissions using Type B formats and can potentially save up to 60% for the aircraft operator.

In a highly driven industry, cost efficiencies must be maximised in order for bottom line targets to be met, while maintaining reliability.

Cessna Citation to Boost Chinese Charter ServicesChina Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company will team with Cessna in another joint venture for the company which also involves Guangzhou Zhongeng Group and will be named Zhonghen International Business Aviation.

Cessna, Textron Aviation’s Aircraft unit, who announced the venture at the Asian Business Aviation Conference this week plan to launch a charter management service in China next year involving Guangzhou’s Cessna Citation XLS+ aircraft with a plan to introduce and manage a further range from Textron’s portfolio in the future.

Looking forward, the company believe that the Chinese market is one of the most important to expand to with the emergence of a growing expansion of the business aviation industry.

Other Airline Messaging Solutions ProvidersIn a bid to improve passenger services, Virgin Atlantic has announced that, with Delta Airlines, it will be replacing current ticketing, passenger reservations and departure control system functions with AIR4.

In order to focus upon customer services, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines will also use Air4 to enhance web-based check-in with self-service capabilities, optimised for mobile use.

Using passenger service systems with integrated access to airline DCS can help to streamline airport operations and minimise delays for both airlines and passengers, particularly during peak flow times. Other integrated systems in use in the airport environment include solutions for weather data management, aircraft datalink and flight planning using business-to-business communications.

Other Providers of Leading Cabin Services & Aircraft BroadbandSmartSky Networks announced a partnership with Kontron this week at the AEA Convention held in Dallas. Kontron, German-based cabin WiFi access point (CWAP) manufacturer, and the relatively new SmartSky Networks, air-to-ground aviation telecommunications network provider, will team to provide a SmartSky 4G service with an expected capability of 10 times the current speed and capacity of other networks, according to the Florida-based SmartSky.

As passenger and operational expectations increase across both business and commercial aviation sectors, airlines and operators are seeking greater transfer speeds and capabilities for cabin services and flight deck options.

Other next-generation cabin services providers are utilising powerful satellite communications networks, such as Inmarsat and Iridium, to deliver aircraft WiFi solutions that can be as effective in the sky as they can on the ground.

Other Business Aviation Passenger Communications Solutions ProvidersGogo, business aircraft communications provider, announced the launch of a new service at the AEA International Convention & Trade Show this week. The ATG 1000 is a new system for connectivity that is aimed at the light private aircraft market, offering passengers the chance to use their own personal smartphones inflight for calls and texts.

Additional services such as web browsing, can be added using a software key, offering complete flexibility for operators wishing to provide basic services.

This new offering from Gogo joins the passenger communications revolution sweeping the industry as traveller demand increases for affordable, yet fast connection speeds.

Business jet owners and operators are seeking solutions for inflight communications on all levels from the cabin to the cockpit to enable streamlined operations.

Other inflight connectivity providers, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINCDirect, offer passenger communications with high-speed broadband to give larger operators and charter companies the capability of an office-in-the-sky, almost a prerequisite in the modern cabin.

Streamlining Passegner Processing with Technology & SolutionsNorth Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has selected a new platform to help streamline passenger processing, operational messaging and business systems as a part of their 2015 upgrade program, which will also include improvements to car parking and to the airport entrance and terminal expansion of more than 30,000 square feet.

Award-winning CLT aim to be the preferred airport and hub for airlines in the region and pride themselves on enhanced passenger experience. The new system will allow them to implement common-use technological solutions in a way that will increase operational flexibility throughout the airport environment, improving passenger experience and reducing costs.

CLT have selected AirIT’s Extended Airline System Environment (EASE) as their preferred platform, which is designed to be scalable to their requirements as they continue with their expansion program and increase passenger flow.

As worldwide airline traffic continues to increase, international airports need to create a virtualisation of operations in order to maintain efficiency throughout the entire passenger processing and ticketing environment. Ground delays result in higher expenditure and as queues increase and waiting times lengthen, passenger satisfaction is reduced.

The implementation of high-performance networks for airlines and airport operators is a growing necessity for international airports to ensure seamless access to airline Departure Control Systems. Using a common-use solution, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC AviNet Airport, allows for cost-sharing and terminal space-saving benefits.