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Birmingham Airport Investments to Improve Passenger Experience

February 27, 2018
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Birmingham Airport Passenger Experience Investments | Airports NewsIn readiness for a busy summer period, Birmingham Airport has announced its investments to improve passenger experience in the journey through the airport, including new flight information displays and digital signage, redevelopment of security areas, boarding gates and a refurb of the current passenger waiting areas for boarding and security.

The whole airport site will enjoy some investment, as new restaurants and eateries, retail areas and a new 178-room Hilton Garden Inn are set to open later this year.

The major airport hub has experienced record growth, as have many airports around Europe during last year alone. This year will also see new long-haul routes for Birmingham, including to New York, Toronto and Boston, in addition to more short-haul destinations.

Airports all over the world are now putting more importance on passenger experience, and investments are becoming commonplace as passenger traffic increases. Infrastructure investment has been key during the last decade, to ensure a scalable approach is taken to rising passenger numbers, increasing mandatory regulations and the surge in passenger expectation.

Birmingham airport has confirmed that additional staff will be recruited in key ‘front-of-house’ locations, and the latest in digital signage will be in place before the beginning of the busy summer season.

New Humanoid Staff Member at Munich Airport

February 22, 2018
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FMG,Pepper Roboter,Flughafen MünchenPassengers using Munich Airport at the moment will be greeted by its newest staff member, affectionately known as Josie Pepper. Josie is the first humanoid robot equipped with artificial intelligence, and Munich Airport and Lufthansa are very proud of her.

Josie Pepper stands just over a metre tall, and she is on duty in Terminal 2, greeting passengers as they arrive, and helping them with their enquiries. According to her creators, Josie has ‘sparkling round eyes and a pleasant voice,’ and is currently working within a test phase to gauge passenger reactions to her.

Josie has been hailed as ground-breaking, and she actually speaks to passengers, not just delivering pre-defined speech, but with a ‘brain’ that interacts with airport data via the cloud.

The idea is that she will ‘learn’ about airport systems and will gradually become more proficient with her answers to passenger questions. The system is believed to steadily improve as she learns more, which will lead to more detailed responses over time.

Josie was named by airport staff when she arrived, and was created by SoftBank Robotics, a French company. She speaks fluent English and is equipped with IBM Watson IoT artificial intelligence.

Acquisition of Rockwell Collins Overwhelmingly Approved by Shareowners

January 25, 2018
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Rockwell Collins Special Meeting Over Acquisition | Aviation NewsIt has been announced that Rockwell Collins shareowners voted overwhelmingly in favour of the UTC acquisition in the special meeting that took place earlier this month. More than 96% of the votes cast during the meeting were cast in support of the proposition, which represented over 72% of all shares of common stock.

Kelly Ortberg, President and CEO of Rockwell Collins said, ‘Shareowners have made clear their support for this acquisition, bringing it one step closer to reality. As Collins Aerospace, we’ll be a stronger company, with attractive aerospace product and service portfolios, and ultimately, better positioned for long-term success.’

Now the proposed acquisition will require regulatory approval, and customary closing condition will need to be met, but the transaction to create the new UTC business, Collins Aerospace Systems, is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

American Airlines Removes Cash Payment Options in US Airports

January 17, 2018
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Queue in Airport Set to Reduce with Cashless System | American Airlines Go CashlessAmerican Airlines is moving towards a cashless transaction experience in airports all over the US, as it removed cash payment options at Miami Airport this week, making the total number now 50 airports.

The airline says that moving away from cash assists its customers more efficiently, and adds, ‘It also reduces the complexity of work for our agents who will no longer have to worry about handling cash, find exact change or close out a cash drawer at the end of the day. In general, our ticket counter agents support the transition to a cashless environment.’

Beginning tomorrow at Miami International Airport, passengers will be advised to bring credit and debit cards only, although, having partnered with Ready Credit, American Airlines check-in desks will have ReadyStation kiosks nearby, providing prepaid Visa debit cards up to $1,000. There will be a $5 surcharge for this service.

American Airlines spokesperson, Aran Coello, has acknowledged that this new system may cause problems for foreign passengers, rather than native Americans, but also says, ‘we have noticed that many travellers who are returning to a country where [U.S. dollars] is not the accepted currency will often add more funds to their cards as it is a cost-effective method of converting [U.S. dollars] to other currencies.’

With successful operation of the scheme in 50 other locations in the US, including JFK International Airport, LaGuardia, LAX and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, American Airlines believe that the move to a cashless environment is the right step to take in the modern airport.

Most travellers already use debit and credit cards for expenses such as excess baggage, additional flight upgrades and other necessary fees, but it is accepted that some travellers, particularly those from foreign countries, will have exchanged currency into dollars in cash for use on their journey, but the prepaid Visa debit cards will often give a much better rate of exchange for passengers.

Scottish Airports Record Busiest Year in 2017

January 12, 2018
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Scotland Airports Record Busiest Year in 2017 | Airports News UKAccording to recent passenger figures, Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports have recorded that 2017 was their busiest year to date, with over 13 million people moving through Edinburgh Airport, and almost 10 million using Glasgow’s international hub.

Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s chief exec. is delighted by the announcement, and said ‘This is a fantastic achievement for Edinburgh Airport – to welcome more than 13 million passengers is a real triumph and one that we are delighted by.’

December proved to be an outstanding month, despite adverse weather conditions in the north of the UK, which saw Edinburgh Airport process more than 900,000 passengers, and Glasgow over 600,000.

Glasgow’s MD, Amanda McMillan, said ‘2017 was a fantastic year for the airport. To carry more than 9.9 million passengers is a huge achievement and testament to the hard work put in by more than 5,000 people across the airport.’

Ms McMillan also added that she was pleased to have ‘considerably’ increased connectivity for Glasgow Airport, with the addition of 30 more routes and services during 2017, particularly across Europe.

Aberdeen Airport also enjoyed a great year, although not reaching record-breaking numbers for them, but passenger traffic was up 1.8% on 2016 figures. December marked the eighth consecutive month of increasing numbers for them, which gave them a total for 2017 of just over 3 million passengers. Airport officials guess that there was a strong demand for winter sun for Scotland’s residents, with a growth recorded for the winter months of 4.6% for domestic service and 8.7% for international travel.

Interestingly, there was a drop in helicopter traffic out of Aberdeen Airport last year, the reason being, according to Carol Benzie, the MD of Aberdeen Airport, who said, ‘Domestic fixed-wing traffic has driven much of the total passenger increases which has, in part, been due to chartered services being used by offshore workers to reach destinations such as Sumburgh and Wick, to then connect offshore via helicopter. This has, as a result, contributed to the decrease in helicopter passengers travelling directly from Aberdeen.’

Rockwell Collins Shareholders to Meet and Vote on Acquisition Proposals in January 2018

December 15, 2017
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Rockwell Collins Special Meeting Over Acquisition | Aviation NewsFollowing the recent announcement of Rockwell Collins’ proposed acquisition by United Technologies Corp., a special meeting of shareholders is to take place on January 11, 2018, when a vote will be taken on the proposals in connection with the deal.

The details are currently lodged with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the form of a definitive proxy statement and prospectus filed by the two companies at the beginning of December. All Rockwell Collins shareholders will be entitled to vote, providing they were on record by the end of play on December 8, 2017. This document will be sent separately to shareholders directly.

This special meeting will handle the shareholder vote only, and will not affect the scheduled Annual Meeting of Shareowners on February 1, 2018.

TSA Approves First ACSTL Trace Detection System

November 13, 2017
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Trace Detection System Approved by TSA | Airport Security NewsIt has been announced that the TSA has approved the first trace detection system on the Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL).

The portable system has been designed to detect tiny quantities of explosives within moments, in addition to the capability of detecting trace amounts of narcotics like fentanyl.

The flexible trace detection system has the ability to operate using batteries to enable seamless operation within a dynamic environment, and is perfect for screening cargo ‘on-the-go’ kerbside.

Plans are now in place to submit the trace detection system for testing and approval at other airport checkpoints, further improving security screening. The new system has been designed to operate in a similar way to previous versions, reducing the training time needed for the new devices. The provider also suggests that the units are easier to maintain, and will save time and resources over their lifespan.

Physical security in airports of all sizes around the world is increasing, and the pressures are growing for operators with mandatory regulations. Operators are looking towards the latest airport security technology to improve operations, increase efficiency and flexibility, while maintaining the highest levels of security within the airport environment.

Proven systems and solutions need to be in place to enable operators to rise to meet the challenges the latest security mandates and security threats place on the aviation industry. A wide range of security measures must be met, including:

  • Access management
  • Intrusion detection
  • Biometric identity management
  • Vehicle and personnel identification
  • Explosive detection
  • Narcotics detection
  • And much more.

Physical security solutions providers are embracing the latest technology to ensure airport operators can achieve maximum security at every level, and meet the mandatory requirements without creating undue ground delays that can result in fines and a reduction in passenger experience.

Solutions such as the trace detection system can help airport ground handling personnel to confidently expedite cargo, while maintaining efficiency and operational productivity.

Record Passenger Numbers for Dublin Airport this October

November 7, 2017
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Record-breaking Passenger Numbers in October for Dublin Airport | Airports NewsDublin Airport has announced the busiest October for passenger handling since it was opened 77 years ago. The record-breaking figures show a 6% increase over 2016, at over 25.3 million passengers through its doors so far, this year.

The number of passengers in October were broken down as follows:

  • European travellers increased by 5% with 1.3 million passengers
  • Travellers to and from the UK decreased by 2% on last years’ October figures
  • North American destinations saw a 14% increase, handling more than 300,000 passengers last month
  • Other destinations, including the Middle East and Africa had an increased number of passengers by 16%
  • Irish domestic routes also experienced an increase in passengers, up 6% from last October
  • Dublin Airport has recorded a whopping 36% increase in its hub traffic

Dublin Airport is delighted with its increased passenger handling, and is enjoying a new era of development with its next-generation business hub, offering domestic and international connections. The airport is continuing to grow and expand, and its modern terminals offer passengers a relaxed environment where they can work, shop, eat and be entertained while waiting for flights.

Find out more about Dublin Airport Central.

New Security Measures for US Airports

October 29, 2017
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airport security measures UKThe US has begun a series of new security measures this week, which will focus on the threat of hidden explosives.

Passengers and their devices will be given extra attention at airports across the US operating commercial flights into the country, which could spell security checks and interviews during the departure process.

Passengers planning to fly to the US have been advised to attend airports up to three hours before departure to allow for the additional security measures.

Earlier this year, the US government announced a temporary ban on electronic devices larger than a phone carried in cabin baggage from eight specified countries. This latest move is much wider, and follows fears that an attack by terrorists could be likely, using an explosive device concealed within an ordinary laptop or other electronic device.

Manchester Airport Transformation Program to Keep Passengers Dry and Maximise Turnaround Management

October 23, 2017
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Global Airports News | Manchester Airport ImprovementsManchester Airports Group (MAG) will install new passenger bridges to enhance and improve aircraft boarding and turnaround management as a part of its plans in the Manchester Airport Transformation Program – a project that will see around £1 billion in investment.

The plan for the new passenger boarding bridges will roll out gradually over 2018 and 2019, and are set to deliver greater flexibility and efficiency to the airport turnaround management. Additionally, passengers will receive welcome relief from the UK weather, being completely protected within the new bridges, which will be enclosed with glass sides.

Aircraft turnaround management is a critical process, which can lead to expensive ground delays if not handled to its greatest effect. Many global airports employ a turnaround system in real time, and some have mobile capabilities, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC AirTQM, for example.

MAG’s grand plan for Manchester Airport, which will continue until 2020, will give the airport greater capacity to handle 45 million passengers annually, almost 20 million more than it can today.

Airports across the globe are focussing increasingly on passenger experience and customer service. A seamless airport experience is being worked towards all over the world, and is challenging for airports of all sizes, particularly in the current climate, with security at the top of all priority lists. Delays and queuing are constantly monitored with passenger experience high on the agenda.

The new passenger boarding bridges at Manchester Airport are expected to increase efficiency initially at Pier one of Terminal two, and should, once the project is completed, help Manchester Airport to achieve greater efficiency and enhance productivity considerably.