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Global Passenger Communications & In-Flight Entertainment Industry Expected to Reach $3 Billion by 2017

September 5, 2013
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passenger communicationsIt was recently found, according to a new market research report by commercial aviation analyst, Adeline Fernandez that the passenger communications and in-flight entertainment sector market could reach $3 billion by 2017, compared to $2 billion in 2012.

The ever increasing demand for improved in-flight entertainment and the growing need for fast and cost-efficient passenger communications is fuelled by the huge wireless industry.  Most passengers now want to use their own devices and Smartphones on board and do not want to be subject to the traditional restrictions.

As technology is constantly evolving, more advanced use of devices is expected and greater bandwidth is required.  WiFi systems for passenger communications and in-flight entertainment are set to take over in commercial aviation from retrofit systems by manufacturing companies.

Commercial and Business aviation passengers now want to use their phones, devices and laptops as efficiently in the air, at 40,000ft as they do on the ground.  This will fuel the installation of wireless connectivity on board aircraft as airlines vie for passengers.

Heathrow Extends iMUSE Common Use System Contract with ARINC and Awards New

September 4, 2013
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ARINC Common Use System BenefitsARINC has announced that London Heathrow (LHR) has renewed it current iMUSE, common use system contract until March 2015 by the AOC.

LHR remains the world’s busiest international airport, with over 75 million passengers passing through each year and is known as the hub of the civil aviation world.

An additional contract has simultaneously been awarded to ARINC to install the industry leading common use system in LHR’s new Terminal 2, expected to open its doors in June 2014, to support 378 check-in desks and boarding gates.  ARINC will also continue with the maintenance and support for all the equipment.  The new terminal is expected to service 20 million passengers.

Arinc, who have been working with LHR since 1999 have built a strong relationship with the airport.  David P Wilding, Chair of Heathrow AOC’s Shared System Board said, “Terminal 2, which is scheduled to open its doors to the public in June 2014, has been meticulously designed around the needs of passengers – with particular emphasis on enabling them to get to and from their flights as quickly as possible.  ARINC’s iMUSE, by processing passengers faster and more efficiently through sharing airport infrastructure and resources, has a pivotal role to play in this objective which is fundamental to LHR’s undertaking to provide world-class customer service.”

ARINC are delighted to extend and expand their relationship with Heathrow, especially their involvement with the common use system for the new Terminal 2.  Tony Chapman, Executive Director of ARINC EMEA for Heathrow said, “We look forward to continuing to support the AOC’s efforts of providing the most efficient passenger processing systems possible.”

Two Students from Utah Valley University to Pilot for United Airlines

September 2, 2013
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It has recently been announced that United Airlines have accepted two Utah Valley University (UVU) aviation students to intern for them later this year.

UVU are understandably proud that their students have been selected form thousands of other competitors as this is the first time that two students from the same University have been selected at the same time to fill two of the six available positions.  Aviation professor and internship mentor, Jim Green said, ‘The quality of our aviation students is very high.  In past internships with United and other airlines, our students have proven to be hardworking, reliable and honest.  That, and the fact that we have good faculty and good flight instructors, has earned our aviation program great respect in the industry.’

student pilots

One of the students will complete a 13-week internship in Houston, where she will undergo several hours of flight simulation training and will work alongside professional pilots.  This will help her to work towards her goal of attaining her transport pilot’s license.

The duration of the second internship will be for 3 months at the United Airlines Denver office.

The UVU aim to support their students and work hard to initiate the internships in order to kick start the aviation careers for seniors and graduates of the university.

They shape and educate the much-needed pilots, crews and aviation professionals of the future.

New Delhi Civil Aviation Ministry asks for Lower Taxes on Jet Fuel

August 30, 2013
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The New Delhi Civil Aviation Ministry has confirmed its mission to push more state governments into lowering taxes on jet fuel in a bid to ease the pressure on airlines with the rise in crude oil prices and the weakening value of the rupee.  This slide against the US dollar raises concerns as to the increase in prices that the struggling airlines will have to face for leasing commitments, maintenance and repairs, payments to expat crew members and staff costs abroad.

GoAir CEO Giorgio De Roni, said “Almost all airline costs are related to the dollar, including fuel. We have to face this reality. A week rupee is a big challenge for the industry.”

“The rise in ATF (aviation turbine fuel) prices will have an impact. We have been requesting the state governments to consider reduction in taxes they levy on ATF, keeping in mind the rising oil prices,” said Civil Aviation Secretary, K N Shrivastava.

Although some states, namely, Chhattisgarh, Rajastan, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh have brought down the taxes on jet fuel, the CAM are ‘pursuing other states to follow suit’, promising increased air connectivity in return.

This all comes with the added concern of price rises in air fares to sustain the airlines, which no one wants.

Chicago O’Hare International Introduce Automated Passport Control System

August 19, 2013
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electronic border managementChicago O’Hare International Airport officials have announced that they will be launching an Automated Passport Control Programme to help passengers take more control of their journey by using self-service kiosks to speed up the US border clearance procedure and streamline operations with electronic border management.

“This technology reinforces Chicago’s leading position as a world-class destination for business and leisure travellers while spurring economic growth and smartly improving our nation’s security,” said Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel.

The new procedure for electronic border management became operational in Terminal 5 at the beginning of July and is open for free use to all US passengers arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare.  During the first month, the average waiting time over peak periods has been reduced by 16 minutes or an impressive 33%.

The introduction of the electronic border management system means that US passengers can proceed directly to the self-service kiosks to input their information, rather than filling in the paper Customs forms.  They can scan their passports and answer standard questions electronically using the user-friendly, touch-screen interface.

Self-service kiosks are also used for check-in operations around the world and are saving airlines, airports and passengers time and ultimately money with streamlined passenger processing and increased operational efficiency.  Companies such as ARINC Inc, provide cost-effective solutions for global travel improvements.

ARINC Direct Markets Xplore Satcom Box at LABACE

August 16, 2013
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Following the announcement of the proposed sale of its parent company, ARINC Direct senior director of sales, Joel Ehrmann admitted that the merger could provide opportunities for both companies in terms of online flight planning and support services, but he was unable to talk about the deal.

“It’s still got to be approved by regulators,” he said, “So its business as usual until the sale completes. But there are a lot of potential synergies.”

Flight planning

At LABACE this year, ARINC Direct had their latest innovation, Xplore, the SATCOM box.  Once certified, the connection of iPad and other mobile devices in the cockpit will be easily and efficiently linked to the Iridium satellite network.  ARINC Direct may begin the pitch to helicopters, especially in the offshore oil industry.

ARINC Direct seem to be preparing for a new office in Brazil shortly; according to Mr Ehrmann, “The major thing here is everyone’s ramping up for the World Cup and Olympics in Rio.”  He believes that major improvements will be seen in infrastructure and activity.

Mr Ehrmann would not comment as to how many Brazillian or Latin American customers ARINC Direct have, but stated that worldwide, the company cater to over 3,100 aircraft.

ARINC Direct’s iPad app has been particularly popular in the business jet industry, with its flexibility for flight planning and flight support services.  It will work well with the Xplore box in the cockpit of private aircraft across the globe.

LOT Polish Airlines Renew GLOBALink ACARS with ARINC

August 13, 2013
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LOT Polish Airlines, long-term customer of ARINC Inc, has chosen GLOBALink ACARS data link program for the provision of essential communications for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  LOT Polish Airlines is the first European operator of the Dreamliner, which heralds a new design of lighter passenger jets.

“We are delighted to support our valued customer LOT Polish Airlines as they bring new benefits to their passengers through the introduction of the 787 fleet,” said Alexis Hickox, Senior Director, Aviation Solutions, at ARINC EMEA. “We believe the cost saving benefits they have received from using GLOBALink ACARS in the past will prove equally compelling in the future.”

ARINC currently provide GLOBALink ACARS data link services for reliable messaging and the new contract will seamlessly integrate the 787 data link programme into ARINC’s data link management system and with LOT’s existing fleet.

“ARINC has been providing LOT with industry leading technology for over a decade,” notes Tomasz Balcerzak, Board Member for Operations and Maintenance at LOT Polish Airlines. “We are pleased with the entire portfolio of ARINC services and look forward to many future years of working together.”

 

Rockwell Collins to Expand Data Link Communications with ARINC Deal

August 12, 2013
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data link communicationsThe much-talked-about and Rockwell Collins’ largest deal yet, the purchase of ARINC Inc for nearly $1.4 billion, will give them its fundamental data link communications connection to the FAA’s NextGen System.

ARINC is an industry-leading name in the field of aviation communications and this will increase Rockwell Collins’ immediate revenue potential by over 10%, with the commercial from 50% to 54% and next year’s military to 46%, which, it is said, is key for the company with declining military sales figures.

ARINC is most famously known as the pioneers of the ACARS messaging service and leads the way with their provision of air-ground digital VHF communications for airlines and business jets, flight support services, airport communications and the vMUSE platforms for passenger processing and the hugely successful self-check in operations.

Rockwell Collins hold more important ideas for the future with the increase in data link communications connectivity between cabins and flight decks with the ground, as the FAA’s NextGen plan will include the expansion of further data link communications; real-time weather information and re-routing plans and all-but replacing voice transmission.

“There is no doubt the digital information exchange will continue to expand at a rapid rate,” says Rockwell Collins CEO Kelly Ortberg, adding that the acquisition “substantially expands Rockwell Collins’ position in the growing aviation information-management space.”

The sale is expected to be finalized later this year, approximately 90 days after the acquisition announcement on August 11th.

Munich Airport Baggage Handling System Contract Awarded to Siemens

August 9, 2013
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Germany’s Munich Airport has awarded the contract for their new baggage handling system in terminal 2 to Siemens, it was recently announced.

baggage handling systemThe airport plans to increase the capacity of their baggage handling system as they expect passenger numbers to rise significantly by 2015.  Once the new building is completed, it will enable a passenger throughflow of up to 11 million additional yearly passengers.

“In this way, our customers can ensure the same reliability and speed as before, despite the growing volume of traffic and stricter security requirements,” said Siemens Business Unit Logistics and Airport Solutions CEO Jorg Ernst.

The project will be launched in three phases over the next two years and is expected to enhance operational productivity for the airport by a third upon completion of the entire new project, making Munich Airport one of the most efficient in Europe.

Other Automated Baggage Handling System providers such as ARINC Inc realise that the global self-service check-in revolution is definitely the way forward.  Passenger experience is greatly enhanced, giving the passenger more control over their journey and reducing waiting times, while airports feel the benefit of improved efficiency, cost effectivity and better use of terminal space.

Aviation Satellite Communications Amps Order for Comtech

August 8, 2013
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It was recently announced that Comtech PST Corp has received orders to the tune of $1.9 million for high-powered amplifiers.  The orders are reported to be from a leading satellite communications systems and electronics provider, although the source has not been named yet.

Passenger Communications - Satellite Communications

The amps form part of SATCOM systems for air-to-satellite-to-ground aviation satellite communications and allow access to Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband, Aero-H and Aero-I services.  Access to the satellite communications network gives multi-channel voice, data and fax capabilities for commercial and business aviation satellite communications in both flight deck and cabin areas of the aircraft.

Fred Kornberg, CEO and President of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation, said, “These orders are ongoing evidence of our capabilities in delivering innovative commercial aircraft amplifier products as well as the robust demand of commercial aerospace market. We are proud of our long-standing relationship with this premier supplier of aviation satellite communications systems.”

SATCOM systems onboard aircraft can offer airlines great flexibility when it comes to satellite communications services.  On the flight deck and cabin alike, the growing demand for seamless, high quality communications drives a need for reliability.

Aviation satellite communications service providers, such as ARINC, strive to continually stay ahead, furnishing the industry with innovative solutions for flight operations and passenger communications.