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Tag Archives: flight operations

Other Type B Mission Critical Messaging Solutions Providers | Aviation Communications NewsCanada-based Latitude Technologies has joined the aircraft messaging sector for next generation solutions with their satellite data unit, DL150, which will support ACARS and CPDLC, and complete their FANS 1/A+ offering.

As the commercial and business aviation industry moves towards a holistic approach to flight communications, and with the CPDLC compliance initiative just around the corner, operators are searching for the most competitive aircraft messaging solutions.

Other providers, such as Rockwell Collins’ ARINC, with their CPDLC and Type B messaging suites, are delivering packages to ensure their customers find the right fit for their business and requirements.

ATP Acquired by ParkerGale Investment Company | Business Aviation NewsAircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) has been acquired this week by ParkerGale Capital LP, Chicago-based investment company for an as yet undisclosed sum.

ATP has offered information management services to the aviation industry since 1973, with an aim to provide safety and compliance. Family-owned, ATP will continue with a new CEO, Charles Picasso, former CEO of IHS Inc. with a proven track record in the information management sector.

Caroline Daniels, former CEO of ATP felt that she had made the right choice to take her business forward with Mr Picasso and ParkerGale, who look forward to taking over.

Japan Welcomes Business Jets | Aviation Industry NewsThe Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau has pledged to make its airports more attractive to the business aviation sector after admitting that they were ‘not so user-friendly’.

In the last five years, Japan has been taking steps to make business aviation a larger part of the country’s growth strategy, particularly in advance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The improvements include a number of measures to make the major airports more accessible to corporate jets with additional parking, additional taxiways and dedicated customs and terminal space for business passengers.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Bureau said that although the results of the initial efforts have been slow, the first six months of this year has shown an increase of 14%.

Air Traffic Services | Integration of airport systems with industry providersDoubts about the viability of a new air traffic control system purchased three years ago to replace the outdated system at Hong Kong’s International Airport has led to criticism from the country’s lawmakers.

Safety, management, infrastructure and administrative issues must be resolved if the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department wish to be taken seriously. A series of mistakes have been made that are adding up financially, particularly the HK$575 million air traffic control system, which cannot be implemented due to the failure of safety tests.

As a modern international airport, and a hub for the region, the issues are a source of embarrassment for the government.

Global Jet Capital to buy GE Capital business jet portfolio in the Americas | Business aviation newsIt has been announced this week that Global Jet Capital, Florida-based aviation financing company, are to buy GE Capital’s Americas corporate aircraft portfolio in a deal that involves an estimated $2.5 billion in net assets.

The agreement, the details of which have not been made public, is expected to close by the end of the financial year and will also involve the GE Capital corporate aircraft team.

Global Jet Capital was launched only last year and is already heavily investing in business expansion via acquisition and organic means. Owned and capitalised by GSO Capital Partners, AE Industrial Partners and The Carlyle Group, the company is building an impressive portfolio and is managed by an executive committee that includes experienced personnel from the business aviation sector.

Passenger Processing Tech Market to Soar | Business Aviation NewsThe global aviation security sector has experienced a huge change over the past couple of decades, and has significantly strengthened since the tragic events of 9/11.

As countries around the world take on board the seriousness of security in airports and in particular, the provision of passenger data, the market for increasingly sophisticated systems has inevitably grown.

The advancements in technology for border control and passenger processing are simply staggering, and according to Technavio, leading technology analysts, in their recent report, the passenger screening systems market will grow at a CAGR rate of 4.02% in the five-year period between 2014 and 2019.

Find out more about Bohai Leasing | Business Aviation NewsAsian-based international leasing company, Bohai Leasing, has announced its latest acquisition of Avolon Holdings, Irish aircraft lessors in a deal that could amount to $7.6 billion.

Just last year, Bohai bought Swissport, one of the world’s biggest cargo handlers for $2.7 billion.

The deal will place Bohai close to the top of the world’s top ten aircraft leasing companies in size and is good news for the Chinese economy after a period of turmoil.

Avolon have been in acquisition talks for more than a year, previously with Avic Capital, another major Chinese investment group.

Today it has been discussed that Carlyle Group LP could sell Landmark Aviation for up to $1.7 billion. Landmark Aviation is a business jet maintenance and leasing company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 68 locations across the US, Canada and Europe, and cites itself as one of the largest FBO networks.

The comments, from undisclosed parties, have not been confirmed by either Landmark Aviation or the Carlyle Group, who bought the company in 2012.

Aviation Consultancy Providers to Help Reduce Messaging CostsAs global fuel prices continue to decrease, and look likely to keep falling for the foreseeable future, the fuel levy in countries such as India will remain in place according to government sources.

As the current jet fuel levy makes up almost 40% of airlines’ operational costs, operators must consider other options to manage costs.

Operational messaging costs can quickly spiral out of control in many message platforms. Mandatory messaging increases every year as regulations change across the world, passenger numbers rise and security is tightened.

The air travel industry must maintain a robust infrastructure and certain aspects of operational efficiency demand high messaging volume that can quickly become unmanageable and expensive. It makes sense for airlines to review their traffic profile regularly to avoid duplication and to simplify their messaging infrastructure wherever possible.

Find Out More About Information Management for Aviation and Facility SecurityRockwell Collins has announced another acquisition with the purchase of International Communications Group Inc. in a $50 million deal, which may rise by an additional $14 million after the deal is completed.

ICG Inc., based in Virginia, provides the aviation industry with global satellite voice and data communications products and services. Once the deal is finalised, Rockwell Collins will integrate ICG’s portfolio into its growing information management business, particularly with the latest generation of Iridium smart routers and satellite communications terminals.

CEO of ICG Inc., Mr Scott Trainum said of the acquisition, “Bringing ICG into the Rockwell Collins family is the culmination of 20 years of hard work by the dedicated team of professionals at ICG. [This is] a remarkable accomplishment by all of our people.”