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STARS Airlines Tunisia Selects ARINC AviNet Mail Solution from Rockwell Collins

June 4, 2014
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AviNet Mail Airport Messaging Service InformationIt has been announced today by Rockwell Collins that Tunisian Airline, STARS, has selected their ARINC AviNet Mail Enterprise messaging service to provide a cost-effective solution for their messaging requirements for passenger processing and cargo systems messages.

“AviNet Mail Enterprise Hub represents the next generation messaging hub for the air transport industry,” said general manager for STARS Airlines, Chemam Hichem. “With eHub serving as our messaging platform, we have migrated all of our legacy accounts to Rockwell Collins because of its cost effective solution and superior customer service.”

The ARINC AviNet eHub solution is a cloud-based service, requiring no costly internal server installation or software licensing fees and offers free local traffic routing. There are also reduced costs to the customer for infrastructure, training and individual messaging transactions. The solution brings reliable airline operational messaging with tailored plans and IATA compliance.

“eHub has been designed to meet all the IATA standards and customer interface needs, including Type B, XML SMTP, X400, Fax, SMS or even Type X,” said Alexis Hickox, senior director, Aviation Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “With eHub, we’re continuing the drive to reduce operational costs, and at the same time equipping our customers with the ability to embrace future developments in messaging.”

Royal Oman Police Issue Passport Renewal Warning

June 4, 2014
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Read more about Advance Passenger Information SystemsThe Royal Oman Police have issued a warning to citizens wishing to travel abroad to ensure that passports due to expire within the next six months are renewed to avoid problems at their destination airport. At the moment, airlines take only the name of the passenger before the issue of tickets.

This follows repeated complaints from travellers to many countries that refuse to accept passports with less than six months before the expiry time. Although the rules are in place, travellers still neglect to renew, yet still complain.

The upcoming mandates for advance passenger information will soon be in place and passports due to expire will be recognised immediately and ticket issue will be denied in advance. According to official sources, 99% of travel agencies do advise passengers to check the dates of issue and expiry in their passports, but still the problem remains.

Advance passenger information systems are mandatory in the US and this trend is spreading across the globe as aviation security measures tighten. The API system enables governments and border agencies to track and monitor the movement of passengers across the world, and identify high risk passengers in time to perform additional security checks, whilst expediting low risk travellers. The system helps to streamline the passenger processing system and minimises ground delays and associated costs.

Once advance passenger information is in operation, passengers will be required to provide passport as well as personal details before travel. The expectation is that there will be an influx of passport renewals in the Oman, which is likely to cause severe delays within the system. Those wishing to travel are strongly advised to check their passports in advance.

Philippines Implementation of APIS to Improve Passenger Travel

May 7, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Providers of secure, reliable APIS deliveryIn a bid to make the travel experience for passengers as smooth as possible, the Philippines will make the implementation of Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) next year. Carried out jointly with the Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management Bureau of Immigration, the vital data concerning all passengers will be assessed between 120 hours to 15 minutes prior to departure.

Aside from the security aspects of reliable APIS, the Philippines have long been struggling with efficiencies on the ground, as flights tend to arrive quickly, in succession. The long ground delays have been a problem, causing chaos within terminals as passengers endure queues, hold-ups in baggage areas and a lack of trolleys.

Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. said, “The ideal travel experience is one without interruption. We want the entry of travellers into the Philippines to become as smooth and seamless as possible so we need an efficient tool such as an electronic API. This would avoid long queue in our airports, as we can already identify passengers who are ‘bad’ or ‘good.’ But, of course, we have to have a balance between border control/security with that of ease of entry into our airports.”

The benefits of APIS are clear to see and easy to implement. “All we have to do is to synchronize the system with that of the Philippines government. It will be up to the Philippines authorities to align their systems with the airline companies’ systems,” explained Roberto Lim, IATA Country Manager for the Philippines.

Streamlining passenger processes are just one of the advantages of APIS implementation. The ability to screen passengers in advance gives the authorities the opportunity to spot ‘at risk’ travellers and expedite ‘safe’ ones. Providers of APIS technology offer secure and reliable ways of APIS delivery across the world.

Automated Baggage Handling Improves Passenger Experience

May 3, 2014
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Automated Baggage Handling ProvidersThere is little doubt that airports with automated baggage handling provide a smooth, enhanced experience for passengers, reducing waiting times and streamlining the flow of baggage and passengers through the check-in system.

As many of us use some form of self-service check-in process, the advent of the one-stop kiosk is proving to be a huge benefit to those of us who wish to remain in control of every step of our journey.

Keeping it simple is the key. Easy-to-operate systems must be installed to enable even the virgin traveller to handle their own check-in with no fuss. The latest CUTE systems provide a comprehensive check-in system that has clear, simple instructions on a touch-screen interface that enables the passenger to;

  • Check in                 
  • Receive a boarding card and baggage tag
  • Attach the baggage tag
  • Place baggage in the kiosk, where it can be weighed, scanned and sent into the baggage handling system

Automated baggage handling system providers, such as ARINC, use the latest technology to provide just that. Simple, easy-to-operate systems that ensure that the baggage follows the passenger to their destination, including connecting flights, with the help of RF tagging is becoming essential to operational productivity.

The latest automated baggage handling systems are able to keep track of baggage with RF readers at critical points along the track, such as merging points and separators, which ensures that baggage can be verified and expedited along the correct route, even with business passenger baggage, that tends to arrive much closer to departure time.

As airports are being placed under greater pressure with the increase in passenger flow, particularly at peak times, Common Use Terminal Equipment is the answer to the expedition of the check-in process and automated baggage handling systems are growing in popularity across the globe.

Santiago International Airport Upgrade Baggage Handling System

April 8, 2014
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Leading Baggage Handling Solutions ProvidersChilean Santiago International airport has announced the order for an Explosive Detection Scanner (EDS) as part of an upgrade to security. The contract has been awarded to Smiths Detection, through its regional authorised partner, Aerotech. The airport expansion plans are due to a rise in air traffic, noticeable throughout the world.

The order is the first for Smith Detection for the new HI-SCAN 10080 XCT EDS and was won after public tender application. The system was chosen, according to the airport, because it best met the needs for the expansion plans. Based on dual-energy, dual-view x-ray technology, the EDS has a large central opening and capacity for 1800 bags per hour at 98 ft per minute.

Many airports around the globe are upgrading baggage handling systems and looking at a more automated approach to streamline the passenger processing system as passenger demand increases.

Advanced Passenger Information System Requested by IATA

April 4, 2014
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Advanced Passenger Information System ~ Find Out More...The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today called for greater use to be made of Advanced Passenger Information System data as the industry still reels in the aftermath of the missing flight MH370 search.

Director General of IATA, Mr Tony Tyler said, ‘It is important to remember that airlines aren’t border guards or policemen, the checking of passports is the well-established responsibility of governments.’ His comments were made at a conference in the Malaysian Capital earlier this week as he spoke of the need for a review of government data-review procedures, which would importantly include the comparison of names against Interpol’s lost and stolen passport lists. Although no link has been established with the two Iranian passengers that boarded with stolen passports and any terrorist organisation, the fact that they were allowed on board ‘rings alarm bells.’

In addition to Advanced Passenger Information System data, Mr Tyler, who is also a former chief executive for Cathay Pacific Airways, placed emphasis upon a need for better aircraft tracking. ‘In a world where our every move seems to be tracked, there is disbelief both that an aircraft could simply disappear and that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders are so difficult to recover,’ he said.

IATA plan to assemble a team of experts to study the available options for aircraft tracking, which is expected to reveal its conclusions at the end of the year.

Flight MH370 Prompts Aviation Security Messaging Questions

March 29, 2014
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Aviation Security Messaging ConcernsThe recent disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has raised global questions about the effective use of aviation security messaging for both aircraft communications systems and passenger data transfer.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) suggest that a more refined, tailored approach to security messaging is needed, as current measures appear to be unsuitable in a general sense. With the technology available today, such as biometric security and electronic passports, information can be shared in real-time, allowing passengers to be screened more effectively.

Although the mysterious disappearance of the Boeing 777-200ER has encouraged tighter security in airports across the world, questions are being asked why passengers were allowed on board with stolen passports, whether the incident is linked to the disappearance or not, as has been speculated.

The aircraft’s communications systems were allegedly switched off intentionally and continued to ‘handshake’ with the satellite network, Inmarsat until 8.11 am, when over the Indian Ocean and low on fuel.

Finding a balance when conducting security measures means treading a fine line. Security within airport operations should work in conjunction with border control agencies and government bodies to ensure that security should be tight, but effective, without causing major ground delays.

Airport operations software can help to streamline passenger processing, while maintaining high biometric screening levels and allowing passenger data to be checked, such as with the provision of advance passenger information, now mandatory in the U.S. since the events of 9/11.

Disturbing Figures Raise Questions into UK Passport Checks

March 11, 2014
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More About Advance Passenger InformationIt has been revealed that as many as 20 million passports per year may not be receiving proper consideration in the UK alone. These shocking figures come as the Home Office estimated that only 90% of Advanced Passenger Information (API) is being received. API is passenger data that is electronically gathered and transmitted to government and border agencies for checking and comparison to international ‘at risk’ registers. API can detect high risk passengers on ‘no-fly’ lists across the world and can ensure that terrorist activity is kept at bay.

If these estimates tell us that 10% of UK API is not being received, this could spell an average of 20 million passports that are not being checked properly. Interpol say that countries are not doing enough checks against its list of stolen passports. Globally, this figure could reach up to one billion passengers; a disturbing figure.

API is mandatory for all passengers travelling to and from the US and has been so in the wake of the official investigation into the tragic events of 9/11. Last year, the EU questioned the use of API with regard to the privacy aspect and raised issues about the use of the information, once gathered and checked.

Once reported stolen, UK passports are cancelled and deemed unusable for travel. International stolen passports are entered into the Interpol Lost and Stolen Database, accessible by border security agencies for comparison.

The Home Office are looking into the figures to clarify the situation and are working towards improving coverage.

 

McCarran International Airport to Launch PreCheck System for Passengers

February 15, 2014
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Maintaining Airport Security Whilst Improving Passenger ExperienceBy the end of February passengers at McCarran International Airport will be able to apply for PreCheck, a scheme that will allow expedited check-in for up to five years at a cost of $85.

The scheme will be run by the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck Application Center, based in the Airport Terminal 1, and will follow more than 100 airports across the country that currently operate the screening program.

Passengers will apply for a Known Traveller Number, which will be granted after rigorous identity verification processes, fingerprinting and immigration status investigations, allaying fears from opposers of the scheme, who raised initial concerns about maintaining high security for airline passengers.

Once membership is granted, successful applicants will pay an $85 fee for a five-year period of expedited processing. PreCheck will allow passengers to pass through airport security without being held up by the usual process of removing their shoes for screening or without removing laptops and TSA-compliant liquids from their hand luggage.

Rosemary Vassiliadis, Director of aviation for Clark County welcomes the scheme, saying “At McCarran, our priority is a positive travel experience for passengers and expedited screening provides just that.”

Virgin Atlantic Introduce Google Glass to the Aviation Industry for Passenger Services

February 13, 2014
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Innovative Solutions for Passenger ServicesGoogle Glass will appear at Heathrow Airport as Virgin Atlantic trial the technology for six weeks to assess improvements in passenger services, check-in and processing.

It is hoped that a touch of glamour will also appeal to the industry with the simultaneous trial of the Sony SmartWatch 2, with both technologies expected to benefit the provision of enhanced customer service.

The SmartWatch and Google Glass will be connected to Virgin’s passenger services system and to a concierge dispatch app, which will send passenger data to the glasses at the beginning of the check-in process.

The app technology will also collect and transmit passenger data, which is hoped will benefit the passenger in terms of enhanced experience. If the trial is successful, Virgin hopes to deploy the technology across their network.