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Imran Khan’s New Government Grounds VIP Protocols in Airports

August 27, 2018
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Imran Khan Government Grounds VIP Protocols | Airports NewsThe historic VIP protocols granted by the Federal Investigation Agency in Pakistan have just been withdrawn by the new Government, led by cricketer Imran Khan this week.

Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Sunday, ‘We have decided to strictly implement the decision to provide equal opportunities to all travellers without discrimination. We have seen that influential people used to seek assistance of FIA officials at airports, who accompanied them to promptly clear their luggage.’

The new changes have already taken effect, and from yesterday (26/08/18), FIA officials attempting to give preferential treatment to VIPs will now face ‘strict action,’ according to the Ministry.

In Pakistan, VIP protocols were historically granted to a wide range of people, such as politicians, senior bureaucrats, court judges, legislators, high-ranking military officials and even some journalists. The shake-up has been brought on by observations at Islamabad’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport, where reports were given of FIA officials, Civil Aviation Authority or Airport Security Staff clearing luggage, while VIPs relaxed in the dedicated VIP lounge.

The new Pakistani Government, led by Imran Khan has deemed these practices old-fashioned and damaging, which has led to the abolishment of the outdated process and introduction of the new, equal opportunity system, which will be strictly enforced.

The newly-built Islamabad airport notably has no VIP lounge or facilities, and all passengers follow the same check-in, baggage handling and processing system.

Texas San Antonio Airport Breaks Passenger Numbers Record for June

July 19, 2018
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San Antonio International Airport Breaks Records | Airport BlogTexas’ San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has been experiencing record growth for two years, but this June has seen a record-breaking 887,000 passengers through its doors, marking the most passengers served in a single month since the airport opened.

Russ Hardy, aviation director for the City of San Antonio, is delighted with the record numbers and said, ‘If the numbers continue to grow as we anticipate, we could realistically exceed the 10 million mark in passengers for 2018. This is a benchmark we would happily like to achieve this year.’

The figures represent an increase of 6.8% compared to the same period last year for domestic travellers. There was, however, a drop in international passenger numbers of 4.6%.

Looking ahead, SAT is already looking to break more records. It is expected to outdo last years’ figures with preliminary releases scheduled to deliver 10% more passenger seats sales in the later half of this year, including the busy summer season.

Cargo handling has also increased for the airport. Figures show an 8.2% increase in cargo during June, which translated into more than 22,000,000 pounds in weight. This could represent another record level, as the recent upturn in figures is almost double the average growth in cargo transportation for the airports of North America.

LAX Opens Automated Passenger Screening to Reduce Processing Times

April 5, 2018
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LAX Automated Passenger Screening | Airport Security News

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has almost reached its goal of opening 14 Automated Passenger Screening lines with just two units to go in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

The new automated screening lines (ASLs), installed as part of a program with Los Angeles World Airports and the TSA, are expected to increase passenger screening by up to 30% compared to the previous systems, and will help to improve passenger experience.

According to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the new ASLs will provide ‘the foundation for future security enhancements’ and deliver faster, more efficient passenger security and screening. The new system gives greater flexibility and decreases passenger waiting times with the opportunity for up to five travellers being able to deposit their items in trays simultaneously without waiting for the previous passenger to pass through first.

The project to replace the current system began in summer last year, and has, according to LAWA, been completed ahead of the planned schedule and under budget.

Keith Jeffries, federal security director for the TSA at LAX said, ‘The completion of the Automated Screening Lane project at TBIT is indeed a milestone that was reached because of the outstanding partnership between TSA and LAWA. TSA pledges to continue its focus on security operations while embracing innovative technologies.’

Another benefit of the ASLs is that they are large enough to hold an onboard bag and 25% larger than a standard screening tray. In addition, the trays have RFID tagging in place, to ensure traveller-baggage accountability through the screening process.

This latest project takes LAX’s total number of ASLs to 27, including those located in Terminals 2, 4 and 7.

International travellers from around the world are recognising the benefits of automation across the airport environment. The latest technology in airport automation is reducing waiting times and ground delays and improving operational productivity across every critical process, including passenger check-in, baggage handling and security screening.

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 Duty Free Store Opens at Gatwick Airport in Time for Christmas

December 8, 2017
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new-duty-free-gatwickTravellers from Gatwick Airport will be able to enjoy a new shopping experience this year, as the operators opened a brand new duty free store.

Now, passengers can access the World Duty Free store as they leave security, giving them an opportunity to complete their seasonal shopping. The new retail area covers just shy of 2,000 square metres, and replaces the former store in a new location.

Much research has gone into the new duty free store, and this includes the use of some of the latest innovations in technology to help create a personalised experience for shoppers. The layout of the store has been carefully decided, to ensure shoppers have options to suit their own way of browsing. They will be able to find what they are looking for quickly under the new system, or equally, they will be able to browse at a slower pace to suit the time they have available.

Inside the new retail development is the addition of a dedicated beauty area measuring an impressive 628 square metres. The beauty area will feature new brands to Gatwick Airport, and a wide choice for shoppers with boutique stands from Chanel, Lancome, Clarins and Clinique to name a few. There are also make up, fragrance and skincare ‘zones’, stocked by some of the best brands in the world, and staffed with specialists to ensure a premium shopping experience akin to some of the world’s best designer High Street areas.

The selection of spirits in the retail area has also changed, as Gatwick embrace some of the UK’s best brands, such as the local ‘Silent Pool’ gin, distilled in Surrey, and local whiskies. The tasting bar is already proving popular to travellers, and the new digital signage offers the retailers the chance to entice shoppers through the doors with personalised content and dynamic updating.

The introduction of the latest innovations is opening up a new world to shoppers, who are able to interact with the technology to make their decisions, even including a comparison application for fashion that can be used with social media platforms.

With a massive selection of quality brands for toys, watches, jewellery, sunglasses, Fortnum and Mason hampers and more, passengers travelling from Gatwick will need to arrive early!

Frankfurt Airport Opens New Departures Hall for Christmas Holidays

November 20, 2017
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New Departure Hall B Opens at FRA | Airports NewsFrankfurt Airport’s new Departures Hall B within Terminal One has been completed and opened in time to give passengers a new departure experience over the Christmas holiday season.

Travellers will now be able to enjoy freshly-baked bread and pizzas around the clock in the new Airport Bistro, in addition to new, comfortable waiting areas, concept lighting and brand new information desk.

Airport operators, Fraport, are delighted with the new facility, and hope that passengers will enjoy the new meeting, waiting, eating and passenger information areas.

The new departure hall has the addition of careful planting, and the new areas have been created with an enhanced passenger experience in mind. Frankfurt Airport already offers an exclusive shopping experience, with many top designer stores on site, such as Versace and Pfueller, superb duty-free areas and a personal shopper service.

Find out more about Frankfurt Airport here.

Finnair Test Facial Recognition System at Helsinki Airport

May 8, 2017
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Finnair Test Facial Recognition System | Airports NewsAs biometric airport security systems soar in popularity around the world’s airports, Finnair announces the introduction of a comprehensive test of facial recognition technology at Helsinki Airport.

The testing of the latest layer to the check-in process for 1,000 passengers, has been running since the beginning of this month, and is expected to last until 23rd May 2017. The test group has been selected from frequent flyers using Helsinki Airport.

“Face recognition technology could simplify and speed up the departure process from the customer’s point of view, and eliminate the need for a boarding pass,” said Sari Nevanlinna, Finnair’s Head of Ground Experience and Ancillary. “This test will give us information on the usability of face recognition technology for our processes, and the impact it has on the customer experience.”

To take part in the ground-breaking testing for Finnair, passengers will be invited to upload an image of their face to the software platform. Then they will use a dedicated check-in desk to confirm that the facial recognition has proved successful.

Airline Messaging Approval Spells Sales Opportunities

June 4, 2014
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Providers of Airline Messaging SolutionsThe US Department of Transportation’s first level approval of IATA’s plan to update airline messaging standards could mean that it will become easier for airlines to sell ancillary products and services to passengers at the time of booking. IATA’s Resolution 787 is concerned with what they are terming ‘the New Distribution Capability’ (NDC), governed by XML messaging, which will allow airlines to share their merchandise, ‘extras’ and upgrades with agents and other third-party distributors.

The long-awaited XML standard will be welcomed industry-wide for the distribution of the many varied products and services offered by different airlines. Currently, carriers are using a variety of methods to market services such as checked baggage, seats with greater legroom, Wifi and express boarding, for example.

The standard initially received opposition, particularly in the area of data sharing and consumer privacy. IATA addressed many of these concerns at their Annual Meeting last June and filed mutually-agreed conditions to the standards after subsequent discussions with the opposers, who included the Open Allies for Airfare Transparency.

It has also been generally and conditionally agreed that buying and other personal information would only be shared upon permission of the traveller.

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.

Inmarsat & Honeywell Complete CDR for Passenger Connectivity & Cabin Services

February 10, 2014
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Leading Cabin Services Solutions ProvidersThe partnership of Honeywell and Inmarsat has announced that they have completed the critical design review (CDR) for the GX Aviation avionics, and hope to gain certification later this year. Once certification is achieved, the product is expected to be introduced in spring 2015.

The GX Aviation system will bring ‘home equivalent’ wireless internet to both passenger aircraft and business jets elevating the experience for passengers in terms of connectivity and cabin services.

This follows the successful launch of Inmarsat’s latest Ka-band satellites, Inmarsat-5 F1, the first of three that will be launched this year. The new network will enhance global coverage and offer the high-speed connections that are in increasing demand in the industry.

The review will enable continued progress and is a milestone for the joint-managed project.