Via Dubai Magazine | May 2015 by Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

www.viadubaionline.com

Issue 24 May 2015

Dubai issues new law on aviation safety

Inside DCAA

Quadrilateral agreement 2 on helicopters movement

DED team visits DCAA 3 headquarters DCAA honours Zayed University students

UAE in Focus

DWC Corporation 18 set up to boost investments DWC targets Italian companies 19 for foreign investments Emirates Airline brand value grew to $6.6 billion

Exclusive Interviews

Hussein Dabbas

KSA to have 500 private planes

WiFi Wave

Angela Gittens

Airlines are racing to add Wi-Fi to their planes

14 Opinions Three priorities for Air Cargo

International 24 ICAO names first woman as its Secretary General

UAE starts heliports certification

Middle East Lebanon to upgrade airport radars

ME airports should embrace A-CDM

Aircraft Tracking Challenges

Tony Tyler

In Focus 30

Partnership to transform ATM

The rise of the Aerotropolis

John Kasarda

Cargo & Logistics 34

Jeff Poole

Logistics hubs shape the location

Technology 37

Bill Luttrell

Our Smart Services DCAA Smart App will allow the customers the below services: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Issuance of Landing permissions Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Carriage of Restricted Articles Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Aerial Work Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Aircraft Warning Light Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Heliport Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Pyrotechnic Display Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Building Height (Below 300m) Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Building Height (Above 300m) Issuance of Approval for Heliports Certification Issuance of Approval for Crane Operation Issuance of Approval for GSM or other communication tower Issuance of Approval for Balloon Operations Issuance of No Objection Certificate for Sky Trackers / Space Cannon

Registration Requirements: • • • • • • •

Company Name Company Address Telephone Number Fax Number PO Box City Choose one secret questions

• • • • • • •

Username Password Email Address Name Mobile Number Emirates ID Number Category (Individual - Airline - Agency - Expert - Provider)

You can download the application

by searching in App Store and Play Store by typing DCAA or scan the QR code

For more information, please call technical support on: email:

+971 56 6810685

it.support@dcaa.gov.ae

www.dcaa.gov.ae

CONTENTS Dubai issues new law on aviation safety

Dubai to handle 420,000 aircraft movements in 2015

Tracking Challenges

Angela Gittens:

ME airports should embrace A-CDM

UAE starts heliports certification

Airport Show-2015

Ready for take-off

DWC Corporation set up

to boost investments Emirates Airline brand value grew to $6.6 billion

Continental Connection

Dutch Caribbean orders

flow study

Message from the President In 2007, the functions of the Department of Civil Aviation were restructured. Accordingly, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) was established as a regulatory body, by a decree of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AlMaktoum, Ruler of Dubai, on proclamation of law No. 21 of 2007, as amended by law No. 19 of 2010, to undertake development of Air Transport Industry in the Emirate of Dubai and to oversee all aviation-related activities.

Via Dubai is the official bilingual monthly newsletter of DCAA, designed to highlight the initiatives and developments in the aviation industry and act as a knowledge-sharing platform for all the stakeholders and aviation professionals.

General Supervision Mohammed Abdulla Ahli Coordinator Hanan Al Mazimi Executive Editor Mohammed Abdul Mannan Creative Manager Mohammed Al Jarouf E-mail: viadubai@naddalshiba.com Legal Disclaimer The views expressed in the articles are of the writers and not necessarily belong to DCAA. We take all reasonable steps to keep the information current and accurate, but errors can occur. The information is therefore provided as is, with no guarantee of accuracy, completeness or timeliness. The DCAA or Via Dubai does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. Via Dubai does not endorse or recommend any article, product, service or information mentioned in the newsletter. Any perceived slight of any person or organisation is completely unintentional.

Advertise with us Editorial, Production, PR & Marketing Nadd AlShiba PR and Event Management

Tel +971 4 25 66 707 Fax +971 4 25 66 704 info@naddalshiba.com www.naddalshiba.com

Winning Connections

here are several key factors behind the rapid emergence of Dubai as a first-choice global commercial, financial, distribution, aviation and tourism center. The UAE’s geographic centrality serves as connecting hubs for air traffic moving between North America, South America, Europe and Africa to the west and south on one hand, and the Middle East, India and South Asia, China and the rest of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia and New Zealand on the other. About 60 percent of the world’s population lives within six flying hours of the UAE. Our long-held commitment to Open Skies policy is reflected in the UAE being second in the world with the highest number of such agreements with countries. Another ingredient of our success is our consistent and considerable investments to facilitate the global aviation industry. Dubai is among the 50 cities that boast of two international airports within their urban zones. Air connectivity to 248 destinations are available from airlines through the Dubai International, served by 135 scheduled airlines.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

equivalent to that of the Top 3 European hubs – London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Between 2004 and 2014, the hub connectivity of Dubai grew by 485 per cent. We have consistently invested in expanding and improving our infrastructure in all domains, especially the aviation sector. We maintain policies which are friendly to business growth and facilitate global connectivity. Dubai’s success story could not have been possible without the support and contribution of all the stakeholders. Our success is not for us alone but for everyone in the world. We continue to invest towards infrastructure development ahead of the hosting of World Expo in Dubai in 2020. We are confident about making further strides in our journey of excellence in the years to come.

A study by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe says the intercontinental connectivity of Dubai International is

Printed by Printwell Dubai

Our Vision Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is driven by the vision of Dubai to become the global Aviation Capital contributing to prosperity and enabling growth for Dubai.

Our Mission Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is committed to support the aviation sector in:

E-mail: dcaa@dcaa.gov.ae Website: www.dcaa.gov.ae Tel: (971) 4 216 2009 Fax: (971) 4 224 4502 P.O.BOX 49888 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

u Capturing the full value potential as a global passenger, tourism, trade, cargo and logistic hub u Providing the capacity, connectivity and leveraging existing assets to meet the aviation sector and economic growth plans of Dubai u Ensuring sustainable and responsible growth committed to safety, health, environment and security u Providing and creating customer-focused services to gain competitive advantage from innovation, knowledge and efficiency u Building and retaining capabilities, for the aviation sector, while offering career opportunities for Nationals u Ensuring a transparent, effective and commercially balanced regulatory framework that reflects the interests of the aviation industry, Dubai and the UAE u Providing efficient and cost-effective services to the aviation sector

facebook.com/pages/Dubai-Civil-Aviation-Authority/299170846763911

twitter.com/DcaaDubai

youtube.com/user/dcaadubai

Message

from the Director General

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

Successful Collaboration

he Arabian Gulf region is experiencing air traffic congestion, which, if unresolved, will have an adverse impact to aviation industry’s growth. It is expected that the UAE Flight Information Region (FIR) will have 895,468 flight movements this year, and increase to 1.13 million flight movements by 2020 and 1.83 million flight movements by 2030.

Quadrilateral agreement on helicopters movement

CANSO, of which Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) became a member this year, has pointed out ways and means to reduce congestion and improve efficiency in the Middle East airspace. The global body proposed five key steps to transform ATM performance: effective partnership, harmonization of airspace, separation of regulation and service provision, flexible use of military airspace and effective and coordinated use of technology. At present, the region’s airspace is saturated at the regional level. DANS has entered into a strategic partnership with ENAV, the Italy-based global leader in Air Navigation Services. The deal will provide the platform that will enable both organizations to jointly explore solutions for the ATM challenges facing the aviation sector in Dubai. This agreement is of great significance not only for DANS, but for the entire aviation sector in the UAE and the region. DANS, as part of its long-term strategic plan, is seeking cooperation within the field of research and development with international organizations and this agreement is a step towards achieving our ambitious goals. In January, DANS signed an agreement with Eurocontrol that will cater to air traffic management and market intelligence. The Cooperation Agreement is the first of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). One of the first areas for joint activity under this agreement is to advance the research on the wake vortex concepts. The Middle East is one of aviation’s great success stories. In order to ensure the stability and continue with success story, it is vital to not just to think ahead of times but act at the right time in appropriate manner. Collaboration is the key.

May 2015

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has signed an agreement with Dubai Air Wing, GAL Navigation Services and the UAE Armed Forces to regulate the movement of helicopters within the airspace of Al Minhad Air Base. In the presence of His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General of DCAA, the agreement was signed by Khaled Al Arif, DCAA’s Director of Standards and Regulations, Jassem Al Shehi, Deputy Manager of Airspace Control at GAL Navigation Services, and Hank Harinton, Head of Helicopters at Dubai Air Wing and UAE Armed Forces. The agreement is for regulating and facilitating the movement of Air Wing helicopters to and from Dubai International Airport and Al Minhad Airbase and the restricted areas surrounding it in the Emirate of Dubai. It aims to upgrade coordination and collaboration with aviation sector stakeholders through facilitating and streamlining air traffic flows and allocation of responsibilities amongst the four parties for optimal usage results. 

Inside DCAA

DCAA honoured for Earth Hour participation

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has been honoured by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for its successful participation in the Earth Hour 2015 programmes. His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, presented a memento to DCAA which was received by Mohammed Al Zarooni, Head of Air Transport at DCAA, in the presence of His Excellency Major General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) at a ceremony. DCAA has been a regular participant in the global event. Dubai was the first Arab city to participate in Earth Hour in 2008, a year after its global launch. It is now observed in 162 countries and territories worldwide. This year’s Earth Hour was held under the theme, Use Your Power to Change Climate Change. The UAE residents were urged to go beyond switching off power for an hour and reduce the usage of desalinated water that causes huge amount of carbon emission. The UAE has the third largest

water consumption per capita on the planet with the average resident using in excess of 550 litres per day, three times the normal human consumption. Observed on the last Saturday of every March, Earth Hour is a global symbolic initiative to protect the environment. Usually, people turn off

lights and non-essential electrical appliances from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm that day to reduce energy consumption and carbon emission that is harmful to Mother Earth. DEWA says a total of 1,163gWh of electricity and 5.4 billion imperial gallons of water were saved during the past six years. This is equivalent to AED752 million, and over 536,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. 

DED team visits DCAA headquarters

delegation from the Department of Economic Development (DED) visited the headquarters of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) as part of the initiative aimed at honoring the strategic partners and build constructive future partnerships. The DED team presented a memento to DCAA officials as a token of appreciation for the cooperation. DED is the government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of

the Emirate of Dubai, UAE. DED supports the structural transformation of Dubai into a diversified, innovative service-based economy that aims to improve the business environment and accelerate productivity growth. DED and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support the growth of strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.In 2013, DED and DCAA signed a Joint

Cooperation Agreement for the exchange of knowledge and expertise and institutional experiences at all levels, along with an agreement to connect the electronic systems of the two parties for the purpose of licensing activities of the DCAA. The agreement came within the framework of joint efforts between government entities in the emirate to improve the performance of joint operations and to facilitate measures which have a positive impact at economic, social and cultural levels.  May 2015

Inside DCAA

Dubai issues new law on aviation safety

n his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has issued Law No. 7 of 2015 on aviation safety in the Emirate of Dubai.

Pursuant to the law, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority may inspect and monitor all civil aviation activities and also define any acts that constitute RISK on aviation facilities, air operations, airplanes, passengers and air traffic.

The new law aims to enhance safety and security measures in Dubai’s airspace to ensure smooth aviation according to the international standards approved by the ICAO and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The law prescribed the responsibilities and authorities assigned to DCAA that include supervising and approving all security and safety procedures applied in Dubai’s aviation facilities and airports, upgrading and developing aviation equipment to abide with international and domestic regulations, defining the terms and technical specifications required for helipad in coordination with concerned authorities and defining the regulation and technical specification for warning lights installed in towers, building and helipads.

The law aims to organize the activities in the civil aviation industry, apply best practices for best usage of Dubai’s airspace and prohibit all acts that may endanger airplanes, airports or any facility related to aviation services.

It also authorized DCAA to specify the airspace dedicated for general aviation and the regulation controlling the usage of laser, fireworks, light beams and drone. The Authority also reserves the right to inspect towers and helipads.

Further, DCAA may take any measures necessary to assure safe and secure aviation industry in the emirate. This law annuls any other legislation that contradicts with its articles, according to a report by Emirates News Agency (WAM). 

The law also prescribed the penalties and fines imposed on violations. The Chairman of Dubai Executive Council is authorized to define the violations, the penalties and fines imposed on such violations.

DCAA honours Zayed University students month training programmes as part of their graduation. During the training programme, the UAE national students worked in various departments at the DCAA and acquired practical knowledge about the role and responsibilities of various arms of the civil aviation regulator. The programme provided them insights about the working of the civil aviation industry in the emirate and will enable them to join the civil aviation domain on completion of their studies. Zayed University is one of the governmentsponsored higher education institutions in the UAE.

T 4

he Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) honoured students of Zayed University. Mr. Abdulrahim Al Mulla, May 2015

Director of Corporate Support at DCAA, presented the Certificates of Accomplishment to them at the completion of their two

ZU seeks to establish a cutting-edge educational environment that promotes creativity and innovation, prepares qualified graduates who are able to contribute to the development process and delivers high-quality education that focuses on enriching students’ knowledge and skills. 

Inside DCAA

May 2015

DCAA Interview

Dubai to handle 420,000 aircraft movements in 2015

he aviation industry in the Emirate of Dubai has undergone spectacular transformation in the past three decades. From its humble start in 1970 with a handful of airlines and connectivity to the world, the Dubai International has blossomed into an international travel hub, handling about 71 million passengers last year to become the world’s number one airport for international passengers.

Indian expatriate Roy George has been a witness to the inspiring success story of Dubai’s aviation industry. In an exclusive interview with Via Dubai, the Air Transport Operations Manager at the Air Transport and International Affairs Department of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) shares insights into the growth in the aviation domain and the key role DCAA has been playing over the years.

Air transport has been a key to Dubai’s economic growth. How DCAA has been guiding this ambitious development drive?

The aviation industry has phenomenally grown in the past decades due to the visionary policies and ceaseless investments in developing the infrastructure. Our President His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has rightly said that the emergence of Dubai as a leading global aviation centre

May 2015

248 destinations served by airlines through Dubai airport is the result of a “carefully constructed and well executed” model. The flexible and industry-friendly policies and regulations by the DCAA has also played an important role in this amazing growth. Our Director General His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli has clearly said that the Dubai model effectively harnesses the emirate’s geo-centric location and provides a liberal regulatory regime that fosters competition, business-friendly environment and a customer-centric focus. Dubai has overtaken London Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers in 2014. DCAA has maintained its excellent track record in various domains all

these year and has an even larger role to play as the air transport industry expands. There is no doubt that Dubai will continue flying high with DCAA contributing enormously towards the journey of success. Devising forward-looking policies and growth-oriented programmes and regulating the fast-expanding industry is by all means a Herculean task. I see DCAA role getting enlarged in the coming years for which we have an effective and efficient system in place to cope up with the challenges. Like DCAA, I am very proud about Dubai’s achievements in the aviation sector and wish we will be part of many more milestones that it will cross in the future.

What are your roles and responsibilities at DCAA?

Air Transport Section has a responsibility to ensure development of air transport in Dubai, in keeping with the government policies.

DCAA Interview It also plays a key role in effectively dealing with changing aviation environment and preparing to administer the changes with the objective of sustaining the ‘Hub Status’ for Dubai. This section manages (aircraft) landing approvals at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports, in conformity with Air Service Agreements (ASAs). My major responsibility is dealing with landing permits for all types of aircrafts at both the international airports. It is a huge and challenging task as it reflects on the overall performance of the air traffic. In 2014, Dubai International Airport alone had registered 357339 aircraft movements. In 2015, the projected aircraft movement is 420,000, an expected growth of six per cent over the previous year, or 1150 aircraft movement per day.

For how long have you been with DCAA?

I started my career in 1985 with the DCAA forerunner, Department of Civil Aviation, soon after finishing my higher studies in the south Indian state of Kerala. It was my first job and I remained with civil aviation authority for the past 30 years. Between 1985 and 1990, I worked on the airside operations and moved up the ladder due to the support and encouragement that the management provided to us to hone our skills and professionalism. It was tough looking after the operations during the hot and humid summer season, but we made it due to the determination to excel in our work and performance. I have witness to the rapid changes and transformation of DCAA which came into existence in 2008 following the split of Dubai Airport operations into three entities. I can proudly say that DCAA is one of the best civil aviation regula-

tory bodies in the world with professionalism and excellence at its heart.

What have been the key achievements last year?

The number of aircraft movement last year was 405405, a growth of 3.74 per cent compared with the 2013 performance. During this period, the number of passengers increased by 7.28 per cent to reach 71.3 million in 2014. The number of destinations served by the airlines through the Dubai International Airport rose to 248. Six regular international airlines joined the list of operators of scheduled and non-scheduled flights through the Dubai airports. Last year, 32 new destinations were added to the Dubai airport network by Emirates (eight) and flydubai (24). On an average, we gave 25 approvals for aircraft landings with a total of 9320 permissions last year. We have a total of 135 scheduled airlines and 25 charter or regular operators. We just had 30 airlines in total in 1985 when I joined Dubai airport. It used to take one to two weeks to complete the approval process in the 1980s when Telex was the preferred mode of communication. Today, it is a 24/7 job taking into account the round-the-clock operations of Dubai airports. E-landing permits are an in-thing now and it is proving to be beneficial to everyone in the industry.

What are the future plans?

We plan to upgrade the e-Landing permits system and will be deploying new app to

We plan to upgrade the e-Landing permits system

make the facility available on smart phones as part of the Smart government strategy. We plan to launch the smart app before the summer this year. We also give No Objection Certificates (NoC) for all aviation-related business in the Emirate of Dubai.

What is your take on the future of aviation in Dubai?

The future is bright. Every stakeholder is working as a unified team to achieve the goals set by the government. As far as I can see, Dubai will rise in its global standing further in the coming years. The opening of Concourse D at the Dubai International Airport this year as part of the $7.8 billion expansion programme is expected to boost the airport’s capacity to over 90 million passengers annually by 2020. The expansion of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) will be creating the facilities capable of handling up to 200 million passengers, making it the world’s biggest airport. The aviation, according to Oxford Economics study, will contribute $53.1 billion to Dubai’s economy, 37.5 per cent to its GDP and support over 750,000 jobs by 2020. That will be a big achievement and that is just five years away.  May 2015

Cover Story

WiFi Wave

irlines are racing to add Wi-Fi to their planes. Emirates offers free Wi-Fi on 106 of its aircraft, with two to three more aircraft being installed with Wi-Fi connectivity every month. The award-winning airline is investing over $ 20 million annually on installing and operating inflight connectivity systems which enable onboard Wi-Fi services.

In November 2008, a company then known as Aircell hosted a launch party—a literal one. The in-flight broadband company, now known as Gogo, after its flagship service, brought in reporters, YouTube celebrities, supporting actors from 30 Rock, and analysts to fly a small circuit on a Virgin America plane around San Francisco International Airport. It was the first commercial aircraft to be equipped and activated with its air-to-ground (ATG) Internet service. It was also the first airline in the world to offer fleet-wide Wi-Fi access in 2009. Subsequently, dozens of planes were wired up to get Wi-Fi and thousands were ready over the next few years.

May 2015

All of Emirates’ 36 dedicated airport lounges around its global network offer complimentary WiFi connectivity In the early years, it seemed like in-flight WiFi was a great idea that nobody was using, even based on optimistic numbers provided by Gogo. Then something happened that changed everything: the iPhone. As it and its rivals flourished, planes were suddenly packed with addicted users brandishing Wi-Fi-equipped smartphones and then tablets with long battery lives.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networks demanded an always-live connection. And Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services had vast numbers of viewers. Suddenly, the 3 Mbps of shared access provided by the firstgeneration technology seemed paltry—even though streaming video as well as audio/video communications such as Skype were banned. Inflight Wi-Fi service providers are deploying new systems in an effort to provide a better online experience for air passengers weary of slow connections. The in-flight Wi-Fi connection services support passengers’ smart phones, PDAs, notebook computers and other wireless LAN devices.

Cover Story

Wi-Fi is one of the most sought-after new amenities fliers

want to access on their flights and there has been significant investment by airlines

Wi-Fi technology has evolved from various architectures across various standards and is now operated in 5GHz and 60GHz bands enabling multiple-user configurations. This has created newer business models that have evolved at every stage of this transition, opening up significant market globally.

ers in a cut-throat short-haul market and potentially add millions of dollars of revenue through entertainment, services and advertising. In Europe, adoption of a ground-to-air service such as that in the US is harder due to the number of countries in the region, while satellite-based services have been too costly for short flights.

The Global Wi-Fi Market revenue is forecasted to reach $93.23 billion in 2018, at an estimated CAGR of 15.08 percent during a five year period, according to a study by Markets and Markets. New Wi-Fi technologies now allow Wi-Fi access available onboard commercial planes.

Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, Ryanair and Vueling are some of the major European carriers looking at on-board Wi-Fi on short-haul flights, following low-cost carrier Norwegian, which offers it for free on 74 of its 76 Boeing 737s. In the US, moves by low-cost carriers such as JetBlue to offer basic onboard Wi-Fi services for free were putting pressure on mainline carriers.

According to new statistics released by air industry data cruncher Routehappy, flying without Wi-Fi access is becoming increasingly rare as more airlines connect their customers. There’s now a 24 per cent chance your international flight will have Wi-Fi access, according to Routehappy study.

Emirates is committed to making its entire fleet Wi-Fi enabled

In the US, the chance of catching a Wi-Fi-enabled flight has more than tripled to 66 per cent in the past 18 months. Connection quality and speed are also improving, it reports. Wi-Fi is one of the most sought-after new amenities fliers want to access on their flights and there has been significant investment by airlines. Coverage is starting to be meaningful on flights worldwide, along with a wide variety of speeds, coverage availability and pricing models, including free of charge, it said. Internationally, Nordic airlines are leading the connectivity charge, with Icelandair and Norwegian both offering Wi-Fi on more than 80 per cent of their flights.

After updating the service in February with a simpler sign-on process on top of other software updates, Emirates has seen a further 25 per cent increase in uptake. Emirates now offers free WiFi on 106 of its aircraft, with two to three more aircraft being installed with Wi-Fi connectivity every month. Emirates continues to invest over $20 million annually on installing and operating inflight connectivity systems, which enable onboard WiFi services. On Emirates’ ultra-long-haul flights (over 14 hours), over 30 per cent of passengers typically use Wi-Fi services, and on a recent flight to New York, 66 per cent of passengers used onboard Wi-Fi.

messaging apps. Thereafter, and for the rest of the fleet, users can enjoy 500MB data for a token $1 charge. By giving either free access or charging a token amount since last October, Emirates has seen a near fivefold increase in usage. Besides offering Wi-Fi connectivity on all A380 flights, Emirates is in the process of converting all of its Boeing 777-300ERs and 777-200LRs to become WiFi ready at the rate of two-to-three aircraft per month.

Currently, Wi-Fi is available on 106 Emirates aircraft Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: “Our customers want onboard connectivity, and this demand is only going to increase as more people embrace an ‘always-on’ digital lifestyle, and carry smart mobile devices when they travel. We’ve always viewed Wi-Fi as a service and a value-addition to our overall product, rather than a revenue stream.” He added: “If we can offer good quality Wi-Fi connections for everyone onboard at no charge tomorrow, we will do it. But we face a slew of technical limitations – from speed and bandwidth availability and cost, to the supporting hardware and software – all of which we are working hard to address with the industry right now. 

Currently, Wi-Fi is available on all of Emirates’ 59 Airbus A380 aircraft and 47 of its Boeing 777 aircraft. On over 60 per cent of the installed fleet, the first 10MB data is free — sufficient for an update on social media accounts or texting via instant

Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Iberia currently supply it to between 40-60 per cent of flights. Aeroflot, Emirates and Japan Airlines are in the 20-30 per cent range, while Qatar Airways, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines score between 15 and 20 per cent. For U.S. airlines, Delta leads the game, offering Wi-Fi across more than 3,500 of its daily flights. Europe’s airlines are racing to add Wi-Fi to their planes, eager to attract Internet-hungry customMay 2015

Exclusive Interview

Aircraft Tracking Challenges IATA says technology has made airplanes far more safe and efficient than ever before

irlines should make sure that the equipment they have on board aircraft are functioning all the time in a proper manner and that their pilots are properly trained and choose the right tracks to fly, says Hussein Dabbas, Regional Vice President for Africa & Middle East at International Air Transport Association (IATA). The global trade body represents 250 major airlines in 117 countries which carry approximately 84 per cent of total Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) air traffic globally. In an exclusive interview with Via Dubai, the former President and CEO of Royal Jordanian, elaborated on the immediate priorities of all stakeholders in aviation safety, aircraft tracking system standardization and the challenges before the industry which last year handled over 3.3 billion passengers and 38 million flight movements globally. By 2030, about 6.6 billion passengers will travel by airplanes.

are applied. We should keep the door open for continuous improvement in the system. That’s why we cannot say that you need a specific system because the systems are there and are being put to use. All that we can say is that they make sure they are used, followed up and improved. Airlines need to make sure that they know where all their airplanes are flying at a given time.

The global passenger aircraft fleet is set to double by 2023. In the next 20 years, the industry, according to Boeing, will require 38000 new airplanes worth $5.5 trillion.

May 2015

already exceed the report’s suggested performance criteria. For others, closing the gap may take more than a 12-month time line for every aircraft.In the short term, they should make use of what is already available in their fleets and areas of operation. In the near term, they should look at the business case for upgrading equipment to meet the performance criteria.

Is there a need for aircraft tracking system standardization?

Well, immediately after the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777-200 (Flight MH370), airline pilots and IATA got together to see what needs to be done to avoid such accidents. A study that was done afterwards clearly indicated that all airlines are using tracking systems to know where their planes are. The problem is that sometimes the system is turned off by the pilot or anyone else. The equipment and technology are there as also the standards. All that is required is that we must make sure that they

Airlines and ANSPs need to share information and help each other

What were the recommendations of IATA Task Force?

The cross-industry report by the Aircraft Tracking Task Force (ATTF) included a set of performance criteria for aircraft tracking. It recommended that airlines evaluate their current tracking capabilities against the performance criteria and close gaps within a 12-month time frame. Of course, airlines are taking the tracking issue very seriously. Some

In the medium term, they should monitor new technologies which will become available, including space-based systems; and in parallel, work with manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to explore the possibility of making systems tamper-proof. The panel’s proposed regulations require all aircraft to transmit information on their longitude, latitude, altitude and local time to permit four-dimensional tracking, which should be accurate to within at least one nautical mile and reported every 15 minutes — or more often in the event of an alert.

Exclusive Interview

By 2030, about 6.6 billion passengers will travel by airplanes

Airlines have argued that implementing an aircraft location tracking system within a year will be challenging.

Whose holds the responsibility of putting an effective tracking system in place?

Responsibility is on everybody. Aircraft manufacturers, airlines and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a value chain in the aviation industry. We cannot have an airline without an airport, or an airport without traffic management. The role of the airlines is to make sure that the

equipment they have on board are functioning all the time in a proper manner and that their pilots are properly trained and choosing the right tracks to fly, especially over the conflict zones.

Who will bear the cost?

At the end of the day, the passengers, of course. If we look at the past 20 years, we can see that airline fares have dropped 60 per cent in dollar value against what it was in 1994 because of the competition, deployment of bigger airplanes, operational efficiency of airplanes and fuel efficiency. Technology has made airplanes far more safe and efficient than what they were 20 years ago.

tion. When you share more experience, more people will learn from it and try to avoid having problems.

How the worsening air traffic congestions could be resolved?

Air traffic management is really strained and stretched to the maximum due to tremendous growth -- almost 13 to 14 per cent growth a year in the number of passengers and aircraft movements. We believe that, especially in this part of the world where such high growth is evident, there will be lots of delays and diversions and airplanes will find it difficult to manoeuvre. There is need to cooperate far more what is being

What are the challenges you foresee? done now. It is doing well, but we believe that The number one challenge is technology which is evolving constantly. The challenge is to share information. Airlines and ANSPs need to share information and help each other. It is now becoming more evident than what it used to be. Of course, airlines are sharing more informa-

more needs to be done between the countries in the region to make sure that they coordinate and work together to make the traffic much easier. There are lots of constraints whether it is technology, resources or airspace. We can only advise governments to solve these problems for ever. ď&#x201A;&#x192;

May 2015

Exclusive Interview

Angela Gittens:

ME airports should embrace A-CDM

ngela Gittens, Director General of Airports Council International (ACI), the global body with 591 members operating more than 1861 airports in 177 countries, is a strong believer in Collaborative Decision Making (CDM).

From governments to airlines and airports, each one needs to have a common goal to be able to enhance passenger experience, says the industry veteran as she lauds Dubai for being exemplar in its single vision about making the best of aviation growth opportunities. In an exclusive interview with Via Dubai, Angela talked about ways to cope with rising number of air travelers, aviation safety, technological developments, the challenges for ACI and other issues concerning the aviation sector.

How governments, airlines and airports can contribute to facilitating better passenger experience?

Each stakeholder needs to see their part of role in facilitating better passenger journeys. Each stakeholder has a specific job- it could be security, immigration, travel in case of airline and, for the airport, having the facilities ready. Each one also needs to see that facilitating the passenger journey is important to them in addition to the specific role that they have. All the stakeholders will benefit. There are lots of technological tools that can help; there are process changes that can help. Instead of putting in new infrastructure or technology, just changing the way certain things are approached has proved effective in facilitating better passenger journey.

try courses, we have online courses, airport service quality (ASQ) programme which provides for benchmarking passenger satisfaction against others, tells you what your passengers care about most, what they like and what they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t and what you can improve upon.

At what level of this cooperation are we on?

We also have a safety peer review wherein we assemble a group of experts from ACI and other airports to go to your airport and see your compliance and any other issues you want to discuss, especially on safety management systems. We bring experts who have done it in their airports to give advice. Even a very well developed airport can use a peer review.

At the Future of Borders conference that attended in Dubai in March, I saw there were various authorities in the room the entire time - airport, airlines and government. Dubai is exemplary in shared vision, starting at the top with leadership of the country on what the aviation sector means to the economy. That cascades through all of the processes. My guess is that there is a very mature level of cooperation and collaboration already in place.

What is the role of ACI?

The ACI has two main objectives - to protect the interest of airports and communities they serve and to promote excellence of airports. We work with ICAO especially to make sure interests of airports are properly represented in decision making. To promote excellence, we have a variety of training programmes. There are management level as well as en-

May 2015

Are you planning a representative office in the Middle East region?

The Middle East is served by the Asia Pacific region office in Hong Kong. We think we can serve it very well from there. The Middle East is very active on our boards- the Asia Pacific as well as the world boards. The biggest concern I have is on Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) because skies in the Middle East region are very crowded. It is witnessing highest growth in the world and it is important to get airport collaborative decision making. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen its success in Europe. It is something I would want airports in the Middle East to embrace. Some airports in the Middle East are embracing is smart security projects. We are piloting different technology, procedures and processes to have a more effective and smoother security. We all agree we cannot continue to deal with security the way we have been doing it with the kind of growth we are witnessing.

Exclusive Interview Given the constraints and the growth curve, what are the solutions?

There are different solutions. We are piloting, for example in Amsterdam, a whole new security screening centre, with some new features. It is centralized and they have made it very consumer friendly and welcoming. Generally if you think of security, you think of processes, of having to take your laptop and other stuff out and then put it back again, the entire process could be stressful. They’ve made it easy and the screening itself is done remotely and they can screen more than one at a time. ACI is working with IATA on Smart Security. The objective is to improve the journey from curb to boarding, where passengers proceed through security checkpoints with minimal inconvenience, where security resources are allocated based on risk and where airport facilities can be optimized. Machines can do a lot. We should let the machines do the routine. Humans should be focusing on the complex. Testing of technology in Amsterdam is in process and there are other pilot projects.

How will other airports benefit from this?

We will start sharing as the pilots start showing success. As we get good results, we will share the ways they can help the governments, airports as well as airlines. It is a good example of collaboration among the key stakeholders.

What is your opinion about Open Skies policy and the recent disagreements surrounding it?

Dubai’s success is due to exemplary shared vision about aviation

Do you think it’s a good idea for airports to expand and build to meet ACI supports. The US is a competitive market the surge in passengers? and is designed to be so. The airlines should compete on global market place as well. We have not seen any signs that the US is gravitating toward a return.

What is the solution to crowded skies?

There are ways of sharing military airspace. The military can always have the airspace they need. Sharing the airspace is one of the solutions. Enforcing slots, for example, is important. These are some of the tools that would be needed to get some space. Now there also are systems to use more technology so aircrafts can fly more closely. Right now they’re spaced very far for safety reasons. Smart aircraft can actually fly much closer together and be completely safe. As technology is deployed, you don’t need those large margins. So you could get many more places through same amount of space and safety that we have now. That’s going to be the future.

Do you think oil price decline is good Open Skies policy has been a boon to mankind. for the aviation industry? Liberalization is, in general, something that

ever, it’s a global market these days. While it is good for aviation industry, it has consequences for various economies and could wind up reducing the demand. But, overall it’s a good thing.

It’s very good for the aviation industry. How-

There are other are solutions. Airport collaborative decisions can help. You can manage the surge smartly in a smaller space if you plan well. By making sure you are staffed immediately when the surge starts, have design flexibility, like they did in Brussels, you can save millions of investment. It is not easy, but it can be done and technology certainly can play a great role.

How do you analyze Dubai’s aviation sector?

Dubai is a good example of what can happen when all stakeholders collaborate on shared vision. Starting with the leadership of this country to other stakeholders, everyone is working with a single vision. The entire collaborative decision making is toward that objective. Unlike several other countries where you have conflicting agenda, everyone in Dubai is working toward a single agenda. That’s why you have this kind of high growth. You have a very well developed economy, a very well developed aviation system, excellent airlines and airports due to this shared vision. 

May 2015

Exclusive

UAE starts heliports certification

y 2018, all heliports, helidecks and aircraft landing facilities in the UAE are required to be complaint with the new regulations framed by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The regulations cover all the existing facilities, new construction and new operations. All organizations and operators are requested to submit an action plan for achieving the compliance during this period with the timescale to be agreed with the GCAA. The federal civil aviation regulatory body said: “Compliance with GCAA regulation is required by 1st January 2018; if compliance is not achieved by this date, then the Authority retains the right to take enforcement measures. Heliports, helidecks and aircraft landing areas (private use) will be required to hold either a Certificate or Landing Area Acceptance, depending of the service provided.”

May 2015

There are an estimated 1000 such facilities in the UAE, the most being in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The heliport at Burj Al Arab, one of the world’s most iconic buildings, became the first to be certified in UAE under the new GCAA regulations last December, weeks ahead of its implementation officially coming into effect. His Excellency Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and GCAA Chairman, said: “The management of safety has continued to grow over recent years and this proactive approach for the regulatory oversight of heliports reflects a collective effort and prioritization of safety, which is principle to the GCAA State Safety Programme.”

Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, said: “In the formulation of new GCAA regulations, research has included a review of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) publications, which are well known to the aviation sector in the form of Standards and Recommended Practices; a review of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) publications, and a review of world-wide respected best practices.” According to officials, GCAA has been involved in “researching and developing” new regulation and guidance material for heliports, helidecks and private use landing areas in the UAE, including surface-level and elevated

Exclusive heliports, and water aerodromes. This has resulted in the publication of Civil Aviation Advisory Publication (CAAP) 70, 71 and 72. This process has been conducted in partnership and in consultation with the civil aviation community; a process which has been vital for the promotion of safety in a sector where rapid growth rates continue. The aim has been to identify locations for the provision of Certification or Landing Area Acceptance and to development regulation and guidance publications alongside a supportive regulatory oversight regime. In August last year, the GCAA carried out the temporary revision (TR) of CAAP 70 as a result of the ICAO adoption of Amendment 6 to Annex 14 Volume II. This amendment was effective on July 14 and became applicable from November 13 last year. The Amendment 6 to Annex 14 Volume II arose from the Instrument Flight Procedures Panel (IFPP) relating to procedure design criteria and charting requirements to support performance-based navigation (PBN) approach and departure operations. As per the UAE Civil Aviation Law and Civil Aviation Regulations and the Chapter 5 of ICAO Annex 14, Volumes I and II - Civil Aviation Regulation, Part III (General Regulations), “an aircraft shall not land at, or take-off from, any place unless; the place is suitable for use as an aerodrome (heliport) for the purposes of the landing and taking-off of aircraft in safety, having regard to all circumstances, including the prevailing weather conditions”.

The UAE plans to host ICAO Regional Heliport Seminar from December 8 to 10

The GCAA asserted that the introduction of the national regulation of heliports and the implementation of certification and landing area acceptance aims to promote safety in a rapidly-growing aviation sector. The UAE plans to host ICAO Regional Heliport Seminar from December 8 to 10 this year. The UAE also invited ICAO to consider proposing a symposium during 2016 on regulation and safety oversight of heliports at a global level in order to promote safer operations and harmonization between Member-States. The GCAA will host workshops during this year to promote and educate heliport operators with regard to regulation, safety oversight and the implementation and application process. Within the scope of regulatory oversight, safety promotion currently exists within the Aerodrome Operations Technical Committee (AOTC), the purpose being to strengthen the GCAA communication and coordination with the UAE aviation industry. Technical committees will be expanded to include heliports and off-shore helidecks. Additionally, both regionally and internationally, it is proposed that ICAO forums and semi-

nars will act as the vehicle to focus on heliport safety oversight and safe operations on a global platform, with the support of the UAE, according to the position document. The document said: “In partnership with the aviation industry in the UAE, the GCAA has adopted a proactive approach to the formulation and introduction of UAE national regulation applicable to heliports. This approach has gained the support of stakeholders, which has been an essential element in the process, particularly in a region where aviation growth continues at a rapid rate. This illustrates commitment to the promotion of a safe aviation infrastructure and to the principles of the State Safety Programme.”

More helicopters heading to ME The Middle East and Africa leads all regions in new helicopter purchase rates, with up to 32 percent of respondent fleets slated for turnover with a new helicopter replacement or addition. According to Honeywell Aerospace, 4750 to 5250 civilian-use helicopters will be delivered worldwide during 20152019. The forecast estimates the five-year share of demand from the US and Canada at 34 percent and Africa and the Middle East contributing nine percent.

In January last year, a private helicopter with two people on board crashed while taking off from the Atlantis The Palm Heliport to the Helidubai operating base at Dubai International Airport. The major helicopter sites include Dubai Festival City, Dubai International Airport, Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi and Burj Al Arab, which has the distinction of having the world’s highest helipad at a height of 212 metres from sea level. According to Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), all heliports within the boundaries of the Emirate of Dubai are subject to certification requirements of DCAP (Dubai Civil Aviation Policy). Some classes of heliport are exempt from the DCAA Certification requirements, but must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NoC). The Approval for Heliports Certification is mandatory according to International Civil Aviation Regulation (ICAO Annex 14) and Civil Aviation Regulations (UAE CAR – OPS 3.220 & 3.225).  May 2015

Special Report

Airport Show-2015

Ready for take-off

he Airport Show, taking place from May 10 to 12, with Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF) and Travel Catering Expo (TCE) as co-located events, has blossomed into a successful international aviation industry B2B platform. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, remarked: “Airport Show has become an ideal B2B platform for industry decision-makers to explore an impressive portfolio of the latest aviation technologies and innovations under one roof and procure them to meet their needs.” “The industry’s growth will be reflected in the Airport Show 2015 with more exhibitors, hosted buyers and exhibition space. The event will bring international aviation experts and leaders to Dubai for an unparalleled knowledge and expertise sharing experience,” remarked Sheikh Ahmed under whose patronage the event takes place.

TCE: The world on a platter

he Travel Catering Expo (TCE) is designed to reflect the strong growth opportunities for the travel catering industry in the Middle East and the crucial role it plays in enabling airports, airlines and hotels to differentiate themselves against competition and increase their customers’ loyalty. The B2B show has recorded a 10 per cent growth in the number of exhibitors for its second edition. Total exhibitors are expected to reach 47. It is supported by DCAA, Dubai Airports, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and Food Point and sponsors include Italian Footwear Solution, Les Grands Chais de France, Sanaye Plastic Khouzestan, Saudi Airlines Catering Company (Hajj & Umrah Catering), JiangSu Canasin Weaving Company and Henan Hengtai Aluminium Technology Company. Among the countries which will be represented at the Expo for the first time are India, Kuwait, Kenya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malawi, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Thailand.

May 2015

This year’s Expo is expected to attract 2000 trade visitors from over 20 countries.Key features of the Expo include TCE Business Connect, a new dedicated programme to connect buyers and suppliers. The hosted buyers programme will see over 36 participants and 19 authorities from 14 countries, including Bahrain, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and the UAE.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “The huge growth in the regional aviation sector has opened the doors for excellent commercial opportunities in the travel catering industry. TCE will provide an ideal platform to bench-mark regional travel catering to the best standards globally and generate new partnerships between local and international industry players.”

Special Report

GALF: Knowledge Kaleidoscope n its third year, the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF) has grown solid in appeal and stature as an ideal knowledge sharing platform.

An impressive line-up of 25 key global government decision-makers, policy makers, thinkers and visionaries will take to the stage to debate the challenges and opportunities for the airport industry. Being organized in cooperation with Nadd Al Shiba PR and Event Management as the conference producer, an Advisory Board provided valuable inputs for shaping the agenda and line-up of speakers. His Excellency Eng. Sultan Al Mansoori, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), will deliver a key note address, while Angela Gittens, Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) and Raymond Benjamin, ICAO’s Secretary General, are other keynote speakers. International speakers include Hussein Dabbas, Regional Vice President at IATA, Philippe Merlo, Director of ATM at Eurocontrol, Matthys Serfontein, Vice President of Airport Solutions at SITA, Ivonne Kuger, Head of Consulting at Munich Airport, Charles E Stallworth II, Assistant Commissioner of International Affairs at US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Andreas Wittmer, Managing Director of Center for Aviation

He added: “The aviation industry in the region is getting bigger due to massive investments in airport expansions and new developments that are needed to accommodate the rise in air traffic. Dubai leads the region in terms of airport investments which plays a strategic role in our agenda for economic diversification and growth. The benefits of this huge and consistent investment would have a positive impact not just for Dubai but for the UAE, Gulf region and the world.” Enhancing capacity and ensuring seamless operations is the primary driver for GCC airports, which are expected to handle 450 million passengers by 2020. The Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) said the number of passengers flying through Arab airports will grow to 571 million by 2026. The fleet count of Arab carriers will grow from 1069 to 1685. Analysts at TechNavio, an Airport Show partner, forecast the aviation market in the Middle East to grow at a CAGR of 5.12 percent over a five year period ending 2019.A Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) study suggests nearly $60 billion was being spent on airport developments in the Middle East region. A substantial portion of

Competence. The regional speakers are Dr Faisal Hamad Al Sugair, Vice Chairman and Vice President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Jeffrey Johnson, President of Boeing Middle East, Yann Le Page, Senior Regional Vice President at ADPI, Speakers from the UAE include Eng. Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation which is developing Dubai World Central (DWC), Major General (Pilot)

regional airports’ expansion budgets has been earmarked for airside facilities development. According to a 2015 construction projects report by CAPA, the total value of airport construction projects globally is worth $543 billion, up from $385 billion identified in January 2014. Of this, the Middle East’s share is $84.5 billion, it said, noting that the majority of the most expensive projects are in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organizer of Airport Show, said: “It is a completely sell out show this year. We are delighted about the Show’s progress over the years. Airport Show 2015 will be the strongest on several fronts, and will deliver the global expertise and innovation that the region’s aviation leaders are looking to reflect in their mega-airport developments. The strong interest among international aviation industry players to participate in the event clearly highlights their keenness to tap into the region’s economic optimism and meets the requirements of regional aviation decision-makers.” This year’s event will feature 275 exhibitors from 40 countries, including national pavilions from

Ahmed Bin Thani, Assistant Commander for Seaports and Airports Affairs at Dubai Police, Thani Abdulla Al Zaffin, Director General and Board Member, emaratech, Sheikh Abdulla Zayed Saqr Al Nahyan, Mohammed Al Rais, Middle East Regional President, Hill International, Georges Hannouche, CEO, Bayanat Airports Engineering & Supplies (BAES) Nils Olf Svan, Vice President of Strategy at Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), and Barry Lewis, Managing Director of ALEC Construction.

Germany, France, UK, Italy, Switzerland and North America. The event will take place in three halls occupying about over 12,000 square metres of gross exhibition space. This year’s show has grown substantially in terms of exhibition space, number of exhibitors, hosted buyers and registered delegates, reflecting the renewed global enthusiasm in the region’s booming aviation markets and positive global economic scenario and dynamic business environment. The world’s top-league airport industry B2B event is supported by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Dubai Airports, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and dnata, among others.The sponsors include emaratech, LG, KIDS, Rotana Hotel, Padiglione Italia and DTP. The incredibly successful show will offer invaluable insights to hundreds of aviation industry professionals about the technology and trends that are shaping the way we travel now and the future developments.The B2B initiative recorded a spectacular 38 per cent growth with an all-time high participation of 127 decision-makers from airport operators and civil aviation authorities from 30 countries. About 7,000 aviation industry professionals drawn from 100 countries are expected to attend.  May 2015

UAE in Focus

DWC Corporation set up to boost investments

is Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No (11) of 2015 establishing Dubai World Central Corporation as a subsidiary of Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC). His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has been appointed as the Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation. The new law is applicable on Dubai Aviation City, established pursuant to Law No (8) of 2006, and on Dubai Aviation City Corporation. The law also prescribed the authorities and responsibilities of the Board of Dubai Aviation City CorporatDubai World Central Corporation also aims to attracting and retaining aviationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training, educational and research companies in addition to intermodal transport companies, logistic services companies and support services companies.

May 2015

Dubai World Central Corporation has been tasked with developing, operating and overseeing infrastructures, planning and parceling of land and properties, constructing and managing buildings, warehouses, hangars and any other facilities required for commercial, professional, residential or industrial purposes after obtaining the required permissions from DACC. It has been made responsible for developing and supporting intermodal transport and logistics services related commercial activities and supervising the development of the industries related to information technologies, e-commerce and communication. It is also tasked with facilitating research, development and educational activities related to aviation, intermodal transport, logistic services and related support services and investing the funds allocated by DACC for such purposes and pursuant to the applied laws.

Dubai World Central Corporation will issue licenses and permit for entities working inside the free zone according to the applied rules and regulations and monitoring the activities such entities. The law authorized Dubai World Central Corporation to establish wholly owned subsidiary, own shares in established or under-establishing companies, sign contracts and agreements with other organizations, organize and participate in industry-related exhibitions and conferences. Dubai World Central Corporation is also authorized to collect the fees and charges for the services provided within the free zone and coordinate with subsidiaries to enable Dubai World Central Corporation to carry out its delegated authorities and competencies. Moreover, all employees of Dubai World Central are transferred to Dubai World Central Corporation without prejudice to their rights. ď&#x201A;&#x192;

UAE in Focus

DWC targets Italian companies for foreign investments

ubai World Central has concluded meetings with selected companies in Italy as part of its sustained drive to attract foreign investment. The delegation from DWC visited five Italian cities – Milan, Torino, Lucca, Modena and Venice – as part of its exclusive B2B outreach program. UniCredit Group, a prominent Italy-based global banking and financial services company, and Diacron International, a global consulting company, partnered with DWC to facilitate the meetings. Paolo Serra, VP, Business Park, DWC, said: “Currently, we have over 2,000 companies based at

DWC of which around 100 are of Italian origin. The objective of this tour was to demonstrate the exciting value proposition DWC holds for Italian and European businesses. DWC is a purpose-built, master-planned city around the Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), the largest airport in the world when complete. The airports is currently undergoing a US$32 billion expansion, and, once complete, will have the capacity to handle more than 200 million passengers and 16 million tonnes of cargo per year. DWC is designed to provide unmatched connectivity, speed and efficiency for sea-to-air and air-to-sea cargo. 

EAC reports record-breaking year

mirates Aviation College (EAC)-Crew Training has reported a record-breaking year for 2014, with over 33,000 attendees in various training courses. Last year, Emirates invested AED73 million in cabin crew training which saw a total of 4,280 new cabin crew or ‘ab initios’ graduating from the facility. About 4,136 existing crew members were trained for a cabin upgrade, 534 cabin crew graduated to be Pursers and 17,650 crew participated in their Recurrent training – a mandatory course crew undertake every year. To meet this training demand, EACCrew Training operated at an average of 17 hours per day, conducting 3,994 courses equivalent to 245,262 training days.

Opened in 2007, the EAC Crew Training facility supports training in a number of key learning areas for new recruits, the ab-initios, who undergo an intense 7.5 weeks of training. The EAC Crew Training facility is equipped with advanced full motion simulators including A330/ A340, Boeing 777 and A380 that makes emergency scenarios for new cabin crew very realistic. 

Smart baggage scanners at Dubai airports

assengers at the Dubai International Airports need not worry about queuing to get their luggage scanned with the invention of the new first-of-its-kind Smart Customs Inspection System. The whole inspection process will take not more than three minutes while thoroughly scanning all the details of the baggage contents and checking if any of its contents is dangerous or among the restricted items. The smart inspection system shows you the exact contents of the baggage and the passengers’ bags need not be manually opened at all. It is an improvised and sophisticated form of X-ray to screen passenger luggage. The new system ensures privacy of inspection, as there is no need to open any bag or check its content. X-ray screens are installed to read the images of the contents inside the bag. The pioneering system has been invented by a Dubai Customs employee to expedite and secure inspection procedures at the Dubai

Airports that is expected to receive 126 million passengers by 2020. The integrated multi-function system identifies and assesses risk level and recommends the safety level for manual inspection.

The system also generates an inspection-end statement, whether positive or negative, recording the number of bags manually inspected, analyzing peak times for manual inspection and creating a passenger database.  May 2015

UAE in Focus

Emirates Airline brand value grew to $6.6 billion

mirates, a global connector of people, places and economies, has reached the Top 200 of the world’s biggest brands for the first time, according to the 2015 Brand

Finance Global 500 report. For the fourth consecutive year, Emirates has steadily climbed the table of the Top 500 most valuable brands in the world.

Now sitting at Number 196, an increase of 38 spots in just 12 months, Emirates’ estimated brand value has grown more than 21 per cent from $5.48 billion to $6.6 billion.

they are the ones who live, breathe and deliver the Emirates brand every day in the work they do.”

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said: “Being named the most valuable airline brand in the world is great recognition for each and every one of our staff, as

Emirates remain the flag carrier brand for the entire Middle East. Its $6.6 billion brand value makes it both the region’s most valuable brand and the world’s most valuable airline. In 2014, Emirates marked a record launch of 10 new A380 routes, bringing the network to over 145 passenger and cargo destinations, spanning six continents. In addition, Emirates added frequencies to 20 existing destinations, increasing flight choices for its customers. 

The 40 million passenger capacity Midfield Terminal Building (MTB), being built at a cost of AED10.8 billion, opens in July 2017. Currently under way is the multi-billion dollar re-development and expansion of Abu

Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to more than 40 million passengers per year. The airport, home to Etihad Airways, expects to handle 27 million passengers in 2016. 

The airline also retains its long standing position as the most valuable brand in the Middle East, and the most valuable airline brand.

Abu Dhabi airport inks security deal for new terminal

bu Dhabi Airports has signed an AED458 million contract with Smiths Detection, to equip its Midfield Terminal with a range of systems aimed at detecting chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives threats. The hold baggage systems include the next generation of high speed explosives detection system deploying a combination of X-ray technologies to produce high resolution

images of baggage contents. There will also be 3D workstations for outbound equipment screening by the police and 2D workstations for the inbound screening by customs. For carry-on baggage screening, state of the art ATIX (Advanced Threat Inspection X-Ray) systems will be deployed, supported by trace detection sensors, bottle liquid scanners and radiation detectors, it added.

UAE introduces API system at airports

he UAE has introduced a new Advanced Passenger Information (API) system at the airports.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Future of Borders event in Dubai, Laila Hareb Al Muhairi, Assistant Director General for Strategy and International Affairs at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said that the system will help authorities assess risks about the passengers who are arriving and departing from the country. Those deemed high-risk or found to have

May 2015

a criminal case will be prevented from boarding the flight to the UAE or apprehended at the airport. It will also be applied to passengers arriving by sea or land. The API system became operational late last year and is being operated by two centres, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

a risk assessment of the passengers. The system sends out three messages – ok to board, not allowed to board and on probation – which means the passenger requires further scrutiny. The system became operational at the end of 2014 and is being run under the supervision of 200 nationals.

Working along with Interpol and other international security agencies, the system captures and compiles data from several outlets including border authorities and online bookings. The centres then conduct

According to IATA, 30 countries now require airlines to send API before the flight’s arrival while another 32 governments plan to introduce similar requirements in the near future. 

in Focus Interpreting local UAE traditions, embracing tomorrow’s needs

Engineers and architects creating outstanding and proﬁtable airport facilities

Dubai International Airport, terminal 3 U.A.E., Dubai

www.adp-i.com A member company of Aéroports de Paris Group May 2015

Middle East in Focus

Lebanon to upgrade airport radars

ebanon has signed a contract with Raytheon Canada to upgrade the radar system at the country’s only commercial airport located in Beirut, amid a campaign to revamp the facility. The radars needed rehabilitation and renovation with the newest technologies and the project would improve the airport’s air monitoring, meteorology and air safety technologies. The project would help “guarantee” all that is necessary for air and public safety

according to all international air safety standards. The project is expected to be completed in 10 months. Authorities have expressed a determination to renovate the airport since the EU last year announced a decision to stop transporting goods from Beirut by air. The decision was made after Lebanon failed to meet the EU’s standards for air transportation.

Bahrain airport expansion work takes off

British Airways became the first to implement the EU’s decision after it began banning the transport of goods from Beirut’s airport on March 1, according to a report in The Daily Star. Rafic Hariri International Airport (RHIA) activity improved last year with the total number of passengers increasing by 4.86 per cent to 6.57 million. 

Saudi Arabia developing airports capacity

teady growth in both passenger and cargo traffic across Saudi Arabia has led to major investment being made in upgrading and developing the network of airports across the vast Kingdom, and currently comprising four international airports at Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Medina and 23 regional airports catering principally for domestic traffic.

onstruction has started on the first stage of Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) passenger terminal with the commencement of enabling works on the airport grounds. The new-look airport is set to be four times larger than the existing complex, and will be completed in four years. The first phase of the enabling works on the project will cost BD1.39 million and include relocating all existing facilities away from the footprint of the passenger terminal and make way for construction to start on the new passenger terminal building at BIA. The completion is due to be finished by November. The second phase of the enabling works is scheduled for completion early next year. It will comprise the relocation of the existing Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) facilities including maintenance workshops, vehicle fuelling stations and training facilities, according to a Bahrain News Agency (BNA) report. 

May 2015

Saudi Arabia will soon have its fifth international airport, with Al

Ahsa set to compete for Bahraini and Qatari traffic, according to Arab News. Al Ahsa Airport, which currently sees only a handful of flights per week, was given international status by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in 2011, and has since been subject to a major upgrading, with the provision of immigration, customs controls, expanded aircraft parking facilities and a new terminal. 

Middle East in Focus

KSA to have nearly 500 private planes

he number of private aircraft in the Kingdom is poised to reach 480 in the next five years compared to the current number of 240, an expert told Al Eqtisadiyah. The Middle East and Gulf region has the highest growth rates in the private aircraft industry globally at an annual rate of 8 percent compared to global projected rate of 6 percent, said Faisal Ghazi Kayyal, the CEO of Saudia Private Aviation (SPA). Kayyal said the number of private aircraft at the global level reached 15,000 by the beginning of the current year (2015) and expected to double to 30,000 by 2020. Meanwhile, the number of private aircraft in the

Middle East region is projected to hit 800 from their current number of 400, he said. The SPA is the investment wing of Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), which is as-

signed to provide private aviation services to clients. The Kingdom market represents 60 percent of the Middle East private aviation market. 

Kuwait Airways to add more flights to Muscat

s Kuwait Airways undergoes a major restructuring exercise that will see it increase frequencies and expand services to new destinations, top executives see Oman as an important destination.

The airline, which currently operates two flights a week between Kuwait and Oman from August 29, introduce two more flights. These two flights will be fly non-stop from Kuwait to Muscat and back.

The number of flights from Kuwait to Muscat will be raised to four weekly. These will give convenient connections beyond Kuwait to the Indian sub-continent and Far East.

The Kuwaiti national carrier, a corporation now, which is in the process of turning itself into a company, already has as many as 37 Airbus and 10 Boeing aircraft on order for lease or purchase during

the current year and beyond with the first few leased aircraft already having been delivered.As part of its agreement with Airbus to lease 12 aircraft, including five are Airbus A330 and seven A320, followed by a purchase of another 25 aircraft, Kuwait Airways has received two Airbus A320ceo Aircraft in December 2014 and another two last month. The delivery of the remaining leased aircraft will be made during 2015.

The carrier has also ordered a fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Boeing. According to Kuwait Airways website the year 2016 would witness the continuation of the phase in terms of bringing in the new Boeing aircraft B777-300 ER to the company’s fleet. The airline is also working on attracting more passengers through competitive pricing, encouraging earlier booking of tickets and providing extra services. 

Oman, Brunei sets up aviation leasing firm

n alliance to set up Oman Brunei Aviation Leasing Company (OBALC) with an authorized capital of OMR200 million was jointly announced by Oman’s State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) and Oman Brunei Investment Company (OBIC). The newly formed joint venture, which will be based in Muscat, will acquire aircraft on outright purchase and place it on lease to major airlines, including the Sultanate’s national carrier Oman Air. “We have set up this company to buy and manage aircraft and lease it to airlines and in

turn receive returns,” Abeer Mohammed Al Abduwani, chief executive officer of OBIC, told the Times of Oman. She said that Oman is set to expand its fleet strength for starting services to several new destinations like Singapore. There is a time lag between the time of placing orders for new aircraft and taking the delivery. The newly formed venture will invest in and manage the purchase and lease of modern and fuel-efficient commercial aircraft operated by airlines in the Middle East and globally.  May 2015

International

ICAO names first woman as its Secretary General Liu has served as director of the Bureau of Administration and Services, one of five divisions of ICAO’s secretariat. She will succeed Raymond Benjamin of France as secretary general for a three-year term effective August 1. Before joining ICAO in 2007, Liu served as director of the international affairs division of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. She has a law degree from Wuhan University of China and a degree in air and space law from Leiden University of the Netherlands.

he permanent council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has elected Fang Liu as its new secretary general, making her the first woman and the first Chinese national to lead the UN aviation body.

Since delivering its first A300 in 1974, Airbus has developed the world’s most modern and comprehensive product line. The 9000th delivery comes less than two years after Airbus reached its last milestone of 8000 aircraft-delivered in August 2013. Over the last 10 years, Airbus has doubled its deliveries to reach over 600 aircraft a year today – a figure that is set to rise further as the demand grows. 

ICAO said candidates from Australia, India and UAE also sought the secretary-general position. 

ima airport’s traffic has grown impressively during the 2004-2014 timeframe, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 per cent over this period. The airport handled over 16 million passengers last year, a new record high, a number that increased from the 5.1 million recorded 10 years ago. Interestingly, the airport continued to grow even in the worst years of economic recession, experiencing a doubledigit growth of 17 per cent in 2010 when compared to the previous year. Lima Airport (better known as Jorge Chávez International Airport) is the international and domestic airport of Peru. The airport caters for a population of 8.9 million and serves as an operating base for LAN Airlines, Avianca Peru, Peruvian Airlines, Star Peru and LC Peru.  May 2015

irbus has celebrated the delivery of its 9000th aircraft at a ceremony in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft is the first A321 to be delivered to Vietnamese carrier VietJetAir. With the A321, VietJetAir will be able to increase capacity on its most popular routes while benefiting from the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. The new A321 is the first of seven ordered by the airline as part of a major aircraft acquisition plan for up to 100 A320 Family aircraft announced in early 2014.

The ICAO council is composed of 36 member states elected by the organization’s General Assembly, which represents 191 states.

Lima airport records 5.7 per cent traffic growth

Airbus celebrates delivery of its 9000th aircraft

Hong Kong airport gets green light for third runway

he Hong Kong government has given final approval for a third runway at the Asian financial center’s airport, aiming to meet surging growth in passengers and air cargo. The project will begin next year and cost US$18.2 billion. About 650 hectares of land will be reclaimed from the sea for the runway and a new passenger building. Construction is expected to be completed by 2023. Hong Kong International Airport expects to reach maximum capacity under its current layout by 2022 at the latest. Last year, the airport handled 63.4 million

passengers and 4.4 million metric tonnes of cargo, both records. The airport predicts that the third runway will allow it to handle 102 million passengers and 8.9 million tonnes of freight a year by 2030. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) plays a crucial role as an economic catalyst. Hong Kong is home to some 3,500 regional headquarters and boasts a HK$250 billion tourism industry. Serving some 63 million travelers and processing 4.4 million tonnes of cargo makes HKIA a critical link in global connectivity, IATA said. 

May 2015

Airlines

Ryanair first to fly to Spain’s ghost airport

yanair is set to become the first airline to operate scheduled flights from the Spanish “ghost airport” of Castellón. The Irish carrier will announce plans to fly from the airport, which cost €150m to build but stood empty for almost four years and is widely regarded as a symbol of regional governments’ profligacy during Spain’s long-gone property boom.

Flights will link the UK and other northern European countries to the airport, which lies north of the city of Valencia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The first commercial flight at the airport, which is now under the management of the Canadian engineering conglomerate SNC-Lavalin, took

Air Seychelles posts $3.2 million net profit in 2014

place in January – a charter flight carrying the staff and squad of the

Asiana to launch second budget airline

siana Airlines, South Korea’s number two airliner, is poised to set up its second low-cost air carrier this year.

ir Seychelles, the national carrier of Seychelles in which Abu Dhabi-based Etihad holds a 40 percent stake, has announced a third consecutive year of profitability after recording a net profit of $3.2 million for 2014. As a result of significant network growth in 2014, total revenue increased by 20 per cent to $106.9 million, compared with $88.7 million in 2013. Passenger rev-

enue accounts for $81 million — up from $66 million in 2013. Cargo tonnage for the same period rose strongly by 34 per cent to 7,311 tonnes. As a result of significant network growth in 2014, total revenue increased by 20 percent to $106.9 million, compared with $88.7 million in 2013. Passenger revenue accounted for $81 million – up from $66 million in 2013, it added. 

Air Busan, a Busan-based budget airline that is 46 percent owned by Asiana, has been a second-tier contender to Jeju Air and Korean Air affiliate Jin Air.

The group initially announced its plan to launch the budget carrier last year but was hindered by opposition from shareholders of its existing LCC, Air Busan.

According to industry sources, it will take about a year for the new LCC to operate its first flight after recruitment, basic structure organizing and aircraft purchase. 

irlines across the world have begun requiring two crew members to always be present in the cockpit.

ates has implemented a new operating policy where there would always be two crew members in the cockpit with immediate effect.”

The UAE airlines have reviewed their cockpit policy to ensure two members of staff are present at all times, following the Germanwings tragedy in which a co-pilot allegedly deliberately crashing a passenger plane in the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board.

Etihad Airways official added: “We have reviewed our operating procedures. With immediate effect Etihad Airways will ensure there are always two crew members in the flight deck at all times on all flights.”

Emirates Airline spokesman said: “Although there is no international industry regulation that mandates this as a compulsory practice, Emir-

May 2015

Kumho Asiana Group signaled progress in the plan through a recent personnel reshuffle carried out in March. Seoul Air will operate international routes only, not domestic ones.

“We plan to establish the Incheon-based air carrier within this year,” Asiana Airlines’ spokesman Moon Sung-uk said. Tentatively named Seoul Air, the carrier will focus on less profitable short-haul routes that Asiana currently operates.

Airlines to change safety policies

football club Villarreal to a match in San Sebastián, northern Spain. 

flydubai stated: “With immediate effect a minimum of two crew members or qualified and authorized personnel will remain on the flight deck at all times.” 

Airlines

Air Namibia to open routes to ME

outhernTimes reported that Air Namibia, Namibia’s National airline, is in talks to introduce direct routes with Angola and Kenya as soon as November and also want to enter the Middle East market even if it’s only as a feeder to that market.The airline has already secured new routes starting at end of March between Walvis Bay and the South African cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg. In an effort to boost delivery service and to

encourage more people to fly locally, Ondangwa, a town in Northern Namibia, is set to get a new airport this year. Air Namibia has one international direct flight from Windhoek to Frankfurt, Germany. Air Namibia offers flights to the Zambian capital of Lusaka, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Victoria Falls, and Maun, Botswana. Domestic flights include Windhoek, Luderitz, Rundu, Ondangwa, Walvis Bay, Oranjemund, and Grootfontein. 

Delta downsizing flights to 14 more cities

elta is downsizing flights to 14 more cities, including Philadelphia, Charlotte, Baltimore, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The airline is planning those cuts in addition to downsizing service to five other destinations. Delta’s cuts have now extended for a decade. The Atlanta-based airline is ramping up efforts this year to phase out most of its aging and inefficient 50-seat regional jets. Delta has dropped below 100 daily flights with all the

latest cuts – a far cry from the days of nearly 700 flights buzzing in and out of CVG from across the globe. Many business leaders have feared Delta will do what it did to Memphis in 2013, when the airline completely pulled the plug on its hub there.

Fiji Airways reports huge profit

iji Airways has only seven jets, three A330-200 wide bodies and four singleaisle Boeing 737s, but has just shamed its much larger Australian and NZ peer airlines with massive profits and worker bonuses. Air Pacific, trading as the Fiji Airways Group, announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended 31 December, reporting record operating profits. Fiji Airways reported another record breaking year in terms of revenue and passenger numbers. Fiji Airways reported a profit before income tax of $65.2 million. 

By this summer, Delta will offer nonstop flights to 36 cities, most of which are critical business markets such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

Vietnam Airlines to buy Hanoi airport’s passenger terminal

All Nippon Airways reaches 50 million passenger mark

ll Nippon Airways (ANA) carried just under 50 million passengers in 2014, an increase of 3.3 per cent on its performance in 2013.

ietnam Airlines says it wants to purchase an entire passenger terminal at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport.Local media reported the existence of a document signed by the airline’s board chairman, Pham Viet Thanh, that says the airline is ready to buy Terminal T1, which now serves domestic flights, at Noi Bai airport. The document has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport for consideration. In early February, privately owned carrier VietJet Air also submitted a document to Transport Minister Dinh La Thang, asking for the right to use Terminal T1 for 20 years. The pro-

posal of Vietnam Airlines, however, is quite different, in that it wants to purchase the terminal as opposed to lease or rent.Vietnam Airlines said it will use its own capital raised from its subsidiaries and also outside organisations and individuals for the proposed purchase, the report said.

While the total number of passengers transported is still not quite at the level achieved back in 2006 and 2007, the number of passengers carried on international flights did set a new record for the airline of 6.94 million, up almost 11 per cent.

This marks the third time in the last five years that international passenger numbers have grown by more than 10 per cent. International passengers now account for 14 per cent of the airline’s total traffic, up from nine per cent in 2006. This summer the airline will operate just six routes from Tokyo Narita, three in Japan, plus Hong Kong, Kaohsiung and Taipei Taoyuan. 

The Head of Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Lai Xuan Thanh, told the Tuoi Tre newspaper that selling a terminal or the right to operate it, to a single airline is a new business proposition in Southeast Asia. Terminal T1 spans 115,000 square metres with 19 boarding gates and can serve up to nine million passengers per year.  May 2015

Opinion

Three priorities for Air Cargo These require greater speed, tighter security, and absolute temperature integrity. The complex procedures and facilities that are needed for these shipments are both a challenge and an opportunity. Tony Tyler Director General & CEO IATA

ur 20-year passenger forecast envisages 5.5 per cent growth in China, leading to it becoming the world’s largest air travel market around 2030. China accounts for seven per cent of global air freight. Increasingly, air cargo is being used for ever-more sensitive goods.

The industry is going through a transformation in its relationship with its customers. There is a revolution going on, affecting every shipper, freight forwarder, airline, technology and service supplier to this industry. This transformation—which is in line with our call last year for a cut in average shipment times of up to 48 hours by 2020—will help to recapture market share, drive highvalue shipments to air transport, and help to restructure the industry

so that revenues and margins both strengthen. The struggle to adopt the e-Air Waybill (e-AWB), demonstrated that even though airlines have the lion’s share of the responsibility for driving implementation, a partnership of the entire supply chain is required in order to make progress. Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cargo hubs, has been fully open for e-AWB since November 2014. This is just one example of why we believe adoption is now set for takeoff. We want to reach 45 per cent use by the end of this year. Pharma logistics is a $60 billion market that has been a boon for air freight, compensating for the decline in other goods that had previously been shipped by air. IATA has developed a new initiative: the

Centre of Excellence for Independent Validation in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma). The continued safe transportation of lithium batteries remains a key concern for the industry. Robust regulations and guidance exist, but these are not being fully adhered to by all shippers. China is the largest producer of lithium batteries and therefore a key market. The rise of e-commerce and the ability of small businesses to export to a global audience has created a significant new market of shippers who are not necessarily familiar with the rules on shipping dangerous goods.  Edited excerpts from the speech at the World Cargo Symposium, Shanghai

The rise of the Aerotropolis

Dr. John Kasarda President & CEO Aerotropolis Business Concepts

irports have become not just 21st century business magnets, but also regional economic accelerators, catalyzing and driving business development outward for many miles. As aviation-oriented businesses increasingly locate at major airports and along transportation corridors radiating from them, an aerotropolis emerges, stretching up to 25km from some major airports.

May 2015

The aerotropolis, in fact, is the concrete urban manifestation of the global meeting the local, with the airport serving as its physical interface. Among the most prominent are Amsterdam Schiphol, Chicago O’Hare, DFW, Dubai, Hong Kong, Incheon, Memphis, Paris CDG, Singapore and Washington Dulles International airports. Each has attracted a remarkable number of businesses to their properties and broader airport areas, generating huge economic returns to their regions and nations. Dubai and Singapore have emerged as full-fledged aerotropolises with their large leisure, tourism, commercial and finance sectors dependent on aviation. Both may legitimately be described as global aviation hubs with citystates attached. Airport cities have developed along different paths. A portion of them were planned from the start. Most, however, evolved in a largely organic manner responding to airport land

availability, improved surface transportation access, growing air traveler consumer demands, airport revenue needs, new business practices, and site-specific commercial real estate opportunities. Today, virtually all of the commercial functions of a modern metropolitan center are found on or near most major air gateways, fundamentally changing them from “city airports” to “airport cities.” The passenger-terminal has led this transition. Corporate headquarters functions were once the domain of downtown office buildings. No longer. They are pouring into these concourse-connected business class hotels not to sleep, but to meet. A number of major airports now actually exceed many downtown metropolitan central business districts in office space and employment. Airport city and aerotropolis development is gaining substantial traction, multiplying rapidly on a global scale.

Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, I’ve identified over 80 airport cities and broader aerotropolises (airport-centered urban economic regions) around the world that are either already operational or in early stages of development. Their distribution is widespread with 38 identified in North America, 20 in Europe, 17 in Asia-Pacific, seven in Africa and the Middle East and one each in Central and South America. The employment scale and industry mix of the aerotropolis is much greater than many realize. Many jobs near major airports are relatively well paid. Even traditional downtown employment sectors such as finance, insurance, and administration are moving to airport areas. Hotels, of course, are mushrooming around airports.  Edited excerpts from the Airport Cities chapter of Sodexo 2015 Workplace Trends Report

Opinion

Partnership to transform ATM

Jeff Poole Director General CANSO

t is vital that we all pool our resources and work together in harmony to achieve our goal of a safe, harmonized and efficient airspace across the region. There is a direct link between growth in aviation and sustainable GDP growth. And second, aviation has a vital role in providing the connectivity that drives economic and social

development and provides access to markets. Fortunately, governments in the Middle East region do actually understand that aviation is a strategic asset. They have invested in worldleading airlines and in new high-capacity airports with the result that the region’s share of global air traffic has increased from four percent to nine percent in just a decade.

We are working with partners to develop a coherent, coordinated, regional strategic plan for efficient airspace management.

The region’s airspace is fragmented and creates safety, efficiency and capacity challenges for the region. It is saturated with large parts out of bounds for civilian use, and it is uncoordinated at the regional level.

The ICAO Middle East Airspace Enhancement Programme (MAEP) is a key initiative that CANSO supports strongly to ensure that planning and implementation of future ATM upgrades. In addition, the Middle East ANSP, Airspace User and Stakeholder Engagement (MEAUSE) initiative provides a forum where airspace users and stakeholders can engage in dialogue with ANSPs.

Unless airspace is managed in a sustainable manner, it will become a major constraint to further growth and expansion and will jeopardize the expected economic benefits. Even though aircraft are now faster, the passenger journey has got slower.

The transformation of ATM performance is only possible with the full support and involvement of MemberStates, ANSPs, airspace users, military organizations and airports.

The aviation business transcends national boundaries and airspace needs to be organized. Regional coopera-

tion is vital to ensure harmonized airspace. In the future it should be possible to move away from the ‘one State – one ANSP’ model prevalent in this region towards more efficient ways to service provision. We believe that proper separation between regulation and service provision has the clear potential to unlock value. We need to overcome the constraints caused by military airspace restrictions. Technology will help to harmonize systems, processes, and traffic flows in a global way without reference to national borders or even land-based equipment. The challenges for air traffic management must be addressed if the region’s aviation industry is to continue its extraordinary success.  Edited excerpts from the speech at the CANSO Middle East Conference in Dubai

Logistics hubs shape the location

Bill Luttrell Senior Locations Strategist Werner Global Logistics

xisting logistics hubs and freight corridors are currently attracting the close attention of many manufacturers and warehouse/distribution companies looking for new facilities, and for good reason. The driving force behind this trend is the rising importance of logistics and the supply chain. If companies

invest without understanding the entire, complex set of cost and conditions issues, they risk making hub or corridor decisions that could have negative consequences with regard to profitability, flexibility, and competitiveness. Although logistics efficiencies and costs may be lower, these areas typically have higher labor costs, higher real estate costs, tougher permitting and regulatory approval processes, security concerns, and higher taxes as well as increased congestion — all items that can negate the logistics advantages. The key is to be aware of the tradeoffs against the other investment criteria and other less expensive locations, and see how they all compare at the bottom line. To do this requires conducting a thorough, detailed, logistics-based site selection. The site selection process is closely linked to supply chain optimization via logistics.

Logistics-focused site selections should begin with a detailed logistics analysis to determine the search area. Pricing, timing, capacities, and quality of service drive the decision of what modes and routes shippers use. A detailed logistics analysis includes doing a GIS-centroid analysis. Having completed the centroid and lane analysis, a search area needs to be determined. The hubs have several positive attributes that attract both manufacturing and warehouse distribution projects. These hubs have also attracted significant amounts of transportation companies and logistics firms, and have provided the skilled workforce these entities need. Success breeds success as logistics clusters attract more direct investment. Port cities have naturally become logistics hubs. While their domestic distribution capabilities

are hampered by not being able to distribute in all directions, they are the gateways to international trade, which brings greater volumes to and through the port hubs. All logistics hubs give shippers multiple choices regarding the movement, storage, and transfer of their freight. Multimodal opportunities and warehousing are located here and companies experience greater utilization rates and less backhauling headaches. The economic reasons freight corridors are sought after in site selection searches involve capacity, reliability, and efficiency. Greater capacity means there is an economy of scale in supporting larger volumes of freight. There are risks common to most freight corridors. The most prevalent is congestion, as heavy usage of infrastructures leads to capacity limitations. Infrastructure upkeep is another big problem. 

May 2015

In Focus

EU airports connectivity

Continental Connection

The intercontinental connectivity of Dubai International Airport is equivalent to that of the Top 3 European hubs – London Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Between 2004 and 2014, European airport connectivity increased the most to the Middle East at 95 per cent. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha provides twice the level of intercontinental connectivity offered by the Top 3 EU hubs.

he European Union (EU) airports connectivity is weakening and not recovered since the economic crisis of 2008, according to a study by Airports Council International (ACI) EUROPE, which represents over 450 airports in 44 countries which collectively handle 95 per cent of commercial air traffic in Europe, and SEO Economic Research, a not-forprofit organization affiliated to the University of Amsterdam. During 2004-2014, connectivity growth has been strongest to the Middle East and Asia-Pacific – regions in the process of establishing themselves as aviation and economic powerhouses, respectively, said the voluminous report, the first in a series.

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May May 2015 2015

The study noted: “Across Europe, total connectivity increased by 38 per cent between 2004 and 2014. This was a strong increase, but was a result of larger increases in indirect connectivity, considered to be less valuable than direct connectivity, given the increased travel times. Between 2004 and 2014, total connectivity at nonEU airports doubled, and increased at circa four times the pace of EU airports. However EU airport connectivity had a strong base, and in spite of the different growth rates today, still remains four times larger than Non-EU airport connectivity. Between 2004 and 2014 airports of all sizes saw their connectivity increase – with the smallest (those with less than five million passengers per

annum) enjoying the highest rate of growth, directly due to establishment of the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) segment and indirectly via closer network integration with larger hub airports. It was the largest airports and hubs (those with more than 25 million passengers per annum) which recovered most from the crisis, with healthy increases in both overall connectivity but also underlying direct connectivity. The study noted most indirect connections out of Europe are still channeled via EU hubs, but their share has decreased by 10 per cent in the last decade, reflecting pressure from competing hubs in Turkey, the Gulf, and to an extent, North America. The Top 3 European hubs by onward connectivity remain Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Paris-Charles

In Focus

Transfer traffic allows an airport to grow its direct connectivity far beyond what its local market may support de Gaulle respectively – however their collective market share has decreased from 33 per cent to 29 per cent since 2004, and during this time Istanbul’s Atatürk, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Dubai International, which became the world’s number one airport for international passengers last year, have all now entered the ranks of the Top 20.

Hub connectivity

In Europe, hub connectivity – which measures an airport’s connectivity in terms of the intermediate links it provides between other origin and destination airports – is unsurprisingly generated mostly by the larger airports, with the hub connectivity within Europe, between Europe and North America and between Europe and Asia-Pacific forming an overall share of 74 per cent. However European hub connectivity increases have been dwarfed by increases in the Arabian Gulf. Between 2004 and 2014, the hub connectivity of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai increased by 1,913, 1,861 and 485 per cent, respectively. European hub connectivity growth over the last decade has come from intercontinental hub connectivity – i.e. European hubs facilitating passengers traveling from one other world region to another. However again Europe is lagging behind other parts of the world – in 2004 the Top 3 European hubs had circa 3.5 times the intercontinental connectivity of the Top 3 Gulf hubs. Now the situation has reversed, with the same Gulf airports now providing twice the level of intercontinental connectivity compared to their European counterparts. Within Europe, the connectivity gap between western and Eastern Europe is considerable.

ing and ever proactive role in attracting air services and developing their network of destinations. Total connectivity is the sum of direct and indirect connectivity. Between 2004 and 2014, the connectivity of Europe’s airports has increased by 38 per cent – almost perfectly mirroring the growth in passenger traffic between 2004 and 2013 (37.4 per cent).

decreased by -5.7 per cent in 2009, it remained with connectivity to the Middle East, Asia Pacific and almost flat from non-EU airports. The largest connectivity gains were in direct connectivity to the Middle East (175 per cent), and Africa (110 per cent), with Europe registering the lowest – yet significant – performance (31 per cent).

This increase in total connectivity results from the combination of a 19 per cent increase in direct connectivity and a 50 per cent increase in indirect connectivity.

Hub connectivity

Middle East Gains

Between 2004 and 2014, European airport connectivity increased the most to the Middle East (95 per cent reflecting the dynamic growth of Middle East airlines in Europe), Asia-Pacific (88 per cent) and Africa (63 per cent). Connectivity within Europe and to the Americas increased at a slower but similar pace (just under 30 per cent). Direct connectivity to Asia-Pacific expanded at a sub-optimal pace (48 per cent), well below the growth of direct connectivity to the Middle East and Africa.

Key Points •

•

• •

The level of intercontinental connectivity of Dubai International Airport alone (12820) is equivalent to that of the Top 3 European hubs. Between 2004 and 2014, the hub connectivity of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai increased by 1913, 1861 and 485 per cent, respectively. Top 3 Gulf hubs providing twice the level of intercontinental connectivity provided by the Top 3 European hubs. Between 2004 and 2014, European airport connectivity increased the most to the Middle East (95 per cent), reflecting the dynamic growth of Middle East airlines in Europe.

Connectivity is closely connected with productivity, economic growth and international trade. Trade, tourism, foreign direct investment and most fundamentally, increased productivity, all tally closely to the connectedness of a people.

Over the 10 year period, Europe’s and North America’s combined share of European airport connectivity has decreased entirely to the benefit of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

Europe’s air connectivity is an essential element of its competitiveness – and an integral element for economic growth and job creation. This all the more important in light of the on-going global shift eastward of economic activity. Europe might not be able to avoid this shift, but we can still ensure that it remain closely connected to these new potential sources of prosperity, the study observed.

The global financial crisis had an almost immediate impact on the connectivity of European airports, with a loss of 4.9 per cent in connectivity between 2008 and 2009. Between 2004 and 2014, total airport connectivity from European airports located outside the EU (non-EU airports) increased by 107 per cent while the increase in connectivity from EU airports was 27 per cent.

Over the past 15 years, the business transformation of Europe’s airports has seen them taking a lead-

While connectivity from EU non-EU airports between 2014 and 2004 is broadly similar, airports

Hub connectivity complements airport connectivity by generating transfer traffic – which supports direct connectivity and also stimulates cost efficiencies and economic growth. Transfer traffic is indeed needed to fill ‘the empty seats’ on those destinations for which local demand is too weak to justify the existence of an air service or increases in its frequency/capacity. Hence, transfer traffic allows an airport to grow its direct connectivity far beyond what its local market may support. Without transfer traffic, many direct connections offered from hub airports could not be sustained. Therefore, hub connectivity allows for the provision of more direct connections from which the local community benefits.

Gulf Hubs

Gulf hubs now firmly established as the providers of intercontinental connectivity. This reflects Europe’s weakened position as a global aviation hub. While the hub connectivity levels offered by Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha still remain below those of the Top 3 European hubs (39,888 vs. 170,828 for Frankfurt, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam), their growth in hub connectivity has been staggering. Between 2004 and 2014, the hub connectivity of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai respectively grew by 1,913, 1,861 and 485 per cent, respectively. Significantly, the growth and hub connectivity of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha has been focused on the intercontinental market – connecting other regions than the Middle East between themselves. In 2004, their level of intercontinental connectivity was well below that of the Top 3 European hubs (London-Heathrow, Frankfurt and Paris-Charles de Gaulle): 2257 v. 7814. In 2014, the situation has reversed with the Top 3 Gulf hubs providing twice the level of intercontinental connectivity provided by the Top 3 European hubs: 24511 v. 12888. The level of intercontinental connectivity of Dubai airport alone (12820) is equivalent to that of the Top 3 European hubs. The report, presented to the ACI Europe General Assembly in Frankfurt, concluded: “The increase in airport connectivity in Europe over the past 10 years has been impressive – but it has clearly not been linear and has also been very much contrasted. In particular, the 2008/2009 crisis has been a turning point in the way connectivity has developed in Europe.”  May May 2015 2015

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ATM

Dutch Caribbean orders flow study

he Dutch Caribbean air navigation service provider is partnering with Airbus ProSky for a comprehensive Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) deployment initiated by an airspace study as a first phase. The study, which will be delivered by Metron Aviation, part of the Airbus ProSky group, will examine demand and capacity issues in the

Curaçao FIR which will pave the path for an efficient and tailored ATFM solution to address the issues and trends within the airspace.

Irish air traffic grew 2.7 per cent in 2014

he total number of flights travelling through Irish airspace grew by 2.7 per cent during 2014, marking a strong return to positive territory for almost all sectors of Irish air traffic. Ireland’s en route traffic (flights that pass though Irish airspace but don’t land) increased by 1.0 per cent to 301,331 movements, while North Atlantic Communications flights (Europe/North America Flights) increased by 3.8 per cent to 420,423. On the domestic front, commercial traffic grew by 6.5 per cent in 2014 at the three State airports of Dublin, Shannon and Cork, with a total of 215,783 movements (with 81per cent of the volume at Dublin airport).

growth in Irish air traffic is very welcome. Air traffic growth at Dublin and Shannon airports is being driven by the introduction of new routes by both low cost carriers and transatlantic operators. We also saw robust growth in our North Atlantic Communications business for flights transiting between Europe and North America. IAA said it will continue to support the airlines, the airports and the travelling public through the provision of safe, cost-efficient, and industry leading air traffic services in the years ahead, he added. 

EC moves CPDLC mandate to 2020

Technical issues related to the radio frequency environment and the ground-based data link communications infrastructure led to the EC amending its existing regulation, which would have mandated CPDLC equipage on all legacy aircraft flying above 28,500 feet in European airspace. According to the EC’s amended regulation, an investigation into the implementation of Data Link Services (DLS) ground infrastructure found technical issues with

May 2015

Haiti’s airspace safety and efficiency improves

he International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airbus ProSky and Haiti’s Office National de L’Aviation Civile (OFNAC) announced completion of a joint project to modernize the airspace of Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien International Airports. This initiative, conducted in consultation with Air France, American Airlines and JetBlue, improves airspace safety while reducing flight times for airlines and air travelers at these two key Haitian airports. The new airspace design, which is being fully implemented from April 2, came about in the aftermath of Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010 which damaged much of the country’s infrastructure, including that related to aviation.

Eamonn Brennan, chief executive of the IAA said: “The sustained

he European Commission (EC) has decided to delay its mandate for operators to equip their aircraft with ControllerPilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) until February 2020.

According to CANSO, ATM in Latin America and the Caribbean is crucial to safely and efficiently handling growth in the region. Along with ICAO’s Aviation Systems Block Upgrade (ASBUs), air traffic management upgrades will lead to greater harmonization of airspace and better management of traffic flows. By investing in this study, DC-ANSP is proactively planning for the future of aviation. 

disconnections known as Provider Aborts (PAs) reported by Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and operators. Europe is looking to implement the ground infrastructure necessary to facilitate CPDLC operations to supplement the increasingly congested voice communications channels currently used as the primary means of exchanging information between Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and pilots. In 2014, the European Regions Airline Association (ERAA) reported that an investigation into the use of CPDLC in European airspace led by the EASA concluded that only 40 percent of operators would be ready to use the technology by February. 

IATA partnered with others to make sure that, in rebuilding Haiti’s air navigation services, the country’s airspace benefits from the most recent Performance-Based Navigation systems and procedures. Besides the improvements in safety and efficiency, the shorter flight times also ensure a reduction in CO2 emissions from the air traffic at these airports. In February, the airspace re-design was endorsed by Haiti’s air traffic controllers who heralded the high operational functionality of the new airspace designs and the on-time delivery of the project. 

ATM

ILS and VLA market to be worth $1.68 billion y 2020

ccording to a new market research report, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Visual Landing Aids (VLA) market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.54 per cent to reach $1680.79 million by 2020. The Instrument Landing System and Visual Landing Aids Market are highly competitive, with a limited number of market players. This report studies the growth strategies adopted by the key market players. Visual landing aids play a major role in preventing runway in-

egories vary depending on the altitude and runway visibility at which they land.

cursions as they ensure that appropriate navigational aids (ILS, AGL, PAPIs) and surface markings are maintained in accordance with ICAO standards and helps the aircraft to promote the accurate landing/touchdown operations. Runway incursions can

Australia to beef up ATM with new partnerships

irServices Australia (ASA) has entered into two new partnerships to improve the country’s Air Traffic Management (ATM). The Australian Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) signed a framework agreement with Thales to start advanced work on the OneSKY program to modernize the country’s civil and military ATM infrastructure. Under the agreement, Thales will work with ASA and Australia’s Department of Defense to create a single system capable of managing all Australian civil and military air traffic, incorporating technologies to handle the world’s most dense air traffic regions and to manage predicted future increases in air traffic volumes.

Additionally, ASA has teamed with Inmarsat and other aviation stakeholders to trial improved flight tracking services on commercial airline flights to and from the country. The announcement follows an ICAO resolution to adopt a new 15-minute tracking standard for commercial aircraft. ASA is working with Inmarsat, Qantas and Virgin Australia to develop the operational concept for the trial, using Automatic Dependent Surveillance – CONTRACT (ADS-C) satellite technology in Australia’s oceanic regions. ADS-C provides Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) with a constantly updated surveillance picture of their airspace, thereby allowing safe and efficient oceanic operations. 

also be prevented from occurring by using efficient visual landing aids on the airport and with efficient taxiway design. Asia-Pacific contributes the largest portion of the market share of the total market. The ILS cat-

CAT I accounted for the largest market size of the instrument landing systems market at an estimated $400.74 million in 2014 and is expected to grow at a high CAGR of 5.20 per cent from 2014 to 2020. The rising passenger traffic, need for increased runway operational efficiency, airport development and expansion in emerging economies are key factors stimulating growth in the instrument landing systems market. 

EASA Regulatory Oversight to be modified

he European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory officials have issued proposals for a more efficient and flexible way of managing aviation safety oversight in Europe. The agency’s proposals are the result of more than six months of discussions with industry groups and stakeholders about its current policy structure. EASA’s future regulatory framework would provide more streamlined certification rules for General Aviation aircraft such as the Cirrus Vision SF50. EASA’s legal powers are derived from its Basic Regulation (No. 216/2008), which was first enacted

by the European Commission (EC) in 2002. It gave the agency a limited role in overseeing aviation regulation for aircraft flying throughout the Eurozone. After consulting with aviation groups and stakeholders, the agency is proposing an update to its Basic Regulation. The proposals for the changes comes following the agency’s proposed regulations for commercial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, which was listed as one of the focus areas for EASA oversight going forward. 

Dutch air traffic control first to lift lid on safety

VNL, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands, has become the world’s first air traffic control organization to communicate its safety performance and potentially serious incidents in its operations. LVNL will publish general information about the safety of its operations on its website (www.lvnl.nl).

The website will feature concrete information on specific incidents, covering causes and effects as well as the measures taken to reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in the FUTURE. The site also provides a variety of statistics that show the influence of an incident on the overall safety performance of LVNL.  May 2015

Cargo & Logistics

Air France-KLM cargo loss widens in 2014

ir France-KLM’s cargo losses widened to 212 million euros last year from 202 million euros in the previous year as a two-

week pilots’ strike compounded the impact of a weak global airfreight market. Europe’s largest cargo carrier said the strike at its French unit

in September 2014 boosted losses by 24 million euros and reduced revenue by 44 million euros to nearly 2.7 billion euros, down 4.8 percent from 2013. Traffic dipped 2.9 percent to 1.3 million metric tonnes from 1.34 million tonnes and the load factor was down one percentage point at 63.1 percent. The cargo unit incurred an impairment charge of 113 million euros in 2014, the majority related to freighters operated by Martinair, its Amsterdam-based freight unit. Reorganization at Martinair Cargo will lead to the elimination of 330 filled jobs. Cuts will include about 110 pilots, 170 ground jobs and 50

Qatar Airways launches pharma freight service

new ‘Pharma Express’ freight service introduced by Qatar Airways in January is using sophisticated technology to transport much-needed medical supplies from Europe to Qatar.Though the pharmaceutical industry relies on humidity and temperature data loggers extensively, the new pharma service will see the effectiveness of these data loggers reach new heights. Twice a week, a Qatar Airways Airbus A330 air freighter will fly from Doha, Qatar to Brussels and Basel, which are cities known globally for their pharmaceutical output. The airline has invested in sophisticated

May 2015

The Franco-Dutch carrier reduced its full-freighter capacity by more than seven percent in 2014 as it continued to shift more freight to the bellies of its passenger aircraft. Cargo moved via passenger aircraft accounts for around 72 percent of its total cargo traffic compared with 54 percent in 2008. It said the reduction of its freighter fleet from 14 aircraft in 2013 to five by the end of 2016 should enable the business to break even in 2017, three years later than its previous target. 

Vancouver airport sees impressive cargo growth

technology and a team of highly qualified staff to now offer healthcare companies and their logistic partners a state-of-the-art service for shipping temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals all over the world, while maintaining the integrity and quality of their products throughout the supply chain. QR Pharma piloted two systems of temperature controlled freight including an active system using temperature controlled containers that maintain a constant reading throughout the shipping process; and a passive solution, which keeps the transported goods within a specific temperature band. 

anada’s Vancouver International Airport handled 256,935 metric tons of cargo last year, up 12.5 percent from 2013. Approximately 25 percent of the airport’s cargo trade is with the Asia-Pacific region — the top destination for British Columbia’s exports by air, accounting for more than C$600 million in 2013. British Columbia agricultural exports by air totaled C$264 million in 2013. Seventy-one

from on-board personnel. After the reorganization, 85 pilots will remain employed in Martinair

percent of these exports included dungeness crab, geoduck clams, sea urchins, salmon and cherries. The airport recently signed a partnership agreement with Shanghai Airport Authority to study the cold supply chain between the two markets. At the same time, the Vancouver airport is looking at the services and facilities employed in the movement of perishables, and is working with Canadian Customs to meet growing industry needs. 

Cargo & Logistics

PACTL sets new record for freight volumes

hanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal (PACTL) has achieved tonnage growth of 16.15 percent year-on-year, reaching a total figure of 1,502,113 tons of freight in 2014. After setting a series of monthly records, PACTL has now registered the strongest annual results in the company’s history. PACTL’s domestic cargo volume grew by 6.25 percent yearon-year to 97,336 tons in 2014,

Cargolux gets 30th Boeing 747 Freighter

oeing and Cargolux Airlines celebrated the 30th direct delivery of a 747 Freighter.

The latest delivery was the 12th 747-8 Freighter to join Cargolux’s fleet, with the Luxembourg carrier becoming the world’s first operator of the airplane type in October 2011. Prior to the introduction of the 747-8 Freighter, Cargolux took delivery of the first of two 747200 Freighters in 1979 and in 1993 also became the world’s first operator of the 747-400 Freighter, taking a total of 16 747400 Freighters.

while its international cargo volumes rose by 16.91 percent to 1,404,777 tonness. Imports increased by 16.85 percent to 597,956 tonnes, while exports showed growth of 15.69 percent and reached a total figure of 904,157 tonnes in 2014. “We particularly welcome the significant growth rates for imports, as they indicate an increasing balance in the flows of commodities and will therefore help our customers to make their transport cycles more efficient. 

IATA signs deal to promote e-Freight in Shanghai

In January, Cargolux began operations to Manaus Airport in Brazil with a 747-8 Freighter carrying a full load of machinery spare parts and telecommunications equipment. In the process, Manaus Airport became the 100th commercial airport that Cargolux serves with the 747-8 Freighter, underlining the airplane’s incredible versatility in the world cargo market. Cargolux currently has two unfilled orders for 747-8 Freighters, with the all-Boeing carrier operating a fleet composed entirely of 747-400 Freighters and 747-8 Freighters. 

he International Air Transport Association (IATA), Shanghai Customs, Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Shanghai Airport Authority, China Eastern Airlines, and Shanghai Eport have signed a Letter of Initiative (LOI) to jointly promote e-Freight in Shanghai.

e-freight. The industry’s target is to achieve 45 per cent e-air waybill penetration globally by the end of 2015, and 80 per cent by the end of 2016. Efreight pilots have been implemented at Shanghai Pudong Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Beijing Capital Airport.

E-freight is a global initiative to modernize the air cargo industry and enhance efficiency by eliminating the pouch of over 20 documents that accompany every air cargo shipment. It will contribute to the industry’s goal of reducing shipping times by 48 hours. Implementing e-air waybill is an important enabling step for

To date, Shanghai is the leading airport in China in terms of the number of e-AWBs processed. Shanghai Pudong Airport ranks third globally for cargo handled and is the gateway for over 60 per cent of China’s cargo throughput. In 2014, Shanghai Pudong Airport saw an eight per cent increase in its cargo throughput.  May 2015

Cargo & Logistics

Turkish Airlines orders four A330-200 Freighters

urkish Airlines has signed a firm order for the purchase of four A330-200F freighter aircraft. Operated by Turkish Cargo, a brand of Turkish Airlines, the additional aircraft will help to further boost the company’s expansion in the cargo market.

growing cargo market demand. Turkish Airlines operates the largest Airbus fleet in the country with a total of 139 Airbus aircraft in service. These include 91 single aisle aircraft, two A310 freighters, 17 A330200, 18 A330-300, five A330200F and six A340s.

Turkish Airlines already operates five A330-200F, and the additional order will enable them to quickly meet the

The A330-200F is capable of carrying a payload of 65 to 70 tonnes, with a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles. 

EK SkyCargo forecasts volume growth next fiscal year

mirates SkyCargo, the largest international cargo operator by volume, sees a double digit increase in cargo over the next financial year starting April 1. Henrik Ambak, senior vicepresident - cargo operations worldwide, told the World Aviation Safety summit, a 10 per cent volume increase is expected, partially driven by “sharp” growth in North America. Emirates Group, SkyCargo’s parent company, is expected to release its financial results in May. In the 2013/2014 financial year, SkyCargo carried 2.3 million tonnes of cargo, up 8 per cent, which contributed $3.1 billion to Emirates Group revenue. Cargo traffic between Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and

Bahrain gets Cargolux connectivity

ahrain International Airport (BIA) has welcomed Cargolux Airlines, Europe’s largest all-cargo airlines, into the Kingdom of Bahrain. Marking its first landing on March 5, the new entrant marks BIA’s 15th cargo airline and signifies a remarkable new addition to the airport’s expanding portfolio. Cargolux will be serving Bahrain by transporting spare parts, machinery, perishables, food

and consumer goods that includes textiles form the US and the European markets.Cargolux boasts a worldwide network covering up to 90 destinations, some of which are served on scheduled all-cargo flights. The company has more than 85 offices in over 50 countries, and offers an extensive global trucking network to more than 250 destinations as well as charter and aircraft maintenance services. 

Lufthansa Cargo’s profits up 26.6 per cent in 2014

ufthansa Cargo increased its 2014 operating profit by 26.6 per cent to €100 million, despite group-wide pilot strikes and a fall in airfreight revenues and tonnages. Full year revenues at the German flag carrier’s freight arm edged down 0.3 per cent versus 2013 to €2.4 billion. Total volumes fell 2.7 per cent to just under 1.7 million tonnes, with significant tonnage declines in the European and the Middle East/African regions. 

May 2015

Europe, a traditional market for Emirates, continues to be “very strong” for SkyCargo, Ambak said. SkyCargo will operate from “a couple” of new destinations this year. New destinations could be passenger services as cargo is also transported on those planes. SkyCargo’s operations were split last year between Dubai International and the Emirates secondary airport and future hub, Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC). SkyCargo operates all of its dedicated freighter services out of DWC while two thirds of all cargo is transported on passenger planes arriving and departing from Dubai International. SkyCargo will take delivery of its 15th freighter in August. 

Silk Way orders three Boeing 747-8 Freighters

he Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West has placed an order for three 747-8. The airline is confident about maintaining its rate of growth, supported by three new Boeing 747-8 Freighters. The airline currently operates seven Boeing airplanes, including two 767-300 Freighters, three 747-400 Freighters and two 7478 Freighters. The 747-8 Freighter offers 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400, while keeping its iconic nose door. With 56 747-8 Freighters in service with eight customers, the 747-8 Freighters have logged more than 500,000 flight hours and more than 88,000 flight cycles. They are performing with the highest dispatch reliability and utilization of any fourengine airplane in service. 

Technology

1 in 3 boarding passes on mobile devices by 2019

new study by Juniper Research suggested that more than 1.5 billion — or about 1 in 3 — boarding passes will be displayed on mobile devices like phones or tablets by the end of 2019. Last year, the firm estimated, 745 million boarding passes were delivered on mobile devices. The study shows that mobile boarding passes are increasingly used by frequent flyers, but leisure passengers are less likely to use them, owing to the fact that they’re less familiar with the technology. According to SITA, 53 percent of airlines have already implemented mobile boarding passes via apps. This number, SITA believes, will rise to 91 percent by 2017.The study says app-based boarding pass adoption is happening fastest in the US, Asia, and Europe. In June 2011, Emirates had launched its mobile boarding pass on internet-enabled mobile devices. But most of the airline apps are delivering boarding passes as bar codes. Using a near field communication chip in the phones to transmit the boarding data is the way of the future, but the transition to that technology is moving slowly. Juniper said the ultimate position that NFC can reach in the airline industry is ‘the extinction

of the boarding pass’ whereby boarding pass, baggage tickets, and identity information can be stored on the phone and simply accessed using NFC readers. However, this transition

will not only be delayed by the success of bar code but, there is the need to gain agreement and investment from airlines and airports around the world. 

FAA to test lead-free aircraft fuel

oping to reduce environmentally harmful emissions from general aviation aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration has started testing on lead-free fuels, an exercise which is scheduled to continue until 2018. The US Environmental Protection Agency continues to investigate how much of a danger aircraft emissions pose to the public.

Fuel testing is being done at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. The first phase of laboratory testing is expected to continue to the end of 2015. A second, more extensive phase of fuel tests on engines and aircraft will wrap up in 2018. The FAA’s fuel testing is a $30 million

research program. The centerpiece of the first phase of testing is a $750,000 power plant that will mimic an airplane engine. Avgas, as aviation fuel is known, is the last remaining leaded transportation fuel in the US. Lead is added to avgas to prevent engine knock, which can hurt aircraft performance and pose a safety risk. The goal is to develop high-octane, lead-free avgas that will not harm the environment and will not rob engine performance. Large commercial jets and corporate aircraft powered by cleaner-burning turbines use unleaded jet fuel. Leaded fuel is used by about 167,000 smaller, piston-engine aircraft in the US and 230000 worldwide, according to the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. Tetraethyl lead, the performance-enhancing additive for piston aircraft, was banned in US automobile fuel in 1995. It has been linked to neurological disorders in children, birth defects and cancer.  May 2015

Technology

Swedish airports get new bomb technology

new method of checking for explosives has been introduced at check-in queues at 10 Swedish airports as the Nordic nation implements updated EU regulations on security. Random checks are being carried out on passengers’ hand baggage as part of efforts to improve security screening. The process uses an explosive trace detector (ETD), a small cloth that can be wiped across both bags and clothing. The cloth takes a sample which can then quickly be analyzed by a nearby computer designed to trace explosives. The technique is so sensitive that even the slightest traces of explosives can be detected, said Anders Lennermark, security manager for Swedavia.

and it is hoped that the new measures will help keep travellers safe. A government panel proposed that Sweden should beef up its border security by introducing fingerprint scans for all nationalities entering Sweden from outside the Schengen Area. The move pre-empts an anticipated decision by the European Union which is considering whether to make such screenings mandatory.

All ten airports run by Swedavia, the state-owned group that owns, operates and develops airports across Sweden. It follows new EU rules on airport safety and complies with related regulations issued by

flynas selects SITA for passenger check-in services

audi Arabia’s hybrid carrier, flynas, has chosen SITA to provide a range of passenger check-in services. The five-year agreement includes an end-to-end check-in solution incorporating SITA’s Departure Control Services (DCS), SITA’s private IP VPN telecommunications infrastructure, Type B Messaging Service and Service Management. Paul Byrne, CEO of flynas, said: “flynas aim to set a new standard of efficiency for hybrid and budget travel in the region. By having SITA provide all of our check-in services and manage

the Swedish Transport Agency, the oversight authority for security matters at Sweden’s airports. A total of 33.5 million passengers flew via Swedavia’s airports in 2013

Checkpoints waiting times in Frankfurt on smartphones

them centrally, we have generated immediate cost savings and can deliver on our promise to provide the lowest fares, on-time flights and friendly service. This new all-in-one model also facilitates more accurate budget planning and easier financial forecasting for new stations as we continue to grow.” Hani El-Assaad, SITA President Middle East, India and Africa, said the company supplies CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment) at all Saudi Arabian airports, as well as to the majority of the airports in the region. 

o help passengers anticipate waits at the checkpoints, Fraport is now providing a new, unique service. The Frankfurt Airport App sends the expected waiting times at passport and security checkpoints straight to your smartphone in real time. This helps passenger decide how early you need to leave home to avoid the stress of long lines at the airport. AThe information is also displayed on the information kiosks around Frankfurt Airport. The airport provides this information in German, English and Chinese.

May 2015

The Scandinavian country has been in the spotlight for failing to introduce a digital database to help airlines share passenger lists with police, despite EU regulations dating back to 2004, which call for the automatic transfer of customer information. 

The service with automatic display of waiting times has already demonstrated its value. For months, a sensor-equipped system has been measuring how much time elapses between when passengers arrive at checkpoints and when they emerge on the other side. The results are displayed on monitors in the terminals. It’s also possible to choose a checkpoint on an interactive map and display the fastest route for getting there. Frankfurt is Germany’s largest aviation hub. In 2014, Fraport Airport welcomed around 60 million passengers. 

Technology

Delhi airport to get India’s first body scanner

irport in India’s capital city is all set to get the country’s first body scanner. United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will be giving a ‘millimetre-wave scanner’ to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. It will be tested at the Terminal 1 for ‘Indian conditions’ by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) which will look at its health and privacy concerns. Passengers will be voluntarily asked to go through it but it will not be mandatory. Once it is tested, use of the scanner for other airports will be decided. These scanners are used at several airports globally, including the US. The scanner is learnt to be made especially for India so it can check through the layers of clothing unique to this country. Passengers going through the scanner will have to take off all metallic items, including belts, and shoes. In the current pat down frisking system, se-

curity men may ask suspicious passengers to take off their shoes and pass them through an x-ray. With domestic air travel growing al-

most 12 per cent annually, long queues at security counters can be witnessed during peak travel hours. 

Pilots suffer fatigue in multi-leg flights multiple takeoffs and landings versus equallength duty days that encompass a single takeoff and landing. The researchers found that the pilots experienced a moderate increase in their level of fatigue in the multi-segment duty days as compared to the single-segment duty days— but their alertness was still high compared to that seen in laboratory studies of night shift work, for example. Furthermore, the modest fatigue on multi-segment duty days did not appear to impact pilots’ flight performance.

he Washington State University (WSU) and the Regional Airline Association (RAA) released a report detailing the findings of the first, science-based study of pilot fatigue in multi-segment flight opera-

tions. The study was conducted by researchers at WSU’s Sleep and Performance Research Center.The study involved a flight simulator experiment that compared alertness in pilots completing duty days with

Twenty-four active-duty commercial airline pilots participated in the study, which was conducted in an aviation training center. The experiment used a full-flight simulator of a Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet normally flown by the pilots. Pilots completed a four-day study protocol: they were flown to the training center on day 1, completed two simulated 9-hour duty days on days 2 and 3 and were flown home on day 4. Each pilot completed one duty day with multiple flight segments and another with a single, longer flight segment. 

May 2015