Via Dubai Magazine | November 2013 by Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management

Monthly Newsletter issued by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

www.viadubaionline.com

Volume 1 Issue 6 November 2013

Inside DCAA Traffic solutions for DIA 3 expansion up to 2020 reviewed DCAA showcases e-Services at Gitex 2013

DCAA discuss MoU implementation with DED

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed opens Al Maktoum International Airport

UAE in Focus Interior minister inspects first civil air ambulance

UAE elected to ICAO Council 8 for third consecutive term flydubai’s new Business Class takes off

RAK airport systems go (live)

UAE signs Open Skies deal with Burundi

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport in

Interviews Dubai airports flying high on strong security foundation

International Proposal to ease hand 15 baggage restrictions from 2014 Beirut airport passengers rise

Dubai Airshow 26 Years of Leadership

Saood Kangazar

Sharief Fahmy

David Ross

Opinion Stellar performance of airports’ passenger facilitation must be showcased 16

Absolute express growth: Delivered on time

Dubai Airshow is extension of Dubai’s strong position

DCAA sets up new department for protection of passenger rights

Major General Ahmed bin Thani

Flashback

Jebel Ali on October 27 .His Highness unveiled a ceremonial plaque installed at the entrance of the departure terminal commemorating the inauguration of the terminal. 6&7

In Focus

Angela Gittens

A leaner and more effective ICAO

MRO upgrade strategy needed to prevent future turbulence 16

Cargo

Winston M Thomas

Roberto Gonzalez

Environment 22

Safety Culture Taking nothing for granted all the time

Technology

Nils Olof Svan

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 Mohamad Abdulrahman 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.

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

A new era for civil aviation in UAE

fter a long period of preparation and hard work, we have opened the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC), ushering in a new era in the history of civil aviation in the UAE. We are immensely proud to say that this tremendous achievement is the result of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who spared no efforts in pushing Dubai forward to take the position it deserves on the world aviation map. The new facility is part of the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport, expected upon completion to be the world’s biggest airport with a total annual capacity of more than 160 million passengers and more than 12 million tonnes of cargo. It will not only provide a wide range of extra options and a premium travel experience for passengers through Dubai airports, but also will raise the current total annual capacity of Dubai’s airports to more than 82 million passengers. November constitutes a turning point in the UAE’s history with two events of paramount importance and global

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum significance involving Dubai. The Dubai Airshow 2013 will move to its new venue at DWC, in keeping with the expansion of the event, the growth of strong international participation and enhancing the interests of all stakeholders and visitors to the show. The second event will be the announcement of the name of the country that will host the World Expo 2020 following the completion of the bidding process. Dubai leads the destinations bidding to host hosting the prestigious event. Based on solid facts, requirements and advantages, Dubai enjoys a promising chance to be honoured with hosting the event. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all working in the civil aviation sector in Dubai, for their hard work and dedication that is fundamental in the opening of the new airport passenger terminal and qualifying it to serve world air transport. I would also like to take the opportunity to urge the emirate’s aviation industry to continue their efforts and keep on the march towards a ceaseless performance of excellence to reach the goals we have set

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

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Message

from the Director General

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli

Quality of service makes Dubai stand out

ubai International Airport has always been identified for the excellent, and in many cases, exceptional services it provides. Its accelerating growth and expansion is the outcome of needs and expectations of millions of passengers who choose Dubai as the connecting hub to travel the world, in addition to being a leisure destination. The opening of Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) forms part of the bigger picture for Dubai’s airports - handling 100 million passengers by 2020. As the regulatory body for the air transport industry which contributes over 28 per cent to the emirate’s GDP, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has been working, along with Dubai Airports and other industry stakeholders, to raise the bar for passenger facilitation and service quality at the world’s second busiest airport for international passengers. The awards and recognitions that Dubai International Airport has bagged over its 54 years of successful existence is the outcome of the unrelenting efforts by everyone involved in the civil aviation sector. Dubai has excelled in customer experience across airport service and product factors, including service quality for departure, arrival and transit, terminal facilities, comfort and cleanliness, security and immigration services, signage and directions, shopping and dining standards. Dubai has mastered the art of facilitation by placing the passenger at the heart of the air transport planning, design, facilities and processes. The concept of passengers’ rights protection is not new. The passengers’ basic rights are defined by IATA. Most of these rights are mentioned on the air tickets, but awareness about passengers’ rights is not wide spread in a number of countries. Recently, we have established a new department for Passenger Rights Protection to look into complaints and concerns of airline passengers and facilitate dispute resolution in a timely and speedy manner. This is yet another step in our march towards excellence as millions of passengers move across the world via Dubai. 2

November 2013

DCAA discusses MoU implementation with DED

fficials of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) held discussions to implement the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two government entities in April 2013. The MOU included cooperation between both parties for linking of the e-system for issuance of licences for civil aviation sector-specific commercial activities in the emirate. During the meeting, issues relating to the improvement of performance and joint operation in the areas of procedures in commercial activities were discussed with a view to achieve strategic goals between the two bodies. The joint efforts are in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to improve the performance of the government sector and to adopt information technology to serve the ambitions of the emirate of Dubai towards leadership and excellence, and to provide the best services to customers. The agreement covers sharing of information and linking of their respective electronic systems as part of a drive aimed at enhancing service quality and convenience. Under the agreement, the DCAA and DED will establish mechanisms to exchange information and integrate e-services across various levels, including registration procedures related to aviation services and airlines. Linking the e-services portals of the two departments will facilitate access to accurate information on the level of activity in the aviation sector, as well as on companies operating in the sector and their service portfolio. The aviation sector accounts for 28 per cent of Dubai’s GDP and plays a leading role in connecting Dubai to the world.

DCAA and DED officials at the meeting

Inside DCAA

Traffic solutions for DIA expansion up to 2020 reviewed

is Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of DCAA and Chairman of Dubai Airports, has reviewed the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) plans and programmes to upgrade the road network and public transport means across Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed commended the exemplary cooperation and coordination between the DCAA and the RTA. In a meeting held with the RTA Leadership Team, headed by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, Sheikh Ahmed was briefed about traffic solutions planned for accommodating expansions envisaged for Dubai International Airport up to 2020. The findings of studies conducted by RTA looked at the

Sheikh Ahmed at the RTA meeting

projected increase in the number of passengers using the Dubai International Airport from 60 million passengers in 2012 to about 92.5 million passengers in 2020, indicating the importance of completing the improvements to the Airport Road by 2017 and Al Quds Road by 2020.

The study also revealed the need to develop a new traffic route linking the Airport Road and Al Rabat Road. He also reviewed plans to serve Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) and the Dubai Air Show 2013, which encompasses solutions to

streamline traffic flow and the operation of buses and taxis. The meeting also discussed the importance of improving taxi services at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, where an additional taxi fleet will be allocated to cater to passengers during peak hours. 

DCAA showcase e-Services at Gitex 2013

or the sixth consecutive year, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) participated in the Gitex Technology Week held in Dubai from October 20 to 24, 2013. The authority utilised the 33rd edition of one of the world’s largest IT expos to display several of its e-Services, many of which are the first of its kind in the Middle East. E-Services provided online by the DCAA are aimed at making the application process of customers easier and faster. These include approvals for Landing, Dangerous Goods and Firearms, Issuance of NoObjection Certificates (NOCs), Airport Security Programme/ Heliport Security Programme (ASP/ HSP), Aircraft Operator Security Programme (AOSP) and the Airport Tenant Security Programme (ATSP). The emirate’s air transport industry regulator showcased the e-Services process which facilitates the issuing of permits in less

DCAA officials at Gitex stand

than half an hour. The service for approvals for landing, dangerous goods and firearms is available round the clock, seven days a week, for 142 international airlines operating out of Dubai airports, in

addition to 25-30 private jets which operate every day. The eServices form part of the DCAA Strategic Plan for the year 2013-2015, in line with Dubai government’s vision of making Dubai one of the world’s

most competitive civil aviation centres and to effectively participate in the Dubai Government’s Smart Government initiative of moving all government transactions online by 2014.  November 2013

Interview

DCAA sets up new department for protection of passenger rights Aviation’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to be 32 per cent by 2020

ubai’s civil aviation sector has come a long way since the emirate pioneered the concept of an “Open Skies” policy, signing commercial air agreement with the British Government in 1937. As part of its constant drive to achieve excellence in all services and ensure the highest standards that the civil aviation sector in Dubai enjoy, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has established a new Passengers’ Rights Protection Department to look into the complaints and concerns of airline customers and facilitate their resolutions. The authority is also closely studying geo-political situations, technological developments and the global economic landscape in its endeavor to obtain more traffic rights for designated national carriers of the Emirate of Dubai and to expand the network of international air services for passenger and cargo movements through the Emirate. The aim is to grow the aviation sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to 32 per cent by 2020, up from 28 per cent recorded in 2011. In this exclusive interview with Via Dubai, Saood Abdulaziz Kangazar, DCAA Director, Air Transport and International Affairs, shares his insights into the department’s strategies and action plans.

Can you give us an insight into the role and responsibilities of the Air Transport and International Affairs Department? The Air Transport and International Affairs Department constitutes the backbone of the civil aviation sector. The International Affairs Section is tasked with the responsibilities of negotiating with various governments to establish and/or improve bilateral air service agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. The aim is to obtain necessary approval for our national carriers to operate international air services to destinations across the world.

November 2013

Frequencies, types of aircraft and seat capacity are covered under the restricted flights bilateral agreements. The open agreements allow our national carriers to operate between Dubai and other destinations without restrictions on capacity with flexibility in the mode operation. We are always proud that Dubai is the first in the world to have an Open Skies policy - in place since 1937, when the late Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum signed an agreement with the British government allowing easy and unrestricted aircraft movement. This was long before the Open Skies concept became the in-thing in the aviation world and International

Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) was established. Based on our strong belief in the Open Skies policy we never use pressure or lobby to defend the interests of our national carriers. We always believe in negotiations, co-operation and persuasion to underscore the importance and to reap the benefits of Open Skies in a way that achieves the interests of all parties. The Air Transport Section accords landing permissions to airlines according to proposed flight schedules, evaluation of necessary documents required to commence international air transportation to the Emirate of Dubai by foreign airlines, In addition, we have recently been

entrusted with the responsibility of issuing NOCs to tourism companies wishing to sell air tickets as part of their business. The department’s responsibilities also include studying, proposing, negotiating and consulting with designated carriers, to secure necessary traffic rights. The section also monitors the inputs of the civil aviation bodies of the other emirates and the utilisation of traffic rights against agreed entitlements by UAE and foreign carriers.

What role does the Air Transport Section play in protecting passenger rights? The concept of passenger rights

Interview

protection is not new. A passenger’s basic rights are defined by applicable Treaty provisions or those guidelines laid down in that regard by international institutions, whether it is related to baggage allowance, compensation in the case of accidents and distribution of responsibilities when a passenger is moving from one point to another, through a third point. Most of these rights are mentioned on air tickets, but awareness is not wide spread in a number of countries. We have recently established the Passengers Rights Protection Department to keep up the excellent reputation that Dubai enjoys in the civil aviation domain. This department is tasked with examining the complaints filed by passengers, to resolve them. There are many types of complaints that passengers make. One example is complaints about not allowing a passenger to board despite reporting at a specified time. If the passenger’s claim is well established, then we contact the concerned airline to resolve the dispute. We should also keep in mind that we are not judges, but act as a mediator to resolve disputes. The department is working towards raising the awareness about passenger rights. The department uses smartphone applications to receive complaints as well, as part of our Smart Government initiatives.

How have you been able to plan, maintain and grow air traffic movements in Dubai? It would not have been possible for the civil aviation sector in Dubai to reach the impressive levels of growth that we have now without the inspirational and visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His vision and guidance is the key behind the success story of Dubai. We ensure continuous air traffic movements through a variety of initiatives. Dubai is planning to reach the target of 100 million passengers by 2020. We cannot depend on the local market alone to reach this ambitious target. The most logical narrative would be tapping the transit passenger segment. Fortunately, Dubai enjoys a strategic geographical location. It is just four hours by flight from a geographical area accommodating a population of three billion, or approximately half of the world’s population. To be able to plan air traffic movement increases, we cooperate with national carriers to determine the most-important flight routes going through Dubai. After determining the routes, we negotiate with the civil aviation authorities of the countries which are involved. We reach agreements that allow our na-

tional carriers to connect to destinations on a route that makes Dubai the most preferred connecting point for travellers.

What steps do you take to ensure the aviation sector’s growth is in line with the Government of Dubai’s overall strategic goals? We are continuously consulting with our strategic partners to achieve Dubai government’s strategic goals. For example, we always talk to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and participate in studies undertaken by them. We also attend meetings with delegations of other governments that come to Dubai to increase bilateral trade and tourism. Transportation, whether land, sea or air, is the bridge through which global trade flows. As more and more governments opt for trade agreements, there comes the need to move goods across the borders. It is important to bear in mind that air transportation plays an important role in sending certain time-and-temperature-sensitive goods, like flowers and vegetables, to various parts of the world.

To what extent do geo-political factors play a role in the planning of air traffic movements? The aviation sector is affected by a

number of factors, whether it is related to environment, technology or geo-politics. For example, we have expanded our portfolio of agreements and MoUs with African countries to benefit from the huge investments by the Chinese in Africa to build airports, factories and infrastructure. These investments mean there is a need for transportation of goods, materials and millions of workers between China and the African states. We have signed agreements and MoUs with most of these States. At the same time, we are coordinating with Dubai World to facilitate easier logistics between the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central and the Jebel Ali Port, so that goods transported are on schedule to designated destinations – whether via ports or airports. It is important to remember that the contribution of the civil aviation sector to Dubai’s GDP will rise to 32 per cent by 2020, compared with 28 per cent in 2011. This growth curve not only shows the fast development of this crucial sector in Dubai, but also highlights its importance in supporting and contributing to the growth of other sectors.t November 2013

Cover Story

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed opens Al Maktoum International Airport Mohammed bin Rashid unveiled the ceremonial plaque

he Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, inaugurated the passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali on October 27. His Highness unveiled a ceremonial plaque installed at the entrance of the departure terminal commemorating the inauguration of the terminal. Sheikh Mohammed toured the new buildings starting from the departure terminal. He stopped by the checkin counters and listened to briefings from President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum about the equipments and facilities that have been constructed and deployed according

November 2013

to the highest standards and quality to secure most convenient logistic facilities for the passengers and to complete their processes in a time record. Sheikh Mohammed also visited the passports control hall. The hall is operated by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The hall consists of ten departure counters and sixteen arrival counters. According to Director General of GDRFA Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, the number of passport counters in the terminal could be increased. He then toured the Dubai Duty Free and browsed through the variety of products that shall satisfy the passengers’ desire with competitive prices. Sheikh Mohammed and his accompanied delegation witnessed

then the celebration with first airplane landing in Al Maktoum International Airport. The airplane is Wizz Air of Hungary, a low-cost airline with network connecting Dubai with Central and Eastern Europe. He finished the tour at the arrival terminal where he inspected the passport counters and the customs counters operated by Dubai Ports and Customs Authority. The customs counters are operated by over one hundred employees. Sheikh Mohammed expressed his happiness and satisfaction about the project that is constitute a platform to develop Jebal Ali as an industrial and logistic hub that contributes in Dubai’s development in all aspects and diversify the UAE national economy. While talking to his accompanied delegation, Sheikh Mo-

hammed asserted that the idea of this international airport, that will be the biggest in the world once completed, had always been in the mind of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Adding that “the idea became reality”. Sheikh Mohammed said: “Once we reach the crest of a mountain, we move to another one. We do that for our country and our loyal citizens. This is life; with perseverance and determination we move from one crest to another so our country remains an ideal model for development in all aspects of life”. He directed departments’ managers concerned with operating and managing the new airport to continue developing their services to provide all necessary help for passengers as that airport is an important pillar in

Cover Story

Passenger operations starts

the tourism industry. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, which is also the operator of the new airport, said: “It’s a historic day as it’s not just airport but Dubai’s strategy to the world for aviation. The location, convenience and compact nature of DWC are compelling attributes. Airline and customer interest in this airport continues to grow and we hope to announce additional services in the near future.” Wizz Air will fly four-times weekly from DWC to Budapest and Kiev, and three-times weekly to Bucharest

and Sofia. From October 31, Jazeera Airways will fly twice-weekly to Kuwait as well as maintaining its existing services from Dubai International. Bahrain based Gulf Air will also start operating from the new airport as from the first week of December. In June 2010, the Al Maktoum International Airport commenced freight services and since then deals were signed with major cargo operators, including Emirates SkyCargo and Air France-KLM, to shift operations to the new airport. t

he new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) opened its doors for business following its official inauguration and the welcoming of the first commercial flight - Wizz Air flight W6 2497 arriving from Budapest, Hungary. Also present were aircraft from Gulf Air and Jazeera Airlines both of which will commence operations at DWC soon. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of DCAA and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central will play a vital role in the future development of Dubai as a centre for trade, commerce, transport and logistics and tourism. I am impressed by the efficiency and convenience of this new terminal.” “The opening of this facility signals the historic beginning of a long-term plan to build the largest airport in the world to accommodate the tremendous passenger growth and contribute to the continued economic and social development of Dubai.” The new passenger terminal offers full retail as well as food and beverage amenities. It is serviced by one A380 capable runway, 64 remote aircraft stands and has capacity for up to seven million passengers per year. Dubai Airports has thus far confirmed operations with three airlines. Wizz Air, which provides low-cost air transport across 30 countries with 16 bases across Europe, will provide nonstop services linking DWC to Central and Eastern Europe. Jazeera Airways will commence operations with two weekly flights starting October 31st, 2013. Most recently, Gulf Air has announced its intention to start daily operations to Bahrain on December 8, 2013. Dubai Airports is in discussions with a number of other interested carriers. t November 2013

UAE in Focus

Interior minister inspects first civil air ambulance L

t Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, has inspected the first civil air ambulance helicopter for emergency rescue operations from onshore and offshore oilfields and facilities in Abu Dhabi. The utility helicopter, Bell 412 EP, is the first of its kind in the UAE and is fitted with cutting-edge medical equipment. The helicopter’s medical and logistics team includes skilled

medical attendants highly-qualified to deal with crises and emergency situations. The helicopter is manufactured as per the highest international safety standards and is equipped particularly for the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, ADMA-OPCO, and all onshore and offshore ADNOC-affiliated companies. Lt Gen Sheikh Saif stressed the importance of this strategic feat. t

RAK airport systems starts

L&T wins Abu Dhabi airport deal

arsen & Toubro (L&T) has won a $257 million contract from the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) for the construction of the Midfield Terminal complex, part of a major expansion drive at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The 700,000 square metre terminal building is one of the key strategic infrastructure projects to be undertaken in the UAE capital, and will initially handle 27 million passengers per year. It will be the future home of Etihad Airways.t

as Al Khaimah (RAK) International Airport has gone live with a core suite of airport passenger processing solutions, as well as advanced airport operational systems. The systems, developed and implemented by ARINC, a global leader in passenger processing solutions, include the AirVue FIDS and AirDB 7. AirVue FIDS allows RAK Airport to provide real-time flight information to passengers blended with rich multimedia content such as promotional videos and ‘live’ TV streaming. The AirDB 7 gives RAK Airport the ability to plan and track operational data and enhance

UAE signs Open Skies deal with Burundi

he General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed a new Open Skies agreement with Burundi in Africa. The MoU defines the legal framework within which the two countries can have an unlimited numbers of national carriers make scheduled flights to any destination, with any capacity at any frequency and with any type of aircraft, whether owned or leased. The UAE has chosen Emirates, Etihad, RAK Airways and Air Arabia as its national carriers. The UAE has signed over 160 bilateral air transport agreements

November 2013

automation of data feeds to key operational teams across the Airport. ARINC completed the implementation of systems at RAK International, as part of a multimillion dollar deal signed a year ago. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and Department of Civil Aviation, said: “RAK International Airport’s strategic vision is tied into the larger vision of the emirate of growing tourism, trade and commerce. The growth and progress of Ras Al Khaimah is intrinsically linked to the growth of the airport.t

Dubai Airports and G4S sign contract

among which 122 are Open Skies and Full Freedom deals. The GCAA is keen to continue signing Open Skies deals to expand trade and tourism links, support national carriers and to help trade,

commerce and tourism. The GCAA believes that the Open Skies policies help develop the aviation industry, encourages competition and reduce prices while ensuring safety and security.t

4S has signed a new three-year contract with Dubai Airports. The contract, which could be extended by a further two years, will see the world’s largest security services company provide a range of services to the second busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic. G4S staff will continue to support Dubai Airports’ unique May I Help You? (MIHY) programme, along with other key functions like initial boarding pass checks, security screening and a new lost and found service. t

UAE in Focus

UAE elected to ICAO Council for third consecutive term T

he UAE has been elected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Council for a third consecutive term at the 38th session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, held in the first week of October. The UAE received 158 votes, compared with 146 votes it had won in the previous Council elections in 2010. The current term of the council is three years Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil

Emirates highlights its global reach

mirates Airlines’ expansion reached new heights in October with the launch of flights to Clark International in the Philippines, the inauguration of a route between Milan and New York and a brand new A380 service to Brisbane – all on the same day across four different continents. Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: “It is an extremely significant achievement for our network – we are connecting two great cities across the Atlantic, opening an important new gateway into the Philippines, which helps link Filipino communities across the world, and our magnificent flagship aircraft will quietly descend into yet another destination.” Clark will be Emirates’ second gateway into the Philippines after Manila. t

Aviation Authority (GCAA), Mohammed Saif Helal Al Shehhi, the UAE Ambassador to Canada and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, were present at the voting. ‘Building the Future of Aviation Together’ was the theme for the UAE's election campaign. A high-level delegation, represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), participated in the meetings of the 38th session of the General Assembly.

The delegation, headed by the Minister of Economy and Chairman of GCAA, also included Ismail Al Belooshi, Executive Director of Aviation Safety Affairs, Hamad Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Aviation Security Affairs, Ahmed Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Air Navigating Services Sector, Laila Ali Hareb Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Strategy and International Affairs and Captain Aysha Al Hamili, UAE Permanent Representative to ICAO. t

Emirates to carry 70 million passengers in 2020

Emirates to place new aircraft order

mirates unveiled its plans to carry 70 million passengers on its expanding route network in 2020. At a presentation to delegates of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), ahead of their final decision on the host city for the World Expo 2020, for which Dubai is a candidate city, Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: “By 2020, we will have more than 250 airplane serving 70 million passengers across six continents. It will make us the largest airline on the planet in terms of international passenger traffic.” BIE delegates representing the 167 member nations visited the UAE in October for the Dubai

Expo 2020 Theme Symposium. Clark added: “However, being the biggest airline in the world is not really the end goal. “Our aim has always been to connect travellers from around the world to Dubai and other destinations, with just a single stop via our hub.” “The strategic location of Dubai makes it possible for us to serve approximately 90 per cent of the world’s population with non-stop flights, for example, our 16-hour Dubai to Houston service on the Boeing 777-300ER and the 14hour Dubai to Sydney flight on the Airbus A380. Our location is a key advantage.” Today, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights globally every week to 135 destinations in 76 countries. t

ccording to media reports, Emirates Airline is likely to place $30 billion order for longrange aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November. The recordsetting order will be for Boeing for its new long-range airplanes. Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, told Bloomberg News: “The scale of what we are contemplating is enormous.” The company may order as many as 175 of Boeing’s new 777Xs to replace older 777s in its fleet. Boeing is expected to formally unveil the 777X at the Dubai show. Lufthansa had earlier ordered 34 of the new planes, which are designed to be 20 percent more fuel-efficient than current 777 models. The first 777X is expected to be delivered in 2020.t

flydubai’s new Business Class takes off D

ubai-based flydubai’s first Business Class flight took off in October, signaling the launch of a new demand-driven service. While a variety of services for flydubai’s Business Class customers begin on the ground - priority check-in and fast track immigration - in the air, a new Business Class cabin comprises 12 reclining seats, with a seat pitch of 42 inches. An in-flight entertainment system boasts high definition touch-

screens of 12.1 inches and a choice of 1,300 hours of non-stop entertainment. Business Class passengers also enjoy a more personalised service from specialised cabin crew. Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have conducted extensive focus groups with our frequent flyers and their feedback has been instrumental in making the Business Class experience the best that it can be.” t November 2013

Via Dubai Exclusive

Dubai airports flying high on strong security foundation Aviation industry challenges dictate gradual shift to electronic security

ew aspects of an airport’s existence have as little room for ‘zero-error’ as its security. Currently, that translates into more than 7,000 pieces of passenger hand-baggage inspected every hour. The inspection of cargo is a separate process that involves skill and expertise of the highest level as well. The numbers are only going to get bigger with the launch of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central. Ensuring security on this scale calls not only for trained personnel of the highest calibre, but for the use of state-of-the-art technology and coordination that allows the seamless flow of passenger traffic. This is exactly the role of the General Department of Airport Security at Dubai Police and the responsibility it carries to ensure the world’s second busiest airport for international passengers is always safe and secure. In this exclusive interview with Via Dubai, Major General Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director, General Department of Airport Security, Dubai Police, shares that more than 7,000 cameras and 4000 security personnel in place to facilitate security at Dubai International Airport. A further 1,000 security personnel for security operations will be added at the newly-opened passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) and Concourse D at Dubai International Airport, which will open in 2015. What role does the General Department of Airport Security play in the current civil aviation scenario? The world is witnessing exceptional growth in the civil aviation sector, especially in the Arabian Gulf region which boasts carriers such as Emirates Airlines, Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai and Qatar Airways, in addition to being at the crossroads of the new international air route connecting East to West for international carriers. All these huge passenger movements need elaborate and continuous security coordination. No doubt, security plays a pivotal role in the civil aviation domain and it is the solid base on which all major airports in the UAE rely. In other words, the General Department of Airport Security is a strategic partner for all key players in the aviation industry and the security forces shoulder great responsibility taking into account the volume of passengers, cargo traffic and the entire

November 2013

facilities and operations required to be kept safe and secure.

How do you deal with challenges brought about by the accelerating growth of the civil aviation sector? Security standards at Dubai airports are among the highest applied at airports im the world. Dubai Airports places huge importance on challenges faced by the aviation sector, especially in the light of accelerating growth, which calls for continuous investment, the best use of available resources and the latest technology, in addition to the continuous enhancement of security standards. Despite the challenges we face, the boundless support provided by our leadership facilitates seamless execution of tasks of the General Department of Airport Security and all affiliated departments. At the General Directorate, we have specialised departments handling building security, cargo security, surveillance and the training centre - tasked with the qualifying human resources for different sections.

Via Dubai Exclusive We are fully convinced that investing in human resources development is the best way to cope with the present and future challenges and this task can be achieved through dedicated training centres to qualify cadres needed. We give highest priority to training and qualifying human resources which we consider as our biggest and most rewarding investment. We are also convinced that no matter how much we import of the billions of dirhams worth of the most-advanced equipment and technology, in the end it will not be able to do the required and expected level of work unless it is complemented with human interaction. That is why we invest considerably in human resources development through the Dubai Centre for Civil Aviation Security to train, qualify and hone the skills of our human resources.

How many security personnel are working at Dubai Airport? Now, we have more than 4,000 security personnel working at the airport. This number will increase with the new expansions. The increase in the number of security personnel is not correlated to the increase in the number of passengers, but is the outcome of an increase in the number of airport facilities. Security personnel are required to pass special training courses and we are lucky that we have achieved our goals thanks to the mutual coordination and cooperation among all the concerned departments within the civil aviation sector. Usually, we determine the number of security personnel needed based on our prior knowledge about the number of gates, size of the buildings and types of facilities, among other details. At this point, we start drawing up security plans and according to which we announce new job openings and start personal interviews, medical tests and training for selected candidates. This process usually takes a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time and then comes the final training of the selected personnel at our academy. Here they are trained in aviation security and handling of equipment and technology, and are certified after successfully passing courses.

In addition to the number of security personnel already deployed at the airport, the new Concourse D building will need 400 security personnel, while the requirement for the newly-opened passenger terminal at the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central is 500 personnel.

What role does technology play in overcoming security challenges? We are very interested in using the latest technology that can increase our operational efficiency. For example, we use more than 7,000 advanced cameras to ensure security at Dubai Airport and a seamless flow of passenger movements. No doubt, the use of technology contributes to the operational efficiency dimension, but the human interface will remain constant and enlarged. For example, in the past we used to have aircraft logistic cars that could not move from the logistics centre to the aircraft without a policeman accompanying the driver. In those days, the number of cars was limited, not exceeding 12. Today, the number of prepared inflight meals exceeds 130,000 a day. Moving this huge volume of meals, whether at Dubai Interna-

tional or Al Maktoum International, needs hundreds of trucks, which in turn require hundreds of security personnel. What was fit in the past will not fit today. This is why we have different electronic technologies that exactly suit our needs and we remain up-to-date with the latest developments in the security domain.

How do you deal with the huge volume of baggage movement? We have two different types of luggage inspection. The first one deals with cargo and second deals with baggage that passengers carry with them in-flight. Cargo is handled by a fullycomputerised system. The computer distributes the luggage to available devices based on priority and sensitivity. In doing so, a lot of time is saved. The second type of inspection is done by inspectors and a whole system of checks is in place. Security personnel inspect more than 75,000 pieces of passenger baggage, daily, at Terminal 3 which has more than 215 flight connections. It goes without saying that the achievements could not have been possible without the advanced security inspection system used in Terminal 3. The future lies in electronic solutions and technology.

We will keep ourselves abreast of the latest aviation developments and requirements in coordination with Dubai Airports and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects Department (DAEPD). We have a committee at Dubai Airport that brings together all the strategic partners and is tasked with exploring new and useful technology in the field of airport security.

How do you coordinate with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)? Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has played an important role in all projects at the airport. We have strong coordination with the DCAA. They are very supportive of us and we are immensely indebted to them for their support. We have regular meetings to review common goals and strategies. There are also coordination meetings at the GCC level, attended by airport security directors, to discuss hot topics related to airport security in the region. During these meetings, decisions are taken to determine which advanced airports teams should visit to acquire knowledge about best practices. During such visits, we evaluate their experiments and adopt the best practices that suit our airports. t November 2013

Via Dubai Exclusive

Dubai Airshow is extension of Dubai’s strong position on global aviation map

ver the past 26 years of its illustrious history, the Dubai Airshow has broken and created records, both in terms of volume of business transactions, number of participants and number of aircraft deals. The iconic aerospace expo is set to create new records as it moves to its new headquarters at Dubai World Central (DWC) in Jebel Ali, to stage its 13th edition from November 17 to 21. In an exclusive interview with ‘Via Dubai’, Sharief Fahmy, CEO F&E Aerospace, organisers of the Dubai Airshow, says the 2013 edition of the airshow will see a strong presence of UAE companies with a 21 per cent increase in the number

of new exhibitors. As the Dubai Airshow moves towards becoming the largest show of its kind in the world, the number of visitors this year is forecast to touch 60,000 and there will be more than 150 aircraft on display. The exhibition this year will showcase new features including a humanitarian lounge to highlight the role of the aviation sector in the provision of humanitarian assistance in times of crises and emergency. A new area - Skyview at the Dubai Airshow - will allow more public visitors to witness the world’s best pilots in action for the first time, in a safe and comfortable environment.

21 per cent increase in new UAE exhibitors at Dubai Airshow 2013

Sharief Fahmy

November 2013

Why has the Dubai Airshow moved to its new location in Jebel Ali?

cient flow and ease of movement between all the components of the exhibition.

It is our [F&E] philosophy that the airshow should have a lasting impact for clients and that we should develop the show to meet the real needs and expectations of all stakeholders. The decision to move the show to its new purpose-built location in DWC, Jebel Ali is due to the fact we have simply outgrew our last location and we to take into consideration that Dubai International Airport has become the world’s second busiest for international passengers handling about 65 million passengers a year. On the other hand, we have to consider the continued growth of the exhibition during the past 26 years and increasing demand from exhibitors which crossed the 1,000 mark this year as well as the expansion of activities and events, a new gallery and an increase in exhibition space. The new site provides more space for exhibitors with a total area of 645,000 square metres in one exhibition hall, unlike the previous site which was divided into three halls. It has been designed in a modern way to allow effi-

What are the new features of the show this year? The current edition of the show, which is the 13th in its history, is replete with activities and events organised for the first time. For example, a new pavilion for humanitarian activities has been set up in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The main aim of this is to highlight the vital role the aviation sector plays in extending a helping hand in times of crises and emergency. So far, we have confirmed the participation of 12 exhibitors involved in humanitarian pavilion. Another new feature is Skyview at the Dubai Airshow, which is open to the public – including a purpose built grandstand that can fit up to 5,000 visitors. Skyview is open to tourists, aviation enthusiast and families, to watch the major highlights of the show in a safe and comfortable environment and also obtain information and details about types of aircraft as well as flight simulators, which will be

Via Dubai Exclusive available in this area. This has been made possible thanks to the unlimited support of the Government of Dubai, Emirates Airlines and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP). Dubai Airshow does not allow Skyview visitors to enter the trade-only area, which is dedicated to companies and trade visitors. Skyview does not represent a shift in the nature of the show, but aims only to maximise the benefit to visitors and attract wider audiences. GATE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Gulf Aviation Training Event - will also be held on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow on the second and third day of the show. GATE returns for a second edition addressing the growing need for pilots in the region. A recent study by Boeing anticipated that commercial airlines will need about 40,000 pilots by 2032 to cope with the huge increase in the volume of aircraft fleet and network expansion by airlines. Dubai Airshow also contributes to building the next generation of experts and professionals for the aviation industry. On the concluding day of the show, Futures Day, students from universities and research centres, academic institutions and colleges will have the opportunity to learn about available jobs opportunities in this sector and how to build a career for those wishing to join the aviation industry.

How does the Dubai Airshow rate against the other major global aviation shows? The aviation sector, like the railways and other such industries is inter-related and interdependent. Deals announced during one exhibition may not necessarily have stemmed out of the exhibition, though it was announced there. It is an extension of lengthy discussions that have taken place in another exhibition such as (Singapore) or (Le Bourget) or Farnborough. Traditionally the Dubai Airshow is where deals are announced and we are expecting a

Regional airlines need 40,000 new pilots by 2030 healthy number of orders to be made. For example, the volume of transactions in 2007 was to the tune of $150 billion and major manufacturers in the world are keen to reveal the latest production of modern aircraft. An indication of the success achieved by the Dubai Airshow is the fact that we have now sold 97 per cent of the floorplan and we expect the number of visitors to be about 60,000, an increase of six per cent over the 2011 show. There will be a display of more than 150 aircraft. There has been a 20 per cent growth from new UAE exhibitors and many companies have returned to the show .

Do you expect the announcement of any megadeals during the Dubai Airshow? All indicators show that we have a period of strong growth. In 2011, the total number of deals announced during the show was valued at $63 billion and in the

2007 edition the total volume of deals was worth more than $150 billion. From what we are hearing from exhibitors and industry sources we expect to see a very healthy level of deals announced at the show. But in addition to the deals that are signed at the show we, as show organisers, pride ourselves on providing the ideal platform and opportunity for people at every level in the aerospace industry to meet and connect in one location.

What is the core USP of the Dubai Airshow? Dubai Airshow has benefited from the location of Dubai as a global hub for the aviation industry and the geographical advantage of being a connecting point at the crossroads of East and West. We are proud that the UAE has managed to become the centre of global aviation not only at the level of being the base for the largest airlines, but also for hav-

ing the best airports. There is no doubt that the show has become a meeting point for the international aviation industry from throughout the world. The show also benefited from strong infrastructure in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular. Dubai is well placed to serve a geographical population of three billion people who are reachable in three to four hours flying time.

What benefit does Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position in the world of aviation bring to the show? Dubai is a place of distinctive achievements in the global aviation industry. This had been made possible thanks to the vision of the political leadership and the show is certainly an extension of this strong position. At F&E, we are working to create a suitable environment for dialogue and interaction of ideas between the participants. They get a fair opportunity to learn about the experiences of airlines and successful strategies, types of aircraft in use and planned for induction in the future and how to deal with the issue of fuel emissions and preserving environment. t November 2013

Via Dubai Exclusive

Absolute express growth: Delivered on time After enhancing operations in Dubai, FedEx is eyeing solid growth in Africa and remains buoyant about Middle East

n 40 years, Federal Express has gone from operating out of one airport, delivering 186 packages to 25 cities, to what is today a bellwether of global economy - linking 99 per cent of the world’s GDP. FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company with annual revenues of $45

How would you encapsulate the evolution of the company? The company that launched the overnight delivery industry is now 40-years old. Today, FedEx and its four operating companies handle more than nine million packages each day by air, land and sea in more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx has grown into both a driver and indicator of the global economy, linking 99 per cent of the world’s GDP. It is also estimated that FedEx has shipped more than 31 billion packages since 1973. The company has kept pace with the changing needs of customers and constantly innovated to offer industry leading customer experience.

What about the FedEx journey in the UAE and Middle East? In the Middle East, FedEx Express established its direct operations in Dubai in 1989, followed by Bahrain and Kuwait in 1991. Today, we have over 8,000 team members in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEIA) region. Despite the broad social, political and economic change that parts of the region are currently going through, the

November 2013

Middle East is still an extremely important economic hub, and FedEx recognizes the potential this dynamic region offers. The UAE, and specifically Dubai, plays an important role for FedEx Express’ operations in the MEIA region. FedEx selected Dubai as its regional headquarters decades ago. We opened a 31,000 square feet station in Abu Dhabi. The facility provides enhanced connectivity to the FedEx regional hub in Dubai, and aims to improve service coverage to the fast-growing industrial areas and upcoming developments within the capital. We have doubled the capacity of our Al Quoz station and also opened a new facility in Al Garhoud last year. The facility houses more than 200 FedEx Express team members, our largest operations station in the UAE, a 24/7 customer service call center, and a retail service center. In 2011, we had opened a facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone and also launched new B777 Freighter intercontinental flight route, which provides significant service improvements for customers shipping between North America and the Middle East. In June this year, FedEx was awarded the ‘best call center’ and ‘best career and skills path’ by INSIGHTS Middle East. In recognition of this, FedEx in the UAE was ranked amongst

billion and 300,000 team members across the world. In this exclusive interview with Via Dubai, David Ross, who oversees FedEx operations in 68 countries as Senior Vice-President for tah Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, talks about the company’s growth. the top 3 companies in the Great Place to Work Institute survey for the third consecutive year. This year, FedEx was the highest ranked company in its industry.

What is the business landscape in other regions, Africa in particular? Africa, over the next decade, will see its GDP rising by an average of six per cent a year. According to the Economist, South Africa alone makes up 21% of Africa’s total GDP. This year, we completed the first stage of a strategic acquisition by signing agreements to acquire the businesses operated by our current service provider – Supaswift, in South Africa and six other countries including Botswana,

Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia. We also expanded our services in Northern Africa by re-launching express solutions in Libya, post the revolution. In Libya, we aim to support the economic growth by providing world-class shipping solutions, access and enhanced connectivity for companies and residents across the country. t

David Ross

International

Proposal to ease hand baggage liquid restrictions from 2014

viation passengers the world over will be glad to know that several countries, all in the West, are considering easing restrictions on the carrying of liquids in hand baggage, thanks to better screening technology. According to a working paper presented to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), by Australia, Canada and the US, United Nations’ assembly members are being urged to consider the gradual lifting of restrictions

IATA: Liberalise airlines, free the market

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that the future threat to $2.2 trillion worth of economic activity stemming from global aviation comes not from market forces, but from governments not committing to airline deregulation. Addressing the Wings Club in New York, Tony Tyler, IATA DG and CEO, said, “Our biggest challenge comes from governments that are engaging in what I would broadly describe as regulatory back-tracking.” Tyler cited four areas of concern. “Regulators aim to design the details of competition in a manner that is wholly at odds with how other industries are treated and with workings of the free market.” “They appear determined to hold commercial aviation to a different business standard than they impose on any other form of transportation — or consumer activities,” said Tyler. t

on liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGS), beginning January 2014. The paper cites the deploying of technology better able to detect hazardous substances as the key. It proposes the first phase begin on January 31, 2014, which would allow the screening of baby food, medications and liquids sealed in secure tamper-evident bags. Subsequent phases would eventually end the need for small 3.4-ounce containers.t

EU votes against FTL changes for pilots

new survey highlights the fatigue factor pilots deal with and serves as a major safety red flag to the aviation industry. According to a survey for the British Airline Pilots’ Association, 56 per cent of the 500 pilots surveyed said they had fallen asleep on the flight deck. Of these, a further 29 per cent said they woke up to find the other pilot sleeping as well.

It will therefore come as good news to pilot unions that the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Select Committee voted against new pilot and cabin crew flight time limitations (FTL) proposed by the European Commission in September. Bloomberg news agency reported that pilot associations were pressing the European Parliament to reject these revisions to existing crew limits. t

Ola eyeing Indian Ocean market

new Qatari-American-backed carrier, Ola, flying out of the Comoros, is looking to dominate the Indian Ocean region. The Moroni Hahaya International Airport in the Comoros is soon to get busier serving as a hub not only for Ola, but also for Air Austral’s own start-up, Ewa. Gafo Air, which intends to service Johannesburg, Khartoum, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam will also use the Comoros as its base.t

Study on customer-

centric approach

new report is pushing airlines to re-consider the meaning of a ‘customer-centric approach’, in the wake of traveller demands in a hyper-networked and socially mobile world. The report by PhoCusWright, underwritten by Amadeus, urges airlines to re-think about how irregular operations affect a passenger’s journey and, comes on the back of airlines being at the receiving end of negative Twitter publicity.t

Muscat air traffic up 10 per cent

Beirut airport passengers rise

uscat International Airport has shown a 10 per cent increase in passenger traffic in the first eight month of 2013 compared with the same period last year. Quoting the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), the Times of Oman reported that passenger traffic increased by to 5,530,257 passengers for

first eight months of 2013, as compared to 5,013,927 during the same period last year. Passenger arrivals increased by nine per cent to 2,778,859, as compared to 2,541,820 passengers. The increase in traffic is being attributed to the new airlines that are now operating at Muscat International. t

report revealed that the number of passengers passing through the Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport increased by more than six per cent in the first eight months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The number of passengers who used Beirut airport until the end of August 2013 reached 4,282,711

passengers. The number of passengers increased despite the steep decline in the transit traffic that decreased by 72 per cent during this period, compared to the same period of last year. The number of arriving passengers increased by four per cent and departing passengers went up by 10 per cent. t November 2013

Opinion

Stellar performance of airports’ passenger facilitation

Angela Gittens Director General Airports Council International

Airport passenger facilitation is a hot topic these days. While passengers may not be familiar with the term, they nonetheless frequently and publicly share their air travel experiences through the traditional and social media tools. Under pressure from the travelling public, several governments around the world have revised or reviewed their laws and regulations on accom-

modating passengers whose journeys have been disrupted and ICAO has considered whether it should revise its own guidance in this regard. Whether or not the problem is caused by the airport operator, airports around the world have gone to great lengths to produce the best passenger experience possible. Each year, the ACI present the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. Many airports have mastered the art of facilitation by placing the passenger at the heart of their planning, design, activities, and airport processes. The very fact that some 300 airports have subjected themselves to independent scrutiny of their passenger service is testament to this commitment. While such stellar examples of passenger facilitation should make news, usually they do not. From September 2013, ACI has started to showcase standout examples of airports placing passengers

first, under conditions of regular and irregular operations. ACI members should share their positive passenger facilitation stories, which we will help airports fully earn the credit they rightfully deserve within the larger aviation community and among industry stakeholders and the media. Another exciting new project that we have is the new Airport Leadership Workshop, designed for emerging airport managers, supervisors and other professionals that may assume leadership roles in the future. We also launched Airport Operations Diploma Programme. It is a first for ACI in that the programme enables candidates to complete the entire diploma online, at their own pace, via ACI’s Online Learning Centre. We continue to receive glowing reviews on the quality and overall content of our popular training offer-

ings that include Airport Executive Leadership Programme, ACI-ICAO Airport Management Accreditation Programme and Global Safety Network diplomas. As an observer, the ACI participated in the recent ICAO Assembly. The ICAO’s 191 member-states agreed adopted policy resolutions which will guide its activities for the triennium (2014-2016). We presented our position on issues like Airport Collaborative Decision Making, Performance Based Navigation and Next Generation Security.Working through the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), ACI is seeking an agreement that would see a holistic view of application of environmental measures to support the airports’ relationship with the communities they serve, and the need to ensure permission to operate and grow.  Excerpts from ACI World Report, 2013

MRO upgrade strategy needed to prevent future turbulence

Winston M Thomas CEO Pembrey Airport

y 2020, airports throughout the world will be handling seven billion passengers. Airports are under enormous pressure to accommodate growth and many already operate well above the design capacity. Over 54,000 aircraft of mixed types will be built by Boeing and Airbus EADS by 2020. These, together with the airlines’ existing fleets, will all need to be

November 2013

maintained and serviced. Airlines and other commercial operators of large or turbine-powered aircraft follow a continuous inspection programme approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, or by other airworthiness authorities such as Transport Canada or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Under FAA oversight, each operator prepares a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Programme (CAMP) under its Operations Specifications or ‘OpSpecs’. Airlines and airworthiness authorities casually refer to the detailed inspections - A check, B check, C check, or D check. A Check is performed approximately every 500-800 flight hours or 200-400 cycles. It needs about 20-50 man-hours and is usually performed overnight at an airport

gate or hangar. B Check is performed approximately every four–six months. It needs about 150 man-hours and is usually performed within three days at an airport hangar. C Check is performed approximately every 15–21 months, or a specific amount of actual flight hours (FH). This check puts the aircraft out of service and until it is completed, the aircraft must not leave the maintenance site. The time needed to complete such a check is generally one–two weeks and the effort involved can require up to 6,000 man-hours. D Check is by far the most comprehensive and demanding check for an airplane. The Heavy Maintenance Visit (HMV) check occurs approximately every five years. Such a check can usually demand up to 50,000 man-hours and it can generally take up to two

months to complete. Most airlines — especially those with a large fleet — have to plan D Checks for their aircraft years in advance. On average, a commercial aircraft undergoes two–three D Checks before it is retired. For Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), required facilities, skilled engineers and technicians will be needed to support these aircraft. There is a need to implement a training programme or apprentice training schemes to meet these demands. It is also imperative to take into account the existing engineers who are due for retirement, a large proportion of who are ex-military. The aviation industry will be in a dilemma if we do not take action now. There is ample scope within aviation industry to set up training programmes.

Opinion

A leaner and more effective ICAO

Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, President International Civil Aviation Organisation Council

he last three years have been particularly productive in pursuing our three Strategic Objectives: safety, security and environmental protection and sustainable development of air transport. The Global Aviation Safety Plan was totally revised to prioritise the Member States’ safety initiatives according to a common, harmonised methodology.

The transition of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme to the Continuous Monitoring Approach was successfully completed as planned. Annexe 14 on Aerodrome Design and Operations was amended to enhance runway safety, while partnering aviation organisations committed to establishing a Runway Safety Programme. The Council adopted a Code of Conduct on the Sharing and Use of Safety Information that emphasises a consistent, fact-based and transparent response to safety concerns. Annexe 19 on Safety Management, the first new annexe in 30 years, was adopted. An ICAO Policy on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families was approved and will assist states in developing related regulations and policies. A new Safety Fund known as SAFE was established for continued assistance to states in correcting safetydeficiencies. The Global Air Navigation Plan was amended to include the

Aviation System Block Upgrades in support of a performance-based approach to air navigation activities. The TRAINAIR PLUS Programme was expanded and a clear vision and mission for the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals was developed based on tangible and achievable results. A fast track amendment to Annexe 17 supported the implementation of supply chain security measures for cargo transported on passenger and allcargo aircraft. The second cycle of the Universal Security Audit Programme was completed and the Council adopted a Continuous Monitoring Approach for the Programme beyond 2013. An ICAO Aviation Security Assistance and Capacity-Building Strategy was developed and implemented. On the environmental front, substantial progress was made in four key areas: global aspirational goals; Member States’ action plans; sustainable alternative fuels for aviation; and market-based measures (MBMs).

Of note is a new metric system approved for the development of a CO2 emissions standard for aircraft, currently projected for 2015. Voluntary action plans submitted by Member States and designed to reduce emissions from international aviation represented some 80 per cent of global air traffic. The importance of sustainability was recognised by the council when it adopted a new vision statement for ICAO for the triennium 2014-2016: ‘Achieve sustainable growth of the global civil aviation system’. \ICAO continued to adjust its programmes and targets in the face of the significant economic and budgetary pressures experienced by Member States. The result is a leaner and more effective ICAO, better equipped to respond to the evolving needs of States and industry alike.  Excerpts from Presentation delivered at the 38th session of the ICAO Council Assembly in Montreal.

Safety Culture - Taking nothing for granted all the time

Nils Olof Svan, Head of Aviation Regulation and Safety, Standards & Regulations Department,

‘Safety Culture’ is the way safety is perceived, valued and prioritised in an organisation. It reflects real commitment to safety at all levels. It has also been described as: “How an organisation behaves when no one is watching”.

Safety Culture is not something you get ready or buy from shelf; it is something an organisation acquires as a product of the combined efforts of Organisational Culture, Professional Culture and, often, National Culture. Safety Culture can therefore be positive, negative or neutral. Its essence is in what people believe about the importance of safety, including what they think their peers, superiors and leaders really believe about safety as a priority. An organisation’s safety culture can have a direct impact on its safety performance. If people don’t really believe that safety is important, the result will be workarounds, corner cutting, with unsafe decisions and judgments. Some people think that having a Safety Management Sys-

tem (SMS) is enough, but that is not the case. Organisations need both - a SMS and a healthy safety culture - in order to achieve acceptable safety performance. If the leaders of an organisation do not show that safety is their highest priority, people might believe that other priorities prevail, and risks will be taken. Aviation is generally very safe, which might lead people to believe their organisations are already safe. But the truth is: If you want to remain safe, you must know the realities of safety in your organisation, by carrying out surveys to measure the safety culture in a structured and timely way. Safety culture can be measured, however, with complicated methods, as safety culture is hard to see from the inside.

It is like fish swimming in the water – they don’t really think too much about the water. Nevertheless, it is important to take the temperature at regular intervals, to benchmark and to be able to improve. A healthy safety culture delivers a clear and comprehensive picture of operational risk, which includes all activities of the organisation. Good safety culture has an efficient information flow, and an open and effective dialogue about safety performance. In the continuing efforts to profile Dubai as a frontrunner in aviation safety, the DCAA started in January 2013 a yearly Safety Culture Summit, with participants not only from the region, but worldwide. The next summit will take place from February 3 to 4, 2014.

November 2013

Sleep pods at airports giving From Dubai to Delhi and Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi, a new breed of short-stay, pay-by-the-hour sleeping pods are springing up at airport terminals, much to the relief of weary transit travelers

s millions of more people world-wide take to the skies as air travelers each year, airports increasingly have to expand, redesign, innovate and even create, to make the travel experience as comfortable and seamless as possible.

And yet, as the experienced air-miler will tell you, if you travel long and far enough there simply is no avoiding the experience of being stranded at an airport faced with a long layover and nowhere to sleep. Bad weather, hotels full-up, a schedule mix-up, any of these unforeseen situations could lead to the one question that haunts an airline passenger: Is there anywhere nice and comfortable to sleep for a few hours? While some airports let you make the most of a 12-hour layover by letting you quickly and easily escape to the city, sleeping overnight in an airport has become a sort of a phenomenon that even inspired a best-selling novel Dear American Airlines. Author Jonathan Miles was spurred to write the book after an unscheduled overnight stay at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago. A similar unscheduled overnight stay at a German airport inspired business traveler, Frank Giotto, now president of Fiber Instrument Sales in New York, to create the ‘Mini Motel’ - a one-person tent, complete with air mattress, pillow, reading light, alarm clock and pillow - which he now sells for $39.95.

18 18

November 2013 2013 November

But, for hundreds of travelers caught in sleepless transit at airports at odd hours, a nap wedged betwixt a row of chairs and a recycling bin, with the carry-on for a pillow, is the accepted norm. Or, curl up on an airport seat – despite

the armrests – or, simply lie down on the cold floor with bags as headrests and coats shaped into make shift blankets. Not the stuff of sweet dreams, is it?

Sweet dreams, sleep reality The idea that airports are no places to sleep in, is now slowly changing thanks to a new breed of short-stay, pay-by-the-hour micro-hotels popping up at terminals

In Focus

travelers sweet dreams comfort around the world.

The airport is adding 50 new sleeping pods to give passengers more nap-time between flights. The move follows huge demand for the 10 pods at Terminal 3.

Based loosely on the concept of the Japanese ‘capsule hotel’, these cabins and boxes allow sleepy travelers to seal themselves off from the surrounding commotion for a 30-minute power nap, or even a solid night’s sleep without having to leave the terminal. Some even contain toilets and showers.

The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) installed the first 10 pods on a trial basis in May 2013. The eight ‘Go Sleep’ pods at Gate 30 and two at the VIP lounge have caught the fancy of passengers who do not want to sleep rough while waiting for a connecting flight.

Versions of the concept have now emerged from London to Moscow, Philadelphia to Dubai and in New Delhi, with other destinations set to follow in the near future. A number of airports have already added dedicated sleep units to their amenity list in a bid to become more passenger-friendly, boost nonaeronautical revenues and use space that is otherwise redundant. “These facilities are a perfect example of what happens when you take an innovative approach to the ever-growing demand of international travel. “These are proving that ‘size is everything’ is wrong. “It is comfort and affordability that matters most to globalised travelers,” remarks (Larry) Peter Swan, Founder-Managing Director of Snoozecube.

Snoozecube at DXB Snoozecube is the pioneer of the first modular accommodation for airports in the world and was introduced about two years ago at the Dubai International Airport, currently the world’s second busiest airport for international travelers. Swan started developing the system about five years ago, but launched it in October 2011.

The concept became apparent to Swan after he watched the Tom Hanks Hollywood movie Terminal. After hours and hours of research he decided that this convenience and service was required by all major transit airports around the world. Presently, Snoozecube has 10 units at Dubai International Airport and the company is currently in negotiations for a further 40 units. Swan is also in talks with other GCC region airports. He says: “The market- place welcomed them because there is enough room to cater to all at airports.” In its first year of operations at Dubai Airports in 2012, Snoozecube had 37,000 passengers using the service and now in its second year running, it has already exceeded the first-year numbers. Swan is presently also sourcing and in negotiations with two manufacturers in the GCC.

Swan expects Snoozecube to be like a car - coming out with a new model on a fiveyear cycle - catering to the evolving demands and trends of world transit airports grow and develop.

Where to find the Snoozecube? Snoozecubes are available near Gate C 22 at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1. An hour in a Snoozecube costs AED65 for a single cube and AED85 for a shared cube. The minimum duration requirement is two hours. Snoozecubes also offer a wide selection of music, high-speed Wi0Fi internet access and touch screens.

‘Go Sleep’ via Abu Dhabi International At the Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Go Sleep pods are a ‘sleeping’ hit with passengers looking to catch forty winks.

The Finnish-made ‘Go Sleep’ features a manually operated sliding door that transforms the structure into a cocoon-shaped pod and the seat converts into a comfortable flat bed at the touch of a button. Currently the pods are free, but an upgraded Go Sleep is soon to be installed and will be charged at AED45 an hour.

Napcabs, MetroNaps, Sleepboxes At Terminal 2 of the Munich Airport, passengers can snooze in style via a Napcab. Vancouver International Airport has a similar concept – called MetroNaps and Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International airport introduced Sleepboxes in airside areas, post-security. Napcabs Marketing Director, Jorg Pohl, comments: “We have been well booked with around one to five customers a day using the cabins.  November 2013 2013 November

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Cargo & Logistics

TIACA: End TSA’s cargo-screening rules T

he International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has asked the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to immediately remove the ongoing requirement to report cargo-screening data, based on the fact that the TSA’s 100-per cent cargo-screening level on passenger aircraft has already been achieved. In a letter to TSA administrator John Pistole, TIACA Chairman Oliver Evans pointed out that although the TSA attained its 100-per cent mandatory screening target nine months

ago, the requirement to report monthly air cargo screening statistics remains in place. Evans was quoted as saying that the requirement “places a significant labour and data collection” burden on the cargo industry. Eliminating this burden for shippers, carriers and air forwarders can be accomplished through a quick and straightforward process, Evans said, adding that this would allow the industry and government to better focus our limited resources on measures that materially benefit security. 

World’s largest heavy-cargo aircraft lands at Bahrain

he largest heavy-cargo aircraft in the world made a successful landing at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) from Cairo International Airport. Antonov AN 225 aircraft is equipped to carry very heavy shipment up to 250

Etihad’s Ho Chi Minh flights to meet Vietnam cargo demands

IT upgrade to enhance DHL cargo management

tihad Airways has launched daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. While the inaugural flight was the first ever commercial passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Vietnam’s commercial capital, it is the cargo sector that is expected to greatly benefit from this new route. Etihad Airways President and CEO James Hogan said the new Ho Chi Minh City flights would meet strong demand for cargo services between Vietnam, the UAE, the Middle East and even Europe. The UAE is Vietnam’s seventh largest trading partner and its largest in the Gulf region. In 2012, exports from Vietnam to the UAE exceeded US$2 billion for the first time – up 82 per cent on 2011 – and are forecast to exceed US$4 billion in 2013. “The 13.1-tonne belly-hold capacity of our Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which equates to more than 9,500 tonnes per year, gives us sufficient capacity to boost the volume and value of trade between the UAE and Vietnam,” he said, adding that he hoped the new services would also help support the UAE government’s investment in infrastructure, energy, construction and tourism projects in Vietnam. 

tonnes and 70 metres in length. Its landing at BIA showcases the high-quality facilities and services at the airport. Following the unloading of cargo, the gigantic plane took off to head back to the Ukraine. 

November 2013

HL Global Forwarding has relaunched an enhanced version of its shipment management tool DHL Interactive (DHLi). As a web-based platform, DHL Interactive requires no IT set-up and can be accessed away from the desk, via every internetenabled device. “In today’s logistics world, sending shipments from multiple locations via different transport modes is a given. The enhanced DHL Interactive ensures customers real-time visibility of their air shipments and allows them to handle transport reports and other enquiries with ease,” said Michael Young, Executive Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, DHL Global Forwarding. The track and trace module provides real-time visibility

of air shipments with detailed information on goods and their shipping status. The tool’s report function allows customers to compile comprehensive information on up to one year of shipment history. The platform is available today in 14 languages. 

Cargo & Logistics

IATA sees cargo growth revival in 2014 T

he global aviation cargo business has been flying into some strong headwinds, not least of which, are a slowing down of emerging markets and the Syrian crisis with its impact on oil prices. However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes 2014 will see the cargo sector enjoy better growth. In 2014, IATA expects a significant improvement in cargo growth to 3.7 per cent. However, yields for cargo markets are expected to fall by 2.1 per cent. “Overall, the story is largely positive,” Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said. “Profitability continues on an improving trajectory. But we have run into a few speed bumps. Cargo growth has not materialised. Emerging markets have slowed. And the oil price spike has had a dampening effect. “We do see a more optimistic end to the year. And 2014 is shaping up to see profit more than double

DHL’s Southeast Asia expansion cargo, logistics and Global supply chain giant DHL has

compared to 2012.” The IATA forecast for 2013 has cargo markets as remaining stagnant with growth estimates revised to 0.9 per cent, down from the previously projected 1.5 per cent. Cargo revenues are expected to show a $8 billion (6 billion euros) decline to $59 billion (43 billion euros) from their peak in 2011.A region-wide charting of cargo fortunes by IATA had Middle

East carriers as posting profits marginally ahead of the previous forecast, while African carriers falling into losses. North American airlines are expected to post the strongest performance, while European airlines are expected to record higher profits than in 2012. The outlook for Asia-Pacific airlines is downgraded due to slower growth, but this is likely to

Qatar Airways Cargo signs e-airway bill agreement with IATA

FedEx quarterly profit beats estimates Corp, world’s largest FedEx cargo airline, out-did its

zeroed in on Southeast Asia in general and Indonesia in particular to ride what it sees as a wave of economic prosperity and monetary and fiscal growth in the near future.

Global cargo, logistics and supply chain giant DHL has zeroed in on Southeast Asia in general and Indonesia in particular to ride what it sees as a wave of economic prosperity and monetary and fiscal growth in the near future. DHL has already announced investments totaling 200 million euros across South and Southeast Asia since November, 2012. The company plans to open seven new facilities in Southeast Asia by the end of this year, including a 17,000 square-metre (183,000 square-foot) warehouse in Indonesia to store shipments earlier this year. 

be offset by a strengthening Chinese domestic market. The outlook for Latin American carriers sees economic weakness in Brazil offset by performance improvements as a result of restructuring and capacity discipline. New cargo connectivity from Latin America to Africa and Asia is also showing promise across to IATA. 

quarterly profit estimates on the back of cuts in air capacity to Asia and cheaper shipping modes.

Airways Cargo has announced the signing of Qatar a multilateral e-Air Waybill (e-AWB) agreement

(Resolution 672) with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which provides a legal framework for parties to conclude cargo contracts by electronic means.The agreement with IATA enables Qatar Airways Cargo to accept e-AWB from all participating freight forwarders. Freight forwarders who have signed multilateral e-AWB agreements with IATA will be able to tender e-AWB shipments to Qatar Airways Cargo at multiple airports around the globe. To facilitate seamless electronic data exchange with freight forwarders, Qatar Airways Cargo has appointed Cargo Community Network – Singapore, a provider of cargo community system services (CCS) and e-solutions for the air cargo industry, as its CCS partner. 

In addition to trimming air capacity, FedEx is moving some lower priority packages to cheaper transportation methods, including ocean shipping, the bellies of passenger planes and through third-party networks. Net income in the fiscal quarter ended in August rose 6.5 per cent to $489 million, or $1.53 a share, the Memphis, Tennessee-based company said. Analysts had projected profit of $1.50 a share, the average of 28 estimates, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. A programme was also initiated last year to cut $1.7 billion in operating costs over three years.  November 2013

Environment

ICAO agrees to global deal on carbon emissions curb Specific proposals under consideration include carbon tax and carbon trading system

first-ever global deal aimed at limiting the airline industry’s carbon emissions was agreed on October 4 at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) meet in Montreal, Canada. ICAO member nations agreed to complete a plan in the next three years that will be the first steps towards a market-based approach to reduce emissions in the $708 billion industry. The full agreement is not scheduled to take effect until 2020, but ICAO Council President Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez issued a statement calling the deal “an historic milestone for air transport and for the role of multilateralism in addressing global climate challenges”.

Alternative fuel producers gets help guidance document released by the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), seeks to match potential alternative aviation fuel producers and suppliers with willing airline industry buyers. The document also aims to help producers understand the needs of prospective airline clients, and communicates basic information and technical requirements, including a generalised process and key steps when entering into purchase agreements. It also advises producers on how to become involved with the aviation community, testing and environmental evaluations required to show the fuel’s suitability for aviation use, and how best to facilitate certification.Coordinating and facilitating cooperation between stakeholders has also become a key activity in the environmental efforts of ICAO. 

November 2013

“Air transport now becomes the only major industry sector to have a multilateral global market-based mechanism agreement in place to help govern future greenhouse gas emissions,” he added. The vote is seen as a blow to certain European Union proposals. In 2012, the EU suspended its CO2 Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for intercontinental flights, after several nations rejected the scheme that threatened to start a trade war. Airlines flying in EU airspace were required to buy pollution credits to cover 15 per cent of their CO2 emissions for the entire flight, irrespective of where it originated.

The ICAO executive committee voted 97 to 39, with nine abstentions, to remove a provision that would allow the EU to continue a limited market for carriers. Aviation accounts for around three per cent of global CO2 emissions, but ICAO forecasts that by 2050 emissions will have risen between four and six times the levels they were in 2010. Specific proposals under consideration for curbing CO2 emissions include a carbon tax and a carbon trading system. The council is expected to finish work on technical aspects and options for a global carbon market and report to the agency’s next triennial assembly for a decision.

ME airports’ green drive for carbon neutrality ajor airports in the Middle East are all aggressively pursuing major initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the growth spurt their aviation sectors are enjoying. Dubai International Airport’s new Concourse D, which will be home to more than 100 airlines when it opens in 2015, has adopted recycling programmes, utilising locally sourced building materials and the use of renewable energy sources, to reduce its carbon footprint. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the first Middle East Airport to be accredited under the Airport Carbon

Accreditation programme, followed by Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport. Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, the airport developer

of Concourse D, designing environmentally friendly terminals is the key to limiting energy consumption and carbon footprint over time. 

Conference to debate extreme climate change effects ow prepared are airports to meet extreme effects of climate change? This will be the key featured topic that will dominate the discussions at the Airports Going Green conference, in Chicago, US, from November 12-14. According to the Transportation Research Board, 70 per cent of airport delays are the result of extreme weather,

and such weather events are on the increase. The ‘State of the Art Strategies for Climate Change Resilience’ session will feature airport panelists who will explore how airports can plan for climate changerelated impacts. Hurricane Sandy’s effect on the Northeast US in 2012 will be the backdrop to this discussion. 

Technology

AIS contract for Al Maktoum International Airport D

ubai Technology Partners (DTP) and UFIS Airport Solutions (UFIS-AS) have been awarded the contract to supply the airport information system to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC). The project includes the implementation and delivery of the Airport Operational Database, Flight Information Processing System and Resource Management System, as well as the Flight Information Display System UFIDS. The scope also includes the integration of third-party systems including Ground Movement Radar, ACL Slot Coordinator, IATA Type B messages through SITA 8, AFTN, AviaVox Public Announcement System, NavCanada EFPS and Safegate’s Visual Docking System. UFIDS will handle 150 units of 40-inch and 57-inch displays with Windowsbased controllers. UFIS-AS and DTP will provide the software and services to enable

DWC to handle passenger traffic when the airport terminal opens to passengers. These systems will run on HP servers running under Redhat Linux. “We are excited and honoured to be able to install our system at

DWC and to provide the necessary support,” said Abdul Razzak Mikati, Managing Director of DTP. “We look forward to providing a system environment that will provide the airport with the information management systems

it requires to run effectively and efficiently.” Holger Mattig, president and CEO of UFIS-AS added: “As DWC grows, the UFIS product can be expanded accordingly to handle the added demands. 

Malaysia Airlines to reduce FAA panel clears use of fuel costs e-devices below 10,000ft n advisory committee appointed by the Federal A Aviation Authority (FAA)

in the US has submitted is recommendations on easing the restrictions on use of electronic devices when a plane is below 10,000 feet.

alaysia Airlines aims to reduce fuel costs on 40 of its aircraft, including its A380 fleet, using SITA’s FMS Wind Uplink service. This service constantly updates key Flight Management System (FMS) calculations, so the airline can adjust flight plans according to changing wind and weather conditions, enabling costeffected use of fuel. During trials, Wind Uplink claims to have delivered savings of up to 600kg of fuel on a single sector. Captain Izham Ismail, Director of Operations, Malaysia Airlines,

said: “We have already trialed SITA Wind Uplink with great success in reducing our fuel costs.” Katrina Korzenowski, Director, Aircraft Services, Asia Pacific, SITA, said: “Wind Uplink enables airlines to take advantage of beneficial changes in weather so crews can bring flights in on time and on budget, reducing fuel costs whenever possible. “Due to high fuel prices, we anticipate increased demand for Wind Uplink in the future and are already in discussions with many other potential customers.” 

The committee ruled there is no risk in using devices to listen to music, watch movies, or read e-books during take-off and landing. While the FAA has not given any timeframe for issuing a response, the report is seen by industry analysts as being a major move towards freeing gadget use on-board aircraft. Importantly, the report does not suggest changing rules restricting activities that require a network connection - so, rules for cellphone use on planes are likely to stay. The FAA currently prohibits use of electronic devices while a plane is below 10,000 feet, with the exception of portable recorders,

hearing aids, heart pacemakers and electric shavers. A Bloomberg report quoted a flight-attendant union as saying that it opposed allowing passengers to use devices during landing and takeoff even if they don’t cause interference with flight controls, because they may become dangerous objects in a crash. 

November 2013