ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organisations in the world, a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy.

Airports and airlines alike devote considerable resources into developing contingency plans that enable an effective response to an aircraft accident or incident. These plans differ considerably and vary to cope with the degree of seriousness of the event. However, both are designed to focus on the human welfare aspects of any event and also to cope with the intense media focus that arise as a result of any sizable event, even if there have been no injuries or loss of human life. Fortunately accidents involving loss of life are not common events, but there are non-fatal incidents that are still occurring in excess of one a week.

IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) is now operational. The first 10 audits are now completed and 50 plus more are in the pipeline to end 2008. It is clear that IATA have created something that the industry needs and values.

22 July 2008; The air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and the civil  aviation and military authorities of the six States Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland have carried out a detailed feasibility study on the creation of a so-called Functional Airspace Block (FAB). The study shows that a FAB Europe Central (FABEC) will provide  considerable improvements in the efficiency of air traffic services.  According to the study, safe and punctual air traffic control services in  a growing market will be possible in the future if air traffic control is no  longer organised mainly across national borders.

There has been an almost global trend to reduce the economic regulation of transportation markets. This has sometimes extended beyond the airline market and is gradually being seen in other components of the air transportation supply chain, such as airports and ground handlers.

Biometrics are coming to U.S. airports. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are seriously considering how to implement biometric identifier systems as part of aviation worker credentialing and access control systems at U.S. airports. In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives just passed legislation requiring TSA to work with industry to study ways to speed deployment of such systems for use by aviation workers.

In these uncertain times of skyrocketing fuel prices, all stakeholders (airlines, suppliers, into-plane agents) need to devise intelligent strategies to reduce costs and face the market conditions together. In this regard, ASA fuel services (AFS) has a structured management system that puts the client as its utmost priority. It encompasses the areas of quality, the environment, occupational health and safety, as well as an extensive human resources development programme, all of which contribute to the organisation’s knowledge management system.

On 5 March 2008, new ICAO language proficiency requirements came into effect for pilots and air traffic controllers involved in international flight operations. They deal with the ability to speak and understand the language used for radiotelephony communications at Operational Level 4.

It might be a truism, but change is gradually changing. This can be seen in the accelerating rate that new inventions are adopted wide-scale. The World Bank recently conducted a study into this and found that in the past, it took a long time before new technology was adopted.

The requirements of security measures and associated procedures to protect the infrastructure of airports are significant and increasingly important. For, in addition to the airlines and other aviation operators using airports, the travelling public, staff, suppliers, contractors and maintenance companies also need to be included in any protective strategy. ....

Richard Piper speaks to Lin Homer, Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency, about what is being done to strengthen UK borders and how they are utilising the latest advances in technology...

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) announced in 2006 that all ground operations within the Group - Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside - would be carbon neutral by 2015. ....

Located on 53 square miles of prairie land northeast of Denver, Denver International Airport (DEN) is a unique place in a unique setting, facing both environmental challenges and opportunities. Owned by the City of Denver, DEN is the newest major airport in the United States.....

Many people believe that IATA, as the representative of the airline industry, has an exclusive focus on airlines. This could not be further from the truth. IATA’s contribution embraces all key sectors of the industry, especially airports......

Flights in the United States spent more than 20 million minutes taxiing in to their gates and over 49 million minutes taxiing out for departure in the year 2006. Aircraft taxiing on the surface contribute significantly to the fuel burn and emissions at airports.....

On 6 February 1958, an aircraft crashed whilst making its third attempt to take off from Munich's Reim Airport. Twenty-three of the passengers and crew on board were killed. After a lengthy investigation, the cause of the accident was identified as slush on the runway...

A world in which a passenger has more choice and can control more aspects of air travel is IATA’s vision for its Fast Travel programme. The sight of a passenger entering information into a kiosk is no longer exclusive to airports in Europe or North America......

In addition to the internal risk assessment process, every BAA airport participates in a Multi – Agency Threat and Risk Forum.....

Without doubt, the aviation industry in South Africa has changed dramatically since the dawn of democracy. The sheer growth in traffic volumes over the years bears testimony....

Until the last few years, alternatives to jet petroleum based aviation fuel for commercial aircraft were, at best, an afterthought to energy suppliers and the aviation industry...

Ground handling and Ramp operations represent two of the most important aspects of an international airline’s operations. They affect the exercise of its basic market access rights. It is also an important factor for air carriers in terms of operating costs...

Airlines and airports, through their respective international organisations, play a crucial role in the activities of ICAO, whose chief aims, as contained in Article 44 of the Chicago Convention,.....

The challenge of sustainable growth in aviation has brought significant benefits to world trade and development. This success, however, is not without environmental impacts on climate change, local air quality and noise. .....

The international aviation industry continues to develop robustly despite the negative effects and cost pressures of kerosene supply, security controls and other factors.....

Richard Piper speaks to Mr. Brodie Clark, Strategic Director for Border Control at the UK Home Office, about what is being done to strengthen UK borders and how they are utilising the latest advances in technology.  ......

IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations – ISAGO - set for launch in early 2008
Bringing all the various elements together for a successful launch of a ground-breaking, global safety audit programme is no easy task. .....

The minister answers our questions on the subject of current UK security restrictions with regard to baggage and the carrying of liquids aboard aircraft......