Issue 2 2009

Supporting aviation during the global economic downturn

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Jim Fitzpatrick MP, UK Aviation Minister

The transport industry has long been seen as a barometer of economic health. When times are good, we travel more and freight volumes grow. But when the economy weakens, transport is often among the first industrial sectors to feel the impact.

It is unsurprising, therefore, that the unprecedented global economic downturn that we have experienced over the past year has proved particularly challenging for airlines, airport operators, and the broader air industry.

Although oil prices have returned to more affordable and sustainable levels since the record highs of last summer, the immediate outlook for aviation around the world remains turbulent. But despite these concerns, I believe that the long-term prospects for the industry are very positive. (more…)

Tagged with: Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Regulation, United Kingdom

NextGen

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Steve Bradford, Chief Scientist for Architecture and NextGen Development, FAA

Airports play a critical role in the transformation of the nation’s airspace system to the Next Generation Air Transportations System (NextGen). As we move toward NextGen, airports are serving as partners to the FAA in terms of rolling out new technologies and procedures, but they are also a focus for operational change.

In their partnership role, airports provide obvious value in supplying the gates, runways and taxiways that form the bulwark of the nation’s aviation infrastructure. This in turn allows us to better meet the demands for increased capacity, particularly at the most congested airports. But airports are also important in the types of operational changes that focus on aircraft systems and improved air traffic management, which is essential to NextGen’s goal of increasing capacity and efficiency in ways that do not harm the environment. (more…)

Tagged with: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Policy & strategy, Steve Bradford, USA

Taking aim at mishandling: IATA targets a 50% reduction in mishandled bags by 2012

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Andrew Price, Head of Baggage Improvement Programme (BIP), IATA

Although airlines get baggage right 98% of the time, mishandling costs the industry US$3.8 billion every year. Between 2005 and 2007 the number of mishandled baggage increased three times faster than passenger growth. In the EU the mishandlings rose 28% while passenger growth increased by 9%. In the USA, mishandled baggage increased by 27%, while passenger numbers grew 10.5%.

Baggage is also a big issue for customers. Mishandled baggage is among the top two concerns for travellers according to the 2009 IATA Corporate Air Travel Survey (CATS), a survey of travellers conducted worldwide (see Figure 1). (more…)

Tagged with: Andrew Price, Baggage handling, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Policy & strategy

Fuel for thought

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Jeff Poole, Director of Industry Charges, Fuel and Taxation, IATA

An interview with Jeff Poole, Director of Industry Charges, Fuel and Taxation, IATA. (more…)

Tagged with: Commercial Fuel Group (CFG), Fuel, IATA Fuel Quality Pool (IFQP), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Jeff Poole

Winter operations at Munich Airport

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Alexander Hoffmann, Vice President, Airport Operations, Munich International Airport

Air traffic never stops – even under icy conditions and the heaviest snowfalls, operations continue despite inclement weather conditions. At Munich Airport, one rule never changes: safety comes first. Making sure that there is no danger to aircraft taxiing, taking off and landing at Munich Airport are the winter services of FMG, the airport’s operating company, and EFM, a special company responsible for de-icing and towing operations.

To ensure that flight operations continue on the airport aprons, taxiways and runways, Munich Airport deploys up to 150 employees of FMG’s winter services, with their special vehicles, on each shift. The taxiways and the two runways, each four kilometres long and 50 metres wide, are continually cleared of ice and snow by a total of 24 airblast sweepers, two spreaders, two so-called multi-deicers and six snow ploughs. Another 75 snow clearing vehicles are assigned to the park positions. In total, the winter services crews are responsible for an area of four million square metres. (more…)

Tagged with: Alexander Hoffmann, Germany, Munich International Airport, Winter operations

Transforming the passenger experience

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Steve Morgan, Capital Director, BAA

With a £6billion investment programme underway, BAA has a very clear goal: to transform its airports for its airline customers and passengers. Working over seven airports, the capital programme will deliver world class facilities, more space for security and improved environmental performance. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, BAA, Gatwick, Heathrow Airport, Southampton, Stansted, Steve Morgan, United Kingdom

When it comes to birdstrikes, we don’t need to rely on miracles

Issue 2 2009 / 31 March 2009 / Dr John Allan, Chairman, International Bird Strike Committee

Following the recent events in New York, Dr John Allan, Chairman of the International Bird Strike Committee, looks at the current risk from birdstrikes and what can be done to control it.

The newspapers christened the recent accident in New York the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ when Captain Chesley Sullenberger skilfully piloted his Airbus A320 onto the river without loss of life. Ingestion of Canada Geese into both engines is thought to be the cause of the near catastrophe, but this and other high-profile events, such as the incident in Rome in November 2008 when a Ryanair B737 suffered a collapsed undercarriage after hitting a flock of Starlings on landing, are only the tip of a birdstrike iceberg that involves thousands of airport staff, in a constant battle to keep aircraft safe. (more…)

Tagged with: Bird strikes, Dr John Allan, International Bird Strike Committee