Issue 4 2008

How ICAO is making climate change a priority issue

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Jane Hupe, Chief of the ICAO Environmental Unit and Secretary for the ICAO Council Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP)

The effects of international aviation on the environment have been a concern to ICAO for more than 40 years. The first ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for noise were adopted in 1971 and for aircraft engine emissions in 1981, long before the average air traveller was introduced to the concepts of “carbon footprint” and “offset-programmes”.

Climate change has been characterized as one of the greatest challenges of this century. To address this challenge it would be essential to reduce and stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to a level that does not endanger the global climate and to put in place steps to cope with the inevitable impacts over the coming decades. Negotiations are taking place under the United Nations to identify the best way forward and to define the specific roles of all of those involved in achieving this goal. An effective programme of action to address climate change will need to encompass all countries and activities, while considering their specific needs and respecting their overriding priorities for sustainable development. (more…)

Tagged with: Environment, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Jane Hupe

Sustainable aviation: Managing the challenge of growth

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Dan Elwell, FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning and Environment

Aviation has become an essential element of the U.S. and the world’s economy in the last 60 years. It has made the world a neighbourhood and redefined the nature of opportunity. Aviation is a crucial driver of economic development in large areas of the world and supports the world’s largest industry: tourism, yet aviation’s success has produced concerns over its environmental impacts.

Aviation has made significant strides in lessening its environmental ‘footprint.’ Over the last 35 years, there has been a six-fold increase in the mobility provided by the U.S. air transportation system. At the same time, there has been a 60 per cent improvement in aircraft fuel efficiency, and a 95 per cent reduction in the number of people impacted by aircraft noise₁. However, environmental issues have already resulted in the delay and/or down scaling of certain airport capacity projects over the past decade. (more…)

Tagged with: Dan Elwell, Environment, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Fraport focuses on long-term applied environmental protection

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Dr. Peter Marx, Fraport, Vice President of Environmental Management, Fraport AG

Global – Ecological – Sustainable. The corporate environmental strategy is confronted with a new challenge with Fraport’s expansion. Successful approaches for the airport’s central environmental aspects – aircraft noise and climate protection – can only be developed and implemented within a sustainable strategic approach.

The foundations of the current Fraport Environmental Strategy were declared in the current Fraport vision, in which three corporate goals were derived: value creation, strong performance and sustainability. The goal of sustainability has gained increased importance over the last years; this is how Fraport came to join the Global Compact initiative. It was founded by the United Nations and obligates participating companies to contribute to a sustainable and fair world market by exercising universal human rights and environmental principles. An organisational consequence stemming from this is the planned formation of a corporate-wide sustainability board. (more…)

Tagged with: Dr. Peter Marx, Environment, Fraport AG

An interview with Mr. Dimitrios Gatsonis

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Dimitrios Gatsonis, Deputy CEO, Budapest Airport

Budapest Airport has introduced its new passenger security screening system for a total investment of HUF 900 million. The new equipment will make security screening quicker and seamless, cutting waiting time and enhancing security. The baggage belts before and after the X-ray machine are longer, enabling four passengers to use it simultaneously at both ends, instead of the one or two currently used. The machine automatically rotates the 20 trays that are in the system. At the end of the belt, a camera checks that the tray is empty and does not allow the machine to run on if there is as much as a single coin left on it.

The operator sees the baggage on two monitors, shown from the side and from above, giving a clearer picture of the contents. Similar to the computer tomographs used in medical diagnostics, the device is capable of analysing the density of materials in addition to their atomic weight. The machines used earlier labelled chocolate as just as suspicious as explosives, since their atomic structures are similar, although their density is different. Thus, the number of false alarms will drop and passenger screeners will have to open fewer pieces of baggage, speeding up the screening process. (more…)

Tagged with: Budapest Airport, Checkpoint security, Dimitrios Gatsonis, Hungary

ASA fuel services: focusing on the client

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Alejandro Ríos, Director, Fuel Services, Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares

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.

The Fuel Management System (FMS), as it is integrally known, delivers value to ASA’s clients by reducing costs, and bolsters client confidence through its international certifications in ISO and OHSAS. In addition, recent specific strategies targeted toward reducing jet fuel costs have resulted in savings across the supply chain. (more…)

Tagged with: Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), Alejandro Ríos, Fuel

Dubai Airports: a new chapter in world aviation

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of DCA & Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group

Dubai is undergoing dynamic growth in all areas of its economy, which has long diversified away from the oil sector.

Today, the contribution of the oil sector to Dubai’s GDP is under five per cent, while the services sector, with an average annual growth rate of 21 per cent since 2000, has been the key driver of Dubai’s economic rise. In 2005, the service sector constituted 74 per cent of Dubai’s GDP.

Dubai’s strategic plan for 2015 lays specific emphasis on travel and tourism, trade, and transportation and logistics, among others, as highly conducive sectors for future economic growth. Dubai’s investments in these sectors are in line with this greater plan. The value of investments in Dubai’s tourism, hospitality, leisure, entertainment, and real estate projects, over the next five to seven years is estimated to be approximately US$ 365 billion. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, Dubai Airports, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, United Arab Emirates

New Doha International Airport

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Akbar Al-Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways

The New Doha International Airport (NDIA), currently under construction in Doha, is set to propel the State of Qatar further into the international spotlight when it opens in less than three years’ time. Upon completion, the new airport will become an important centrepiece in the infrastructural development of Qatar’s capital city of Doha, with a key objective of being a global transportation hub, linking East and West.

The airport will be the new home for Qatar Airways, one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world. Since its relaunch in 1997, Qatar Airways has rapidly expanded from operating four leased aircraft a little over 10 years ago to now owning more than 60 modern Airbus and Boeing aircrafts. The airline currently has over 200 new aircraft worth a staggering USD 30 billion on order, including eighty Airbus A350s, sixty Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliners’, thirty Boeing 777s and five Airbus A380 ‘Superjumbos’. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, Akbar Al-Baker, New Doha International Airport (NDIA), Qatar, Qatar Airways

The master plan

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC)

In line with the government of Abu Dhabi’s aims to transform the capital of the UAE into a vibrant, broad-based economy, an increasing emphasis has been placed on the industrial, real estate and tourism development in the federation’s largest Emirate. Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the owner operator of both the Emirate’s key aviation hubs (Abu Dhabi and Al Ain), is an intrinsic part of the government’s plans and with USD 6.8 billion earmarked for the development of Abu Dhabi International Airport alone, the city can easily boast to be home to one of the world’s most ambitious airport redevelopment projects ever.

Huge investments in the form of infrastructural, industrial, tourism, educational, sports and cultural projects are being pumped into the city with the clear agenda of placing Abu Dhabi firmly on the world map. Strong emphasis is being placed on the capital becoming an iconic, cultural destination with both the Guggenheim and Louvre having already committed to establishing museums in the city. Strong GDP growth will also help the UAE’s federal capital and wider Emirate achieve its target of attracting 2.7 million visitors by 2012 (Source: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority). (more…)

Tagged with: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), United Arab Emirates

Creating a bright future

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Mr Fawaz Abdulaziz Al-Farah, President of Civil Aviation, Kuwait

The largest development project in the 80-year history of Kuwait International Airport is taking shape. A state-of-the-art aviation hub for the region will create an impressive ‘front door’ for visitors to this dynamic nation.

Despite the global aviation slowdown, the latest statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show the Middle East leading the industry for growth and the State of Kuwait is determined to be at the forefront.

Crucial to achieving that position and assisting in the national goal of transforming Kuwait into a financial and commercial centre for the region is the Kuwait International Airport Master Plan, the road map for the development of the gateway over the next 30 years and beyond.

Although the airport has undergone numerous upgrades and renovations over the last 25 years, including an almost total rebuild in 1991 following the Liberation of Kuwait, the latest Master Plan unveiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aims to lift facilities onto an altogether higher plane. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, Kuwait, Kuwait International Airport, Mr Fawaz Abdulaziz Al-Farah

One of the fastest growing airports in the Middle East

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Jean Pierre Tabet, Chief Commercial Officer, Cairo International Airport

CAIRO International Airport, with a wider range of traveller amenities and the brand new Terminal 3 (currently under construction), promises to make the airport experience more exciting and pleasant for passengers. After the opening of the terminal in the fourth quarter of 2008, Cairo International Airport will comprise of three terminals capable of handling over 22 million passengers.

The airport’s two current terminals have a combined capacity of approximately 11 million passengers. The tremendous traffic growth of over 15 per cent in the last year, however, has increased CAI’s throughput to reach 12.5 million in 2007, leading to some bottlenecks in peak times. The new Terminal 3 will double capacity at Cairo, and is the key for the future growth of CAI.

The first quarter of 2008 has already shown an increase of 20 per cent compared to the same period of last year. We expect that this growth rate will continue in 2008 due to EgyptAir joining the Star Alliance in July of this year, and the phased liberalisation of the air traffic market in Egypt. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, Cairo International Airport, Egypt, Jean Pierre Tabet

The BASIC approach to biometrics at U.S. airports

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Colleen Chamberlain, AAAE Staff Vice President, Transportation Security Policy

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 response, a growing group of airports, along with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), are leading an industry effort known as the Biometric Airport Security Identification Consortium (BASIC) to work with TSA to determine how, and when, biometric-based systems can be deployed at airports. In particular, BASIC’s primary objective is to ensure that any requirements and standards for biometric systems at airports not only meet TSA’s security demands but also preserve local control and flexibility, build off existing processes and resources, and protect existing capital investments. (more…)

Tagged with: American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Biometric Airport Security Identification Consortium (BASIC), Biometrics, Colleen Chamberlain, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation Security Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USA

Providing technical and industry expertise

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Barry Goff, Chairman, International Friction Pavement Association (IFPA)

This article serves as the ‘coming out’ event for the International Friction Pavement Association (IFPA)

The IFPA was created to focus beyond engineering and manufacturing, and bring in representation as we have done with our Board of Directors: someone from the airlines (Southwest) with a pilot’s perspective; someone from the manufacturing side (Boeing); and others to begin looking at runway friction testing, from the end-users’ perspective. An initial goal is to host next spring, at a new testing facility, a workshop for industry to begin working through issues and exploring standardised friction testing practices.

As IFPA founder Tim Neubert attests, “Our focus is trying to help an industry we’re involved in to be able to get reliable data when they need it; when that snow starts falling or rain starts accumulating, they can report valued data for that inbound or departing aircraft.” (more…)

Tagged with: Barry Goff, International Friction Pavement Association (IFPA), Runway friction

Coping with the growth of the industry

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Dr. Ghanem Al-Hajri, Director General, Sharjah Airport Authority and Secretary General Gulf Airports Services Association

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.

The aviation industry is undoubtedly among the fastest growing in the world today, be it in terms of aircraft fleet, traffic growth or even revenues. Faster and wider aircrafts have appeared on the scene, allowing a much wider range of travellers capable of indulging in air travel. With liberal policies, travellers are offered more choice and variety in their mode of travel. Competitive pricing of services and the advent of low cost and no-frills airlines will be the order of the day.

In recent times, global liberalisation has had a dramatic impact on many facets of life, possibly most so on the world economy, with countries opening up their doors to free trade and commerce. This openness in trade is the automatic cause of better products and services being delivered at better prices, making the consumer the kingpin in the market. (more…)

Tagged with: Dr. Ghanem Al-Hajri, Ground handling, Gulf Airports Services Association (GASA), Sharjah Airport Authority

FAB Europe Central enters a new phase

Issue 4 2008 / 1 August 2008 / Daniel Weder

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. (more…)

Tagged with: Air traffic control (ATC), Daniel Weder, Functional Airspace Block (FAB)