Issue 6 2007

The airport/airline relationship

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Roberto Kobeh González, President of the Council, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

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, are to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to, amongst other things: (more…)

Tagged with: International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Policy & strategy, Roberto Kobeh González, Safety

Regulations surrounding Ground Handling & Ramp Safety

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Giovanni David, Aerospace Industrial Sector Manager and Lead Auditor, DNV (Det Norske Veritas)

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, service levels and the image portrayed to users. Ground handling is sometimes provided by the airports themselves, but at most airports it is provided by airlines or concessionaires.

An airport ramp is a community of relationships and its success relies on how well these relationships are working. Managers have to orchestrate a great deal of activity within a small area, around a magnificently expensive piece of equipment, in a very short space of time.

Ramp operations are a very important part of the whole operation of an aircraft. Ramp handling covers the loading and unloading of baggage, air cargo and air-mail onto the aircraft and transportation between the aircraft and the passenger terminal, air cargo terminals and the air-mail centre. In addition to this, ramp-handling services cover preparations for the delivery onto aircraft of bulk baggage and baggage containers, aircraft loading bridge operations and passenger stairs operations. As we can see, it is a very complex situation where delivery precision and safety are very important issues. (more…)

Tagged with: DNV (Det Norske Veritas), Giovanni David, Ground handling, Ramp operations

Heathrow City Logistics – An emerging logistic strategy for Heathrow Airport

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Shaun Cowlam, Logistics Director, BAA Heathrow

With nearly 70 Million passengers each year and over 70 thousand staff, it could be said that Heathrow is more like a city than an Airport. The scale and complexity of managing the logistic flows both into and out of Heathrow is a major challenge and it is true to say that, apart from a surface access strategy focused on passenger flows, there is much more work to be done on developing a full understanding of the full ground dynamics of the airport.

In recognition of this, BAA Heathrow is developing a concept known as Heathrow City Logistics (HCL), to address the wider logistic aspects of running the world’s busiest international airport. Following a launch conference held on 1 March 2007, we are now working with our suppliers and partners at the airport, to develop opportunities that allow closer logistic cooperation and alignment of logistic strategies.

The benefits are clear. If working together reduces redundancy and wasted movement, financial savings must be possible so why would organisations not be interested in greater logistic cooperation? One of the outcomes of greater cooperation is likely to be reduced vehicle movements into and around the airport. This will help reduce congestion and travel to, from and around the airport – a worthwhile service improvement to our customers – the passenger. Reduced vehicle movements will also reduce emissions, at a time when environmental performance is moving up all corporate agendas. (more…)

Tagged with: BAA Heathrow, Shaun Cowlam

Gatwick lines up for the future

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Andy Flower, Managing Director, BAA Gatwick

BAA Gatwick Airport is the second largest UK airport and the world’s busiest international single runway operation airport. With two terminals linked by a rapid transit system, BAA Gatwick currently welcomes almost 35 million passengers a year, serving a growing route network of over 200 destinations worldwide with around 90 airline partners.

Recently voted ‘Best Major UK Airport’ by Travel Bulletin readers and regularly winning awards, Gatwick has come a long way since the opening of ‘The Beehive’, the world’s first circular terminal at Gatwick 70 years ago. Next year, the airports’ South Terminal celebrates its 50th birthday and the North Terminal its 20th birthday.

On a busy day in the peak summer season, the airport handles upwards of 800 aircraft movements and around 138,000 passengers fly in and out. On 31 August this year, Gatwick Airport exceeded all records by handling 876 flights in one day. On 2 September a new record of 74,081 arriving passengers was set. These figures show the potential of future growth at the airport. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, Andy Flower, BAA Gatwick, United Kingdom

Paris-Charles de Gaulle: ready to handle the A380

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Jean-Marie Chevallier, Director of Planning, Aéroports de Paris

In a few months’ time, Paris-Charles de Gaulle will be one of the first airports in the world to accommodate the new jumbo Airbus A380 on a daily basis. Aéroports de Paris has been gearing up for years to accommodate this type of aircraft and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport is ready for the commercial operating of this aircraft, exceptional in many ways.

In total, Aéroports de Paris invested around 100 million euros in order to accommodate new jumbo aircraft such as the A380, the B777-300ER and the A340-600. Regarding the A380, the aircraft specifications have been integrated into the development of the airport without resorting to heavy changes in the aeronautic infrastructure. Hence, since 1997, all new developments have been made in conformity with this type of aircraft, whether new runways, taxiways or boarding lounges such as “la Galerie Parisienne” which was unveiled in June 2007. In parallel, older facilities have been upgraded according to a specific standard, relating to the A380, defined at European level.

The arrival of the A380 represents a real asset for Aéroports de Paris and is part of the industrial strategy of the group. Indeed, this aircraft can carry a larger number of passengers and thus contributes to the optimisation of our airport capacities, while respecting the environmental demands. The A380 participates in reinforcing the competitiveness of the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub. (more…)

Tagged with: A380, Aéroports de Paris, Jean-Marie Chevallier, Paris-Charles de Gaulle

Riga International Airport: becoming a lead player

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Krišjanis Peters, Chairman of the Board

From the capital of Latvia, Riga, you can reach “Riga International Airport” in 7 minutes. Latvia is located between the Baltic States (Lithuania and Estonia) and therefore it can cover larger territories. Approximately 2.5 million people in the Baltic States live within a two-hour drive and 3.6 million people live within a four-hour drive from Riga airport.

Riga airport has enjoyed fast growth for the last three years. Today we are the biggest airport in the Baltic States. The number of passengers is still growing and the airport is providing a number of new flights. Statistics show that, in 2007, the number of passengers handled at Riga airport will be close to that of Tallinn and Vilnius airports combined. It is important to maintain the speed of growth and capability, to provide a high level of customer service.

Riga International Airport is also the fastest growing airport in Europe. In March, a new departure terminal was opened with the capability to handle four million passengers per year. Currently, this terminal is used by the low cost airlines and passengers who are heading to countries which are not part of the Schengen zone. (more…)

Tagged with: Airport profiles, Chairman of the Board, Krišjanis Peters, Latvia, Riga International Airport

Alternative fuels for aviation: the CAAFI process

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Richard L. Altman, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)

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. The collective wisdom of airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers and government organisations such as the FAA in the US, had been that aviation would consume the last drop of oil used in transportation and that all other transportation modes would switch to alternatives first. They predicted that the transition would occur long after stationary energy users (utilities) switched. Even if aviation sought to pursue alternatives to Jet A or its military equivalent JP8, the market for aviation fuel (less than 10% of overall demand) was too small to influence energy suppliers and distributors. The need to pursue alternatives in aviation was not apparent.

Much has changed and a different set of questions are asked in many quarters. Does aviation want to rely upon this historical assumption of “last user”? Is there a better future possible with a more secure supply, a better environmental footprint? Could this lead to energy price stability in the long term? Is there any way that aviation could attract the attention of the energy supply community to act in its interests? Perhaps most importantly, if aviation does not act, what are the consequences of being the last user of an ageing and likely politically unstable petroleum infrastructure in the long term? (more…)

Tagged with: Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), Fuel, Richard L. Altman

Avian radar systems

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Edwin E. Herricks, Center of Excellence in Airport Technology and Gerry Key, Computer Sciences Corporation

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Thompson 253! – Thus begins the audio following a slow motion video of a bird/aircraft collision. The mayday is called as flames shoot from the left engine of a Thompson Boeing 757. This bird strike on takeoff rivets our attention for over 6 minutes as the professionalism of pilots and controllers is documented in a safe, one engine landing. YouTube has again provided us with access to a video record and graphic evidence for the need to prevent bird/aircraft collisions.

The Thompson 757 strike is added to recent incidents of bird/aircraft collisions with large two engine aircraft at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. Although the bird strike problem has been with aircraft since the days of the Wright brothers, there is new urgency as increasing numbers of large birds that fly in flocks are on a collision course with a commercial fleet, dominated by two engine aircraft. The risk of catastrophe looms larger and larger! (more…)

Tagged with: Bird strikes, Center of Excellence in Airport Technology, Computer Sciences Corporation, Edwin E. Herricks, Gerry Key

Multi-biometrics for enhanced airport access control

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723-6099

Biometrics is used to verify identity in various activities from crime solving, recidivist detection, employee and clearance screening, remains identification and border and airport security. Biometric systems are being deployed in airports in increasing numbers.

Examples include the Registered Traveller services Clear and rtGo, IRIS and miSense in the UK, and US-VISIT and US-Exit programmes. These systems are used to reduce passenger authentication time; but they are also increasingly being recognised as having a role to play in security challenges including anti-terrorism and illegal immigration. (more…)

Tagged with: The Johns Hopkins University

When wings won’t fly

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Marcia K. Politovich, National Centre for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO

The wings of an aircraft are carefully designed to provide the lift needed to fly. The shape of the wing must be aerodynamically efficient and the surface should be smooth to allow air to flow effortlessly around it. However, prior to and during flight, atmospheric phenomena work to reshape and re-texture those wings. These phenomena create potentially hazardous icing conditions by which ice builds on the wings and degrades their performance. Aircraft icing researchers have applied their scientific and engineering expertise to develop new products, to allow the flying public to avoid the potentially hazardous consequences of icy wings. (more…)

Tagged with: De-icing, Marcia K. Politovich, National Centre for Atmospheric Research, Safety

Friction testing in Sweden

Issue 6 2007 / 30 November 2007 / Fredrik Nilsson, Project Manager, Civil Engineering Department, Swedish CAA at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport and Pär Blom, Training officer, Field Department, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport

In the beginning of air traffic history only propeller aeroplanes were used. They had a landing speed of 60-100 km/h, compared to today’s jet aeroplanes which have a landing speed of 250-360 km/h. Therefore, in the past when friction did not seem as important, the airport personnel used their feet to feel if it was slippery or not. In the 1930’s the friction test began to be performed by a bicycle or a car. After the foot friction test, there came a measuring device called ‘tapleymeter’: a small measuring device located in a car. To get a friction value, the car accelerates to 30 km/h and then the driver hits the brakes. This equipment is still in use at smaller airports today.

When jet aeroplanes began to take over air traffic, the friction coefficient had to be more accurate. A project with the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration (SCAA) and the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, started investigating a procedure for friction testing where the friction coefficient could be compared with a braking jet aeroplane. A trailer was built with a weight of 3300 kg and it was manually programmed and towed by a lorry. This was only in use for a short time because it was very difficult to handle. (more…)

Tagged with: Fredrik Nilsson, Friction testing, Pär Blom, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, Sweden, Swedish Civil Aviation Administration (SCAA)