Richard Piper - Articles and news items

A Fully Functioning Airport… But Where are the Planes?

Issue 4 2010 / 10 August 2010 /

Building an airport is a very complex process indeed. In order for such a large scale project to be successful, many different aspects must come together to achieve the same common goal. So what if there was a way to see these varying aspects in operation under one roof before you begin?

Based in Fürth, near Nuremburg, the Siemens Airport Center (SAC) is a truly unique facility designed to offer just that. The objective: to provide market specific solutions to both airports and airlines. (more…)

North Hub Riga

Issue 4 2010 / 9 August 2010 /

On 8 June 2010, just 12 months after my last visit to the Baltic, I found myself in the business class cabin of an airBaltic Boeing 737 on my way to Riga once more. Having been handed a press pack on the aircraft I duly opened this up and proceeded to browse the lineup for the following day’s conference “North Hub Riga.”

On arrival, myself and a handful of other journalists were met by Ketrina, our representative from airBaltic, who immediately led us to a waiting car. We were then driven through the warm evening to the Latvian National Opera, where we were to watch a magnificent performance of Giacomo Puccini’s Il Trittico. A thoroughly pleasant way to spend the first evening. (more…)

“Going to the North Hub Riga”

Issue 3 2009, Past issues / 26 May 2009 /

It was in good spirits that I found myself in the executive lounge at Gatwick airport’s South Terminal. airBaltic had very kindly booked me a seat on their business class service and I must confess to having made the most of it!

A short time later, flight BT 652 was whisking myself, and a handful of other journalists, to Riga International Airport in Latvia. From there we were met by a representative from the airline and taken to the Radisson SAS Daugava hotel, where “Going to the North Hub Riga” would be held.

The aim of the conference was to discuss current global trends in the aviation industry, with a specific focus on the Baltic region. This would also include discussions and presentations looking at the development of RIX, on its way to becoming an important air traffic hub. (more…)

Reflections on CNI 2009: Protecting Critical Infrastructure in a Changing World

Issue 3 2009, Past issues / 26 May 2009 /

The world is going through a period of change more rapid and arguably more profound than at any time in its modern history. The degree and speed of change is having profound impacts on the critical infrastructures on which States rely. Climate change will entail huge upheavals in the longer term, but already it is linked to increasingly frequent bouts of extreme weather. Our utilisation of ICT continues to break new ground, but also entails new dependencies and vulnerabilities. The networks which our most vital infrastructure is part of, and dependent upon, have become so complex that they are almost impossible to fully analyse. Our systems are more tightly coupled and susceptible to cascade failure, while our society and economy is less resilient to temporary disruptions than ever. (more…)

A380 Touchdown

Issue 1 2008, Past issues / 4 February 2008 /

On 9th – 10th November A380 touchdown brought together delegates from around the world to discuss the entry into service of the Airbus A380 super-jumbo.

The event was hosted by Dubai International Airport and the venue was Le Méridien Hotel. It is a five star hotel with excellent conference facilities and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff who helped with the smooth running of A380 touchdown.

The conference was sponsored by Cavotec, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative mobile power supply solutions for the airport industry and DAE Airports, the global airport development and operations division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE).

The event was opened with a keynote welcome from HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group. (more…)