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May 2008 Articles

  • EC Finally making an approach on Airport Capacity?

    EC Finally making an approach on Airport Capacity?

    The never-ending escalation of fuel costs and the consequences of the global credit crunch have already taken their toll on aviation. Although Europe appears to be in a better position compared to the US, the near future definitely looks grimmer. The decision of Ryanair to ground 20 of its aircraft for this year’s winter season is quite revealing, not least because it will directly impact upon several European airports and their communities.

  • “There is quite a lot on the agenda. This could be a pivotal year for ATM in Europe. The second package of the Single European Sky is promised by the European Commission by summer, and it will be a busy year in terms of traffic,” said McMillan.

    ‘Ensuring there is one ATM process in Europe’

    EUROCONTROL is in a period of transition, including several management changes, not least the appointment of David McMillan as Director General at the beginning of this year. He spoke with Ross Falconer about his vision for EUROCONTROL going forward and the crucial issues, such as the second Single European Sky package, that are on the agenda in 2008.

  • T5 to enable Heathrow’s transformation

    T5 to enable Heathrow’s transformation

    While London- Heathrow’s Terminal 5 experienced much-publicised baggage problems on opening, it is widely acknowledged that it is a world class facility and one that was notably delivered on time and on budget. Significantly, it also creates room for major transformation of the rest of the airport. Ross Falconer reports.

  • East Midlands achieved a record throughput of 5.4 million passengers in 2007. Impressive growth has continued in the first quarter of 2008; the airport handled 1.2 million passengers in the first three months of the year, an increase of 15.2% year-on-year.

    East Midlands – making bold environmental gains

    East Midlands Airport made an ambitious commitment in its 2006 Master Plan – to be carbon neutral in all its ground operations by 2012. Central to this aim is the plan to install four wind turbines on site, which will be up and running by the end of 2008. Ross Falconer spoke with Neil Robinson, Environment and Safeguarding Manager, about the airport’s innovative environmental strategy.

  • Demetrio: “We are facing the Alitalia de-hubbing implementation like a window of opportunity to restructure SEA and make it more efficient. Even if the results for 2008 and 2009 will be heavily impacted by the traffic and revenue reduction, we believe that the coming years after 2010 will yield very positive results.”

    Alitalia’s MXP withdrawal ‘a window of opportunity’ for SEA restructuring

    Albert Einstein famously said “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Alitalia’s recent decision to withdraw 250 daily flights from Milan Malpensa and refocus on its Rome Fiumicino hub means the airport has effectively lost its own hub status. Ross Falconer spoke with Giulio Demetrio, Director General, SEA Aeroporti di Milano, about the consequences of Alitalia’s decision, the challenges and the opportunity it now presents the airport.

  • Prenotification requirements as stated in the Regulation stipulate that PRMs have to notify their need for assistance at least 48 hours in advance to their airline/tour operator/travel agent. They, in turn, must then transfer this data to airports at least 36 hours before flight departure.

    PRM Notification Tool – advice for airports

    From 26 July this year, EU airports will become responsible for providing assistance to passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs). This assistance must be provided to PRMs departing, arriving and transiting at EU airports. Efficient implementation of the new Regulation requires the creation of smooth communication channels for the transmission of PRM information from airlines/tour operators/travel agents to airports. As such, a PRM Notification Tool was approved at the IATA Reservation Committee on 10 October 2007 and has become an IATA Recommended Practice Document. Ross Falconer reports.

  • Seebohm: “We are working actively with the US, Canada and Australia, in particular with the US, for obvious reasons. Ultimately, however, progress with these countries will depend on their readiness to fully implement the relevant rules, notably to introduce mandatory use of tamper-proof bags at their airports.”

    EC working actively with US, Canada and Australia on LAGs exemption

    Singapore remains the only country to have been granted exemption from the rules on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) by passengers transiting at EU airports. The European Commission is in contact with several third countries, however, not all of them have fully understood the requirements to be fulfilled. Ross Falconer spoke with Eckard Seebohm, Head of Aviation Security Unit, DG-TREN, European Commission.

  • Onland: “RT programmes present aviation stakeholders with a great opportunity to work together. By facilitating friendly (i.e. known) flows, border authorities can redirect resource to risk (i.e. unknown) flows. Airports and airlines can simplify passenger travel for registered travellers and add comfort and convenience to the travel experience.”

    ACI EUROPE task force on border control and RT programmes

    The ACI EUROPE task force on border control and registered traveller programmes was launched on 21 April. Nanne Onland, director, Dartagnan, is leading the task force on behalf of Schiphol Group. He told Ross Falconer what is on the agenda.

  • Hogan: “In the UK, the Department for Transport is on course to adopt multiview X-ray machines as the standard equipment for screening cabin baggage.”

    Innovative Multiview X-ray screening

    Rapiscan’s new Multiview X-Ray security screening machines provide an advanced and reliable alternative to standard dual energy, single view X-ray machines by providing multiple views of objects within bags from multiple angles. Further, it is capable of automatically detecting liquid and other IED threats. Michelle Meineke reports.

  • The BM-ET200 Iris Reader relies on the unique, intricate patterns of each passenger’s eye. On registration, the Iris Reader captures a detailed close-up of the passenger’s iris, storing a ‘template’ of the iris pattern into the system, for future reference.

    Iris Reader: Near impossible to counterfeit

    Spurred through healthy competition between airport security companies to develop innovative technologies that guarantee the safety and security of thousands of passengers, Panasonic Biometrics BM-ET200 Iris Reader offers a reassuringly low failure rate. Michelle Meineke reports.

  • Lee Hannis, business development manager, Human Recognition Systems: “Iris scan is a huge step forward in not only improving security but also providing an automated system.”

    Manchester airport introduces biometric staff access

    The airport has partnered with Human Recognition Systems and the Department for Transport (DfT) to implement the UK’s first iris biometric access control portal. The state-of-the-art technology is part of Manchester airport’s drive to tighten staff access to the restricted zone.

  • Griffiths: “Terminal 3 is unique. Firstly, it’s one million square metres – twice the size of Heathrow’s Terminal 5. Secondly, the whole terminal has been built underground, yet it feels like a large cathedral. Thirdly, it is the first terminal in the world that has been designed specifically for the A380.”

    T3: Dubai’s latest infrastructural marvel

    “There are hardly any two points on the planet that you cannot connect to via Dubai Airport,” said Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO, in reference to the airport’s ambitious slogan – ‘Where the world connects’. The new Terminal 3 was a $4 billion (€2.5bn) development, which took a mere four and a half years to complete. As Griffiths explains, the terminal boasts a unique complexity, which marks it as one of Dubai’s latest unprecedented infrastructural achievements. Michelle Meineke reports.

  • Although Berlin Tegel’s net gain is just nine routes, this disguises the fact that several mostly low-frequency routes have been lost while 16 new routes, spread across several airlines, have been gained, including Air Berlin, Cimber Air, LTU, Lufthansa, Luxair, Meridiana, SunExpress and TUIfly.

    New routes from EU airports

    Airports in the EU’s 27 member states continue to offer an ever widening range of destinations to their customers according to analysis of the latest OAG data for scheduled airlines. Comparing information for the third week of April in 2008 with the corresponding week in 2007, shows that airports in the EU have increased the number of scheduled routes on offer by 5.9% with the net addition of 518 new routes.

  • Ambitious developments: 97 new airports to be built in China in the next 12 years, bringing the total number to 244 airports by 2020 and ensuring that 82% of the population will live within 100km of an airport.

    Realising the ‘impossible’

    Architect Foster & Partners, engineer Arup and planner NACO, each confessed that, given the timeframe for Beijing’s new Terminal 3, they thought the task was “impossible”. Yet, a mere four years later, one of the world’s biggest and grandest airport terminals is successfully operational; an example of how fellow airport developments can excel at no sacrifice to speed or style. Michelle Meineke reports.

  • Capacity is currently 12 million passengers and when Phase 2 commences – triggered by traffic volume – capacity will be increased to 20 million, potentially reaching 40 million passengers in the final phase and bringing the total floor area to 900,000sqm.

    New Hyderabad: India’s first A380-capable airport

    Supported by an industry friendly State Government and its ideal geographic location, the city of Hyderabad is witnessing a phenomenal growth in air traffic, which is expected to increase further due to the city’s booming IT, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. The recently completed New Hyderabad International Airport is the perfect engine to facilitate the region’s growth, both locally and internationally. Michelle Meineke reports.

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