Categories
March 2010 Articles
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March, 2010Connecting Aviation Policy with Market Reality
Europe’s airports certainly did not need yet another terrorist threat in the final days of 2009 to conclude their most challenging year on record. With nearly 3 years of growth lost for passenger traffic – the equivalent of close to 100 million passengers gone – and 4 years of growth lost for freight, the past year already deserved to be called an annus horribilis.
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March, 2010Gatwick sets out competitive vision
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) formally completed the £1.5 billion (€1.65bn) acquisition of London-Gatwick Airport in December 2009, with the promise of a new era of competition between London’s airports, more efficient operations and a better passenger experience. Stewart Wingate, the newly-appointed CEO, outlined the airport’s strategy to Ross Falconer.
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March, 2010One step forward, two steps back – LAGs and Body Scanners high on the political agenda
Recent months have seen a lot of activity in the field of security policy, with the roadmap for the removal of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) making ground, against a backdrop of another high profile terrorist incident, which resulted in the return of body scanners to the policy agenda. Report by Ross Falconer and Robert O’Meara.
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March, 2010All Change at the European Commission
After a delayed transition, the 2004-2009 European Commission has now handed over to the newcomers: the 2009-2014 European Commission. This new Commission will also benefit from the recently ratified and adopted Lisbon Treaty, which is set to streamline decision-making within the institutions and endow the European Parliament with some new powers. Robert O’Meara reports.
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March, 2010ACI EUROPE launches Policy Outlook at the European Parliament
On 23 February, ACI EUROPE launched its Policy Outlook publication at a reception hosted by the Chairman of the European Parliamentary Committee on Transport & Tourism, Brian Simpson MEP. The event was attended by Members of the European Parliament, as well as officials from the European Commission, EU Member States, EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), EUROCONTROL and ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference).
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March, 2010Strong cross-industry engagement at COP15
The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Copenhagen in December. The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) – of which Airports Council International is a member – led a 30-strong cross-industry delegation in Copenhagen, which engaged with international governments and promoted aviation’s aggressive strategy to dealing with its emissions. Paul Steele, Executive Director, ATAG, outlined the key conclusions from the event to Ross Falconer.
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March, 2010Shaping financial planning as industry emerges from economic crisis
The second annual ACI Airport Economics & Finance Conference was held in London on 23-24 February. The timely event, jointly organised by ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD, focused on the critical factors that will shape airport investments and financial planning decisions as the industry emerges from the financial crisis. Report by Christoph Koeppchen and Ross Falconer.
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March, 2010Airport Safety Certification: EASA is soon starting rulemaking process
The previous issue of Airport Business (Winter 2009) featured the first “EASA news” section, providing the readers of this magazine with a regular update on EASA’s activities in the field of airports. In the current issue, we present the newly formed department for ATM and airports and we look at EASA’s approach to runway incursions. Article by EASA.
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March, 2010ACI EUROPE prepared for challenges on drafting Implementing Rules with EASA
Starting this spring, the drafting of the Implementing Rules (IRs) will begin with a joint approach between EASA and experts from the industry. This will be followed by a public consultation period, after which the EASA proposal will be presented to the European Commission by summer/autumn 2012. Philip Ahrens reports.
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March, 2010Proactive DAA continues to incentivise traffic recovery
Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) launched the Dublin Airport Growth Incentive Scheme in January, which will effectively see the airport waive all airport charges for passenger traffic once a threshold of 19.5 million passengers has been reached. So how does it work? Ross Falconer reports.
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March, 2010ACSA’s airport developments nearing conclusion as World Cup approaches
On 15 May 2004, FIFA – the world’s governing body for football – made the announcement that South Africa would host the 2010 World Cup. Almost six years on, the South African airport infrastructure has been completely transformed and the finishing touches are being applied as the country prepares to stage the world’s leading sporting showpiece, which kicks off on 11 June. Ryan Ghee spoke to Monhla Hlahla, managing director, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
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March, 2010Middle East airports continue developments
Dubai International Airport has received global recognition for its ongoing development project, receiving a number of international awards over the last two years. With the eagerly anticipated opening of Al Maktoum International Airport also fast approaching, all eyes are firmly set on the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Ryan Ghee reports.
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March, 2010Lufthansa and Frankfurt Airport lead by example on baggage handling
In order to combat the issue of mishandled baggage, Lufthansa and Frankfurt Airport have been working in partnership on an innovative Baggage Improvement Programme. Ryan Ghee spoke to Erik Mosch, director of global aircraft handling and baggage processes, Industrial Engineering at Lufthansa.
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March, 2010Emerging markets consider mobile terminal solutions
On the surface, temporary terminal solutions may appear to be exactly as the name suggests – a quick fix to a short-term problem. However, as more airports explore temporary terminals as a genuine answer to a complex issue, they are slowly becoming a viable alternative to permanent expansion. Ryan Ghee spoke to Thomas Melcher, managing director of The Mobile Terminal (TMT).
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March, 2010Optimism for travel retail despite the testing times
With the imposition of the single bag carry-on rule, the restrictions on Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) and the World Health Organization’s proposal to ban duty free tobacco sales, recent months have proved to be tough for the travel retail sector. Ryan Ghee spoke to Frank O’Connell, President of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC), and Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE.
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March, 2010Eastern European airports prepare for further growth
The continued enlargement of the European Union has resulted in a sustained rise in passenger numbers at Eastern European airports. With Croatia expected to be granted full EU membership in the coming months, the country’s airport infrastructure is the subject of increased investment. Similarly, in Slovenia, which shares a border with Croatia, significant construction projects are also well underway. Ryan Ghee reports.
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March, 2010SMAG – business development vital for regional airports
The Small and Medium Size Airports Action Group (SMAG) was established by ACI EUROPE almost four years ago and has since developed into an organisation comprising 150 members, including six national airport associations. Ryan Ghee spoke to Olle Sundin, SMAG Chairman, managing director Regional Airports Division, LFV, and Airport Director Göteborg Landvetter Airport, about the impact of the global economic downturn and the start of the recovery for regional airports.
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March, 2010Malta Airport’s commercial investment already proving its worth
The €5.5million terminal expansion at Malta International Airport, which was completed last June, is already producing an impressive return on investment. Despite a decrease in passenger numbers in 2009, the airport’s total turnover increased by 3% and it has recorded a 20% increase in non-aviation revenues. Ahead of the airport hosting the 19th ACI EUROPE Airport Trading Conference and Exhibition on 26-28 April, Ryan Ghee spoke to Julian Jaeger, CEO, Malta International Airport.
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March, 2010Hall D caters for Toulouse’s 2020 vision
The official opening ceremony for Toulouse-Blagnac’s new €103.6 million Hall D took place on 21 January. The airport’s fourth terminal, it opened to passenger services on 6 March and is dedicated to European and international services. The new infrastructure will take the airport “into the 2020s and beyond”, as Jean-Michel Vernhes, Chairman of the airport’s Board of Directors and president of ALFA-ACI, explained to Ross Falconer.
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