Categories
Author Articles Archive
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December, 2009Mobile screening units: an evolution of the security checkpoint
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) recently ordered nine Mobile Screening Units (MSUs) from German company Contrac for deployment at undisclosed Canadian airports in time for next year’s Winter Olympic Games. The company’s flagship buses have been adapted to enable passengers to be security cleared on their way to the aircraft. Louise Driscoll reports.
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December, 2009Evolution of the ground handling market
Ahead of her presentation at the 11th ACI EUROPE Ground Handling and Airport Charges Conference, taking place at Airport Exchange, Christina Cassotis, VP and head of airports for aviation consultancy firm SH&E, previewed her assessment of the ground handling market. Louise Driscoll reports.
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December, 2009Helsinki-Vantaa’s ‘via Helsinki’ strategy
After three years in development, two of Finavia’s biggest investment projects are nearing completion at Helsinki-Vantaa airport: an extension to the newly-named Terminal 2 and a state-of-the-art baggage handling centre. Both elements are designed to fulfil the “via Helsinki service concept” and serve its vision of growing long-haul transfer traffic. Louise Driscoll reports.
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December, 2009ALSTEF signs 20-year ADM contract
On 15 September 2009, ALSTEF signed a 20-year contract with ADM (Montréal Airport) for the operation and maintenance of its new US departures area.
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December, 2009Frankfurt: balancing expansion with noise emissions
For any airport, an ongoing commitment to monitoring and reducing the impacts of operational noise on local communities can only be achieved through close collaboration with air transport stakeholders. Louise Driscoll asked Stefan Mauel, Fraport’s head of infrastructure, about Frankfurt airport’s cooperative efforts on noise abatement measures in the context of its €4 billion Airport Expansion Programme (AEP).
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October, 2009Solar power: the next safe solution for runway lighting?
Efficiencies in solar and solar LED lighting – widely used at military and remote airfields – continues to advance and support a growing number of commercial airports for specific runway applications. Louise Driscoll spoke to a UK airport using the technology, an airline pilot and a leading supplier of solar power to assess how it could light the way to enhancing safety at airports.
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October, 2009Runway friction standards: finding a workable solution
Developing standards for assessing levels of runway friction is still a work in progress. ICAO’s International Friction Task Force and the FAA’s Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment Aviation Rulemaking Committee (TALPA ARC) are currently engaged in standardising condition reporting towards the ICAO designations of good/medium/poor/nil runway condition assessments. Louise Driscoll reports.
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October, 2009New Fraport boss sets agenda
Dr. Stefan Schulte became the new executive board chairman (CEO) of Fraport AG on 1 September. He spoke to Louise Driscoll about his new position and his clear agenda to maximise growth potential at Frankfurt Airport.
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October, 2009Munich West thrives off low-cost travellers
Next summer, Allgäu/Memmingen airport – one of three commercial airports in the Bavaria region – will celebrate three years as a civilian airport. During this time, it has transformed from a military base to the fastest growing commercial airport in Germany. Referred to as ‘Munich West’, the airport has positioned itself as a preferred alternative to Munich for the budget carriers. Louise Driscoll reports.
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October, 2009Malta focuses on developing commercial activities
Malta International Airport will host the 19th ACI EUROPE Airport Trading Conference and Exhibition, which takes place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, on 26-28 April 2010. The airport’s €5 million terminal expansion plan includes an overhaul of the retail, catering and security areas, resulting in significant capacity increases both landside and airside. Having opened in mid-June, the airport expects to see commercial revenues accounting for almost one third of the total business by the end of next year. Louise Driscoll reports.
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October, 2009Investing in capacity: Munich’s drive to compete as a leading European hub
Munich airport’s €2 billion investment plan will “extend capacity and ensure Munich can compete successfully with the other European hubs,” said CEO Dr Michael Kerkloh. He spoke to Louise Driscoll.
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June, 2009MAG’s agenda for growth
Manchester Airport hosts this year’s ACI EUROPE Annual Assembly, Congress and Exhibition. Geoff Muirhead, Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), spoke to Louise Driscoll ahead of the event, briefing her on how the Group is responding to the global economic downturn, its commitment to ACI EUROPE’s forthcoming ‘Airport Carbon Accreditation’, future plans and key developments across its four airports.
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June, 2009Finding a technological solution to the LAGs issue
The EU is working towards a deadline of April 2010 for a solution to the Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) issue – if the technology, which is still being trialled, can be proven and the equipment certified in time. Louise Driscoll reports on current progress and the challenges ahead.
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June, 2009New runway construction underway at Frankfurt
Construction of a new landing runway at Frankfurt airport will be key to Fraport AG securing its vision of serving 88 million passengers by 2020. Louise Driscoll reports.
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June, 2009Newcastle completes runway resurfacing ahead of schedule
Newcastle International Airport completed its £6 million (€7m) runway resurfacing project in March, five weeks ahead of schedule. Louise Driscoll spoke with Chris Davis, Newcastle’s head of operations, about the industry best practices taken to ensure the project’s success.
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March, 2009East Line’s strategy to grow cargo and international traffic at DME
Domodedovo’s passenger throughput reached 20.4 million last year – a 9% increase over 2007 levels. With a stable market share of 40% in the Moscow aviation hub, East Line Group’s vision for Domodedovo is centred on driving its international traffic and cargo operations, through a major, phased project to provide a new terminal and cargo village. Daniel Burkard, director of business development, spoke with Louise Driscoll.
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March, 2009Sheremetyevo’s vision to be a leading transfer hub and gateway to Russia
A major terminal reshuffle will lead to the grand opening of Aeroflot’s Terminal 3 and of Terminal 2A later this year – designed to position Sheremetyevo as a preferred transfer hub for Moscow and Russia. Master planners Scott Wilson are also in the final stages of a new master plan to 2030. Markus Klaushofer, Sheremetyevo’s business development director and Rob Rushmer, Scott Wilson’s head of aviation gave Louise Driscoll an update on how the phased expansion project is moving forward.
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March, 2009Vnukovo’s vision to become ‘highly competitive’ hub
Vnukovo’s share of traffic among the three Moscow airports has been growing steadily over the last eight years, with forecasts of further growth in the market share from 18% to 25%. The government of Moscow, which has the controlling stake in the airport, is investing in the new Terminal A under a ‘Strategic Development Plan’ to 2015. Louise Driscoll reports on the ongoing projects and Vnukovo’s vision to become a highly competitive international hub.
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March, 2009Pulkovo vies to become international hub by 2025
St Petersburg-Pulkovo has begun construction of a new 200,000sqm terminal, scheduled for completion in 2012. Grimshaw won the international architectural competition in 2007 to work on the structural engineering for the terminal design, with Arup and NACO acting as independent engineering consultants. Louise Driscoll reports on how the terminal design pays homage to the City and Pulkovo’s vision to be an international hub by 2025.
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March, 2009Making RFID work – the most effective solution to lost baggage?
The missing bag is still a familiar scenario at airports worldwide. According to SITA’S 2008 baggage report, 42 million items of bags disappeared off the radar at airports in 2007. RFID (radio frequency identification) has not yet lived up to its expectations in delivering a pan-industry solution to lost baggage. Louise Driscoll examines RFID’s setbacks and the latest RFID initiatives designed to improve performance.
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