January 28 2012
Airport security officers have been finding on average four firearms per day at airport checkpoints - and many of them have been loaded, says the Transportation Security Administration. In all, TSA personnel intercepted a staggering total of 1,238 firearms at checkpoints in 2010, a figure that was up by 54% from 2007, according to agency data.
Most of the passengers apprehended said that they had forgotten that they had a gun in their bag. In just one week, agents found 14 loaded and five unloaded handguns in carry-on luggage, sure evidence that despite the huge media focus on this transgression, people were ignoring security guidelines and regulations.
In one instance, agents said that they also discovered a spear gun, a teargas grenade as well as inert hand grenades and four knives, all in a single passenger bag. And, most recently (and perhaps more worrying still), has been the case of a 65-year old woman who boarded a flight in Dallas with a handgun in her handbag. This was only discovered when the aircraft unexpectedly had to return to the gate.
A TSA spokesman declined to comment on the reason for the increased number of firearms.
New rules created by the US Department of Transportation with the consumer in mind, and which will cancel unexpected baggage costs or full-fee advertised fares, have now become law. These new regulations will force airlines to advertise the actual price that passengers will be charged for a flight. It will also ensure they disclose baggage fees when tickets are bought and that they inform passengers if a flight is cancelled, diverted or delayed by more than 30 minutes. Moreover, they will not be allowed to charge further fees if they make connections to other airlines.
Thus, in one fell swoop, we should see the end of the cut-price fare that has a plethora of terms and conditions attached, which usually has the effect of bumping up the price prodigiously.
Whilst there has been protest against these reforms by trade groups, so far consumers have had nothing negative to contribute to the revised terms of trading.
Tampa International airport in Florida is planning to renovate its Airside F terminal to accommodate growing passenger traffic and attract more international business.
In all, some US$27.6m is to be invested in the renovation program, which will expand the airport's ability to handle baggage and improve the flow of passengers through security and customs. It will also enhance the ability of the terminal so that it will be able to cater for up to three wide-body international flights at a time, as well as meet anticipated demand at the airport over the next few years.
Airside F handles most of Tampa airport's international flights, including the recently launched daily non-stop service to London, as well as four weekly flights to Cuba.
In all, the project will add two baggage claim units, two passport check booths and will have the effect of enhancing the Transportation Security Administration screening lanes. The airport authority has said that relocation of the queues at security checkpoints, increasing the concessions space and modernizing the wi-fi network will also be part of the investment program.
The Transportation Security Administration has announced the implementation of TSA Pre facility (the passenger pre-screening initiative) at Minneapolis-St Paul International. This station becomes the initiative’s seventh location. In it, selected Delta Air Lines passengers traveling out of Minneapolis will be eligible to participate and may also receive expedited screening for domestic travel. Delta has said that it is happy to allow American Airlines participants to use their frequent flyer lane at the airport to access the pre-screening lane.
At the time of writing, in excess of 250,000 passengers have passed through the TSA process and have received expedited screening. The TSA Pre facility enhances security by enabling security officers to focus on passengers whom the agency considers high risk. This screening concept is part of the agency’s ongoing initiative to move away from the traditional, uniform stance towards passenger screening and instead adopt a risk-based security approach.
January 6 2012
Signature Flight Support Corporation has purchased the assets of Azalea Aviation Mobile Air Center at Mobile Regional airport and Downtown Air Center at Mobile Downtown airport, thereby expanding its south-eastern footprint.
Mobile Air Center began by providing fuel services back in the 1950s and constructed its first executive terminal and hangars in the late 1960s. Today, the facility features 60,000 square feet of hangars and 16,000 square feet of executive terminal and customer offices. Mobile Air Center offers line maintenance services for turbine and piston-powered aircraft on its leasehold. The facility operates its own fuel farm and in 2002, Mobile Air Center purchased the Million Air facility and now operates its executive terminal out of that building. Mobile Air Center is also a DESC (Government & Military) approved location.
Downtown Air Center comprises over 45,000 square feet of hangar space, including a newly constructed state-of-the-art 16,800 square foot hangar. It also provides fueling operations for FedEx, Mobile Aerospace and the Airbus Center of Excellence, and is also a DESC approved location.
Shaky economy notwithstanding, Americans, it appears, intend to travel farther and spend more in 2012, according to a national poll.
Long-haul bookings to Europe, Asia and Australia are up for 2012, and these comprise 11 of the top 20 destinations for US travelers, compared to nine in 2011, a survey has shown.
Over 90% of respondents said that their clients would spend the same or more on travel in 2012. The top two international destinations for 2012, based on actual bookings, remain Caribbean cruises and Cancun, as they were in the 2011 survey.
Amsterdam and Hong Kong, missing from the top 20 in 2011, made the list in 2012, whilst Sydney ranked 19th last year, just missed making the top 15.
The US President, Barrack Obama, has given his consent to a law that will reduce security procedures for the armed forces and their families at the country's airports.
The new law is expected to come into force within six months. The Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act will require the Transportation Security Administration to establish ways of speeding up the screening of military members and their families when they are in uniform and traveling on business.
However, this expedited screening would be available to the service member only during certified travel periods and when in uniform, and will not be applicable to holidays and the like.
The new law is also suggesting that the TSA considers including the military personnel in its trusted traveler programs. This bill will also facilitate the special screening lanes for frequent travelers who have been pre-screened by the TSA.
Around 25% of Americans have said that they would refuse a full body scan using new airport body scanners whilst 14.9% have said that new airport security measures give them cause for concern over their health. These are the findings of a Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll.
The survey, which asked respondents their opinions and concerns regarding flight safety, found that the main reasons for resistance to the new scanners lay in exposure to radiation (22.6% expressed concern here) and personal privacy violations (17.1% were worried by this), whilst some 13.3% believed that the scanners violated their 4th Amendment rights. Significantly, perhaps, 47% of respondents expressed no concern at all with the technology.
In addition, only 7.8% said that they had health concerns associated with flying. However, 11% of all respondents said they had become sick as a direct result of air travel. Of those Americans who expressed concerns, the top five health risks cited with aviation were crashing, contracting influenza or a cold, air quality, anxiety and blood clots.
December 9 2011
Worldwide Flight Services and Renaissance Aviation have signed a strategic partnership in Bermuda. Under the terms of the agreement, WFS will provide management oversight of Renaissance Aviation’s ramp and passenger business at Bermuda’s LF Wade International airport. It will also offer technical assistance, training and administrative support.
Renaissance Aviation’s current customers include American Airlines, AirTran, Air Canada, British Airways, CargoJet, Continental Airlines, Delta, jetBlue, US Airways and Westjet, as well as the Bermuda Department of Airport Operations.
Glenn Rutkowski, Senior Vice President, Passenger Terminal Services North America for WFS, said: “We welcome our new relationship with Renaissance Aviation. Both companies are totally committed to the success of our new strategic partnership and we will also be looking at other opportunities for co-operation in the future. For contracted airline customers in Bermuda, we promise the highest quality service levels that combine all of the strengths of WFS’ international experience with the excellent local knowledge and personnel of Renaissance Aviation. This is a unique opportunity for both companies.”
Nick Faries, General Manager of Renaissance Aviation, added: “Air travel is critically important to Bermuda, and as a local company supporting this industry we owe it to our stakeholders to provide nothing less than world class service. We are therefore very excited to be bringing to Bermuda the benefits of this partnership with WFS, who are a proven international leader in aviation services. This important agreement gives Renaissance Aviation the ability to draw on WFS’ processes, expertise and relationships for the benefit of all of our airlines customers as well as the travelling public. From the very beginning we were also looking for a partner who would best support the development of our employees, and now they will have many new opportunities to advance their skills and industry expertise. We see in this partnership a bright future for both of our organizations as well as for the Bermuda commercial aviation passenger.”
The US government has fined regional carrier American Eagle a total of US$900,000 pursuant to a regulation formulated to cut down on airport ground delays that strand passengers in aircraft for several hours. The penalty was levied in the wake of delays that affected more than 600 people on 15 flights in May.
American Eagle was also instructed to refrain from future violations of the rule that limits ground delays to three hours; it was further requested to use more than a quarter of the total fine to compensate affected passengers.
In its defense, American Eagle said that the extended delays in May were occasioned by bad weather, which had the knock-on effect of worsening congestion at Chicago O'Hare. As compensation affected customers, the airline said, were given frequent flyer credits or vouchers for future travel.
On the plus side, so-called extended tarmac delays have been drastically reduced since the regulations were first introduced. However, to avoid this kind of penalty, carriers have got wise - and flight cancellation numbers have increased where the scenario of a delay has appeared a likelihood.
Joseph Heller would have been proud, one feels.
Faced with the unpalatable vision of falling revenues, reduced schedules and fuel price instability, it’s not been surprising that carriers have turned to other expedients to top up their balance sheets. Their chosen path has been one of charging for pretty much anything and everything, which has not exactly pleased a travelling public that is slowly facing up to the reality of more expensive air travel.
But the money-spinning idea that has seen airlines charging for checked in baggage is about to bite the accountants back, it seems. The simple fact is that travellers, unwilling to fork out for this ancillary, have taken to cramming as much carry-on luggage as they can into the cabin. This causes several problems. First, there is more luggage to scan and check in the security lanes, and we all know how long it takes to get through the barriers to gain airside access. This cannot but slow the flow and increase the likelihood of extra bags being opened for inspection. Next, there is the reality of those overhead bins: now you board in a dilatory fashion at your peril. With limited storage space, carriers are now seeing the consumer struggle to stow more luggage than the bins were designed for, all of which leads to a rush to board and frustration for those at the back of the queue. Not quite the best way to start a journey, psychologists would say.
However, there is now some legislation being drafted that if adopted, would allow passengers to carry a bag into the cabin whilst entitling that same passenger to one free hold bag. It’s a rational solution and it ought to be passed. It won’t, of course, prevent airlines looking for other charging methods.
But in the meantime, you have to look on the bright side; travel with Sprit Airlines and you’ll end up paying US$20 just for your carry-on bag…
United Continental Holdings announced last week that its subsidiary, Continental Airlines, was operating the first US commercial flight powered by advanced biofuels. Flight 1403, a Boeing 737-800, departed from Houston's Bush Intercontinental airport at 10:30 on November 7, destined for Chicago O'Hare International, thereby making United the first American airline to fly passengers using a blend of sustainable, advanced biofuel and traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel.
But United hasn’t been alone in seeking a greener route through the skies. Alaska Airlines has stated that it was to fly 75 commercial passenger flights in the US, all powered by biofuel, starting the same week. These flights certainly underline where aviation is heading in terms of environmental concerns; as has been shown elsewhere in the world, sustainable biofuels can provide a friendly and viable alternative to conventional jet fuel.
To that end, a pair of maiden biofuel-powered flights left Seattle on November 9: one headed for Washington, DC, the other Portland, Oregon. Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, have said that they will continue to operate select flights between Seattle and the two cities over the next few weeks using a 20% blend of sustainable biofuel made from used cooking oil: this has been processed so that it meets the rigorous international safety and sustainability standards.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the US’s biggest carriers collected in total some US$1.5bn from checked luggage and reservation change fees over the months of April, May and June this year, according to data from the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That represents a jump of 8.5% compared with the previous quarter and a 1% hike year-over-year.
~Delta collected more fees (US$427m) than any other US carrier during the second quarter and thus finished ahead of American (with about US$282m in fees), US Airways (US$206m), Continental (US$152.4m) and United (US$151.8m).
At the other end of the spectrum, Southwest collected the lowest amount of revenue (US$15.8m) when compared with other airlines possessing a nationwide network.
American Airlines and the Transport Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement in principle for the Fleet Service and Ground Service employees. This tentative agreement provides American's Fleet Service and Ground Service employees with increased compensation and other enhancements, such as additional holidays, sick leave and vacation.
This tentative agreement also gives American additional productivity and better aligns American's work rules with all other airlines through outsourcing the dayline cabin cleaning and refueling work. Employees currently performing these jobs will be reassigned to other duties. The productivity improvements and savings provided through the outsourcing will help fund structural increases and other economic enhancements, whilst ensuring that American remains competitive.
The US Department of Transportation has fined Caribbean Airlines the sum of US$60,000 for limiting reimbursements for lost, damaged and delayed baggage to sums less than consumers were entitled under an international treaty.
“Both domestic and international travelers have a right to be fairly compensated for lost, delayed and damaged baggage,” US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “Consumers have the right to be treated fairly when they fly, and we will continue to take enforcement action when their rights are violated.”
Under the Montreal Convention, the international agreement that sets liability limits for international air transportation, airlines are liable for damages caused by delayed baggage up to a limit that is the equivalent of just under US$1,800, unless the carrier has taken all reasonable measures to prevent the damage or it was impossible to take these measures. The Convention further requires carriers to compensate passengers for loss, damage or delay of baggage on international flights in most cases. It also forbids carriers from setting a lower baggage compensation limit for international flights or from refusing to accept liability for the loss of any types of baggage, such as jewellery, electronics or other high-value items.
October 26
Silicon Valley-based AOptix has introduced a new, so-called e-gate that recognizes the face as well as the irises of a passenger before opening to let the traveller board a flight. To that end, an InSight Duo electronic gate has been tested at San Jose International airport.
AOptix e-gates that confirm identities based on iris scans are already in use at airports in Britain and Qatar and at a high-security facility in the US capital. This system, making its public debut, is considered to be the first to add facial recognition to scanning irises, which are unique to every person.
The facility is simple to operate: a passenger trying to get on to an aircraft places his boarding pass on a reader at an e-gate and looks into a nearby screen, which can then check whether his or her irises and face match the information on record. The security gates will only open for correct matches.
AOptix, which was founded 11 years ago in Northern California, has paired biometric scanning technology with gates manufactured by the German company Kaba. The company has said that it has received interest in combined iris/face identification systems from officials who run high-security buildings, airports and border checkpoints. However, it should be stressed that e-gates will not exempt people from routine security screening at airports.
(It is worth noting that airlines tend to keep biometric data only for the short term, disposing of it after flights are completed and when the data is no longer necessary for security checks).
United Club, which is the re-branding of United's Red Carpet Club and Continental's Presidents Club, is a further step towards the integration of the two airlines' products and services that seek to provide a more consistent travel experience for customers.
Today, at more than 50 lounges in 39 airports worldwide, United Clubs offer members and their guests complimentary snacks and beverages as well as business amenities. In time, these remodeled clubs will provide additional business-friendly features, including more workstations, thereby enabling travelers to be more productive whilst traveling.
September 15 2011
Lufthansa Cargo has become the first air carrier to receive the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation for the screening of air cargo departing from the US.
This protection covers the services of air cargo screening, security training and quality control audits in the US and its Territories.
“With the reception of the SAFETY Act Designation, Lufthansa Cargo has again proven its industry leadership position in the area of air cargo security,” emphasized James LoBello, Head of Security, The Americas. The airline has invested heavily to further improve air cargo security over recent years: in the Americas, for example, Lufthansa Cargo has implemented new X-ray and trace detection machines and is currently increasing the number of security experts at its stations.
“With these investments in equipment, resources and programs, we are striving for the highest possible security, along with the most efficient processes in order to benefit our customers,” concluded James LoBello.
Seattle is the first of Worldwide Flight Services’ stations in North America to be awarded IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certificate. This follows the successful completion of the North American Headquarters ISAGO audit.
The Seattle registration extends WFS’ implementation of ISAGO to a third continent after it became the first ground handling company in Paris to achieve registration last year. In addition, it was the first to gain this recognition in Thailand for its Bangkok Flight Services operation in July of this year. WFS has declared its ongoing commitment to meeting the ISAGO standard for its handling operations in all regions.
ISAGO registered services in Seattle include aircraft handling and loading, aircraft ground movement, cargo and mail handling and organization and management.
Adolfo Morales, WFS’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer, North America, commented: “Gaining ISAGO registration in Seattle complements our ISO 9001:2008 certification and reflects WFS North America’s commitment to the provision of the highest standards in terms of safety and quality handling services. Other locations will now follow Seattle’s lead to extend our compliance with the ISAGO standard across North America.”
ISAGO is a standardized and structured audit program of Ground Service Providers, modeled on the success of IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit), and which uses internationally recognized ground operational standards and recommended practices.
Travel Leaders has unveiled more travel information based on data collected from its Fall Travel Trend Survey. If given the chance, business travel agents would like to eliminate the airport security rules limiting liquids in carry-on bags along with the mandatory removal of shoes; while leisure travel agents are most concerned about extensive pat-down procedures. Both business and leisure agents agreed that the chief method that clients are adopting to avoid costly airline baggage fees is that of packing lightly and taking just carry-on luggage.
Conducted in August this year, this survey includes responses from 443 Travel Leaders owners, managers and frontline travel agents throughout the US. The specific business travel data included is based on responses from 170 agents who indicated that business travelers make up 50% or more of their clientele.
"It was quite interesting for us to see how Travel Leaders' business and leisure travel agents differ on what they like least about airport security measures. The extensive coverage given to full-body scanners apparently isn't what clients are discussing most frequently with their travel professional," notes Roger E Block, President of Travel Leaders Franchise Group. "In fact, many of our leisure travel agents wouldn't change a thing regarding security measures. Perhaps that's based in part on their tireless work ensuring clients understand airport security procedures and arming travelers with information in order to eliminate as much confusion and frustration as possible."
Vancouver Airport Authority has been recognized by the aviation industry for its achievements in improving pre-flight security and border clearance processes at the airport. The Best Airport Security & Immigration Experience award was presented as part of the Future Travel Experience 2011.
The award recognizes the expedited trusted traveller program called NEXUS, and the innovative Automated Border Clearance program.
The US Customs and Border Protection agency has lifted the temporary embargo it had placed on e-freight. The agency further agreed that it would be working with CNS and IATA to move forward with the expansion of the program in terms of inbound cargo.
This has been seen as a useful opportunity for airlines and forwarders to become fully immersed in the application. Airline support is needed to begin offering e-freight, which includes the electronic reception of master and house waybills for general cargo in every available trade lane and port into the US. Air carriers should now begin storing their transport documents within their systems in an electronic manner and ensure there is the capability to print on demand. For their part, the forwarders can now commence discussions with carriers on the electronic exchange of documents.
Overall, it is felt that any move towards a reduction in the quantity of paper generated in the cargo chain will be to the ultimate benefit of the industry.
August 23 2011
Over the coming months, Logan International is looking to test a new behavior-detection security technique at its Terminal A. After the identification and verification at the security checkpoint, this new technique will ensure that passengers undergo casual conversations with behavior-detection officers; it is hoped the process will detect suspicious behavior. The new analysis tool, which has been rolled out in more than 160 airports, will help to determine if a passenger should go through an additional screening at the security checkpoint and will also help to identify potentially high-risk travelers.
The privatization process for San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin International, in Puerto Rico, has attracted a total of 12 consortia. The airport forms the island's main international gateway, with its main connection to the mainland US. The privatization is among the first to be launched under the US Federal Aviation Administration's airport privatization pilot program, and has already reached its pre-qualification phase.
A shortlist will be drawn up by August 31, following which bids will be submitted for the concession contract, which is likely to run for 40-50 years.
Bidders to date include Fraport, the Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners team, GMR and Incheon International Airport Corporation and the Puerto Rico Gateway Group.
Lockheed Martin has installed new screening systems in a total of 300 US airports to across the east and central US in a series of two contracts worth around US$72m.
Under the terms of the contract, Lockheed Martin will assist the TSA in deploying the passenger screening technologies, including advanced imaging technology equipment and software upgrades. The scope of work will involve a complex integration of electrical systems, wireless technologies and existing airport infrastructure.
In an attempt to reduce the level of intrusion on passengers’ privacy, the US Transportation Security Administration has recently installed new advanced imaging technology at Raleigh-Durham International airport. The new software, which will speed up the process at checkpoints, is able to detect metallic and non-metallic objects, including explosives, under a passenger’s clothing. This new technology is considered less invasive since it generates an outline image of passengers without revealing any anatomical details. The TSA is installing the new imaging software on five Advanced Imaging Technology units within the airport; the software will also be installed on all AIT machines operating in US airports.
August 2 2011
Los Angeles International has approved funds to the value of US$40m to United Airlines so that the latter can deploy new checked baggage screening systems inside its Terminals 7 and 8.
The new inline screening system will be located out of sight of passengers and will offer an inline baggage screening matrix: this will have the effect of removing large screening systems from airport lobbies, thereby reducing congestion at check-in and enhancing security operations.
The airport has also awarded a US$250,000 contract to Southwest Airlines to design a series of applications designed to improve security inside Terminal 1.
Lambert-St. Louis International has progressed in the renovation of a new security checkpoint for the B and D concourses in Terminal 1.
The checkpoint will be relocated deeper into the lower level and is expected to be open by the end of October. The new checkpoint, forms a part of the airport's US$105m major makeover, will have more security lanes, technology upgrades and a two-story atrium entrance; it also will allow for a more spacious exit for arriving passengers.
The airport is in the middle of the second phase, which comprises a US$50m interior renovation of the ageing Main Terminal, together with the A and C concourses.
The TSA has retreated over its decision to implement controversial full body scanners at airports within the US. The scanners, which have been attracting much negative publicity and which have been branded as an infringement of human rights by some representatives of the traveling public, were originally introduced to enable airport authorities to detect bombs underneath layers of clothing. The resulting generated images, however, have been considered too graphic by many passengers.
Faced with the unpopularity of the scanners, together with the ongoing pat-down processes, earlier in the year the TSA began trialing software for full body scanners that instead generate a generic body outline and highlight any anomalous area; in doing, it eliminates the actual image of the passenger.
Software upgrades to the 241 millimeter wave body scanning machines, which are made by L-3 Communications, will be deployed over the next few months in 40 airports, says the TSA. The agency has also said that it also plans to test similar software later this year for the 247 backscatter scanners that are currently in use at 38 airports: this technology has been developed by Rapiscan Systems.
Finally, the TSA has plans that will see it roll out a pilot program that will allow selected frequent fliers at four US hub airports to go through expedited screening. In this way it seeks to address the requirements of the individual rather than engineer solutions aimed at large numbers of travelers.
The Air Transport Association of America has requested that lawmakers look hard at dropping proposals to increase aviation passenger taxes in order to address the national debt. The ATA is of the opinion that that swelling aviation taxes would actually slow economic recovery, be another burden to customers and could well cost jobs.
"We oppose any increase in aviation passenger taxes," ATA’s President and CEO Nicholas E Calio declared. "The industry already pays more than its fair share of taxes - more than alcohol and tobacco products that are taxed at levels to discourage their use. Today, on a typical US$300 round-trip ticket, passengers already pay US$63 in taxes and fees."
According to analysts, the industry's non-income tax burden has grown from US$3.7bn in 1993 to approximately US$17bn. In 2010, US airlines and their passengers contributed a total of US$3.4bn in taxes and fees to the Department of Homeland Security, which includes US$2bn in taxes and fees to the Transportation Security Administration.
The explosives screening equipment at many of the 462 US airports is using detection criteria that is more than a decade old, says the Government Accountability Office. It adds that machines currently being installed will actually require upgrading to meet the latest standards. This basically means that the Explosive Detection Systems, as they are known, are less able to detect the latest terrorist bomb threats.
The Government Accountability Office discovered that many of the EDS machines deployed throughout the country are still operating under 1998 standards: these standards were revised by the TSA back in 2005, and subsequently in January 2010.
The report went on to say that machines being deployed this year were still relying on the 2005 standards, and that they might need multiple software and hardware upgrades to meet 2010 requirements.
Considering the GAO report, the TSA confirmed that the agency would have to move ahead with the deployment of the EDS machines in many airports where major installation work was already underway.
July 13 2011
At the end of June, Air Canada's customer service and sales staff voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new collective agreement. This has come in the wake of a number of issues that had caused a strike in the same month.
The agreement will give workers wage increases of 9% over four years; it will also re-establish the 30 minute paid lunch break and secure work at the company's low-cost airline, the Canadian Auto Workers union has confirmed.
Key elements of the pension plan, which was the biggest obstacle to the deal, remain in place, although the question of pension benefits for new employees will be sent to mediation and then to arbitration, if not resolved.
Los Angeles International is planning to spend US$4bn in upgrading utilities and expanding taxi-ways for wide-bodied aircraft. In addition, it is looking to modernize Tom Bradley International as well as several domestic terminals.
The Bradley terminal expansion will result in an additional 1m square feet of floor space along with an expanded customs area, new concourses and new gates.
According to the plan, such expansion would eliminate the need to have to bus passengers to the immigration processing area. The proposed expansion will enable the airport to handle increasing passenger traffic that is forecast to top 68m per annum by 2014.
Legislation to make enhanced airport security pat-downs a crime if they involve touching a passenger's private parts was approved by the Texas House and Senate early in June, as was reported on this website, following an agreement that the TSA’s provisions were unenforceable and an embarrassment to the state of Texas. The TSA was thus sent a strong message on the state’s constitutional rights.
However, the bill seeking to ban any kind of invasive pat-downs by airport security officials failed to get final approval by the Texas legislature before lawmakers concluded their special session at the end of June. But the fight, it seems, will go on.
“This is not the last effort to stop unreasonable searches,” declared Representative David Simpson. “I am not giving up.”
Budget carrier Southwest Airlines has again come out top in a survey relating to customer service. This contrasts starkly with the finding that business passengers have declared themselves to be the least satisfied overall with US carriers.
The American Customer Satisfaction Index, which is compiled by the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, found that airlines’ status, for many, is still in need of some bolstering; indeed, results showed a worsening in the situation over the survey conducted a year earlier.
In detail, passenger satisfaction with airlines dropped by 1.5% to a score of 65 on the survey’s 100 point scale. Over the last ten years scores have generally hovered in the mid-to-low 60s.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, travelers recorded poor service, higher prices and fees for baggage and other services as the chief reasons for their dissatisfaction. As is well known, airlines have increased fares and added various fees in an effort to offset the escalating cost of fuel.
Southwest chalked up a score of 81, in part because it had not taken anything away from its customers and then offered it back at an additional cost. A telling point here is the (well-known) fact that Southwest does not charge for baggage, which tends to single the airline out from most of its rivals.
In contrast, Continental scored 64 and American Airlines 63, whilst United and US Airways both posted 61; meanwhile Delta Air Lines dropped to a humble 56 on the scale.
All other carriers in the survey posted a figure 76, which represented a 1.3% improvement. As mentioned earlier, there was discontent amongst business travelers, who remain the key target for many carriers because of the higher fares that can be levied: clearly, carriers need to take note for the future.
In something of a breakthrough, carriers have won final approval to fly aircraft with a blend of kerosene and biofuels derived from inedible plants and organic waste.
This will permit airlines to fly passenger aircraft using derivatives of up to 50% biofuel made from feedstocks, including algae and wood chips. Most importantly, atmospheric pollution will be accordingly diminished.
In fact, the ASTM Emerging Fuels Taskforce, which is co-led by Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, has worked for some years to enable aviation to diversify its fuel sources and reduce its high profile environmental footprint.
However, this is not news elsewhere in the world, where testing of jatropha, camelina and other alternatives to Jet-A has been taking place for some time now, with all airlines reporting success in innovative mixture trials.
General Electric, which supplies many of the engines for aviation use, has said that it did not expect these new fuels to have any impact on the function of its engines.
Meanwhile in Europe, airlines are being directed towards cleaner fuels through the imposition of capped emissions or permits for any excesses of CO2 generated. This move has generated some opposition on the part of certain carriers which are not based within the EU, notably those in China and in the US.
Manufacturer Airbus estimates that plant-derived sources could provide up to 30% of airline fuel by 2030; and in the light of the finite reserves of fossil fuels, this does not seem to be an unrealistic forecast.
Separately, BioJet International has celebrated the approval of bio-derived jet fuel for commercial use with a market commitment. Following the news, and to assist in the development of the bio-aviation market, BioJet has undertaken to release 1bn gallons of renewable jet fuel to long-term contracts.
June 27 2011
US airlines have written to the government, asking for a rescheduling of the deadline relating to baggage fee transparency and compensation for passengers who are bumped off an over-booked flight.
The compliance date set by the government is August 23 this year but airlines have requested that the start date be put back to early 2012, citing the need to train employees, which they feel will be difficult to achieve within the current timeframe.
Airlines also feel that the whole process reeks of unnecessary bureaucracy and they would rather post hyperlinks on e-tickets to their websites, advising customers about the fees in question.
A ruling, set earlier this year, was essentially the product of consumer and political frustration with the level of airline services: baggage fee transparency and compensation represented just two elements of the general dissatisfaction.
Some three dozen baggage screeners at Honolulu International could be dismissed following lapses in security procedures, it has been revealed. The decision comes in the wake of complaints arising in 2010 that alleged that numbers of checked-in bags were being loaded on to aircraft without being properly screened for explosives.
The TSA has proposed removing the Honolulu airport's federal security director as well as the individual in charge of the screening process. The agency has deployed additional screeners and management level staff to the Honolulu airport until permanent replacements can be found.
Ground handling staff at United Continental are to begin the voting process next month to decide which of their two unions will represent them. The results of the voting are expected to be announced on August 11. More than 14,000 ground workers (out of a total workforce of 87,000) are currently divided between the two unions that represented them before United and Continental combined in 2010.
United Airlines workers are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers while the Teamsters union represents workers from Continental.
Pinnacle Airlines has decided to rebrand its Ground Operations Services group as PinnPro Professional Ground Services; in so doing, it will expand the scope of its services.
Recognized as a leader in the airport services ground handling industry, PinnPro provides a wide array of services to 16 different US airlines, including the world's largest carriers, and to Pinnacle Airlines’ three operating subsidiaries: Pinnacle Airlines Incorporated, Mesaba Airlines and Colgan Air, among others.
"It's a new business, but not a start-up," explains Russ Elander, Senior Vice President at Pinnacle. "Our focus on safety, customer service and on-time performance has helped us grow this business from basic baggage handling and ramp services to a versatile, experienced group with a proven track record. Our goal is not to be the largest, but to provide tailor-made, professional ground services for charter handling, aircraft cleaning, customer handling and check in, ramp services, facility cleaning, skycap and wheelchair services.
"We also have the capability to provide training in ground security co-ordination, complaint resolution and disposition, and a variety of other functional, aviation-related areas. Our management team has extensive airline industry experience, so we know exactly what is needed. We demand a high level of service from ourselves and plan to provide that to customers in a very competitive environment."
Air China has officially launched its online check-in service in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. The recent launch in Air China’s gateways in North America brings to 21 the total number of international cities with a Web check-in service. Travelers in more than 60 domestic cities in China have been enjoying this benefit for more than two years.
June 9 2011
Lawmakers in Texas have expressed their discontent with the Transportation Security Administration by passing a bill that seeks to prohibit invasive searches and pat-downs at airport security or other public buildings.
The legislation would make it illegal for a federal security agent to "intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly [touch] the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of the other person, including touching through clothing, or touching the other person in a manner that would be offensive to a reasonable person."
Such unequivocal language sends a clear message to the TSA and its supporters declare that the measure is aimed at stopping the TSA from treating innocent travelers like criminals. However, there are those who disagree, pointing out that such restraint could also affect the ability of a federal agent in charge of security at any public building to execute his or her job. Because the bill allows public servants to legally defend themselves if they are acting under federal authority, they also believe that it would be impossible to actually prosecute agents accused of groping when they are searching for bombs or weapons.
During the first 12 months following the new rule limiting airline tarmac delays, unacceptably long delays experienced by passengers aboard aircraft have largely disappeared. In fact, only a minimum number of flights were canceled to avoid delays on the tarmac, says the US Department of Transportation latest report.
“On the one-year anniversary of the tarmac delay rule, it's clear that we've accomplished our goal of virtually eliminating the number of aircraft leaving travelers stranded without access to food, water, or working lavatories for hours on end,” the US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood noted.
According to the DOT's Air Travel Consumer Report, there were only 20 tarmac delays exceeding three hours from May 2010 to April 2011 reported by airlines that file on-time performance data: this compares favorably with the 693 logged between May 2009 and April 2010.
Concurrently, the number of canceled flights with tarmac delays of more than two hours increased only slightly, from 336 between May 2009 and April 2010 to 387 between May 2010 and April 2011.
Edmonton International in Canada is expected to complete a massive new terminal a month ahead of schedule, with the first phase scheduled to open in early 2012. The project, known as Expansion 2012, will add in excess of 44,500 square meters to the existing terminal building and will open in phases until 2012. The project was originally estimated to cost about US$1bn but the recession has since reduced the price of materials, bringing down the cost to US$750m. Upon completion, the airport will have moving sidewalks, comfortable passenger lounges, a more efficient path for international and connecting passengers, a speedier US departures area, new play areas and other family services. The expansion will increase the number of gates from the current 17 to 30, add an integrated baggage room to allow baggage drop-off at any designated location across the terminal and include a new passenger concourse and extended parking area.
At its Far East symposium, IATA has announced that it would be banking on biofuels for the future of air traffic. In saying this, it also admitted that aviation biofuels are currently too expensive and too scarce.
The industry would like to fly 100% on jet biofuels, as soon as possible: this was the assertion from Paul Steele, IATA’s Director for Aviation Environment. He went on to say that ecologically harmful carbon emissions arising from a ton of biofuels were 80% per cent lower than from an equivalent ton of jet kerosene. However, he felt that it was unrealistic for the industry to switch to biofuels now because of the high price and the lack of supply.
According to IATA, global airlines use about 230bn litres of jet kerosene per year.
The industry group said that it was now striving to replace 6% of its jet fuel with biofuel by 2020. Alternative fuels should be made from sustainable, non-food biomass sources like algae, babassu, camelina, halophytes, jatropha and switch grass, to ensure that crops for aviation would not consume resources needed for growing food. The fact remains, though, that many biofuels made from food crops are unsuitable for aircraft use.
Paul Steele noted that carbon emissions from the aviation industry totaled 649m tonnes annually, thereby accounting for 2% of global, man-made carbon emissions. However, since 2004, the industry has saved 3.3bn tonnes of carbon emissions thanks to better fuel efficiency.
"We see emissions trading as a useful tool," he affirmed. However, he opposed the European Union's solo effort to include airlines flying to and from Europe in its trading scheme for emissions, beginning next year, which would force carriers to buy permits for carbon emissions above a certain level.
"The EU has probably over extended itself in the way it's trying to impose it," he cautioned.
Airport passenger screening with private security screeners under federal supervision is dramatically more efficient and less costly than the all-federal screening model. These are amongst the findings of a Transportation Committee investigative report.
The report, which is entitled TSA Ignores More Cost-Effective Screening Model, compares costs for the two passenger screening models. A private federal screening option, known as the Screening Partnership Program, was embedded in the Aviation Transportation Security Act following the events of 9/11. This program allowed airports to opt out of the system and request the use of private screening contractors under federal Transportation Security Administration standards, supervision and oversight. At the start of 2002 a total of five airports operated under the private federal screening model. That number has since increased to 16, with many other airports now looking to utilize this option.
However, in January this year the TSA decided to shut the door on this particular option, despite the fact that airports have the legal right to utilize a private federal screening model.
May 23 2011
Delta Air Lines is offering voluntary early retirement and buy-out plans to some employees as the airline tries to operate more efficiently in the face of rising fuel costs. Delta had already announced plans to pare back its schedule by at least 4%: this will come into effect in September.
However, it is now looking to reduce the costs associated with these flights, and the measure will include the staff who actually operate the airline.
Delta’s Chief Executive, Richard Anderson, said in a recorded message that in order for the business to thrive, it had think of the current high fuel prices as a permanent reality.
Delta is offering voluntary early retirement to airline employees whose age, combined with ten or more years of service, comes to at least 55. Employees who have spent at least five consecutive years with Delta but who do not meet the retirement age criteria will qualify for a buy-out.
Globally, the price of crude oil has spiraled in recent weeks - and there is every likelihood that the price will continue to remain at a high level.
The US administration is developing a faster airport security screening process for passengers considered to be low security risks, the head of the US Transportation Security Administration has confirmed.
Long delays that have been experienced at security checkpoints in US airports have prompted a flood of complaints from passengers and pressure has been put on the government to take steps to improve the process.
"It is something we are working on in a number of ways," confirmed TSA Administrator John Pistole. The new procedures could include a separate line for passengers who were considered to be a low risk.
John Pistole stopped short of saying exactly when any changes would be implemented but he did call for input from airport executives on ways to develop more efficient security checkpoints.
We’re all being encouraged to fly with the minimum of baggage but you’ll need to be careful if you are flying on Air Canada in the near future. Some of the carrier’s customers have been complaining about the airline's practice of removing checked-in baggage from certain aircraft in an attempt to cut back on weight – but without actually informing the passengers in question. This has led to travelers arriving at their destination but without their luggage. The practice, which is dubious to say the least, tends to be confined to the smaller aircraft and occurs usually around peak times. Cognizant of the negative reaction to the practice, Air Canada has promised to address the situation.
According to Consumer Reports, travelers are becoming increasingly irritated by the fees being charged by airlines as well as by the levels of comfort within aircraft. And because of these concerns, there is a clear indication that fewer people are booking flights: in fact 40% of respondents cited fees as contributing to their low opinion of flight as a method of travel.
The survey, which embraced 15,000 passengers who had flown return trips within a specified 12 month period, threw up some interesting revelations.
In all, eight of the ten major airlines that readers rated received low scores for seat comfort. Several carriers also received low marks for other flight quality measures which included cabin crew service, levels of cleanliness and the in-flight entertainment that was available.
Encouragingly, some carriers did rise above the morass of mediocrity. Southwest and JetBlue topped the list with relatively high scores in terms of overall satisfaction. Furthermore, Southwest was the only airline in the survey to receive top marks for ease of check-in and the cabin crew service. Passengers also gave Southwest high grades for cabin cleanliness and baggage handling.
For its part, JetBlue was the only airline to beat Southwest in the area of seating comfort, possibly because cabin configurations allow passengers more room than many other airlines. Added to this, JetBlue scored highly for its in-flight entertainment facilities.
And the losers? At the bottom of the pile was US Airways; worryingly, it occupied the same position as it did in 2007, leaving one to wonder just what progress the carrier has made since that year.
May 5 2011
Mobile boarding processes certainly have the seal of approval from United. On Earth Day, United Continental Holdings donated a dollar for every customer who used a mobile boarding document: the funds went to help Protect an Acre, with its global non-profit partner Conservation International. For customers who used the Continental Mobile App for Android or iPhone, the company took the decision to double the contribution to US$2.
With plans already under way for the installation of 2.1 megawatts of solar arrays at a former landfill site, the local authorities are now actively seeking to place additional installations at Harriman & West airport, as well as at an old sewage treatment plant.
According to the town’s mayor, there is the potential to have up to 4 megawatts of solar arrays at three city sites by the end of next year. Whilst the exact benefits haven’t been costed out, there is the potential to save something to the order of US$150,000 to US$175,000 annually in electricity costs. The mayor added that the projects would not come at any cost to the taxpayer, since contracts for the development would lease the land to the involved photovoltaic partners for a minimal fee, with the city purchasing a portion of the electricity produced at a suitably reduced rate.
Back in March this year the city awarded a contract for the installation of up to 2.1 megawatts of photovoltaic panels over 12 acres of its landfill area to Alteris Renewables and BlueWave Capital.
Alaska Airlines and the Transport Workers Union have jointly announced that the carrier's 36 dispatchers have ratified a new four-year contract by a ratio of nearly 86%. The contract includes wage increases and provisions that will improve quality of life issues, amongst other amendments.
The Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria has opened a new terminal at the General Wayne A Downing Peoria International airport in Illinois. This new 125,000 square foot terminal, which was built at a cost of US$65m, will be able to handle about 1m passengers each year through 12 gates. The H-shaped terminal building features 40 foot high ceilings, has enhanced security measures and an expanded concourse that will be able to accommodate more aircraft. About US$42m of the terminal project was financed through local tax bonds and US$12.6m was met through the Federal Aviation Administration funds, combined with a US$6.3m federal grant and around US$100,000 from the state of Illinois.
It looks as if airlines will soon be required to refund bag fees if they lose a traveler’s luggage. Moreover, carriers will have to pay travelers a higher fee for bumping them off a flight: in fact, new levels of up to US$1,330 are envisaged. Other new passenger protection plans being mooted will see an expansion of the “tarmac delay rule” to prevent passengers from being stranded on international flights for longer than four hours. The airlines will also have to include fees and taxes in their advertised prices. These measures are due to take effect in August this year and have been designed to make sure airlines are treating travelers as fairly as possible.
Of great interest is the modification to tarmac delays that dilates upon last year's three hour limit for flights within the US. Regulators have been persuaded to apply a four hour limit to international flights in the wake of problems last winter, in which several aircraft loaded with international travelers were grounded, for ten hours or more, when snow hit JFK airport.
On the other side of the coin, airline trade groups have warned that carriers could well cancel more international flights to avoid a US$27,500 fine per passenger that has been suggested. Scaled up to a full flight, this becomes an expensive exercise for a carrier experiencing a protracted delay.
In terms of refunded bag fees for lost luggage, the Transportation Department has decided not to apply refunds for bags that are delivered late. Last year, airlines mishandled around 2m bags, including both damaged and delayed items of luggage.
The new regulations will also require an airline to prominently disclose all potential fees on its website.
April 15 2011
According to US Department of Transport statistics, there were no tarmac delays of more than three hours in February 2011 amongst the country’s biggest airlines. This represents a sharp decrease when compared with figures recorded a year ago, which witnessed a total of 60.
Looked at in more detail, there were only 16 tarmac delays of more than three hours logged from May 2010 through to February 2011 by the airlines that file on-time performance data with the DOT, in contrast to 664 reported from May 2009 through to February 2010.
What’s interesting here is that February saw some severe weather hit the US, leading to a rash of flight cancellations. The number of cancelled flights with tarmac delays of more than two hours increased only slightly, from 289 between May 2009 and February 2010, to 331 between May 2010 and February 2011.
ICV Partners, a private investment firm focused on investments in smaller, middle market companies, has just confirmed the acquisition of Cargo Airport Services from MidMark Capital, the Weinberg Bell Group and other shareholders. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Duffy, along with the CAS executive team, have also invested in the transaction.
Cargo Airport Services is the largest cargo handler at John F Kennedy International and George Bush Intercontinental and is the second largest at Newark International, Dulles International and Toronto Pearson. The company’s customers include many of the world’s leading air carriers such as Air China, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cargolux, China Airlines, Emirates and UPS.
Los Angeles World Airports and Alaska Airlines have signed a US$271m contract aimed at the renovation of Los Angeles’ Terminal 6.
The renovation is part of a settlement wherein Alaska Airlines has agreed to annul its 2007 lawsuit, which alleged unfair terminal-related tariffs that had been imposed by the airport authority to cover increased security costs.
The airline has also agreed to enter into a ten-year lease agreement for the terminal.
In all, Alaska Airlines will invest US$18.6m in improvements. The airport itself will contribute US$156.5m and the federal Transportation Security Administration will add US$95.9m to the project.
The project will also include a ticketing and check-in lobby, check-in kiosks and a new in-line, checked-baggage inspection system. Construction work will be carried out in phases and sources say that the project is due to be completed by mid-2012.
There may be doom and gloom aplenty within the aviation sector but people are still traveling. The US Department of Commerce has released its 2010 report on international tourist flows, and has recorded a total of 60m visitors, which is up by a total of 5m on the previous year. In 2010, the key inbound markets continued to be Canada and Mexico, both of which were up in terms of arrivals, along with eight of the nine overseas regional markets. Non-resident visits from Canada, which set a record in 2010, and Mexico, were up 11% and 1% respectively. Excluding Canada and Mexico, arrivals from overseas markets accounted for 44% of the total.
Air Transat’s headquarters, a three-storey office building with an area of approximately 60,000 square feet, has just been awarded the US Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum certification under the category entitled Existing Buildings. Located within the Montréal–Trudeau airport site the building, erected in 2004, becomes the first in its category in Canada to obtain this certification, which is awarded for compliance with the most stringent sustainability criteria for green buildings.
“We are exceedingly proud to have obtained this certification, because it recognizes the many efforts we have made to improve our environmental performance,” commented Allen B Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Transat. “These efforts have included reducing our energy consumption by 10% and our water use by 40% over the past few years.”
April 1 2011
American airlines first started charging for checked bags on domestic flights back in 2005, and since then, as has been reported in the media from time to time, such charges have become the largest single source of flight-related ancillary revenue for many airlines. Currently there are but two exceptions to the rule: both JetBlue and Southwest have steadfastly stuck to the tradition of allowing checked bags to be carried gratis.
The corollary has been that since more people are now carrying bags on to flights to avoid fees, so there has been an additional burden on the baggage screening process. This, in turn, has sparked a debate on the overall cost of screening those supernumerary bags - and who should be paying for the service. Moreover, the situation has raised another question: is the security system now becoming overstretched because of this?
The cost of checking a suitcase on a domestic flight in the US falls anywhere between US$15 to US$40 a bag. Such a fee, it has been calculated, has contributed more than US$6bn to the coffers of US airlines over the past four years.
To counter the perceived problem, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed an increase in the passenger security fee (from US$2.50 to US$4) in an attempt to offset this: if agreed, the fee will be levied in 2012
With recent data suggesting that there have been 59m more carry-on items in 2010 than in the year before, it’s clearly an issue that requires tackling.
Clariant, a leading supplier of de-icing materials for aircraft and runways in Europe, is expanding its capabilities in the North American de-icer market by acquiring Octagon Process, a privately-held company based in New York. As a result of the acquisition, Clariant will provide customers with a broader supply chain network and enhanced geographical scope. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This week saw Alaska Airlines and the Transport Workers Union jointly announce an initial agreement on a new, four-year contract for the carrier's 36 dispatchers. Proposals within the contract include wage increase and provision for improving the quality of life of the workers. Union members will now have a period in which to digest the revised contract and conduct a ratification vote. The results of this are expected at some point this month.
"Transport Workers Union Local 542 is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with Alaska Airlines on a new collective bargaining agreement that provides increased compensation for our members, who work tirelessly to ensure that each flight operates safely, compliantly and efficiently." Such was the announcement from the Transport Workers Union Local 542 section Chairman.
"This proposed contract recognizes the professionalism, dedication and skills of our dispatchers, who play a key rôle in making sure Alaska's passengers arrive at their destination safely and on time," added Alaska Airlines' Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations. "In addition to continuing to provide a competitive compensation package, the agreement incorporates guiding principles we have with other labor groups to help us further improve our relationship with the TWU."
In actual fact, Alaska Airlines and the TWU have been negotiating a new contract since May 2010.
More on the baggage fee question: the US Travel Association, along with a panel of travel and security experts, has suggested various measures that could improve security at US airports and reduce the burden for travelers.
The report, entitled A Better Way: Building a World-Class System for Aviation Security, recommends that airlines allow passengers one checked bag as part of their base airfare without any additional cost in order to reduce the amount of luggage going through the security checkpoints.
The association said that it was cognizant of recent research that pointed out that travelers are avoiding two or three trips per year because of heightened security measures: this is costing around US$85bn and 900,000 jobs.
The panel called on Congress to authorize the Transportation Security Administration to implement a government-run traveler program that could refocus resources on the highest risk passengers.
Some of the other recommendations include giving the TSA authority over the entire checkpoint area; improving communication on security rules and regulations; and enabling certain low-risk passengers traveling to other domestic airports to forego checked baggage and passenger screening upon landing in the US.
The report also suggests developing a comprehensive technology procurement strategy and convening an external panel of experts to review TSA aviation security programs, assess the risk each is designed to mitigate, and subsequently develop metrics for measuring progress to lessen that risk.
March 18 2011
AA continues to reinvent the wheel – or should that be the wing? Its latest initiative aimed at saving money whilst assisting the environment sees it continuing its Fuel Smart program that looks for ways to cut fuel-related expenses.
Lightening the weight of food and beverage carts is the current idea and to achieve worthwhile savings, the carrier has succeeded in shaving off around 12 pounds from the average cart weight. That may not sound like much - but when that figure is multiplied by the some 19,000 carts being used in the carrier’s fleet, this equates to a reduction in jet fuel consumption to the tune of 1.8m gallons over the course of a 12 month period. Put another way, this works out to a monetary benefit of around US$5m a year.
The carrier is also planning to purchase more pushbacks, which will save aviation fuel in taxi-ing porcedures. Other efforts have included reducing the weight of seats, bins and television monitors. Furthermore, AA has experimented with a new exterior coating that enhances airflow whilst helping with fuel consumption.
United Continental Holdings is to expand the use of its mobile check-in and mobile boarding passes to United customers traveling on international flights. Customers will be able to check in on the carrier’s website using a Web-enabled mobile device up to 24 hours before their time of departure.
Further afield, United's mobile boarding pass option is now available to customers departing from airports in London, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Geneva, Zurich, Moscow and Osaka. Over the coming months the airline has plans to introduce the mobile boarding pass option at additional international airports, including Frankfurt, Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong. United currently offers paperless boarding at 62 US airports.
In the latest of a far-reaching series of economies, Continental has taken the plunge and announced that it will no longer be serving free pretzels to economy class travelers. According to the airline, discontinuing this practice of serving free snacks to economy class will save it around US$2.5m a year. The cost saving initiative is deemed to better align the carrier with its competitors, and the beverage snacks will be removed from the main cabin for all non-BusinessFirst markets, which includes domestic, Latin and Caribbean leisure, transcontinental, Hawaii and Canada.
ASIG has announced that it has been awarded the contract to provide Federal Inspection Stations Customer Service Management at Orlando International. The contract was awarded by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, following a competitive bid process: services commenced in February. The station is one of 20 gateway airports that are part of the US Customs and Border Protection’s Model Ports Initiative. This initiative is focused on improving processes for clearing and welcoming travelers into the US.
Under the agreement with GOAA, ASIG will provide Ambassador Services representatives to assist the arriving international passengers through customs and ensure the safe and efficient transit of these passengers and their luggage through various FIS facilities at the airport.
Rover Air Freight recently announced that it has started offering international freight services. Rover will be providing services in and out of North America, Europe and Asia. The services to be provided will include air freight express and expedited cargo; ocean freight; customs brokerage and compliance; cargo insurance and hazardous materials handling. Clients will benefit from door-to-door, door-to-airport and airport-to-airport delivery options, depending on their needs. Both domestic airfreight and specialized custom distribution will be available within North America.
Following widespread media reports on the subject of unscreened bags at Honolulu International airport, measures have been introduced to try and rectify the situation. The TSA has acted swiftly and managers have been appointed to oversee the screening area to ensure that there is no repetition of the problem.
March 4 2011
In February, Servisair announced that its Montreal-Trudeau International base had gained IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification. Servisair YUL thus becomes the first station across Canada to be ISAGO certified.
ISAGO represents a guarantee of quality, safety and efficiency for an airline. Based on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) framework, ISAGO aims to implement a formal, systematic process to manage operational risk and safety, thereby reducing accidents, incidents and injuries. Longer term, this auditing system is meant to improve safety and reduce cost within the ground handling environment.
“We are proud of this certification, which is a high mark of recognition from the industry,” commented Audrey Laurin, Regional Vice-President of Servisair Canada. “In our constant efforts to maximize the effectiveness while reducing the cost of our operations, the ISAGO is a benefit for both our airline customers and Servisair. Therefore, we wish to extend this process to all of our stations throughout Canada in the near future.”
Signature Flight Support has announced that it has agreed to acquire the assets of Yellowstone Jetcenter, a provider of FBO services at Gallatin Field airport in Bozeman, Montana. This acquisition will increase Signature’s international network of FBOs to a total of 104 locations worldwide. Yellowstone Jetcenter is to retain its brand name but will operate fully as a location within the Signature network. The well-established name will be supported by the full breadth of the Signature network and customers will be able to enjoy the same benefits as those found at other Signature locations.
World Fuel Services Corporation has reported a fourth quarter net income of US$39.4m or US$0.56 diluted earnings per share compared to US$34.5m or US$0.57 diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter, which exclude share-based compensation and amortization of acquired intangible assets, was put at US$44.1m and US$0.63, respectively, compared to US$37.5m (or US$0.61) in the fourth quarter of 2009. The impact of the additional outstanding shares associated with the company’s recent equity offering on GAAP and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was approximately US$0.08 in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The company’s aviation segment generated gross profits of US$58m in the fourth quarter of 2010, this representing an increase of US$2.2m or 4% sequentially and US$9m (or 18%) year-over-year.
UPS has contracted with Clean Energy Fuels Corporation to fuel its new fleet of 48 liquefied natural gas package transportation trucks at a new truck fueling station near the UPS facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The agreement has a seven-year initial term, with three, one-year renewal options. Clean Energy has undertaken to design, build, own and operate the station, which is set to open during the first half of this year.
"Investment in a fuel-efficient technology that helps reduce our carbon footprint and reduce our dependence on petroleum remains a key component of UPS's transport strategy," explains Mike Britt, Director of Vehicle Engineering at UPS. "For our heavy duty vehicles, LNG has proved successful in reducing emissions, keeping our maintenance and operating costs low and significantly reducing our dependence on petroleum for these shipping lanes."
The public access LNG fueling station will support the deployment of this new regional UPS fleet of LNG delivery trucks, which will be employed in transporting packages between UPS facilities in Las Vegas and Ontario, California, as well as to other regional destinations. LNG fuel requirements are expected to exceed 1.2m gallons annually for the UPS fleet in question. The station will also become a key link in a LNG truck fueling corridor being developed by Clean Energy.
James Harger, Chief Marketing Officer, Clean Energy, said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to extend our relationship with UPS to support its efforts to curb harmful air pollution and global warming emissions. The new Las Vegas LNG truck fleet is part of continuing efforts by UPS to reduce its emissions from the use of fuels like gasoline and diesel, and to lower its carbon footprint."
He added: "This UPS station project is a major step toward realizing our goal to create a Southwest LNG truck fueling corridor that will extend along major truck transport routes from San Diego to Salt Lake City."
The development of the Clean Energy LNG station infrastructure is in direct response to the increasing demand for natural gas fuel as more and more major trucking companies secure and deploy LNG-powered trucks throughout the region.
To supply its Southwest regional LNG fuel customers, Clean Energy operates the largest LNG production plant in the Southwest, which is located in Boron, California. The facility there includes a 1.8m gallon LNG storage tank.
Could you be paying too much to fly?
Its sounds like a rhetorical question but in fact passengers can get caught out when it comes to luggage. The weight, of course, is the crucial part of the equation here: if your bag tips the scales too far, then you’re liable for a charge to have it carried. So how do you guard against this eventuality?
The fact of the matter is that airport weighing systems are checked – but in the absence of any national regulation, this may occur once a year, or even less frequently. It’s worth calculating your bag’s weight before you leave home, but this action won’t help you if you are passing through a number of different stations on a business trip, for example.
Packing light would seem to be the way forward here. It’s also worth knowing that scales ought to display some sort of “tested” decal, which will give a test date – and that in situations where you wish to dispute a reading, it’s quite acceptable to try another set for a re-weigh.
February 18 2011
Vancouver International is conducting a pilot project at the passenger screening checkpoint to monitor passenger behavior and detect potential terrorist threats.
Under the program, specially trained officers at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) will be looking for unusual or suspicious behavior on the part of passengers. A spokesperson for Transport Canada commented on the initiative, saying that the effectiveness of the program would be carefully monitored to guide longer-term strategies.
The program will focus on behavior rather than racial or ethnic profiles, and will be customized to Canada's legal and cultural environments.
The US Department of Transportation has fined Delta Air Lines US$2m for violations of the rules protecting air travelers with disabilities. The fine comes in the wake of a similar penalty given to Mesaba recently. This civil penalty is to date the largest ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related case.
An investigation by the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Enforcement Office of disability complaints showed up many violations of the requirement to provide passengers with assistance in emplaning and disembarkation. The carrier’s complaint files also showed that it frequently did not provide an adequate written response to disability complaints from passengers.
Of the fine, US$750,000 must be paid by the carrier and up to US$1.25m may be used to improve its service to passengers with disabilities beyond what is required by the law.
United Continental has said that it will be cutting up to 500 jobs at the Houston headquarters of Continental Airlines, which merged in 2010 with United. The cuts are to be centered on management and salaried positions. In all, United Continental has about 6,000 such jobs falling within this category. However, a company spokesperson has said that some employees had already accepted a voluntary redundancy payment and that overall, the number of job cuts might actually total fewer than 500.
The Transportation Security Administration has completed the testing of new security screening software at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. This development produces generic images rather than passenger-specific images, avoiding the situation that has caused a great deal of unrest amongst travelers in recent months. The software has been deployed in one of the airport's 14 advanced imaging technology machines and whilst eliminating passenger-specific images, it will nevertheless still indicate the location of any potential threat items on the outline of a person. It is the TSA’s intention to test the software in Las Vegas and Washington too, before officially launching it elsewhere in the US.
In Canada, at least, it looks as if there will now be a degree of relaxation in what travelers can legally take on board an aircraft.
Canada has eased its restrictions in an effort to improve security and speed up passenger screening times, the country’s Transport Department has announced. Passengers are now permitted to board with small scissors and tools, including screwdrivers, provided that they are less than six centimeters in length. It appears that the revised list will allow the security forces to focus on rather more serious threats. Helpfully, the initiative will bring Canada's banned carry-on list more in line with those of other countries.
In addition, airports have decided to expand the use of channels for pre-approved passengers with a NEXUS card and set up lines that will be designated for family use. These specific lines will have equipment designed for bigger items, such as pushchairs and the like.
The department believes that the measures will help speed up the passenger flow overall: indeed, there could be up to a 30% gain in screening times if all goes according to plan.
Signature Flight Support has announced the opening of a Middle East sales office and the appointment of Karl Bowles as Sales Manager, Middle East.
February 4 2011
Good news from California: cargo tonnages at Los Angeles International rose by 15.8% to 1.9m in 2010, up from 1.6m tons in 2009, according to figures just released. The airport also saw a 4.5% rise in overall passenger traffic (with 59m passengers) while domestic traffic grew by a useful 4.1%. For its part, international traffic grew by 5.5%.
Furthermore, airmail tonnages also rose (by 15.5% to 74,034 tons compared to 2009), while in the same period, freight increased by 15.8% to reach 1.8m tons. Aircraft operations also increased (by 5.6%) to attain a figure of 575,835 in 2010.
The TSA has thrown cold water on a programme that would have allowed airports to replace government screeners with screeners drawn from the private sector. The volte face occurred in January, barely a month after the TSA had expressed no concerns over the initiative. The TSA has subsequently declared that it has decided not to expand the programme beyond a total of 16 airports.
Had it taken root, the Screening Partnership Program would have permitted airports to replace government screeners with private contractors; these staff would meet TSA standards and work under the aegis of the TSA. The process change has been prompted by the perceived intrusion of security pat-downs.
World Fuel Services Corporation recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, World Fuel Services, has signed a definitive agreement that will see it acquire Ascent Aviation Group, a leading distributor of aviation fuel and de-icing fluids. Ascent, which is based in Parish, New York, supplies aviation fuel and de-icing fluid to more than 450 airports and fixed base operators throughout North America. Ascent is a national branded reseller of aviation fuel for ConocoPhillips and is the exclusive third-party distributor of de-icing fluids for Dow in the US.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has filed two applications with the National Mediation Board, asking the Board to rule that United Airlines and Continental Airlines now operate as a single transportation system for union representation purposes in the Fleet and Ramp Service and Stock & Stores classifications.
“United and Continental have substantially integrated their Ramp and Stores operations and are operating as a single carrier for representation purposes in these classifications,” states the IAM. “Ramp and Stores employees at both airlines have demonstrated tremendous support for the Machinists Union and they will be the first of what we expect will be many IAM members at the new United Airlines.”
In all, the IAM represents United’s 6,800 Ramp and 640 Stores employees. Currently, Continental’s Stock & Stores employees are unrepresented, and the 7,000 Fleet Service employees belonging to Continental and Continental Micronesia are currently represented by a different union.
In accordance with NMB guidelines, separate single carrier applications and determinations must be made for each employee classification following an airline merger.
The US Department of Transportation has fined Mesaba Aviation for violating rules protecting PRMs. In all, the carrier has been required to pay US$125,000.
“We expect airlines to respect the rights of passengers with disabilities, and we will continue to take enforcement action when they do not,” said the US Transportation Secretary in a statement.
The DOT’s rules implementing the Air Carrier Access Act require airlines to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in both boarding and disembarkation; this includes the use of wheelchairs, ramps, mechanical lifts or service personnel, if required. Furthermore, carriers also must respond within 30 days to a written complaint about their treatment of passengers with disabilities and specifically address the issues raised in each complaint.
The DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office reviewed complaints about Mesaba’s treatment of PRMs that had been filed with the carrier and with the DOT in 2007 and in 2008. The complaints revealed a number of violations of the requirement for provision of adequate boarding and embarkation assistance, as well as instances where the carrier did not respond to complaints from passengers with disabilities.
US Airways is due to lay off almost 100 baggage handlers and allied staff in March at Pittsburgh International.
The carrier has said that this is in line with its downsizing operation that embraces 11 airports: the move equates to about 5% of the carrier’s workforce in Pittsburgh.
Another factor in the decision has been that of fewer staff than normal changing their job or seeking retirement. A reduction in capacity (of around 1%) has been a further reason for the initiative.
However, the carrier has said that the affected workers will be offered alternative jobs in other markets in which it operates.
January 21 2011
According to local publications, there are proposals for a cross-border airport terminal which would give San Diego travellers more access to flights and which could lead to more growth in the Otay Mesa area.
Otay-Tijuana Venture has plans to build a facility that would ultimately become an airport terminal within the US for Tijuana International.
Put at a cost of US$77.9m, the facility would be built in Otay Mesa, just west of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Airline passengers could park in the US, check in their bags and go through security measures in the US, after which they would cross a pedestrian bridge over the US-Mexico border and board in Tijuana.
A terminal could also alleviate traffic at the ports of entry: currently some 2m people drive across the border every year just to get to the airport. That traffic could thus be reduced with a terminal on the US side of the border. Developers hope to break ground in late 2011 and be operational by the end of 2013. The project now awaits a Presidential Permit from Mexico City and requires several other permits before construction can get underway.
If you thought flying was a bit of a lottery, then you’ll not be fazed by the latest initiative from Delta. E-bay culture, it seems, has finally spread into the aviation sector.
In (yet) another effort to cut costs, the carrier has decided it’s the passenger who decides how much compensation should be paid in the event of an overbooked flight. Whereas in the past there was a fixed compensation offered, now the airline is trialling a system that asks the traveller faced with this possibility how much they would like to receive in lieu of the flight.
A licence to print money? Not exactly: the compensation bids are logged electronically and Delta begins by working from the cheapest up. Thus seasoned travellers who have had more bumps than most and who have done quite well out of the fixed compensation scheme may suddenly find that inexperienced flyers amongst them are happy to settle for less to take another flight… which is exactly what Delta wants. Add to that less time required at the gate for sorting out customers and you have a clever yet simple solution.
All of which goes to prove that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Vanderlande Industries has successfully completed the installation of a baggage handling system with an inline screening system in terminal D at George Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston. This represents the sixth-largest facility in the world.
To date, Vanderlande Industries has implemented more than 50 system solutions in the US and continues to grow every year. This project at George Bush Intercontinental included more than 3,350 feet of material handling conveyors, a six machine Explosive Detection System screening facility and new ticket counter conveyors. Next to the baggage handling system Vanderlande Industries also provided the passenger screening area. With this new material handling system Terminal D is now prepared to serve the increasing number of foreign carriers that fly to the airport.
Additionally, this project marks the first North American deployment of VIBES, the Vanderlande Industries baggage handling system software. This comprises software made by Vanderlande to route the bags in the most optimal way to their destination.
According to the DOT, November 2010 became the second month in a row that saw the largest carriers in the US reporting an absence of flights with tarmac delays of more than three hours. For their part, the carriers reported only a slight increase in the rate of cancelled flights during the same month. In all, since May 2010, statistics appertaining to 18 airlines have revealed that there were only a dozen delays that topped the three-hour limit, a number that is drastically down from the 550 recorded in the equivalent period in 2009.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport has come up with plans for a US$790m project aimed at extending its south runway. According to sources, the new runway will be 8,000 feet in length and some 150 feet wide. Moreover, it will be extended to the same height as the current overpasses on US Route 1, an adjacent major north-south road. It has been calculated that the extension would increase the capacity of the airport by some 50% to 450,000 take-offs and landings each year. The project will further embrace the expansion of Terminal 4, which serves international passengers. Schedules indicate that the construction project should get underway by the end of this year and that it ought to be completed by late 2014.
January 7 2011
L-3 Security & Detection Systems has confirmed that 12 of its X-ray screening systems have been approved by the US Transportation Security Administration for scanning air cargo. The specialist’s technology is able to screen both break-bulk and skid-based air cargo and complies with the TSA's small, medium and large X-ray classifications. Following the recent scare arising from the well-publicised freighted printer accessories, the TSA has been under pressure to expedite its approval process for cargo screening technology.
World Fuel Services Corporation has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, that of World Fuel Services, has completed the acquisition of The Hiller Group and certain affiliates. This latter is a leading US general aviation fuel distribution business.
“The Hiller acquisition further strengthens our position in the general aviation fuel distribution business,” declares Michael Kasbar, President and Chief Operating Officer of World Fuel Services Corporation. "We look forward to partnering with the Hiller team and are excited at the many growth opportunities that lie ahead."
Hiller, which is based in Tampa, has an annual volume of more than 120m gallons and is a leading supplier of aviation fuel to fixed base operators and corporate flight departments. It also provides a full range of support services such as marketing, tailored business solutions, freight expertise and credit card processing.
Faced with a drop in income (US airport retail and food revenues dipped by 4% in 2009 to US$1.47bn), restaurant operators have been looking at how to enhance their bottom line. One possibility mooted has been that of putting the food right under the customer’s nose, rather than wait for the customer to wander into the dining facility. And in order to achieve this, restaurants are working with airport operators to site their fare close to the point of embarkation. This can be achieved either by locating a small kitchen behind a bar in the departures lounge or through the refitting of a disused gate area.
Part of the concept is psychological, it goes without saying. According to studies performed, many travellers don’t want to stray too far from their departure lounge and with that in mind, it makes sense to think about locating food facilities in such areas.
Part of the stimulus has come from the airports themselves, which are anxious to shake off the old image of merely being transit points: they wish to be considered a more complex entity insofar as the traveller is concerned and part of that desire involves an element of experimentation with new ideas. Since revenues are now derived from a host of different sources, the time is arguably ripe for trying out the new. Allied to this is the reality that in-flight meals are often a memory for most travellers these days, at least for those on internal flights.
In consequence, at New York’s JFK, OTG Management has liaised with Delta and has constructed some “mini restaurants” within the seating areas at three of Delta’s gates. OTG has described the concept as a first-class, lounge-café-hotel lobby environment.
Will it work?
Time (and appetite) will tell.
Flight attendants at Allegiant Airlines have voted for representation by the Transport Workers Union.
The vote, which saw some 62% of respondents in favour of representation, is something of a milestone in that it marks the first time that flight attendants have voted for union representation under the new federal rules. These new rules call for a simple majority decision in elections concerned with airlines or railway staff. Moreover, this section represents the first worker group of the airline to seek union representation.
Allegiant’s flight attendants are set to join the 9,400 Southwest flight attendants who are represented by the Transport Workers Union. Allegiant flight dispatchers, who have also signalled their interest in union representation, are currently in the process of voting: their ballot is due to terminate on January 24.
According to the US Air Transport Association, US passenger airlines' costs rose by 5% year-on-year in the third quarter of last year: this represents the third reporting period in a row that has seen costs increase. Predictably, the main contributors to cost were those of fuel, labour and transport-related expenses. Encouragingly, there were improvements posted in fuel efficiency, labour productivity and revenue generation, which combined to offset potentially higher composite costs. This paved the way for lowering the break-even load factor, which was down by 8.7 percentage points.
December 23 2010
This December, ASIG celebrates 25 years of service to the LAXFUEL airline consortium, which is based at Los Angeles International airport. LAXFUEL is the largest jet fuel consortium in the US and since its inception, ASIG has been the sole contractor to maintain and operate Los Angeles’ airport jet fuel facility.
ASIG was also recently granted a contract extension at the annual meeting where ASIG’s Vice President of Fuel Consortiums, Larry McMahon, accepted a special award, acknowledging ASIG’s 25 years of service to LAXFUEL.
LAXFUEL comprises 63 domestic and international airline members and the facility handles 1.4bn gallons of jet fuel annually.
Alaska Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have announced a tentative agreement towards a three year contract for the carrier's clerical, office and passenger service employees. Amongst the proposals tabled were salary reviews, job security, bonuses, incentive plans and productivity measures.
According to the airlines, a ratification vote is expected before the end of February 2011.
The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a loan of US$165m to modernise and expand El Dorado International airport in Bogota, Colombia.
The funds will go towards the construction of a new terminal for international, domestic and regional passengers, as well as a control tower. Additionally, there will be a new infrastructure for international and domestic cargo along with new facilities for Colombia's civil aviation agency.
The modernisation, which should be completed by 2014, aims to increase the airport's operational capacity and efficiency and to reduce delays, along with fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The authorities also say that the project will improve security, as well as passenger services, and benefit airlines and cargo clients alike.
IATA has unveiled a plan to replace the lengthy and increasingly intrusive passenger security checks at airports with a new system that is aimed at identifying risky travellers rather than risky objects.
Under the project, an early version of which could be in place within three years if governments decide to co-operate, travellers might be directed down one of three security tunnels, depending on their profiles which are based on submitted biometric data and flight booking details.
“The current system of putting everyone through the same procedure of taking off shoes and pulling out laptops, is an incredible mess. It is causing longer and longer delays,” commented IATA’s Director-General, Giovanni Bisignani.
“With today's terror threats, we need to be able to find bad people, not bad objects. We can only do that by assessing passengers for risk with appropriate security checks to follow,” he added at a press conference recently.
As most readers know, airport security has become a huge talking point since the events of 9/11 and recent traveller protests over what is perceived as an invasion of privacy has not helped matters progress. A solution to this impasse is thought to be highly desirable and IATA’s proposals may well find attentive ears.
According to the latest reports, US airlines collected a total of US$1.5bn in baggage fees and reservation cancellation and flight change fees in the third quarter of 2010. This total was up by 10.6% from US$1.35bn in the equivalent third quarter of 2009, according to the US Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Baggage fees in the third quarter accounted for US$906.4m, this figure up by 22.5% from US$739.8m in the same period 12 months ago. Reservation cancellation and change fees accounted for a useful US$590.4m, although this was down by 3.8%.
The top earner in the incidentals league was Delta Air Lines, which reported a third-quarter revenue of US$259.5m: this was more than double its revenues of the same period in 2009. American Airlines was second in the listing with US$151.2m, which represented a rise of 26.5%.
Delta Air Lines has received notification from the National Mediation Board that 70% of its employees who voted in the passenger service election have rejected representation by the International Association of Machinists.
December 7 2010
Despite all the negative press, nearly two-thirds of Americans currently support the new full body security screening machines at the country's airports, with most saying that they put a higher priority on combatting terrorism than protecting personal privacy. This is the result of a new newspaper poll. Against that, half of all those polled said that enhanced patdown searches go too far. The uproar over the new generation of security technology, and the personal searching of those who refuse it, has thus continued, with the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano maintaining that the new measures are necessary for public safety.
"There is a continued threat against aviation involving those who seek to smuggle powders and gels that can be used as explosives on airplanes," she said. "The new technology is designed to help us identify those individuals." Interestingly, according to the Transportation Security Administration, less than 3% of travellers receive the patdowns.
She added that the TSA would be listening to the public’s concerns, however. “Of course, we will make adjustments or changes when called upon, but not changes or adjustments that will affect the basic operational capability that we need to have to make sure that air travel remains safe."
One possibility that might help swing the balance would be the use of profiling at airports, where the TSA would single out specific passengers for extra screening, based on available information. Overall, some 70% of Americans back the idea, which has been mooted as an alternative, and rather more user-friendly, option.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs sought to reassure the travelling public that the evolution of the security processes would be managed with the input of those who actually go through the security measures. He also underlined the fact that safe travel remained a top priority for the country as a whole.
Five baggage handlers at Toronto's Pearson airport, along with a police officer, were among a number of people arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Jamaica Constabulary Force as part of an investigation into a drug smuggling operation based at the station. It is understood that the Jamaican officer, who was posted to an unnamed airport on the island, put luggage containing drugs on board aircraft bound for Toronto. It is believed that the drugs were then removed from the aircraft by briefed loaders at Toronto, who subsequently arranged for their removal from the airport. Apparently the gang had been smuggling large quantities of MDMA, cannabis and Khat into the country.
Canada, apparently, has no plans to introduce physical patdowns for domestic flights. The behaviour that has angered US passengers will not be applied across the border in Canada, said the country's Transport Minister, Chuck Strahl. The federal government co-ordinates with the US on airline security but it has also recognised that Canadians have a right to be treated properly and respectfully at airports. Thus the enhanced US screening methods, which have drawn complaints from US residents because they involve full body imaging scanners or permit intimate physical patdowns, will not be adopted. Canada is to make use of a different technology which will see the deployment of full body scanners that do not have the same radiation issues that have caused concern within the US, he added. Another development is that of privacy screens, which will also be installed at airports for these searches. Passengers flying from Canada to the US will still have to go through the US-style screening, however. "That's an American requirement, not a Canadian one," Strahl confirmed.
Following a strengthening of ties with the opening of a joint facility at New York JFK last November, Servair and the Chicago-based Flying Food Group have reorganised their activities into one company, that of Flying Food Servair USA. This brings together joint operations in Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
This holding company is now owned by Flying Food Group (with a 51% share) and Servair (with 49%) and will be the basis for development in the US. Servair has also announced the investment of Sue Gin, Founder and CEO of Flying Food Group, in the capital of Servair, with a stake of 2.5%. Sue Gin is on the board of Servair SA. Flying Food Group is a major player in the US catering market and was founded by Sue Lin Gin in 1983; moreover, Servair and Flying Food Group have been partners for over 20 years.
Finally, readers of Pax International, the US magazine and reference for the airline catering industry, have selected Servair as best European caterer in 2010 (based on votes submitted by readers from January to October 2010). Each year, Pax International subscribers select the best caterers for each geographical zone. This is the fourth year in a row that the caterer has collected the accolade.
November 22 2010
Baggage handlers at Delta Air Lines have rejected representation by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. This is the second time within two months that workers at Delta have decided to opt out of the unionisation process.
In all, some 5,569 fleet service workers at Delta voted for no representation, with just over 5,000 voting for union representation. The voting process was implemented amongst the three biggest groups at Delta to determine whether these staff at the carrier would be represented, following the 2008 acquisition of Northwest Airlines.
The FAA has awarded its largest-ever Voluntary Airport Low Emission grant (of US$18.3m) for a project that will see Seattle-Tacoma International improve its air quality and reduce its use of conventional fuels at the airport. With this useful grant from VALE, Sea-Tac is now set to install a centralised, pre-conditioned air plant that will enable aircraft arriving at the gates to shut off their APUs and connect to a cleaner central heating and cooling system, thereby greatly reducing aircraft emissions on the ramp.
The FAA is encouraging airlines and airports to find creative ways to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment and next-generation technology will be employed to help aviation go even greener by significantly reducing the amount of fuel burned during flights.
The entire project has been calculated to cost around US$33m and the VALE aid will cover the first phase, which will include 53 of Sea-Tac's 81 gates. Initial construction is expected to begin shortly and should be completed by the end of 2011, with 2012 estimated as the termination date.
Once the project is completed, CO2 emissions are expected to be reduced by more than 50,000 tonnes a year. It is thought that airlines will save in the order of 5m gallons of fuel and US$10m in fuel costs per year.
Bogota El Dorado International airport, in Colombia, has implemented IATA’s e-freight standard to streamline its supply chain for air cargo. IATA e-freight is a paperless process designed to improve speed and reliability, whilst reducing transportation costs. This industry-wide initiative involves carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers and customs authorities.
The e-freight implementation was led by LAN Colombia Cargo, Iberia Airlines, Customs DIAN and Aviation Authorities, represented by Aeronáutica Civil.
There has been a lot of criticism in recent weeks over the heightened levels of security at airports following foiled terrorist campaigns. Passengers have had to face long security queues and new, more rigorous pat-down procedures. As a consequence, some travellers have begun to debate the wisdom of air travel.
The TSA is also now deploying body scanners at US airports but travellers and pilots have complained about putative health risks - and the fact that they are too intrusive. And the alternative? A physical search by an officer.
Complaints from pilots and cabin crew have fuelled this wave of opposition and this has prompted dialogue between the pilots' group and the TSA Administration. The two sides have said that they are confident that the differences of opinion will be resolved shortly, however.
As we went online, it was announced that US airline pilots would now be allowed to bypass this new security measure at US airports. The TSA stepped down, following continued opposition and the threat of a lawsuit.
Continental Airlines has received the Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier award in the Americas category at the PAX International Readership Awards 2010. This is the second consecutive year (and the third time overall) that the readers of PAX International have recognised Continental for its onboard meal service.
The awards are focused on the levels of excellence in performance and product development.
The US Department of Transportation has revealed that tarmac delays are still declining at US airports in the wake of the three hour tarmac delay rule that was implemented in April of this year. According to data released, only four flights in September experienced tarmac delays of more than three hours, which was fewer than the six flights in September 2009. Records show that the four flights in question all involved delays caused by adverse weather in New York and Philadelphia on the day. More interesting, perhaps, is the fact that only a dozen tarmac delays of more than three hours were recorded from May to September in 2010, compared to a staggering 535 during the same five-month period of 2009.
November 4 2010
Air transport industry stakeholders have welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the US Department of Agriculture and the FAA that will see the development of aviation biofuels from forest and crop residues as well as other green feedstocks.
Billy Glover, Boeing’s VP-Environment and Aviation Policy, has heralded the five-year agreement as good news for the commercial aviation industry, which believes sustainable biofuels to be a key element in its plan towards the lowering of carbon emissions. He noted that Boeing has been working with the USDA and the Air Transport Association on the so-called Farm-to-Fly initiative, which is aimed at encouraging the production of sustainable aviation biofuels through US agricultural policy. The USDA-FAA partnership seeks to further advance that initiative.
NCR Corporation has announced that it has acquired Scotland-based Mobiqa, which provides mobile phone optimised content, including ticketing and barcode boarding pass solutions for several airlines. The price and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Honolulu International airport in Hawaii has begun the use of full-body scanners to detect explosives hidden inside passengers’ clothes. Six advanced imaging technology machines, each costing between US$70,000 and US$150,000, are soon to be installed at the airport.
The system relies upon a millimetre wave device that is able to scan for metallic and non-metallic threats, including explosives: this is all carried out without the need for any physical contact with the passenger, in the space of just five seconds.
The screening image will be monitored in an isolated room by one agent who will communicate wirelessly with other Transportation Security Administration agents.
If the machine detects anything suspicious, the TSA agents will screen that specific area instead of having to conduct a full physical body search.
Delta Air Lines cabin staff have rejected representation by the Association of Flight Attendants by a significant margin. Delta reported that it had been informed by the National Mediation Board that more than 53% of flight attendants voting in the election rejected the union, which represented around 7,200 former Northwest Airlines cabin staff.
October 18th 2010
The US Department of Transportation has stated that the evidence is clear: long tarmac delays are continuing to see significant reduction at US airports. This follows the “three hour” rule that was imposed in April this year.
Data released by the Department of Transport's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reveals that United Airlines was alone amongst the US's 18 largest airlines to report a flight that experienced a tarmac delay of more than the stipulated period. The statistic compares favourably with 2009, when airlines experienced 66 extended delays.
Full body scanning of passengers recently got underway at Lambert-St. Louis International airport in Missouri in a bid to enhance passenger security at the station. The first device was installed in Terminal 2 and the second device went in this month: more devices are expected to be installed in the future.
The two new imaging devices will use low level X-ray beams to screen passengers for metallic and non-metallic objects but without any physical contact. A black-and-white image is obtained once a passenger has passed through the scanner but the image cannot be stored, printed or transmitted. Instead, it will be deleted immediately by a Transportation Security Administration officer who views it in a separate location. Passengers not wishing to avail themselves of this state-of-the-art facility can opt for alternative screening, such as a physical pat-down.
At the time of writing, the TSA had installed some 259 of these units at a total of 58 airports nationwide: it is on target to deploy 450 by the end of this year.
It will be interesting to see how the applications are received: elsewhere in the world, countries like Italy have begun to move away from this technology, claiming that too many problems are manifesting themselves in connection with passengers’ sensitivities.
More than 16,000 passenger service workers at Delta will be casting their vote between November 2 and December 7 in order to determine whether they will be represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
In fact, this vote is simply one of several unionisation votes lined up over the coming couple of months in the wake of the Delta Northwest tie-up. Although the pair linked up two years ago, Delta was largely non-unionised, in contrast with Northwest. Thus Delta’s employees now have to decide whether they want to join the labour groups representing the former Northwest employees.
Altogether there are around 16,500 potential eligible voters among the Delta/ Northwest passenger service workers and of these, some 11,618 are non-unionised Delta workers, while 4,817 are former Northwest employees.
The International Association of Machinists is looking also to represent Delta’s 14,000 fleet service workers as well as a further 700 who work in the sectors of stock and stores. Staff are expected to use a combination of telephone and the Internet in executing the voting process.
The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators regarding the carriage of lithium batteries as cargo on aircraft. According to the FAA, recent research carried out by the agency has revealed that lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable and are capable of igniting during air transportation. The concerns over the carriage of these batteries are limited to cargo hold transportation, not carry-on items that might contain this sort of battery.
It is believed that the research has been prompted by the UPS cargo aircraft that crashed in September in Dubai: this was carrying, inter alia, lithium batteries. However, the government was concerned about the carriage of lithium batteries before this incident. The FAA is now encouraging carriers to implement additional procedures in this area, to include the identification of lithium batteries on airway bills and other documents accompanying air cargo. It also recommends careful stowage of these items to reduce the possibility of any conflagration.
October 4th 2010
The Port Authority Board of Commissioners has authorised two actions that will help Stewart International airport in its plans for both its short-term and long-term growth.
First, US$2m is to be put forward for planning work connected with the future expansion of Stewart International’s terminal. This will allow the construction of a multi-functional facility to accommodate the processing of international passengers and allow for increased domestic passenger activity.
Second, to boost airline service to the airport immediately, the Board has also authorised a two-year air service development incentive programme. This has been designed to woo passenger airlines and charter tour operators to initiate a non-stop service to new markets.
The planning and design for a phased terminal expansion is expected to be completed by December 2011. The first phase will expand the north side of the terminal by 25,000 square feet to allow the simultaneous processing of international and domestic passengers. A terminal expansion is necessary to construct an adequate federal inspection service facility and to increase the terminal’s overall capacity beyond its current limit of 1m passengers per annum. The other phases of the project include customer service upgrades and additional improvements to create a fully functioning inspection facility.
JBT AeroTech has received a contract award worth in excess of US$14.5m for the supply of JBT AeroTech's Tempest aircraft de-icing vehicles to Delta Air Lines for utilisation at 11 US airports. The de-icers will be equipped with JBT AeroTech's AirFirst forced air and blendUP proportional mix systems to provide Delta Air Lines with the latest in glycol fluid reduction technology.
"We are very pleased that Delta Air Lines has chosen our environmentally-friendly Tempest de-icers for this major fleet investment, which promotes green technology and lower operating costs," commented John Lee, Vice President for JBT AeroTech Division. "This order is representative of our over 40 year valued relationship with Delta."
JBT anticipates that deliveries will be completed by January 2011.
There has been much activity in the realm of secure baggage handling systems in the recent few weeks.
The Transportation Security Administration has agreed an award of approximately US$1m to Kalamazoo/ Battle Creek International airport for the construction of a new in-line baggage handling system designed to enhance the TSA's efforts to strengthen security at airports.
Furthermore, the TSA has awarded approximately US$20.3m to General Mitchell International for the construction of an enhanced in-line baggage handling system. This award will allow the construction of a fully automated system that will allow 100% baggage screening as well as support the 8m passengers that make use of the station each year.
Elsewhere, and in a similar vein, Lambert-St. Louis International has received US$42.6m in government funding for the installation of new baggage screening systems, in this instance for Terminals 1 and 2. The baggage system will streamline the ticketing process and centralise the operation, thereby reducing the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.
Signature Flight Support has entered into an agreement with McDonald Aviation to manage its facility at Fresno Yosemite International airport.
McDonald Aviation acquired the nearly-new facility earlier this year and has completed an extensive refurbishment of the entire property, which has been used solely for its aircraft until now.
The facility will be fully branded and run as a Signature operation; further, it will offer its customers all the benefits of Signature’s portfolio of services, including Signature Status and access to its global network of FBOs.
The executive terminal is 6,100 square feet in size and features a passenger lounge, crew lounge, two sleep rooms, an executive conference room and a refreshment area. All lounges include entertainment facilities and there is a computer area where crews can check the weather, file flight plans and access the Internet.
The ultra-modern 40,800 square foot hangar is the sole hangar space in this region of California capable of accommodating Global Express or Gulfstream-sized aircraft.
September 13th 2010
For July, US airlines reported only three flights that suffered tarmac delays of more than three hours, compared to 161 flights in same period in 2009.
The turnaround came with only a slight increase in the rate of cancelled flights. The month’s extended delays involved three American Eagle Airlines flights which were held at Chicago O’Hare during a thunderstorm on July 23. In fact the month was the third full month of operations since DOT's three hour tarmac delay rule came into effect in April.
For the 29 documented airports, Alaska Airlines’ July on-time arrival rate of 90.8% was the best. This was followed by Hawaiian Airlines at 86.2% and United Airlines at 83.3%. Hawaiian led the industry for all airports, with an impressive 94.7% statistic for on-time performance. The poorest performing was Comair at 66.8%, followed by ExpressJet Airlines at 68.8%. Comair reported the most cancellations (some 4.6%) whereas Hawaiian Airlines reported no cancellations at all.
AirTran Airways has been fined US$500,000 by the US Department of Transportation for violations connected with protections for passengers with disabilities, or PRMs.
The DOT has said that up to US$200,000 of the US$500,000 civil penalty could be used to improve services to disabled passengers beyond what the law actually requires. A spokesman added that its investigation had revealed that AirTran had violated rules concerned with providing boarding assistance for disabled travellers. The DOT also said that AirTran had not provided an adequate response to passenger complaints, adding that the carrier had not categorised the disability grievances in reports it had filed with the department.
In reply, AirTran said that it was taking steps to improve its service towards disabled travellers, including the implementation of a wheelchair tracking system to ensure timely availability of wheelchairs. It would also be creating a position for someone to address disabled travellers' needs and would be revising training procedures to respond to complaints.
In its defence it added that it had catered for more than 920,000 passengers with disabilities in recent years, and that of that number fewer than 0.5% of them had reported any type of problem.
Indianapolis International airport has opened a new cargo facility for shipping and receiving large or unusual freight items carried by airlines.
The new facility, dubbed the Airport Support Services Building, is a 40,000 square feet concrete structure that was built at a cost of US$5.4m.
The facility will integrate the cargo and tarmac operations that were scattered among three buildings near the airport's old passenger terminal. This facility will also serve as the airport's primary hub to ship or receive cargo from passenger airlines and as a ground support equipment maintenance facility for airlines.
The new building will include conveyor systems, baggage carts, tugs and tractors, personnel transportation vehicles, trucks and other portable equipment.
The Transportation Security Administration has announced an award of US$938,000 to Rochester International airport for the construction of new in-line baggage handling systems designed to enhance the TSA's efforts in strengthening security at airports.
The award will be used to construct new in-line systems at the Delta and American Eagle ticket counters. The in-line baggage handling systems will better serve more than 320,000 passengers travelling through Rochester International each year. When completed, the station will feature 100% in-line screening, thereby greatly improving the airport’s efficiency.
In-line baggage handling systems use state-of-the-art technology to rapidly screen baggage for explosives, while streamlining the ticketing and boarding process. This eliminates the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location before proceeding to the security checkpoint. Additionally, the systems provide on-screen resolution capabilities for security officers screening baggage, which reduces the number of rescans needed and physical bag searches.
August 20th 2010
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Geodis Wilson recently expanded its Atlanta operation into a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility. In fact, the Atlanta location has moved to a facility that now encompasses some 84,000 square feet. Here, the operation provides air freight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, domestic forwarding, warehousing and distribution, along with other freight management solutions. Geodis Wilson Atlanta is also a primary US air freight gateway to Europe, and organises regular consolidations.
Furthermore, the company has invested in the necessary infrastructure in Atlanta in order to become one of several new Certified Cargo Screening Facilities (or CCSFs) in the US. This significant investment provides the enterprise with the equipment, facility, security enhancements and relevant trained staff in order to provide shippers with a fast, efficient, secure, and predictable cost option for screening freight in compliance with the TSA’s new 100% cargo screening requirement for all passenger aircraft.
This month the TSA confirmed an award of just under US$20m to Dallas Love Field airport for construction related to the installation of a new in-line baggage handling system. The project involves the modification and construction of the terminal building infrastructure to allow for the installation of the explosive detection system machines and explosive trace detection resolution areas. The new checked baggage screening system is designed to enhance the TSA's efforts to strengthen airport security. Some 6m passengers use the airport annually and the new system looks to enhance their processing.
Gate Gourmet has transitioned its airline catering, production and provisioning operations in Guayaquil, Ecuador to a new facility to meet the growing needs of airlines serving the Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International airport.
The new kitchen at Jose Joaquin de Olmedo airport, which incidentally was named Best Airport in Latin America 2008 by BusinessWeek, features a modern, open layout that has been designed to streamline processes and allow for more warehouse storage area. In addition, all food production will be performed in approved refrigerated areas that meet HACCP food safety requirements.
The safety and security of employees and business partners is Gate Gourmet's top priority, and the new facility emphasises that commitment, with enhanced security features that include an upgraded 24-hour surveillance system. The building's infrastructure complies with international standards, and the entire facility has been outfitted with energy-efficient light fixtures as well as high-precision appliances, which help reduce water consumption and highlights Gate Gourmet's commitment to the environment.
"Our operation in Guayaquil, Ecuador's major economic hub, plays an important rôle in Gate Gourmet's network. Opening a new facility is a fitting tribute to the potential opportunities on the horizon, as well as the solid partnerships we have established over the last decade with our customers and local business partners," states gategroup’s CEO, Guy Dubois. Groundbreaking for the Guayaquil facility actually began in July 2009. Construction was completed in June 2010, and the new airline kitchen commenced full operation on July 6 this year.
American Airlines has completed extensive renovations to the Admirals Club lounge at Logan International airport. The upgraded club's enhanced amenities and refurbished interior have transformed the lounge into a state-of-the-art facility, away from the busy airport terminal.
Located in Terminal B near Gate 36, the new lounge has a bright and modern feel to it, whilst remaining comfortable and inviting. The enhanced floor plan, designed to create a spacious, open atmosphere, offers accommodation for up to 214 guests.
The US Transportation Security Administration has confirmed that it is ready to begin testing a new baggage screening system at Mineta San Jose International airport by the end of this month.
Developed by Morpho Detection, the advanced baggage system will be installed at airports across the US if it performs to expectations during the 45-day trial period.
The aim of the trial is to find out whether the system's software is functioning properly following a malfunction earlier this year, which led to dozens of lost bags and flight delays. A new screening system, dubbed the CTX 9800 DSi, is based on a similar technology to that of medical CT scanners. The CTX 9800 uses advanced software to detect suspicious items and reduce reliance on human observation and interaction with the bags. In terms of its operation, the system is designed to create three-dimensional images that can be digitally manipulated by personnel if any item of luggage is deemed suspicious.
August 2nd 2010
John F Kennedy Airport has announced that it will continue with a scheme aimed at reducing passenger waiting times on aircraft, after an initial trial produced successful results.
The departure management system, which is normally only implemented in extreme weather conditions or in the event of runway closure will be trialed for at least another six months during busy periods. The system relies on reducing the number of aircraft that are waiting at runway holding points (a cap has been set at 12) rather than allowing them to continue lining up.
It is expected that the new system will additionally reduce the amount of fuel used and consequently, lead to cost savings.
Airport Terminal Services (ATS) has recently purchased the BAS group of companies including Bulmer Aircraft Services, Hunter Management Systems and BAS Moncton Flight Kitchen.
ATS currently operates in three airports in the Maritimes and one in Quebec offering passenger services, cabin cleaning, ramp handling, de-icing, cargo, flight kitchen/commissary and a Shell aviation fuel dealership.
Commenting on the transaction, Sally Leible, ATS President and Chief Operating Officer, said: “ATS entered the Canadian market a decade ago. The addition of the BAS business to our portfolio confirms our commitment to strategically expand into a national network provider of quality ground handling across Canada.”
Michael A. Duffy has been promoted to CEO of CAS, USA. After joining the company in 2006 as President, Mr. Duffy, who had previously spent five years with Worldwide Flight Services, expanded the operations of CAS from two to 11 international airports across North America, making the company the continent’s largest US-based provider of cargo handling services (CAS expects to process close to one billion kilos of cargo in 2010).
Commenting on his promotion, Mr. Duffy explained that “the last five years have been exceptionally exciting for the Company and for me personally, and I am more excited than ever to continue our expansion into new markets throughout North America while we continue our focus on providing unparalleled customer service and value for current and future carrier partners.”
In other news from CAS. The company has been awarded the cargo warehouse handling contract with Air France and partner airlines KLM and Alitalia at Chicago O’Hare International Airport effective July 01, 2010. The Air France Sky Team Alliance includes KLM and Alitalia whose combined fleet of A340/300, B747/400, and B767 passenger and freighter aircraft provide twenty five weekly flights from ORD. CAS will serve the Sky Team in the Air France cargo facility building number 617 located on airport on South Access Road.
In July UPS launched a campaign to highlight what it has termed alternatives to the traditional methods of carrying domestic baggage. Enter the luggage box, a facility via which passengers will be able to send bags on in advance, rather than having to check them in at an airport. Could this sound the death knell for the age-old baggage check-in process?
UPS, like other freight carriers, has been involved in the carriage of flyers’ baggage for no small period of time. Up to now, though, it has not overtly pushed this side of its business; in fact, the shipped baggage is moved through specialised businesses that can deliver to a customer’s door. The idea isn’t new, of course, and Ramp Equipment News has commented on the alternatives to bags on aircraft before within its pages.
The growing incidence of airlines charging for baggage has prompted it to offer something of a tailored service to travellers looking for alternatives. UPS can offer two sizes of luggage box, which are sturdy yet made of recyclable materials. UPS has also ensured that shipping tariffs are competitive when compared with those of ordinary airlines.
Thanks to its tracking capabilities, UPS customers can avail themselves of e-mail updates on the progress of their luggage. Mooted as an ideal option for internal use, the facility is, of course, subject to all the standard restrictions imposed by the FAA on what can be carried as airfreight.
In closing, it should be stressed that the concept isn’t exactly new, and that some shrewd travellers have been using this sort of UPS facility for years.
July 9th 2010
Following some revealing FDA reports, based on inspections at 46 US facilities operated by major airline food suppliers late last year, there have been calls for stricter controls on airline caterers.
Three main caterers featured in the reports, namely LSG Sky Chefs, Gate Gourmet and Flying Food Group. Amongst the findings were incidences of inadequate pest control, storage of materials at incorrect temperatures and unhygienic environments.
Last year, for example, FDA inspectors issued a warning to LSG Sky Chefs following the discovery of both live and dead cockroaches at its Denver facility.
LSG Sky Chefs has since admitted that the operating conditions at Denver were sub-standard and it has taken steps to address the problem.
In the meantime Gate Gourmet had no comment to make on the findings whilst Flying Food expressed its intention to deal immediately with any perceived shortcomings in its service.
Finally it’s happened: five major US carriers have grasped the nettle and have decided not to charge for carry-on bags.
Five carriers, of course, do not a summer make but the quintet in question, namely American, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue, have all abandoned the concept of carry-on charges, effectively throwing down the gauntlet for other airlines, notably Spirit, who have declared that fees will be levied for such: this latter is looking to charge a hefty US$45 for using an overhead bin.
The advent of the carry-on charge has been seen by many travellers as a get-rich-quick scheme and indeed, aircraft revenues in recent times have comprised a healthy slice of non-traditional revenues such as this tax. In fact, for 26 larger carriers, ancillary fees have accounted for an impressive 6.9% of their income: this figure has grown from that of 4.1% in the previous year.
Will others follow?
Watch that space above your head…
American Airlines has announced that airport employees using the airline's mobile YADA (Your Assistance Delivered Anywhere) device are now fully equipped to serve customers throughout an airport. The YADA allows staff to supply flight information in real-time, print bag tags, compile standby lists and draw up maps of other airports for customers. Moreover, they will also have the ability to print a boarding pass. The airports included in the initiative are Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, JFK and LaGuardia, Miami, Albuquerque, Boston, St Louis and San Juan.
American is hoping eventually to have a YADA device at every gate, which will have the effect of making it part of a message suite, giving an airline the ability to communicate quickly with agents across the system in the event of unexpected occurrences, such as bad weather or similar.
Vancouver Airport Services has reached an agreement with the Peel Group by which it will acquire a 65% share in Peel Airports (the owner of Liverpool John Lennon), along with two smaller airports in the north of the UK. The Peel Group will retain a 35% investment stake in PAL, which also owns 100% of Liverpool John Lennon and Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield airports, as well as 75% of Durham Tees Valley airport.
(ARCHIVED NEWS) |
