January 2017

Greener future for San Diego

The US transportation sector is well known as a main source for the production of carbon emissions and in San Diego, transportation accounts for more than 50% of all carbon emissions. In an effort to ameliorate this situation, San Diego Gas & Electric has filed a number of proposals with the California Public Utilities Commission, with the view to installing tens of thousands of electric charging stations. These will encourage the transition to zero-emission electric vehicles, trucks, shuttle buses and delivery fleets.Green Diego

“SDG&E has spent more than a decade reducing our carbon footprint through the rapid expansion of clean energy. We all want to breathe cleaner air, which means slowing down the impacts of climate change will require an increased focus on the areas that produce the most harmful emissions,” commented Caroline Winn, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are committed as a business and a community partner to improving lives by developing meaningful solutions.”

If SDG&E’s proposals are approved, then additional electric charging stations would be installed at San Diego International airport and the Port of San Diego; these will be used for delivery fleets, taxis and rideshare facilities, Park and Rides and residential homes throughout the region. Such a programme will be building upon the company’s efforts to install an electric charging infrastructure in 350 apartments, condominiums and businesses as part of the bigger Power Your Drive scheme.

The filing is in response to Senate Bill 350 which has recognised the vital role energy companies like SDG&E will play in widespread transportation electrification by installing and expanding the charging network and other necessary infrastructure.

In overall terms, SDG&E’s transportation electrification proposals are looking to jump start the EV sector as well as test cutting edge technology. The larger residential project would focus on customer homes and smart charging with special EV rates to encourage off-peak charging. In turn, the residential charging programme will involve the installation of up to 90,000 charging stations at single family homes throughout the company’s service area whilst airport electrification will see provision for up to 45 charging ports to enable electrification of approximately 90 new pieces of ground support equipment at San Diego International. The port will benefit from charging stations and research meters to amass data on the electric vehicles operating there; and the installation of grid-integrated charging stations for just under 100 delivery vehicles is seen as an important step forward. The same technology will be rolled out at four Park and Ride locations

January 2017

Jet Aviation begins operations at Washington Dulles

Jet Aviation has announced the acquisition of Ross Aviation’s FBJet AviationO location at Washington Dulles International airport.

As demand for FBO services increases, Jet Aviation’s operation has grown to over 20 FBO stations across the globe. This latest facility at Washington Dulles includes six hangars, ten acres of ramp space and a refurbished FBO terminal building, which features on-site Customs and Immigration clearance, a VIP lounge, flight planning centre, executive conference room and car rental facilities.

Jet Aviation Group President Rob Smith said that the company was delighted to have further expanded its FBO network in the US, adding: “Washington Dulles is well connected to Jet Aviation’s other US locations, particularly Teterboro airport, and with a large volume of international traffic it’s a significant expansion of our global network.

Jet Aviation FBO Washington Dulles
“Jet Aviation’s unparalleled hospitality and premium customer service makes us a great addition to Washington Dulles, just in time for the Presidential Inauguration,” he concluded.

Jet Aviation’s new FBO facility is to become the company’s ninth location in the Americas.

January 2017

MRO company FEAM doubles its operation in just three months

On January 3, F&E Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering, or FEAM, announced the launch of eight new line maintenance stations in the US, helping to almost double the size of the operation in just three months.

FEAM’s most recent operations are located at Paine Field, Everett, Washington; Seattle-Tacoma International airport; Phoenix Sky Harbour International airport; Denver International airport; Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport; General Mitchell International airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Orlando International airport; and Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. This takes the MRO’s number of line stations in the US up to 24: almost double its total just three months previously.

The new locations of the Miami-headquartered line-MRO will expand its network into the Midwest and further into the West Coast, helping to accommodate its growing base of airline customers around the world.