London Heathrow closes after British Airways A319 emergency landing
Fri, 24 May 2013 23:00:00 -0500
Almost 200 flights were cancelled and 20 incoming services diverted following an in-flight incident involving a British Airways flight that led to the closure of London Heathrow Airport Friday morning.
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Jet Airways approves Etihad stake
Fri, 24 May 2013 22:00:00 -0500
Jet Airways shareholders have approved plans for Etihad Airways to take a major stake in the Indian carrier.
Romanian investors to acquire the assets of LCC Blue Air
Fri, 24 May 2013 21:00:00 -0500
Airline Management Solutions, which comprises a group of four Romanian investors, is to acquire the assets of low-cost carrier Blue Air from former majority owner Romstrade.
UK scrambles fighter jets to intercept PIA aircraft
Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:00 -0500
Royal Air Force fighter jets were scrambled in the UK following an incident Friday involving a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft in UK airspace.
Sen. Rockefeller: FAA lacks money needed to implement NextGen
Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:00 -0500
US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said Congress has failed to adequately fund FAA, particularly the NextGen air traffic control initiative.
NATS to input airspace advice to UK Airports Commission
Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 -0500
UK air traffic services provider NATS will provide airspace advice to the Airports Commission set up by the UK government to examine the need for additional airport capacity and recommend to government how this can be met in the short-, medium- and long-term.
Amadeus, Sabre continue to rule the PSS market
Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 -0500
News from Travel Technology Update: Amadeus and Sabre continue to dominate the passenger services system market in 2012, with both companies scoring significant wins, according to “The Market for Airline Passenger Services Systems-2013,” a report published by Travel Technology Research Ltd.
It was a busy year for the market, both in terms of new signed contracts and migrations completed.
Qatar Airways Cargo updates fleet with Airbus A330-200Fs
Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 -0500
Qatar Airways Cargo has refreshed its fleet with three new Airbus A330-200Fs. The new freighters replace the same number of A300F aircraft that have been retired from the fleet.
Arrival of the aircraft signals a new era for the airline’s cargo operations, Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker said.
“The capacity of Qatar Airways Cargo has been significantly increased,” he said.
Dnata acquires remainder of Servair Airchef
Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 -0500
Emirates Group services subsidiary Dnata has acquired the remaining 50% of Italian catering and cleaning firm Servair Airchef for an unspecified sum.
Dnata’s Alpha subsidiary first bought in to Servair Airchef in 2001, but it has now acquired a further 50% stake from Air France catering arm Servair, taking it to 100% ownership.
“We are not disclosing any financial information about the deal. I can confirm the shares were purchased from Servair, Air France’s inflight catering unit,” a Dnata spokeswoman told ATW.
Air France and Cyprus Airways enhance codeshare
Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 -0500
Air France and Cyprus Airways have entered into a new codeshare agreement. Air France will offer Cyprus Airways flights on Larnaca-Paris, Larnaca-Athens, Athens-Heraklion and Athens-Rhodes.
Flights between Paris and Larnaca will offer multiple connections via Athens on domestic flights within Greece, flown by Cyprus Airways. Air France passengers will benefit from connections at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, to and from Cyprus. Cyprus Airways will sell Air France flights between Athens and Paris.
Stansted acquisition enhances strong MAG portfolio
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:04 -0500
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) owns and operates four UK airports – Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth, and now London-Stansted following the recently completed £1.5 billion (€1.8bn) acquisition. The newly expanded group serves 44 million annual passengers and has an ambitious strategy for continued profitable growth, as its CEO Charlie Cornish explained to Ross Falconer. Charlie Cornish [...]
Revolutionising airport baggage processing
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:02 -0500
Be it the empowering of the passenger through self-service bag drops, the optimisation of centralised baggage management systems, or the facilities enabling travellers to tag their bags from home, rapid developments in airport baggage operations has everyone in the industry wondering what is coming next. Amy Hanna reports on the innovators and the inventions revolutionising [...]
New LAGs legislation enters into force
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:59:45 -0500
The rules on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), and the efforts to remove those restrictions, have been comprehensively reported in Airport Business. A phased approach to lifting the LAGs restrictions will begin in January 2014, following the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on 20 March of the required [...]
Gathering industry stakeholders & EU institutions together
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:59:43 -0500
The ACI EUROPE annual New Year cocktail reception took place on the 22nd January in the European Parliament (EP), hosted by members of the EP’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, Mr. Jim Higgins MEP (Ireland) and Ms Inés Ayala Sender MEP (Spain). The ACI EUROPE annual New Year cocktail reception took place on the 22nd [...]
First summer ‘avalanche’ will be true test for new Gibraltar airport
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:59:42 -0500
The new £85 million airport has changed the face of air travel in Gibraltar. As well as boasting innovative architecture, designed to deliver an optimal passenger experience amidst extraordinary natural beauty, the terminal has generated a wide range of possibilities for new routes from all across Europe. Gibraltar Airport’s Air Terminal Director Terence Lopez explained [...]
Commercial ingenuity and originality
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:59:29 -0500
ACI EUROPE’s 22nd Airport Trading Conference and Exhibition this year addresses ‘Collaboration and innovation to enhance the volume and quality of commercial opportunities for the passenger’, in recognition of the parts that profitable partnerships, creative concepts and cutting-edge technologies play in non-aeronautical airport operations. Amy Hanna highlights the latest innovations enhancing the passenger experience in [...]
Putting the passenger at the heart of Hamburg Airport
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:59:26 -0500
In 2012, Hamburg Airport handled a record 13.7 million passengers. This year, its strategy is focused on delivering its best airport experience yet. Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO, explained to Amy Hanna how the airport is keeping the passenger at the heart of its business. From new technologies to convenience-enhancing initiatives, Hamburg Airport is implementing a multitude [...]
An insight into the world of boarding bridges
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:46 -0500
Callum Tennent spoke with one of the world’s biggest boarding bridge solutions providers – ADELTE – to gain a better insight into this aspect of the passenger experience. ADELTE is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of boarding bridges. Based in Barcelona, more than 600 of its apron drives can be found in major airports the [...]
Aéroports de Lyon’s ambitious plan for expansion
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:44 -0500
When the expansion of Lyon-Saint Exupéry is completed its passenger capacity will increase by 50%, and with its new and improved low-cost Terminal 3 just the tip of the iceberg in its plans for expansion, it seems Aéroports de Lyon’s ambition knows no bounds. CEO Philippe Bernand explained to Amy Hanna how this year’s host [...]
New routes and LCCs key to Pau Pyrenees’ strategy
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:42 -0500
Located at the centre of the France’s Aquitaine region, Pau Pyrénées Airport is a key gateway for business travellers, pilgrim passengers and equine traffic. Now, as the airport enters a period of restructure across its air travel network, it is exploring opportunities for new routes from across the continent. Airport Manager Jean-Luc Cohen outlined the [...]
Aéroports de Paris pursues the perfect passenger experience
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:40 -0500
Last year saw a record series of successes for Aéroports de Paris. Highest ever passenger numbers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport contributed to a +5.6% increase in its overall revenue of €2.64 billion, while 2012 also saw the acquisition of a 38% share in TAV Airports. Today, renovations at Paris-Orly and Charles de Gaulle are [...]
RAK Airport expansion to meet vision for long-term growth
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:38 -0500
The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is located in the northern part of the UAE. It continues to see strong growth in tourism, and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is delivering a master plan that will increase terminal capacity and enhance the passenger experience. CEO Andrew Gower spoke to Ross Falconer. Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) [...]
New Queen Alia International terminal to boost tourism
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:36 -0500
The vibrant, dynamic nation of Jordan is experiencing strong economic growth. The increasing number of travellers to the Kingdom has prompted infrastructure developments such as the recently opened new terminal at Queen Alia International Airport, which is operated by Airport International Group (AIG). Its CEO Kjeld Binger spoke to Ross Falconer. Airport International Group (AIG) [...]
New Muscat and Salalah terminals to meet strong passenger growth
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:34 -0500
Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) is experiencing strong growth at its airports. Muscat International Airport saw throughput reach a record 7.5 million passengers in 2012 – a +16% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, Salalah Airport – a growing tourist destination – handled more than 600,000 passengers, representing a rise of +23% on the previous year. New terminal developments [...]
Dubai International opens dedicated A380 concourse
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:32 -0500
Dubai’s aviation model has been instrumental in driving Dubai International Airport’s phenomenal growth. A liberalised aviation policy, supportive government and coordinated approach means Dubai Airports is able to react quickly to the marketplace. Significantly, Concourse A – the world’s first purpose-built A380 facility – was recently opened, and further developments are underway. Callum Tennent reports. [...]
Competition driving efficiency
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:30 -0500
The 5th annual ACI Economics & Finance Conference took place in Singapore on 6-8 March – the first time it has been held in the Asia-Pacific region. Held in partnership by ACI EUROPE, ACI World and ACI Asia-Pacific, the event was clearly focused on the question of what airports need to do in order to sustain [...]
Frank Brenner appointed EUROCONTROL Director General
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:25 -0500
Frank Brenner succeeded David McMillan as Director General of EUROCONTROL from 1 January 2013. Mr Brenner has worked in Air Traffic Management for his entire career. Before joining EUROCONTROL as Deputy Director General in November 2012, he was General Manager Operations for FABEC (FAB Europe Central) – the largest of the Functional Airspace Blocks, covering [...]
New ICAO noise standard: What it means for airports
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:23 -0500
Aviation noise – a pillar of the European Commission’s ‘Airport Package’ – is perhaps becoming the key environmental issue for many European airports, whose comprehensive noise management strategies highlight their desire to be good neighbours and ensure sustainable growth. The ninth meeting of ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) in February agreed a new [...]
European Commission proposes revised Air Passenger Rights regulations
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:21 -0500
Air Passenger Rights is a subject that has gained increasing prominence in recent years, following the volcanic shocks of 2010 and 2011, and unforeseen severe weather conditions impacting on flights. The European Commission has published its proposal for revision of the Air Passenger Rights regulations.Ross Falconer reports. Following a series of public consultations in which ACI EUROPE [...]
Airports in the news
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:19 -0500
Our ‘Airports in the News’ map provides a snapshot of the latest news from around Europe. Ensure that ACI EUROPE is up to speed with the latest news at your airport by contacting us via communique@aci-europe.org or via our Twitter feed @ACI_EUROPE. Dublin Airport Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has unveiled plans for a major new business [...]
Green shoots: Coming soon
Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:58:17 -0500
Just as things looked like they were stabilising, the Cyprus financial drama came as a stark reminder that Europe’s financial crisis is all but resolved – and that our continent remains a weak spot in the World economy. Indeed, the overall traffic trend for Europe’s airports remains negative. Only freight traffic seems to be finally [...]
Schiphol’s award-winning passenger focus
Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:42:50 -0600
Schiphol Group, host of Airport Exchange 2012, has enjoyed a successful year, in which Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will handle more than 50 million passengers for the first time. Jos Nijhuis, CEO, Schiphol Group, outlined his strategic vision to Ross Falconer. Schiphol’s mission is to connect the Netherlands with the world’s major regional and urban centres, [...]
LAX plans multi-sensory passenger experience
Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:42:31 -0600
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is currently undergoing a major transformation, the centrepiece of which is the new Bradley West Terminal. Ahead of participating in the 1st Future Travel Experience Europe Conference at ACI Airport Exchange, Dominic Nessi, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Information Officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), spoke to Ryan Ghee about the [...]
Check-in 3 enhances VIE’s green credentials
Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:42:06 -0600
In fitting with Vienna International Airport’s (VIE) approach to environmental sustainability, the new Check-in 3 facility – also known as Skylink – makes use of a variety of techniques to reduce its environmental impact. Julian Jäger, the airport’s COO and a speaker in the Airport Development Conference at this year’s ACI Airport Exchange, spoke to Ryan [...]
Delivering future efficiency
Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:41:46 -0600
Achieving operational and environmental efficiency is currently a key theme across Europe’s airports. David McMillan, Director General, EUROCONTROL, who is chairing a session in the Airport Operations Conference at ACI Airport Exchange, outlined what needs to be done to achieve a truly efficient system for capacity by 2020. According to McMillan, achieving a more efficient [...]