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Chloe Greenbank

Airport City Manchester marks a milestone with hotel project

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The construction of two new hotels at Airport City Manchester has been completed with the Ibis budget and Holiday Inn hotels due to open in August and September respectively. The two hotels will offer 542 beds and create around 350 jobs.

The two hotels will form part of a cluster of nine hotels, which once complete, will mean more than 2,400 new hotel rooms in close proximity to the airport.

“Reaching practical completion on both the Holiday Inn and ibis budget hotels is another great landmark moment at Airport City Manchester,” said Gareth Jackson, Group Property Managing Director at Manchester Airports Group (MAG). “They are the first in a series of global hotel brands which will provide a range of additional facilities and amenities to the airport campus, as well as providing a range of employment opportunities for local people.”

The next phase of development for the Airport City project is already underway with construction of a 12,300m2 TRIBE hotel with Jackson commenting, “Alongside works commencing on TRIBE, these new hotels highlight the continued progress being made at Airport City Manchester.”

Part of the Accor Group. the nine-storey TRIBE hotel is scheduled for completion in early 2024 and will feature 412 rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, a gym and a crew lounge for airline staff.

June 27, 2022

Cardiff and Southampton welcome Emerald Airlines link with Belfast City

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Belfast City Airport’s largest carrier, Emerald Airlines which operates Aer Lingus Regional, is all set to offer services to Cardiff and Southampton from its Belfast City Airport base. The airline already serves links to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Exeter and Manchester.

Ellie McGimpsey, Aviation Development Manager at Belfast City Airport commented: “Aer Lingus Regional’s base at Belfast City airport has been operational for just over three months and we are thrilled to already see its expansion in both the number of routes served by the airline and the frequency of its services.”

With the addition of the two new destinations to Cardiff and Southampton, Aer Lingus Regional will operate routes to eight of the 21 destinations on Belfast City’s network this summer. The airline is currently recruiting for positions in Dublin and Belfast in line with its anticipated continued growth.

“As we near the peak summer months, the launch of our Cardiff and Southampton services will provide those travelling from Belfast with more choice when planning their holidays,” said Ciaran Smith, Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines.

“We are extremely pleased with the feedback we have received since beginning our operations from Belfast City Airport and believe Cardiff and Southampton are great new connections that will cater to both business and leisure travellers with direct, convenient and cost-effective flights from Belfast.

The flights will be operated by the ATR72-600, the latest generation of turboprop aircraft combining unmatched environmental and economic performance. These utlra-low fuel burn aircraft emit up to 40% less CO2 on these short regional flights than equivalent regional carriers.

June 27, 2022

La Palma and Torino celebrate joint win at ACI Europe awards

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La Palma Airport in Spain and Torino Airport in Italy were named as joint winners in the ‘Under 5 million passengers category’ at this year’s Airports Council International (ACI) Europe’s Best Airport Awards.

The awards were announced at the 32nd ACI Europe Annual Congress and General Assembly, which took place in Rome from 22-24 June. The awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievement across the entire portfolio of airport activities, including eco-innovation, human resources excellence and digital transformation. The judging panel comprised representatives from the European Commission, Eurocontrol, SESAR Joint Undertaking, the International Transport Forum and ECAC.

La Palma Airport was highlighted for its resilience not only during COVID-19 crisis but also during the Cumbre Veja volcanic eruptions, while Torino Airport was recognised for its significant recovery post-pandemic as well as its work on innovation and sustainability.

In the ‘5-10 million passengers’ category Valencia Airport took the win with the jury underlining the significant operations put in place to cope with the pandemic, including cargo and medical flights. The airport is also a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pioneer and is a test airport for Spanish airport operator Aena’s collaboration with Air bp. The airport received praise for its continued investment in quality of service improvements such as a new automatic border control system.

Eindhoven Airport was also highly commended in this category.

 

In the ’10-25 million passenger’ category Porto Airport came out on top, while Vienna Airport was named the winner of the ’25-40 million passenger’ category and Rome Fiumicino Airport won the ‘over 40 million passenger’ category. While London City was awarded the Digital Transformation Award, another UK hub, Bristol Airport, was awarded the eco-innovation award alongside Turking airport – iGA Istanbul Grand Airport. The latter also received this year’s Human Resources Excellence Award.

David Feldman, Managing Partner at Exambela Consulting was declared ACI Europe’s World Business Partner thanks to his active participation in committees, sharing of best practices and experience, research and special initiatives. Feldman was also tasked with chairing the conference session’s at this year’s ACI Europe Regional Airports Conference, which took place in Palermo, Sicily at the end of February.

In addition, a Special Recognition Award was given to Emanuel Fleuti, Head of Sustainability and Environment at Zurich Airport for his “outstanding leadership in advancing Airport Carbon Accreditation and airport sustainability.”

 

Header image: Joint winners – representatives from Torino Airport and La Palma Airport received their Best Airport Award from ACI Europe’s DG, Olivier Jankovec. 

La Palma Airport in Spain and Torino Airport in Italy were named as joint winners in the ‘Under 5 million passengers category’ at this year’s Airports Council International (ACI) Europe’s Best Airport Awards.

The awards were announced at the 32nd ACI Europe Annual Congress and General Assembly, which took place in Rome from 22-24 June. The awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievement across the entire portfolio of airport activities, including eco-innovation, human resources excellence and digital transformation. The judging panel comprised representatives from the European Commission, Eurocontrol, SESAR Joint Undertaking, the International Transport Forum and ECAC.

La Palma Airport was highlighted for its resilience not only during COVID-19 crisis but also during the Cumbre Veja volcanic eruptions, while Torino Airport was recognised for its significant recovery post-pandemic as well as its work on innovation and sustainability.

In the ‘5-10 million passengers’ category Valencia Airport took the win with the jury underlining the significant operations put in place to cope with the pandemic, including cargo and medical flights. The airport is also a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pioneer and is a test airport for Spanish airport operator Aena’s collaboration with Air bp. The airport received praise for its continued investment in quality of service improvements such as a new automatic border control system.

Eindhoven Airport was also highly commended in this category.

 

In the ’10-25 million passenger’ category Porto Airport came out on top, while Vienna Airport was named the winner of the ’25-40 million passenger’ category and Rome Fiumicino Airport won the ‘over 40 million passenger’ category. While London City was awarded the Digital Transformation Award, another UK hub, Bristol Airport, was awarded the eco-innovation award alongside Turking airport – iGA Istanbul Grand Airport. The latter also received this year’s Human Resources Excellence Award.

David Feldman, Managing Partner at Exambela Consulting was declared ACI Europe’s World Business Partner thanks to his active participation in committees, sharing of best practices and experience, research and special initiatives. Feldman was also tasked with chairing the conference session’s at this year’s ACI Europe Regional Airports Conference, which took place in Palermo, Sicily at the end of February.

In addition, a Special Recognition Award was given to Emanuel Fleuti, Head of Sustainability and Environment at Zurich Airport for his “outstanding leadership in advancing Airport Carbon Accreditation and airport sustainability.”

 

Header image: Joint winners – representatives from Torino Airport and La Palma Airport received their Best Airport Award from ACI Europe’s DG, Olivier Jankovec. 
June 27, 2022

London City scoops multiple awards

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London City Airport has been celebrating multiple wins over the last couple of weeks having been named by the Daily Telegraph as the best airport in the UK and scooping  airports Council International (ACI) Europe’s Best Digital Transformation Award at the 32nd ACI Europe annual congress in Rome on 23 June.

ACI’s award was given in recognition of the design, delivery and operational success of the pioneering Digital Air Traffic Control Tower, which has been fully operational at London City since January 2021. London City’s digital tower has 14 high-definition cameras and sensors mounted on a landside mast at the airport that provide a 360-degree view. This is all fed back via super-fast fibre connections to a NATS control room centre in Swanwick.

The swift deployment of the project and the close collaboration between the airport, NATS, SAAB, the CAA and engagement with airline and local community stakeholders were all contributing factors to the London City hub receiving its award from ACI Europe.

Commenting on the accolade London City Airport’s COO, Alison FirzGerald said: “This project goes back to 2016 and I want to pay tribute to everyone involved in getting it approved by our regulators, as well as built, operationally ready and prepared for a busy summer ahead.

“This recognition also speaks to the strength of the relationship we have built with NATS over the years, and I am hopeful that there is even more we can achieve together, helping us both to lead the way in making our industry safer, more sustainable and cutting edge.”

Serving the UK capital, London City is set to connect to 36 destinations across the UK and Europe. The airport is fully staffed for the summer period.

June 27, 2022

Wheeltug and Prague Airport collaborate on FASTGates feasibility study

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WheelTug, the aircraft electric taxi innovator, and Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague, Czech Republic, are collaborating on a study to assess the airport and evaluate how the WheelTug e-taxi system (electric motors installed in aircraft nose wheels) can improve the efficiency of the existing infrastructure through the implementation of FASTGates (Fast And Safe Turn Gates).

With FASTGates optimised for WheelTug e-taxi manoeuvres, the study with Prague Airport will help air transport hubs prepare for WheelTug’s entry into service. In addition it will analyse how WheelTug will support the increasing automation of ground operations while simultaneously reducing CO2 and Nox emissions. This is in line with the industry’s move towards increased sustainability and environmental consciousness.

“As part of its ESG strategy, Prague Airport supports innovations with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions, this technology included,” said Jiri Pos, Prague Airport’s CEO. “In addition, it could contribute, for example, to improved on-time performance. We will be involved in the testing of WheelTug, and we hope that the unique technology will also increase the interest of air carriers seeking to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.”

This latest collaboration further strengthens WheelTug and Prague Airport’s partnership, which includes the development of MRO procedures.

Speaking about the collaboration, WheelTug CEO Isaiah Cox said:”It’s great to be working with Prague again – we look forward to partnering with our Czech colleagues once more to determine how WheelTug will benefit Vaclav Havel Airport Prague and potentially other airports across Europe.”

June 27, 2022

WATM: ASECNA expands Aireon data usage to deepen ATM capabilities across Africa

By Airports, ATM, Featured, NewsNo Comments

The Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) is developing its air traffic management (ATM) capabilities thanks to an expanded portfolio of products from Aireon, a provider of space-based automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) services.

ASECNA plans to use AereonFLOW for air traffic flow management capabilities, to help extend visibility of flights outside its busy airspace and help better predict traffic flows planning to enter in its airspace.

“ASECNA has proven its leadership in the world for air traffic surveillance and safety,” said Don Thoma, Aireon CEO. “they were an early-adopter of ADS-B and now they are the first ANSP in Africa to plan usage of AireonFLOW,” he continued.

Already in operation with Eurocontrol, AireonFLOW provides gate-to-gate, high-fidelity ATS surveillance data, which, whcn combined with flight and airspace contextual information, enhances prediction capabilities of flow management and other relevant air traffic capacity and demand platforms.

Mohamed Moussa, Director General of ASECNA, commented: “This new capability is completely aligned with the ASECNA  strategy of a Single African Airspace. By having the ability to extend traffic visibility outside ASECNA airspace, the African continent will be aligning ATFM capabilities with Europe and the US, using state-of-the-art technologies to evolve and accommodate traffic demand, avoiding delays and reducing its carbon footprint.”

June 22, 2022

AviaDev Africa provides perfect platform to support connectivity to and within the continent

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While June has already been packed with aviation events, the end of the month will see airport and airline executives as well as suppliers heading to Cape Town for AviaDev Africa, which is set to deliver more than 300 route development meetings.

The event, which provides a perfect networking platform for airports, airlines and suppliers, such as Airbus, Swissport, Boeing, Embraer, SITA and Rolls Royce, is taking place at Century City in Cape Town, South Africa from 29 June to 1 July. This year will mark the sixth edition of the networking event which is themed: Connect. Collaborate. Change.

Commenting on the upcoming event Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and Official Spokesperson for Cape Town Air Access, noted, “We look forward to welcoming our industry delegates to Cape Town and the Western Cape. We thank AviaDev for the opportunity to showcase our world-class destination as a business hub at the forefront of essential conversations and collaborations, especially regarding increasing air connectivity within Africa.”

A comprehensive conferencing programme will be held alongside the route development meetings with sessions addressing the role of air cargo and diversifying airport revenues, building airline partnerships, financing African airlines and exploring the opportunities for OEMs. Meanwhile a pre-conference workshop specifically for airports and tourism authorities will focus on the skills needed to drive active route development and what airlines look for when placing a new route.

Underlining his support for aviation in Africa Jon Howell, CEO AviaDev Africa stated: “We have supported the industry through the pandemic with numerous digital engagements and will continue to do so, but it is clear the industry needs to meet and discuss future route development for Africa in person. AviaDev Africa provides the perfect mix between an educational programme, focused pre-arranged route development meetings and industry networking. We are confident that as a result of the event, new relationships will be forged that will deliver the connectivity that Africa deserves.”

June 22, 2022

WATM: CAELUM partners with Frequentis to develop South Korea’s UTM market

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South Korean company, CAELUM, has agreed to collaborate with Frequentis on urban air mobility (UAM) and uncrewed traffic management (UTM) solutions in South Korea.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the growing need for next-generation traffic management systems capable of handling the unique challenges of UAM technologies, including flexible use of airspace.

“Urban air mobility represents the next frontier of aerospace and defence innovation,” said CAELUM CEO, Michael Kwon. “We are confident that by combining CAELUM’s in-house technologies with Frequentis’ ATM expertise and products, we will be able to deliver a first-in-Korea and potentially first-in-the-world – robust, efficient and safety-oriented UTM system.”

In line with their agreement, CAELUM will also serve as Frequentis’ local partner in the South Korean market. This includes supporting localisation of Frequentis’ MosaiX solution, integration support for aviation and transportation centres, and introduction of solutions to new regional markets.

Frequentis’ Vice President New Business Development, Guenter Graf, noted that with the UTM market growing working in partnership with organisations is key to leveraging growth in this sector. “We are pleased to be discussing the next steps in our collaboration with CAELUM to support the integration of ATM and UTM in Korea,” he said.

June 22, 2022

Finavia appoints Amadeus for data-driven coordination across 20 airports

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The Finnish airport operator, Finavia, has begun modernising its operations with Amadeus’ cloud-based Airport Operational Database (AODB) at Helsinki Airport as well as 19 other regional hubs across Finland. The agreement also sees Finavia become one of the first airport companies to run its AODB from the cloud, with a multi-airport approach that manages operational changes across Finavia’s airports.

“Rolling out this new capability across Finavia’s airports will significantly improve our operational efficiency, helping us to better collaborate with our airline partners to improve on-time performance for passengers,” said Leyla Akgez-Laakso, CIO, Finavia.

The collaboration will see data-driven coordination of operations across all Finavia’s airports to enhance relationships with airline partners. Airports are incredibly complex operational environments. Refuelling trucks, buses, stands, gates and ground handling teams must all be intelligently allocated based on the unique characteristics of each aircraft, its arrival time and the onward connections of arriving passengers. With a cloud approach the AODB can be accessed from any device using a fixed, WiFi or mobile connection so ground handlers working airside can access up-to-the-moment information as and when its needed. Finavia’s management can access the real-time view of the groups complete operations from any device with an internet connections, while IT teams benefit from reduced maintenance and less on-site hardware.

The AODB is integral to contributing to good operational performance, on-time departures, and the efficient use of resources. Finavia’s airports will implement Amadeus’ single cloud-based solution that’s tightly integrated with airline systems to gain optimised airport operations. The airport operator will benefit from automated real-time updates to flight information as soon as airlines initiate changes meaning high accuracy levels. This will help airport stakeholders to better allocate resources and respond to the needs of airlines and passengers.

Yannick Beunardeau, VP Airport IT and Airline Operations EMEA, Amadeus added: ” Amadeus already manages data for about 95% of the airlines that operate at Finavia airports, so we’re in a unique position to provide Finavia and its stakeholders with access to accurate, real-time data about flight plans and passenger connections. This deployment is a great example of an ambitious airport company looking to digitally transform and deliver closer collaboration with its airline partners.”

Finavia’s transformation is already underway with the switch to Amadeus AODB planned to occur in a phased approach across all 20 airports in the coming year.

June 22, 2022

Chubu Centrair Airport named Best Regional Airport at Skytrax Awards

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Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya, Japan was named the World’s Best Regional Airport 2022 at the Skytrax Airport Awards, which took place in Paris during the Passenger Terminal Expo on Thursday 16 June.

Dusseldorf Airport in Germany took second place in the regional airports category, while Haikou Meilan Airport took third place. Other regional hubs that claimed wins at the airport awards included Copenhagen Airport which won the World’s Best Airport Immigration Processing Award, and Zurich Airport, which once again was awarded the World’s Best Airport Security Processing Award.

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar was named the World’s Best Airport overall for the second year running. Other major wins include Singapore Changi Airport, which won awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff Service and the World’s Best Airport Dining. Meanwhile Istanbul Airport won the awards for the World’s Best Airport Shopping and as the Most Family Friendly Airport.

The World’s Cleanest Airport award was given to Tokyo Haneda Airport, as was the World’s Best Domestic Airport, the Best Airport in Asia and the Best Airport PRM and Accessible Facilities. King Khalid Airport in Riyadh secured the award as the World’s Most Improved Airport.

The awards are voted for by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey, which assesses customer service and facilities across more than 550 airports.

“Our congratulations go to all of the award winning airports for whom the last two years have been extremely difficult having to cope with the many restrictions of COVID-19 and the severe drop in travel demand,” said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax. “With air travel quickly returning to a more normal level, the challenge for all airports is to now deliver the highest standards to customers with increased travel expectations.”

June 21, 2022