All Posts By

Chloe Greenbank

Swedavia reports decrease of more than 30m passengers overall in 2020

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, has reported a decrease of 86% in passenger traffic across the 10 airports in its portfolio for December 2020. A total of just 408,000 passengers flew via its airports last month compared to 2,852,000 passengers during the same period in 2019.

In total last year saw a decrease in more than 30 million passengers (74%) compared to 2019, meaning air travel in Sweden during 2020 was back to levels last seen in the early 1980s.

“Air travel has been hit extremely hard by the pandemic and due to the escalating spread of COVID-19 and subsequent travel restrictions implemented, passenger volume decreased 86% in December,” said Jonas Abrahamsson, Swedavia’s President and CEO.

“The course of the pandemic, combined with new and expanded restrictions, is contributing to continued enormous uncertainty about the market situation in early 2021. The winter months are also always a seasonally weak period for air travel,” he continued.

Of the 408,000 total passengers that flew in December, 262,000 were international passengers, while 146,000 passengers were domestic travellers. In 2019 916,000 domestic passengers travelled through Swedavia’s airports during the same month.

While Abrahamsson admitted that he can see conditions in place for an “emerging normalisation and recovery in air travel in time for the summer season,” he also warned the performance of the air transport sector depends entirely on the pandemic and the major vaccination efforts now being made.  “So we also anticipate continued great uncertainty in terms of demand and expect the pandemic to have a significant impact on air travel this year as well,” he noted.

Swedavia’s seven regional airports saw passenger volume decrease between 68% and 92% to a total of 71,000 passengers in December. For the year, air travel overall decreased 70% to 1,664,000 passengers at the regional hubs compared to 5,491,000 travellers for the same period in 2019. The airport operator’s three primary hubs: Stockholm Arlanda, Göteborg Landvetter and Bromma Stockholm  all saw a decrease in passenger volumes of more than 85% during December, while the latter saw the biggest decrease both in December and the period January-December, with a decrease of 97% and 80% respectively.

Kiruna Airport and Luleå Airport were the two regional hubs that performed best in December and over the past 12 months, although demand was still limited at both airports.

 

January 11, 2021

Madrid Airport reopens after temporary closure following snowstorm Filomena

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Following the temporary closure of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, after the snowstorm Filomena caused more than 60 flights to be diverted to other airports, the Spanish hub has now reopened and gradually resumed flight schedules.

The airport was forced to close on Friday 8 January after heavy snowfall covered the Spanish capital and much of the rest of the country. Storm Filomena caused the biggest snowfall in decades in Madrid having moved north from the Gulf of Cadiz. High-speed and other train services to and from the city were also suspended as a result of the storm.

Such adverse weather is incredibly rare in Spain, which is better known for its sunnier climes, so the freezing conditions are not something the airport would typically have to deal with.

A statement on Aena’s (the Spanish airport operator) website read: “Operations at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport are being returned gradually. Aena is coordinating with airline departures from terminals T4 and T4S. There are no departures from T1-2-3, at the moment. No arrivals will be produced.” Passengers are also advised to check the status of their flight with the airline and not to travel to the airport until their flight has been confirmed.

January 11, 2021

Black box found from Sriwijaya Air that went missing after taking off from Jakarta Airport

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Investigators have confirmed that they have found a black box from the Sriwijaya Air 737 that went missing shortly after take-off from Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta) Airport in Indonesia on Saturday 9 January.

Sixty two people, including seven children and three babies, were on the aircraft that is reported to have plunged more than 10,000 feet into the Java Sea between Lancang Island and Laki Island in the Thousand Islands area.  According to Flightradar 24 and based on ADS-B data, Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 was on route to Pontianak from Jakarta. It took off at 07.36 UTC and the signal was lost four minutes later at 07.40 UTC. After climbing to an altitude of 10,900 feet, the aircraft then began a sharp decline that saw it plunge to just 250 feet.

A low-cost carrier, Sriwijaya Air was Indonesia’s fifth-largest airline in 2019 with a network comprising 97 routes. Sriwijaya Airlines CEO Jefferson Irwin Jauwena said the aircraft, a 26-year-old Boeing 737-500, was in good condition before take off. In a statement Boeing said: “Our thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families. We are in contact with our airline customer and stand ready to support them during this difficult time.”

Header image: Jakrta-based Sriwijaya Air operates an all Boeing fleet. Pictured is a Boeing 737-900ER, which Sriwijaya Air took delivery of in 2015.
January 11, 2021

Editor’s comment: What lies ahead?

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Although the end of 2020 brought with it a glimmer of hope following the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine being rolled out around the world and a post Brexit UK-EU trade deal being agreed, the new year has so far got off to a rocky start. New strains of the coronavirus (first detected in the UK and South Africa in December) have prompted dozens of travel bans and widespread concern about what this all means for countries around the world.

Many countries have already reacted by closing their borders and suspending commercial flights to restrict the spread of any new strains and, on Monday 4 January, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, declared another nation-wide lockdown until the end of February at the earliest with other countries also reintroducing or extending their own lockdowns. It՚s yet another devastating blow to airports and the aviation sector as a whole.

“While airports understand the public health reasons behind the renewed lockdown, it comes on top of the EU’s ban on UK nationals travelling to the EU for non-essential purposes,” said Karen Dee, the Airport Operators Association’s (AOA’s) Chief Executive.

“We are fast approaching a full twelve months of aviation being effectively shut down, with only limited support for UK airports provided to date,” she continued.

AOA is calling on the UK Government to step up its support for the aviation sector and to cover operational losses during the current heightened restrictions, as well as to extend all existing forms of support until aviation is able to operate free from the barriers that have prevented any meaningful recovery to date.

“The UK aviation industry will play a crucial role in enabling the country’s economic recovery and Global Britain, but can only do so if it gets the support necessary to get through the coming months and years,” Dee concluded.

And while Eamonn Brennan, EUROCONTROL’s Director General, is confident that the recovery will start to firm up in 2021 as the vaccine rolls out across the globe, he also warned that continued financial support is required across the aviation sector in the years ahead. “If we’re ready to ՙbuild back better՚ in 2021, we must start tackling core issues, such as the way the aviation system is financed, regulated and integrated,” he said.

It might not be quite the bright, shiny start to 2021 we had all hoped for, but now is certainly not the time to give up. It’s time to buckle up for the long road to recovery, but recover we will!

Otherwise, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year and please do get in touch if you’ve got a story you’d like to share.

Best wishes,

Chloë Greenbank

Editor, Regional Gateway

 

January 7, 2021

daa International named as operator of new Red Sea Airport

By Airports, Design, FeaturedNo Comments

Dublin Airport Authority (daa) International has been named as the operator of a new airport at Saudia Arabia’s Red Sea Development Project.

A major development project being built over 28,000 square km on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, the Red Sea Project has been billed as a luxury tourism destination. The first phase of the project, which includes the construction of the new airport, as well as up to 3,000 hotel rooms, recreational facilities and residential properties, is due to be completed by the end of 2022.

The Red Sea International Airport, which is being designed by architecture firm Foster + Partners, is set to serve one million passengers annually by the project’s completion in 2030, with a peak capacity of 900 passengers per hour.  The terminal has taken its inspiration from the local landscape and aims to provide a tranquil and memorable experience for passengers from the moment they arrive and aims to emulate the experience of a private aircraft terminal to every passenger.

A subsidiary of daa, which operates Dublin and Cork airports, daa International has been operating Terminal 5 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, since it opened in 2016. As the operator of Saudi Arabia’s new airport it will provide airfield and terminal operations, aviation services, facilities management and it will oversee commercial activities, as well as corporate and financial services.

“Our state-of-the-art airport will provide a unique gateway for guests arriving at our destination, and this announcement is an important step in bringing the experience to life, ahead of welcoming visitors by the end of 2022,” said John Pagano, Chief Executive of TRSDC. “daa International was selected because we are confident that they can deliver not only an airport experience worthy of our luxury destination, but for their commitment to ensuring our sustainability goals are met.”

Nick Cole, Chief Executive daa International added: “The Red Sea International Airport will become a fundamental part of each visitor’s journey to this unique destination, and we believe their holiday experience should start from the moment they land. We intend to deliver a seamless airport experience for passengers, underpinned by a commitment to achieving the development company’s stringent sustainability goals.”

Stage one of managing the new airport’s operations will involve ensuring that all airport designs benefit the customer. Stage two will cover planning a full and seamless operational model for when the airport opens to the public, while the final stage will be to manage and operate this plan, maintaining the highest standards in customer experience and sustainability, while prioritising safety and security.

Construction of a runway, seaplane runway, taxiways, helipads and a road network for the airport is already well underway. On completion in 2030, the Red Sea Project will comprise 50 hotels, up to 8,000 hotel rooms and around 1,300 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.

January 7, 2021

Arconas unveils bullet- and blast-resistant seating at Brownsville Airport

By Airports, Design, FeaturedNo Comments

Airport seating and furniture manufacturer Arconas has partnered with Amulet Protective Technologies to unveil an industry first: bullet- and blast-resistant airport furniture at Brownsville/ South Padre Island International Airport in Texas.

The Arconas Flyaway tandem seating with Amulet Ballistic Barrier technology integrated during the manufacturing process are designed to shield travellers in the event of an act of violence in a public space. The barriers are designed to be uniquely compatible with interior furnishings and meet the criteria for handgun, rifle and explosive-device threats. The seating is part of the Brownsville Airport’s new terminal, which covers 91,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate more carriers and passengers than the existing 50-year-old terminal.

According to Bryant Walker, the airport’s Director, “The new terminal incorporates the latest technology and features, including seating that can protect passengers and first responders if needed. Providing for the safety and comfort of our passengers is our top priority. We have no reason to believe we would ever need this technology, however, we try to plan for the unexpected. The decision to use Arconas seating with integrated Amulet barriers was an easy one to make.”

Commenting on the new seating solution, Arconas VP of Business Development, Lynn Gordon, said: “Arconas recogonises that our airport and transportation clients are looking for more options in their furniture. Terminal operators always take a safety-first approach to their facilities, so providing clients features that improve safety and protect lives has been incredibly well received.” She added: “We’re focused on improving the airport experience, which includes highly functional, durable, attractive, and now protective furniture.”

According to Amulet Protective Technologies President and CEO, Jeffrey Isquith, acts of violence in the public space have become a common occurrence. “Our No. 1 goal is to save lives – and this technology adds a critical layer of protection for the public. Amulet Ballistic Barriers are a 21st Century solution to saving lives and reducing injuries to innocent people.”

ʻInvisibleʼ technology such as Amulet’s barriers has fast become a key component of the physical security market, which is expected to double within the next few years.

January 7, 2021

Atlantic Aviation expands presence at Montrose County Airport

By Airports, Business Aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Atlantic Aviation has completed the acquisition of a 30,000 square-foot hangar, capable of housing a Gulfstream G650, at its Montrose County Airport (MTJ) in Colorado, US.

“With customers spending more time in the Rockies and the size of business aircraft increasing, the additional hangar space enhances our ability to serve the growing needs of the general aviation community at MTJ,” said Jay Hamby, Senior Vice President of the Mountain Region. “In addition to its existing amenities, Atlantic Aviation MTJ now features a total of 57,000 square feet of hangar space.”

To complement the new hangar, Atlantic is also constructing a state-of-the-art fuel farm at the Colorado hub that will add 52,000 gallons of capacity to its existing inventory. Expected to be in operation by the end of 2021, this new fuelling infrastructure will also help support one of the fastest growing airports in Colorado.

Commenting further on these new facilities, Hamby added: “We are pleased to be working closely with the Montrose County Airport Administration to complete these projects and to continue to support the growth of the greater Montrose community.”

January 6, 2021

Negative COVID-19 tests required for all passengers travelling to Canada

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Following the rise in COVID-19 cases around the globe Canada’s Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, has mandated that from 7 January all air passengers five years or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada.

The Canadian government has already implemented multiple measures to protect the health and safety of its citizens and to help prevent air travel from being a source of further introduction and spread of COVID-19 as well as new variants of the virus into Canada.

Passengers must present a negative laboratory test result to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to a passenger’s scheduled departure to Canada. Those authorised to enter Canada must still complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine even with a negative test result.

“Our government remains committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians. These new measures will provide another layer of protection for Canadians as we continue to assess public health risks and work to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Canada,” said Garneau.

Meanwhile the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness underlined that, “The new testing requirement is an additional layer of protection that helps make Canada’s border measures among the strongest in the world.”

January 6, 2021

Loreto Airport welcomes flights from Dallas and Phoenix

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Loreto in Baja California Sur, Mexico has welcomed direct flights from Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth with American Airlines.

Introduced at the end of 2020, the five weekly flights are in response to demand for passengers seeking out warm winter during the winter holiday season. The oldest city in California and located in the centre of Baja California Sur, Loreto is increasingly popular with North American tourists who prefer coastal destinations and offers important cultural attractions in addition to an abundance of rich natural wonders.

American Airlines’ new direct routes strengthen the carrier’s presence and commitment to Loreto and demonstrate its confidence in the region’s tourism potential.

January 6, 2021

Swissport opens testing facility at Zurich Airport

By Airports, FeaturedNo Comments

Swissport has partnered with Enders Diagnostics to open a pre-departure PCR testing facility at Zurich Airport in Switzerland. The new facility will be operated by Checkport and samples will not be taken by nasal swab but on a saliva basis, which is more convenient.

Tests are sold as self-test kits on site and can be performed independently with no assistance required from medical personnel in designated areas known as ‘test boxes’. Samples are then transported to the Swiss Analysis AG laboratory four times a day by a dedicated courier service with the result available within five hours. Customers will be informed of their result by a password-protected email.

The facility is open daily between 6am and 9pm and is intended for people who do not show COVID-19 symptoms but need a test for travel or in order to participate at specific events. Some countries will only allow entry once in receipt of a negative PCR COVID-19 test certificate.

“We are pleased to partner with Enders Diagnostics for the COVID-19 rapid testing centre at Zurich Airport,” said Daniel Steffen, MD Checkport Schweiz AG. “Passengers travelling to countries that require proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure now enjoy a simpler pre-departure procedure. Our new service brings great relief to air travel. We are convinced it will help motivate people to return to flying.”

January 6, 2021