Industry news
UK extends airport slot waiver until summer
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1 February | Covid-19
Britain has announced that it will extend a waiver on airport slot rules through the summer season to help airlines during the pandemic.
This will eliminate the need for carriers to fly in order to retain their takeoff and landing windows.
Last year, rules in connection with the takeoff and landing rights were suspended, which liberated airlines from the compulsory usage of 80% of their takeoff and landing spots, reported Reuters.
Failing to do so would have resulted in the loss of slots for their carriers.
In a statement, the Department for Transport said that the move ‘provided flexibility to airlines to support them during this difficult time’ and exhibited the prevailing low demand for air travel.
Many airlines are struggling fiscally due to Covid-19 restrictions in Britain.
While high-cost airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have welcomed the extension, low-cost carriers wish to go back to normal rules.
Ryanair and Wizz Air stated that the suspension will not allow them to add new flights and, hence, they will fail in creating competition.
Earlier, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), an independent slot co-ordination company, said that alleviation would be arranged in the UK for the Northern Summer 2021, subject to slots being resumed to three weeks or more in advance of the planned operation.
The company added that the new slots will not be included in the alleviation.
In December, an EU proposal was made to restore some slot competition in 2020.
Moreover, this is the UK’s first decision on airport slot rules since it left the European Union on 31 December 2020.
This move will also get rid of the necessity for ‘ghost flights’ as, before the introduction of the waiver, some airlines flew empty to protect their landing spots.
1 FEBRUARY | AIRPORT
Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg to shut Terminal 5 temporarily
German airport operator Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH has announced that Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s Terminal 5, previously known as Schönefeld Airport, will be shut for a period of one year from 23 February.
Due to the fall in passenger numbers as a result of the pandemic, the expected passenger traffic will be handled at Terminal 1 until further notice.
By directing air traffic to Terminal 1, the airport will save nearly €25m for the year.
The new Terminal 2 will also be temporarily shut.
Once the passenger footfall improves, the terminals will gradually restore services as per the requirement.
SunExpress will be the first carrier to shift its passenger handling operations from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 on 1 February.
On 22 February, the final airline will leave Schönefeld, ending operations at Terminal 5 for the time being.
Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH CEO Engelbert Lütke Daldrup said: “This year, the airport company must again assume that passenger numbers will remain far below the pre-crisis level. We assume that in 2021 we will be able to handle around ten million passengers safely and comfortably in Terminal 1.
This step reduces costs and expenses for the year by about €25m. Terminal 5 will still be promptly available to us if the need arises. The dormant operation is organised in such a way that Terminal 5 can be up and running again within a few weeks when it is needed again.”
1 February | Security
LAX introduces touchless ID verification at all its security checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the US has introduced touchless, automated photo ID scanners at all its security screening checkpoints.
According to TSA, LAX is the first airport in the country to be completely equipped with this technology.
TSA is now making use of credential authentication technology (CAT) at every security checkpoint in the airport.
At the travel document checking station, passengers will be required to hand over their ID to the security officer, who will confirm the authenticity of the document by inserting it into the scanner.
Instead of handing over their boarding passes, passengers will only have to hold them up for visual inspection by the security officer.
Around 30 CAT units have been previously deployed at the airport by TSA.
Last week, 50 more units were installed, making LAX the first airport in the US to have CAT units in every lane of its security checkpoints.
The CAT unit will verify that the traveller is pre-screened to travel out of the airport for a flight that day using a secure internet connection.
However, minor passengers below 18 are still required to produce a paper or e-boarding pass.
Furthermore, passengers will still have to check-in with their airline in advance and must bring their boarding pass to their gate agent before boarding their flight.
29 January | Airport
Bahrain International Airport opens new passenger terminal
Bahrain International Airport has announced that its new passenger terminal has commenced operations.
The facility has been extended with an investment of $1bn from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
Assisting the project on behalf of the UAE, the fund extended around $3bn to Bahrain in 2013 under the GCC Development Programme.
Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and BAC chairman Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed was quoted by Bahrain News Agency as saying: “I would like to thank our strategic partners, contractors, all companies working in Bahrain International Airport, and all parties involved for their strong support for this national project.
“We are very grateful for their assistance and contributions throughout, which were vital to the smooth and successful launch of the airport’s new infrastructure. Their contributions helped to ensure the project’s on schedule and on budget completion, without disrupting operations at the legacy airport, which has served the kingdom efficiently for decades.”
He also said that the terminal project was introduced in February 2016 as one of the most significant national projects in the kingdom’s history, and currently the largest investment in Bahrain’s aviation sector.
Moreover, the national airline of Bahrain, Gulf Air, operated the very first commercial flight to Delhi, India from the new terminal.
The first arriving flight to the new terminal was also a Gulf Air flight that arrived from Lahore, Pakistan.
The development project also covers two receptions, hospitality lounges for first and business class passengers, car parking for 5,500 automobiles, a building dedicated to private aviation, an extended Duty-Free area, and a hotel.
BAC CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah commented: “This milestone is the culmination of years of careful planning and hard work. It marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the kingdom’s rich aviation history and positions BIA as the most modern boutique airport in the region.”
He also emphasised that the new facility will support the growth of travel and tourism in the country while also reviving trade.
The expansion project was finished in around four years.
The new terminal, which is four times the size of the old one, will allow the airport to handle nearly 14 million passengers annually.
29 January | technology
Eindhoven Airport completes trial of AI-enabled baggage check-in technology
Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands has announced the successful completion of its ‘bag recognition’ test.
The new baggage check-in technology was tested at the airport from August to December 2020 by baggage identification specialist BagsID and logistics automation company Vanderlande.
Eindhoven Airport stated that it has decided to extend the pilot until 2023 in order to test the technology even more thoroughly and extensively.
According to BagsID, Eindhoven is the world’s first airport to conduct such trials.
When compared to scanning baggage tags, this technology is more precise, environmentally friendly and cheaper for the purpose of checking in hold baggage.
The technology will notify passengers about the status and location of their luggage.
This new way of checking in will eliminate the need for luggage tags, which are sometimes attached incorrectly or become detached from the suitcase, thus ensuring higher levels of accuracy.
Furthermore, it will discard the use of luggage tag and label printers, making the airport more environmentally friendly.
The all-round installation of cameras in the airport’s baggage system is also cheaper and easier than the 360º barcode scanners.
This technology is user-friendly as the passenger just needs to take a picture of their suitcase and upload it while checking in.
Eindhoven Airport innovation manager Ivar van der Smaal said: “The first phase of the trial has been completed successfully. The camera set-ups in Eindhoven Airport’s baggage system have demonstrated that the technology can be very useful and offer many advantages.”
However, Smaal stressed the fact that barcoded baggage tags will not be removed for the time being.
There will be a mandatory ten-digit code with respect to the information on baggage labels as prescribed in the International Air Transport Association guidelines.
In the upcoming trial period, the image recognition algorithm will be interconnected with the baggage system.
Following this, a test will be conducted where passengers of a particular flight will check in their hold baggage without a baggage label and will only have a photo of their suitcase.
The passengers will then be notified via their mobile phones regarding the status and location of their suitcase right up to the final destination.
28 January | Covid-19
Sharjah Airport becomes UAE’s first to receive AHA certificate
Sharjah Airport in the UAE has obtained the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) certificate from the Airports Council International (ACI), a global trade representative of the world’s airport authorities.
The airport is the first Emirates airport and the seventh in the Middle East to have received this certificate.
The certificate highlights the achievements of Sharjah Airport in providing a safe experience for its passengers during the pandemic.
The process of accreditation involved a thorough evaluation of the health and safety measures in place, including the cleaning and disinfection of facilities, social distancing measures, and security inspections.
Sharjah Airport Authority chairman Ali Salem Al Midfa said: “Obtaining this accreditation from the Airports Council International is a reflection of the relentless efforts being made by Sharjah Airport to maintain public health and safety.
“The health and safety of all travellers, customers, and employees is our number one priority in all operations. Since the start of these exceptional circumstances, Sharjah Airport has developed an integrated plan in cooperation with partners from the operating authorities, to ensure that we are adhering to the highest standards.
“We thank and applaud the aviation sector and international bodies, including the Airports Council International, for laying out these guidelines and measures with the aim to protect all members of society.”
ACI Asia-Pacific director general Stefano Baronci said: “Sharjah Airport’s obtaining this international accreditation is further evidence that the airport’s team has succeeded in implementing health standards and measures that ensure safe travel through the airport. This accreditation also confirms that Sharjah Airport is making all efforts to preserve the health and safety of travellers, customers, and employees in various facilities and departments.”
Under its integrated plan, several measures were implemented by the airport to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The airport also intensified the sterilisation of its premises, including the arrivals and departures halls, public facilities, floors, walls, barriers, passenger bridges, check-in counters, waiting chairs and toilets.
The Airport Health Accreditation programme, which started in July 2020, focuses on a commitment to the health and welfare of travellers, customers, and employees.
The programme inspects the quality of airport health procedures in the wake of the pandemic.
27 January | project
The Philippines annuls $10bn Sangley airport renovation with Chinese group
A province of the Philippines has annulled its decision to award an $10bn airport project to a consortium led by a Chinese state company.
This comes as a blow to President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-Beijing policy shift and infrastructure ambitions, reported Reuters.
In 2019, the consortium of China Communications Construction Co (CCCC) and Philippines-based firm MacroAsia Corp was the sole bidder in the auction to assist the Cavite Provincial Government for the renovation of Sangley Airport.
However, Cavite’s governor Juanito Victor Remulla told Reuters that the consortium’s documentation was ‘deficient in three or four items’.
Remulla said: “We saw it as a sign they were not fully committed.”
In an earlier announcement, MacroAsia said that due to the coronavirus travel restrictions, the consortium failed to provide the required documents.
Remulla also clarified that the decision was not connected to the US ban of CCCC and other Chinese state firms in August 2020.
The US has debarred several Chinese corporations over their involvement in constructing military installations in disputed areas of the South China Sea, one of which is within missile range of the Philippines.
Following this, the Philippines foreign minister recommended the termination of projects involving those firms.
However, Duterte’s office rejected the recommendation on the grounds that their completion was in the interest of the nation.
Sangley Airport, which was intended to take the pressure off Manila Airport, was one of two multi-billion airport projects.
On social media, Governor Remulla announced that Cavite would commence new negotiations for a private sector partner.
27 January | Project
Finavia to renovate Mariehamn Airport’s runway
Airport operator Finavia has announced an investment of nearly €5m for the renovation of Mariehamn Airport in the Åland Islands, a territory of Finland.
Under the renovation project, the runway will be repaved and the runway light system, airport power room and power supply will be updated.
The runway’s flanks and safety zones will also be upgraded.
The investment has been made in consideration with the operational preconditions of air traffic in Åland, as well as the related future developments.
The planning and execution, accomplished in line with Finavia’s climate programme, ensured that all of the operator’s airports became carbon neutral in 2019.
Finavia revealed that it is now working towards the achievement of zero net emissions.
Finavia Mariehamn Airport director Tanja Sabel said: “I’m particularly happy about the central role of environmental issues in the renovation. We are replacing the current runway lights with energy-efficient LEDs, which will take us closer to our next climate goal. We will also renew the fuel distribution area to facilitate refueling field vehicles with biodiesel.”
The renovation work will commence in early April and be completed in early July.
Due to this project, all flights will be discontinued from 16 May to 3 July 2021 as the runway will be shut for seven weeks.
However, urgent medical transport with helicopters will continue to function throughout the renovation while other medical transport and mail will take place via ferries.
Sabel continued: “The timing of the renovation has been selected carefully. The work has been planned for the early summer when passenger volumes are usually lower than in late summer. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be even fewer passengers in early summer this year.”
The renovation project will be completed just in time for the Tall Ships Race event organised in July at Mariehamn.
After completion, the airport will be ready to handle both domestic and international travellers.
In 2019, around 54 weekly flights operated at Mariehamn Airport, whereas last year the number of weekly flights dropped to 30.
Mariehamn Airport witnesses regular route traffic to Stockholm, Helsinki and Turku.
In brief
TSA at Portland and Bangor airports in the US deploy CAT units
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Portland Jetport and Bangor International airports in the US have deployed credential authentication technology (CAT) units. This technology will authenticate the validity of travellers’ identifications (IDs), along with their flight information, in near real time.
Guernsey Airport starts HBS scanners installation work
Guernsey Airport has commenced preparatory work related to the installation of the first of two hold baggage system (HBS) scanners. These will be operated by the States Trading Supervisory Board through Guernsey Ports.
Direct flights from the UAE banned by the UK
Britain has announced a ban on direct passenger flights from the UAE 29 January onwards. The airline route from Dubai to London, which is the world’s busiest international airline route, will be closed due to concerns over the spread of a more infectious and potentially vaccine-resistant Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa.
Pittsburgh Airport to test Honeywell’s air quality improvement technology
Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh International Airport in the US has partnered with Honeywell to test air quality improvement technology at xBridge, the airport’s newly opened innovation centre.
Jetex to manage FBO and hangar at Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai
Jetex has signed an agreement with Falcon Aviation to manage its FBO and hangar at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. The move marks a significant milestone for the private aviation industry as the company becomes the operator of a private terminal that covers more than 32,000ft².
27 January | Project
The Philippines annuls $10bn Sangley airport renovation with Chinese group
A province of the Philippines has annulled its decision to award a $10bn airport project to a consortium led by a Chinese state company.
This comes as a blow to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-Beijing policy shift and infrastructure ambitions, reported Reuters.
In 2019, the consortium of China Communications Construction Co (CCCC) and Philippines-based firm MacroAsia Corp was the sole bidder in the auction to assist the Cavite Provincial Government for the renovation of Sangley Airport.
However, Cavite’s governor Juanito Victor Remulla told Reuters that the consortium’s documentation was ‘deficient in three or four items’.
Remulla said: “We saw it as a sign they were not fully committed.”
In an earlier announcement, MacroAsia said that due to the coronavirus travel restrictions, the consortium failed to provide the required documents.
Remulla also clarified that the decision was not connected to the US ban of CCCC and other Chinese state firms in August 2020.
The US has debarred several Chinese corporations over their involvement in constructing military installations in disputed areas of the South China Sea, one of which is within missile range of the Philippines.
Following this, the Philippines Foreign Minister recommended the termination of projects involving those firms.
However, Duterte’s office rejected the recommendation on the grounds that their completion was in the interest of the nation.
Sangley Airport, which was intended to take the pressure off Manila Airport, was one of two multi-billion airport projects.
On social media, Governor Remulla announced that Cavite would commence new negotiations for a private sector partner.
27 January | Project
Finavia to renovate Mariehamn Airport’s runway
Airport operator Finavia has announced an investment of nearly €5m for the renovation of Mariehamn Airport in the Åland Islands, a territory of Finland.
Under the renovation project, the runway will be repaved and the runway light system, airport power room and power supply will be updated.
The runway’s flanks and safety zones will also be upgraded.
The investment has been made to accommodate operational preconditions of air traffic in Åland, as well as related future developments.
The planning and execution, accomplished in line with Finavia’s climate programme, ensured that all of the operator’s airports became carbon neutral in 2019.
Finavia revealed that it is now working towards the achievement of net-zero emissions.
Finavia Mariehamn Airport director Tanja Sabel said: “I’m particularly happy about the central role of environmental issues in the renovation. We are replacing the current runway lights with energy-efficient LEDs, which will take us closer to our next climate goal. We will also renew the fuel distribution area to facilitate refueling field vehicles with biodiesel.”
The renovation work will commence in early April and be completed in early July.
Due to this project, all flights will be discontinued from 16 May to 3 July 2021 as the runway will be shut for seven weeks.
However, urgent medical transport with helicopters will continue to function throughout the renovation while other medical transport and mail will take place via ferries.
Sabel continued: “The timing of the renovation has been selected carefully. The work has been planned for the early summer when passenger volumes are usually lower than in late summer. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be even fewer passengers in early summer this year.”
The renovation project will be completed just in time for the Tall Ships Race event organised in July at Mariehamn.
After completion, the airport will be ready to handle both domestic and international travellers.
In 2019, around 54 weekly flights operated at Mariehamn Airport, whereas last year the number of weekly flights dropped to 30.
Mariehamn Airport witnesses regular route traffic to Stockholm, Helsinki and Turku.
