Industry news
Emirates concludes engine ground trial using 100% SAF
Fuels
The UAE’s flag carrier Emirates has announced the completion of ground engine testing for one of its GE90 engines on a Boeing 777-300ER with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The trial was carried out to evaluate the GE90 engine’s capability to run on the specially blended 100% SAF, without any changes to aircraft systems, and to ensure that the performance of the engine is not impacted.
It was also aimed at ensuring that there was no special maintenance procedures required on the Boeing 777-300ER or GE90 engine to run.
The test was carried out on two engines, with one running on 100% SAF and the other on conventional jet fuel, to better analyse the fuel system´s behaviour and performance.
During the test at the Emirates Engineering Centre in Dubai, the aircraft first underwent a standard pre-inspection process, after which the stationary operating testing started by first operating the Honeywell 331-500 auxiliary power unit (APU) on 100% SAF.
The APU was loaded fully with SAF to start the engines, and the left engine was exercised through its full power range, using the same settings to be utilised for the experimental flight.
After the simulation was completed, the fuels were isolated in separate fuel tanks to maintain segregation of test fuels.
Completion of the ground test will provide a platform for the airline to carry out its first experimental test flight using 100% SAF in one engine, which is scheduled for take-off this week.
BUSINESS & OPERATIONS
Fraport takes on FRA security responsibilities
German transport company Fraport has been tasked with the management, organisation, and performance of the security checkpoints at Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
These actions were earlier managed by the German Federal Police.
However, the German Federal Police will continue to carry out statutory oversight and supervision roles, in addition to overall aviation security responsibility.
The German Federal Police will also manage the certification and recertification process for aviation security personnel.
Fraport has assumed new responsibilities at the airport from 1 January 2023.
M&A
Lufthansa submits new bid for ITA Airways stake
German flag carrier Deutsche Lufthansa (Lufthansa) has submitted an offer to acquire a stake in the Italian loss-making national carrier ITA Airways.
In its proposal, the German airline said that it intends to initially pick a minority stake in ITA, with an option to acquire the remaining stake at a later stage.
However, it did not disclose financial details.
According to Bloomberg, Lufthansa plans to buy as much as 40% of the Alitalia successor in a first step.
The stake is valued at €200m-€300m, stated Reuters citing a source familiar with the development.
Business & Operations
PKX resumes international flight operations
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) in China has restarted operating outbound overseas flight services after a pause of around three years due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
The resumption of international services comes after the Chinese Government decided to ease Covid-19 curbs by downgrading it from Class A to Class B, and lifting of all quarantine measures for overseas passengers coming to China from 8 January, Global Times reported.
The first flight to take off was China Southern Airlines, which was bound for Hong Kong with 101 passengers onboard, the publication stated.
In March 2020, all flights bound for Beijing Daxing Airport were re-routed to Beijing Capital International Airport due to the pandemic. Beginning 8 January, the Civil Aviation Administration of China noted that all flights will be allowed to land at the Beijing Daxing airport directly.
In addition to China Southern Airlines, other carriers such as China Eastern Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines and Himalaya Airlines will recommence their outbound operations from Daxing airport.
The airport will also facilitate international transfers, under the 144-hour visa-free policy for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region
Safety
Nepal plane crash kills at least 68 people
An ATR 72 aircraft operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines crashed in Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal, on 15 January 2022, according to the daily newspaper The Kathmandu Post.
The aircraft took off from Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu at 10:33am local time and crashed a few minutes before landing between the old airport and the Pokhara International Airport, the newspaper reported, citing Yeti Airlines spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula.
With registration number 9N-ANC, the aircraft was carrying four crew members and 68 passengers, which included three infants and three children.
At least 68 people were expected to be killed in the crash, making it Nepal’s worst airplane crash in three years, CNN reported.
Following the incident, a five-member probe committee has also been created to investigate the cause of the crash.
They will submit a report to the government within 45 days, according to Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesperson Bishnu Paudel.
Terminals
$2.7bn EWR terminal begins operations
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, US, has commenced operations at its new $2.7bn Terminal A.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said that the new terminal is replacing the terminal that opened in 1973.
It added that the new terminal offers modern passenger amenities, digital technology and dining and retail options.
Featuring nearly one million square feet of area, Terminal A is equipped with 33 gates and has been designed to handle larger aircraft.
It also has a common-use check-in area, and security and baggage claim areas.
Out of 33 gates, 21 gates have become operational and will be used by Air Canada, American Airlines, jetBlue and United Airlines. The remaining 12 gates are scheduled to become operational later this year.
The terminal has the capacity to handle an estimated 13.6 million passengers a year.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Finavia targets net-zero emissions across airport network by 2025
Finnish airport operator Finavia has set a goal to reduce the carbon emissions of airports across its network to net zero by the end of 2025.
This objective was highlighted in its responsibility programme, ‘Towards Sustainable Air Travel’.
Finavia Sustainability and Environment vice-president Mikko Viinikainen said: “Finavia’s operations at all its airports have been carbon neutral since 2019.
The airport operator initially aims to achieve the net zero goal as early as next year across its four airports in Lapland: Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo, as well as Kuusamo, which will be followed by Helsinki Airport.
The company stated that it uses 100% wind and solar energy for electricity while its airport maintenance vehicles use renewable diesel made from waste and leftovers.
Finavia is also taking part in projects to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to offset remaining emissions at its airports.
M&A
Air India Express, AirAsia prepare for merger
Air India Express and AirAsia India are considering ways to unify their operations to offer improved customer services ahead of their planned merger, PTI has reported citing an unnamed official.
Indian conglomerate Tata Group owns both the carriers, which are expected to be merged by the end of next year.
Following the completion of the merger, the consolidated entity will be known as Air India Express.
Last month, Air India revealed that an operational review process was being carried out to integrate AirAsia India with Air India Express.
Data from India’s corporate affairs ministry shows that AirAsia India’s name has been changed to AIX Connect.
As part of the process, both the carriers are trying to create common platforms, including using a single website, social media accounts and call centre, to help their customers.
In brief
Qatar Airways and Air Serbia enter codeshare alliance
State-owned flag carrier Qatar Airways has reached a codeshare agreement with Serbian flag carrier Air Serbia. With effect from 1 February this year, the agreement between the airlines is said to enable seamless travel to more than 40 destinations on each other’s networks.
PHL deploys facial biometric technology
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in the US has implemented facial biometric technology across its 25 boarding gates in Terminals A-East and A-West. This is to support the US Customs and Border Protection process for international departures.
TAV wins concession to operate ESB until 2050
Groupe ADP member TAV Airports has secured a concession extension to operate Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) in Turkey for another 25 years. This followed an auction held by the Turkish State Airports Authority, where TAV emerged as the winner with its bid of €475m ($503m).
LCY submits proposal to increase passenger capacity
London City Airport (LCY) in the UK has filed a planning application to make changes to the airport’s existing planning permission. The application was submitted after a feedback from 10-week consultation exercise. In its application, the airport requested an increase in passenger capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million per year by 2031.
Smiths Detection rolls out new smart tray return system
Threat detection and security inspection technologies provider Smiths Detection has introduced its new model of a fully automated tray return system. Dubbed iLane A20, Smiths Detection developed the new system in partnership with material handling solutions provider Interroll.
Environmental
Finavia targets net-zero emissions across airport network by 2025
Finnish airport operator Finavia has set a goal to reduce the carbon emissions of airports across its network to net zero by the end of 2025.
This objective was highlighted in its responsibility programme, ‘Towards Sustainable Air Travel’.
Finavia Sustainability and Environment vice-president Mikko Viinikainen said: “Finavia’s operations at all its airports have been carbon neutral since 2019."
The airport operator initially aims to achieve the net zero goal as early as next year across its four airports in Lapland: Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo, as well as Kuusamo, which will be followed by Helsinki Airport.
The company stated that it uses 100% wind and solar energy for electricity while its airport maintenance vehicles use renewable diesel made from waste and leftovers.
Finavia is also taking part in projects to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to offset remaining emissions at its airports.
M&A
Air India Express, AirAsia prepare for merger
Air India Express and AirAsia India are considering ways to unify their operations to offer improved customer services ahead of their planned merger, PTI has reported citing an unnamed official.
Indian conglomerate Tata Group owns both the carriers, which are expected to be merged by the end of next year.
Following the completion of the merger, the consolidated entity will be known as Air India Express.
Last month, Air India revealed that an operational review process was being carried out to integrate AirAsia India with Air India Express.
Data from India’s corporate affairs ministry shows that AirAsia India’s name has been changed to AIX Connect.
As part of the process, both the carriers are trying to create common platforms, including using a single website, social media accounts and call centre, to help their customers.
