AAR elects Ellen Lord to board: AAR announced that Ellen Lord, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment for the United States Department of Defense, has been elected to the company’s board of directors. “Ellen brings significant aerospace and defense expertise as well strong leadership experience from her time as the president and CEO of Textron Systems and most recently as Under Secretary with the US Department of Defense,” said John Holmes, AAR president and CEO. “Ellen will bring a valuable perspective to our Board and our Company. We look forward to her contributions and are very pleased to welcome Ellen to AAR.” Lord, 61, served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment for the United States Department of Defense from August 2017 until January 2021. In this role, she was responsible for all matters pertaining to acquisition; developmental testing; contract administration; logistics and materiel readiness; installations and environment; operational energy; chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons; the acquisition workforce; and the defence industrial base.
Qantas, Accor sign deal for lounges: Qantas and Accor have announced a new seven-year agreement for the hospitality group to continue management of Qantas lounges in Australia and overseas. The new agreement is an extension of the 14-year partnership with Accor, with their team of hospitality professionals providing Qantas customers with world-class service across the airline’s network of domestic and international lounges. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the renewed agreement highlights the airline’s commitment to maintaining a premium travel experience for its customers across every part of their journey. “As our customers step back into our lounges for the first time in over a year, they will continue to receive the exceptional service they have been accustomed to from the Qantas and Accor teams,” Joyce said. Accor began managing the Qantas lounges in 2007 when the airline opened its flagship International First lounges in Australia, followed by the Domestic Business lounges, Chairman’s Lounges and Qantas Club in 2013.
Brisbane Airport talent wins Young Executive Award: Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific has revealed the winner of the association’s signature Human Resources programme, the Young Executive Award 2021. David Oatley, Airport Operations Manager at Brisbane Airport Corporation, Australia was selected the winner of the annual competition. Now in its 12th year, ACI Asia-Pacific received papers from across the region addressing the timely topic of ‘Passenger Facilitation under Pandemic’. The panel of judges determined that the paper developed by Oatley on “Passenger Facilitation under Pandemic and Its Legacy to Airport Planning” demonstrated extensive research, analysis and appropriate interventions with a comprehensive and keen understanding of the needs of Brisbane Airport’s stakeholders.
Hong Kong crew quarantine measures loosened: The Hong Kong SAR government has announced a loosening of the crew quarantine requirements for Hong Kong-based aircrew that have been in place since 20 February. The mandatory quarantine requirement for Hong Kong-based freighter and cargo-only passenger flight aircrew will be lifted for those aircrew who are fully vaccinated. This excludes aircrew that layover in the United Kingdom and South Africa. In addition to the Anchorage exemption, all freighter crew that layover in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand will no longer be subject to mandatory quarantine on return to Hong Kong. The above changes are applicable to aircrew returning to Hong Kong after 0000 hrs on 16 April. Crew in the above groups who were in quarantine at 0000 hrs on 16 April will complete their full quarantine periods.
Etihad Cargo expands digital booking: Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of the Etihad Aviation Group, has advanced its international digital booking reach through a new partnership with WiseTech Global, a cloud-based software solutions provider for the global logistics industry. By leveraging WiseTech’s logistics execution platform, CargoWise, Etihad Cargo will seamlessly integrate with the world’s leading logistics providers who rely on CargoWise to carry out end-to-end logistics activities. “Now, more than ever, it is essential for the air cargo industry to accelerate its embrace of digital technologies. Etihad Cargo is carefully selecting partners to enhance customer experiences and streamline booking processes to provide additional convenience,” Martin Drew, senior vice president Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group, said.
Avolon announces new appointments: Avolon announced the appointments of Felipe Campos as chief technical officer and Steven Graham to the role of head of Americas. Before joining Avolon Campos spent time with GE Aviation and also with the airline groups LATAM and TAM, where he started his career in aviation in 2005. Graham has been appointed head of the Americas for Avolon. He has been head of North America since 2017 and in his new role that will expand to incorporate North and Latin America. Based in New York, he will lead all of Avolon’s activity in these regions. Graham was one of co-founders of Avolon in 2010. He has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
TAG’s global operations upgrade to Travelport+: Travelport announced TAG has upgraded to Travelport+. Travelport+ is an extensive, next-generation platform that creates a simplified, capability-rich, marketplace for travel retailing and is the centrepiece of Travelport’s new global strategy, designed to accelerate industry innovation in multi-source content, better travel retailing and delivering the best value. TAG (formerly known as The Appointment Group) is a high-end, service-driven travel management company specialising in corporate, touring, events, private travel and film and media. TAG, which has been a Travelport customer since 2015, eagerly accepted the opportunity to work directly with Travelport as an early adopter of Travelport+, upgrading its US operations with a move to the Travelport+ platform, enabling its global operations to benefit from both existing and coming capabilities of Travelport+.
ACTSI completes G650ER 6C inspection: Aviation Concepts Technical Services, Inc (ACTSI), a business aviation MRO facility and parking service provider based in Subic Bay, Philippines, is pleased to announce that it has recently supported a 6C inspection on a Gulfstream G650ER. ACTSI’s Technical Team was able to complete the check on time and defect free. Inspections included 2A/2C, 3C,4C,6C along with removal and installation of Main Landing Gear Detailed Inspections, CB 259 and ASC 090A Hydraulic Filter Monitoring System Activation, CB 262 / ASC 083 & 131 Flap Track Rub Strip Mod and Roller Fitting Replacement. “We are very proud of our team and the commitment to safety and compliance. The recent completion of this inspection is a testament to our professionalism, experience, and dedication to quality which shows the kind of support we can provide to both our current and potential customers.” Said Richard WolfsKeil, director of maintenance at ACTSI.
Metrojet, Medaire announce partnership: Metrojet is enhancing its commitment to safety, security and quality service by adding MedAire’s aviation security solution to its fleet. MedAire will provide Metrojet with in-depth real-time travel security reporting for destinations, regions, airspace, and airports through a combination of digitally delivered content and 24/7 access to MedAire’s security team. Metrojet selected MedAire to provide aviation travel security information, analysis and assessment as well as 24/7 global assistance as part of a comprehensive health and security solution. The agreement sees MedAire providing Metrojet with in-depth real-time travel security reporting including destinations, regions, airspace, and airports, all professionally vetted and analysed by aviation experts. In addition to digitally delivered content, the aviation security team are available around the clock for advice and activation of assistance services, responding to security risks, events and threats as needed. Gary Dolski, CEO, Metrojet, said: “Safety is key to our organisation. Our client’s peace of mind is essential. MedAire’s integrated security solution of information and analysis complements the travel health component they already provide to our crew and passengers. Together this cements our commitment to safety, security, and quality service.”
CareFlight unveils new jet in Australia: CareFlight unveiled a new Gulfstream G150 jet, representing a new generation of aeromedical retrieval for Australia and its regional neighbours. The jet was selected to deliver CareFlight’s inter-hospital aeromedical jet evacuation service based in Darwin on behalf of the Northern Territory Government. It is Australia’s first dedicated medical jet with the capability to transport critically ill patients directly across the continent and from Southeast Asia. The cutting-edge medical jet’s higher speed and customised interior represent a significant advance for patient care. “The interstate aeromedical route across Australia from Darwin is one of the longest regular aeromedical routes flown in the world. The jet for this service needs to be extremely fast and efficient to deliver direct non-stop services for critical patients to all major Australian capital cities,” CareFlight NT General Manager Philip Roberts, said. “With a flight speed of more than 1,000 kilometres per hour and a range of more than 5,300 kilometres, the G150 can fly significantly longer distances at a much faster speed compared to any other option available in Australia today,” Roberts said.
IndiGo extends deal with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance: The Airline-MRO AFI KLM E&M and India‘s leading airline operator IndiGo have signed an agreement to extend their component support contract covering over 350 aircraft. The range of services to be delivered by AFI KLM E&M includes component repairs, dedicated pool access, provision of a Main Base Kit (MBK) at the hub of IndiGo‘s airline operations in Delhi, as well as logistics support. By signing this long-term contract, the two companies are extending and strengthening a business relationship that began with the creation of IndiGo in 2006 and has been growing significantly over the past years, driven by the strong fleet growth; and network expansion of IndiGo. While initially AFI KLM E&M provided component support for IndiGo’s A320 fleet, the partners also added the ATR fleet to the partnership in 2017. In 2019, the Indian carrier, holding over 50 percent of India‘s domestic market, placed an order for 300 A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft to support its ambitious growth plans.