Brisbane Airport June runway ops: Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) said that during June 2021, 52 percent of all flight arrivals and departures, and 70 percent of night-time (between 10pm and 6am) arrivals and departures, were conducted over-the-bay. BAC also announced that it will publish monthly reports on over-the-bay operations on its social media challenges for easy access by the community. The runway operations updates will complement the existing dashboards available on Brisbane Airport’s website, which include a 52-hour forecast of operations, and on-time performance review. The updates will be published monthly on the BNE Facebook and Twitter accounts, providing the percentage breakdown of operations over the bay and over the city/suburbs from each of the airport’s runways.
Emirates re-opens dedicated First Class lounge at Dubai: Emirates has re-opened its dedicated First Class lounge at Dubai International (DXB’s) Concourse B to serve the growing volume of premium customers travelling from and through Emirates’ hub, as more markets around the world ease restrictions and put in place protocols that enable international travel. Emirates will also continue to operate its Business Class lounge in Concourse B which has been opened since July 2020 for First and Business Class travellers as well as eligible Skywards members. With comprehensive bio-safety protocols in place, customers can enjoy a full complement of trademark services located within the Emirates First Class lounge, such as a complimentary facial treatment at the Timeless Spa, complimentary services at Shoeshine by Mr Cobbler, four fine champagne vintages at the dedicated Moet and Chandon bar, special offers at luxury wine and spirits retailer Le Clos, and limited-edition tea blends with Dilmah Tea. The re-opening of Emirates’ First Class lounge in Concourse B is the latest in a phased programme where the airline has steadily and safely restarted its exclusive ground services for premium customers over the past year. This includes complimentary Chauffeur Drive in 70 cities, and Emirates Lounge operations in Dubai, Cairo, New York JFK, Manchester, Boston, Milan, and Los Angeles.
SITA implements pax processing in Prague: SITA announced that it has implemented its new-generation of passenger processing infrastructure at Václav Havel Airport Prague, paving the way to a completely touch-less, mobile passenger journey at the airport in future. SITA’s new TS6 Kiosks work in harmony with SITA’s next-generation SITA Flex, offering a fluid and intuitive experience for passengers and increased agility for the airport. Beyond optimising the current experience for passengers, SITA’s next-generation platform empowers Prague Airport to move from the traditional passenger journey to a more efficient and seamless digital passenger journey using mobile, self-service and automated solutions on-site and off-site. This means in the future passengers will be able to complete various steps in the journey such as check-in and bag drop from their mobile phone or using their biometric identity, improving passenger satisfaction and streamlining the flow of passengers through the airport. Part of this solution is the deployment of 35 versatile SITA TS6 check-in kiosks that allow passengers to check in with ease and, with the support of SITA Flex, enjoy a unified experience no matter which airline they are flying. The new SITA TS6 kiosk was the winner of the 2021 IF Design award for the slick, sustainable, and adaptive design, which can be customised to fit with the airport’s brand design and specific customer needs. The kiosks are complemented by overhead displays and integrate with SITA Flex and represent the future of passenger processing, providing a consistent user experience across platforms.
Vision-Box deploys EU entry/exit system: Vision-Box announced that the company, along with the Finnish Border Guard (RAJA), are implementing the first EU Entry/Exit System (EES) project inside the Schengen area. It aims at modernising and expanding the existing border control infrastructure and increasing operational efficiency at Helsinki Airport, while guaranteeing compliance to the EU regulatory framework. The EES is a landmark initiative set to replace traditional border controls of Third-Country Nationals with fully digital passenger processing and automated biometric data collection in 2022. Vision-Box was contracted by RAJA to deliver a scalable system that allowed Finland to implement Smart Borders at Helsinki Airport, ensuring adherence to EU regulations on biometric and biographic data capture at entry and exit of the Schengen area, supporting officers in their duty and enhancing operational efficiency. The long-term partnership between Vision-Box and RAJA has enabled Finland to cement itself as a Smart Borders pioneer which will prove pivotal ahead of the mandatory EES in 2022. Following a successful tender award, this project was executed in phases by RAJA and Vision-Box starting in early 2019, at Helsinki Airport, the country’s biggest and busiest airport.
Cool Chain Association welcomes new members: The Cool Chain Association (CCA) has launched a newly-established Technical Committee and welcomed five new members. The Committee’s aim is to assist, analyse, study, and manage critical points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well as developing standards, and initiating projects. It will include CCA members who are not Board members and have volunteered to become Project Coordinators, responsible for the facilitation of initiatives and the proposal of final solutions to the Board. The committee was launched at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which former CCA Secretary General Edwin Kalischnig, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Xtreme Technologies, was made an honourary Board member. The five new CCA members include Qatar Cargo, 7P Solutions, FreshBizDev, SmartCAE, and AirCargo Consultancy Global.
NZ approves Chatham Islands runway plan: The Government of New Zealand has advised that funding has been approved to proceed with the construction phase of Chatham Islands Airport’s (CIAL) project to lengthen and strengthen the runway. This funding is in addition to the funding previously approved to complete an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and design process. The Contractor selected to undertake the construction works to Lengthen and Strengthen the CIAL runway is Downer New Zealand Limited with BECA Limited undertaking contract management for CIAL. The construction project is due commence in late August 2021 with completion of the runway components being anticipated in July 2022. In addition to the lengthening and strengthening of the runway and the expansion and strengthening of the apron, there are a number of ancillary works included to ensure the airport is in a position to accommodate and manage jet aircraft.
Riga Airport joins ACI Net Zero plan: Riga Airport joined the Airport Council International (ACI) Europe initiative Net Zero 2050 to achieve complete reduction of CO2 emissions in the emission sources under direct control of the Airport until 2050. After joining the initiative, Riga Airport has undertaken to achieve that the company does not cause CO2 emissions in its basic operations or emissions that cannot be prevented or compensated with proper storage of similar amount of greenhouse emission gases until 2050. Riga Airport is ready to facilitate achievement of global climate goals and consider business transformation, developing a medium-term sustainability strategy until 2030 to achieve climate goals. Electricity and fuel consumption are two main sources of emissions at Riga Airport. The airport plans to focus on reducing these emissions, for example, creating its first sun panel park and restoring service buildings making them more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. In the coming years, Riga Airport plans to certify for Level 3 of ACA programme that aims to reduce the emissions not under direct control of the Airport but are caused by the companies and organisations working at the Airport.
FFL Flight Training ATO receives qualification: FFL Flight Training, located at Essen/Mülheim Airport, Germany, recently acquired an A322 FNPT II MCC simulator from the German-based manufacturer Aerotask to support their increased demand for jet transition, familiarisation and ATPL training. Aerotask originates from the field of manufacturing and exploitation of non-certified simulators and has recently entered the professional pilot training market with this joint project with FFL Flight Training. So as to achieve their first EASA qualification, Aerotask selected several partners to complement their efforts to turn this undertaking into a successful project. For the A320 resembling avionics, flight modelling and visual integration along with a coupled eQTG software solution, the Netherlands-based software developer ProSim has been selected. ProSim has a known track record of customers with successful international approvals for A320 and 737 resembling Flight Training Devices. To provide guidance for compliance with EASA CS-FSTD(A) Issue 2 and monitor all over project integration for the Flight Simulator qualification, including documentation, the German based company FTD Consulting has been appointed. The A322 flight simulator has now been qualified as generic FNPT II MCC with the German civil aviation authority LBA in June 2021.
VINCI Airports upgrades Belgrade airport: VINCI Airports announced it has upgraded facilities at Belgrade airport. The works are progressing as planned, including the upgrade and extension of the existing terminal. With a total surface area of 12,000 m² and smart flow management system, the new Pier C terminal extension will be fully completed by the end of the year. Belgrade airport already opened a revamped boarding area, showcasing Serbian gastronomy and local brands, as well as a new remote car park and bus gate that ensure greater accessibility. A waste treatment plant has also been recently delivered with the objective to recover 100 percent of the airport’s solid waste by the end of 2022. These milestones are part of the programme delivered by VINCI Airports in synergy with VINCI Construction Grands Projets. Belgrade airport also received its first-ever Europe “Best airport” award for quality of service from ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec. The airport also recently received its first Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate, acknowledging the new environmental ambition deployed by VINCI Airports that aims to reach Net Zero Carbon emission on all its airports by 2050.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Matt Driskill at matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Head of Sales Kay Rolland at kay.rolland@asianaviation.com
