Aviation News in Brief 19 Sept 2019: ACI World; Qatar Airways; Werner Aero
ACI World says regulation with room for innovation the key to improved airport security: Airports Council International (ACI) World, which is gathering with aviation industry leaders at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) third annual Global Aviation Security Symposium (AVSEC), highlighted the need for effective regulation that provides room for innovation in aviation security.
Speaking at the Leaders’ Plenary, moderated by ICAO’s secretary general, Dr Fang Liu, ACI World’s director general, Angela Gittens, discussed the importance of proactive mitigation measures supported by effective risk assessments.
“Threats change quickly. Airports, aviation stakeholders and governments face challenges in trying to implement effective security measures in a timely manner,” Gittens said. “To keep pace with such changes, security regulations should be performance and outcome-based rather than overly prescriptive. In other words, regulations should determine the objective to be reached, but not define in detail how it should be reached. This approach should be coupled with strong oversight and a collaborative approach.
“In addition, government should conduct impact assessments and consult with the aviation industry, not least airports, before implementing new measures. The pros and cons of different approaches should be assessed in consultation with stakeholders to allow for better outcomes, greater understanding and support by all those involved. This is particularly pertinent when you consider the different types and sizes of operation and different risk context for airports in different locations.”
This risk-based approach can be applied in all areas of security, from perimeter protection to insider threat, passenger screening to airport supply chain.
ACI’s Smart Security programme provides one example where a risk-based approach might be applied to screening. “Smart Security aims to deliver a walk-through, seamless passenger experience at airport security touchpoint, moving away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to airport security,” Gittens said. It includes many concepts and solutions to strengthen security, increase efficiency and enhance the passenger experience, and brings together innovation and collaboration between global airports, regulators and airlines.”
The Smart Security programme promotes not only technology and processes available today, but will also look to the future with a new long-term vision for 2040. This will re-think the way that we view airport and aviation security and will look to encompass technologies on the horizon.
“Innovations such as artificial intelligence, the increasing use of big data, and stand-off detection could radically transform our approach to aviation security. These are the kinds of solutions adept for the challenges of tomorrow, and regulators must provide the framework to make them a reality,” Gittens said.
Qatar Airways posts US$639 million loss: Qatar Airways posted a loss of US$639 million for the year ending 31 March after spending a second year fighting against an embargo by its neighbouring countries that has forced the airline to alter its routes and forced it to incur costs. The results mark a steeper loss from the previous year when the company was US$69 million in the red. The airline’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said in a statement that the losses were attributable to “loss of mature routes, higher fuel costs and foreign exchange fluctuations” but said underlying fundamentals “remain extremely robust”.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in June 2017 and Qatar Airways has since been banned from flying to the four countries and from using their airspace. The airline has tried to overcome the embargo’s effects by launching flights to new destinations, increasing flights on existing routes, and leasing aircraft to other airlines. It launched 11 new destinations during the previous fiscal year, bringing a total of 31 new destinations online since the start of the embargo, the statement said.
Overall revenue and other operating income grew by 14 percent annually. Passenger revenue grew by 14.3 percent with capacity (Available Seat Kilometres) growth of 13.5 percent. Cargo revenue witnessed growth of 16.8 percent with cargo capacity (Available Tonne Kilometres) growing 11.8 percent annually. Executive jet revenue also witnessed substantial growth of 18.4 percent in comparison to previous year.
Werner Aero starts tear-down on 737: Werner Aero Services announced that it has acquired a Boeing 737-800, MSN 28221. The aircraft has entered the disassembly process and components will become available shortly to support Werner’s B737 customer base worldwide. The spare parts will be used to supplement Werner Aero’s asset management programs and are also available for lease or outright sale. “We are expanding our Boeing platforms to support airlines worldwide and are in the process of acquiring additional airplanes. We see great demands from our 737NG airline customers for the various types of support we provide, including spare parts and engines,” said Mike Cazaz, CEO of Werner Aero Services.
