ACI World appoints new director general: The Airports Council International (ACI) World Governing Board has appointed Luis Felipe de Oliveira as the new director general of ACI World. De Oliveira will succeed Angela Gittens who has led the global voice of the world’s airports for 12 years. Gittens earlier announced her intention to retire at the end of June 2020. De Oliveira is currently the executive director and CEO of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA). He will officially take up the role in June with a 30-day formal transition. Prior to joining ALTA, de Oliveira held senior international roles with World Fuel Services and Shell, leading sales and business development activities across Latin America, Africa and Europe. In addition he also served International Air Transport Association (IATA) leading global initiatives and fuel, airport and Air Traffic Control campaigns for the Americas, Africa and the Middle East regions.
Korean Air launches new direct service to Budapest: Korean Air will launch new direct passenger and cargo service to Budapest, Hungary. Starting from 23 May 2020, Korean Air will commence the new scheduled passenger flight between Incheon (Seoul) and Budapest three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), using an Airbus A330-200, seating 218 passengers. Korean Air will also launch cargo service to Budapest from 21 February 2020, deploying the Boeing 777F freighter. To meet the growing air cargo demand to Hungary, the airline will operate cargo flights twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays.
Australia’s first space incubator seeks global applicants for 2020 programme: The University of South Australia’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) is now accepting applications for its 2020 Venture Catalyst Space programme. As Australia’s first space incubator, the programme forms part of the state government’s A$4 million Space Innovation Fund which is delivered by global partners including the South Australian Space Industry Centre and the International Space University. Now in its third year, the programme supports space start-ups to validate and test their products side by side with South Australia’s growing space industry, creating a thriving ecosystem and complementing the work of the industry’s existing 60+ space industry companies, and the Australian Space Agency, which calls Adelaide home.
Avalon Airport to install self-service check-in kiosks: Elenium Automation and Avalon Airport announced they have formed a partnership to install self-service and automation technology in the terminal to replace manual check-in desks. Avalon Airport is the first airport in Australia to adopt Elenium’s full suite of automation technologies, including its self-service check-in kiosks, bag drop technology, CUSS (Common User Self Service) platform and Flight Deck software, which will enable Avalon’s operational team to have an overview of events across their entire kiosk and bag drop portfolio, resolving issues before they occur.
Immfly announces investment from Boeing HorizonX: Immfly, a global in-flight digital services and entertainment (IFE) company headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, announced it secured strategic investment from Boeing’s HorizonX in 2019. Immfly’s advanced digital solution enables airlines to efficiently and remotely manage onboard digital products and services on all aircraft types, including in-flight entertainment content, flight information, advertising and onboard sales. Immfly is one of just four companies outside the United States to join the Boeing HorizonX portfolio. The amount of the investment was not disclosed.
