Aviation News in Brief 6 October 2020

North American Aerospace Industries adds new recycling shops: North American Aerospace Industries (NAAI), which provides aircraft recycling solutions, announced that its affiliate, Aircraft Solutions Middle East, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Aircraft Support Industries for the development of three new aircraft recycling facilities including the NAAI facility planned at the Global TransPark in Kinston, North Carolina. The other two facilities being constructed for Aircraft Solutions will be located at Al Ain International Airport in the Emirate Abu Dhabi, UAE and Clark International Airport in the Philippines. In providing its services on behalf of Aircraft Solutions, Aircraft Support Industries will rely on a phased-in project development approach. Phase one will focus on a custom-designed 323,000 square foot dismantling hangar that can accommodate three of the largest aircraft such as the A380. Aircraft Support Industries will apply its proprietary stressed arch building system along with an 81,000 square foot annex for the construction of the 1,076-foot span hangar. The annex will be used to house the engineering support workshops and materials warehousing for the NAAI facility in the USA and Aircraft Solutions’ facilities in the Middle East and Asia. ICAO upgrades registration system for aeronautical agreements: ICAO Secretary General Dr Fang Liu announced the official launch of ICAO’s new web-based registration system for aeronautical agreements and arrangements (WAGMAR). The new online WAGMAR system represents a significant leap forward in user-friendliness and functionality and should improve numerous efficiencies for aviation stakeholders. Countries will be able to manage existing registrations, create or modify agreements and automatically communicate changes with other parties. Additionally, WAGMAR will assist states and operators in meeting the new Standard of Annex 6 requiring all aircraft operating under an Article 83 bis agreement to carry on-board an agreement summary, effective 5 November 2020. The new registration system will allow the automatic creation of this agreement summary for all aircraft under agreements registered through the system by State focal points. Lastly, the website will be available on the ICAO public website, providing essential registration information to States, operators, safety inspectors and the public. IATA warns on Middle East, Africa jobs: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that the damage being done to the African and Middle East aviation industries and on economies by the shutdown of air traffic owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened. The association said 4.5 million African jobs will be lost in aviation and industries supported by aviation in 2020. This is well over half of the region’s 7.7 million aviation-related employment. The group also said 172,00 jobs will be lost in aviation alone in 2020, which is about 40 of the region’s 440,000 aviation jobs.  GDP supported by aviation in the region will fall by up to US$37 billion. This is 58 percent below pre COVID-19 levels. In the Middle East, IATA said 1.7 million Middle East jobs will be lost in aviation and industries supported by aviation in 2020. This is nearly half of the region’s 3.3 million aviation-related employment and said 323,000 jobs will be lost in aviation alone in 2020. This is about 46 percent of the region’s 595,000 aviation related jobs. GDP supported by aviation in the region will fall by up to US$105 billion. This is 49 percent below pre COVID-19 levels. STELIA Aerospace launches new Business Class seat: STELIA Aerospace announced the launch of its new Business Class passenger seat OPERA, specifically designed for single-aisle aircraft. This new “Full Flat, Full Access, Full Privacy” Business Class seat offers the highest standard wide-body comfort on single-aisle, with: The widest full-flat bed available on single-aisle, with ample foot space for unrivalled sleeping comfort; An extra-large 20” monitor screen; Increased privacy with a fully integrated door; Extra stowage capacity: A closed amenity stowage and a laptop stowage zone; and a large and stable meal table, stowed under the cocktail table. Other features include adjustable armrests and ambient light, while ‘OPERA’ boasts a simplified design, for weight and cost optimisation as well as easy installation and wiring of screens. Particular attention has been given to the interior trimmings of each seat with soft and warm materials, smooth mechanism and smart ergonomics, for a tailored and interactive passenger experience. PCR test now included in all Etihad tickets from Abu Dhabi: From 1 October until 31 December 2020, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will offer PCR tests included in all air tickets booked by customers in the UAE for flights departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport, with the exception of services to China. The airline is collaborating with Life Medical Diagnostic Center (Life Dx) to offer convenient testing between 48 to 96 hours prior to departure, at its network of collection facilities in the UAE. Travellers flying First or Business will also have the option of selecting tests at their home. The quick and easy process can be booked directly with Life Dx. Etihad strongly advises all travellers to visit www.etihad.com/destinationguide for detailed information on country-specific PCR testing requirements, lists of applicable medical testing facilities, and entry regulations. Travellers flying to China from Abu Dhabi are subject to specific testing protocols and can only use SEHA testing facilities. They must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from a government approved testing facility within 48 hours prior to departure, for approval to board. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]