Industry Addendum
Aireon and New Zealand to improve South Pacific ATM
March 1st 2017
Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP), Airways New Zealand, and Aireon LLC, a global aircraft tracking company, have agreed to co-operate on developing a cross-regional air traffic management procedures. Read More »
 |
Aireon, established in 2011 as a subsidiary of Iridium Satellites LLC, designs, develops and deploys space-based global air traffic surveillance systems for commercial airlines and ANSPs. Its Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is designed to track aircraft in near real time over oceanic, polar and remote areas as well as land space.
State-owned Airways New Zealand and Aireon will begin an operational validation trial that will prepare the ANSP to receive ADS-B information about aircraft movements in the South Pacific region and in particular to air routes to New Zealand destinations.
Airways New Zealand chief executive, Ed Sims said last month that “Airways is excited to be exploring the possibilities of the new capability”. “Once we have completed the formal agreement, we will, over the next three years, work with Aireon to investigate how satellite-based surveillance could enhance our air traffic management services in the South Pacific airspace,” he said.
“We are looking forward to seeing how continuous monitoring via satellite could provide enhanced safety, traffic flow and efficiency benefits to our [airline] customers.”
Aireon CEO, Don Thoma, said: “Airways is known for its strong desire to deliver value to their customers and we look forward to taking the next step to assess the potential for deployment of space-based ADS-B in the region.”
The current state of air surveillance was brought to world attention when a Malaysia Airlines Boeing disappeared into thin air, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, in March 2014. Since then, the global industry organization, the International Air Transport Association, has forecast changes to equip aircraft for 24 near time tracking capacity.
Aireon, in partnership with leading ANSPs worldwide, is on schedule to introduce its global space based aircraft tracking system in 2018.
New Zealand founder member of ATM policy unit
The new ATM (Air Traffic Management) Policy Unit, formed by air traffic providers from New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and the Czech Republic in partnership with the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), will provide research on ATM policy issues and lobby for liberalisation and greater competition in the industry.
Chaired by David McMillan, a former director general of Eurocontrol and a former director general of civil aviation at the UK’s Department for Transport said liberalization revolutionized the airline industry. “Unfortunately, air traffic management remains largely a national monopoly, without the incentives necessary to drive up performance,” he said.
The institute said where ATM competition was introduced, the benefits were evident. An example was Spain where changes at the country’s Terminal Air Navigation Services, as a result of a competitive tender won by Sweden’s LFV ANSP, cut ATM costs at Spanish airports by 50%.
“ANSPs are often focused on meeting political and State-driven objectives rather than responding to the needs of their [airlines and airports] customers,” members of the new policy unit said in its introductory discussion paper.
In the U.S., president Trump has told airline and airport executives he supported privatization of U.S. ATM systems. President and chief executive of the U.S airline trade association, Airlines for America, Nick Calio, said the U.S. president was “extraordinarily positive” when airline executives urged him to spin off air traffic control operations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and place them under the control of a private, non-profit corporation.
Asked if Trump is committed to enacting such legislation, Calio said: “I think he’s on track to do that.” The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the subject.
Unlike the U.S., most countries separate their air traffic control operations from their aviation safety oversight agency. However, it is unusual to privatize air traffic operations.
Tigerair selects CPaT for distance learning
Tigerair Australia, has contracted distance learning specialist, CPaT, to supply the budget carrier with its Learning Management System (LMS). Tigerair will use the materials to provide classroom and mobile training for its A320 and B737 pilots.
Last month, the airline and aviation distance learning provider announced the rollout of its A320neo Differences Course and added its A320neo Full Systems Course will come online before June 30.
“CPaT is happy to be this first Computer Based Training (CBT) to offer the A320neo Differences course for E-learning. We had a team of highly qualified Airbus subject matter Experts leading the development of this product,” said the company’s vice president sales and marketing, Captain Greg Darrow.
ALSIM and India partner to set up training centre
French simulator manufacturer, ALSIM flight Simulators and Orient Flights Private Ltd (OFPL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, supported with investment funds of up to US$1.3 million, to set up flight training simulator centres in India that have the standards required by the country’s Director General of Civil Aviation and European and North American aviation regulators.
A major objective of the planned centres is to capture pilot training business that is going offshore to Europe or the U.S. because of a shortage of quality simulator training in India. Alsim has supplied more than 260 certified simulators to more than 45 countries worldwide.
IATA’s smart security system arrives at Kansai airport
“Smart Security”, a security checkpoint that will reduce queues for air travelers is being installed at Kansai International Terminal. Developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI), the system is built by global threat detection and security company, Smiths Detection. The Smart Security Checkpoint, already in operation at several airports in Europe and the U.S., has “Smart Lanes” that simultaneously check baggage and allow advanced walk through image and checkpoint clearance for passengers.
Lufthansa Technik and MTU plan MRO joint venture
Two of the world’s leading MRO companies, Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines, will set up a 50/50 MRO company to service Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbo Fan (GTF) engines, subject to regulatory approvals.
“A search for a globally competitive location inside or outside Europe will be completed in a few months,” the partners said in a February 21 statement. The facility is planned to open in 2020, with a staff of 500 trained to complete 300 MRO shop visits a year on the PW1000G-family GFT engines. The GTF powers the A320neo family and other aircraft.
“For Lufthansa Technik, this move marks another important step in strengthening and expanding partnerships with reputable engine manufacturers,” said executive board chairman of Lufthansa Technik, Dr. Johannes Bussmann.
“By setting up a joint venture facility, capital investments can be shared as well as opportunities for synergy and scale with the two companies, said MTU Aero Engines chief progam officer, Michael Schreyogg.
Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines have operated a 50/50 MRO company in Kuala Lumpur, Airfoil Services Sdn Bhd, since 2003. The global MRO has been maintaining Pratt & Whitney engines for several decades and also is a member of the aftersales network for GTF engines.
MTU is a partner in PW1000G programs. More than 8,000 of the engine type have been ordered by airlines worldwide.
| MTU Aero Engines reports record 2016 results MTU Aero Engines, the engine manufacturer and global MRO, had a very good 2016. The Munich-headquartered company said it beat forecasts with its earnings after tax of US$363.5 million and expected 2017 to deliver an even better performance. “We have met all our forecast targets, including projected earnings that we revised upwards, for the second time, in October last year, said the company’s CEO, Rainer Winkler. “In 2017, we expect to complete the largest investment phase in MTU’s history along with sustainable profit growth.” For this year, MTU Aero said prospects in the commercial engine market were good given that aircraft manufacturers have high order backlogs for aircraft that require components produced by MTU Aero. “We are excellently positioned in all market segments, especially in respect to engines for single aisle aircraft and regional and business jets,” MTU Aero chief program officer, Michael Schreyogg, said. For the coming 12 months, the company said its biggest growth will be in its commercial airline MRO division. Revenues are expected to increase by 10% for the year followed by growth in commercial engine production and component sales in the single digits range. |
 |
| Avtrade, a global component provider to more than 800 airlines, opened its second Asia-Pacific office, in Guangzhou, southern China, in January. Led by regional sales director, Toby Smith, the China team can provide enhanced support for clients across North Asia, including Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Headquartered in the UK, Avtrade has offices in Singapore, Dubai, Moscow and Miami as well as Guangzhou. |
