Industry news
AKX to implement TAV Technologies CUPPS platform
digitalisation
Aktobe International Airport (AKX) in Kazakhstan will deploy TAV Technologies’ common-use passenger processing system (CUPPS).
CUPPS is a scalable platform which has been designed to serve various workstations to provide multi-airport, multi-airline, and multi-ground handler support.
TAV Technologies stated that its technology would automate passenger processes such as check-in and boarding with industry-standard technologies.
The firm added that its platform would allow airport management, airlines, and ground handlers to access and process passenger applications from the same platform.
TAV’s CUPPS allows usage of the same equipment irrespective of the airline with its IATA-certified system incorporating biometric integration capabilities.
The platform offers advanced monitoring and management capabilities, allowing operators to monitor real-time status and manage all the workstations from one location.
BUSINESS & OPERATIONS
AMS transforms deicing operations with JCAII solutions
Schiphol Airport (AMS ) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has utilised JCAII to enhance its deicing operations using the latter’s Icelink and Icelink SmartPad technologies.
Volker contracted JCAII on the airport’s behalf to deliver the solutions, which include its latest generation of electronic message boards (EMBs).
This is said to help Schiphol’s deicing facility feature the “most advanced” deicing coordination solution built on the Icelink technology.
The deployment of Icelink will further improve winter operations with increased connectivity and complete real-time integrations including connectivity between dispatch and deicing crews/trucks and flight deck and docking.
Regulation
Belgium to impose tax on old and noisy aeroplanes
Belgium is reportedly planning to introduce new taxes on aged and noisy aircraft as part of its efforts to lower noise and air pollution, reported Reuters.
These taxes will also apply to private jets and short-haul flights.
Currently, Brussels Airport (BRU) aircraft need to pay a tax determined by the noise level produced at take-off and landing.
So far, small aeroplanes such as private jets have been exempted from the taxes.
Expected to be implemented from 1 April next year, the new system of duties will collect taxes based on levels of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, besides destination and noise.
The authorities will increase the duties for flights shorter than 500km.
Airports
India opens new greenfield international airport in Goa
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened a new greenfield international airport at Mopa in the state of Goa.
Developed with an investment of $348m (Rs28.7bn), phase I of Mopa International Airport (Gox) will handle around 4.4 million passengers per annum. It can be extended to a saturation capacity of 33 MPPA.
Developed with a sustainable infrastructure plan, the new airport features a solar power plant, green buildings, LED lights on the runway, rainwater harvesting and a modern sewage treatment plant with recycling facilities.
It also features the latest technologies such as 5G compatible IT infrastructure, StabilRoad, Robomatic Hollow precast walls, and 3D Monolithic Precast buildings, among others.
It has a runway that can handle the world’s largest aircraft and 14 parking bays along with a night parking facility for aircraft.
In addition, Mopa Airport consists of self-baggage drop facilities, as well as advanced air navigation infrastructure.
Linking multiple domestic and international destinations, the new airport will also serve as a key logistics hub.
Regulation
EU signs agreement to raise price airlines pay for emissions
The EU has revised the carbon regulations for its aviation sector to address climate change, which involves changes in how airlines secure permits.
The Council and the European Parliament signed a provisional political agreement in this regard.
Amendment to the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS for aviation ensures that the industry plays its part in the EU’s emission reduction goals under the Paris Agreement.
Air carriers operating within Europe are already required to submit permits from the EU’s carbon market to cover their carbon dioxide emissions.
However, most of these permits have been issued at zero charges until now.
The revised regulation lowers the number of these free allowances by 25% in 2024 and 50% in 2025, eventually removing them by 2026.
Business & Operations
Royal Schiphol Group divests remaining stake in Groupe ADP
Dutch airport management company Royal Schiphol Group (RSG) has divested its remaining 3.9% stake in French airports operator Aéroports de Paris (Groupe ADP).
The sale was executed via an accelerated book-building process, wherein around 3.87 million shares were sold at €133 apiece.
In addition, Groupe ADP repurchased 296,882 shares or 0.3% of its share capital at €133 per share as part of the transaction, with the buyback amounting to nearly €39.5m.
Groupe ADP funded the buyback using available cash, with the settlement scheduled to occur on or around 8 December this year.
Once the deal is closed, RSG will make a full exit from Groupe ADP’s share capital.
Business & Operations
Menzies Aviation extends alliance with FlySafair
Global aviation logistics specialist Menzies Aviation has extended its collaboration with South African low-cost carrier FlySafair.
This will enable Menzies to expand its services from one airport to seven national airports.
Under the five-year contract, Menzies will offer passenger and ramp services for more than 40,000 turns per year at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
It will also provide the same services at King Shaka International Airport (DUR), King Phalo Airport (ELS ), Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ ), and George Airport (GRJ).
This follows an existing partnership for serving Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN).
Menzies stated that the latest contract would help improve its position as the largest aviation services firm in Africa.
Routes
Singapore Airlines and THAI Airways form strategic alliance
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Thai Airways International Public Company (THAI) have reached a memorandum of understanding for a strategic collaboration aimed at offering greater benefits to their customers.
The duo will focus on exploring opportunities for commercial partnership and ‘progressively code sharing more extensively on each other’s services.’
The two airlines will initially codeshare each other’s flight services between Singapore and Bangkok.
Additionally, THAI will codeshare SIA’s flight services to Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa.
It will also codeshare SIA’s services to airports in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, US, as well as Vancouver, Canada.
Subject to regulatory approval, these codeshare agreements will be enacted by the first quarter of 2023.
In brief
Burrell Aviation and AGI partner to provide aviation services
US-based holding company Burrell Aviation has entered a national partnership with Alliance Ground International (AGI) for cargo and commercial aviation, facility investment, development and operations in the US.
Thales and DSNA commission 4-FLIGHT ATC system in France
Thales and the Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne (DSNA) have commissioned the first 4-FLIGHT system at the East Area Control Centre (ACC) in Reims, France.
International passengers drive growth in LAX traffic
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, US, welcomed 54.57 million passengers in the year ending 31 October 2022, a 44.04% increase from the same period last year, driven by a surge in international traffic.
Canada and Colombia extend air transport agreement
The Government of Canada has expanded its air transport agreement with Colombia to increase the frequency of passenger and cargo flights between the two regions.
Air France-KLM signs MoU to purchase TotalEnergies SAF
Franco-Dutch airline holding company Air France-KLM Group has reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TotalEnergies for procuring more than one million cubic metres/800,000t of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for ten years.
Business & Operations
Menzies Aviation extends alliance with FlySafair
Global aviation logistics specialist Menzies Aviation has extended its collaboration with South African low-cost carrier FlySafair.
This will enable Menzies to expand its services from one airport to seven national airports.
Under the five-year contract, Menzies will offer passenger and ramp services for more than 40,000 turns per year at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
It will also provide the same services at King Shaka International Airport (DUR), King Phalo Airport (ELS ), Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ ), and George Airport (GRJ).
This follows an existing partnership for serving Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN).
Menzies stated that the latest contract would help improve its position as the largest aviation services firm in Africa.
Routes
Singapore Airlines and THAI Airways form strategic alliance
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Thai Airways International Public Company (THAI) have reached a memorandum of understanding for a strategic collaboration aimed at offering greater benefits to their customers.
The duo will focus on exploring opportunities for commercial partnership and ‘progressively code sharing more extensively on each other’s services.’
The two airlines will initially codeshare each other’s flight services between Singapore and Bangkok.
Additionally, THAI will codeshare SIA’s flight services to Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa.
It will also codeshare SIA’s services to airports in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, US, as well as Vancouver, Canada.
Subject to regulatory approval, these codeshare agreements will be enacted by the first quarter of 2023.