Emirates Airline to strategically focus on Africa

Emirates is placing a strategic focus on Africa in the coming decade by increasing operations by over 40%, said Sir Tim Clark speaking last week at the Africa Global Business Forum 2014.

Speaking at the conference around the theme of 'Connectivity and Trade - Supporting Dubai as the Hub to Africa', Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline said: "Africa has been a great growth story for us. The Government of Dubai recognised the untapped potential of Africa early on and Emirates has been instrumental in supporting the region’s growth. Today, Emirates fleet investment in Africa tops $7 billion with operating costs of over $2 billion. We will add around 10 destinations in the next decade and will continue our investment and commitment to introduce more frequencies to our existing points to provide critical links to emerging markets from Asia, the Middle East and Australia."

"Africa is still an underserved market and Emirates will continue to channel traffic through the Dubai hub, which has already become a key gateway for the African continent," continued Clark.

Dubai’s geographical location makes it possible for African travellers to experience shorter travel times, which have been historically routed through European hubs like London, Paris and Frankfurt.

In the past five years, Emirates carried over 1.6 million passengers and 40,000 tons of cargo between Africa and China, underscoring the vital trade relationship that the continent has with the east . By 2020, Emirates expects to provide an additional 8.5 million seats to its African capacity.

There are over 500,000 African nationals that currently reside in Dubai. Over 800,000 African Nationals visited Dubai last year alone and it is estimated that by 2020 tourism from Africa to Dubai will reach over 1.5 million visitors per year.

Emirates currently operates 22 passenger and 6 dedicated freighter destinations to Africa.

DHL Express certified as Top Employer 2015 in Africa

DHL Express SSA has been certified as a Top Employer in Africa for its outstanding employee offerings across the region.his is in addition to six African countries - South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Ghana that were also certified Top Employers in their local markets. Independent research by the Top Employers Institute shows the company looks after its people exceptionally well and DHL Express is one of the select few companies to achieve the exclusive Top Employers Africa 2015 certification in various African regions in which they operate. According to Charles Brewer, MD of DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, this achievement is an acknowledgement of the business’s strong focus on employee engagement, development and training on the African continent. Top Employers is a global and annual programme that certifies organisations which successfully demonstrate exceptional HR environments and employee offerings. The programme is an audited and research based process that assesses employee offerings as well as the conditions employers create for staff to develop. Brewer says that this accolade is testament to their dedication of having motivated employees, which is a key focus pillar of their strategy. “Understanding the need to drive a common culture across 220 countries, we launched a Certified International Specialists training program for all 3,500 staff in Africa. Everyone from the Global CEO to a Courier in any country has gone through this training program reinforcing our core competencies as an organization. CIS training has been central to our staff retention and development globally.” The Top Employers Institute assessed DHL Express’ employee offerings on various criteria, including talent strategy, workforce planning, employee on, learning & development, performance management, leadership development, career & succession management, compensation & benefits and company culture. Crucial to the Top Employers process is that participating companies must meet the required high standard in the research in order to achieve the certification. Only organizations that achieve certification in at least four countries within the region deserve the special Top Employers Africa 2015 recognition. The independent research has verified DHL Express’ outstanding employee conditions in all certified countries. Judith Oude Sogtoen, director of international business development for the Top Employers Institute: “Our extensive research concluded that DHL Express forms part of a select group of employers that advance employee conditions worldwide. Their people are well taken care of. Now that they have received the Top Employers Africa 2015 certification, they can truly consider themselves at the top of an exclusive group of the world’s best employers. A reason to celebrate!” “We truly value external recognition and believe that it affirms our position as the International Specialists in Africa,” concludes Brewer. Charles Brewer, MD of DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa   

FL Technics wins a tender for the rent of 8400 sq. m. MRO hangar in Indonesia

FL Technics, a global provider of tailor-made aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, is glad to announce that the company has recently won a tender for the rent of 8400 sq. m. aircraft maintenance hangar at Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the busiest airport in the Southern Hemisphere. FL Technics will operate the hangar for at least 5 years and will launch its operation with base maintenance services for AirbusA320 aircraft.

The tender for the hangar rent was conducted by PT Angkasa Pura II, a state enterprise of the Indonesian Department of Transport responsible for the management ofairports and air traffic services in Indonesia. According to the terms and conditions, FL Technics with partners shall operate a total area of 24 500 sq. m., including a 8400 sq. m. hangar as well as the adjacent ramp, aircraft parking stands and additional facilities, via an established Indonesian company. The new FL Technics MRO centre will employ over 150 engineers, technicians, NDT specialists and other qualified personnel, capable of serving up to three narrow-body type aircraft at one time.

In 2013 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport served almost 400 000 domestic and international flights, approx. 59.7 million of passengers and over 342 000 tonnes of cargo. These numbers make it one of the largest airports in Asia Pacific and the busiest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the heart of the Indonesian aviation market, new FL Technics MRO centre will support local operators with comprehensive solutions, including A-to-D checks, interior refurbishment services, NDT inspections, composite and structure repairs, spare parts supply, etc. All services will be provided in accordance with both local and EASA requirements.

Concerning the market potential, today there are already over 4-5 thousand commercial aircraft flying in the region. Moreover, quite a few Indonesian carriers are on the list of operators with the fastest growing fleets. For instance, the country’s major carriers alone are planning to more than double their fleets in the upcoming 10-15 years. With this in mind, following the successful launch of operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, FL Technics is also considering the opportunities for future expansion with the construction of an additional hangar in the country.

“During the last couple of years we have been thoroughly exploring the Asian market. We are now confident that we possess a deep understanding of its trends and issues, which local carriers are facing in the MRO segment. Following the establishment of successful connections with the region’s aviation business community, we have decided to make the step and launch a new modern technical base at one of the main air hubs in Asia-Pacific. In addition to the extensive European experience and technical know-how, we will offer the region our one-stop-shop philosophy, supporting local carriers with base and line maintenance, technicaltraining, spare parts supply, engineering and engine support as well as other MRO solutions,” shares Zilvinas Lapinskas, the CEO of FL Technics. “We would also like to thank the Indonesian authorities for their confidence in our experience and competence as well as for entrusting us with the development of a new MRO centre at Indonesia’s main airport. This is the start of a new promising chapter in the FL Technics development and its cooperation with Asian carriers, MROs and other players in the region.”

Source and image: FL Technics / Avia Solutions Group

Ebola Crisis: EU organises airlift operation to West Africa

The European Union is scaling up its response to the Ebola disease in West Africa with an airlift operation to the affected countries. The European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) will facilitate the transportation of relief items to West Africa. In addition, the EU will fund and coordinate if necessary the evacuation of international staff from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

A quarter of the new €4 million funding will be allocated to UNICEF, enabling three Boeing 747 cargo planes to transport vital material to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The first plane will take-off on Friday, carrying 100 metric tons of emergency equipment from Amsterdam to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The supplies and equipment include personal protection equipment, including masks and gloves, as well as essential medicines and hygiene supplies.

In addition, the remaining €3 million will help in the setting up of a medical evacuation system, coordinated by the ERCC, that will enable international workers in West Africa diagnosed with the Ebola virus disease (EVD) to be evacuated in less than 48 hours by plane to hospitals within Europe that are equipped to deal with the disease.

This initiative is funded from €30 million in humanitarian aid announced by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, in New York last month during a High Level Meeting in response to the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

"We are in a race against time to fight Ebola," said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian aid and Crisis Response. "The European Commission alone has so far pledged some €180 million to help the affected countries. Funding is crucial but far from enough. That is why, together with our member States, we have been mobilising in-kind assistance including medical equipment and personnel."

Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health, added: "To strengthen Europe's preparedness to handle Ebola, we have been mobilising solidarity inside the EU. We are working closely so that patients can be treated in an appropriate healthcare facility."

The ERCC is coordinating the transportation of aid, equipment and personnel to hotspots in the countries affected by the disease. European countries such as the UK, France, Austria and Belgium have already made use of the mechanism, providing field hospitals, ambulances, sanitation products, medical isolation equipment and experts to the affected region.

Source and image: Europa.eu

Meet Pinoy pilot who flew world's largest plane

MANILA – The Filipino pilot who successfully landed the world's largest passenger aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the first time believes that the historic event will help improve the negative perception on the Manila airport.

Captain Franklyn Mallari Desiderio piloted the Emirates Airbus A380 from Dubai to Manila Tuesday night to celebrate the airline’s move to the NAIA-Terminal 3.

President Aquino himself welcomed the arrival of the aircraft and officials of Emirates Airline.

"We did well on approach, the landing was really nice," the 41-year-old pilot said.

"There's so much skepticism that Manila cannot accept the A380 into this airport. By doing this flight, on the approach, on the runway, on the landing and taxiway, I would say that Manila is capable."

Desiderio is the first Filipino pilot certified to fly the Airbus A380, a double decker jumbo jet that can seat more than 500 passengers.

He manned his first flight when he was only 16 years old, and has served as a commercial airline pilot for 18 years.

His first commercial flight, flying a Fokker-50 aircraft, was a roundtrip from Manila-Catarman in 1997.

"It takes a little bit of time before you get into the 380. I always tell young pilots around the world, just keep on studying," he said.

The plane, which is 50 percent bigger than the Boeing 747, features an onboard lounge, shower spa and 14 first class suites.

The landing of the Airbus A380 is only a one-time event, but there is a possibility of a return if there is passenger demand.

Emirates transferred its operations to the NAIA-3 in September in efforts to decongest the NAIA-Terminal 1.

FL Technics Training to teach a new generation of aircraft mechanics starting January 2015

FL Technics Training, a global provider of aviation technicaltraining services, is delighted to announce the start of a new basic technical training course which is planned to be launched in January 2015. The new course is aimed at training various aviation enthusiasts to perform comprehensive aircraft maintenance in accordance with EASA requirements.

“Due to historical circumstances, aviation hasn’t been the most popular profession in the majority of Eastern and Central European countries over the past two decades. The same goes for many emerging markets where the 1990-2000s youth had been preferring management, economics, business and other related studies. As a result, today local aviation industries feel the lack of not only qualified personnel, but also those who will replace the current generation of aircraft engineers, mechanics, NDT-specialists, etc. For that reason we have recently launched a technical training program specially for aviation enthusiasts from around the world, and the first group of students will start their training already in January 2015”, comments Kestutis Volungevicius, Head of FL Technics Training.

The 36-month long training will cover all the basic courses required to gain the qualification of an aircraft mechanic. The program includes such modules as Mathematics, Physics, Electrical and Electronic fundamentals, Digital Techniques Electronic Instrument Systems, Materials and Hardware, Maintenance Practices, Aerodynamics, Human Factors, Aviation Legislation, Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems, Gas Turbine Engine and Propeller. The entire program is conducted at FL Technics Training’s study centres in Vilnius and Kaunas (Lithuanian) and in strict accordance with the requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Upon the successful completion of the training, all students will be provided with an opportunity to join the international team of FL Technics and work at one of the company’s aircraft maintenance centres in Lithuania, as well as throughout its Line Maintenance network across Europe, the CIS and Asia-Pacific.

“As a licensed aircraft mechanic, one will most likely be able to earn significantly above the average salary rate in many emerging markets. But most importantly, we hope that such aviation training programs will offer young people a wider range of studies thus assisting them in finding their true dream job”, shares Kestutis Volungevicius, Head of FL Technics Training.

For more information about basic aircraft mechanic training program and the upcoming January 2015 training course, please visit: http://dream-job.fltechnicstraining.com

Source and image: FL Technics

Modernising airspace capacity, air traffic control, avionic systems and airfield operations in the Middle Eas

The Middle East is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world, with high capacity airports are being opened in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha in order to keep pace with this growth. However, modernisation of the region’s airspace is failing to keep up with capacity demands which in turn could begin to constrain the region’s economic development. Future Air Transportation Systems Summit will bring together the key stakeholders responsible for Airspace Management, Air Traffic Control, Avionic Systemsand Airfield Operations to meet and discuss what is, and what needs to be done in order to maximise any efficiency gains from modernising the region’s air transportation systems.

Format and Programme

High profile panel debates held over two days on issues such as the development towards aircraft-led versus ground-based decision making, and how advances in engineering technologies in other industries might impact aviation   Technology showcase exhibiting a wide range of systems aiming to transform air traffic management and modernise the airspace functionality   Regional case studies demonstrating international best practice and highlighting regional challenges   Roundtable discussions on key issues of interest bringing together regional and international experts

Who will attend?     C-level executives, senior decision makers and government officials from:   Civil Aviation Authorities   Military Airspace Users and Operators   Airlines and Airports   International Aviation Associations and Organisations   Air Traffic Control and Air Navigation Service Providers   System Integrators and Technology Solution Providers           For more information please contact Paul Scoble at paul@smg-online.com or call +971 4 447 5357.