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.

Gulfstream opens parts distribution center in EU

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently moved its European Parts Distribution Center to a facility near London’s Heathrow Airport. The center houses high-usage items commonly required by international customers and provides rapid-response support to Gulfstream’s service center less than an hour away at London Luton Airport.

“This new location is ideal for us,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “There are more direct, non-stop flights from Heathrow than any other airport in Europe, so we can get parts and materials to customers faster than ever. In addition, the warehouse’s proximity to Gulfstream Luton enables us to supplement the parts we have there. This warehouse will also support our dedicated mobile repair unit based in Europe and technicians in Luton dispatched to assist customers in the region.”

Gulfstream has started stocking parts at the new distribution center, which is approximately 8,000 square feet/743 square meters. The center, which is located at the Heathrow Gateway business complex in west London, is expected to have more than $50 million in inventory by the end of 2015. Gulfstream’s partner in this operation is Ceva Freight (UK) Ltd., which provides the warehouse space and handles logistics services.

“Our business partner can take care of customs documentation and ground transportation at each end,” Burns said. “This arrangement will benefit our European-based fleet, which has grown dramatically since 2008.”

In the last six years, Gulfstream’s European fleet has grown from 109 aircraft to more than 200.

Gulfstream maintains a worldwide spares inventory of more than $1.4 billion, with more than $65 million in European-based inventory at Gulfstream Luton and Jet Aviation Basel in Switzerland.

Source and image: Gulfstream

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

WestJet enters code-sharing with China Airlines

WestJet today announced it has entered into a code-share agreement with China Airlines (CI), allowing the carrier to begin marketing and selling WestJet-operated flights. Code-share designations will be available on select WestJet flights from Vancouver and Los Angeles. Bookings can be made through China Airlines or a travel agency.

"We are very excited to announce a code-share partnership with WestJet's oldest interline partner," said Chris Avery, Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances, and Corporate Development. "Just a few years ago, WestJet's agreement with China Airlines laid the groundwork for future interline and code-share agreements as part of our airline partnership strategy. With 38 partnerships now in place, we continue to bring top-quality airlines on board, along with more services to market for the business traveller. The success of this combined strategy plays a part in WestJet's consistently strong results, and this announcement underscores our efforts."

"China Airlines began flying to Canada in 2000 and offers daily non-stop flights from Taipei to Vancouver," said China Airlines' spokesperson Jeffrey Kuo. "We are thrilled to expand our reach in Canada with WestJet's code-share service."

This is the twelfth code-share agreement for WestJet. Since 2011, WestJet has initiated code-shares with American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air and Qantas. Additionally, WestJet has 26 interline relationships, further connecting passengers world-wide to WestJet's network.

Source and image: WestJet

Cebu Pacific launches low-cost KSA-Philippines flights

(Left to right) Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Deputy Director General II Beda Badiola, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia 2nd Secretary Fahad Eid AlRashidy, CEB General Manager for Long Haul Alex Reyes and Department of Foreign Affairs Executive Director for Migrant Workers Affairs Ricardo Endaya officially launch Cebu Pacific’s Manila-Riyadh route with a cake-cutting ceremony.


Cebu Pacific Air now flies thrice weekly, non-stop flights between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, becoming the only low-cost carrier flying between the two countries.
CEB’s flights from Riyadh to Manila depart at 12:45 a.m. (Riyadh time) and arrive in Manila at 3:40 p.m. (Manila time) every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Flights from Manila to Riyadh depart at 5:05 p.m. (Manila time) and arrive in Riyadh at 11:35 p.m. (Riyadh time) every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
CEB also started its thrice-a-week, non-stop flights from Manila to Dammam on Oct. 4, 2014, with lowest year-round fares to start from SAR249.
In a press statement, CEB said it uses brand-new Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a configuration of 436 all-economy class seats for these two new routes.
It said passengers may also opt to purchase baggage allowance, seat selection, wi-fi connectivity inflight and hot meals.
“Cebu Pacific will keep flying to where the Filipinos are. As we expand our operations in the Middle East, we are proud to offer even more Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia --- the fastest, most affordable way to come home,” said Alex Reyes, CEB general manager for Long Haul Division.

 

 

Aside from Riyadh and Dammam, CEB’s long-haul division also operates flights to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Sydney, Australia. From Manila, CEB offers fast and convenient same-terminal connecting flights for guests taking advantage of the airline’s extensive Philippine network.
For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to "http://www.cebupacificair.com/" or call Attar Travel Company +966-11-216-1158 (Riyadh and Dammam). The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook (Cebu Pacific Air) pages.
CEB's 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 28 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 1 Airbus A330 aircraft.
It flies to 34 Philippine and 28 international destinations, including Boracay (Caticlan), Palawan (Puerto Princesa), Tokyo, Beijing, Bali, Seoul, Hanoi and Siem Reap.
Cebu Air Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its low-cost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline.

Spirit Airlines,3.2% load factor decrease in 3Q, 2014

Spirit Airlines today reported its preliminary traffic results for September 2014. Traffic (revenue passenger miles) in September 2014 increased 13.5 percent versus September 2013 on a capacity (available seat miles) increase of 18.0 percent. Load factor for September 2014 was 81.5 percent, a decrease of 3.2 pts compared to September 2013. Spirit's preliminary completion factor for September 2014 was 99.1 percent, down 0.4 percentage points year-over-year due to service disruptions caused by the Air Traffic Control facility fire in Chicago and Hurricane Odile which damaged the airport in Los Cabos, Mexico resulting in a temporary suspension of all flights to/from Los Cabos.

The Company recently became aware of an underpayment of Federal Excise Tax ("FET") on a minority portion of its fuel purchases for the time period beginning July 1, 2009, coinciding with a change in fuel service provider, through August 30, 2014. In its calculation for economic fuel price for the third quarter 2014, the Company will exclude the prior years' additional FET amount of $9.3 million but will include the year-to-date 2014 additional FET amount of $2.1 million. The Company estimates its economic fuel price per gallon for the third quarter of 2014, which includes the year-to-date 2014 additional FET amount, will be $3.13.

Based on actual results for July and August and estimated results for September, including the year-to-date 2014 FET amount noted above, the Company believes its third quarter adjusted operating margin will be in the lower half of its previous guidance range. The Company plans to provide an investor update on October 15, 2014 which will include more detailed guidance for the third quarter 2014.

Source ad image: Spirit Airlines

FAA revised airworthiness directive for Sikorsky

FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V; Croman Corporation Model SH–3H, Carson Helicopters, Inc., Model S–61L; Robinson Air Crane models and more. This SNPRM is prompted by comments received in response to a previous SNPRM and a reevaluation of the relevant data. This SNPRM retains the proposed actions in the previous SNPRM, provides an increased estimated cost of the main rotor shaft (MRS) replacement, and clarifies some of the language in the Required Actions section of the AD. The proposed actions are intended to prevent MRS structural failure, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.   FAA is proposing this SNPRM after evaluation all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type designs. Certain changes described above expand the scope of the previous SNPRM (78 FR 24363, April 25, 2013) by increasing the economic burden. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 60 helicopters of U.S. registry.   Source and image: GPO