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Rule the roost – mitigating the threat of bird strikes
Bird strikes are a dangerous event for aircraft, and regulations brought in by the CAA making the reporting of their occurrence mandatory have served to outline the scale of the issue. Here, Andy Baxter, former leader of the bird-strike avoidance team at the Food and Environment Research Agency, explains what airport operators can do to decrease the likelihood of incidents and how the future of strike risk management lies in predictive technology.
Dear Chicago – World Routes 2014
World Routes, the largest and most important event for the commercial aviation industry – and where the future of the sector is shaped – is celebrating its 20th year. This time, it’s heading to Chicago, Illinois, and looks set to be bigger and better than ever.
Clear skies – air traffic management technologies
Future Airport speaks to Gwénaël Vern of Swiss ANSP Skyguide about the key considerations when implementing new air traffic management technologies.
The icebreakers – harmonising de-icing operations
Aircraft and freezing conditions are not a winning combination. De-icing procedures are vital for flight safety, but exact processes tend to differ from airline to airline. Dr Jacques Leroux, chair of the SAE/IATA/ICAO Council for Globalised Aircraft De-icing Standards, explains the growing need for unification in this field and discusses his team’s work in developing a globally harmonised method to bring disparate standards in from the cold.
My pod – Heathrow’s capsular travel system
Energy-efficient, fast, comfortable and silent – travelling in Heathrow Terminal 5’s driverless pods is proving popular. James Lawson talks with John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow, about the benefits and future of this capsular travel system.
At the heart of development – the Aerotropolis Americas Conference and Exhibition
December’s Aerotropolis Americas Conference and Exhibition provides a learning platform for industry professionals interested in development in and around airports, as well as an opportunity for them to meet, negotiate, learn the latest techniques and case studies, and hear from the leaders in their field.
Out of Africa – the growth of Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is the most consistently profitable full-service African carrier, however, in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it faces stiff competition from Gulf and nascent African operators. Julian Turner talks to Henok Tefera, Ethiopian Airlines’ vice-president of corporate strategy, communications and alliances, about how the carrier is holding its own, and the steps it may take in the future in regards to its funding model and fare structure in order to compete.
Luton expansion confirmed for 2015
Luton Airport’s £100 million upgrade will start next year. Final planning consent for the project was granted in July, clearing the way for a development programme that will increase annual passenger capacity from 12 to 18 million by 2031.
The scheme includes a modernised terminal building, a parallel taxiway able to accommodate six million passengers every year and a new multistorey car park in a process that will eventually create more than 5,000 new jobs.
MH370 seabed survey nears completion
Over 43,000km2 of high-priority ocean floor has been mapped in preparation for a deep-water search for MH730.
The remaining bathymetric work in the southern Indian Ocean is to be completed by survey ships Fugro Equator and Zhu Kezhen, supported by China’s Haixun 01 and Bunga Mas 6 of the Malaysian navy.
Cambodian airport tech makes all sorts of scents
Phnom Penh International Airport has harnessed the power of smell for the benefit of travellers. The transport hub serving the Cambodian capital now treats arrivals or departures to more than 30,000m² of “scent experience” by diffusing relaxing aromas around its check-in counters, arrival hall and business lounge via the air-conditioning system.