July statistics flag up delays

Airlines reported 13 tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights and three tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights in July. This information was detailed in the US Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report.
Of the 13 domestic delays, 12 involved flights departing New York’s LaGuardia airport on July 22: this was in the wake of a runway incident. All of the reported tarmac delays, domestic and international, are under investigation by the Department.
All the larger US airlines have been required to file complete reports on their long tarmac delays for domestic flights since October 2008. Under a rule that took effect August 23, 2011, all US and foreign airlines operating at least one aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats must report any unduly long tarmac delays at US airports.
Also that year, carriers operating international flights were not permitted tarmac delays at US airports to last longer than four hours without giving passengers an opportunity to deplane. There is a separate three hour limit on tarmac delays involving domestic flights, which went into effect in April 2010. Exceptions to the time limits for both domestic and international flights are allowed only for safety, security, or air traffic control-related reasons.

The 16 airlines that file their on-time performance data with the Department have reported that 73.1% of their flights arrived on time in July, which was down from the 76% on-time rate recorded in July 2012; this was, however, better than the 71.9% figure posted in June 2013.

 

 

Sequestration: cause for concern

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has warned that airport security lines would be longer if Congress allows sequestration to continue in the next financial year. Further, she has called for Congress to end the automatic budget cuts that have been in place since March this year. If the budget cuts continue, she believes, passengers will have to wait longer at security checkpoints before their flights.

When the sequestration process was first implemented, Napolitano warned of the possibility of longer airport security lines. Critics argued that she (along with other Obama administration officials) was using “scare tactics” to win the political argument with Republicans over the budget. Napolitano denies this, saying that the threat is very real and that it needs addressing now.

 

 

Passenger figures up

According to recent data released by Airports Council International, which is based in Montreal, more than 1.56bn passengers arrived and departed from North American airports in 2012. This represents a 1.3% increase on the previous year. Cargo increased by 0.8% while total operations decreased by 1.4%.

“The fact that North America’s airports continue to rank among the world’s busiest underscores their tremendous importance to the global economy and the economies of the local communities that they serve,” said Deborah C. McElroy, interim President of Airports Council International-North America. “Making the necessary infrastructure investments today will ensure that companies in North America, as well as ACI-NA’s member airports, retain their competitive edge in the future.”

The four busiest airports were Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, with more than 95.5m passengers, followed by Chicago’s O’Hare, with 66.6m. Los Angeles was close behind (63.7m) whilst Dallas/Fort Worth posted a figure of 58.6m.

Memphis International kept its position as the largest cargo airport in North America, handling approximately 4m tonnes of freight, which equated to an increase of 2.5% over last year’s totals. Anchorage International ranked second in North America, with a 3.1% decrease in its cargo volume to 2.5m tonnes.

Canada’s busiest airport was Toronto Pearson, ranked 14^th in North America for passengers with 34.9m: this was an increase of 4.4% over 2011. It ranked 15^th in terms of total cargo handled (with 417,022 tonnes) and took 11^th position in terms of total movements.

 

 

Vancouver goes for automated solution

At the start of September, Vancouver Airport Authority announced that its Automated Passport Control, a technology solution developed by Vancouver Airport Authority in conjunction with the US Customs and Border Protection, would be available to Canadian passport holders travelling to the US from Vancouver International.

“Vancouver Airport Authority is constantly looking for ways to move people and bags through the airport more efficiently,” commented Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Automated Passport Control is just one of the many examples of homegrown innovation developed here that improves the traveling experience. Because of the demonstrated success of Automated Border Clearance and now Automated Passport Control, other airports are approaching us to help them implement these Vancouver-designed programs.”

Automated Passport Control is an expedited customs entry process that allows eligible passengers travelling from Vancouver International Airport to the US to clear Customs and Border Protection more efficiently, while still ensuring the same high standard of safety and security. Since its launch at the airport, Vancouver Airport Authority has provided the technology to Chicago Department of Aviation, installing the system at Chicago O’Hare, which has become the first US airport to implement Automated Passport Control. Vancouver Airport Authority is now working with Montreal-Trudeau Airport and Delta Air Lines at John F Kennedy’s Terminal 4 in New York to implement the same technology.

Based on data collected at Vancouver and O’Hare, Automated Passport Control has significantly increased passenger processing efficiency. Key improvements when using Automated Passport Control include that of a quadrupling of passengers processed per Customs Border Control officer and a solution that is 89% faster than the typical Customs and Border Protection primary inspection process. Further, it has been calculated that 33% less time is spent waiting in line by travelers.

Outsourcing on the cards at United?

O’Hare International airport was picketed recently by a group of United Airlines union workers who were objecting to plans that would see ground handling jobs being outsourced.

The action was organized by Local Lodge 1487 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. In all, six airports were named by United: those of Albany and Rochester, Tucson, Harrisburg, Cincinnati and Grand Rapids. Positions under threat included those of gate staff, customer service agents and baggage handlers. In its defence, United’s spokesperson alluded to the ongoing search for greater efficiencies within its operation. She added that those affected would have the chance to transfer to other stations or take advantage of an “early-out” program.

United’s outsourcing plans have been in the news for several months now.

 

 

New ops center due next year

Air Canada is opening a new global Operations Center in Brampton, Ontario, that will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2014.

The new facility is the result of a two-year US$57.4m investment and will serve as the central control for the airline’s operations, with 400 employees overseeing, on a round-the-clock basis, nearly 600 Air Canada flights each day.

“Air Canada is already recognized as one of the world’s best airlines and our new, leading-edge Operations Center will further strengthen our position. This new mission control center incorporates the latest in technological and other design elements,” revealed Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO.

The 75,000 square foot facility has been completed on time and within budget.

Once the building is in service in 2014, it will become the global nerve center for Air Canada’s operations.

 

 

San Diego benefits from Club lounge

In mid-August, United Airlines opened its new United Club lounge in Terminal 2 at San Diego International airport: this is the third Club to feature the airline’s new design concept. The opening coincides with the consolidation of United’s terminal facilities with the newly expanded Terminal 2 West, offering customers a new ticketing lobby, baggage claim area and improved shopping and dining options.

The 5,842 square foot United Club in San Diego is located in Terminal 2 West on the Mezzanine level, directly above the airport’s new Sunset Cove, an atrium that offers panoramic views of the airfield. The United Club features spectacular views of the Point Loma seaside community, balcony lounge seating within the atrium and a centrally located buffet and bar. The new and improved furnishings enable customers to relax or work with greater ease and comfort.

United is investing more than US$50m this year to renovate several of the airline’s 49 United Club locations. United unveiled the new design prototype with the opening of the United Club in Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare International airport last year. The airline recently opened a newly designed United Club at Seattle-Tacoma International airport.

 

Brazilian project handed to Swissport

Swissport has been selected to manage an FBO/hangar project currently under construction at Brazil’s Sorocaba airport. When completed at the end of this year, the new World-Way Aviation facility will cover 150,000 square feet, and will include a pair of hangars with enough room for large business jets up to the size of an Embraer Lineage 1000; there is also provision for around 100,000 square feet of ramp space. The complex has been designed by the architectural firm Galvao Consolin Aircraft. Comprising three levels, the terminal will feature a VIP lounge, conference room, coffee shop, pilots’ lounge, flight planning room and a fitness center, along with 30 private offices. There will also be a security camera-monitored parking garage.

 

 

Maguire Aviation purchased

BBA Aviation, the aviation support and aftermarket services provider, has announced that Signature Flight Support has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of the Maguire Aviation Group, which is based at Van Nuys airport, in Los Angeles. The purchase price has been put at US$69m and is on a cash and debt-free basis. The acquisition will be subject to customary approvals but is expected to be completed before the end of 2013.

This acquisition of the site’s largest operator will serve to strengthen Signature Flight Support’s existing position at Van Nuys, and extend its footprint by a considerable margin to 1.1m square feet of hangar space, ramp, passenger lounges and office space. Following the acquisition, Signature will also become the owner and operate the dedicated NetJets facility on the field, which is the second such facility in its network.

Van Nuys airport serves the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and currently ranks as the sixth busiest business and general aviation airport in the US: it handles in excess of 250,000 aircraft movements per annum.