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.