Archives

January 8

New sorting platform announced

FAST container sort platform

FAST Global Solutions’ container sort platform is designed to increase sorting efficiency for the parcel handling industry. Designed with a large deck (more than 800 square feet of sorting space, in fact), the platform gives customers space and maneuverability, without the expense of a fully automated system. An integrated engine powers a built-in light tower to keep the platform lit under any conditions while a hydraulic pump lifts and lowers the platform.

Workers can sort as much as 40,000 pounds of cargo on the 17 x 48 foot platform. Its 11 foot light tower uses two 1,000 watt, metal-halide floodlights so that workers can easily read labels in low light conditions to quickly move packages to the correct route for delivery. The hydraulic system allows workers to easily adjust the platform height, anything from 46 to 60 inches, so that loading and unloading can be performed easily.

The platform’s key components for safety also maximize efficiency. High handrails surround the platform to protect workers from falls, and when loading or unloading packages from a truck or a trailer, operators can speedily remove each handrail and secure it behind another section to keep it out of the way. A Morton Deck-Span Surface features diamond-shaped grating to reduce the risk of slipping while keeping the deck clear of snow and rain. On each short side, the CSP features a built-in ladder with two steps and a handrail for safe access to the platform.

The CSP has been built to withstand years of outdoor use. The entire platform features a hot-dip galvanized finish to protect it from corrosion in harsh environments and achieves a long-lasting, clean look. Customers can choose to have the entire unit galvanized or customize the look of the handrails, steps and towbar by selecting from US military grade powder coat color options. Additionally, bumpers around the perimeter help prevent damage upon contact with a truck, loading dock or other heavy object. The CSP’s easy maneuverability allows workers to move the unit to a convenient location for the loading and unloading of packages. Tug or tow truck operators can hook up to the CSP’s built-in heavy duty towbar to pull the unit precisely to where it’s needed.

For power, FAST offers a 20.4 horsepower Kubota diesel engine or a 480 volt three phase electric motor. Further, a 12 volt DC, two gallons per minute emergency hydraulic pump provides power in the event of an engine failure, allowing the platform to be lowered from operating height and moved to another location.

Contract agreement in sight

At the end of December 2015 Southwest Airlines reached an agreement with the union representing its ground operations workers.

The executive board of Transport Workers Union Local 555 reviewed the Agreement in Principle reached by negotiators and decided to conduct a ratification vote. A copy of the tentative agreement was duly sent to union members and voting is expected to begin this month.

The agreement is considered something of a landmark since it has taken four years to get to this stage. In fact, Southwest’s ground workers have not seen a new contract since 2009 and there have been several incidences of strike action in the intervening period as workers have expressed their discontent with the airline’s management.

The proposed new contract, if ratified, will include salary rises in excess of 20% over the life of the agreement for union members, in all classifications. If approved, this new contract will run for five years.


Hybrid the best of both worlds

LEKTRO has unveiled a new diesel/electric hybrid, the AP8850SDA-H. This hybrid model is the result of an accelerated development program to meet customer demands for a tug that can operate in areas that have a limited or unreliable power infrastructure, or for a vehicle that can continue operations in the wake of a natural disaster. Greater endurance has also been a factor in the equation.

The AP8850SDA-H allows the user to manually choose an all-electric operation like a standard LEKTRO, as well as operate with the diesel engine to preserve battery life and charge the battery bank. The diesel engine can also be set to automatically charge the battery once it reaches a certain level of depletion.

The tug has completed desert operations tests and underwent cold weather operations this winter.

December 15

Liquid Controls acquires Avery-Hardoll meters

Liquid Controls, an IDEX Energy & Fuels Business, has announced the acquisition of the Avery-Hardoll metering product line. The transaction formally closed between Liquid Controls and Meggitt Controls on December 11, 2015.

Flyer-Truck opens new sales and service base in the US

The latest office of Flyer-Truck for North America and the Caribbean has been opened in St Augustine, Florida. Since November 18, TNA-Aviation Technologies, Turwitt and Nielsen Associates PA have been responsible for the distribution, maintenance and service of Flyer-Truck aircraft tugs.

Decision in favour of airport workers

Readers following the wage dispute in Seattle will be interested to learn that the Washington state Supreme Court has turned down Alaska Airlines’ request to reconsider its earlier ruling, that of a US$15 minimum wage law that was passed by the city of SeaTac voters, should apply equally to Seattle-Tacoma International. The result is that now almost 5,000 transportation and hospitality workers at the airport will see their wages upped to US$15.24 per hour. It is uncertain whether Alaska (amongst other employers) will contest the decision, although the carrier has stated publicly that it feels that there are some unanswered questions, despite the ruling.

November 25

Baggage theft conspiracy uncovered in Virginia

Two baggage handlers have pleaded guilty for their involvement in an ongoing plot to steal passengers’ possessions from their luggage in Virginia.

The pair in question, 25-year-old Chris Arthur Perry and 27-year-old Gregory Paul Wingard, were charged by a federal grand jury on October 7, 2015. On December 18, the Department of Justice announced that both men had pleaded guilty to stealing items for the period from December 2013 to June 2015 at Norfolk International airport.

According to the details of the case, the two men broke into checked baggage in order to take money, electronics and other items and sell them on to individuals or pawn shops. The pair reportedly targeted firearm containers while searching for bags to break into and both now face a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on March 14, 2016.

Fast for better conditions

As was covered in Ramp Equipment News recently, unrest in the US over wage levels continues to grab the headlines. Airport and ramp staff have been caught up in the general movement that seeks to set a minimum wage of US$15 an hour for what is often unskilled, manual labor. And with ramp workers taking home perhaps US$8 an hour, and with some having to hold down two jobs at a time to make ends meet, there is clearly a need for a reappraisal.

What hit the headlines in Seattle a couple of years back is now steadily filtering through the rest of the US. In order to draw attention to their plight cleaners, skycaps, baggage handlers, security officers and other ramp workers have been holding a 24 hour fast in the hours leading up to the country’s Thanksgiving Day. Across the country, contracted airport staff are coming together through Airport Workers Unite: in all, some 14 airports have been affected, as the staff show solidarity and try to spotlight their plight. And plight is perhaps not an ill-chosen word in this context.

According to a study carried out by the University of California Berkley Labor Center, some 37% of cleaning staff and baggage workers live on or close to the poverty line; and a survey of 500 subcontracted passenger services workers at John F Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports conducted last year by the Economic Policy Institute revealed that 50% of airport employees in the region were reliant on some form of public assistance to survive. Moreover, 20% of staff admitted that they had missed a meal within the past week because of financial reasons.

Whilst there is plenty of support in high places for these underprivileged sections of the workforce, any sort of concrete proposals seem to be a way off yet.

November 4

Take a walk behind

US manufacturer WASP (now FAST Global Solutions) offers a walk-behind beltloader that features easy, safe operation at a fraction of the cost of a drivable beltloader. To achieve this, WASP has eliminated the drive components to increase the unit’s longevity and to lower maintenance requirements, whilst reducing costs for the air travel and cargo handling industries.

The towable units keep packages and luggage moving as fast as 100 feet (30 meters) per minute, without sacrificing control. The belt operates at variable speeds in forward and reverse for easy loading and unloading, obviating the need for the operator to reposition the machine.

The manufacturer has also announced the production of a new side-tow European dolly. This innovative transporter features a patent-pending pivoting front towbar designed to increase safety and maneuverability. FAST engineers incorporated a foot-activated, quick-release mechanism that easily unlocks the towbar, allowing it to pivot right or left to connect to a tug or another dolly. Once transport begins and the towbar straightens, the mechanism automatically locks the towbar into a straight position for towing.

German technology comes to the US

Materna, the Germany-based developer and supplier of automated passenger handling systems and solutions, opened its own US office in Orlando, in October. The move enables Materna to promote its well-established products and solutions for the aviation sector in the US marketplace. In co-operation with its local partner, Ultra Electronics Airport Systems, Materna has begun delivering passenger handling systems at a large regional airport in California.

At the recent FTE Global, in Las Vegas, Materna focussed on presenting its latest generation of automatic common-use baggage handling and self-tagging solutions. Regarded as one of the real innovators in this sector, Materna has implemented the current self-bag drop standard set by IATA and has integrated components for cashless payments in common-use environments. Materna’s solution offers passengers the opportunity to hand in their baggage by themselves, irrespective of desk opening times. Should baggage weight allowances be exceeded, Materna also calculates the excess baggage charge, which can then be paid on the spot. This new bag drop solution can be deployed by airport operators as a fully automatic system at unmanned kiosks or as a solution accompanied by staff for different airlines.

Continental opens first commercial tire retread facility in Vegas

CMC Tire, a full service tire dealer, and Continental Tire the Americas are celebrating their partnership with the opening of their first commercial tire retread facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

An opening ceremony was held at the new 25,000 square-foot facility, which will be able to produce up to 24,000 retread tires a year, eventually increasing to a production capacity of 48,000. This will facilitate the service of more than 300 customers and create 18 new job positions.

At the grand opening, CMC Tire announced plans to service both southern Utah and the greater Las Vegas area with new and retread tires, with the latter made using Continental’s ContiTrac premium retreading solution, which extends the overall life of the tire.

October 15

Lift-A-Loft announces newly redesigned APX20-DPL boarding bridge

Global lift specialist Lift-A-Loft has made improvements to its line of boarding bridges to better the experience of passengers with reduced mobility. Using customer feedback, the new unit has been redesigned to make it easier to operate and highly maneuvrable in busy areas around the airport. Interfacing with the aircraft is now easier and the fully enclosed upper cabin provides improved comfort for passengers, ensuring plenty of natural light thanks to multi-aspect windows and a translucent roof.

The newly redesigned APX20-DPL has an extended range of platform heights, from a minimum 4’9” to a maximum platform height of 21’5”, allowing a single unit to interface with regional jets all the way up to wide body aircraft. The bridge also comes with a recessed L-Track in the floor and walls to ensure wheelchairs are fully secure during transport. Additional extras for units can include air conditioning, an intercom system and fold down seats.

Special functions include adjustable front guardrails, a 24” extendable deck and front swivel bumper, which make the final aircraft interface safe and easy to accomplish. An auto-close, folding lift gate is also integrated into the apparatus, which can be easily raised or lowered by one person and can accommodate two stretchers or four wheelchairs at a time. All lift functions can be operated from either the driver’s cab or from the van body. From here, the operator can move and position the lift as necessary for maximum visibility.

Jet2 under investigation by US authorities

The US Department of Transportation is investigating low cost airline Jet2 in relation to its conditions of carriage for disabled passengers.

Jet2 is the only UK and EU registered carrier to enforce strict weight limits on the carriage of wheelchairs and mobility scooters. As a result of this policy, owners of electric wheelchairs (often weighing over 100 kilograms) are unable to take their mobility aids with them on Jet2 flights. To make matters worse, the weight cap imposed by the airline is half that imposed by other airlines, such as Norwegian or Ryanair, using the same Boeing 737 model of aircraft. In addition to the imposed weight limit, Jet2 also states on its website that disabled passengers who fail to pre-book assistance may be denied boarding or may be forced to pay to re-book on to a later flight.

Jet2 is soon to operate a number of flights to and from the United States, which will mean the airline will become subject to American disability law and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). In light of this, DOT is taking steps to ensure the airline complies with the newly applicable regulations. “DOT will contact the carrier to discuss the policies posted on its website that may not be in compliance with Part 382,” a DOT spokesperson has said, referring to the ACAA.

Breaching the ACAA can have serious consequences for the offending carrier and may result in penalties of up to US$27,500 per violation. In November 2013 The US Department of Transportation fined Virgin America US$150,000 for making safety videos that were inaccessible to deaf passengers, and US Airways US$1.2m for failing to provide adequate wheelchair assistance to disabled passengers in Philadelphia and Charlotte.

TCR signs contract with SAS

TCR International has announced the signing of a major contract through its subsidiary TCR Denmark with SAS for the purchase and leaseback of all vehicles, motorised and otherwise, at Copenhagen airport.

Now present in 19 Scandinavian airports, TCR is to become wholly responsible for SAS’s GSE fleet at Copenhagen and for providing ground services to the airline at this base. Through this agreement, TCR is consolidated as the main supplier of all GSE for SAS throughout most Scandinavian airports, reaffirming its leadership position in Europe. This contract marks the culmination of the group’s regional expansion plans, increasing the TCR activities in the region by more than 1,800 vehicles. As part of the deal, TCR will also build a brand new 4,000 square metre workshop at Copenhagen airport.

TCR’s first major contract in Scandinavia started in 2011 at Oslo airport with the sale and rent-back of Menzies’ entire GSE fleet, followed by the signing of contracts with Aviator in 2012 and with SAS in 2014. In February last, TCR launched its subsidiary TCR Sweden as part of a long-term agreement with SGH on three Swedish airports: Stockholm Arlanda, Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö.

September 10

WestJet selects Jettainer to manage ULD fleet

The management and maintenance of WestJet’s pallets and containers has been assigned to Jettainer, whose operations will begin with the launch of the airline’s new wide-body service.

The first of four newly delivered Boeing 767-300 aircraft will carry approximately 400 pallets and containers as it begins operations with the launch of WestJet’s non-stop service from Canada to Europe and other regions of the world. The ULD fleet will continue to expand as additional units are added to WestJet’s inventory.

Of the recent acquisition, Managing Director of Jettainer, Carsten Hernig, said: “We are delighted to have won WestJet as a new customer. By signing with this Canadian airline, we were first of all able to further strengthen our position in the Americas, one of our most important growth markets.”

Jettainer has been paying particular attention to this region of the world recently, having established Jettainer Americas in 2014 with the opening of several offices in North America. Additionally, the company took over the ULD management for American Airlines and KF Aerospace as part of its regional investment and wider aim to achieve close market presence in the Americas.

Hernig went on to say: “This new contract also confirms our aim at approaching low cost carriers and leisure airlines, which are expanding their product portfolio, for example in terms of adding wide-body aircraft to their fleets in order to serve long-haul destinations. Such companies highly appreciate having a strong partner offering both a global network and the complete ULD management service portfolio, which includes the steering, positioning, maintenance and repair of loading devices.”

United to allow time-saving taxi-ing

Weight and balance sheets are traditionally signed off at the stand prior to pushback, but United Airlines is challenging the status quo with its proposal, stated on July 31, to revert to a pre-merger policy that permits all pilots to taxi before receiving final weights.

Despite United Airlines having long permitted this of its pilots, Continental Airlines, with whom it merged, has contrastingly required pilots to wait in the gate area for final numbers prior to taxi-ing. Thus, the United-Continental combined carrier preferred the latter approach, making the recent proposal somewhat controversial.

United argues that waiting for final numbers is problematic in that it can lead to delays and has told pilots that the new policy will help to ensure that aircraft leave gates and runways in a more timely manner. The carrier hopes the new policy will “reduce gate-availability delays for inbound flights” and told pilots that the new system should enable a “safer, more efficient and reliable operation.”

Pilots were also told: “[This] allows our airport operations co-workers a realistic amount of time to input accurate payload values into the load planning system, getting it right the first time as opposed to sending through revisions.”

Several of United’s fleet have already started using the new policy and the remaining aircraft models should soon join the ranks. It was hoped that by the end of last month United’s largest fleet, the Boeing 737, would have implemented the new policy, bringing the airline into alignment with other US carriers, most of which allow pilots to begin taxi-ing before final numbers are calculated.

 Asia Pacific’s top five airports see decline in cargo

A large percentage of the world’s major airfreight hubs are located in the Asia Pacific region. Following the recent decline in key developing markets like China, in addition to oil producing economies, and the subsequent weakness this has caused in other areas of the economy, a slowdown in airfreight volumes has been recorded. Volumes were flat this July, showing no year-over-year growth from the previous July. In fact, of the region’s top five airports, all experienced a reduction in freight volumes for the month of July, with Hong Kong seeing a 1.9% decrease.

The story was slightly different in North America, where air cargo figures were rather more mixed amongst the region’s busiest cargo hubs, in terms of year-over-year growth. Memphis, a FedEx hub, and Louisville, a UPS hub, experienced growth of 2.5% and 4.2% respectively; however airports that have a larger international component to their freight saw volumes drop. Anchorage and Miami, for example, saw air freight traffic drop by 5.6% and 2.3% respectively. Subsequently net growth for the region as a whole was still flat.

Air Canada Cargo introduces e-booking

This September, Air Canada Cargo brought its online operations up to speed, launching an updated version of its website that enables customers to book cargo shipments directly on aircanadacargo.com

Air Canada Cargo account holders can now log in online to book and manage all their cargo shipments, including even specialized consignments, such as AC Cool Chain, AC DGR (dangerous goods) and AC Live (animals). Such bookings can be made for flights within Air Canada’s global and interline networks. The airline has commented that the new e-booking and management tool provides a “simple, intuitive interface.”

The system’s e-booking capabilities include quote estimation for the cost of the shipment and an interface for managing and tracking multiple shipments. Customers can also view the status of all their current shipments, fill out an e-AWB, add to the house air waybill, edit a shipment or print a document pouch. With the arrival of e-booking and e-AWB capability such as this in most of its network, Air Canada Cargo has been encouraging its customers to fully participate in the digitization of their shipping systems and aims to renew emphasis on the benefits of going paperless, with a specific promotion campaign intended for a launch in the coming weeks.

AA team executives join E-team

Episcale, the Florida-based technology company which specializes in paperless transactions, recently saw two former American Airlines executives join the team to help promote a cloud-based e-air waybill solution, the eFreight360.

David Brooks, former President of American Airlines Cargo, has joined Episcale as an advisor. Remarking on the new product’s potential, he said: “It leverages cloud and XML technology to reduce the barriers users face in moving to a paperless environment.” He added, “When I formally left the industry, the community was whining that to go paperless meant duplicate processes and rekeying of data, which mitigated the benefits of getting rid of the paper. eFreight360 makes it possible to harvest shipment data, consolidate and distribute it more efficiently.”

Also joining the line-up is former Executive Vice President of AA customer service, Jon Snook, who has joined Episcale as an advisor, too. He brings 25 years’ experience working in various departments for American Airlines, including cargo, trucking, ground handling and passenger processing, and has held positions including Vice-President Operations Planning and Managing Director Sales and Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Jon Snook described Episcale’s eFreight360 as the world’s first and only fully paperless air cargo solution, bringing “modern cloud-based technology to the air cargo market that will not only dramatically streamline air freight processes, but will truly revolutionise the way world commerce is transacted.”

Mr Brooks concluded that the eFreight360 “will bring huge value to any organization involved in the air freight shipping process.”

June 19

Latam Airlines Group bottom place on Americas Airline Index

The Latam Airlines Group has been ranked the bottom of the league table for this decade on the Bloomberg Americas Airline Index, just three years after the merger between Chilean carrier LAN and Brazil’s TAM. Latam Airlines’ stocks continue to drop and post poor results, sending shares to a six-year low this month. When the merger took place Brazil’s economy was thriving, but recent statistics show that last year Brazil’s GDP was dormant and actually dropped by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 2015’s Q1.According to Bloomsberg’s data, only 22% of analysts recommend buying Latam now, compared to 71% in June 2012.

 

Hybrid airship breakthrough

For over 20 years, US-based company Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has been developing a hybrid airship to address the difficulty of bringing heavy equipment into areas with inadequate infrastructure. Just this week, Hybrid Enterprises, announced a breakthrough on behalf of Lockheed at the Paris Air Show: it will be taking orders for this new class of aircraft for delivery as early as 2018.

These airships will be the solution to the problems presented by the delivery of cargo to the parts of the world that have no direct access to paved roads. This comprises over two-thirds of the world’s land surface and half the human population – thus a great deal stands to be gained by this invention.

The airships would enable the affordable and safe delivery of cargo and personnel anywhere, weather permitting, with little or no infrastructure. Rob Binns, CEO of Hybrid Enterprises, said of the creation: “Lockheed Martin’s Hybrid Airships will significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of remote operations, making it possible to reach locations previously thought inaccessible.” In addition to making hard to reach areas viable destinations, the airships burn less than one-tenth the fuel of a helicopter per ton, and will therefore be much more sustainable.

Lockheed Martin’s P-791, a fully functional, manned flight demonstrator has already been used to test the technologies required for hybrid airships in flight. Orlando Carvalho, Executive VP of Lockheed Martin, said all necessary planning steps for FAA certification of a new class of aircraft are finalised, and the company is ready to start producing its first model for the commercial market. Work is already underway on the 20 ton variant at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Palmdale, US.

United leaves JFK

United Airlines has decided to do away with its operations at JFK, New York’s main airport, to focus its efforts at Newark, New Jersey, at which it has a hub.

Only 15 United aircraft fly from JFK, carrying out transcontinental routes to places such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, most often utilizing aircraft with fewer seats and more beds to appeal to its premium-class passengers. If the Wall Street Journal is to be believed, however, these routes have not made a profit since United launched them seven years ago. Poor results are likely due, at least in part, to stiff competition from the likes of JetBlue, American Airlines and Delta, which are also based at JFK.

Operating these flights out of JFK has also meant that the airline could not feed passengers into its network at Newark, from where it operates 500 flights a day, including transatlantic routes. United has sold its JFK slots to Delta Air Lines, which intends to reciprocally sell its own Newark slots to United, dependent on the go-ahead from regulators.

EPA to address aircraft GHG emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator is predicting to find that greenhouse gas emissions from certain classes of aircraft engines contribute to climate change and endanger public health and welfare, as per section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). At this time, the EPA is not at this time submitting aircraft engine GHG emission standards.

The EPA is also releasing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will provide details on the process for implementing an international CO2 emissions standard for aircraft with ICAO.

June 9

Three-year drug smuggling scheme at Oakland International

A group of Southwest baggage handlers at Oakland International airport was reportedly involved in a drug smuggling conspiracy that has been going on for more than three years. The employees abused their positions of authority, using their security badges to enter secure areas of the airport carrying bags containing marijuana. After smuggling the bags past security checkpoints they were then given to waiting accomplices in the airport who had successfully cleared security. These mules then transported the drugs in carry-on bags to other cities around the country.

The handlers were amongst some 14 accused that have been charged for participating in the illicit scheme. The accused employees are no longer permitted access to the airport and are now under internal investigation.

Delta to load carry-on in advance of passenger boarding

As of the summer travel season, Delta intends to preload passenger carry-on bags into overhead bins on some flights in the hope that it will speed up the boarding process.

Airlines have long been searching for a more efficient boarding method: most simply let first-class and other elite customers board first and following this will either fill the remaining seats working from the rear rows forward or by filling window seats first and working towards the aisle. Some use a combination of the two. Other methods, like letting passengers board early if they do not have carry-on bags, have also been tried.

Passengers are well aware that boarding late means there might not be any room left in the overhead bin for their hand luggage, which leaves them anxious, and airlines, too, know that slow boarding creates delays, which can lead to missed connections, unhappy customers and incurred costs.

It has been calculated by researchers from Northern Illinois University that every extra minute an aircraft stands idle at the gate adds US$30 in costs. About one in four US flights runs at least 15 minutes behind schedule, which, multiplied by thousands of flights each day, quickly mounts up.

Delta is taking a proactive approach by launching its Early Valet service, which involves airline employees taking carry-on bags from passengers at the gate and putting them in the bins above the seats assigned to those passengers. The aim is to see if its airline workers can load the bins faster than passengers. The service, already in action, is expected to increase slowly throughout the month of June, according to Delta spokeswoman, Morgan Durrant.

Air Canada recruits Mercator to provide new software

Air Canada has signed on software provider Mercator and will implement the RAPID Cargo solution in the hope of enhancing its revenue accounting system for cargo operations.

The carrier has said that it was looking for an integrated, modern revenue accounting solution that would interface with its existing cargo system and this new application offers to tend to these concerns, helping align its processes to “industry leading practices, standards and quality”.

Air Canada wants to improve the efficiency of accounts, reduce manual processing and intervention, and enable the generation of real-time reports.

The RAPID Cargo application works by transforming the data on cargo air waybills into a flow of financial and strategic information. Bernard Donoghue, Chief Commercial Officer at Mercator, added: “Air Canada joins a growing community of more than 60 air carriers worldwide that use RAPID to manage their revenue accounting as they seek innovative ways to streamline their businesses and reduce costs in challenging economic times.”

Chris Isford, Vice President and Controller at Air Canada, said: “We reviewed and evaluated several cargo revenue accounting solutions on the market, and ultimately chose Mercator for its track record in rapidly responding to the changing financial needs of airlines by using the latest industry-tested technologies.

“We sought a modern, reliable and robust framework to handle our revenue accounting processes, and RAPID Cargo enables us to handle the most complex revenue accounting demands with speed, accuracy and profitability.”

Main News May 15

Southwest Airlines seeks to fill 500 ramp agent positions

Southwest Airlines is looking to hire an additional 500 ramp agents, and is even offering possible financial relocation assistance for candidates hired from outside the company moving more than 100 miles for a ramp agent position in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston or Baltimore.

Julie Weber, Vice President of People, said: “We’re looking for people who desire more than just a job. More than 71% of Southwest employees define their work at Southwest as a calling. The ramp agent position can be demanding, with non-traditional hours and exposure to a wide variety of weather conditions. We are looking for hardworking, fun-loving, and caring people who love working with others and giving it their all.”

The airline has spent the last 21 years on FORTUNE’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies, ranking number seven in 2015. Additionally, Southwest was ranked as the top airline employer and one of the top 20 best employers overall on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers.

Employment with Southwest boasts an excellent benefits package, including a dollar-for-dollar match in the 401(k) plan, up to 8.3-9.3% of eligible salary, as well as annual profit sharing payments, which, in 2014, equalled five weeks of pay toward employee retirement accounts.

Amadeus acquires AirIT

Amadeus has purchased the previously Fraport-owned company AirIT; this becomes the second acquisition of a well-established airport industry business for Amadeus in the past 15 months.

With this gain, the IT business has fully established itself in the North American market, which is seen as a key region for the airport IT sector; it will also better enable Amadeus to respond to those customer needs outside of North America. AirIT’s solutions are in operation at 30 of the top 50 busiest airports in the US, which includes Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Charlotte. Thus, AirIT will serve to complement Amadeus’ business with a strong customer base that comprises over 115 airlines and 120 airports mostly in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.

Combining its existing airport management solutions with the AirIT PROPworks portfolio, a highly configurable property and revenue management solution for airports of all sizes, Amadeus will be able to manage contracts, invoices, sales, tenants and more besides. PROPworks is already in use at four of the five busiest airports.

LEKTRO celebrates 70th anniversary

This year electric aircraft tug manufacturer LEKTRO is celebrating not only its seventieth anniversary – an impressive milestone in itself – but also the sale of its four thousand, five hundredth tug, which took place earlier this year.

“We weren’t always a towbarless aircraft tug company, but it seemed fitting to have our kick-off celebration in the same city where our towbarless story began,” said Henry Balensifer, LEKTRO’s Communications Manager.

Company founder, Wilt Paulson, along with his friend Sy King, who owned Flightcraft in Portland, developed the first towbarless aircraft tug. King realised that aircraft could be saved from common damage if the towbar was eliminated and instead the nose landing gear was simply lifted. The pair developed the Airporter by turning the LEKTRO mink feeder chassis around so that the steering tyres were at the rear of the vehicle, under the operator, and the drive tyres at the front, where a hydraulic lift cradle would be attached. The nosegear of the aircraft would then be lifted off the ground by this cradle, transferring the aircraft nose weight on to the tug. Subsequent to this invention, the first towbarless aircraft tug was born.

Air Canada and its union announce agreement

A new seven-year contract, covering more than 500 US-based Air Canada employees, was confirmed by Teamster members when they voted 200 to 101 in favor of the agreement.

Capt David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, said: “We are pleased that our members at Air Canada have approved a strong contract that keeps their jobs secure and raises workplace standards at the airline. Our focus was to negotiate a contract worthy of our members’ hard work and dedication. That’s why we went back to the table after members voted down the previous tentative agreement. The members have now spoken, showing the new contract meets the exceptional standards that our members deserve.”

The new agreement, in effect through June 2019, imposes 2% increases to the top of the wage scale each year for the first three years of the contract beginning July 1, 2012; and 3% increment each year for the next two years of the contract, followed by a 2% rise for the last two years of the contract. In 2018 member will receive a lump sum bonus of 2%.

The Air Canada contract also expands job security, with a non-subcontracting provision protecting Teamster work, even if flights at a station are entirely replaced with another carrier’s flights. The agreement also gives newer employees access to retirement benefits and new health care options for all members covered by the contract.

Main News April 29

WASP wins Product Leader of the Year

WASP was named Product Leader of the Year in March for its “New Standard Dolly” during Ground Support Worldwide’s annual trade show, GSE Expo Worldwide, which was held at Las Vegas this year.

Far from a one-trick pony, the many types and combinations of containers and pallets the dolly can handle means it can replace multiple dollies and makes for greater fleet efficiency. The new Standard Dolly manages all standard container and pallet base sizes to 96-by-125 inches (244-by-318 centimeters).

ATA launches online ASCET training program

Aviation Training Academy (ATA) has revealed plans to launch a new online Aviation Customer Service Excellence Training (ACSET) program, specially for FBOs, airport personnel and other general aviation bodies serving GA aircraft, looking to improve their standards of customer service.

For US$249, you can take the specialized online training course, which combines first-rate customer service elements and techniques with years of firsthand FBO and general aviation experience.

As well as ACSET, ATA also offers other programs directed towards airport operations including; Line Technician in a Day, Line Service Technician Certification and Hazardous Materials Awareness, amongst others. All courses meet the latest industry training standards for aviation support personnel and, upon successful completion, Aviation Training Academy certification is awarded.

JetBlue emissions grow despite better fuel efficiency

Despite recording its best fuel efficiency performance ever, continued growth in traffic operations has resulted in an increase of 5.5% in JetBlue’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2014 compared to the previous year. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions (per 1,000 revenue ton miles) the airline managed a reduction from 1.65 tonnes of CO2e to 1.54 tonnes, a 6% improvement. However, according to ‘The Blue Review’, the carrier’s annual responsibility report, emissions for the whole year rose from 5.9m tons in 2013 to just over 6.2m tons last year. JetBlue is nonetheless averaging 2.2% improvement to its annual fuel efficiency, against an industry target of improving by 1.5% from 2009 to 2020. The airline is not only involved in initiatives to minimize its carbon footprint from operations but is also engaged in programmes to improve recycling and water conservation on board its aircraft, running an annual environmental campaign called ‘One Thing That’s Green,’ since 2008.

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