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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.

Main News April 24

TSA adds new security measures

Since the recent gun smuggling operation carried out by baggage handlers at Atlanta airport, the Transportation Security Administration has implemented stricter security regulations for airline and airport workers.

Homeland Security’s Jeh Johnson ordered a 90-day review of security measures in the immediate aftermath of the operation and the TSA is no addressing some of the concerns the review has highlighted. Among the changes announced April 20 are new rules requiring real-time, recurring criminal background checks for aviation workers, including airline employees. Every two years fingerprint-based background checks will also be conducted for airport employees who hold Secure Identification Display Area badges. Airport and airline workers traveling as passengers will also have to go through TSA screening before boarding a flight and the number of access points to secure areas will be reduced to an “operational minimum,” Johnson reportedly said.

Napping baggage handler banned by Alaska

Unsurprisingly, the baggage handler who fell asleep inside an Alaska Airlines cargo hold during his shift will not be making the same mistake twice. Alaska Airlines has reported that the unnamed handler has been banned from working for the airline in the future. Menzies Aviation, a contractor for the airline and employer of the perpetrator, has said the unidentified man is still with the company but has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of its investigation.

Emirates SkyCargo set to expand in the US

Emirates SkyCargo plans to launch a daily service to from Dubai to Orlando, Florida, as of September 1, expanding its US cargo network to 11 destinations.

The new route will be operated by a Boeing 777-200 LR, which has a belly hold capacity of up to 17 tonnes of cargo per flight. This comes in addition to Emirates SkyCargo’s belly hold cargo services to San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, with the latter four cities also comprising part of the carrier’s US freighter network, along with Atlanta.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, said of the expansion: “With the addition of Orlando to the Emirates SkyCargo network, we will now serve 11 points across the US, giving us good connectivity to serve our customers both within the country and across our network. Last year we carried more than 100,000 tonnes of cargo to and from the United States, facilitating foreign trade and opportunities between the world’s largest economy and markets within our network, mainly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.”

Emirates Cargo expects exports from Orlando to include aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals, perfume and machine parts, while imports are likely to be electronics, garments, automotive spare parts, aircraft spare parts, construction equipment, hospital instruments and equipment.

EPIC and UAS launch collaborative fuel program

UAS International Trip Support and EPIC Aviation have announced the launch of their fuel program components, which will be a great value-add to their customers.

The details of the project became available to customers, who’ve been anticipating information regarding the enhanced programs since its announcement in February. Tailored UAS pricing has now been merged into the EPIC system, enabling EPIC Cardholders to fuel at more than 3,000 international locations.

Jay Husary, Executive Vice President of UAS, said of the venture: “This is an important step for this fuel program and great news for EPIC Cardholders. They no longer have to thumb through a stack of credit cards, trying to determine the best method of payment at FBOs overseas – plus they get the added value of enhanced trip support and expertise from an established network.”

Main News April 16

Food workers protest against understaffing in Los Angeles

Flying Food Group workers in Los Angeles airport went on strike on April 14, requesting more staff be taken on to cope with the workload and better equipment to do their jobs.

The company provides in-flight meals for Air France, China Airlines and Virgin Australia, amongst others. China Airlines and Virgin Australia said they had not experienced disruption to their schedules as a result of the action.

The strike, organized by Unite Here, comprised some 100 employees who sometimes work 12-15 hour shifts to compensate for lack of staff, with four workers often required to do the work of seven. Additional they bemoaned a lack of equipment, machinery and meal ingredients to do their jobs properly. Flying Food Group had previously promised to resolve the understaffing problem, but is yet to take action.

Southwest 737s to have widest seats in US

From 2016, customers of Southwest Airlines can expect to enjoy wider seats on the carrier’s 737 flights. Southwest intends to enlarge seats by almost an inch, taking them from 17.1 inches to 17.8 inches wide and earning them the accolade of the widest 737 seat of any US airline. By comparison, seats on the same model of aircraft belonging to Alaska Airlines measure 17 inches wide, and as much as 17.3 inches on some United Airlines 737s in economy class, according to the SeatGuru.com.

Southwest’s Chief Commercial Officer, Bob Jordan, said: “The new aircraft seats are the widest economy seats available in the single-aisle 737 market, and offer a unique design that gives our customers what they asked for: more space.”

Air Canada Teamsters approve new contract

A new contract affecting more than 500 US-based Air Canada employees was confirmed by Teamster members who voted 200-to-101 in favor of the agreement. The seven year contract provides increases to the top of the wage scale of 2% in 2012 and 2013, 3% in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and 2% in 2017 and 2018. In 2018 employees will additionally receive a 2% bonus.

Captain David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, said of the agreement: “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 will be in effect until June 2019.

CanJet cuts 70% of its staff

Layoff notices, to become effective as of May 6, were sent to 47 of CanJet’s 62 pilots and 68 of its 100 flight attendants as a consequence of the cancelation of its European routes for summer 2015. The carrier announced it had to “realign [its] employee group to a much smaller group” after terminating its European routes because they weren’t proving to be profitable.

In winter 2014, the airline had to make 21 pilots redundant as it canceled 40% of its scheduled flights because of overestimated sales for its first winter season. Soon to terminate is CanJet’s contract for charter flights on behalf of Transat Holidays, which will further decrease flights from the airline’s schedule. The carrier is reportedly considering its options, possibly scheduled flights in Canada and internationally.

Virgin Atlantic Cargo gains new Jan de Rijk contract

A new three-year road feeder services contract between Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Jan de Rijk Logistics has extended the carrier’s delivery network to over 50 airports across Europe.

Under the new contract, the airline is to offer an even greater choice of destinations to customers sending freight on its flights into the UK from North America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Virgin Cargo’s collaboration with Jan de Rijk will allow the airline to offer customers destinations across the Europe and Scandinavia, becoming responsible for moving some 50% of the airline’s cargo into Europe.

Sebastiaan Scholte, Chief Executive of Jan de Rijk, said: “Our customer service and operations teams are very familiar with the Virgin Atlantic Cargo product and this contract extension reflects the trust the airline has in our extensive trucking network. In addition, being Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and now IATA CEIV Pharma Handling certified will help to support Virgin Atlantic’s value proposition to customers in the pharmaceutical industry and their logistics partners.”

Jenny Holdaway, European Service Delivery Manager at Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said: “Jan de Rijk not only provides an extensive scheduled delivery network across Europe, they also understand our high customer service expectations and have consistently met our requirements.”

In addition to Jan de Rijk, Virgin Atlantic recently extended its contract with Cranleigh Freight Services, which provides its main trucking routes linking London with Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris, by a further three years.

Main News April 2

Industrial action in Latin America

A number of flights of South American LAN Airlines were affected when the airline’s unions began a series of actions on March 25 in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Miami. The company has so far not responded to the union’s demands to improve working conditions. LAN Airlines workers are responsible for passenger safety, aircraft maintenance, and customer connections in airports.

A leaflet to be distributed to passengers at various airports in the aforementioned regions, reads: “National and international passengers could be subject to extensive delays and cancellations. Chile, Colombia and Ecuador are important hubs for the airline”.

The dispute has gained support from many of the large transport unions in the US, including Teamsters Local 769 of Miami and the community organization, South Florida Voices for Working Families. The latter will be joining others in handing out information at the 2015 Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, of which LAN Airlines is an official sponsor. Leaflets will alert the public about the conditions of the LAN Airlines workers and the potential delays that could affect those attending the tennis tournament.

According to Luis Chavez, President of the LAN Express union in Chile, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador are important connecting hubs to flights throughout Latin America. “These difficulties are preventable and predictable. The problems are cascading due to LAN Airlines refusal to provide fair conditions for their workers.”

United issues job cuts at Will Rogers airport

United Airlines is cutting 79 union jobs at Will Rogers World airport as part of a companywide effort to cut costs through outsourcing. Three management and two administrative staff positions in Oklahoma City are also part of the jobs cuts.

The cuts affect United airport operations staff at Will Rogers, specifically 34 customer service workers and 40 ramp workers, according to a layoff notice the company sent to the Oklahoma Commerce Department.

United spokesman, Luke Punzenberger, said: “These were difficult decisions, but we need to ensure our costs are competitive.” He went on to say that in some instances, affected employees – who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – will have an option to transfer to jobs at other airports.

These cuts come as part of a cost-cutting plan the carrier revealed earlier this year, to outsource 2,000 jobs at 28 airports. The job cuts will not affect any of United’s Oklahoma City routes, said Will Rogers spokeswoman Karen Carney. She went on to comment: “It’s kind of an overall strategy by carriers to switch over to contract employees and Oklahoma City was not alone.”

Oklahoma City United employees are expected to lose their jobs over a two-week period beginning May 16.

ICAO to develop international drone standards?

The technology for small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for domestic business use is evolving faster than standards for larger drones, but how to regulate them has been a point of contention. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is devising new safety standards for 2018 on large UAS that cross borders, and is considering helping countries draw up domestic rules for integrating drones into their airspace. It has been estimated by industry analyst Teal Group that the UAS industry will become a US$91bn market in ten years.

On March 23, aerospace manufacturers urged all 191 ICAO member countries to collaborate with the organization to create common global safety standards for drone use, such as licensing and pilot qualifications.

Marion Blakey, the chair of the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries, said of the matter: “We shouldn’t drag our feet on developing a global regulatory system.”

Following the FAA’s delayed response to Amazon and the company’s need to test new drones, FAA deputy administrator Michael Whitaker said the agency also favored international standards.

Amazon received approval from the FAA to test-fly its delivery drones in the US – with many restrictions – but by the time the company got the approval for the drone it was testing, the device was already obsolete. Amazon has since developed newer models, which it is testing in the UK and other countries, and has said that the FAA is too restrictive on their drone-related policies, and would prefer to have a commercial drone exemption, as has already been granted to roughly 50 operators in the US.

Main News March 25

United: cutbacks continue

United Airlines is to effect 66 redundancies at Jacksonville International as of May. This comes following an announcement in January that it was considering cutting up to 2,000 jobs at 28 airports in total, with the intention of outsourcing the positions. The decision will mostly affect baggage handlers or gate and customer service agents.

Additionally United has announced 69 redundancies at Palm Beach International and a further 115 at Miami International. United says that staff were told of the decision earlier in the year, and the hope is that they will have the opportunity to transfer to other stations in due course.

Servisair accused of violating drug testing policy

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed fining Servisair (Las Vegas) US$105,500 for alleged violations of drug and alcohol testing regulations. The FAA believes that the handler failed to administer drug and alcohol tests to the minimum required number of employees during 2013. It is also believed that, following the completion of their training, five employees were excluded from the company’s random testing pool for a length of time. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that Servisair failed to distribute its drug use policy, and to display and distribute educational material, along with an employee assistance helpline, after moving to a new terminal.

FAA plans alterations to drone restrictions

The US Federal Aviation Administration plans to facilitate the commercial use of drone aircraft for specific business operations. Generally, drones of this nature are banned in the States, except in a small number of cases where the FAA has granted an exemption. More than 750 requests for exemptions to the ban have been received but up till now only 48 have been awarded.

However, the FAA now intends to simplify the process by removing the need for companies with exemptions to acquire new authorisation for each new use of a drone. The policy change could benefit a host of companies that are pushing for a removal of bans on commercial uses of automated aircraft, and boost business operations for manufacturers and service providers built around drone technology. Also in line to benefit are companies that already have exemptions from the commercial drone ban, such as Chevron, Berkshire Hathaway’s BNSF Railway Company, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance and a number of film and media companies. All stand to gain more flexibility in the use of pilotless aircraft for rail and pipeline inspections, crop surveys and aerial photography for commercials or movies.

Currently awaiting exemptions are Amazon and Yamaha Motor Company.

Main News March 4

Airline employee numbers increase from 2013 to 2014

According to the US Bureau of Transportation’s Statistics, US scheduled passenger airlines employed 1.4% more workers in December 2014 than in December 2013. The number of full-time employees, at 386,219, was precisely 5,410 more than the previous December, and December also marked the thirteenth consecutive month that full-time equivalent (FTE) employment for US scheduled passenger airlines was higher than the same month of the previous year.

Included in the statistics are network airlines, low cost, regional and other carriers. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and US Airways saw an increase in FTEs from December 2013 while United Airlines saw a reduction.

The six low cost carriers, namely Allegiant Airlines, Spirit, JetBlue, Frontier, Southwest and Virgin America, all reported increases, employing 4.4% more FTEs in December 2014 than in December 2013.

The 13 regional carriers reported 0.2% fewer FTEs in December 2014 than in December 2013. Seven regional airlines – PSA Airlines, Shuttle America, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airlines, Compass Airlines, Horizon Air and GoJet Airlines – reported increased employment levels.

WestJet Cargo voted number one in Canada

WestJet Cargo was named Best Air Cargo Provider 2014 at the first annual Cargo Logistics Canada Awards of Excellence, which was hosted in Vancouver. Canadian supply chain companies voted online to select the top providers in 11 different categories.

Stephen Platt, WestJet’s Director, Cargo Operations and Sales, said of the victory: “We are very proud to win this prestigious award. It is particularly satisfying that the award is voted on by members of the logistics community in which we work. To receive this type of recognition from our partners and peers tells us we’re providing our guests with a great experience for their cargo needs.”

In the last two years, WestJet Cargo has expanded its network by over 70% and now services more than 40 cities in Canada, the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. In addition, the company has cargo interline relationships with more than 15 carriers worldwide, carrying everything from family pets to fresh produce and seafood to every continent in the world.

New lounge at San Diego International airport

San Diego International airport has opened Airspace Lounge, purported to be the airport’s first and only common-use lounge.

On February 25, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the lounge in Terminal 2 East, which has panoramic views of the airfield, comfortable seating areas, a full food and bar menu and even showering facilities.

According to officials, Airspace Lounge is operated by Swissport and is open to all airport passengers… for a fee. Unless, of course, you are the proud owner of an American Express Platinum or Centurion card, in which case you are entitled to complimentary access to the lounge.

Atlanta airport tightens employee security

Following the recent gun-smuggling scandal at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International by a Delta Air Lines handler, the airport has implemented a screening procedure, which will check employee bags before permitting access to secure areas or closing access doors to the airfield.

Prior to the newly-introduced measures, the airport’s 70 access points for employees, including baggage handlers and ramp workers, only required them to swipe their badges to gain entry and workers were not subject to bag or body checks when going to work. Now, however, private security guards are checking their bags and personal belongings before allowing them to enter the main terminal through a security door.

Delta employees have confirmed that to access the ramp, they now have to enter an security code to open one door and then swipe their badges to open a second.

Airport spokesman, Reese McCranie, said that the airport had plans to reduce the number of employee access points from about 70 to 10. Additionally, secure area access has been revoked for about 4,400 employees working for various companies at the airport, who will now have to go through Transportation Security Administration screening to access these areas.

Main News February 20

WASP sells to Tronair

WASP has announced the sale of its commercial towbar and tailstand product line to Tronair. Of the business deal, Harley Kaplan, President and CEO of Tronair, said: “The addition of the WASP commercial towbar product line further strengthens Tronair’s growing position in the commercial GSE market and will be a tremendous value add to our customers.”

WASP’s President and CEO, Dane Anderson, commented: “It’s a win-win situation. Tronair can diversify its offerings with additional, specialized GSE for its customers around the world, while we at WASP can fully concentrate on the large format GSE products that our customers rely on us for in their daily operations.”

All major commercial aircraft types, from single aisle aircraft, like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 family, to a range of widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A330 and Boeing 767, 777 and 787 models, are supported by the commercial towbar and tailstand product line.

Xceding expectations

GSE finance and asset management company Xced Aviation Services, a subsidiary of Sasser Holdings, has finalized a major GSE lease contract with an industry-leading ground services provider as well as a top domestic airline operating out of Dulles International airport.

Of the agreement, William Long, President of Xced Aviation, said: “This deal is one of the first of its kind and our biggest contract since the firm opened its doors in May 2014. It is also an important example of the industry accepting what we are doing. For us to land such a contract so soon validates that we are offering a competitive service product that is not currently being provided to the market.”

The equipment package Xced Aviation will provide includes a combination of new and used ground support equipment in excess of 600 pieces, for the ground services provider to use in servicing the aforementioned airline. The sale also anticipates Xced supplying used GSE to the ground handler on a short-term basis, while the new equipment is delivered over a two month period, to ensure the seamless integration of service under the new contract.

Swissport Canada and Canada Council of Teamsters renew agreement

The Canada Council of Teamsters has renewed its collective agreement with Swissport Canada Handling Inc., who provide ground and cargo handling services from a unit at Dorval and Mirabel airports in Montreal.

With the help of the Labour Program’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service – which provides dispute resolution and prevention assistance to trade unions and employers – the terms of the renewed contract were agreed. The Canada Council of Teamsters was the bargaining agent for the unit at Swissport Canada Handling Inc., made up of 281 groomers, ramp and ground handlers, and mechanics and communications co-ordinators working at the international airports in Montreal.

Dr Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, congratulated both companies on the partnership, saying: “I applaud Swissport Canada Handling Inc. and the Canada Council of Teamsters for working together and finding a solution that will benefit everyone. The best solution is always the one that the parties reach themselves.”

Main News February 16

Hawaiian Airlines most on-time US carrier for 11 years running

Since 2004 Hawaiian Airlines has held the nationwide top spot for punctuality amongst US carriers – a winning streak that has now lasted for 11 consecutive years.

The airline, which is incidentally the largest and longest-serving in Hawaii, averaged a 91.9% on-time performance rating for the whole of last year, and ranked top in 11 of the 12 months, surpassing the industry average for 2014 by 15.7%. The only month it did not come top was December, when it landed second place with an 87.9% on-time performance rating. However for this month it is also ranked second for fewest flights cancelled at 0.3% – only 21 cancellations out of 6,426 flights.

Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “That we have been better at this than our competitors for 11 years in a row is a testament to the passion and commitment to the customer of Hawaiian Airlines’ more than 5,000 employees.”

During the fourth quarter of 2014, not one of the Hawaiian Airlines’ almost 2.5m passengers was involuntarily denied boarding, earning it first place nationally for the least number of “bumped” passengers during this period.

Winnipeg becomes first airport in Canada to receive LEED certification

Winnipeg’s Richardson International has become the first airport terminal in Canada to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The LEED certificate signifies sustainable excellence for green buildings and the Winnipeg terminal achieved a silver rating, exceeding initial expectations.

Barry Rempel, CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority, said of the achievement: “Attaining external validation of our commitment to the principles of sustainable development is truly exciting… our teams delivered a beautiful, functional facility that minimized its carbon footprint.”

LEED strategies utilized in the 51,500 square metre terminal’s design include daylight optimization to flaunt a continual view of the landscape and sensors that activate electric lighting only when necessary. The building is heated and cooled by circulating warm or cool water in tubing beneath the floor and the windows and roof are significantly more energy efficient thanks to superior insulation, which also prevents fuel emissions entering the building. Local and recyclable products and materials were used as much as possible to minimize energy used in transportation.

Winnipeg International claims to be located at the geographic centre of North America and handles over 3.67m passengers annually. With round-the-clock operations it also says that it is the leading dedicated freighter airport in Canada as measured by the number of flights.

The airport notes it is one of only 17 terminals in North America, and 24 worldwide, to have received LEED certification for new construction projects.

In 2011, the Montreal head office of Air Transat became the first building in Canada to be awarded LEED platinum certification in the existing buildings category.

Airfreight recovery imminent?

According to the International Transport Forum, airfreight tonnage has recovered to its pre-crisis level in the US and European Union – possibly indicating a wider global economic recovery.

ITF says, consistent with its quarterly figures to the end of November 2014, that this is the first time an upsurge like this has happened since the second quarter of 2012. For some four years, the quarterly ITF index has not been encouraging.

ITF also states that sea traffic is also recovering well, but significantly lagging behind the air cargo industry and that it is still 1% below its pre-crisis levels.

Pay protests at JFK

A one-day strike has ensued by Aviation Safeguards employees at John F Kennedy airport in New York. A picket line was set up outside the British Airways terminal by a few dozen baggage handlers protesting unfair labor practices, according to spokeswoman Amity Paye. Paye went on to say that about 30 members of staff walked out at 6am on February 12, one of four shifts of about 100 workers joining the picket line throughout the day. Reportedly no flights were disrupted.

Paye said the baggage handlers are fighting for higher wages, benefits and the right to unionize.

 

Hartsfield-Jackson International plans recycling facility

Proposals have been made for the construction of a large recycling facility in the city of Atlanta to deal with the waste generated at Hartsfield-Jackson International airport, estimated at 25,000 tonnes a year. The Atlanta airport handles over 96m passengers annually, making it the world’s busiest airport; yet a study found that only 5% of the waste stream from the airport’s passenger terminals and seven concourses was recycled in 2012. The city is now looking to avoid landfill use and recycle or compost at least 90% of its waste by January 2020. A 30 acre site has been selected and a tender has been allotted for the development and operation of the facility, which is hoped to be up and running by March 2017 and known as the Green Acres ATL Energy Park.

The aforementioned 2013 study indicated that around 80% of the current waste from the passenger complex consists of materials that could be recycled or composted, with 29% made up of food waste and 32% of compostable paper. In addition to food and paper, the new facility must be capable of handling 175,000 gallons of cooking oil and 50,000 gallons of grease trap fluids every year. Potential developments are already under consideration, including an education centre, a waste-to-fuel facility and local food production.

Airport workers request minimum standards

Airport workers, backed by a labor union, plan to ask the Port of Portland to implement a set of minimum standards to address their concerns over low wages, high turnover, understaffing, safety and equipment problems.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 49) released a paper with findings from a survey of 148 workers employed by subcontractors at Portland International, including fuelers, cabin cleaners, baggage handlers, ramp agents, ticket agents, wheelchair attendants and skycaps. Of those surveyed, 64.6% felt that they did not have enough staff to do their jobs well, 68% felt at risk of repetitive strain injuries and 67% reported that their equipment was in poor condition or insufficient.

Airport workers planned to attend the Port of Portland Commission’s review of a workplace initiatives document and in order to call attention to the importance of adopting a set of minimum standards at the airport. Minimum regulations need to be established as the survey found persistent poverty because of low wages, with many subcontracted workers relying on public assistance programs to afford the bare essentials, such as food, shelter and healthcare.

Main News February 11

Cargo record at Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that it has beaten its previous annual cargo record from 2012 by 4.1%, handling a total of 3.3m cargo containers in 2014. This marks an increase of 5.4% from 2013 figures, in addition to breaking the previously established 2012 record. Subsequently the port maintains its position as the busiest on the East Coast, accounting for nearly 30% of the total market share.

Another annual record was broken in 2014 by ExpressRail, the port’s ship-to-rail system serving New York and New Jersey marine terminals, which handled 9.3% more cargo containers than in 2013, at a total of 465,405 containers. Once again, the previous annual record was set in 2012, with 433,481 containers handled. The agency has invested more than US$600m in ExpressRail, aiming to improve port efficiency, competitiveness and reduce emissions, and plans to build a new facility in Greenville Yard in Jersey City. Funding for all of the port’s road, rail and security projects is now provided by portwide Cargo Facility Charges.

FedEx changes domain at Illinois

FedEx launched new operations at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington on February 2, following announcements that it was terminating business at Peoria airport, on the west bank of the Illinois River. Flights will mainly operate to Indianapolis and Memphis from the new location. According to the carrier, the move will allow improvements to its priority overnight service and enable earlier delivery times to the central Illinois customer base, while maintaining its Peoria delivery schedule.

The future of de-icing

Gary Lydiate, Chief Executive of Kilfrost, a major supplier of de-icing and anti-icing chemicals, predicts that within 15 years, a durable fuselage coating will be developed to combat icing in aircraft. This may mean an aircraft need only receive preventative treatment monthly, or potentially even less frequently, during the winter months. If the new concept is approved by industry regulators, Gary believes the sector would be open to a verified alternative to chemical spraying. Commenting on the main constraints of the endeavor, he said: “It’s mainly a technical issue at the moment… trying to make something that’s adhesive to the wing and does not distort the airflow.”

Similar ideas already in operation include liquid-metal “heating blankets” such as those bonded inside the leading edge of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner’s wings, which are powered electrically and are intended to deter or remove ice. Other “bleed air” designs use hot air from the engines to remove ice, though according to Boeing this is less efficient and creates additional drag and noise during flight. Eventually, the fuselage coating technique could merge with other aircraft designs and be used more extensively on aircraft. Some researchers even speculate that nanotechnologies might be implemented in aircraft design and used to combat ice-related problems by changing the shape of the wing or other flight surface.

Air Canada agreement with IBT

Air Canada’s US-based workforce has reached a provisional agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents approximately 650 Air Canada airport, cargo and call center employees based in the US. The tentative agreement is subject to verification by union membership. Details of the agreement will not be released prior to ratification and approval by the Air Canada board of directors.

In October last year, Air Canada reached a tentative agreement with the Air Canada Pilots Association, which represents 3,000 Air Canada pilots, on a ten-year labor contract.

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