Airport Cities March 2015

March - April 2015
“We look forward to showcasing our
modernization plans for BIA during this event and
we plan to take advantage of the exhibition to
scout for the most suitable technologies, products
and services to support our development
programs,” Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah

For Sponsorship, Exhibiting and
Conference Delegate registration:
Ms. Paoula Popova
Mob: +971 55 561 6973
Email: paoula@emergingairports.com
Ram Muthaiah
Mob: +971 55 231 9715
E-mail: ram@emergingairports.com
Organised by Co-organizer
Babylon International
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
www.emergingairports.com
www.emergingairports.com
20-21st of October 2015,
The Regency Hotel, State of Kuwait
Exploring the
Emerging Airports Potential
Expo Tag
State of Kuwait

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any error or omissions contained in this publication.
Raj Menon
Sales Director
raj@arabianreach.com
Ram Muthaiah
Senior Sales Manager
ram@arabianreach.com
Pauola Popova
Senior Sales Manager
Pauola@arabianreach.com
Nafeesa.M.P
Deputy editor
nafeesa@arabianreach.com
Sudhi.P.V
Designer
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Ashwathi Menon
Administrator
ash@arabianreach.com
06 Events
08 Airports
16 Technology
Contents
Cover Story04
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22 Duty Free
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Tel: 00971 55 4153180 / 55 2319715
E-mail : raj@arabianreach.com
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Bahrain invests
in elevating
aviation and
cargo base
T
he Kingdom of Bahrain
is all set for a major
boost in aviation and
logistics infrastructure with
development plans in process
for Bahrain International
Airport (BIA) and an Investment
Gateway - Bahrain, a
development between the
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Port
and the airport. Also plans are
underway for development of
a second causeway linking the
Kingdom with Saudi Arabia, the
GCC nation with highest GDP.
The World Bank’s Logistics
Performance Index (LPI) ranked
Bahrain at 52, which has
garnered Bahrain a fairly better
score than oil rich economies
like Kuwait and Oman and
biggest emerging economies
like India and Brazil.
The Kingdom’s aviation sector
is set for a major facelift during
the next five years with projects
to be implemented for a
comprehensive redevelopment
of Bahrain International Airport
to boost passenger and cargo
capacity, once completed, will
boost capacity to 13.5 million
passengers a year and increase
in cargo traffic. The airport
aims to upgrade its facilities
and expand capacity through
an airport modernisation
program. Gulf Air as Bahrain’s
national carrier, on the other
hand, acts as a key national
infrastructure asset by opening
the doors to travel, trade,
tourism and investment
operating one of the largest
networks in the Middle East.
The airline connects more than
40 destinations globally.
According to a GCC Investment
Outlook 2014 report issued in
November the strengthened
intra-region logistics
connections are to enhance the
flow of the goods and labour.
The report also suggests that
and a new causeway between
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
announced in September
would make regional economic
integration possible. The
cargo tonnage growth over
last year in the kingdom has
been positive in line with
the government’s plans for
economic revival.
Making the growth process
evident, industrial forecasts
suggest that total tonnage
throughput for 2015 at Khalifa
bin Salman (KBSP) is expected
to grow 13.1 per cent with
average annual growth forecast
at 10.6 per cent between 2015
and 2019. Whereas, growth in
Bahrain International airport
tonnage handling is expected
to grow 2.8 per cent in with
average annual growth of 1.2
per cent over next five years.
Many logistics firms have
benefitted from the Bahrain’s
geographic proximity to
Saudi Arabia and other major
economies in the GCC. DHL,
one of the largest logistics
The World Bank’s
Logistics Performance
Index (LPI) ranked
Bahrain at 52, which has
garnered Bahrain a fairly
better score than oil rich
economies like Kuwait
and Oman and biggest
emerging economies like
India and Brazil.
Cover Story
4 | Airport Cities | March - April 2015

B
ahrain International
Airport will be
hosting the Bahrain
International Airport
Development Forum 2015 co-
located with the Middle East
Cargo & Logistics Conference
and Exhibition on April 1st
and 2nd 2015 to promote
and showcase the Kingdom’s
capabilities as aviation and
logistic hub.
The two day event will be held
at the Gulf Convention Centre
in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The event is expected to be
inaugurated by HE Kamal
bin Ahmed Mohammed,
Minister of Transportation
and Telecommunications,
Kingdom of Bahrain.
Various sessions in the
conference happening as a
part of the event will provide
a unique platform for idea
exchange on infrastructural
innovation and supply chain
efficiency. And discussions
will focus on airport and
logistic developments
across the region, with key
decision-makers from the
industry.
Speakers from Gulf airports
including Dubai, Abu Dhabi,
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are
also expected to participate in
the conference.
BIA to host airports and cargo
forum to promote the hub strategy
providers in the world,
identified Bahrain’s potential
as a hub and began services
to this small kingdom as early
as 1976, the company also
invested US$ 60 million for the
Bahrain regional distribution
centre in 1990s.
Malcolm Macbeth, vice
president of DHL Aviation MEA,
said “Bahrain is strategically
located in a central position
within this region and we
understand the importance of
that which is why our main air
hub for Middle East and Africa
is located in Bahrain.”
“Bahrain International Airport’s
developments presents a
massive opportunity for growth
and modernisation,” he added.
Bahrain has positioned itself
as a multimodal logistics hub
connecting air, land and sea
to serve the region and is fast
becoming the Middle East’s
cargo hub for global access.
It offers the best physical
access to Middle East markets
such as the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United
Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan
and Turkey. The Kingdom
of Bahrain undoubtedly is
committed to leverage on
the opportunities provided
by strategic location, growing
non oil economy and multi-
modal logistics hub design
for development to attract
investments and build a strong
aviation and logistics hub.
Eminent speakers at the
event include Mohamed
Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO,
Bahrain Airport Company;
Martin Bowman, Director,
Global Airports Lockheed
Martin; Mohammed Al Rais,
President, Hill International
Projects Middle East; Martin
Bowman, Director, Global
Airports Lockheed Martin; P.S.
Nair, CEO Corporate, GMR
Airports; Ms.Ivone Kuger head
of consulting, Munich airport;
Kimble Winter Global, CEO,
Logistics Executive Group and
Robert G Mills Head of Cargo
at BIA etc.
“We look forward
to showcasing our
modernization plans for BIA
during this event and we
plan to take advantage of the
exhibition to scout for the
most suitable technologies,
products and services to
support our development
programs,” added said Mr Al
Binfalah.
Over 70 leading airports &
logistic service providers will
exhibit at the event, which is
expected to host around 1500
delegates.
Cover Story
March - April 2015 | Airport Cities | 5

BIA is ideally positioned to
reap benefits:
Mohammed Al Binfalah
W
ith the Middle East
carriers demonstrating
a spur of fleet
expansion plans the region
is expected to take delivery
of more than 2500 aircrafts,
airport operators are
pushed to facilitate growing
number of flights landing
and taking off. Challenges
presented in managing the
operation efficiently and
offering excellent passenger
experiences are many,
Mohamed Al Binfalah, CEO of
Bahrain Airport Company in an
Interview with us shares some
of the challenges and his vision
for expansion and how those
improvements will deliver
optimum services at Bahrain
International Airport.
1. What are the challenges
you face on a daily basis?
Bahrain Airport Company
has been committed to
managing and operating
Bahrain International Airport
as a world-class facility, in
accordance with international
processes and regulations;
despite the challenge of
working with a dated terminal
facility that is handling double
its allocated passenger
capacity, our team has
worked diligently to ensure
BIA continues to operate
successfully with the highest
levels of service excellence and
efficiency that define it. We
have been both innovative and
strategic in our approach and
the passenger figures for 2014
showed 10per cent surge in
passenger numbers compared
to the previous year, proves
our efforts have paid off.
2. Share the expansion
program with us with time
deadlines & some of the
company s involved/going to
be involved in the expansion
at various stages?
Under the guidance of the
Ministry of Transportation,
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC)
has been appointed as the
Client Representative on the
Airport Modernization Program
(AMP). BAC in cooperation with
Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs,
the Ministry of Municipalities
Affairs and Urban Planning,
the Ministry of Interior, the
Electricity and Water Authority,
Design and Engineering
Consultants Aéroport de Paris
Ingérierie (ADPi) and Project
Management Consultants
Hill International, have put
in place a detailed Airport
Modernization Program (AMP)
to modernize and transform
(BIA) into a world-class facility,
in line with the Kingdom’s
national vision and reputation
as a leading financial, cultural
and aviation center in the
Gulf region.
This ambitious venture will
increase the airport’s handling
capacity from 9 to 14 million
passengers per year and
elevate the infrastructure,
facilities and services at
Bahrain International Airport to
enhance passenger experience
and solidify BIA’s competitive
advantage in the region as
a significant aviation hub.
The first phase of the AMP
is currently underway with
immediate enhancements
being done to the existing
terminal, including the
installation of new air bridges
and scanning machines already
as well as general cosmetic
improvements.
3. With lots of airport
projects around the region,
do you envisage there will be
over capacity in the region
& how would you position
Bahrain international airport
in future?
We are very optimistic about
the industry growth in the
region in general, and Bahrain
in specific. The Middle East
continues to be a great success
story in the aviation sector and
has become very important
from an aviation perspective
representing nearly 11per cent
of global aviation, about double
its share from 10 years ago.
This is driven by global hub
strategies and liberal aviation
access policies introduced by
the GCC countries.
According to recent studies
by International Air Transport
Association (IATA), GCC airports
are forecasted to be handling
250million passengers by
2020 and overall passenger
growth in the Middle East is
expected to increase by an
estimated 5.2per cent annually.
It is also predicted that the
Gulf region will lead global
aviation industry growth over
the next five years at least with
forecasts from IATA seeing the
Middle East and Asia Pacific
regions witness the strongest
international growth. In view
of these projections, the
future looks very bright for the
regional aviation industry and
additional capacity is essential
to sustain the projected
growth. We need airports that
can handle the forecasted
capacity for the next 15 to 20
years at least.
is ideally positioned to reap
these benefits; we have natural
geographical advantages due
to our proximity to the region’s
largest economy, the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia as well as the
Northern Gulf; BIA also has a
key differentiator - its friendly
and efficient service that makes
it a magnet for commercial
and cargo airlines. The Airport
Modernization Program will
further serve to elevate BIA
and strengthen our competitive
advantage in the region.
4. What are the plans in place
to attract new airlines to the
kingdom?
BIA has a deep-rooted history
in the aviation industry that
sets it apart from other airports
in the region. Until today, BIA
is seen as a key player in this
fast-growing sector in the
region and we pride ourselves
in being home to global
commercial and cargo airlines.
Our competitive advantage lies
in our strategic location, vast
aviation experience and strong
marketing mix; we are able to
attract new airlines through
innovative product offerings,
competitive pricing, strong
connectivity network and
ongoing promotional activities.
Currently BIA serves 42 airlines,
27 commercial and 15 cargo
carriers, covering 46 global
destinations; our aim is to
further grow these numbers.
We have developed a strategic
plan with key goals in place
which we are confident to
achieve with our focus and
tactical approach.
We have been very active
participating in internationally-
recognized industry events
such as Routes World in
Chicago and World Travel
Market in London, in an
effort to promote Bahrain
International Airport to the
global aviation industry and
attract new carriers to make
Bahrain their regional hub.
Our hosting of the first ever
Routes Middle East and Africa
in Bahrain next year will also
draw in additional airline
interest which we are sure
Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah
CEO, Bahrain Airport Company
Cover Story

will materialize into lucrative
partnerships.
We have also been very
aggressive in looking for
opportunities and partners
to help us tap into un-served
and underserved destinations
in Asia and Far East markets
including China, Malaysia,
and Singapore which offer
tremendous growth potential
for both commercial and cargo
airlines.
5. Please update us some of
the initiatives you have with
Gulf air to promote Bahrain
as a destination of choice?
Gulf Air is the national carrier
and our flagship airline and
is responsible for around
60per cent of BIA operations.
We work very closely with
Gulf Air to promote BIA and
by extension the Kingdom of
Bahrain, and we perceive them
as key partners and integral to
BIA’s long-term success.
Gulf Air’s restructuring and
strategic expansion of its
routes and services provide a
great platform to promote BIA
and by extension the Kingdom
of Bahrain as a destination
of choice. Our efforts have
been fruitful since passenger
numbers have soared by 10per
cent compared to the same
time last year.
6. What are the plans in
place to position Bahrain
International Airport as a
logistics hub?
Bahrain is uniquely located
at the heart of the Gulf
providing a strategic gateway
between East and West; since
its establishment in the early
1920s, BIA has been an ideal
aviation HUB in the region and
has attracted international
cargo companies, such as
DHL, that have made BIA their
regional home for over 35
years.
Logistics is one of the key
vehicles linking the Middle
East to the world and there is
more trade today between the
Middle East region and the rest
of the world than there ever
was with logistics companies
continuously investing in new
route developments, multi
modal options and enhanced
air networks to take advantage
of the region’s massive growth
potential.
At BIA, we offer cargo and
airlines a strong airside
infrastructure and a smooth
operating capability which
is not always found in larger
regional airports. Our services
for import/export and trans-
shipments are personal,
flexible and second to none
both on cost and service levels.
Our strength also lies in our
strategic location and proximity
to Saudi Arabia which is only 45
minutes across the bridge; we
are closer to one of the biggest
global markets than any of
our competition. Other GCC
states including Doha are only
20 minutes away by air whilst
Kuwait, Riyadh and Dubai
can be accessed within a 45
minute plane ride. In addition,
the Kingdom has the shortest
travel time between its seaport,
airport, and the logistics
processing zone of anywhere
in the Gulf, enabling companies
to serve other markets in the
Middle East with great ease
and efficiency.
We are continuously
reinventing the cargo offering
through improved facilities,
connectivity and enhanced
service performance in order
to attract additional business
through airlines and other
integrators. This will be further
enhanced by the AMP - the
new terminal will elevate
the airport’s operations,
infrastructure and services and
improve BIA’s overall handling
and operational capabilities,
making it fully capable to cater
to the anticipated growth
in cargo traffic. BIA has the
potential to grow as a Cargo
Hub and become a major
revenue contributor along the
same lines as international
Cargo Hubs like Schipol and
Hong Kong.
7. What are your
objectives that you plan to
achieve through Bahrain
Development Forum?
With substantial investments
in the Middle East’s aviation
and logistics industry, key
events such as the BIA
Development Forum offer the
regional players a significant
networking and knowledge-
sharing platform that facilitates
the exchange of ideas and
results in great learning
opportunities. The forum and
accompanying exhibition is
an ideal platform to showcase
the Kingdom’s unparalleled
regional connectivity and
competitiveness as a major
logistics hub and attractive
access point to the Gulf market.
The event will also bring to
the spotlight BIA’s aviation
capabilities and prospective
airport modernization plans
and we will definitely take
advantage of the exhibition
to scout for the most suitable
technologies, products and
services to support our
development programs.
We are also confident that
this event will play a significant
role in boosting infrastructure
development in the Kingdom
and this comes at the right
time as we move ahead with
our ambitious expansion plans
for BIA.
8. According to your good
self how will a future
airport look like in terms
of sustainability, use of
technology, passenger
screening, Baggage screening
and other panoplies that will
constitute a smooth distress
free travel?
The future of airports is driven
by passenger behavioral
patterns, smooth terminal
navigation and optimum
service efficiency; terminal
designs and airport technology
is continuously being upgraded
to ensure the passenger travel
experience improves from
the moment they arrive at the
terminal. From the new, high
speed security screening to
personalized baggage drop-
offs, new passenger mobile
Apps and ergonomically-
designed seating areas, all
efforts are concentrated to
ensure passenger comfort
levels are kept at a high.
Sustainability is also a key
factor in the design of airports
due to the associated cost
saving implications and the
ever-increasing pressure
placed by governments and
NGOs.
9. What would you like to
share with our readers?
Since its inception, Bahrain
Airport Company has been
at the forefront of all efforts
in establishing Bahrain
International Airport as
a world-class facility, and
constantly striving to improve
the Kingdom’s aviation
capabilities in line with the
national strategy and vision.
In 2014, we have witnessed
remarkable recovery at BIA;
there has been a 10per cent
increase in passenger numbers
to-date compared to the
previous year, this translates to
over 8 million people passing
through our BIA last year. As
per the updated forecasts,
we anticipate 8.7 million
passengers to pass through BIA
by the end of 2015.
Our focus for the next four
years will be the Airport
Modernization Program and
all resources are dedicated to
the success of this ambitious
journey. The AMP will reinforce
the Kingdom’s position as the
preferred regional aviation hub
and a key transit destination.
All efforts at BAC are being
directed towards the success
of this program. The current
infrastructure of BIA is being
upgraded, passenger capacity
is being increased, new routes
are being introduced, and
new airlines are launching
operations; all significant
developments that are
contributing towards offering
passengers world-class service
and experiences. The future
looks very bright for BIA and
the country as a whole.
Bahrain Airport Company is
also gearing up to host the
first ever Routes Middle East
and Africa (MEA) event in
Bahrain from May 31st to 2nd
June 2015; this is a significant
boost for BAC and the country
and will bring together route
development professionals
from across the world to
discuss air service development
in the region. In view of the
significance of the aviation
sector in the region Bahrain’s
hosting of this international
forum will give the country an
economic boost and stimulate
business through increased
international media exposure
and potential global investment
opportunities in the Kingdom’s
aviation industry. We want to
let the industry know that we
are ready to welcome them to
Routes MEA and treat them to
a warm and friendly hospitality
as is customary of Bahrain, its
people and by extension BIA.
Cover Story

Bahrain International Airport –
Looking ahead
frequencies and attractive,
high-growth destinations.
Asia and the Far East offer
tremendous growth potential
for both commercial and cargo
airlines and BAC is exploring
new un-served markets such
as China, Bangladesh and
Nepal as well as under-served
countries such as Manila,
Colombo, Sri Lanka and the
Indian Subcontinent.
As the regional aviation
industry continues to grow
at an astounding rate BIA is
perfectly situated to reap the
benefits. Under the guidance of
the Ministry of Transportation,
BAC is forging ahead with the
Airport Modernization Program
(AMP), an ambitious venture
to modernize and transform
BIA into a world-class facility by
2018 in line with the Kingdom’s
national vision and reputation
as a leading financial, cultural
and aviation center in the Gulf
region. The AMP will increase
passenger handling capacity
to 14 million passengers per
annum and elevate BIA’s
infrastructure, services and
facilities, to enhance passenger
experience and solidify BIA’s
competitive advantage in the
region as a significant aviation
hub.
This coming May, Bahrain
Airport Company will proudly
host the first ever Routes
Middle East and Africa (MEA)
event in Bahrain; this is a
significant boost for BAC and
the country and will bring
together hundreds of route
development professionals
from across the world to
P
roud of its deep-rooted
history in aviation
that sets it apart from
other airports in the region,
(BIA) continues to uphold its
reputation as a significant
transit and cargo HUB in the
Arabian Gulf; home to global
commercial and cargo airlines
since its establishment as the
first international airport in
the GCC in the early 1920s, BIA
is seen as a key player in this
fast-growing sector.
Since taking over the
management of BIA, Bahrain
Airport Company (BAC)
has been committed to
operating the Kingdom’s
national gateway in line with
international standards
and
strategies, further boosting the
country’s aviation capabilities.
The company has exerted
great efforts to strengthen
BIA’s competitive advantage by
continuous improvement in its
airport facilities, infrastructure
and ground operations; as a
result, BIA holds 47th place in
the SKYTRAX ranking for the
world’s top airports.
BIA enjoys natural
geographical advantages
that make it a magnet for
airlines. Its proximity to the
region’s largest economy,
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
the short travel times to the
Northern Gulf and the ample
connectivity options to Europe,
Asia and the Far East, make BIA
an attractive cargo and transit
point with a key differentiator
– its friendly and efficient
service offering.
Last year BIA
witnessed a 10
per cent
surge in passenger traffic with
nearly 8 million passengers
having accessed the airport. As
the regional aviation industry
continues to flourish, this trend
is set to persevere and BAC is
working on boost these figures
by a further 10 per cent in the
coming year.
Connectivity, efficiency and a
convenient travel experience
are among the main strengths
of BIA. At present, there are 42
major airlines flying out of BIA
covering over 46 destinations
globally; BAC has sought to
further grow these numbers
through a solid long-term
strategy.
BAC’s route development
approach is focused on
new route opportunities,
increased
Cover Story

Events
Dubai Airports reviews growth projection
S
peaking at the Future of Border
International Conference in Dubai
recently Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive
Officer of Dubai Airports said, “Our revised
projections for 2020 now exceed 126 million
passengers. By 2030, we expect to have
around 200 million passengers traffic.”
The conference was organised by the
General Directorate of Residency and
Foreigners Affairs in Dubai under the
patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation
Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and
Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates
Airline and Group.
In his presentation titled, Building the
Future, he explained that the projection
is without the availability of further
infrastructure development or space to
build at Dubai International. We will have
to come up with other solutions to satisfy
Dubai’s continued thirst for growth.” Dubai
International is currently the world’s number
one airport for international passengers and
the sixth busiest. Al Maktoum International
in DWC , which presently has five to seven
million passengers capacity, saw 845,046
passengers passing through its gates in its
first full year of operations in 2014.
DWC will have a passenger capacity of
220 million on completion of its second
phase. The approved first phase of US$32
billion dollar expansion of DWC , will enable
the facility to accommodate 120 million
passengers on completion over the next six
to eight years.
He stated, “Of course we need to
keep pushing the upper limits of
Dubai International capacity. Parallel
developments of additional remote stands
and airspace efficiency will help push out as
far as possible the point at which it becomes
ex-growth our US$7.8 billion investment
will lead to an ultimate capacity of 100
million. Griffiths observed, “There is a clear
and determined vision, unchanged for over
50 years, to create an aviation enterprise
with the world’s greatest airports, hosting
the world’s greatest airlines, in the world’s
greatest city.”
BIADF to feature eminent speakers
in the industry
T
he Bahrain International Airport
Development Forum 2015 co-located
with Middle East Cargo and Logistics
Conference & Exhibition 2015 and hosted
by Bahrain International Airport will be
gathering senior, influential industry
figures from both airports and logistics
sector from the East and beyond at
the event taking place on April 1st and
2nd 2015 at Gulf Convention Centre in
Manama, Bahirain.
Bahrain International Airport (BIA),
recently welcomed Cargolux Airlines,
Europe’s largest all-cargo airlines, into
the Kingdom of Bahrain. this marks
and turning point in transport of spare
parts, machinery, perishables, food and
consumer goods that includes textiles
form the United States and the European
markets.Entry of big brands into Bahrain
International Airport help solidify BIA ‘s
position as a competitive cargo hub.
Speakers confirmed include senior officials
from the industry like Mohamed Yousif Al
Binfalah, CEO, Bahrain Airport company;
Ahmed Al Nemah, Acting Undersecretary
for Civil Aviation Affairs, Ministry of
Transportation & Telecommunications;
Mohammed Al Rais, President, Hill
BIADF 2015 panel
discussion highlights:
1st Day, 12.30 - 13.30
Sustainable airport develo-
pment and strategic planning
1st Day, 13.30 - 14.30
Beating infrastructure,
customs and ground
operations challenges to
serve the supply chains
2nd Day, 12.00 - 13.00
How will the Regional Cargo/
Logistics industry evolve
International Projects Middle
East; Martin Bowman,
Director, Global Airports
Lockheed Martin; P.S.
Nair, CEO Corporate, GMR
Airports; Georges Fenergi,
Senior Manager Business
Development, Airports
Solution Line SITA, UAE; Mike
Perry, Senior Project Director,
EMEA, Rockwell Collins and
experts from IATA etc.
discuss aviation progress and outlook
in the region. Bahrain’s hosting of this
international forum will give the country
an economic boost and stimulate
business through global investment
opportunities in the Kingdom’s aviation
industry.
With forecasts predicting the Gulf region
to lead global aviation industry growth
over the next ten years at least, BIA is
taking great strides to capitalize on these
trends. The current infrastructure of BIA
is being upgraded, passenger and cargo
capacity are being increased, new routes
are being introduced, and new airlines
are launching operations; all significant
developments that will further solidify
BIA’s competitive advantage in the region.
Robert G MillsMike Perry Michael Herrero
P. S. NairMartin Bowman Georges Fenergi
Ahmed Al NemahMohamed Yousif
Al Binfalah
Mohammed Al Rais

DXB starts 2015 in top gear
D
ubai International has
begun the new year with
another record monthly
traffic by welcoming more
than 6.8 million passengers in
January. According to the traffic
report issued by operator Dubai
Airports, passenger traffic rose
7.7 per cent to 6,895,668 in
January 2015, up from 6,400,706
in the same month in 2014.
This follows Dubai International’s
performance in 2014 during
which the airport welcomed
70.4 million passengers to claim
the title of the world’s number
one airport for international
passenger traffic. “Considering
that Dubai International is
projected to welcome over 79
million passengers in 2015,
there is no better way to begin a
year than with a record month,”
said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai
Airports.
Regionally, Eastern Europe
remained the fastest-
expanding market in terms
of percentage growth (+71.9
per cent), followed by North
America (+16.9 per cent), the
Indian subcontinent (+12.2
per cent) and Asia (10.5 per
cent). Russia & CIS recorded
fewer visitors with traffic
dropping -22.7 per cent due
to the political and economic
instability in the region, while
traffic on Australasian routes
also registered a marginal dip
of -1.6 per cent. Routes to the
Indian subcontinent (+171,552
passengers), AGCC (+115,317
passengers), and Western
Europe (+105,409) topped in
Sharjah International traffic hits 9.5 million in 2014
S
harjah International Airport
reported a significant
increase in passenger
traffic with a close to 12 per cent
jump during 2014 in comparison
with 2013, having registered 9.5
million passengers as against
the 8.5 million passengers it
handled in 2013.
The freight handled for the same
period of 2014 recorded nearly
240 thousand tonnes and was
impacted by global downturn
trends. Aircraft movements
were up 6.5 per cent in 2014,
to reach 70,559 compared to
66,247 movements in 2013. This
increase comes mainly because
of the launch of new routes
and additional frequencies by
both new and existing carriers
at Sharjah International Airport,
especially by Air Arabia. Ali
Salim Al Midfa, chairman of
Sharjah Airport Authority
said, “As the numbers clearly
suggest, robust passenger traffic
growth continues at Sharjah
This indicates the growing
popularity of the airport and
is also a testament to our
simple yet efficient procedures,
excellent services, and the
attractiveness of Sharjah
as a business and tourist
destination.”
He added, “Sharjah International
Airport, in coordination with
the different entities inside
the airport, its strategic
partners and all stakeholders,
are committed to ensure a
pleasant travel experience for
its passenger, while at the same
time maintaining the excellent
reputation of the airport for its
efficiency and hassle-free and
speedy procedures.”
He highlighted that the emirate
of Sharjah, which last year
celebrated the title of Capital of
Islamic Culture 2014, witnessed
many activities, events,
exhibitions and conferences,
which contributed in turn to
the increase in the number of
visitors to the emirate. Sharjah
became the favourite tourist
destination for many tourists.
Considering that
Dubai International is
projected to welcome
over 79 million
passengers in 2015,
there is no better way
to begin a year than
with a record month
terms of growth in passenger
numbers.
Most markets were boosted
in January by holiday traffic as
well as visitors to the annual
Dubai Shopping Festival. Aircraft
movements totalled 34,643
in January 2015, up 6.2 per
cent compared to the 32,625
movements recorded in January
2014.
Freight volumes at Dubai
International continued the
downward trend in January,
contracting 5.5 per cent to
186,230 tonnes, from 197,021
recorded in January 2014. The
contraction is the result of a total
of shift of cargo operations to Al
Maktoum International at Dubai
World Central since May 2014.
“The opening of Concourse D
later this year will increase our
annual capacity to 90 million
passengers and make sure we
can continue to accommodate
the increasing number of
travellers who choose to fly
through DXB. It is also a strong
endorsement for our US$7.8bn
SP2020 expansion plan which
will allow us to remain one step
ahead of our expected growth
by increasing our capacity both
on the ground as well as in the
air.” Griffiths said.
Airports

Abu Dhabi Airports sigs Dhs 458
million contract with Smiths Detection
Airports/Events
S
miths Detection, a global
leader in providing
government regulated
systems to detect CBRNE,
has won a contract worth
$125 million to provide a
comprehensive range of
advanced detection equipment
for Abu Dhabi Airport’s new
terminal.
In one of its biggest single
airport orders, Smiths
Detection will equip the
terminal’s entire hold baggage
and passenger screening
checkpoints with a range
of systems to help increase
the airport’s annual capacity
towards 40 million passengers.
The so-called Midfield Terminal
Building Project is due to be
completed in 2017.
The hold baggage systems
include the HI-SCAN 10080 XCT,
a next generation high speed
explosives detection system
combining X-ray and Computed
T
he third edition of World
ATM Congress concluded,
as the largest air traffic
management (ATM) exhibition,
World ATM Congress with 6,929
attendees, 199 exhibitors, and
313 conference delegates.
The Congress opened on 10
March with a statement by Ana
María Pastor Julián, Spain’s
Minister of Transport and
Public Works who stressed
the importance of aviation
to tourism and the Spanish
economy and highlighted
progress in the Spanish air
traffic management sector. She
told the Congress attendees
“You have the commitment of
Spain.”
During the three-day event,
199 companies hosted stands
highlighting the newest and
most innovative approaches
to air traffic management. The
Congress featured aviation
leaders and experts from
around the world discussing
pressing topics, including how
best to harness the powerful
impact of the data revolution
and the possible impact of
disruptive factors on the air
traffic management industry.
The exhibition floor included
simulations of air traffic
control towers, simulators, and
visualized models illustrating
air traffic solutions that
improve safety and efficiency.
This year also included many
smaller theatres hosting
presentations and discussion
opportunities covering topics
such as integrating remotely
piloted aircraft systems (RPAS)
into the air traffic system and
the use of remote towers.
“I could not be happier with
the success of this year’s World
ATM Congress,” said Peter
F. Dumont, President and
CEO of the Air Traffic Control
Association (ATCA), which co-
produces the event. “For the
third straight year, we have had
record numbers of attendees
and exhibitors. I have
heard so many enthusiastic
endorsements about the event
from our industry, including
‘It’s like an ATM supermarket.’
The formal Congress
presentations addressed ways
of improving our worldwide air
traffic control systems. Casual
conversations on the Exhibition
floor led to new partnerships
and exchanges of ideas. Top
executive participation at this
event meant that significant
business agreements and
contracts were not just
proposed, but finalized.”
CANSO Director General Jeff
Poole said, “The successful
combination of top-level
conference; busy and
informative Exhibition;
and numerous workshops,
demonstrations, and
presentations has rightly
attracted leaders and decision-
makers from across the
aviation industry in record
numbers. World ATM Congress
has developed year by year
as it reflects the feedback and
views of those attending to
produce a compelling event. In
its third year, the Congress has
successfully fulfilled its original
aim of becoming the premier
ATM global event, organized by
the industry, for the industry,
which has shown massive
support, commitment, and
appreciation.”
World ATM Congress is
organized by CANSO in
association with ATCA and will
reconvene 8-10 March 2016.
World ATM Congress concludes
Tomography technologies. For
carry-on baggage screening,
Smiths Detection will deploy
its aTiX (Advanced Threat
Inspection X-Ray) systems,
supported by trace detection
sensors, bottle liquid scanners
and radiation detectors. The
terminal will also install 3D
workstations for outbound
equipment screening by the
Police and 2D workstations
for the inbound screening by
Customs.
Smiths Detection President
Richard Ingram said: “This
contract win highlights our
success in supplying advanced,
integrated security solutions
that meet the operational
needs of our customers while
delivering long-term value. We
look forward to consolidating
our already close partnership
with such an important and
rapidly expanding hub airport.
“The Midfield Terminal Building
will soon become the primary
gateway for passengers
travelling through Abu Dhabi.
We are committed to helping
Abu Dhabi Airports Company
achieve their strategic
objectives that align with the
UAE Capital’s Economic Vision
2030.”

Abu Dhabi International Airport sees 20.7
percent increase in traffic
A
bu Dhabi Airports recently announced
that passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi
International Airport increased by 20.7
per cent in January 2015. A total of 1,887,631
passengers passed through Abu Dhabi
International Airport during the month,
compared to 1,564,266 in January 2014.
There were 14,128 aircraft movements in
January 2015, which was an 18 per cent
increase over January 2014’s figure of 11,972.
Cargo activity comprised 64,479 tonnes
handled at the airport’s three terminals in
January 2015, an 11 per cent increase when
compared to January 2014.
Commenting on the latest passenger figures,
Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, COO at Abu Dhabi
Airports said, “Air traffic and passenger
movement continue to present a strong
growth trend as forecasted for 2015 for Abu
Dhabi, and the UAE and the region at large.
This is a critical phase for the capital’s airport
with its capacity being challenged every
day, and Abu Dhabi Airports will continue
to demonstrate diligence and commitment
in delivering on its promise to provide
passengers with a unique travel experience.
The year 2015 will mark several developments
at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will
include airfield lighting system’s upgrade,
additional aircraft stands and enhancements
at its terminals, all geared towards delivering
additional capacity and services that will
elevate the passenger’s journey. This eager
drive will continue as an interim expansion
program until we start welcoming our
travellers through the Midfield terminal.”
In January 2015, the top five routes from Abu
Dhabi International Airport were Bangkok,
London, Doha, Manila and Jeddah. The top
five routes accounted for 16 per cent of all
traffic last month.
DFW becomes favourite destination
for Gulf’s biggest airlines
G
ulf’s three biggest airlines, Emirates,
Etihad, and Qatar Airways, have set
their sights on the world’s largest
aviation market. Figures collated at the start
of the year indicate the three airlines boosted
flights to the US by 47 percent in 2014.
Etihad and Qatar Airways followed in
Emirates’ footsteps to add flights to Dallas
last year, making it the latest US market in
which all three carriers compete. Meanwhile,
the Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
Airport saw the Emirates Airbus A380 land for
the first time in Dallas in October of last year,
marking an 83 percent increase in capacity
on the DFW to Dubai route. Now, in a move
to further encourage international air travel
to and from the region, the DFW Airport is
inviting high-end retailers, restaurateurs, and
service providers to set up shop at its award-
winning International Terminal D.
“Our Terminal D concessions program has
received numerous awards through the
years,” said Ken Buchanan, Executive Vice
President of Revenue Management of the
airport. “Now, we are seeking to enhance our
customer experience even more with new
concepts that can help DFW compete on a
global scale.”
Thebidforspaceformorethan30concession
units — mostly in the airport’s international
Terminal D, but including a few spaces in
DFW’s domestic terminals B and E — is now
open to a variety of concession outlets, with
DFW Airport recently issuing a request for
proposals (RFP).
At the close of last year, DFW Airport set a
record for annual passenger traffic by hosting
62.9 million passengers through the year, and
increased its international service by adding
18 new nonstop destinations since 2011. This
makes it the third busiest airport in the world
for aircraft movements and the ninth busiest
in the world for total passengers, two spots
behind Dubai International Airport. Earlier
in 2014, DFW became one of 20 airports
worldwide to accommodate the Airbus
A380, significantly increasing its international
customer base.
With these customers in mind, DFW
developed a new concessions master plan for
Terminal D, to further its robust concessional
sales. The RFP calls for duty free, consumer
electronics, news, coffee, convenience, spa,
candy, premium retail and international and
domestic teas to be offered in Terminal D.
Food and beverage opportunities include a
Mediterranean grill, sports bar, snack bar,
deli, upscale Italian eatery, experiential or
signature bar, pub, high-end bistro, and wine
bar.
“This is an exciting time for DFW Airport and
our concession partners,” said Buchanan.
“Our tremendous international expansion
has added to the number of passengers
traveling through DFW Airport every day.
We’re looking forward to receiving proposals
from the world’s top duty-free shops,
restaurants, and retailers and to offering
our customers new and exciting choices for
eating, shopping and relaxation.”
Airports

Cavotec remains a leading
systems integrator
C
avotec is a leading systems integrator
in the global airports sector. Our
comprehensive range of innovative
ground support equipment (GSE) includes
air, fuel, electrical power and water systems
housed in underground pits, tunnel systems
and caddies. We develop technologies
for our own customers, and as a trusted
partner of leading OEMs.
Global expertise and local presence
Cavotechasglobalreachwithlocalpresence.
Supported by extensive engineering
expertise drawn from applications around
the world, we work closely with customers
and suppliers locally to deliver systems that
meet the specific demands of each project.
The Cavotec product range includes 400Hz
power systems, pre-conditioned air (PCAir)
units, refuelling and Wet Services, tunnel
systems, connectors and tow-bars, cable
coilers, crocodile systems and battery-
driven caddies. Our innovative technologies
help reduce tarmac congestion, improve
efficiency and reduce environmental
impact.
Cavotec’s Centres of Excellence
Cavotec’s Airports Market Unit comprises
three ‘Centres of Excellence’. Cavotec
Germany is home to our Cavotec Fladung
airports division which designs and
manufactures a broad range of in- and
above-ground GSE. Cavotec Dabico has
been at the forefront of in-ground fuel
delivery systems for some forty years.
Its systems are in use at airports and air
bases worldwide. Cavotec INET designs,
manufactures and installs stationary
and mobile aircraft servicing equipment.
Through its domestic and international
sales and field support offices, the company
supplies 50/60-400Hz power conversion,
pre-conditioned air and other power
generation systems to the global aviation
market.
Cavotec Middle East
Since its establishment in 1993, Cavotec
Middle East (CME), the Group’s UAE-based
subsidiary, has worked on a large number
of major projects across the region.
Cavotec systems – including PCAir, 400Hz
converters and 400Hz cable coils, mobile
GPUs, pop-up and hatch pit systems,
refuelling systems and Schneider Electric
cable management systems – serve airports
in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, India, Jordan,
Kuwait, Oman, KSA and Qatar. Cavotec’s
regional headquarters are located in Dubai,
with branch offices in Abu Dhabi, Doha and
Bahrain.
In close co-ordination with customers,
suppliers and other stakeholders, Cavotec
has focused on product research and
design thereby supporting customers’
efforts to improve operational efficiency
and reduce environmental impact.
Cavotec has carried out several major
projects in the region. The Group’s fuelling
systems complement its already strong
presenceatairportsinareassuchashydrant
pits, isolation valve pits, truck loading skids
and tank floating suction units. Interest
in metering skids has increased recently,
which complements Cavotec’s truck loading
arms.
Recent orders in the Middle East
Cavotec continues to register a great deal of
activity in the Middle East, with new orders
for the Group’s Airports market unit in the
UAE, Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
in recent months.
Cavotec has been selected to supply its DX-
Boost PCA units and pop-up pit systems for
Oman Air hangars at Muscat and Salalah
airports.
Cavotec is supplying 400Hz electrical
converters and pit systems with under
floor cable coilers for Cairo International
Airport’s Terminal 2 renovation project, fuel
hydrant pits for King Khalid International
Airport in Saudi Arabia and fuel hydrant pits
and access covers for Ataturk International
Airport in Turkey.
Cavotec is also currently fulfilling orders for
the Concourse 4 and Expo remote Stand
projects at Dubai International Airport.
These orders include large number of
Super Cool PCAir units, 400Hz frequency
converters and technical pit systems for
PCAir and 400Hz power.
Additionally, the Group is supplying pop-
up pit systems to New Doha International
Airport in Qatar, and a fuel leak detection
system for Senegal Airport. It is also
supplying hand lift vault access covers
for a fuel hydrant system at Abu Dhabi
International Airport for various projects
including its Midfield Terminal development.
Cavotec has also supplied, installed and
commissioned in-ground pop-up utility and
PCA units for A380 hangars at the Emirates
Engineering Centre at Dubai International
Airport. Cavotec PCA systems cool all types
of aircraft, including Code-F A380 super-
jumbos.
Cavotec equipment was previously selected
by the Emirates Engineering Centre to
provide utility services to the Emirates
fleet. Cavotec also manufactured the
world’s first subfreezing PCA system to
meets IATA’s Airport Handling Manual
(AHM) 997 specifications, now installed at
Bahrain International Airport. Sub-freezing
PCA units are compatible with all aircraft
currently in service.
Cavotec’s innovative pop-up systems
also serve Dubai International Airport’s
Concourse A the dedicated terminal for
Emirates’ growing fleet of A380s, Concourse
B, and Concourse C.
Cavotec Middle East’s facility in Dubai has
4,525 sq. office space and a warehousing
facility with workshops staffed by fully
trained engineers and technical experts
who support customers across the region.
Cavotec also offers installation services as
part of its system integration function – a
unique offering in the region.
Cavotec’s growing presence in the
Indian subcontinent
Cavotec is steadily growing its presence
across the Indian subcontinent, where
the Group has recently won a number of
important orders. The number of projects
currently being undertaken by the Group
underlines the increasing importance and
market potential of this region to Cavotec.
Cavotec is supplying a number of vault
access covers at Mumbai International
Airport, and has secured an annual
maintenance contract for its fuel systems at
Delhi International Airport.
Cavotec prefabricated fuel pit systems are
also currently being installed at two airbases
in India, and 400Hz, PCA pop-up pit systems
and PCA DX Boost units for wide and narrow
body aircraft are currently being installed at
the newly built MRO facility in Nagpur, which
is financed by Boeing.
In addition to Mumbai International
Airport and Delhi International Airport,
some of Cavotec’s key customers in India
include Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,
Kempegowda International Airport, Larsen
& Toubro, Indian Oil Tanking, IndianOil
Skytanking, Bridge and Roof Co., Air India
SATS and Celebi NAS. Cavotec systems are
also in use at Shah Amanat International
Airport and Osmani International Airport in
Bangladesh.
Cavotec remains ready to exploit
opportunities in Bangladesh, India, the
Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Airports

Lufthansa Technik to develop
operational facility at DWC
ADPI and Zaha Hadid Architects unveil design of new
Beijing Airport Terminal
N
ational Aviation Services (NAS), the
fastest growing ground handling
company in the emerging markets
and a subsidiary of Agility, has reached a
new milestone in its expansion with its first
contract award in West Africa. With the
new contract, NAS has now expanded its
operational network to 16 stations in nine
countries.
Under the ten year contract, NAS will
provide ground handling services at the Felix
Houphouet-Boigny International Airport
in Abidjan as a part of a public private
partnership with the Government of Cote
d’Ivoire. NAS was awarded the contract
based on their proven track record and the
solutions proposed to turn the airport back
to a regional hub as it was in the past.
The ground handling contract includes
passenger services, ramp handling, cargo
management and warehousing as well as
other related airport services.
The official signing ceremony took place
in Abidjan last week with Cote d’Ivoire
representatives, Gaoussou Toure, Minister of
Transport, Abdourahmane Cisse, Minister of
Budget, Nialé Kaba, Minister of Economy and
Finance and Hassan El Houry, CEO, National
Aviation Services. Following the signing El
Houry highlighted, “The Government of Cote
d’Ivoire places development of its transport
sector at the heart of its economic growth.
As the chosen ground handling partner,
we can provide them with the operational
expertise, security and reliability required by
the Abidjan Airport to reclaim its position as
the aviation hub for West Africa.”
The Abidjan airport currently handles close
to 1.5 million passengers, 8,200 aircrafts
and close to 20,000 tons of cargo. NAS
Ivoire, led by newly appointed General
Manager Olivier Berni will work through a six
month transition period before taking over
complete airport operations in mid-July.
L
ufthansa Technik Middle East, a leading
manufacturer and independent
provider of technical services for the
aviation industry, has announced its intent
to develop a new operational facility at
Dubai World Central (DWC) by the fourth
quarter of 2015.
The Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed
between the two parties at the second and
concluding day of MRO Middle East 2015
in Dubai. Under the agreement, Lufthansa
Technik becomes the anchor tenant of
the ‘Aerospace Supply Chain Facilities’ that
DWC is shaping within its Aviation District.
The intended Lufthansa Technik facility
will articulate the organization’s strategy to
expand its operational footprint across the
Middle East.
Commenting on Lufthansa Technik’s interest
to develop facilities at Dubai World Central,
Tahnoon Saif, Vice President of the Aviation
District said, “Dubai World Central is pleased
to engage with a global player like Lufthansa
Technik. This falls aptly in line with our
strategic vision to build a comprehensive
ecosystem dedicated to the aviation industry.”
Sharing details of the new project, Ziad Al
Hazmi, CEO, Lufthansa Technik Middle East
Services, said, “We have assessed DWC to
be the ideal venue to host our new facility
that is being designed to strengthen and
grow our local presence and capabilities in
the region. It will put us in prime position
as a leader in the aerospace supply chain
sphere, and help us enhance value for our
growing list of customers through offering
optimized technical services, such as our
ARC® portfolio which includes aircraft
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
services – literally from nose to tail.”
The MRO sector associated with the aviation
industry offers a wide spectrum of support
services related but not limited to the
maintenance of the landing gear, avionics,
hydraulics and braking systems, as well
as specialized functions such as aircraft
painting, plumbing, seat and upholstery,
non-destructive testing and plastics repair.
Aerospace Supply Chain Facilities is being
developed by the DWC Aviation District,
and will include three developments spread
across 45,000 square meters. Estimated to
cost Dhs120 million, the project will feature
a multi-purpose building for tenants that are
a part of the aerospace supply chain.
The DWC Aviation District is a 6.7 sq
km master planned district adjacent
to Al Maktoum International Airport. It
offers ready-to-build world-class aviation
infrastructure as part of Dubai’s strategic
vision for the aviation sector. Beyond its
aviation focus, the district will also offer well-
defined zones for sectors such as hospitality,
education, research and development, and
mixed-used development.
Dubai World Central is a purpose-built,
master-planned city around the Al Maktoum
International Airport. Covering a site of 145
sq km, DWC, when fully operational, will
function as a self-sustained ecosystem that
will ultimately support a community of one
million people. As a smart and sustainable
urban destination, DWC will host residences,
businesses, retail zones and hospitality
sectors. The destination will also be the
venue of the much-anticipated Expo 2020
Dubai.

A
bu Dhabi’s government
investment arm,
Mubadala is reportedly
studying the potential for an
airport in Cuba in partnership
with the Russian government.
Russia’s trade and industry
minister Denis Manturov
identified Mubadala as a
prospective partner in the
US$200 million project.
As per media Mr Manturov
said, “We’re actively engaged in
talks about that matter. Russia
and other nations were aware
of the need to modernise
Cuba’s transport infrastructure.
“There is a lack of international
airports, and they’re looking
to develop one of the former
military bases into a major air
hub serving Latin America,” he
said.
Media reports in 2013
suggested that Cuban
authorities had tentatively
selected an airfield in San
Antonio de los Banos, near
Havana, as capable of
handling long-haul passenger
and freighter aircraft and
supporting the plans of
Cubana, the national carrier.
A Russian fighter acts as a gate
guard at Cuba’s San Antonio
de los Banos air base, but if an
investment plan by Russia and
Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala goes
ahead, this could be a new
international airport.
Airports of Thailand to start expansion of
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport
T
he long-pending
expansion of Bangkok’s
Suvarnabhumi Airport
may resume shortly as the
board of Airports of Thailand
(AoT) has decided to revive the
airport’s Phase 2 expansion,
according to media reports.
The expansion plan was
delayed due to the country’s
military government’s scrutiny
of state enterprises and large
projects worth at least THB1
billion (US$31 million), which
the government took up to
ensure transparency and
exercise more control over
state companies. The go-ahead
by the AoT means that the
airport can now carry out both
the expansion and the capacity
upgrade as had been decided
in Q3, 2014.
The plan will equip the airport
to handle approximately 85
million passengers a year once
it is completed in 2020. AoT
also approved an augmented
expansion of the airport last
month, which would see
the construction of a new
passenger terminal that will
Mubadala considering Cuban airport
investment with Russia
while the second will start in
October 2017.
A remote apron covering
960,000 sq m of land and
equipped to accommodate 28
jetliners, including eight the
size of A380 super-jumbos
will be covered in the first
phase. It would also involve
the extension of an operation
support tunnel and installation
of utilities.
The second phase would
include the construction of a
satellite passenger terminal,
the extension of the main
terminal’s eastern wing and
the construction of an airline
office building and eastern car
park and an automated people
mover system linking the
satellite terminal to the main
terminal, reported the Bangkok
Post. The Thai Government
had announced US$1.9 billion
for airport expansion last year.
Officially opened in 2006, the
airport is the busiest in the
country and handled 53 million
passengers in 2012.
be able to handle 20 million
passengers a year and a third
runway that would initially
measure 2,900m in length
but later will be extended to
3,700m. The project will be
carried out in two phases: the
first will start in March 2016
Airports

Takenaka wins Changi Airport
terminal 1 expansion contract
S
ingapore’s Changi Airport
Group (CAG) has awarded
a US$323 million contract
for the expansion works of the
airport’s terminal 1 to Japan’s
Takenaka Corporation. CAG
said in a statement that it chose
Takenaka as it has a strong track
record in the development of
airports in Japan, the Middle
East, Africa and Asia.
Takenaka will be undertaking
the revamp of its Departure
Check-in Hall. This involves the
replacement of existing check-
in counters and the installation
of two new check-in rows to
increase passenger handling
capacity, CAG said in its press
release.
“A cluster of five retail and
dining outlets located at the T1
Departure Hall will discontinue
operations in the second
quarter of 2015, to allow for the
commencement of construction
for these check-in rows,” it said.
Other retail and dining outlets
at the terminal will still be in
operation.
The expansion works in T1 will
also support the upgrading of
the T1 baggage handling system
- from a semi-automated to a
fully automated system, as in the
other terminals. Certain areas
within the apron areas of T1 and
the T1 Arrival Immigration Hall
would need to be reconfigured
to make space for the new
The Philippines Department
of Transportation and
Communication (DoTC)
has released plans for
development of six major
airports to boost the country’s
tourism. The development plan
was revealed by division chief
of the Air Transport Planning
Staff Department of the DoTC
Rafael Lavides during the
hearing of the Congressional
Oversight Committee on
Tourism in the Senate.
According to the plans, The
Business World reported
that PHP26.1 billion (US$59
million) will be invested for
developing the Puerto Princesa
International Airport, Iloilo
International Airport, Bacolod-
Silay International Airport,
Davao International Airport,
Laguindingan International
Airport and the New Bohol
Airport.
An initial amount of PHP5.8
billion (US$13 million) will be
used for the construction of
new facilities, which includes
the development of its
2,600m x 45m runway and the
expansion of the passenger
terminal building to be
completed in 2017 at Puerto
Princesa International Airport.
Another PHP4bn will be used
for the Phase 1 development of
the Iloilo International Airport,
which is considered to be the
country’s fifth busiest airport.
This project will include the
expansion of the 13,700 sq m
passenger terminal building
to approximately five times its
original size.
Around PHP3.6 billion will be
invested in the development
and expansion of the runway
and passenger terminal
building of the Bacolod-
Silay International Airport.
Davao International Airport,
Laguindingan International
Airport and the New Bohol
(Panglao) Airport will receive
PHP5.8 billion, PHP2.2 billion
and PHP4.5 billion, respectively.
An amount totalling PHP6
billion will also be given to
Tuguegarao Airport, Roxas
Airport, Iloilo International
Airport, Bacolod International
Airport, Surigao Airport,
Butuan Airport, Ozamis Airport,
Zamboanga International
Airport, General Santos
International Airport and
Sanga-Sanga airports.
The DoTC is planning to submit
these plans to the National
Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) Investment
Coordination Committee in the
second quarter of this year,
media reported.
system and its supporting
infrastructure.
“The new baggage handling
system will have automatic
sorting capability, to better
support the implementation of
self check-in and self bag-drop
functions at T1, as well as early
check-in facilities at Jewel Changi
Airport,” it added. “This will
improve productivity for airlines
and ground handlers, as well as
increase check-in capacity.”
Two additional arrival baggage
claim carousels will also be
installed, to further increase
the terminal’s baggage claim
capacity. The works on the
baggage handling system will
be performed by Vanderlande
Industries, said CAG.
Calling the expansion works for
T1 a “challenging one”, Mr Fong
Kok Wai, CAG’s Executive Vice
President for Engineering and
Development, said CAG hopes
to deliver “a much-needed
increase in the capacity” of the
oldest terminal that will serve
passengers better.
He added that CAG will
work closely with Takenaka
to minimise impact of the
expansion on passenger
experience.
The works at T1 will begin
in this month, and are
expected to complete in
2019. The expansion will
happen concurrently with
other redevelopment works
at T1, such as the expansion
of the floor plate of the T1
Arrival and Baggage Claim
Halls, the construction of new
ground transport facilities and
pedestrian link bridges.
Philippines Govt unveils development
plans for airports
Airports

Perishable cargo handling
centre to come up at
Bengaluru Airport
The Karnataka Industries and
Commerce Department recently
announced the development of
said an exclusive 40,000 tonne
AISATS Coolport, a perishable
cargo-handling centre, will
come up at the Kempegowda
International Airport here.
Air India SATS Airport Services
Private Limited (AISATS),
India’s premier airport services
company, held a ground
breaking ceremony for the city’s
first fully dedicated perishable
cargo-handling centre.
The centre will cater to a wide
range of commodities such
as pharmaceutical products,
fruits, vegetables, flowers, the
department said. The facility
is expected to serve as a
catalyst providing impetus for
international trade and help
from the state in reducing their
transaction cost and enhancing
their competitiveness in the
international market.
Since 2010, AISATS Bengaluru
has witnessed a year-on-year
increase in Compound Annual
Growth Rate (CAGR) of 37.9 per
cent, the department said.
This maiden project is expected
to create more jobs for the local
community in the process and
The AISATS Air Freight Terminal
and the upcoming AISATS
Coolport are well planned,
designed and located to further
enhance its capability to handle
the expected increase in air
cargo throughput, especially
perishables and pharmaceutical
products, commented Willy Ko,
AISATS CEO.
Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways
jointly organise successful safety exercise
Q
atar Airways and Hamad
conducted a planned
emergency exercise to train staff
on managing an aircraft accident
at Hamad International Airport
(HIA) home to the airline.
The annual preparedness
exercise is part of Qatar Airways’
commitment to ensure that its
staff members are equipped to
handle any emergency situation
in a timely, safe and responsible
manner.
Hamad International Airport
officially commenced commercial
operations in April 2014 and
contains a robust network of
highly sophisticated technology,
including a state-of-the-art
operations control centre.
This is the second emergency
exercise to take place at HIA,
which was preceded by one
held in 2012. This year’s exercise
involved airport stakeholders
and all major emergency
response organisations in the
State of Qatar. The full-scale
exercise included 140 volunteer
passengers, a Qatar Airways
Airbus 330-200 aircraft with
14 crew members as well as
50 volunteer family members
waiting at the airport. The
exercise was conducted at a
scale that exceeds international
requirements to fully test the
readiness of the airport, airline,
its stakeholders and partners.
Qatar Airways participated
in the high-level jointly
coordinated exercise with
(of which Qatar Airways Group
is the operator), Qatar Airways
Group subsidiaries, Hamad
Medical Corporation, Qatar Civil
Aviation Authority, Ministry of
Interior (MOI), Qatar Emiri Air
Force, Qatar Armed Forces,
the State of Qatar Police, Civil
Defence, the Supreme Council
of Health, National Command
Centre, Ministry of Defence,
Air Customs, Airline Operators
Committee, and other support
services and organisations.
His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al
Baker, Group Chief Executive,
members of Qatar Airways
Senior Management, and HIA
Senior Management, including
Mr. Badr Al Meer, Chief
Operating Officer of Hamad
International Airport, Brigadier
Essa Arar Al Rumaihi, Director of
the Airport Security Department
(MOI), and Mr. Ashish Jain, Qatar
Airways Senior Vice President
Group Safety & Security, were all
present as participants and key
stakeholders in the initiative.
The scenario involved a flight
that alerted an emergency 15
minutes after take-off from
reporting severe flight control
problems. Following that a
hard landing took place and
resulted in simulated injuries
and damage to the aircraft
that had to be managed by the
ground HIA team. Helicopters,
ambulances and the aircraft
chutes were all deployed for the
purposes of this exercise.
Commenting on the exercise,
Qatar Airways Group Chief
Executive Officer and operator
of HIA, His Excellency Mr.
Akbar Al Baker, said: “Safety is
paramount at Qatar Airways,
and is at the heart of everything
we do. We ensure that the best
safety and emergency response
practices are followed in all
cases. Our staff is equipped with
latest technology and adequate
procedures to respond to any
emergency at the airport.”
Speaking from the HIA
Emergency Operations Centre
Mr. Al Baker commented: “It is
an integral part of our operating
procedures to hold exercises of
this scale. We regularly conduct
preparatory activities through
which we train our staff to
handle any incident to minimise
damage and protect passengers
and crew.”
The objectives of the exercise
included assessing the adequacy
of plans and facilities during a
major accident at the airport,
including the communications,
partner response, management
of the site, casualty registration
and transportation logistics.
Airports

A
s security requirements
and concerns continue
to evolve and become
increasingly complex, airports
worldwide need to keep pace
by protecting passengers and
commerce without impeding
their movement. To address
these demands, L-3 Security
& Detection Systems (L-3 SDS)
manufactures some of the
most sophisticated air travel
security systems available today.
L-3 systems efficiently scan
passengers and their carry-
on luggage at the checkpoint,
while their checked baggage is
sent to high-speed scanners
located behind the scenes. With
commercial passenger air travel
forecasted to increase by four
to five percent annually over
the next 20 years, these system
solutions are meeting the
urgent need to effectively and
efficiently screen large volumes
of passengers and their luggage
for dangerous explosives and
other threats.
Screening passengers at
the checkpoint
L-3’s ProVision 2 is a compact
version of the widely deployed
ProVision ATD and automatically
detects a broad range of
metallic and non-metallic
threats, such as guns, knives,
liquids, gels, rubber, wire,
powder, plastics and ceramics,
as well as sheet and bulk
explosives, using safe millimetre-
wave technology. The system
does not use X-rays or any
ionizing radiation. ProVision
allows travellers to be screened
quickly and conveniently due
to its simple operation. It only
requires a passenger to assume
a single, stationary position
during a 1.5-second scan.
The system operator views
a generic mannequin image
that is the same for everyone.
Threats or contraband are
indicated in coloured boxes on
the mannequin, facilitating a
directed search and limiting or
eliminating time-consuming and
intrusive pat-downs.
Screening hold baggage
As passengers and carry-on
bags are screened at the
checkpoint, hold baggage is
being screened by sophisticated
automated explosives detection
systems (EDS) integrated
with the airport’s baggage
handling system. Throughput
requirements for explosives
detection systems range
from a few hundred bags
per hour to over a thousand,
depending on airport volume
and baggage handling system
design. From small airports
to large international hubs,
implementing the right
screening solution means
understanding the environment
and what best fits the airport’s
needs. Since 1998, L-3 SDS has
used CT technology to meet
the complex aviation security
demands faced by airport
personnel and regulatory
agencies around the globe.
Its comprehensive portfolio
of hold baggage systems
comprises EDS solutions for
every throughput class, including
the high-speed, dual-energy
eXaminer XLB and the new
MV3D, an ultra high-speed
system capable of scanning up
to 1,800 bags per hour. With
advanced tools, these systems
allow operators to quickly and
confidently clear bags for flight
or designate bags for search.
In addition, L-3 has developed
OptiNet, a total networking
solution for an integrated
baggage handling system of
any size or scope. OptiNet can
efficiently and securely link up to
500 scanners, baggage viewing
stations and search workstations
on a single network.
Screening air cargo
With today’s evolving air
cargo security challenges and
regulations, the air freight
industry needs reliable,
high-throughput equipment
that is cost-effective, tuned
to a demanding logistics
environment, and backed by an
experienced team of trainers
and support engineers. L-3
offers multi-view architectures,
along with best-value, single-
view X-ray scanning systems,
in a variety of tunnel sizes. For
example, with a 1.8-metre-high x
1.8-metre-wide tunnel opening,
L-3’s PX 18.18 eliminates the
need to unpack contents
for inspection, accelerating
screening of consolidated cargo
in skids, pallets and ULDs while
maintaining the highest levels of
security.
With high-energy scanning,
six-colour imaging and
operator assist detection
capabilities; operators have the
comprehensive information
and flexible controls needed to
identify explosives, weapons,
drugs or misrepresented goods.
The high-powered, multi-view
X-ray systems are available in
200 and 320 kV configurations,
ensuring best-in-class
penetration and image quality.
Future-proofed solutions
Solutions offered by L-3 SDS
address current security
requirements with a software-
based architecture that is
upgradable to counter future
and emerging threats and
meet the most demanding
customer expectations and
regulatory requirements. L-3
delivers superior detection, high
throughput and outstanding
reliability, all backed by one of
the industry’s largest and most
experienced global service teams.
For over 30 years, L-3 Security
& Detection Systems has
developed and manufactured
cutting-edge security screening
solutions using advanced
technologies that include 3-D
computed tomography (CT);
automated, conventional
and high-energy X-ray; active
millimetre wave imaging; metal
detection; radiation detection;
and energetic materials
detection. The company is a
leading supplier of checked
baggage, personnel, checkpoint,
port and cargo screening
solutions worldwide.
Technology
L-3 SDS keeping
passengers safe

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Security & Detection Systems L-3com.com

Technology
T
urkish Technic signed a
support contract with
Citilink, a domestic low
cost carrier in Indonesia to
supply component and repair
on part basis for five years. The
support contract was signed by
Citilink CEO Albert Burhan and
Turkish Technic CEO Ahmet
Karaman at an event in Dubai.
As per the deal components
will be supplied from Istanbul
main base and Turkish Technic
pooling stations in Middle
East as well as at the low cost
carrier’s Jakarta main base.
Repair work of the components
will be done at the Turkish
Technic sites in Istanbul, Turkey.
With this new partnership
Turkish Technic plans to expand
its component sales and
support service business to Far
East, the company has already
reached fleet size of more than
500 aircraft in the component
pooling market. According to
Mr Karaman the company also
aims at developing business
with GMF Aero Asia as vendor
to support the contract with
Citilink and as component cum
parts repairs service provider for
other careers in the region.
“We thank Citilink for choosing
Turkish Technic for their
component support services.
This is a bold step for us in 2015
and we keep broadening our
component pooling in South
East Asia,” he said.
In a quick chat with us during
at the MRO Middle East event
Mr Karaman discussed the
about the deal and other
developments. “For us as an
MRO, incurring tangible profit
from the five year support
contract with Citilink will depend
on hours of flying involved and
how many aircrafts they fly etc.
But we will be able to supply
components for our clients in
Asia locally.” The component
availability locally through
Turkish Technic will save cost
and time for its clients in the Far
East region. Mr Karaman says
we as maintenance provider
and Citilink will be sharing our
capacities for mutual benefit
and deal allows us to serve
more than one airlines. We in
Indonesia are offering one stop
shop for components where
mainly we have a one this one
stop shop policy.
When asked about Turkish
Technic’s performance last year
Mr Karaman said that 2014
was year of growth, profits
were made but more important
expansions also took place. “We
invested around USUS$550
million in development of new
MRO facility at Sabiha Gocken
International Airport in the new
facility. We are four times bigger
in terms of capacity compared
to 2013. We are open at both
Atatürk Airport and the new
facility at Sabiha Gokcen Airport,
Turkish Technic to expand services to
Asian markets with Citilink deal
R
oyal Jet has awarded
SR Technics a five-year
contract to maintain, repair
and overhaul their CFM56-7B
engine fleet. The CFM56-7B
engines are currently in service
on Royal Jet’s six luxurious Boeing
Business Jet (B737-700 IGW)
aircraft, which are used by the
carrier’s prestigious VIP guests.
The work on the engines will
be carried out at SR Technics’
world renowned facilities at
Zurich Airport, Switzerland.
The maintenance, repair and
overhaul of the first of the
twelve Royal Jet CFM engines
began in the second week of
February, 2015. Commenting on
the contract win, SR Technics’
CEO André Wall said, “The fact
that a carrier that puts luxury,
quality and unsurpassed
reliability at the top of its agenda
chose SR Technics as its MRO
provider is significant.
Royal Jet’s guests pay for a truly
exceptional service. They expect
the pinnacle of performance
and reliability and the highest
benchmarks in terms of safety.
So of course we are pleased
that Royal Jet has entrusted SR
Technics to deliver that level of
quality competitively.
We now look forward to building
on our collaboration in future.”
Captain Patrick Gordon, Acting
President and CEO of Royal
Jet commented, “Royal Jet is
recognized globally for its safety
in the private aviation industry.
We are proud to only partner
with suppliers who provide a
first class service. The extensive
technical audit and thorough
tender process highlighted
the superior offering from SR
Technics. We look forward to
working together on many
future projects.”
Royal Jet picks SR Technics
engines MRO
one of the biggest airports
the world.”
Speaking on the expansion plans
in 2015 Mr Kraman said that
Turkish Technic will continue
efforts to expand in Middle
East and EMEA at larger scale,
whereas Far East also remains
in focus too. “We have number
of contracts in Europe and are
planning expand our engine
and landing gear services,
especially in Europe, where
we only provided component
maintenance.” Turkish Technic
is also focussing on growing its
landing gear business in India.
When asked whether he
looks OEM service contracts
as challenge for growth Mr
Karaman said that aircrafts will
always need maintenance at
some point of time. As you know
MROs are like service stations
that make sure aircrafts do
not have any technical lapses.
However, OEM service contracts
present challenges in the engine
service offerings. But major
carriers usually sell or sublease
their aircrafts to low cost
airlines, who heavily depend on
MROs for routine maintenance.
“Apparently, we have a gap in
component market which can
be advantageous for building
component pool.”
Mr Karaman concluded saying,
“Being an MRO for the Turkish
Airlines, over 70 per cent of our
business is guaranteed as the
airline flies around 260 aircrafts.
We use our capacities to extend
services to third party airlines
Citilink and others to widen our
reach.” Turkish Technic is the
leading maintenance company
providing technical services
for airframe, engine, APU and
components for a wide range
of airlines from Europe, Middle
East, Asia, CIS and Northern
Africa. Citilink on te other hand,
operates from Jakarta and
two main hubs in Surubaya
and Batam. It has a fleet of 33
Airbus A320s. Citilink provides
scheduled domestic flights as
well as international routes.

Technology
The ‘future is personal’ in air travel
T
he ‘connected passenger’
has become a reality,
with 97 per cent of airline
passengers carrying at least
one personal electronic device.
But global usage rates indicate
passengers have been slow to
adopt new airline and airport
mobile services when travelling.
Deeper analysis however, shows
that some industry players
are bucking the trend and
achieving high levels of usage.
This is according to The Future
is Personal, the latest industry
report from SITA, the leading
global IT provider to the air
transport industry.
SITA’s industry insights are based
on in-depth research directly with
more than 6,000 passengers;
carried out at 106 airports across
the world which handled 2.35
billion passengers last year and
with airlines that together carried
more than half the world’s
passenger traffic. The research
M
elbourne’s Monash
University and AMAERO
Engineering have
captured the attention of
global aviation industry giants
by creating the world’s first 3D
printed jet engine.
The manufacturing breakthrough
will lead to cheaper, lighter
and more fuel efficient jets,
and will also have an impact
cross-sectoral in fields such as
medical technology, according to
engineers and researchers.
The project was initiated when
French aerospace company,
Microturbo (Safran), donated a
fully functional older jet engine
to the team at Monash, which
was then taken apart and
intricately scanned.
Working from their base in
Notting Hill (20 minutes south-
east of central Melbourne),
researchers at AMAERO
Engineering, in partnership with
Monash University worked to
replicate the complex metallic
instruments by laser-based
additive manufacturing, also
known as 3-D printing.
Ben Batagol, of AMAERO
Engineering said, “The project is
a spectacular proof of concept
that’s leading to significant
contracts with aerospace
companies. It was a challenge
for the team and pushed the
technology to new heights of
success – no one has printed an
entire engine commercially yet.”
The project has attracted the
interest of global industry giants,
Boeing, Airbus and defence
manufacturer, Raytheon.
Professor Ian Smith, Monash
University’s Vice Provost
for Research and Research
Infrastructure said, “Australia’s
manufacturing industries need
access to the latest technologies
to stay competitive. “This Centre
allows them to rapidly prototype
metal devices across a wide
range of industries. It’s part of a
large integrated suite of facilities
for research and industry at
Monash.”
Melbourne makes history with world’s
first 3D printed jet engine
shows airlines have made
significant investments in mobile
services over the past four years
as smartphone adoption surged
and the majority now enable
passengers to buy tickets, check-
in and access flight information
via smartphone apps. Meanwhile
half of the worlds’ airports also
provide flight information
via apps.
Still global rollout and adoption
is proving to be slower and more
complex than was anticipated.
Half of passengers are keen to
use their mobiles to find their
way around the airport, access
lounges or the aircraft, provide
identification at checkpoints, or
make payments. The reality is
though, that despite these and
other services, including mobile
check-in and boarding passes
provided by airlines, 24 per
cent of passengers have not yet
used travel apps at all on their
journey.
Nigel Pickford, Director Market
Insight SITA said, “At a glance,
airlines and airports might be
discouraged by the slower
than expected global usage
rates but this hides the huge
success that some airlines and
airports are experiencing. Our
analysis has shown that the
successful ‘outliers’, be they
airports or airlines, are focusing
on providing excellent customer
service experiences that their
passengers want. They are
harnessing new technologies to
give personalized services at the
right moment of the journey.”
SITA’s report details the desire
for passengers to experience
personalized services
throughout their journey and
explains how personalization
is now expected both on the
ground and in-flight. This era of
continuous engagement means
that passengers also expect to
be kept informed during periods
of disruption and given the
ability to manage the changing
circumstances of their journey.
The Future is Personal combines
SITA’s global research with
commentary and cases studies
from airports and airlines that
have focused particularly on
using mobile services to improve
the passenger experience to
great success.
Two engines have now been
successfully ‘printed’ as part of
the project. One of these was
on display at the Australian
International Airshow, a biennial
event taking that took place in
Avalon in February.
Manufacturing have been
supported by government via
the Australian Research Council
(ARC), the Commonwealth
Research Council (CRC) program,
Commercialisation Australia,
the Science and Industry
Endowment Fund, Monash
University and Safran.
Jean-François Rideau, head of
R&T from Microturbo (Safran),
said: “Monash and AMAERO are
already key partners for our new
developments and we are keen
to have their help in developing
new technologies for our future
engines.”
John Butler, Victorian
Commissioner to the Middle
East, Africa and Turkey, said:
“This achievement is great
news for Victoria, and it reflects
the enormous strength of
our aviation and aerospace
industry.”

GCAA launches major en-route and flow
management initiative with Airbus ProSky
T
he aviation industry is a key enabler of
the UAE economy. With growth of air
traffic expected to increase from 2,200
flight movements a day in 2014 to 5,100
flight movements daily in 2030, optimizing
airspace is critical to handling increasing
capacity demands, efficiency and overall
growth. Recognizing such importance, the
General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has
Northrop Grumman highlights new Air Traffic
control communication portfolio
N
orthrop Grumman Corporation’s
UK based air traffic communication
systems subsidiary, Northrop
Grumman Park Air Systems, will be
showcasing its new air traffic control (ATC)
communications portfolio, Park Air Sapphire,
at the World ATM Congress in Spain.
Park Air Sapphire is a solution-driven
portfolio of products and services aimed at
providing ATC communication systems with
components designed to ensure ease of
purchase, installation and maintenance.
“We are very proud of the Sapphire
portfolio, and the launch year has been an
exciting time for us,” said Charles Houseago,
managing director, Northrop Grumman Park
Air Systems. “We are confident that 2015 will
see Sapphire rapidly become established as
the ATC communication solution of choice.”
Included in the exhibit will be the new
generation of the world’s most widely
deployed ATC radio, the Park Air T6.
The latest version of the T6 is a highly
capable radio fully compliant with Internet
Protocol version 6 (IPv6), and EUROCAE
Interoperability Standards for VoIP ATM
(ED-137). On display also will be the MARC
Server, a highly configurable Internet
browser-based control and monitoring
system to monitor all the portfolio assets
from desktops or tablets.
Also featured will be the company’s award-
winning Airport Realtime Collaboration (ARC)
software and services. ARC enables airports
to capture, process and share crucial
information across all of its stakeholders.
Customers have achieved impressive results,
from increasing the utilisation of existing
infrastructure to reducing C02 emissions.
Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems
supplies communication systems for
airspace operations worldwide.
ATC/ATM
HE Saif Mohammed Al
Suwaidi stated “Ensuring
appropriate readiness for
our aviation infrastructure
to accommodate the UAE
aviation strategies rests as a
top strategy for the GCAA. The
UAE airspace is considered
amongst the busiest in the
world and we are determined
to continuously enhance the
air traffic operations safety
and efficiency.”
pave the way for further efficiency gains.”
The agreement also includes a Collaborative
Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) study
and operational trial. The output shall result
in a concept of operations specific to the
UAE environment.
In the 2012-2103 airspace study, Airbus
ProSky identified Air Traffic Management
(ATM), airspace and Communication,
Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) challenges
resulting in 53 recommendations for
improvement.
Hafid El Boukfaoui, Regional Director
of Airbus ProSky, remarked, “This marks
a significant step forward in alleviating
current saturation and addressing capacity
challenges in the UAE. We feel honoured
that GCAA has chosen to partner with us in
their effort to optimize airspace efficiency.”
A comprehensive airspace design is a
key element ensuring the airspace will be
optimally used to support growing aviation
needs and activity levels. It also leverages
capabilities as they are deployed as part of
ICAO Block Upgrades and will accommodate
the transition to a full Performance Based
Navigation (PBN) airspace environment.
The UAE FIR is predominantly a complex
En Route environment with the majority of
traffic spending around 85 percent of the
flight distance flown in a climb or descent
phase. The conceptual designs that will
be created by Airbus ProSky will interface
the appropriate connectivity to Control
Areas CTA’s, which is the key to ensuring
integration into the overall UAE network
route structure and international interfaces.
strategically invested in understanding its
airspace challenges and implementing the
necessary changes.
HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi stated
“Ensuring appropriate readiness for our
aviation infrastructure to accommodate
the UAE aviation strategies rests as a top
strategy for the GCAA. The UAE airspace is
considered amongst the busiest in the world
and we are determined to continuously
enhance the air traffic operations safety and
efficiency.”
Ahmed Al Jallaf, Assistant Director General
Air Navigation Services stated, “We are
pleased to announce the selection of Airbus
ProSky to develop a conceptual design for
the UAE En Route airspace. It is the logical
step following the successful outcome of
the UAE airspace study conducted in 2012
and 2013. This project will be a continuity
of what was started two years ago and will

India to explore Aireon potential
NATS expands Lockheed Martin relationship
N
ATS, the UK-based air
traffic control business,
and Lockheed Martin,
the airport and air traffic
management (ATM) technology
provider, have entered a
strategic partnership that
strengthens the existing supplier
relationship and underlines their
commitment to further enable
improved efficiency, safety and
passenger experience across
airports and air traffic systems
worldwide.
This partnership comes after
the two organisations already
announced an extension of the
ongoing support agreement for
a number of NATS operational
systems, as well as a new
arrangement that has seen
Lockheed Martin UK take on
the support of NATS business IT
systems.
The partners said the increased
commitment will be a vital
element in supporting NATS’
deployment of the next
generation of air traffic control
technologies over the coming
five years in support of the
Single European Sky initiative.
The programme will see NATS
move to a new technology
platform that will improve
operational resilience and offer
greater service flexibility.
For Lockheed Martin, the
collaboration is an additional
capability that consolidates its
suite of airport and air traffic
technology solutions that are the
key in managing the passenger
journey from kerb to cloud.
The partnership will also see
NATS and Lockheed Martin
combine their expertise to offer
new and innovative solutions to
the global aviation market.
For example, the first example
of this closer relationship is
the joint development and
implementation of Time
Based Separation, a new way
of separating aircraft on final
approach to an airport. In a
world first, the system is due
to go live at London Heathrow
Airport in spring 2015 and is
expected to halve delays caused
by strong headwinds.
Headwinds on final approach
are one of the biggest causes of
arrival delay at an airport, where
traditional Distance Based
Separation causes the landing
rate to drop and delays for
passengers to mount. Changing
to a time based system
allows air traffic controllers to
dynamically alter the spacing
between aircraft based on the
current wind conditions, thereby
maintaining the landing rate and
improving airport resilience.
NATS and Lockheed Martin
are now working to showcase
the benefits of the technology
to airports around the world
as part of a suite of products
designed to optimise approach
operations, many of which
will be demonstrated at the
forthcoming CANSO World ATM
Congress, Madrid and Passenger
Terminal Expo, Paris events in
10-12 March.
“As global demand for air travel
rises, Lockheed Martin and
NATS are continuing to find
innovative ways to help improve
the passenger experience and
ensure that people are able
to reach their destinations
safely and on time,” said Mark
Cooper, UK managing director
of Lockheed Martin Information
Systems & Global Solutions.
“Our new capability will help
airports and airlines to maintain
capacity during challenging
weather periods and reduce the
disruption faced by thousands
of passengers.”
Tim Bullock, NATS director,
supply chain, said: “This
partnership builds on our
existing strong relationship
and the support of our supply
chain partners will ensure NATS
can continue to meet the high
standards of safety and service
our customers expect.”
Martin Rolfe, NATS managing
director, operations, added: “We
see our partnership strategy
as vital to the successful
delivery of our future plans. The
partnership between NATS and
Lockheed Martin means we can
pool our considerable skills,
technologies and resources in
deploying SESAR technologies
over the next five years and
deliver new innovative products
and services like Time Based
Separation, allowing NATS and
Lockheed Martin to lead the way
at improving airport efficiency
and resilience.”
A
ireon, developer and operator of the
world’s first space-based global air
traffic surveillance system, has signed
a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to
collaborate on the potential deployment
of Automatic Dependent Surveillance
– Broadcast (ADS-B) services in Indian
airspace as a potential future customer of
Aireon.
This announcement expands the planned
deployment of Aireon service in Asia.
Under the terms of this agreement, AAI
will work with Aireon to develop applicable
regulations, standards and procedures
for ADS-B in its airspace; identify specific
requirements for AAI’s use of space-based
ADS-B surveillance; and demonstrate how
the use of ADS-B can improve aviation
operations in Indian airspace.
This agreement supports AAI’s commitment
to providing safe, efficient and cost-effective
air navigation services on a long-term
sustainable basis. The relationship will also
leverage and support AAI’s experience
ATC/ATM
in controlling a high-traffic area that is
developing into a major aviation hub in
the region, especially with growing routes
between the Middle East and Asia.
“This agreement is yet another important
milestone in the growing coalition of ANSPs
worldwide who are collaborating with
Aireon to transform the future of aviation
surveillance,”said Don Thoma, president
and CEO, Aireon. “AAI’s commitment to
implementing leading-edge surveillance
infrastructure to further India’s aviation
industry is pivotal in bringing space-based
ADS-B to this region.As we develop and
deploy Aireon, our close partnership with
them will help brings a much-needed
surveillance technology to remote and
oceanic areas within AAI’s airspace that are
currently underserved.”
“We look forward to working with Aireon
to develop this innovative new technology
to achieve global harmonization, allowing
ANSPs to take advantage of the space-based
technology for safe, efficient and cost-
effective services,” said V Somasundaram,
member (ANS), Airports Authority of India.
In partnership with leading ANSPs and
investors from around the world, NAV
CANADA, ENAV, the Irish Aviation Authority
(IAA), and Naviair, as well as Iridium
Communications, Aireon plans to provide
the first opportunity for global air traffic
surveillance as early as 2017.

B
ahrain Duty Free Shop
Complex has announced
an all-time high net profit
of US$22.7 million for the year
2014. This was a leap of +32.7
per cent on 2013, with earnings
per share also climbing sharply
to US$0.21 million (up +35.6 per
cent). Financial results for the
fourth quarter of 2014 improved
too, with net profit more than
doubling (+110 per cent) year-
on-year to US$7.48 million.
Sales in the year rose by +7.8
per cent to US$74.5 million,
and in Q4 by +5.8 per cent to
US$19.6 million. The results for
2014 showed a +7.5 per cent
increase in shareholders’ equity
to US$118.7 million compared
to last year’s figure of US$ 110.4
million. Chairman of the Board
Farouk Almoayyed said that the
company’s focus on variety and
quality and on its marketing
campaigns and customer service
were influential in increasing
sales.
Profit from investments hit
US$9.93 million, a surge of
+75.8 per cent over 2013. The
investment portfolio increased
by +15.5 per cent to US$76.6
Bahrain Duty Free posts record profits in 2014
WDF reveals terms of renewed Kuwait concession
W
orld Duty Free Group
and local partner
That Es-Salasil have
revealed terms of their new
five-year contract to operate
the duty free stores at Kuwait
The new contract, signed with
the General Directorate of Civil
Aviation of Kuwait (DGAC), is
effective from 1 March 2015.
It includes an option for an
additional year under the same
conditions. World Duty Free
Group and That Es-Salasil have
been operating at the airport
since 2006.
In an candid statement of
contract terms World Duty
Free Group and that Es-Salasil
said they won the tender after
presenting an offer of a flat
annual investment rent fee of
KWD7.77 million (€23.08 million
at current exchange rates) for
each of the five years of the
concession.
As part of the agreement
with the airport, the contract
includes an additional six-
month refurbishment period to
carry out the necessary store
renovations (€0.9 million capital
investment). The rent fees
are therefore payable as of 1
September 2015.
World Duty Free Group noted
that unlike other contracts
where it agrees rent as a
variable percentage of sales,
with the option of including a
Minimum Annual Guarantee, the
agreement in Kuwait consists
of a fixed fee over the life of the
concession, regardless of sales
performance.
The tender was organised
through a competitive bid.
Under the new contract, the
retailer will operate two stores
at the existing location in
departures - a store with World
Duty Free Group’s beauty range
and Pure Gold jewellery and
a shop offering a selection of
tobacco and confectionery and
other food.
“We are very pleased to have
made a very competitive offer to
retain the duty free business in
Kuwait and to keep partnering
with the General Directorate of
Civil Aviation in Kuwait,” media
quoted World Duty Free Group
International Chief Operating
Officer Pedro Castro.
“As the incumbent bidder, and
operator of the stores in this
airport since 2006, we know the
dynamics of Kuwait International
Airport and its potential very
well. In partnership with That
Es-Salasil, we have streamlined
cooperation with the DGAC
to make this operation a
real success story and we
are delighted to extend this
partnership”.
Duty Free
million. The Board of Directors
has recommended a cash
dividend to shareholders of
US$0.13 per share as a final
cash dividend, of which a
US$0.05 per share interim
dividend was paid during
the year. The Board has also
recommended a bonus share
issue of 10 per cent.
Almoayyed thanked the
executive management team
and the company’s employees
on the efforts that led to the
results. Managing Director
Abdulla Buhindi noted that
posted a +10.4 per cent in
passenger numbers. He
added that Bahrain Duty
Free completed many shop
refurbishments during 2014,
including the Arrivals shop plus
the opening of a new fashion
shop, with these and other
investments playing a part
in enhancing the shopping
experience.
Buhindi also hailed the
partnership of Bahrain Duty Free
and Bahrain Airport Company,
which won the 2014 Frontier
Award for Best Marketing
Campaign by a Retailer / Airport
in Cannes last October.

Airport Cities March 2015

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