News In Brief

Intentions For WheelTug: WheelTug plc announced a letter of intent with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to explore possibilities to install the WheelTug aircraft electric drive system on its aircraft fleet in the future. In other news, WheelTug announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division of Parker Aerospace, whereby Parker will be the exclusive supplier of wheels for the WheelTug system on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG families of aircraft.

People in the News

Brian Piety joined Page Industries as senior vice president with responsibility for all sales and marketing activities along with new product development. In addition to Page’s existing central system 400 Hz products, Piety will be adding other products to the company’s mix, such as 400 Hz cables, PCA ducts and other ancillary GSE-related items. For the past 12 years Brian was Global Sales Manager for J&B Aviation after beginning his GSE career with Jetway Systems in 1991.

Joe Phelen was promoted to executive vice president and will be responsible for Swissport International’s ground handling and cargo operations in North America and Asia. Phelan has managed the ground handling and cargo departments in North America since April 2012, after joining Swissport at the start of this year. With the expansion of his role, Phelan also becomes a formal member of Swissport’s Group Executive Management board, bringing more than 25 years of international logistics and transport industry experience. In related news, Juan José Andrés Alvez will be responsible for ground handling in Europe and Africa, as well as for ground handling and cargo for Latin America and Brazil. Currently, Juan José’s areas of responsibility are Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Brazil. Additionally, Israel remains under his leadership. John Batten, executive vice President of global cargo, continues to be responsible for the cargo division on a global basis. In other appointments, Sabine Meinitz joined the company in the newly created position of vice president of corporate communications and marketing. She will be responsible for Swissport’s corporate communications and marketing strategy, development and execution, including public and investor relations.

Troy Butler joined Schwarze Industries as human resources manager. Dale Glubrecht also joined the company as design engineering manager.

Gary Sass was named U.S. market manager for Continental Industrial Tires. Sass is based at the Fort Mill, SC headquarters. Jason Stickley also joined the company as business development manager.

Ken Bernard joined Matheson Flight Extenders as its station manager in Reno, NV.

Power Systems International Limited promoted Jon Hill to the position of managing director. Joining Hill on the board of directors are Ash Sharif as a director and Paul Berry as operations director. As a result, company founder Bernard Wallace has taken the position of executive chairman.

Frederick Roe joined Safegate Airport Systems as vice president of sales. Roe has 10 years of experience selling aviation business intelligence solutions. He will be responsible for business development in North America.

Swiss WorldCargo announced the following changes to its airfreight division: Lalin Sabuncuoglu-Janssen will become vice president of operations to Europe and Africa. Ashwin Bhat assumes additional responsibilities as vice president of operations in the Americas, Middle East and Asia. Jack Lampinski remains a full member of the management team as senior director of the Americas. In related news, Susanne Wellauer was appointed manager, Swiss Mail.

Menzies Makes Gains in the UK

Menzies Aviation handled its first United Airlines flight in Belfast International Airport in November. This is the first new United start up since the firm won a three-year contract with United for Belfast and Birmingham.

In other news, Menzies opened it sixth station in the UK at George Best Belfast City Airport for Aer Lingus on a new contract for three years. With currently six turns per day in the winter rising to 12 per day in the summer, Aer Lingus has further growth plans in Belfast City and Menzies will use the opportunity to strengthen its customer base at both Belfast airports.

Registration Opens for AviationPros LIVE

AviationPros LIVE, our annual conference and trade show that brings together the readers and advertisers of Ground Support Worldwide, and our sister publications Airport Business and AMT, will be held March 13-14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.