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    1. Home

    May 2015 News

    May 18, 2015
    Angie Betterman
    Angie Betterman

    Calendar

    AAAE 87th Annual Conference & Expo

    June 7-10

    Philadelphia, PA

    inter airport Europe

    October 8-11

    Munich, Germany

    NBAA Business Aviation Conference & Exposition

    November 17-19

    Las Vegas, NV

    Business Buzz

    The Menzies Aviation team at Schiphol Airport received an award for Operational Excellence alongside easyJet. The team were recognized for their collaborative approach in working with easyJet throughout 2014 to make significant improvements to its operations. Among many of their successes last year, was a reduction in customer waiting times at easyJet check-in desks. The team analysed data provided by easyJet and Schiphol Airport to identify which areas required additional resource at particular times, and shared this information throughout their teams. This attention to detail and sharing of information resulted in a reduction of the average queueing time for easyJet customers. In other news, Menzies Aviation's head office in London recently launched a Safety & Security Program for its UK station managers.

    Swissport International Ltd., announced that its Swissport Cargo station in Brussels had successfully completed the validation process for IATA’s first-ever “Center of Excellence for Independent Validators” (CEIV) on Pharmaceutical Logistics. In 2014, IATA established the center in close cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry, regulators and industry stakeholders. The certification aims at helping airlines, handlers and forwarders improve their share of the $60 billion a year pharmaceutical logistics market. 

    Airtow Trailers announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The plant, which is Airtow's second manufacturing site, is part of the company's plans to drive the continued growth of its trailer business and expand further into central and eastern United States.

    David Clark Company launched a new website highlighting its products and systems for ramp and maintenance communications. The site provides complete descriptions and technical information on the company’s noise-attenuating headsets and components for wired and wireless communication systems. The new website features complete information for David Clark Company wired and wireless communication systems designed for pushback, deicing and MRO applications, including the Series 3800 (wired) systems as well as Wireless Series 9900 systems. Visit www.davidclarkcompany.com.

    Ten of Phillips 66Aviation's FBOs were recognized in this year’s Aviation International News survey. More than 11,000 respondents completed AIN’s questionnaire that ranks FBOs according to line service, passenger amenities, pilot amenities, facilities and customer service representatives.

    Delta Air Lines Inc. said that first-quarter profit more than tripled as passengers flew more and jet fuel prices fell from a year ago. Delta reported first-quarter net income of $746 million, or 90 cents per share, up from $213 million, or 25 cents per share, in the same period last year.

    US airlines are doing a poorer job of serving travelers, with more late flights, more lost bags and more customer complaints, according to the 25th annual Airline Quality Ratings report.

    Among the findings in the report

    • Lateness: The percentage of flights arriving on time fell to 76.2 percent last year from 78.4 percent in 2013. Best: Hawaiian Airlines. Worst: Envoy Air, which operates most American Eagle flights.
    • Lost bags: The rate of lost, stolen or delayed bags rose 13 percent in 2014. Best: Virgin America. Worst: Envoy. Airlines lose 1 bag for every 275 or so passengers, but at Envoy, the rate is 1 lost bag for every 110 passengers, according to government figures.
    • Overbooking: The rate of passengers getting bumped from flights rose 3 percent. Best: Virgin America. Worst: a tie, between SkyWest and its ExpressJet subsidiary.
    • Complaints: Consumer complaints to the government jumped 22 percent in 2014. Best: Alaska Airlines. Worst: Frontier.

    The U.S. Department of Transportation said that 16 domestic flights were stuck on the ground for more than three hours and eight international flights were delayed more than four hours in February. Eleven of the long delays, however, were American Airlines or American Eagle flights to or from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport during a Feb. 27 snow storm. Overall, 72.8 percent of flights arrived on time in February, down from 76.8 percent in January, but up from 70.7 percent the previous February. Among the 14 airlines that carry enough traffic to report figures to the government, Alaska Airlines had the best on-time rating at 85.1 percent. Envoy Air, which operates many American Eagle flights, had the worst rating at 53.3 percent.

    According to a new market research published by MarketsandMarkets, the global aircraft deicing market is projected to reach $1.3 billion by 2020. The market is expected to witness remarkable growth during the forecast period. Canada, U.S., U.K, Germany, Russia, France, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, and China, and Japan are identified as revenue hot spots.

    Rhonda: Box this along with photo:

    Sea-Tac Ramp Agent Paralyzed In Accident Awarded $40 Million Judgment

    A King County jury awarded $40 million to a Brandon Afoa, a ramp agent who was paralyzed while working at Sea-Tac Airport. Afoa sued the Port of Seattle claiming it failed to provide a safe working environment, which contributed to the accident that left him without the use of his legs and right arm. Afoa was hurt when the pushback he was driving lost its brakes and steering and crashed into a broken cargo loader. Alfoa was 25 at the time. Airport lawyers contended that the accident was caused solely by the malfunction of the pushback's mechanical systems, which were to be maintained by Afoa's employer, Evergreen Aviation Ground Logistics Enterprises, and that the airport had no duty or responsibility to ensure that Evergreen properly maintained its vehicles. The jury saw it otherwise, and apportioned 25 percent of the blame for the accident to Sea-Tac Airport. Jurors said a number of airlines, who weren't part of the lawsuit, bore the majority of the rest of the blame. The jury also said Afoa was 0.2 percent negligent.

    Germany's biggest airport is about to become even bigger after Fraport's supervisory board on voted to build a third terminal at Frankfurt Airport. Fraport projects that the number of passengers could climb as high as 73 million annually from 2021, up from its present level of around 60 million and about 10 million higher than the airport's current maximum capacity. The new terminal is expected to serve an extra 25 million passengers a year.

    New Deals

    Hercules Engine Components announced the completion of a successful ownership transfer, with Douglas Brinkley acquiring the company from its previous owners and founders, Jack Dienes and Bruce Weick. Hercules is an exclusive distributor of industrial engine components, a provider of engine remanufacturing services, and a refurbisher of flight line ground support equipment. The acquisition comes as a result of the previous owners' desire to seek new ownership to drive growth and build upon a well-earned reputation of superior customer service.

    LEKTRO and long-time customer, Jet Aviation, kicked off ABACE 2015 by finalizing a deal on a new LEKTRO model AP8850SDA. The unit is slated to go to Jet Aviation’s new Macau operation. Last year Jet Aviation bought the 4,500th LEKTRO for its new Dubai operation.

    ASIG launched its new website, which focuses on recruiting for its global operations. The revamped site includes video stories of employees and makes it easy to apply for a job with the ground service provider. Visit www.asig.com.

    Clariant and Archer Daniels Midland Company introduced ADM Evolution Chemical’s line of biobased propylene glycol into Clariant’s Safewing® and OctafloTM brands of aircraft deicing fluids in North America. ADM’s propylene glycol meets existing industry standards and can be used interchangeably with petroleum-derived propylene glycol traditionally used in aircraft de-icing fluids. Safewing and Octaflo products made with ADM’s biobased propylene glycol fulfill all performance expectations and reduce carbon footprint. ADM was the first company worldwide to make a biobased propylene glycol that complies with both industrial and USP requirements. Available since March 2011, ADM’s propylene glycol has also earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, ensuring the product contains 100 percent biobased content.  

    Aviramp introduced the Aviramp International, which the company says is the only portable remote stand/walk through boarding bridge able to service wide-bodied aircraft, such as the A380. As a result, the International model achieves a step-free experience that improves safety, operational efficiency and a universal seamless passenger experience for everyone the
    disabled, the elderly, and families with children.

    World Fuel Services announced an expansion in the Asia Pacific market to include 24/7 trip support operations staff that is fluent in local languages. To best serve their Asia Pacific customers, World Fuel Services currently maintains two operational offices in Singapore and Mumbai, and a Shanghai office is scheduled to open in mid-2015. In addition to the Asia-based trip support operations staff that is fluent in Chinese, the organization expects to have local staff on call that is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Melayu, Bhasa Indonesian, and Tagalog by July 2015.

    Universal Aviation, the ground handling division of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., announced it will expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with the addition of Universal Aviation Philippines, an FBO joint venture with Asian Aerospace Corporation. The FBO, headquartered at Manila International Airport, will begin operating as Universal Aviation Philippines in May.

    All Nippon Airways has secured Japanese antitrust clearance for its transpacific cargo joint venture with Star Alliance partner United Airlines. The partners said the partnership will create “a more efficient and comprehensive” transpacific cargo network.

    The Port of Portland Commission approved a set of principles designed to "enhance the worker experience at PDX" for low-wage workers employed by concessionaires and airport service providers. Approval of the so-called PDX Workplace Initiative capped a months-long effort to develop broad guidelines aimed at improving working conditions and job security for baggage handlers, airplane cabin cleaners and wheelchair attendants, as well as food and retail shop employees at the airport. Commission President Jim Carter said that while the port was intentionally leaving the issue of raising the minimum wage to the state, the initiative does provide a framework for addressing other concerns involving worker benefits, hiring and retention practices, and management-labor relationships.

    People

    Laura Backhaus and Angie Betterman joined WASP Inc. as sales support managers. Both manage customer accounts and ensure WASP’s customers around the globe receive fast, personal service throughout the entire ordering process, from design to delivery. Backhaus brings more than four years of account management and customer service experience to her new position. Previously, she worked as an account manager for SecureConnect in Eden Prairie, and as a health educator for Pope County, both in Minnesota. With extensive experience in sales, account management and customer service, Betterman brings key skills to the position. Most recently, she worked as an account manager for Fastenal®, where she sold hardware and tools to customers, including WASP. Prior to that, she worked as a staffing coordinator for an employment agency where she paired job seekers with employers.

    Travelers nationwide left about $675,000 in loose change at airports in the last fiscal year, and nowhere was that forgetfulness more costly in California than at Los Angeles International Airport, the Transportation Security Administration reports. Passengers at LAX lost $41,506.64 after passing through security screening checkpoints between Oct. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2014, TSA officials said. San Francisco International Airport's haul landed second on California's list at $34,889.63. The two airports - California's busiest - far eclipsed the rest of the state's aviation hubs. Where does the money go? Back into the TSA. In 2005, Congress gave the agency authority to put the money it collects from airport checkpoints back into security operations. For fiscal year 2014, that amounted to $674,841.06 nationally. In 2013, it collected $638,142.64, and in 2012, it took in $531,395.22.

    Southwest Airlines is celebrating being named one of the top air cargo carriers in the world according to Air Cargo World magazine. The publication recently announced the carrier won its highly-coveted Air Cargo Excellence "ACE" Diamond Award in the "up to 399,999 tonnes" category. Southwest Cargo® earned the award based on its Legendary Customer Service, performance, value, and use of technology. This is the 11th year for the Air Cargo Excellence Survey, of which Southwest has been awarded the Diamond or Platinum Award in its respective category for the sixth consecutive time.

     

    Delta Air Lines says a checked-bag guarantee the airline introduced on a trial basis in February will become a permanent feature. The airline now guarantees fliers' checked luggage will arrive at the baggage carousel within 20 minutes when traveling on domestic flights. Delta will give 2,500 miles to customers' whose bags take longer than that to reach the carousel. The guarantee was originally set to expire March 31. In other news, Delta is partnering with Ant Financial Services Group and UATP to make it easier for Chinese consumers to purchase airline tickets via delta.com. The move, which sees Delta become the first United States carrier to add Ant Financial's Alipay payment platform to its website, is part of the airline's ongoing effort to serve Chinese travelers. With the Alipay payment option on delta.com, Chinese travelers will now be able to use China's most trusted payment method when they book Delta flights. Alipay is China's leading online payment provider and the primary means of online and mobile payment for Chinese consumers.

    Prospect Airport Services Inc. says a pay raise is on the way for some subcontract workers at the Philadelphia International Airport who picketed in April to protest low wages. Non-unionized employees who work as wheelchair attendants, baggage handlers and airplane cleaners for Prospect and PrimeFlight Airline Services, both contractors that provide services for airlines, walked off the job. The workers have been pushing for higher pay and better working conditions over the past three years, including other one-day strikes. Last year, Mayor Michael Nutter signed an executive order that went into effect in January and raised the minimum wage for city contractors and subcontractors to $12 an hour. But city officials have said they can't force contractors and subcontractors to pay the new minimum standard until new contracts and subcontracts are signed. Prospect didn't provide specifics but said the forthcoming raise would be "pursuant to the mayor's recent executive order." Paid sick leave also "will soon be available to all Prospect employees under the City of Philadelphia's new ordinance," the company said.

    Boeing redesigned overhead bin on its new 737 planes enables 50 more baggage storage than current models. While current 737 models can fit 90 to 132 overhead bags, 737s outfitted with Space Bins will fit between 130 and 194. The new design, termed the “Space Bin,” will fit six standard-sized bags, rather than the current four. The key innovation makes the bins tall enough so that bags can be inserted on their sides, rather than flat. Boeing said that the lip of the bins will also descend lower, making the aisle-to-bin hoist easier on travelers.