Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in the UAE has awarded ARINC a multi-million dollar, 10-year contract to design, supply and install passenger processing and airport operational systems. These will include ARINC’s common use passenger processing systems, airport operational database , flight information display system, and what ARINC claims to be the first off-site hotel check-in and bag drop in the region. The contract was announced at the 18th World Route Development Forum (World Routes) in Abu Dhabi.
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced an $8.1 million grant to upgrade the electrical system at José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The grant will fund replacement of the airport’s electrical system to meet current and future airport demands, bringing the system into compliance with the Puerto Rico Electrical Power Agency’s electrical grid requirements.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) owner and operator Fraport is set to open the A-Plus pier—which will provide terminal positions for widebody aircraft—on Oct. 10. The new pier is the westward extension of Terminal 1. “The new A-Plus terminal section will, together with Piers C/D and B, constitute the main focus of Lufthansa’s future Airbus A380 handling activities at Terminal 1,” according to FRA.
Bogota’s El Dorato International Airport (BOG) has begun testing its new international passenger terminal and expects to become fully operational Oct. 17. To test infrastructure, systems and services, the new international terminal will service one scheduled flight daily until Oct. 16.
The Airports of Thailand have confirmed that work on Phuket International Airport’s THB5.8 billion ($188 million) expansion program, which will double the number of passengers from 6.5 million to 12.5 million per year. The project will add 10 more aircraft bays, bringing the number to 25, and another four passenger boarding gantries, to a total of 11. First phase of the expansion, slated to take about a year, will be the building of a new international terminal. Refurbishing the old terminal will follow.
US FAA has announced a program to modernize approaches and descents to six Florida airports, including Miami and Orlando, as part of the transition to a satellite-based NextGen ATC system. Acting administrator Michael Huerta explained the initiative at JetBlue Airways’ training facilities in Orlando. JetBlue has partnered with FAA on NextGen projects ( ATW Daily News, Feb. 4, 2011).
Aerostar Airport Holdings (AAH) and partners Highstar Capital and Aeroportario del Sureste are seeking US FAA approval of a pending application for the 40-year lease of San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico. The applicants put their case at a public meeting last month. If the application is approved, AAH would be the first private operator of a major airport in over a decade under the FAA Pilot Privatization Program. The transaction is expected to close around year-end.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented its Pre-Check program last month at Philadelphia International, the 24th US airport where qualified passengers can gain expedited security clearance.
Dubai International’s (DXB) cargo facilities are set to undergo a major modernization and expansion program that will see cargo capacity increase to 3.1 million tonnes by 2018, according to a statement by Dubai Airports. Over the next few months, as part of DXB’s $7.8 billion strategic plan 2020, construction will begin on a 30,000 sq. m. addition to its 1.2 million-tonne Cargo Mega Terminal (CMT), increasing capacity by 25% to 1.5 million tonnes a year.
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) president Greg Principato warned that the US is “at risk [of] being turned into a feeder system for the global aviation network” because its infrastructure is falling behind much of the rest of the world.
The government of India plans to set up an Essential Air Services fund to subsidize and develop low-cost airports in smaller cities, encouraging domestic airlines to connect to places with tourist interest, minister of civil aviation Shri Ajit Singh said. The ministry of tourism has identified 19 such sites, mostly in places of tourist and religious interest. Speaking at the Indian Assn. of Tour Operators event, Singh said, “We are looking at connecting these places with larger cities as well as facilitating affordable flights to them.”
Air Berlin will launch 3X-daily Berlin Tegel-Warsaw service March 23. Lufthansa Cargo will launch 4X-weekly Frankfurt-Tel Aviv service Oct. 28, with return flights operated via Istanbul 3X-weekly. Caribbean Airlines will increase 2X-weekly London Gatwick-Port of Spain service to 3X-weekly Nov. 20.
News from Travel Technology Update: Sabre Travel Network plans to make a serious run at improving its status in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, where it is “a distant No. 3,” according to SVP-EMEA Harald Eisenaecher.
Irish carrier Aer Arann (RE), which flies as Aer Lingus (EI) Regional, is finalizing a deal for eight new ATR 72-600 aircraft, plus options, and is hoping to hit two million passengers within four years.
Air Canada (AC) announced a 2013 fleet plan that includes the addition of two Boeing 777-300ERs and the transfer of 15 Embraer E-175s to a regional carrier.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a final proposal to the European Commission (EC) on pilot flight duty time and rest requirements, moving to harmonize various national regulations into one European Union (EU)-wide standard.
