Ground Handling International articles from December 2002

Ground Handling International archives from December 2002

Into Africa. (Ground Handling News).(Kenya Aerotech)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2002... Last year, Kenya Aerotech celebrated three decades in the ground handling business. It was set up initially at Jomo Kenyatta International airport (Nairobi) and has since extended its services to embrace both Mombasa and Eldoret stations. The...

Freight and integrate. (Ground Handling News).(Exel PLC integrates Unitel 21 with Global Freight Exchange)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... As part of its commitment to advancing industry innovation Exel, a world leader in supply chain solutions, has announced its intention to integrate its freight management operating system, Unitel 21, with Global Freight Exchange (GF-X), the...

Plaudits ... and progress. (Ground Handling News).(Groundstar Ltd.; awards and contracts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... It has been an interesting half-year for ground handler Groundstar, both at Birmingham and Gatwick airports. At Birmingham, the company managed to notch up charter airline operator Air 2000's Station of the Month award in its airport...

Risk assessment. (Ground Handling News).(terrorism insurance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The October 31 deadline has passed--so what does the future hold for Europe in terms of insurance cover for third party war risk and terrorism clauses? The abrogation of Troika has left the industry in a state of flux. Some EU...

Universal Weather and Aviation Inc., (Universal), a pioneer in Trip Support Services.(to offer Air Security International's security services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Universal Weather and Aviation Inc., (Universal), a pioneer in Trip Support Services, has announced that it will be offering Air Security International's (ASI) security services to its clients.

Telair International has delivered the first production units of the FAA-certified Telair Hardened Unit Load Device wide-body aircraft baggage container.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Telair International has delivered the first production units of the FAA-certified Telair Hardened Unit Load Device wide-body aircraft baggage container. US DOT and TSA purchased the blast-resistant containers to gather additional inservice...

As from December, a new aircraft handler will be operational at Rotterdam airport in the Netherlands: Aviapartner.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * As from December, a new aircraft handler will be operational at Rotterdam airport in the Netherlands: Aviapartner. Apart from aircraft handling, Aviapartner--being part of a Belgian originating multinational--is involved in aircraft...

In its refuelling operations at Gatwick and Heathrow, ASIG currently accounts for around 420 flights daily.(achieves OHSAS 18001 certification)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * In its refuelling operations at Gatwick and Heathrow, ASIG currently accounts for around 420 flights daily. Such an input means that the refuelling organisation has to be of the first order and ASIG recently confirmed this when it achieved...

Civil ceremonies at ex-military base. (Ground Handling News).(Aeroflot chooses Frankfurt-Hahn airport as European cargo hub)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... At a recent press conference Igor Desiatnichenko, the Deputy General Director of Aeroflot, confirmed that his company had chosen Frankfurt-Hahn airport as its European cargo hub. Since the early part of this year, the Russian airline has been...

Safe and sound. (Ground Handling News).(JHJ, Lufthansa Cargo and Shanghai Airport Group open secure palletizing facility at Shanghai Pudong airport)
December 1, 2002... JHJ, one of China's largest freight forwarding companies, Lufthansa Cargo and the Shanghai Airport Group have opened a new secure palletising facility at Shanghai Pudong airport. With the new 8,000 square metre facility, the three companies,...

Outsaucing? (Ground Handling News).(Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd. acquires Country Foods Private Ltd.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Singapore Airport Terminal Services Limited (SATS) has signed a conditional agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Country Foods Pte Ltd, an established supplier of processed foods in Singapore. Country Foods, a quality supplier of...

Independent speaking: commom industry standards and airline/handler relationships are just two topics that the globalised IAHA will be seeking to clarify. (Industry Comment).(International Aviation Handlers' Association)
December 1, 2002... The first official meeting of IAHA (International Aviation Handlers' Association), the new global organisation representing independent handlers (1), will be held in conjunction with this year's Ground Handling International conference. It...

Nejib Ben-Khedher. (Industry moves).(appointed managing partner of Sabre Consulting)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Nejib Ben-Khedher has been named managing partner of Sabre Consulting.

Menzies Aviation Group. (Industry moves).(Annmarie Jacobs appointed Head of Customer Contracts at Menzies Aviation Group)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Annmarie Jacobs, previously Customer Services Director at Servisair, has been appointed Head of Customer Contracts at Menzies Aviation Group. Forsyth Black, who has joined from Menzies Distribution and who was previously third party Account...

GlobeGround Berlin. (Industry moves).(Jochen Krohan new managing director)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * GlobeGround Berlin has a new managing director: Jochen Krohan. With more than 25 years' experience in the industry, he was most recently a member of the Management Board of Mexicana.

Swissport International. (Industry moves).(Ludwig H. Bertsch appointed Executive Vice President Corporate Services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Swissport International has appointed Dr. Ludwig H. Bertsch as its new Executive Vice President Corporate Services, with immediate effect.

Groundstar. (Industry moves).(Andy Cruise appointed group commercial manager)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Groundstar has appointed Andy Cruise as its group commercial manager. Ian Barrie has been made general manager at the Stansted operation with particular responsibility for its customer Ryanair.

Southwest Airlines. (Industry moves).(Ron Faulkner appointed station manager)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Southwest Airlines recently announced Ron Faulkner as station manager for its operations at McCarran International airport in Las Vegas. The carrier has also named Diane Patten as the new Station Manager for its operations at Jacksonville...

Basle-Mulhouse airport. (Industry moves).(Jurg Rami appointed to the post of Director)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Maurice Amiel, President of Basle-Mulhouse airport and Eduard Belser, the airport's Vice President, have nominated Jurg Rami to the post of Director with effect from September 15. Rami succeeds Urs Sieber who stepped down after five years...

Pinnacle Airlines. (Industry moves).(Douglas Shockey appointed COO)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Pinnacle Airlines, a Northwest Airlink carrier, has promoted Douglas Shockey to COO from VP-Maintenance and Engineering.

AirTran Airways. (Industry moves).(Susan Manfredi appointed VP-inflight services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * AirTran Airways recently appointed Susan Manfredi as its VP-inflight services.

China Eastern Airlines. (Industry moves).(Li Fenghua appointed president)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * China Eastern Airlines has announced the appointment Li Fenghua as president. He will replace Liu Shaoyong. Fenghua was the former VP for China Southern Airlines.

Phil Bowell, Managing Director of Menzies Aviation Group's operation in Hong Kong, has been given additional responsibility. (Industry moves).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Phil Bowell, Managing Director of Menzies Aviation Group's operation in Hong Kong, has been given additional responsibility for the company's growing business in Manila.

Separately, Menzies Aviation Group has appointed Blair McMichael as Manager Network Safety Performance. (Industry moves).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Separately, Menzies Aviation Group has appointed Blair McMichael as Manager Network Safety Performance. He joins MAG having previously worked in the fields of health, safety and training, providing expertise to businesses in the steel,...

Northwest Airlines Cargo Inc. (Industry moves).(Mickey Foret retires)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Northwest Airlines' Mickey Foret, executive vice president (EVP) and chief financial officer (CFO), and chairman and chief executive officer, Northwest Airlines Cargo Inc., retired in September. The airline has named Bernard L. Han,...

US Airways Group Inc. (Industry moves).(Captain Chris Beebe added to the board of directors)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * US Airways Group Inc. has announced that Captain Chris Beebe has been added to the board of directors. Beebe, chairman of US Airways' Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Master Executive Council (MEC), becomes the thirteenth member of the...

Stewart & Stevenson TUG. (Industry moves).(John. F. Marcham named Director International Sales European Division)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Stewart & Stevenson TUG has announced the appointment of John. F. Marcham to the position of Director International Sales European Division. This position will cover both Europe and Africa for all sales and customer service requirements and...

Delta Air Lines. (Industry moves).(James M. Kilts elected to Board of Directors )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * Delta Air Lines has elected of James M. Kilts, chairman and chief executive officer of The Gillette Company, to its Board of Directors.

Getting the balance right. (Ground Handling News).(ground support equipment )
December 1, 2002... During my recent visit to GSE Expo in Las Vegas I attended the industry panel discussion that featured prominent figures from the US airline industry, writes Tim Ornellas. These included Tim Wix of Delta, Ralph Timon of United, Dave Terrell...

Key hub move. (Ground Handling News).(Swissport Cargo Services to acquire cargo handling activities of CS-Lux)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Swissport Cargo Services is to acquire the cargo handling activities of CS-Lux from a group of local investors. The transaction, which sees the acquisition of a 100% holding in the Luxembourg-based handler with retroactive effect to October...

OCS in spin. (Ground Handling News).(wins airline laundering services and headset recycling contract)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Following a tough tendering process, the contract to provide headset recycling, blanket and pillow laundering services, together with storage and distribution throughout airports in the UK and Ireland, has been awarded to the Transport...

Co-operation is the key: Len Kirsch and David Wilson give their considered opinions on the newly-formed IAHA. (Legal Column).(International Aviation Handlers' Association)(Column)
December 1, 2002... With the onslaught of problems arising from the crisis in aviation since 9/11, ground handlers have had a more difficult time making margins and ensuring the economic well-being of their respective enterprises. Competition among handlers is a...

Breaking the moULD. (Ground Handling News).(Unitpool; pooling Unit Load Devices)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The idea of Unit Load Device pooling isn't a new one, but making it work is. Unitpool today successfully pools ULDs for six airlines but its plans are far more ambitious than this relative success. "We commenced full operations in...

Easing the flow. (Ground Handling News).(pilot program at Los Angles International airport eliminates random gate screening)
December 1, 2002... Responding to complaints from airlines, airports and travellers, the US Transportation Security Administration has taken the first significant step toward eliminating random gate screening of passengers who already have cleared security...

Australian acquisition. (Ground Handling News).(Menzies Aviation Group buys Airport Services Australia and Fr8)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Menzies Aviation Group (MAG) has purchased the business of Jardine Airport Services Australia (JASA), its second recent major strategic development in Australia. JASA provides passenger, ramp and cabin cleaning services at Sydney and...

Alliance advantages. (Ground Handling News).(Delta Air Logistics joins Global Freight Exchange)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Delta Air Logistics is preparing to join Global Freight Exchange (GF-X), the neutral trading platform, to provide an alliance solution with SkyTeam partner Air France Cargo, improve trading processes with key customers and gain operating...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2002... We mistakenly reported in the October issue that Norm Hogwood had been employed by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. In fact, he holds its Safety Auditor and Lead Assessor certification.

Keeping track--are you? (IT News).(Sabre's radio frequency identification technology)
December 1, 2002... As carriers respond to fluctuating customer demand, it is inevitable that certain timeslots are more popular than others for aircraft turnaround. This creates a number of workload peaks for ground handlers, writes Chris Serafin, VP Airport...

Phase 2 award. (IT News).(Cargo 2000 initiative)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The Cargo 2000 initiative to improve the efficiency of air cargo, enhance customer service levels and reduce costs took another significant step forward when Kuehne & Nagel became the first member of the group to be awarded Phase 2...

CUTE answers. (IT News).(Common Use Terminal Equipment)
December 1, 2002... SITA has successfully implemented its Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) for Yemen Airways at Aden International airport. Under the terms of the five-year contract, SITA will host and manage CUTE, thereby consolidating check-in and boarding...

China: handle with care. (IT News).(information technology)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The Chinese market offers both a big challenge and a huge potential for any IT service provider. DCO DV-Convent-Informations-management, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in September, has entered into a co-operation with the Chinese...

eLSG.SkyChefs has signed a long-term agreement to deliver eProcurement technology to McGuire and Associates, a provider of food and beverage products to the airline industry.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * eLSG.SkyChefs has signed a long-term agreement to deliver eProcurement technology to McGuire and Associates, a provider of food and beverage products to the airline industry. As part of the agreement, the companies represented by McGuire...

The CUTE Local User Board (CLUB) and Thai Airways at Bangkok International airport has signed a contract with SITA for the provision of its latest, Java based, internet protocol (IP) enabled version of CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The CUTE Local User Board (CLUB) and Thai Airways at Bangkok International airport has signed a contract with SITA for the provision of its latest, Java based, internet protocol (IP) enabled version of CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment)....

T5 contract landed. (IT News).(Terminal 5 of Heathrow to get baggage handling system software)
December 1, 2002... Simulation specialist AutoLogic Systems Ltd has announced that AutoMod simulation software will be used by BAA in the development of the baggage handling solution for Heathrow's Terminal 5. The project, which has just received the...

Benefits in Real Time. (IT News).(Real Time Engineering Ltd. gets contract for baggage handling system)
December 1, 2002... Real Time Engineering Ltd (Real Time) has been awarded a major contract by the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) to manage a multi-million pound Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS) replacement programme for Heathrow airport. Due for...

Going wireless. (IT News).(Nippon Cargo Airlines inaugurates new cargo handling system)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The roll out of AIRES Export is well underway at Nippon Cargo Airlines' Chicago facility. The newest component of the AIRES suite is expected to include a faster transfer of cargo from shipper to consignee, with increased accuracy in...

Asia Pacific: post-September 11 repercussions, financial crises and environmental concerns have all beleaguered the Asia Pacific region over the past 12 months. But, as our update details, there is hope on the horizon. (World Analysis).(Industry Overview)
December 1, 2002... No-one could say that it has been an easy year for the aviation sector in Asia. However, in common with airlines, airports and ground handlers the world over, the region has knuckled down and got on with the job of moving both people and...

Freight--and wait? The last 12 months have witnessed much change within the realm of cargo and passenger carriage. Here we look at the status of cargo and turn the spotlight on to the handling of passengers: are they being well served? (Cargo & Passenger Business).
December 1, 2002... Doom and gloom? Or light above the cloudbase? The cargo sector continues to be something of a conundrum. As, for example, our article on the Asia Pacific region in this issue reveals, volumes slumped following the Asian crisis but have...

The apron goes online: to those who feel that IT has only limited applications in ramp situations, German company proveo can prove otherwise. The company's expertise is currently in action at Hamburg airport. (IT On The Ramp).(information technology)
December 1, 2002... During the past few years, information technology has aided companies to make undreamed-of progress in the fields of productivity, efficiency and quality. The capability for data acquisition in real-time (and making it available to a number...

Bag man: if Peter von Moltke's vision takes wing, missing luggage will soon be confined to the pages of history books. (Industry Interview).
December 1, 2002... Ask any traveller what irks the most when it comes to air travel and the chances are that lost baggage will come out high on that list. And whilst the occurrence of missing baggage is miniscule, pro rata, when compared to the sheer numbers of...

Once again my thanks to those who have supplied the material for this article and also, once again, a wake-up call for those who have benefited from the experiences of others. (Flight Safety).
December 1, 2002... Once again my thanks to those who have supplied the material for this article and also, once again, a wake-up call for those who have benefited from the experiences of others but who have not bothered to pass on their own incidents. If...

Chocks away? (Flight Safety).(airport ground procedures for mechanics)(Column)
December 1, 2002... In an incident that shows that you can never become complacent, a commuter turboprop was parked on a stand adjacent to the terminal building. A mechanic was responsible for changing the generator on the No. 2 engine prior to the aircraft...

Gust one of those things. (Flight Safety).(procedures for aircraft ground handling in extreme weather need to be reviewed)(Brief Article)(Column)
December 1, 2002... A commuter turboprop landed at a northern European airport after a 50 minute hold due to deteriorating weather conditions. The report closest to the time of landing showed wind gusting to 28 knots and veering up to 100[degrees] with a trend...

Blowing in the wind. (Flight Safety).(airport safety )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The large jet was parked correctly, minding its own business, when a large maintenance gantry was blown across the ramp and, as these things always happen, straight into the innocent aircraft. Subsequent investigation revealed that the gantry...

Life in the fast lane. (Flight Safety).
December 1, 2002... On a recent trip to Gatwick airport I was interested to come across a typed schedule, which was on display on the notice board of the handler I was visiting. I subsequently obtained a copy of this A4 sheet, which is appended here. It...

Slow but sure: no longer is the GSE buyer restricted when it comes to choice of pushbacks. Today, perhaps more than ever before, the choice embraces all sizes and various power sources. The only limiting factor is the depth of his pocket. (Pushback Tractors).
December 1, 2002... If your fleet comprises A319/320/321 and B737 type aircraft, Mulag will be able to supply a tractor that can offer a MTOW of 100 tonnes. The model has optimal all-around vision for the driver and is multi-purpose, in that it can be used for...

De-icing hots up. (Machinery & Equipment Update).(Svend A. Nielsen A/S introduces heating unit for aircraft de-icing fluids)
December 1, 2002... Svend A. Nielsen A/S (SAN) is a Danish engineering firm that has specialised since 1950 in the development and production of electric heating systems and appliances. Among the firm's wide range of products are heating cable systems for...

CDG offers solution. (Machinery & Equipment Update).(CDG Cargo Systems supplies cargo handling system to Servisair)
December 1, 2002... Servisair is the latest handling company to select an import/export air cargo handling system from UK-based CDG Cargo Systems. CDG will shortly install, support and maintain a semi-automated tailored solution, consisting of a winged...

Splitting the differences. (Machinery & Equipment Update).(Flexco's Alligator Ready Set Staple conveyor-belt fasteners)
December 1, 2002... Belt problems? Alligator Ready Set Staple conveyor-belt fasteners from Flexco are designed to reduce installation time by more than 20% compared to conventional staple-attached, hinged-plate splicing in light/medium-duty material-handling...

Long term rental deal. (Machinery & Equipment Update).(TCR Netherlands wins tractor order from KLM Ground Services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... TCR Netherlands has been awarded a 15year contract by KLM Ground Services for eight towbarless AM500 tractors. Ad Rutten, executive vice president KLM Ground Services, confirms that his ground handling division Schiphol Brede Services is...

Tug takeover. (Machinery & Equipment Update).(Aquarius Group Ltd. acquires Douglas Equipment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Aquarius Group Ltd, a Hong Kong-based international manufacturing and trading company, has completed a multi-million pound cash acquisition of Douglas Equipment. Another subsidiary of the Aquarius Group, Denson Enterprises Ltd, which...

The Smith Group, which is based in the UK, has reached an agreement with German company Aditron AG to take over Heimann Systems for a consideration of 375m [euro].(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... * The Smith Group, which is based in the UK, has reached an agreement with German company Aditron AG (which is essentially Rheinmetall's Electronics segment) to take over Heimann Systems for a consideration of 375m [euro]. The deal requires...

UK transport group buys GHI. (1998).(Go-Ahead Group pays 27.5 mil pounds sterling)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... After several months of speculation, Northwest and Delta, the two shareholders of GHI, have sold the UK-based ground handling company to transport operator, the Go-Ahead Group, for 27.5 million [pounds sterling]. GHI provides a variety of...

McGrath unveils fresh lift technology. (1999).(McGrath Industries)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Auckland-based McGrath Industries has unveiled a new range of scissor lifts for air cargo terminal ULD handling applications. According to McGrath, all scissor lift designs close to dolly height (20") without recessed pit mounting. Deck...

Alliance gets off the ground. (2000).(Aviance launched by six ground service providers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Aviance was officially launched in Geneva, with the signing of contracts between the founder members on November 6. Bringing together passenger, ramp and cargo handling, Aviance has been established to provide the airline community with...

Report from the front. (Airport Services).(Column)
December 1, 2002... Things are a little hectic with the Airport Services department at the moment. We are all travelling continuously and spending very little time in the office. However, we are involved in some very interesting projects. These include: ...

Safety issues. (Airport Service).
December 1, 2002... Having spent more time in airports and on airplanes than in the office during September and October, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of handling activities. From check-in and boarding procedures to ramp handling, I have experienced or...

SGA and SLA workshops. (Airport Services).(Standard Ground Handling Agreement, Service Level Agreement)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... The 2003 version of the IATA Standard Ground Handling Agreement (SGHA) will be published in the 23rd edition of the IATA Airport Handling Manual in January. The first stop of our tour of workshops for 2003 will be Amman, Jordan. To be...