Sunday, 2 January 2022

Can 5G Interference affect aircraft to fly safely?

                    


                    Recently we found out that Boeing and Airbus collectively wrote a letter to the US transportation secretary to delay the rollout of C-band 5G technology which set to be introduced by the telecom giant Verizon and AT&T companies. The reason behind this request is the ongoing issues with C-band 5G over the interference with aircraft altimeters.

 

                    The C-band 5G spectrum operates relatively close to aircraft altimeters range which definitely impacts their accuracy in getting the right readings especially when the aircraft is on low altitudes. However, the telecom giants agreed to follow FAA guidelines to limit the power output while spectrum deployment mainly in the vicinity of airports and helipads.

 

                    The red signals are still on with the aircraft manufacturers claiming that 5G interference could adversely affect the ability of aircraft to fly safely. and this will create a negative impact on the whole aviation industry.

 

                    Little more than I know according to the latest update, both Verizon and AT&T CEOs have rejected the US request to delay 5G deployment and Only time will tell whether the danger is real, or whether those concerns are overblown.     

Saturday, 4 December 2021

Tackling demands in Ground operations - Post Pandemic

 



                    It has been very challenging in overall ground operation departments during the last few months as air travel started to grow in numbers. We often find back-to-back flights on the allocation and restless roster patterns which gives us a terrible hard feeling that “enough is enough”. A scope of magnification through the other ground operation departments who are involved in live operation can find the same answer as they have the same opinion just as I mentioned earlier. Once again, the scope of magnification further increased, we can find there are other departments which indirectly involved in live operation can have the same answer because of their workload.

                   This phenomenon is similar across the entire aviation industry as of now and it has been addressed during the 33rd IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC). The main reason behind this issue is the skilled labor shortage across every department. You probably know that the aviation industry got rid of 4.8 million direct aviation labor forces during the last year. Although the governments, airlines, airports and labor supply agencies are encouraged re-joining formalities for those who got laid-off, the majority of them declined the offer due to contract disagreements.        

                   It will be very challenging over the coming months as the air travel seems to be increasing slightly higher than the forecast passenger loads. However, the latest Covid19 variant “Omicron” can have an impact on the demands of air travel whereas governments can urge their citizens and residents to have the booster vaccine as the best resolution.

                   Looking back at the main issue including me and my ground handing community around the world face, some might think that it is the right time to move on whereas the job opportunities are coming up post-pandemic. What I think is there can be redesigned agreements especially on the pay scale and other benefits. So the best option is to stick around until we pass through the last stretch of this long tunnel.

                   Moreover, The IATA’s Director of Ground Operations Monika Mejstrikova outlined three priority solutions for the ongoing labor shortage which is…

1.   Governments/ Airlines should include ground handlers in wage subsidy programs to retain skilled staff.

2.   Harmonize the training requirements to speed up training processes such as competency-based training, assessments and online training formats should be increased.

3.  A training passport should be developed that would mutually recognize skills across ground handlers, airlines and/or airports to increase the efficiency of staff utilization.

                   Finally, Ground Operation is a key component in overall aviation business. The amount of work pressure the ground operation employees are experiencing nowadays is inconceivable. All these individual efforts collectively benefit not only to the ground operation department, yet not only to the Airline or Airport Authority, it is a part of the process to recover the Aviation industry after a great fall. And it should not go unnoticed. 


Saturday, 16 October 2021

Emirates Pavilion at Expo2020Dubai

             



               Here's a quick glimpse at the Emirates airlines pavilion at the world's greatest show EXPO 2020 Dubai. The setup for this ultra-modern building came up in March 2019 to showcase the importance of mobility to the world of future aviation. The 3300 square meter pavilion is 3 floors high and has been designed to reflect the dynamic lines of 26 aircraft Wings shape architectural fins that will lit by LED lighting effects every night. The airline is expected to welcome more than 56000 visitors each month.


               The Emirates Pavilion Designed to showcase the changing world of commercial aviation and bring awareness about the power of mobility under the themes of the future signs of flights, advancements in engine technologies, new aerospace materials that can boost efficiencies, cut fuel consumption and improving the passenger experience at airports. One of the highlighted features of this state-of-the-art building is, it’s designed to absorb natural daylight with the aim of reducing energy consumption. The second floor of the pavilion comprises an auditorium for speaker sessions and industry events while the 3rd floor will comprise a sky garden.

 

                Educational perspective, the visitors will be able to understand the basic principles of aviation, how engine advancements take place especially when it comes to electric engines and the Emirates airlines futuristic lab will explore innovative metallic and composite materials that are being used to develop a better flying experience by reducing weight, increase strength and improve fuel efficiency. Moreover, the visitors will also be able to experience the advancements made in terms of cabin interiors including intelligent interfaces and the technology behind smarter seats.

 

               The airport technology is another fact that has been showcased where you can get an idea about how the biometric end-to-end passenger experience work using eye recognition, face recognition, voice commands and brain analysis at none other than the EXPO2020 Dubai pavilion.


                EXPO2020 Dubai is an exhibition not to be missed and an opportunity that comes rarely in your lifetime. It's worth paying a visit in this history-making event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. See you there.

  #Expo2020dubai #expodubai #emirates 

Saturday, 27 March 2021

Through the dark hours - U A E Aviation

                        


                        2020 was not ordinary as we at any point thought. In fact, it went from terrible to more regrettable, for specific industries, especially Aviation industry. Every single person needed to confront their most noticeably terrible social experience from the individual to entrepreneurial level. Yet, there's one country faced all chances and proceeded to accomplish past assumption by being a guide to the entire world. Notwithstanding more than $3 billion dollars' income drop in the year 2020, the nation settled on boldest choice to recuperate at soonest stage. Allow me to depict how United Arab Emirates avionics improved their odds of winning back when the world is center around just one thing.

                       The incongruity of lay-offs hit the UAE air carriers at the beginning phase of the pandemic. The Smooth continuous resuming of cross boundaries under severe conditions lead the carriers of UAE to fuel their multi-million dollar airplanes back in operation.

                       When the recovery seems challenging over travel demands, The Etihad and Sharjah-based Air Arabia initiated with a minimal effort transporter Aircrabia Abudhabi in mid-July. Furthermore, in October, Hungarian-based Wizz air open its new center from Abudhabi named Wizzair Abudhabi. The emerge of two major airlines focused on traffic from middle eastern and eastern European markets was a well-recognized move towards quick gains. 

                       Then comes the historical agreement between Israel and UAE named Abraham Accords signed in September which led to start of traffic flow between two countries and beyond. In January 2021, UAE and Qatar conciliatory accommodate was another significant achievement by finishing the boycott between two nations which last for over two years. All methods of transportation have been re-established for business from that point.

                       Emirates Airlines presented its Premium economy class on its most recent fleet as another contestant to the arising traffic to bring back the significant experience to all customers. Not only that, the contactless travel experience from check-in counters to setting up on-board creates a safest travel experience for all outbound passengers.   

                        While the vaccine program took the country to the second-largest at one stage, the major airlines confirmed their front line staff had been fully vaccinated, being one of the first of its kind. The free travel insurance for all passengers traveling on major airlines was another important product to encourage commercial travelers.

                       The IATA Travel pass is one of the important products the world is hanging tight for… Emirates airlines and Etihad airways routes had endorsed to trial the IATA Travel pass being one of the first few airlines which set to roll out in March 2021.

                       In terms of vaccine distribution, UAE owns the largest vaccine distribution hubs at their major cities Dubai and Abu Dhabi ensuring the smooth distribution of the “must needed” vaccine to the vast community around the world.

                       Further beyond aviation, UAE has successfully launched its “Hope Probe” to Mars and bridge communication to date. How about powering the growth of the UAE? The country boasts the first-ever nuclear plant in the Arab world  

                       It is great the endeavors that UAE had taken to empower the aviation industry during the hardest time at any point had. The decision-making strategies & actions that UAE had taken during this unforeseen time teach us the best lesson “To be strong during the challenges and hold head high no matter how hard the hurdles.”  

Check out my Vlog on Aim High Club - Stronger through Crisis - https://youtu.be/JgZIOmSKuqc

Saturday, 16 January 2021

Strategies Against Civil Aviation

 


Strategies Against Civil Aviation


Have you ever been asked any security questions before you checked in your luggage?

You know it is important to do the passenger baggage reconciliation, but you know why?

Do you scan your shoes separately at the security point?

Why can’t I carry my perfume and my gel tub on my hand carry?

 

Every process started as a result of something that happened in the past with the intention of mitigating the risk which can happen in the future. Let’s talk about strategies against civil aviation.

The history of aviation terrorism dates back to the 1930s, followed by the Peruvian revolution and the Cuban revolution, And the first-ever bomb attack inside an aircraft in 1970 (Swiss Air airliner bound from Tel Aviv to Zurich on 21 February 1970). And the first attack on an airport in 1970. (Munich airport bomb attack on 10 Feb 1970.)

The reason behind these attacks can be various but the most common ones are the political motives or personnel gains. However, committing a crime that damage the reputation of aviation leads to many countermeasures whereas we, as passengers must comply on these for our own safety and security.

Consider my first question -  Have you ever been asked any security questions before you checked in your luggage?

The reason behind this countermeasure happened in 1986, Annie Murphy case.

Annie Murphy was given a package from her fiancé name Nizar Hindawi contained explosives connected to timing device set to explode in mid-air about 39000 feet above the ground. However, the EL-AL intelligent agents questioned the passenger and assessed unexpectedly overweight luggage and found out the explosives which she had no clues about it at all.

Annie Murphy Case

Date – April 17, 1986

Airport – London Heathrow

Flight – El AL 016 / Boeing 747

Route – London to Tel-aviv

 

 In aviation, we call this unwitting accomplish. Asking these security questions (Security Questions on screen) came into effect and established in ICAO annex 17 after this incident.   

 

 

Next question is a bit of technical aspect - The reason behind the passenger baggage reconciliation. The passenger baggage reconciliation considered as a ground operation term to ensure no baggage goes on a flight without its owner.

The passenger baggage reconciliation formed as a standard practice in ICAO Annex 17 after 2 fatal incidents happened in 1980’s.  

1 – Air India 182 – Air India flight 182 crashed mid-air 31000 feet above the ground off the Atlantic Ocean as a result of an explosion from a bomb planted on board by a Canadian Sikh extremist killing all 329 passengers on board. Air India 182 incident was the deadliest aviation terrorism attack until September 11 attack in 2001.

Air India182

Date – June 23, 1985

Route – Montreal – London

TOB – 329 passenger and crew

Aircraft – Boeing 747-200

 

2 – PamAm103 – Panam103 also a similar incident to air India crash killed 249 passengers and crew on board and 11 residents in Lockerbie, Scotland where the plane hit the ground from above 30000 feet.

Two Libyan intelligent agents implant a bomb inside a tape recorder in a small Samsonite bag and left unattended onboard has caused the main reason for this disaster.

Pan Am103 or Lockerbie Bombing in 1988

Date – December 21,1988

Route – London – Newyork

TOB – 259 + 11 Residents in Lockerbie

Aircraft – Boeing 747-100

 

Third countermeasure – The reason behind you scan your shoes at the security point.

It’s because there’s one incident that happened in 2001 just after 9/11 call show bombing plot.

Richard raid who is a British national bound on a flight from Paris to Miami on American Airlines flight 63 carrying 197 passengers and crew. The alerted passengers and crew managed to thwart his plan when he attempt to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes. This failed attack led to revise the security measures in the United States and soon it became a recommended norm across many countries around the world.


Shoe Bombing Plot

Date – December 22, 2001

Flight Number – AA63

Route – Paris – Miami

Aircraft – Boeing 767-300

 

Liquid bomb plot

The trans-Atlantic aircraft plot was a terrorist plan to detonate liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks carried on board on different airlines from the UK to United States and Canada. The UK’s largest surveillance operation was successfully stopped the fatal disaster and saved thousands of lives. This failed plan changed the nature of air travel not only in the UK but also in many different countries with the restrictions in place with the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels an individual passenger can carry onboard.

 

Liquid bomb plot

Date – August 09, 2006

Place – London


When we talk about the strategies against civil aviation, we can’t forget the deadliest disaster which happened on September 11, 2001. 19 men squad armed with box knives boarded on 4 different flights, hit the world’s tallest twin tower back then and the intelligent capital of the country killing nearly 3000 lives which impact the whole socio-economic infrastructure not only United States but the whole world.  But there are so many findings that helped aviation security to move forward to mitigate the risk of terror tactically and technologically. 

 

Finally, it is always unclear where the focus drives of terrorists in line with the latest improvements in technology and human creativity. Strategies against civil aviation vlog is out on my YouTube channel AIM HIGH CLUB - https://youtu.be/rqpcXW5xLw0. The vlog and the article is solely for the purpose of education.          

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Air travels bouncing back


Post-Pandemic

The number of individuals going through airport security checkpoints almost multiplied throughout the month. The Transportation Security Administration says it screened about 949,000 travelers over the previous end of the week. It examined 476,000 individuals over the main end of the week in May.

American Airlines (AAL) said a larger number of individuals voyaged this previous end of the week than over Memorial Day, the beginning of the late spring travel season. In spite of the fact that the increments are noteworthy, the pandemic has managed an exceptional hit to the business. During the busiest day in May, just 14% of explorers flew contrasted with the proportionate day in 2019.

That is the reason a few significant carriers are discussing the need to cut their worker include in October when government cash for aircraft finance costs lapses. A few carriers are offering buyouts to maintain a strategic distance from cutbacks. More travelers are additionally recording onto each flight. Domestic flights conveyed a normal of 47 travelers during the weekends, up from a normal of just 17 travelers toward the start of May, as per Airlines for America.

These loads unprofitable, so more passengers on flights mean airlines will gain more revenue. Southwest Airlines anticipating a brutal low-fare environment as there are far more airline seats right now than there are customers according to CEO Gary Kelly, But having full flights also a challenge for travelers to maintain social distancing in small aircraft cabins. Photos of aircraft cabins without an empty seat next to each passenger will have a negative impact when it is on social media.

Major Airlines are preparing for an increasing number of passengers on its flights by allowing temperature screening at each departure gate and denying boarding to anyone who is at risk. American carriers are asking the Transportation Security Administration to deal with temperature screenings. Carriers are additionally adding to their timetables and flying more planes. The following help FlightAware says it saw an about 7% expansion in US trips since early May. Southwest is bullish enough that it is including about twelve new courses to its timetable this winter.


Emirates airlines


Emirates airlines confirmed more flights for passengers will be available from 15th June between Dubai and 16 cities: Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane. Travelers flying between Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas, can connect safely and efficiently through Dubai while travel restrictions remain in place at most destinations.


Ajith Fernando//aimhighclub

Thursday, 21 May 2020

Post-Pandemic Aviation traits



Post-Pandemic Aviation traits

In 2020, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, airports are asking themselves how to get by during circumstances such as the present with scarcely any trips noticeable all around, and how to get ready for what's to come. What ought to befall all the airports urban areas at present being manufactured or arranged? By what means would airports be able to be stronger later on? In what capacity can airports urban areas despite everything be plans of action for what's to come? What should be done currently to get ready for a post-pandemic world?

We should recollect why airports began with plans of action, for example, airport urban communities. In late decades, most airports are privatized, and private endeavors should be productive. Attempting to be progressively autonomous from stuns to flight-related incomes they endeavored to increment non-aeronautical incomes; the airport city plan of action was conceived. With developing globalization, air traffic and the need to invigorate monetary development, governments around the globe – with or without privatizing the airports searched for a model to manufacture air traffic driven financial airport locales.

As the airport city is typically dictated by the inspirations driving extending livelihoods for the air terminal itself by government to invigorate fiscal turn of events, repercussions for these models are one of a kind. 

Airport City

Airports are universally encountering a remarkable decrease in air traffic, particularly in the global portion. For instance, Frankfurt International Airport and Sydney International Airport detailed a decrease of 62 percent and 96 percent during the period of March 2020 and April 2020. For certain air terminals, for example, in New York, confine access to the airport and different air terminals plan comparative measures for the time after COVID-19 to guarantee social removing is watched once flying has been continued. Numerous concessionaires are as of now bankrupt or won't endure this extreme time. A comparative circumstance is found outside of the terminal. Films, shopping centers, places of business, inns and greens landside have been influenced by the pandemic too. A ton of these offices needed to shut over the most recent couple of weeks because of government limitations. 

Shockingly, this implies not just flight-related business is hit hard by this pandemic, yet in addition non-avionics related business. Will it despite everything be conceivable to bring in cash with these interests later on? Is the air terminal city still a suitable plan of action for air terminals? It relies upon how the world will take care of COVID-19.

As a matter of first importance, the inquiry is: When is after COVID-19? Right now, it looks in the event that we should live with limitations for in any event an additional a year or until an antibody or treatment has been found. The more drawn out current limitations last, the more probable that work and life propensities will have changed for good. What number of more individuals will telecommute later on? What number of organizations have used to gatherings by means of video meeting? Will the airports as a gathering place become out of date? Appraisals are that business travel won't return to past levels for an extremely lengthy timespan. All things considered, individuals will begin to travel again and flights will continue, yet the necessities and needs of individuals may have drastically changed. A business will have vanished and changed and new ones rose. What does that all mean for airports urban areas and non-aeronautical incomes? Like never before previously, it is vital to survey the key plans, reexamine and reconnect better, progressively comprehensive, intensive and versatile key designs for what's to come.

The world is confronting a worldwide downturn with a great many individuals being jobless. One of the key inquiries in the coming years will be the manner by which to produce work, pay and sound financial cycles. The Airports maybe will never arrive at its full brilliance soon, being a district 'whose framework, land use and economy are focused on an airport. In any case, let's face it, that was in every case more a dream than a reality.

The Airports could develop to turn into a model that underlines 'town' living in a globalized world. Where the airport is the connector to the outside world yet the economy and individuals' prosperity isn't, or if nothing else less subject to worldwide air traffic. We will in any case fly, we will in any case work with different nations however maybe the time has come to contemplate plans of action with less reliance and less natural damage. We could imagine a plan of action that is progressively restricted however accentuates a world incongruity where we cooperate and esteem one another. An existence where we don't misuse different nations and the planet. A reality where a worldwide pandemic doesn't bring about a huge number of passings and a great many individuals losing their pays. 

The Future 

In outline, we don't have the foggiest idea of how the world will look like in six, 12 or two years, however, the image is getting more clear and more clear. The business analysts under us, I believe, are mindful of the enormous changes that are to come in the following years. What can the airport city organizers do at the present time? Respite. Think. Reflect. Presently it is a higher priority than any time in recent memory to invest enough energy in vital arranging and partner the executives. Right now is an ideal opportunity to reconsider your aspirations. What are the objectives of the task? How would you attempt to accomplish it? Is the arranging practical, or are the plans based on unrealistic reasoning and duplicates of different models on the planet? It was probably not going to prevail with that approach previously; unthinkable at this point.