Calendar Of Events
March 1-20
Overview of Aviation Safety Management Systems Workshop
Tampa, FL
http://atcvantage.com/
March 6-7
49th Annual Tennessee Mid-South Aviation Maintenance Conference
Nashville, TN
http://www.tnmidsouthamc.com
March 27-29
Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition
Shanghai, China
http://www.abace.aero/2012/
Business Buzz
NATA Launches State Advocacy Network
The National Air Transportation Association has launched a new State Advocacy Network consisting of association members in every state who will serve as liaisons between member businesses, state legislatures, and the association.
NATA's SAN comprises volunteers who act as representatives to keep each other and the association informed of pressing issues in their states. John F. Infanger, editorial director of our sister publication, Airport Business, has agreed to be one of its volunteers.
For more information on the State Advocacy Network and how you can get involved, please visit www.nata.aero/SAN.
Air Cargo Handler Fined $1 Million: OHL Solutions Inc., has agreed to pay a $1 million fine after investigators found that some of its workers failed to perform explosives screenings on all cargo destined for passenger planes at Indianapolis' airport, federal prosecutors said. Investigators found that some of the company's workers put stickers on cargo indicating an item had been screened when in fact it had not been. Prosecutors said the workers also falsified records to cover their actions.
Rampmaster Executes Strategic Brand Repositioning
Rampmaster has executed a brand refinement strategy to clearly position the company as the driving force for innovative refueling solutions in both the commercial aircraft and general aviation markets. Rampmaster has long been recognized as the U.S. commercial airline refueling leader, successfully maintaining 80 percent market share in this segment for more than two decades, and is looking to extend its leadership into the FBO market with a unique set of refueling solutions aimed at general aviation facilities.
HBD/Thermoid Wins Excellence Award From Boeing: HBD/Thermoid, Inc. received a 2011 Boeing Performance Excellence Award. The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance. HBD/Thermoid, Inc. maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance rating period from Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011.
ThyssenKrupp Picks Chicago: ThyssenKrupp announced in February that it had chosen Chicago for its North American regional headquarters.
Two ATS Workers Charged: Two men who cleaned airplane cabins at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport have been charged with stealing items left on airplanes, In June, airport police received an anonymous tip that employees of Airport Terminal Services were stealing items that had been left in airplane cabins by forgetful passengers. Airport police responded with a sting operation leading to the arrest of the two workers who were promptly fired.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Shows Modest Cargo Growth: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol ended 2011 with a growth of 0.8 percent in cargo handled compared to 2010. The total of all cargo processed through Schiphol was 1,523,806 metric tons – retaining its third place among Europe's cargo airports, and its 13.9 percent market share among the top 10.
Canada's First Electric-Powered Aircraft Refueling Truck Goes Into YVR
PLH Aviation Services begins refueling aircraft with a new electric-powered 3-ton truck. The truck chassis was developed by Canadian Electric Vehicles. CEV has produced over 60 of these 3-ton chassis over the last 11 years but this is the first one to be used in Canada.
The trucks use an Isuzu cab and chassis, have a payload of 6,000 pounds and have a speed of 40 kph. The vehicles are powered by a 96-volt AC motor and a 30 kw battery pack. The battery bank is charged from grid power and can be charged in off-peak times, taking between 4-6 hours.
Velcon Completes Qualification Test: Velcon Filters, LLC, successfully completed a qualification test for EI 1581. The test was the first for Velcon's new "JF5" coalescers, and "VSN5" synthetic separators. The JF5 series coalescer cartridges and VSN5 series separators represent the next step up on the technology ladder with regards to increased solids holding capacity, efficient water removal, higher flow rates and extended service life.
Emirates Faces $1.1 Million Fine: Emirates is facing a fine of $1.1 million after one its aircraft allegedly departed from Sydney after the airport's 11 p.m. curfew. Sydney Airport regulations stipulate flights are not allowed to land or take off between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The airline contends, however, that a delay due to fuel delivering caused the delay and that it did receive permission to depart.
WestJet Plans Regional Airline: WestJet will launch a low-fare, no frills regional airline this year, intensifying competition in smaller domestic markets with rival Air Canada for business and leisure class travelers.
Passenger Demand Up 6 Percent in 2011: The International Air Transport Association says passenger demand grew 5.9 percent last year, but lagged behind capacity increases. The group, which represents some 240 major airlines, says the airlines increased their available seats by 6.3 percent meaning average loads declined slightly in 2011.
Frontier Cuts Flights To MKE: Frontier Airlines will eliminate five non-stop routes from Milwaukee, which will result in the loss of almost half of its daily departures from Mitchell International Airport.
Partnerships/Acquisitions/Contracts
Corvus Picks GTA Aviation To Distribute CorPower Lithium Ground Support Equipment Kits
Corvus Energy selected GTA Aviation, as its North American sales and marketing partner and has charged it with penetrating aviation, logistics and military segments with Corvus Energy's cutting-edge electric GSE products.
"GTA Aviation has been a highly respected leader in the GSE distribution industry for more than 10 years," said Sean Puchalski, vice president, business development for Corvus Energy. "The company's strengths are its operations within numerous ground handling markets. This makes them the ideal partner to distribute Corvus Energy electric GSE kits."
Corvus Energy CorPower GSE utilizes a robust and highly advanced battery system. Typical installations allow the lithium powered GSE to run full-shift operations on a single charge. The units can be topped up during an extra long shift, and are capable of being charged from empty to full charge in as fast as 1/2 hour. The batteries are very long lasting, with an 8 Year/20,000 hour battery warranty and require absolutely no maintenance during this time. CorPower GSE can be charged from traditional airport GSE charging infrastructure or EV standard SAE J1772 charging systems.
For more information on Corvus Energy electric GSE conversion kits, visit www.CorPowerGSE.com. For more information on GTA Aviation, visit www.gtaaviation.org.
JetStream Wins US Airways Contracts: JetStream Ground Services earned contracts for grand handling at Indianapolis International Airport and for aircraft appearance at Newark Liberty International for US Airways. Both contracts bring JetStream into new cities.
ASIG Wins And Renews Contracts: ASIG was selected by British Airways as its new refueler at London Stansted Airport for the airline's cargo operations. Also, ASIG renewed its contract with British Airways to refuel its aircraft at Bangkok Survarnabhumi Airport. ASIG has been servicing British Airways at BKK since the airport's opening in 2006. ASIG also renewed it agreement with Delta Air Lines to provide aircraft refueling at 24 U.S. airports, including some of Delta's busiest hub operations.
Fortbrand Delivers: Fortbrand Services, Inc. delivered the first of nine Vammas PSB 5500 multi-function snow removal vehicles to the Kenton County Airport Board for use at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and also delivered the Vammas vehicles to the Halifax International Airport Authority for use at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. YHZ's snow removal fleet now consists of five of the Vammas vehicles.
Continental Ramps Up Partnership: Continental Tire, LLC announced a strategic partnership to supply its tire products with all 109 ASIG and Signature Flight Support locations in the United States.
LEKTRO Picks S.E. Asian Rep: LEKTRO has named IPS ASGE at its official representative of LEKTRO equipment in Southeast Asia. IPS AGSE has been providing aviation products and services since its formation in 1999.
Luxair Contracts with KLM: Luxair Airlines has opted for Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance to support the APU's equipping its fleet of 737s.
Swissport Extends Partnership With Brazil's GOL: Swissport International signed a three-year contract extension with Brazilian airline GOL for aircraft services and ramp handling at six airports in Brazil.
Somerset GSE Finance Opens Somerset Equipment Finance UK Limited
Somerset GSE Finance established Somerset Equipment Finance UK Limited. The company's UK subsidiary will serve as its European base to service clients' financing needs throughout most of Europe.
Somerset GSE Finance is an operating division of Somerset Capital Group, Ltd. and provides equipment financing and asset management services to the GSE market covering all GSE asset types including de-icing, loaders, belt loaders, towbar and towbarless tractors, fueling equipment, baggage tractors and AC/Heating/GPUs.
Establishing the UK subsidiary expands the company's global reach to include the United States, Canada, most of Europe and parts of Asia.
For additional information on Somerset GSE Finance, contact William R. Long, senior vice president at (973) 764-9960 or [email protected]
Toyota Lift Trucks Named Most Fuel Efficient: Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. announced its 8-Series I.C. cushion 5,000-pound capacity lift trucks ranked highest in performance, fuel efficiency and productivity compared to similarly equipped competitor models in third party testing by USAC Properties, Inc.
COBUS Adds To Its Fleet: COBUS Industries LP added one additional COBUS 3000 to its fleet of eight buses at the Philadelphia International Airport. Also, two COBUS 3000 buses are now in use at the Vancouver International Airport. A total of more than 130 COBUS busses are currently used at 25 airports in North America.
Greenbrier Airport and Summit Aviation Join Shell FBO: Eastern Aviation Fuels, Inc.. recently announced the former Exxon FBOs, Greenbrier Valley Airport and Summit Aviation have joined the Shell FBO Network. There are currently more than 400 Shell-branded FBOs in the United States.
People In The News
Ketan Solanki was appointed sales manager for iTowbots. The company's remote-controlled TRACE TowBot allows a single operator to maneuver aircraft in close quarters. Previously to joining the company, Solanki worked in publishing for Autopilot Magazine. (PICTURE)
The National Air Transportation Association promoted Johanna O'Toole to comptroller. O'Toole previously served as director, administration and financial services.
Jacques Leroux, account executive for Dow Aircraft Deicing and Anti-Icing Fluids, was awarded the 2011 Henry Souther Standards Award by SAE International during the 2012 SAE Government/Industry Meeting. The Henry Souther Standards Award, given by the Environmental Awards Selection Committee of SAE International, recognizes accomplishments in standards development in the disciplines of environment, safety, materials, testing and emissions.
Swissport International, the world's leading aviation services group, has appointed Joe Phelan as its new senior vice president, cargo for the Americas. He brings more than 25 years of international logistics and transport industry experience to the role. (PICTURE)
Dr. Andreas Jahnke has assumed the position of managing director of Lufthansa Consulting GmbH. He succeeds Werner Schuessler, who retired at the end of 2011. Jahnke brings to this position his expertise in logistics and consulting as well as extensive experience in international
management and corporate development. (PICTURE)
Ton Dortmans was appointed executive vice president of KLM Engineering & Maintenance. In his new position he will be responsible for maintenance of the KLM fleet, part of the Air France fleet and all third parties served by Air France and KLM. He will head a team of around 5,500 employees and will report to KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman. (PICTURE)
Toyota Material Handling North America announced the retirement of its president and CEO James J. Malvaso, effective April 1. The company also announced the planned appointment of Brett Wood as its president and CEO.
