News

25 July

Menzies in Madrid
Menzies Aviation has been awarded a three-year passenger handling contract by Spanish carrier Vueling at Madrid Barajas airport in Spain. The operation, which represents a new station for the company's network, is scheduled to start on August 5. "This co-operation, with one of Spain's largest carriers, is of great strategic importance, and comes at a time when Menzies is participating in the ramp licence tenders in Spain for over 50 stations," said a Menzies spokesperson. The licence awards will be announced by the end of 2014, with start-ups expected in the first few months of 2015.

New international handling standard
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has released the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH). A set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers, IS-BAH features at its core a safety management system (SMS) designed to meet the coming requirements of the ICAO.
"The business aviation community welcomed the IBAC-NATA announcement of IS-BAH in May," said Kurt Edwards, Director General of IBAC. "We are pleased to be able to make it available now. The IS-BAH will further enhance safety and standardize practices at airports handling business aviation around the world."
A global industry code of best practices, IS-BAH provides standardisation to handlers and operators around the world. Announced in Geneva by IBAC and NATA, the IS-BAH follows the long-established structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Programme and incorporates the NATA Safety First Ground Audit Programme. The IS-BAH has a central SMS component and similar programme content, voluntary registration process, auditor credentialing and audit approval process. The programme also features a manual and fully integrated implementation guide.

Outsourcing gaining ground in the US
Airline representatives at US airports increasingly are not employees of the carriers they represent. United Continental Holdings has said that it will outsource jobs at 12 US airports in October, in cities including Buffalo, Charlotte, and Detroit, to vendors who will perform the duties at a lower cost. These positions currently engage about 635 workers in areas that include check-in, baggage handling and customer services. The initiative, which is part of a broader effort by United to lift its flagging fortunes through cost-cutting, reflects how the bigger US airlines are using vendors to handle key jobs at most domestic airports, a trend that can reduce expenses but which also risks impacting customer service. American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Air Group's Alaska Airlines are amongst the carriers that already outsource a large share of this work, although in some cases the carriers use their own contractors.
According to Rich Delaney, President of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union district that represents the United airport agents and baggage handlers, outsourcing the work at the dozen airports will save United between US$1.6m and US$3.5m per airport a year, depending on the size and the worker population.

More choice at Shahjalal International?
Biman Bangladesh Airlines is seeking Requests For Proposal from foreign ground handling agents, according to its acting Managing Director, Mosaddique Ahmed. "The decision on whether Biman will go for a joint venture will be taken later," he added.
At present, Dhaka's Shahjalal International airport handles around 50 flights daily for four local carriers and around 100 international flights representing 25 carriers from 18 countries. Most international airports appoint more than one agent for ground handling to ensure a better quality of service. However, in Bangladesh, only Biman is tasked with this service.
However, foreign carriers have been demanding more choice of handling agent, as Biman reportedly lacks trained manpower and the modern equipment that is necessary for the task. Speaking on conditions of anonymity, a Biman official said: "Biman does not have any equipment as a ground handler. The number of airlines has increased over the past five years but neither Biman's manpower nor its equipment were upgraded." The official added that if ground handling was to be performed on a joint venture basis, then the foreign company would invest "quite a bit to improve service qualities."

10 July

Australia sees potential in bio-jet fuels
Australia has a chance to play a leading rôle in bio-jet fuels and sustainable aviation in the Asia-Pacific area, according to a global expert in sustainable aviation. Airbus New Energies Programme Manager, Frederic Eychenne, says that a groundbreaking study, recently published by the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre, underscores the potential existing in Australia and he urged the nation's politicians to be conscious of the opportunities. The two-year supply chain study in Western Australia found that aviation fuel from mallee could generate new regional industries and provide up to 5% of the nation's jet fuel needs. It found that fuel produced from mallee trees and certified for use in jet engines could lead to a viable aviation biofuel industry in Western Australia by 2021, using just 1% of the state's Great Southern region. The industry would use mallee belts on farms that would not displace food production and would improve profitability of the fields by 20-30%, while jet flights using the biofuel would have greenhouse emissions that were some 40% lower than those arising from conventional fuel usage.
The study envisages an initial regional plant using high temperature fast pyrolysis technology and employing 40 people, generating AU$30m annually, but noted that scaled-up production would increase these figures tenfold, with centres also established in New South Wales and near the South Australian-Victorian border. "The fact is that in this zone, not only Australia but the Pacific and the Asia-Pacific, aviation will have significant growth in the next decade,'' Frederic Eychenne said. "So Australia, I think, could be positioned to play a great rôle in terms of engagement for sustainable aviation but as well, in terms of technology and biofuel production from biomass. A lot of land is available, sustainability has been proven, so I think that this is really promising after 2020-21.''
Two pathways for producing aviation biofuels have already been approved by certifying body ASTM International: the long-established Fischer-Tropsch process and a hydro-processed esters and fatty acids process, where biofuels are generally made by hydro-treating vegetable oils. A third pathway, producing synthesised iso-paraffinic fuel by hydro-processing sugars, has just been approved for a blend of up to 10% with jet fuel. Eychenne said that he expected as many as seven conversion pathways could be approved within the next five to six years, if funding could be found for certification.

Clyde Machines in expansion mode
GSE manufacturer Clyde Machines is expanding its production centre in Glenwood, in the US, with a 35,000 square foot building addition. The company that manufacturers trailers, towbars, maintenance stands, crew and passenger stairs, baggage carts and other equipment for the airline industry plans to add 15 new employees to its workforce because of this development. To assist the company with the expansion, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has approved a US$200,000 low interest loan from the agency's Minnesota Investment Fund. The company plans to use the funding for the expanded facility and new equipment.

Good start for new airport terminal
SITA has helped provide a smooth start to flight and passenger operations at Kuala Lumpur's new airport terminal, klia2, in Malaysia. SITA's AirportConnect Open platform automates passenger processing for the terminal, which officially opened on May 2 2014, helping the airport and airlines to provide a robust service. The SITA Departure Control System reduces the complexity of check-in and boarding, whilst its baggage solutions, BagManager and BagMessage, are improving baggage processing efficiency, helping to ensure on-time departures. AirportConnect Open enjoys a 70% market share among airports globally that have implemented a common-use infrastructure. Around the world, more than 300 airlines use SITA's AirportConnect Open to process millions of passengers every day in more than 525 airports.

June 25

New handling equipment report
A new report has been published by MarketsandMarkets: Aircraft Ground Handling System Market (Passenger Ground Handling Equipment, Cargo Ground Handling Equipment, Aircraft Ground Handling Equipment, by Product, Application & Geography) - Global Forecasts and Analysis to 2014–2019.
The aircraft ground handling system market was estimated to be worth US$347.5m in 2014, and is expected to reach US$456.7m by 2019. Growth in the market will continue to depend largely on the increase in the number of airlines and airports. Expansion, upgrading of existing airports and technology advances will also increase the demand within the aircraft ground handling system market. The report includes more than 53 market data tables, spread throughout its 165 pages. The competitive analysis includes the market share of companies involved in this market. The impact of drivers and restraints are analysed and their impact on this market throughout the study period are noted: the whole serves to provide an in-depth insight into this specialised sector. Technology and industry trends are also discussed, which will provide competitive market intelligence related to advanced technology and joint ventures amongst the ground handling system providers.
To view this report, log on to:
http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/aircraft-ground-handling-system-market-264041553.html

Cairo to benefit from fuel station
A new fuel station, covering 19,000 square metres, is to be created at Cairo International airport, according to Mohammed Saeed, Chairman of EgyptAir Ground Services.
The company also intends to build an awning for workers and equipment that will extend to an area of 6,000 square metres. He added that the company has further plans to build a supply and fuel station for ground equipment at Luxor airport. Fuel will be provided on site for equipment operation, and the plan will be implemented within approximately two years.
Saeed added, however, that the company would not be able to achieve its revenue goals for the current fiscal year. Reasons for this shortfall include smaller aircraft used by airlines operating at Egypt's airports and a decrease in air traffic in the country. He noted that EgyptAir Ground Services currently depends on its revenues from the 120 daily flights to Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada. The company also provides ground services at Cairo and Alexandria's Burg El-Arab airports. Saeed revealed that EgyptAir Ground Services was currently in negotiations with 16 new foreign companies with the goal of providing goods and passenger transportation services within ground terminals. The negotiations will help the company to compensate for the recent freezing of several contracts with foreign companies based on their fears surrounding the deteriorating security situation in Egypt.
EgyptAir Ground Services partnered with Nesma Airlines in February 2014 to provide ground services in four airports in Saudi Arabia - Riyadh, Medina, Qassim and Dammam. Ashraf Lamloum, Chairman of Nesma, said that the goal of the alliance with EgyptAir Ground Services in Saudi Arabia was to increase both companies' revenues. He added that Nesma hoped to compete to offer services in the Ha'il and Taif airports in the near future. EgyptAir Ground Services currently has contracts to service 168 foreign companies within ground terminals managed by the company, and hosts approximately 104 incoming flights daily.

Siemens provides support at Gatwick
Gatwick airport has renewed a 12 month service contract with Siemens Postal, Parcel and Airport Logistics to provide engineering support for the operation of the baggage handling systems at both the South and North terminals, with an option to extend the contract for a further two years. The renewal of the contract will provide invaluable continuity to ensure maximum uptime for both terminal operations, coupled with the opportunity of providing ongoing system enhancements.
Flexible on-site engineering support enables Siemens to provide Gatwick with additional or specialised resources to implement minor modifications and enhancements to the control systems to reflect changes in the configuration and layout of the conveyors as a day-by-day activity, as well as respond to urgent calls to investigate suspected failures. Out of hours emergencies will be covered by experienced engineering support on a 24 hour call out basis.

Bangladesh: modernisation on the cards
The ground handling services at Hazrat Shahjalal International airport in Bangladesh are likely to be modernised within two years, with special emphasis on the baggage handling system. Currently, passengers sometimes have to wait up to 90 minutes for their luggage after landing, but after the modernisation process, this could be trimmed to just 15 minutes. The loss-making airline Biman, which has a monopoly in ground handling services in Bangladesh, will select a joint venture partner through a tender and then embark on the work. Biman officials were given the go-ahead in early May 2014 for the project, which will require an investment of between US$10-15m.
Former Biman Managing Director, Kevin Steele, who actually left the company in April 2014, took the initiative in 2013 of inviting Requests for Information from the international ground handling community. To date, four companies have shown interest in the joint venture: Swissport International, Çelebi, dnata and Group Europe Handling.

June 10

Ukraine dispute not over yet
A commercial court in Kiev, Ukraine, has dismissed Ukraine International Airlines' claim over a majority stake in a joint venture that once belonged to its erstwhile partner Swissport International. The ruling further smoothes the path for Swissport to regain control over Swissport Ukraine, presently rebranded as Interavia, a local airport ground services provider that it lost to UIA in a corporate dispute that started in 2012.

Wrapping solution for the traveller
South African Airways has announced that following a successful trial period, the airline is taking steps leading to the implementation of baggage wrapping for customer bags as a permanent feature. Earlier this year SAA introduced a complimentary baggage wrapping service to customers travelling out of Johannesburg's OR Tambo International. The trial has now been concluded with customer feedback proving positive. A supply chain process will now be initiated for the procurement of a service provider who will implement the service on a permanent basis. The number of bags pilfered from SAA out of OR Tambo was the lowest ever recorded in March 2014, even lower than the previous record achieved during the June 2010 soccer World Cup, when government security agencies safe guarded baggage at all Airports Company South Africa airports.

New solid state converter
UK-based Power Systems International has launched its new SD Series 4 solid-state frequency converters. The team at Power Systems International works closely with aircraft manufacturers, local aviation authorities, airport developers, maintenance hangars and aviation workshop operators, consulting engineers and architects to determine the best cost-effective means to deliver ground power service to aircraft on demand to a dedicated point-of-use. The Power Systems International AC to DC converters can connect to normal 50 Hz or 60 Hz three-phase power sources and produce a highly stable 28.5V DC output for starting helicopter and aircraft engines, as well as for essential battery charging to conserve energy in on-board aircraft batteries. The DC converter is also supplied as a towable mobile unit or as a fixed indoor or outdoor construction.
The company supplies made-up flexible 400Hz and 28V DC cable harnesses, which are fitted with the industry standard 400Hz and DC aircraft power connectors. Cable reeling systems and in-ground service pits provided with power, compressed air and other services for aircraft in maintenance hangars can also be furnished. The service pits are custom engineered to meet the design specification of the user.

May 23

Core operations to be transformed
Appian Corporation has announced that Melbourne airport in Australia is transforming a range of core airport operations and procedures using the Appian Work Platform.
The station needed an efficient single platform that would integrate a wide range of business processes throughout the airport. Using Appian's Work Platform, the airport has developed an intuitive Business Process Management System (BPMS) for employees across multiple departments. Paper-based data collection will be replaced by process automation, including airfield forms for airside safety inspection, data entry and reporting for live incident management, along with rapid consolidation of customer feedback. Through process automation, Appian gives Melbourne airport greater agility in its operations, while Appian's native mobile apps provide employees better access to enterprise data and real-time reporting capabilities. Melbourne airport plans to develop additional process applications, including improvements to permit management of airport service requests and terminal maintenance.

Gatwick choose Indian software for upgrade
India-based IBS Software has implemented a series of airport collaborative decision-making (A-CDM) tools at London's Gatwick airport. The tools, designed to improve collaboration between airport partners, include an intelligent alert generator, alert distributor, departure planning information (DPI) message generation and processing and flight monitoring. DPI messages supply the network operations centre with airport situational information direct from the A-CDM systems in order to update the real-time flight situation before take-off. The tools complement software solutions from IBS that are already functional at the airport. These cover areas such as departure control systems, ground handling, resource management and baggage services, which help plan, manage and track flights and airport resource usage.

May 13

Nepal Airlines' handling contract secure
The Nepal Government has extended Nepal Airlines' contract for ground handling services of Tribhuvan International airport for the next two years. A commercial ground handling agreement was signed between the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) on April 11 2014 after the previous agreement expired in February. A NAC spokesperson, Ram Hari Sharma, said that the agreement would be extended by three more years (for a total of five years) once NAC obtained its IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations certification.
"After the certification, NAC will have a monopoly on ground services until February 11 2019," Sharma said. Currently, NAC collects more than US$20.5m annually in ground handling charges from international airlines. Under the terms of the agreement, NAC will give 12.5% of the earnings to the CAAN.

Security services market growing
Recent analysis indicates that the global air cargo security and screening systems market will reach a value of US$500m in 2014. This is as a result of the enforcement of new air cargo security regulations by ICAO in 2013 and the implementation into the national regulatory level in 2014. Consequently, airports and air freight companies will have to acquire new screening systems and update existing security systems to meet these new requirements. The air cargo security and screening systems market is therefore forecast to record positive growth over the next decade, in large part through improvements in security requirements and screening technologies.
A 272 page report contains 153 tables, charts and graphs that add visual analysis in order to explain developing trends within the air cargo security and screening systems market. This new report provides forecasts for the period 2014-2024 in terms of value for the global air cargo security and screening market, as well as for four submarkets (X-Ray Inspection Systems; Explosive Detection Systems; Explosive Trace Detections; Perimeter, Surveillance, Access Control and Other Systems) of the air cargo security and screening market. In addition, nine leading national air cargo security and screening markets are forecast and analysed over the period 2014-2024.
The report is available from Visiongain.

Havas opens in Saudi Arabia
Havas has become the first Turkish company to receive a ground handling services licence at Madinah airport in Saudi Arabia: the handler currently provides ground handling services at 23 airports in Turkey and at seven airports in Europe. Havas Saudi Arabia was established under the partnership of Havas, TAV and al-Rajhi to offer ground handling services at Madinah, which is operated by TAV Airports.
"As Havaş, we are proud to start providing services at Madinah, one of the two holy cities of Saudi Arabia. Madinah airport hosted 40,000 flights in 2013 while providing services to approximately 5m passengers. Having started to provide services at Madinah airport, we aim to improve the network of Havas Saudi Arabia nationwide and to other countries in the region," commented Havas' General Manager, Nurzat Erkal.

April 25

March 27

Island cuts for United?
United Airlines has confirmed that it is looking at outsourcing island ground operations, which could result in the laying off of 223 employees at the Kona, Kahului and Lihue airports in Hawaii. The airline, which has more flights to the state than any other carrier, has notified workers at those three airports, as well as at 12 small mainland airports, that it is looking at competitive market rates to see whether ground operations work can be kept within United. The airline said it currently pays the same labour rates in all markets, unlike its major competitors, whose rates at smaller airports are in line with local market rates.
“This difference in pay puts us at a competitive disadvantage, and we must look for ways to ensure our cost structure is more in line with other airlines serving the markets,” a United spokesman said, adding: “We haven’t made any decisions, but we must continually look for new opportunities to run a more efficient and financially sustainable business.”
The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Local 141, which covers the affected Hawaii employees, said in a bulletin that United contracts include language that prevents United from making the unilateral decision to outsource work without first entering into negotiations with the union over every airport considered. The union further said that it understood that United had received responses from multiple vendors to perform the outsourced work for the affected airports.

Worldwide looking to shed staff
There is more bad news on the employment front.
Worldwide Flight Services is to lay off 74 employees from its operation at Newark Liberty International airport, New Jersey. The company has filed a WARN notice with the state Department of Labour and Workforce Development, saying the workers would be affected as of April 20 2014. France-based WFS operates at 120 airports in 20 countries, with revenues of about US$800m in 2012: it has about 10,000 employees.

Global renews lease
Global Ground Support has renewed the lease for its 112,000 square foot manufacturing facility at in Olathe, Kansas. The decision, aided by undisclosed state incentives, will preserve 100 jobs. In addition, Global Ground Support expects to add 25 new jobs during the next five years. The company manufactures an array of airport equipment, including de-icing vehicles, scissor-lift trucks, catering trucks and mass casualty mobile decontamination trailers. Customers include the US military forces and airlines and airports around the world. Global Ground Support’s CEO, Rick Smith, said that the size of the Olathe facility would accommodate the company’s growth. He added that the firm anticipates making improvements to the facility, including parking lots, carpeting, lighting and overhead cranes.

January 28

Ground handling to be upgraded
The Maldives Airports Company has announced a project worth US$5m to upgrade the ground handling utilities at Malé Ibrahim Nasir International airport. Under the project, new baggage tractors have been acquired, and four new passenger buses, heavy load vehicles and new steps were due to be added by the end of March 2014. Current equipment at the airport has been deemed inefficient and elderly, which has prompted the investment.

GPU agreement signed
FCX Systems has entered into an exclusive agreement with Page Industries, which will allows Page to sell the FCX 400 Hz, 270V DC and 28V DC frequency converter product line to both the commercial and military markets. FCX and Page signed a long-term agreement which increases their customer support base to better meet the growth that both companies are experiencing. FCX’s experience and expertise in the aircraft GPU market complements Page’s strength as a leading provider of ancillary ground support equipment and centralised 400 Hz systems. This partnership coincides with the introduction of the most advanced frequency converter yet to come from FCX.
With advanced next-generation aircraft such as the Boeing 787 now entering service, a capable ground power solution is more important than ever. To meet this challenge, FCX introduced models X90 (90 kVA/kW) and X180 (180 kVA/kW): both are 400 Hz solid-state frequency units, which meet both the demand for support of a continuous unity power factor (1.0 p.f.) load and sufficient overload capability to support engine starts on the B787 and other aircraft with modern system architectures.
FCX was able to provide this performance through an innovative design that utilises adaptive magnetic wave optimisation and voltage stabilisation to ensure clean input power, providing <9% ITHD at all load levels.

Most punctual handling operation announced
Lufthansa has named the passenger and aircraft ground handling provided by Tallinn Airport Ground Handling in Estonia as the most punctual in the world. Lufthansa evaluates ground handling at airports by measuring the on-time record of flight departures, the speed and punctuality of checking in for flights, efficiency of luggage searches, convenience when boarding aircraft, fulfilment of safety requirements and many other details in services for aircraft and passengers. According to Lufthansa, the Best Ground Handling Provider 2013 is AS Tallinn Airport GH, a subsidiary of Tallinn airport. AS Tallinn Airport GH also earned the Shooting Star soubriquet, awarded to airports employing the most up-to-date solutions for checking-in processes for flights. At the station, self-service kiosks, the Internet and mobile phones are used for checking in for Lufthansa flights by 92.4% of the passengers, the best such indicator globally.

Fuelling support for South Africa and Curaçao
Fuelstream has begun both fuelling and logistical support operations for South Africa-based Global Airways at Victorville airport and Hato International airport in Willemstad, Curaçao. In addition to sourcing the jet fuel Global Airways requires, Fuelstream will be responsible for the evaluation and recommendation of ground handling companies, caterers, crew transportation and services. The company will also co-ordinate with cargo handlers, serve as Global’s GSA for cargo in Miami, work with the Aviation Department on gate assignments and ticket counters and work with all government authorities (TSA, Customs & Immigration and the local police) to ensure compliance.

January 13

Orders for JBT to start the New Year
JBT AeroTech has been awarded additional contracts valued in excess of US$2m for Jetway aviation support equipment by a global airframe manufacturer. The mobile air conditioner carts and air compressors being supplied will provide on-the-ground compressed air services for aircraft control system testing and maintenance. The JASE units will be delivered between 2014 and 2018, bringing the total contracted number of units for this airframe manufacturer to over 120.

Electric taxi-ing joint venture signed
As part of ongoing research and development into future technology options, Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with EGTS International, a joint venture company between Safran and Honeywell Aerospace, to further develop and evaluate an autonomous electric pushback and taxi-ing solution for the Airbus A320 family.
This agreement marks the selection of EGTS International’s Electric Green Taxi-ing System as a new option on the A320, which is referred to by Airbus as eTaxi. This option would allow the aircraft to push back from the gate without a tug, taxi to the runway, and return to the gate after landing, without operating the main engines. In this application, the eTaxi will use the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit to power electric motors fitted to the main landing gear wheels. The architecture will include the ability for pilots to retain full control (from the cockpit) over their aircraft’s speed and direction during the taxi-ing operation.
Brian Wenig, EGTS Programme Vice President, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “Following our demonstration of the technology at [the 2013] Paris Airshow, this MoU marks the next critical milestone in the advancement of the Electric Green Taxi-ing System as an option for the Airbus A320 family, by securing Airbus’ support in the development of the system. Airbus will provide extremely valuable insight to facilitate a seamless integration into the aircraft.”
The eTaxi option will offer several operational and environmental benefits for the A320 family: per trip, the projected fuel savings and CO2 reductions would be approximately 4%; it would contribute to significantly more efficient taxi-ing operations and save around two minutes on pushback, whilst taxi-ing-related carbon and nitrous oxide emissions would be cut by more than half.

Snow removal contract at Lexington
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board, in Kentucky, has awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff to design a new snow removal equipment and maintenance facility at Lexington Blue Grass airport. The project entails the design and construction administration of a new 60,000 square foot multi-purpose facility that will feature large vehicle maintenance bays, vehicle storage for specialty snow removal equipment, warehousing and equipment storage, a vehicle wash bay, crew space (including functional areas for shift work during snow removal events) and administrative support, according to the company. Under the contract, Parsons Brinckerhoff will be the prime consultant, providing project management, construction administration, architecture, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, as well as quality oversight services. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2015.

December 12

Assets bought by Telair
AAR Corp’s 100% owned subsidiary, Telair International, has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the cargo loading system assets of Germany-based PFW Aerospace. The acquisition is expected to enhance Telair’s market position as a leading supplier of cargo loading and baggage handling systems. After the deal closes, and on completion of a transition period, Telair will transfer the assets to its Miesbach facility in Germany. The acquisition will be funded from available cash on hand and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Private aviation services on the agenda at Heathrow
Dubai-based air services provider dnata has announced that its UK unit has launched private aviation services at London’s Heathrow airport. Dnata said that its new service included all aspects of the private aviation sector, which means that its operations at Heathrow were now capable of handling all types of aircraft, from a helicopter to the A380.
“The launch of private aviation services at Heathrow airport makes dnata the airport’s only one-stop-shop for all air services - from ground handling and cargo to passenger services and VIP handling: we are able deliver results for all aviation customers,” commented Paul Williams, Business Development Director, Ground Services, UK operations.

New handling company to be formed
From 2014, Cape Verde’s aviation agency, Aeroportos e Segurança Aérea, will provide handling services at the country’s airports via Ground Handling, a company that is due to be set up soon, according to the Cape Verdean press. This will be the first step in the privatisation of airline Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde, as the country’s airline currently carries out those services. The TACV privatisation programme will start by separating the handling business, and the delivery to Ground Handling of the GSE needed for that service, as a way of paying off the debts that the airline owes to ASA.
Mário Paixão, President of ASA, said that the studies had been carried out, that the operational, administrative and financial audits were almost ready, and that ASA and TACV would “soon start negotiating for the deal to be carried out”. As well as the equipment needed for the handling business, the future company will start operating with the 300 TACV employees who currently provide ground support for aircraft, passengers, luggage, cargo and mail.

Joint control move planned
Bulgarian Airways Group and Swissport International have sent a notification to the European Commission about their plans to acquire joint control over Swissport Bulgaria. The Commission has invited interested third parties to submit their observations on the proposed operation, according to a notification posted in the EU Official Journal in late November 2013. Swissport Bulgaria, a subsidiary of Swissport International, is a provider of ground handling and cargo handling services at Sofia airport. The Bulgarian Airways Group controls Bulgarian flag carrier Bulgaria Air, and in October 2013, Bulgaria Air changed its ground handling operator from Sofia airport to Swissport.