THE AIRPORT

OPERATOR THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION

LONDON CITY AIRPORT Robert Sinclair’s plan

Features DISRUPTIVE PASSENGERS BREXIT UK airports act An AOA guide

MANCHESTER AIRPORT HEATHROW EXPANSION SPRING 2018 The North’s global gateway The big planning consultation

Get ready to provide the streamlined experience travelers have been waiting for. 100% secure self-service at every step of the journey – check-in, security and boarding. SITA Smart PathTM makes the stroll-through convenience of biometric self-service, simple, fast and secure Modular by design, it allows you to introduce secure identity management into your passenger flow step-by-step, or all at once.

Explore more at: www.sita.aero/smartpath

Hosted by:

www.airports-expo.com Uniting the airports and suppliers of Britain and Ireland to learn, network and procure 12-13 June 2018 London Olympia

FREE TO ATTEND Supported by:

200+ EXHIBITORS

3 STAGES

3,000+ VISITORS

www.airports-expo.com

BIAe-2018-190x132mm-half-page-advert.indd 1 30/01/2018 11:30 3 ED ANDERSON Introduction to the Airport Operator THE AIRPORT The principles may be clear, but the OPERATOR A very devil is in the detail and it is all quite THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION complicated, but we are here to help. warm So, in this issue you will find a handy AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION welcome to guide to Brexit and UK aviation by Ed Anderson the AOA’s in-house expert, Henk van Chairman the spring Klaveren. Henk seeks to answer all the Karen Dee questions that you have on the subject Chief Executive edition but were afraid to ask. Peter O’Broin of The The next few months will be crucial for Policy Manager the development of the Government’s Henk van Klaveren Airport Aviation Strategy, with a series of Public Affairs & PR Manager Operator, consultations, beginning with one this Roger Koukkoullis summer on the consumer journey, Operations, Safety published safety and security, followed by an & Commercial Director to coincide with our 2018 autumn consultation on sustainability Claire Humphries issues, including noise, and a Events & Member consultation early next year on trade Relations Manager Annual Dinner at London’s and market access. Patricia Page Grosvenor House Hotel. Executive Assistant We are delighted to have so many We look forward to hearing more & Office Manager distinguished guests from across the about emerging Government thinking Avni Patel aviation sector at what is the largest during the early summer and we Accounts Executive networking dinner in the aviation will be responding in detail to each Jeff Bevan calendar and especially pleased of the consultations to ensure that Policy & Public Affairs Officer to have secured the new Aviation the Strategy is based on a detailed Minister, Baroness Sugg, as our understanding of the challenges and AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION keynote speaker. opportunities facing UK airports. 3 Birdcage Walk, Hosted by: London SW1H 9JJ She joins us at a time when One of the points that we will certainly Government policy has rarely been so be emphasising is that the Strategy important for the continuing success needs to take proper account of T: +44 (0)20 7799 3171 of UK airports, with two big issues perspectives reflecting the whole E: [email protected] www.airports-expo.com dominating her and our agenda: Brexit range of our airports, from the largest Uniting the airports and suppliers of Britain F: +44 (0)20 7340 0999 and Ireland to learn, network and procure and the Government’s consultation on to the smallest, from passenger W: www.aoa.org.uk 12-13 June 2018 London Olympia a new Aviation Strategy. to freight and including General Aviation. It is a point that is underlined On Brexit we have been liaising closely Michael Burrell elsewhere in this issue by one of with the Department for Transport Supported by: Editor our Board members, Andrew Bell, where there is a clear understanding Chief Executive of Regional and City

FREE TO ATTEND of the important issues at stake, Airports, who stresses the vital role THE AIRPORT OPERATOR both in terms of traffic rights and air that smaller airports play in our overall MAGAZINE IS PRODUCED BY services agreements and aviation aviation eco-system. safety, where the key issue is whether 200+ EXHIBITORS and how the UK could continue At the other end of the airport scale, you can read the inside story on the Shimon Speigel to participate in the work of the Creative Director European Aviation Safety Agency. consultation exercise on expanding Heathrow. Jessica Horton Our approach to the subject is to Graphic Designer 3 STAGES urge both sides of the negotiations to Elsewhere in this issue you will find GENIUM have at the front of their mind not the articles about recent developments Studio 27 interests of airlines or airports, but of at some of our world-leading airport Quadrant Business Centre suppliers. I hope that you will find 135 Salusbury Road our customers, the passengers. It is by 3,000+ VISITORS London NW6 6RJ continuing to put their interests first, much that is of interest to you and I as the EU and the UK together have look forward to seeing many you at T: +44 (0)20 7089 2622 our 2018 Annual Dinner. www.airports-expo.com E: [email protected] done so successfully in the past, that W: www.geniumcreative.com we will secure the right outcomes. Ed Anderson, AOA Chairman

BIAe-2018-190x132mm-half-page-advert.indd 1 30/01/2018 11:30 4

THE AOA IS PLEASED TO WORK WITH ITS CORPORATE PARTNERS, AND GOLD AND SILVER MEMBERS

Corporate Partners

Gold Members

Silver Members

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 5

A GROWING LONDON AIRPORT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Robert Sinclair may only have been in post as CEO at for four months, but he is already planning “a bolder, more ambitious vision” to take the airport to the next level

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 6

is precise and measured which will be operational from 2019. With an additional at language during an interview State-of-the-art cameras on a newly Heathrow still several years’ away, Hat London City’s Aviation constructed tower will deliver live London City’s expansion will bring House fails to disguise his excitement views of the airfield via super-fast new capacity into the London at the “scale of the opportunity” secure fibre connections to a new market at a crucial time. Initially the presented by the airport’s £480 NATS control room in Swanwick, focus will be on adding connectivity million four-year investment plan. . to key European destinations, but in the longer term the airport expects Work has already started on the It is 30 years since London City’s to target new destinations on the development programme – “the first full year of operation, when US East Coast, in the largest development ever in the total passenger numbers were just and Russia. For now, thanks to KLM, history of the airport”. Crucially it 133,000. Today 11 airlines carry Amsterdam is London City’s single will include a new parallel taxiway, as four and a half million passengers busiest route, closely followed by well as new aircraft stands, that will a year to 45 destinations, with , Dublin, Zurich, enable the airport to increase flight Sinclair anticipating numbers rising and Frankfurt. frequency and open the possibility above five million by 2020 and the of longer-range destinations using development programme enabling That destination mix reflects the quieter, more fuel-efficient next the airport to accommodate six and close connection between the generation aircraft. Extensions to a half million passengers. airport’s success and the health of the airport terminal will add space (including for possible new Border arrangements post-Brexit) and create world-class terminal facilities, “Airport CEOs are largely figureheads. They may but without compromising London City’s prized speedy check-in and be the public profile of an airport, but an airport’s arrival – which Sinclair characterises as “a core part of our USP”. success is very much delivered by all of the staff and business partners coming together as one team In parallel, work will proceed on the installation of a digital air traffic to provide a seamless service for the passenger” control tower, the first in the UK,

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 7

the UK’s financial services market, Duty, which he describes as “a major on leisure traffic. Asked for his particularly those parts of it based brake on connectivity for both the first impressions of London City, in Canary Wharf, just ten minutes leisure and business market”. he says: “You study airports for from the airport, and the City of their differences and London City London, with Bank station only His mention of the leisure market is more different than most. The 22 minutes from the airport on reflects recent developments scale of the opportunity here to the . The which are beginning to transform bring new capacity into the London metaphor that Sinclair uses is that the passenger mix at London City. market is immense, even though “our very close proximity to the Taking the whole of 2017, about we face some constraints because financial services market means that 48% of passengers were leisure of the position of our runway if it sneezes we will catch a cold, passengers, but in the third quarter, (between the Royal Albert and although on the other hand the for the first time in the airport’s King George docks) and our built- establishment of new offices in the history, there were more leisure up neighbourhood, which imposes key financial centres in Europe could than business passengers. Sinclair operational and noise restrictions”. well deliver a major boost for our attributes this growth in both business traffic”. outbound and inbound leisure traffic Airport operations are limited on to a combination of growth in the weekdays to between 06.30 a.m. Not surprisingly, in that context, route network and the increasing and 10 p.m. and at weekends the Sinclair is keeping a very close take-up by key airlines of off-peak airport is closed between lunch- eye on the progress of the Brexit slots for leisure destinations. time on Saturday and lunch-time negotiations and especially on on Sunday. Although this can have the possible implications for He joined London City Airport from financial services. It is against that , which, like many regional background that he continues airports, has a higher dependence to campaign to persuade the Government to cut Air Passenger

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 8

the effect of limiting the operations they stand for”) but is also conscious from central London to less than of some airlines and current that “airport CEOs are largely half an hour – 17 minutes from destinations, Sinclair is confident figureheads. They may be the public Paddington to Canary Wharf and a that growth can be achieved thanks profile of an airport, but an airport’s further 10 minutes to London City. in part to a new generation of success is very much delivered by Frustratingly, even though the new quieter aircraft. all of the staff and business partners line passes close to the airport, coming together as one team to there will initially be no stop at the Another first impression that provide a seamless service for the airport. Instead passengers will Sinclair is keen to mention is the passenger”. have to transfer at Customs House depth and breadth of the airport’s or at Woolwich, which are both five connections to its local authority, Looking ahead, he picks out two minutes’ away. Sinclair says that the London Borough of Newham, possible changes which could securing an Elizabeth Line station at and to the local community. The benefit the airport and be welcomed the airport is “on our to-do list” and airport is the Borough’s largest by passengers. The first is the the airport is currently carrying out a private sector employer and, of the opportunity that Brexit presents to feasibility study. He seems optimistic 2,000 employees working at the reintroduce duty-free sales for intra- that success will eventually be airport, almost two thirds live in East European travel, suggesting that “it achieved, while acknowledging that London. would make perfect sense for duty- this will be several years’ away. free to be offered for flights from the He also emphasises how grateful he UK to the EU27” and that this would Concluding the interview, Sinclair re- is for what he has inherited from his represent “a significant opportunity emphasises how much he is looking predecessor as CEO, Declan Collier, for the airport and its customers”. forward to helping to achieve the who secured planning permission transformation of London City to for the airport’s development and The second is around further “a truly 21st century airport that recruited and retained the high- improvements to the airport’s serves the best city in the world”. quality team that will execute the surface access, crucial for London To the suggestion that it sounds like development programme. Sinclair City, where 70% of passengers a lot of fun, he settles instead for says that he has his own style (“I already arrive by public transport. “exciting”, as the best description of consider myself as a Jack-of-all- Plans are in place to improve how he feels right now about his new trades and master of none, with a Docklands Light Railway capacity role as CEO of the closest airport great deal of interest in all of the over the next three to four years to central London with the greatest aspects of an airport and I am a and the opening of the Elizabeth opportunity for rapid growth.  big believer in the importance of Line (otherwise known as ) building great teams and airports in December will cut journey times having a really clear vision of what

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 9 AIRPORTS ACT TO DEAL WITH DISRUPTIVE PASSENGERS

Evidence is emerging that action by UK airports to deal with disruptive passengers is starting to have a positive effect. he most recent data from the Civil Aviation Authority indicates “A crucial element in implementing the code of Tthat, while passenger numbers at UK airports rose by 6% in 2017, the number of disruptive incidents practice is the education, training and support of remained stable. In 2016 there were all staff who interact with passengers. Conflict just over 400 incidents nationally across 268 million passengers. management training helps staff to identify, pre- Airports reporting and sharing empt, de-escalate and manage any disruptive success credit pro-active campaigns, a team approach (involving airlines, passenger behaviour they may encounter.” retailers, caterers and police) and early reporting of incidents. Examples of good practice include Code to all retail partners, with duty intelligence-led and high visibility free staff being required to remind , for example, says patrols to enable early intervention, passengers that the alcohol they that its evolving proactive campaign, with staff across the airport buy is for export only and cannot Operation Disrupt, has led to a sharp encouraged to report the details of be consumed either at the airport increase in the early reporting of any potential incident to a central or on board an aircraft. Airport incidents from front line staff which control room. As a result, information concessionaires are required to has enabled preventative action including passenger description and report any behaviour that may be to be taken. The results have been flight details can be easily shared cause for concern immediately. a decrease in reported on-board with staff across the airport. Airport World Duty Free are using stickers incidents of disruptive passengers staff and police patrol the drop-off to seal the bags of passengers on and a safer working environment area and visit boarding gates ahead high risk flights. For some routes for both staff and passengers, with of potentially problematic flights. boarding cards of those passengers incidents of disorderly or drunken buying alcohol are stamped to allow behaviour equating to just 0.0003% A crucial element in implementing the checking of the purchase at the of total passenger numbers. the code of practice is the gate so it can be placed into the education, training and support aircraft hold. The pace, scale and effectiveness of all staff who interact with of activity to deal with the problem passengers. Conflict management All of this is backed up with has increased considerably since training helps staff to identify, pre- programmes to educate and the publication in 2016 of the UK empt, de-escalate and manage any communicate with passengers what Aviation Industry Code of Practice on disruptive passenger behaviour disruptive behaviour is and why it is Disruptive Passengers. Airport staff they may encounter. Senior staff unacceptable. Clear messaging on the across the country are working every members work on shifts before consequences of disruptive behaviour day with food and beverage operators, higher risk flights. are displayed across airports, from duty free operators, handling agents, bars and restaurants to forecourts airlines and the police, with problem On the sale and consumption of and gate rooms – helping to ensure passengers tracked from the terminal alcohol, airports are communicating a safe and enjoyable journey for the entrance to the boarding gate. the detail and significance of the great majority of passengers. 

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 10

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 11

LEONARDO PROMOTES UNIQUE BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM TO UK AIRPORTS

Italian high tech giant, Leonardo, is launching a new push to sell its revolutionary baggage handling system to UK airports following its success at Rome Fiumicino.

he system, able to handle both outbound baggage Tand baggage in transit fully “The new system is based on an innovative automatically, is one of the most advanced in Europe in terms of technological infrastructure that receives a bag automation and baggage inspection capacity. Installation of the when it is accepted at check-in and allows company’s cross-belt system at the airport staff to follow its progress constantly until Alitalia and international terminals at Italy’s largest airport has cut it is passed on to the designated airline handler” costs, enhanced security and catapulted Fiumicino to the top of giant new baggage handling The new system is based on the continental Europe league table systems installed in 2016 at the an innovative technological for speed of baggage delivery. Alitalia-Etihad Terminal 1 and the infrastructure that receives a bag international Terminal 3. when it is accepted at check-in and Leonardo has plans for a major allows airport staff to follow its promotional campaign at this The most striking features are the progress constantly until it is passed year’s passenger terminal expo in sheer scale, capacity and accuracy on to the designated airline handler. Stockholm from 20 to 22 March. of the automated systems that rely The giant system in Terminal 1, home on a unique cross-belt handling to Alitalia, Air France, Delta, Etihad Ahead of the Swedish conference proprietary technology where lack and KLM, is nine kilometres long and and exhibition, Leonardo gave of friction is the key to both high covers 40,000 square metres. It can Airport Operator a tour of the performance and low cost. easily reach the overall capacity of

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 12

detailed examination of the “The most striking features are the sheer scale, baggage without slowing down sorting times. EU legislation capacity and accuracy of the automated systems that requires all hold baggage screening in Europe to be equipped with rely on a unique cross-belt handling proprietary European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Standard 3-approved technology where lack of friction is the key to both explosive detection systems by 1 high performance and low cost.” September 2020. Alberto Galli, airport sales manager 10,000 bags per hour required by The security check technology at Leonardo, takes particular pride Aeroporti di Roma, thanks to the is also particularly advanced, in the key benefits of the system, 6,000 bags per hour capacity of each combining the automatic X-ray mainly the very high sorting of the three sorters. On an average analysis of baggage with visual throughput with ultimate precision, day it handles over 22,000 bags. analysis by an operator to whom the significant energy savings, It also includes an Early Baggage the machine provides a high- the very low maintenance and the Storage system for 2,400 bags. resolution 3D image. It allows extremely high reliability, which

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 13

ensure very low life cycle costs. It is very evident that the innovative technology ensures optimum “The key point of our technology, which is the only and gentle handling for all types of bags, including those that are cross-belt sorter currently installed in the market, is fragile, have high friction or sticky the low cost of operation and maintenance. There is surfaces, prominent wheels or irregular shapes. no question that it is the most advanced in terms of

Asked what he thinks is the unique energy saving and maintenance costs” selling proposition of Leonardo’s baggage handling technology, Galli singles out low OPEX cost: “The key baggage delivery. In two years place among large European airports point of our technology, which is Fiumicino has leapt from the bottom in ACI’s official quality rankings, the only cross-belt sorter currently of the continental Europe league which are based on passenger installed in the market, is the low table for speed of baggage delivery interviews. Since 2016, following the cost of operation and maintenance. to the very top. investment, the airport has for the There is no question that it is the first time ever taken first place in most advanced in terms of energy The total investment made by those quality rankings, ahead of Paris, saving and maintenance costs”. Aeroporti di Roma in the new Munich, Madrid and London. baggage handling system was While those factors were important €30 million. It was part of a wider Leonardo’s baggage handling for Aeroporti di Roma, their infrastructure investment programme systems already operate in Geneva spokespeople also highlight the designed to improve the passenger and Basel-Mulhouse and are passenger benefits, including the experience at Fiumicino. Prior to the currently being deployed in Paris huge increase in the speed of investment, the airport was in last Orly, Lyon, Kuwait and Islamabad. 

Trusted with journeys. Worldwide.

With capabilities covering communication, navigation, cyber, automation and surveillance, Leonardo’s integrated airport systems are helping to ensure the safe, fast and efficient flow of air traffic, the security of people and goods, and the effective exchange of information between operators. Inspired by the vision, curiosity and creativity of the great master inventor - Leonardo is designing the technology of tomorrow.

leonardocompany.com

Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space 14

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 15

THE NORTH’S GLOBAL GATEWAY

Manchester Airport CEO, Andrew Cowan, answers questions from Airport Operator

HOW IS RUNNING WHAT DO YOU FORESEE FOR inward investment, and international MANCHESTER AIRPORT THE AIRPORT’S PASSENGER student numbers into the North. DIFFERENT FROM RUNNING NUMBERS? STANSTED? We’re confident that passenger In addition, the direct flights have They’re both big airports that have numbers will continue to grow over delivered a substantial increase their own individual challenges the coming years at Manchester. in the number of inbound tourists and I hugely enjoyed my time We have seen the likes of Jet2. to the North, with many lured by at Stansted. Where Manchester com, , Thomas Cook Airlines, the region’s natural and historic differs though is the scale of the TUI and easyJet backfilling the lost attractions, luxury shopping sites operation with three terminals, capacity from Monarch’s collapse. and Premier League football teams. two runways and a wider variety We’re also continually speaking to new of carriers. It’s great to be back airlines who see the potential to fly THOMAS COOK AIRLINES WILL leading Manchester at one of the from Manchester with over 22million LAUNCH A NEW ROUTE FROM most exciting times in its 80-year people in our catchment area. We MANCHESTER TO SEATTLE history as we continue to develop have also seen a massive growth in IN MAY. HOW IMPORTANT IS our long haul network and also long-haul from Manchester in the last THAT AND YOUR OTHER US transform the airport through our few years, with the addition of San DESTINATIONS TO MANCHESTER? £1bn programme. Francisco, Boston, Beijing and Seattle. The new route to Seattle further opens Long haul is a key growth market for up the West Coast of America for our CAN YOU GIVE AN UPDATE us and one we will continue to pursue. passengers after the launch of San ON THE PROGRESS OF THE Francisco and LA flights over the last MANCHESTER AIRPORT HOW IS THE MANCHESTER – couple of years. The USA continues to TRANSFORMATION BEIJING ROUTE DOING? be hugely popular and we have seen PROGRAMME? The Beijing route has surpassed that the launch of more direct services Six months into the building all expectations so far and Hainan has really driven demand. work and progress is already Airlines is delighted with its quite evident across the site. The performance. Passenger numbers HOW IMPORTANT IS THE western side of Terminal 2 has been in the first year of operation LONDON HEATHROW LINK demolished and the steelwork for were already 15% up on what was TO MANCHESTER AND WHAT the first pier is now complete, as predicted and during the summer IMPACT WOULD EXPANSION well as progress on groundworks months it went to a daily service. AT HEATHROW HAVE ON for the airfield extension to create MANCHESTER? new stands and taxiways. As the After the one-year anniversary of We know that passengers would year continues we’ll start to see the the route we conducted a wider always rather fly direct from their pier being fitted out and connected study into the benefits the Beijing local airport, and that’s why we work to the terminal, the steelwork for route has brought to the region. The so hard to develop our network of the new terminal extension being study revealed that in its first year of long haul routes. That’s probably erected, airfield works to deliver operation the Manchester-Beijing air the biggest factor behind the steady new stands and a new multi-storey route, operated by Hainan Airlines, has decline in the number of passengers car park all progressing. driven a significant increase in exports, using the Heathrow link.

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 16

As the Secretary of State for stretching from Liverpool to Leeds What we need is an interim deal Transport, Chris Grayling MP, and Sunderland to Stoke – and offer on aviation as soon as possible. said when he visited us last year, great access to global markets. This would see us through a Manchester Airport is the North’s transitional period post Brexit and global gateway and plays a huge role As well as a solid commitment to allow time to find a final solution. in driving the Northern Powerhouse infrastructure investment across Unlike other industries, we don’t forward. The next 10 years will be the North, we need Government have an equivalent to World Trade crucial for the UK economy and for to continue to see the strategic Organisation rules to fall back on. rebalancing economic growth. So opportunity to develop Manchester we need Government and politicians as a key part of its National Aviation HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE to focus on what they can do now Strategy – one that would be capable THE AIRPORT’S ROLE IN THE to support growth and improved of making a profound contribution to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF connectivity – and be willing to take the vision of a globally competitive THE NORTH OF ? an active and hands-on approach to Northern Powerhouse. Manchester Airport is the UK’s working with airports right across the global gateway in the North and UK to connect Britain to the world. The Government has for far too is now one of Europe’s top 20 For too long now, the political focus long concentrated on Heathrow airports, at a time when the North has been on expanding Heathrow and and needs to look at airports like is increasingly competing strongly that has to change Manchester with spare capacity to with the world’s most significant play their part. It’ll be at least ten economic powerhouses. WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES years before any additional runway FOR FUTURE ROUTE capacity is built in the South, so the We offer flights to more than 210 DEVELOPMENT? Government needs to make the most destinations as airlines from all We know that there is significant of the airports who already have corners of the world embrace the demand for further routes to China, it in the short term. For example, strength and diversity of the Northern Asia, India and the USA, and we will Manchester is currently on 27.8m market. That means people within our continue to work with airlines to passengers, however we have the catchment – stretching from North connect Manchester to key strategic capacity for 55m. So with real Wales to Humberside, and from the markets across the globe. But as a Government focus and commitment Midlands to the Scottish Borders – country we need to do something we can make a difference right now, have more choice than ever before, about APD, which is essentially a not in a decade when a new southern whatever their reason for travel. And tax on connectivity. At a time when runway might be built. it means businesses are being given Britain is looking to become more better access to the global markets global, we need to be encouraging HAS BREXIT HAD AN IMPACT that will unlock their full potential, more new services not taxing them ON THE AIRPORT AND ARE by exporting to new customers and in a way that pushes airlines to take YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ITS satisfying the demand for great British their planes elsewhere. IMPACT OVER THE NEXT FEW products in emerging economies. YEARS? WHY HAVE YOU PLACED SO We’ve not seen any dip in demand This direct connectivity from the MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE for flights from Manchester North is breaking down barriers AVIATION STRATEGY AND since the referendum. European for international investors, who WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO destinations represent roughly 70% recognise the potential of the SEE INCLUDED IN IT? of Manchester’s traffic and demand Northern Powerhouse proposition, It has never been more important remains strong – just as importantly and for tourists hungry to sample for people and businesses across though we’re seeing an expansion of our natural beauty and rich cultural the whole country to have easy non-EU flights including long haul, and sporting heritage. access to global markets. We are with the North of England becoming demonstrating our commitment an increasingly important inbound It is for these reasons that a thriving to providing this with our £1 destination from China, the Middle Manchester Airport is key to the billion investment in transforming East and America. growth prospects of the North, as it Manchester Airport, which is seeks to maximise the potential of underway now. What we, along with every other high value sectors like technology, UK airport is looking for, is some advanced manufacturing, energy At the same time, it is vitally certainty for our passengers and our and life sciences, all of which rely important that the Government plays airlines that they will enjoy the same on quick and easy access to global its part in unlocking the North’s benefits of access to Europe post- centres of excellence – whether full potential. Better international Brexit, that they do today. We want that’s Berlin, Boston or Beijing. connectivity into and out of the passengers to book with confidence region will plug investors directly and airlines to continue growing their It is also for these reasons that into the Northern Powerhouse – routes into the UK. unlocking the full potential of

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 17

Manchester Airport goes hand-in- within two hours of the airport by THE ISSUE OF DISRUPTIVE hand with creating a UK economy public transport to around 10m. PASSENGERS CONTINUES that is both balanced and truly TO BE A FOCUS FOR MEDIA competitive on the global stage. That, in turn could lead to between ATTENTION, ESPECIALLY IN 20-30 long haul routes becoming THE SUMMER. HOW IS THE WHY ARE TRANSPORT viable. If each of those brings the AIRPORT DEALING WITH THIS? INVESTMENTS LIKE NORTHERN benefits we have seen with new We are firmly committed to POWERHOUSE RAIL AND services to the likes of Beijing, San implementing the guidance set by HS2 SO IMPORTANT FOR Francisco and Hong Kong, then a the UK Aviation Industry Code of MANCHESTER AIRPORT? major contribution will be made to Practice on Disruptive Passengers, Manchester Airport needs to be the vision of a fully firing Northern becoming signatories to this integrated into plans for major road Powerhouse that is closing the UK voluntary code in July 2016. We’ve and rail investment in the North. growth gap. It is vital plans for the seen some real progress over the design and delivery of NPR are last two years, with closer working Doing so will ensure people and committed to and set out at the between all parties to address the businesses in all parts of the North earliest opportunity. issue. benefit from better access to global markets. At the same time, reduced TRAVEL AGENTS HAVE AGAIN Thankfully, instances of anti-social journey times to and from the major VOTED MANCHESTER “THE behaviour are rare and involve Northern towns and cities widens UK’S BEST AIRPORT”. WHAT only a small number of our 27.8 Manchester Airport’s catchment DO YOU THINK ARE THE MAIN million passengers and affect a area, drastically increasing the REASON FOR THE AIRPORT’S tiny proportion of the hundreds of demand for long haul services in the SUCCESS? flights we handle each day. eyes of airlines. We were delighted to win all four of the key travel trade best UK airport We continue to work closely with The scheme that will arguably awards last year. We work hard our airlines, retailers, handling have the biggest impact in this with travel agents to ensure they agents and Greater Manchester regard is Northern Powerhouse feel fully informed of what’s going Police to ensure that we enforce Rail. Manchester Airport has been on at the airport in terms of route the code of conduct and that the identified as a key node of the developments, new products and actions of the minority do not planned NPR network, with high the terminal transformation. spoil the airport experience for the speed direct links to the cities of majority of our customers.  Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, We also run hugely popular trade Leeds and Newcastle envisaged. events and incentives which are hugely popular with the travel trade. The journey time savings being aspired to with NPR will more than treble the number of people living

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 18

BREXIT AND UK AVIATION – AN AOA GUIDE

While Brexit may mean Brexit, many in the aviation industry have been trying to work out what the impact could be on aviation.

he most important area of potential change is in our “The EU’s liberal aviation market was the catalyst Trights to fly to 44 other countries. Aviation is legally unique: for the creation of many new routes as well as the separate from trade agreements and outside the World Trade rise of low-cost carriers. Passengers can now fly Organisation system. Instead, countries negotiate air services to more destinations than ever for lower fares. agreements to provide airlines with the legal rights to fly. These are Maintaining these benefits for passengers and the based on what are called “aviation freedoms” (see picture) and they UK economy is vital for UK prosperity.” can be very restricted (e.g. one Area (EEA) countries Norway and cost carriers. Passengers can now flight a week to a specific airport Iceland (and Liechtenstein, but they fly to more destinations than ever only) or very liberal (anytime, only have a heliport). The EU has for lower fares. Maintaining these anywhere). also done a deal with Switzerland, benefits for passengers and the UK created the European Common economy is vital for UK prosperity. Air transport used to be a highly Aviation Area to bring candidate That is why the AOA and European regulated industry, dominated by EU-countries in the western Balkans trade association ACI EUROPE want national flag carriers. The UK was closer on aviation, concluded to see a deal as close as possible to a leader liberalising this market, European-Mediterranean Aviation today’s arrangements. with success: the creation of the Agreements with Israel, Morocco Single Aviation Market in the 1990s and Jordan and agreed third- That may be a challenge: no other removed all commercial restrictions country deals with the US, Canada, country outside the EU/EEA has for EU airlines, such as restrictions Moldova and Georgia. Together, the traffic rights we enjoy today. on routes, the frequency of flights these 44 countries account for 85% Switzerland gets closest; they only lack or the setting of fares. That means of the UK’s air traffic. rights to fly domestically within an EU EU airlines can fly between any two country – but, in return, they are signed points within the EU. This includes For all other countries that we can fly up to fully implementing EU aviation between, say, Germany and France, to from UK airports (111 in total), we rules, without a say over them. That or between two UK cities. have bilateral UK-only deals and they may be too far for the UK Government. are all fine. For the EU, the UK signing up to just So, we will need a new agreement aviation rules but nothing else may also with the EU, but not just with the The EU’s liberal aviation market was be too far. The EU has vowed not to let EU. The Single Aviation Market the catalyst for the creation of many the UK “cherry-pick” the good bits of extends to European Economic new routes as well as the rise of low- EU membership.

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 19

The next big issue is the UK’s role important to maintain influence want the traffic rights, accepting in the European Aviation Safety over future rules, with the UK’s those rules may be the price to Agency (EASA), which, together respected expertise this may not pay. Where that is not the case is with the US Federal Aviation require having a formal vote. It was the return of Duty Free shopping Administration, is one of the welcome that the Prime Minister to EU destinations. That’s currently dominant rule-making bodies for supported this approach in her possible for the EEA, so will be for aviation safety globally. The UK speech on Brexit last week. the UK. If we can deviate from EU needs to have an adequate safety rules, then the end of charging APD regime in place and have that Aviation security is unlikely to on both legs of a domestic journey is recognised by other countries. be affected, as we operate more an opportunity for regional airports. For example, our pilot licences or stringent measures than the EU Similarly, more support for smaller aircrafts’ airworthiness need to be baseline. Air traffic services are airports for route-development, such recognised by the countries to which slightly complicated, given the role as Public Service Obligations, could we’re flying. of EUROCONTROL, which is not an be possible under more relaxed EU body. The Single European Sky state-aid rules. The easiest way to achieve that is by is, however, an EU project, but we’d remaining part of EASA. Otherwise expect to align to much of it in any These are some of the most the UK Civil Aviation Authority event. Beyond that, the issues are important areas for aviation in would have to set up new systems, very similar to the rest of the UK: the upcoming negotiations. With hire more people and create UK getting the customs regime right so many factors and political and standards. That would take time for air freight – an important part economic pressures on both sides of and create additional costs for of long-haul routes’ commercial the negotiations, where we will end UK businesses, particularly for viability and vital for freight-heavy up is too difficult to predict.  aerospace manufacturers. airports like East Midlands, access to skills, etc. There is precedent for this: EEA countries and Switzerland are Are there opportunities in Brexit? Henk van Klaveren is Senior Public Affairs and PR Manager at members of EASA, though they do There could be, but some involve the AOA. not have voting rights. While it’s diverging from EU rules – and if we

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 20 HEATHROW EXPANSION – ONE OF THE UK’S BIGGEST PLANNING CONSULTATIONS EVER SEEN

With Brexit on the horizon and a renewed focus on the UK’s place in the world, Heathrow’s Emma Gilthorpe says that it is more important than ever to get on with expanding Heathrow, the nation’s gateway to the world

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 21

n January, Heathrow took a major step towards delivering “It is about more than just a runway. It is about Ithe extra hub capacity and launched one of the country’s opportunities for our local community, inside and biggest planning consultations ever seen. The milestone was the outside the airport’s boundary. It is about securing latest in the programme that will see future generations in Britain the country’s economy and connecting the whole of better connected to the world and prospering, whilst making sure our the UK to global growth.” plans work for our local communities and the environment. The 10-week runway and operate an expanded Changes to airspace will ultimately consultation launched on the 17th airport – including options on the improve resilience and punctuality January and is running until the location of terminals and aprons, the for passengers while reducing noise, 28th March – giving the public an realignment of the M25 and local emissions and the number of late- early opportunity to help shape roads, as well as on our proposed running flights for local communities. Heathrow’s future and how the approaches to important topics, This is a once in a lifetime airport will serve local communities including noise, air quality and opportunity for our communities and the UK economy. With 40 events surface access. to work with us to transform the taking place across London, we airspace around Heathrow and encourage everyone to come along The second part of the consultation help to reduce noise, delays and and learn more, making sure their relates to potential principles emissions by accommodating the voices are heard, ensuring the plan that could apply when designing latest technology. to expand is the best it can be. the new airspace required for an expanded airport. Airspace across There are two parts to our the country is being modernised as consultation: the first relates to the it has changed little since the 1960s. physical changes on the ground needed to build a new north-west

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 22

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 23

But expanding in the national “When the Government announced its interest must not come at the expense of our local communities. support for Heathrow expansion it made a We want our local communities to share in the benefits of Heathrow’s clear commitment to keeping Britain open for growth. Expansion will create up to 40,000 jobs in the local business. We want an expanded Heathrow to area and create a wealth of new opportunities for local businesses. be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our Thousands of young people will have a chance to launch their country and its future generations have the careers at Heathrow as we double infrastructure they need to thrive.” the number of apprenticeships, giving the opportunity to end youth unemployment in the areas around Our multi-stage consultation we have made to local communities the airport. Our Skills Taskforce, led process is a central part of – including a world class property by Lord Blunkett, will help shape delivering our plans. This is the compensation scheme, the pledge our future workforce, leave a skills first opportunity for the public to to introduce a 6.5 hour ban on legacy behind, and help make feedback on our proposals since scheduled night flights and the Heathrow a role model for diversity the Airports Commission and it is promise to only release new capacity and social mobility. important that everyone has their if air quality limits can be met. say. It is an opportunity for anyone When the Government announced to share views on the options for But it’s important not to forget the its support for Heathrow expansion it how we expand. We’ll use this reason we’re expanding Heathrow. made a clear commitment to keeping feedback to develop a preferred It is about more than just a runway. Britain open for business. We masterplan on which we will then It is about opportunities for our want an expanded Heathrow to be seek further views in a second local community, inside and outside the world’s best airport, ensuring planning consultation, next year. the airport’s boundary. It is about that our country and its future We’ve used a range of methods to securing the country’s economy and generations have the infrastructure communicate with the public and connecting the whole of the UK to they need to thrive. airport stakeholders including mail- global growth. And it is about legacy outs to 2.4 million households with – building the infrastructure today that We need feedback – including information on our events, as well our children will need for tomorrow. from the aviation industry – to help as setting up a dedicated phoneline, deliver this opportunity responsibly Twitter and website. We’ve informed Today, businesses across the and to create a long-term legacy local councillors and MPs of our country, from Scotland to the both at a local and national level. events and have arranged more South West depend on the global Heathrow is consulting to ensure in-depth briefings, on request. connections Heathrow creates. With that we deliver benefits for our Heathrow has also begun engaging 204 routes to over 85 countries, we passengers, businesses across the with a number of you on how best connect the whole of Britain to the country but also, importantly, for we can work together as an industry world and drive investment back into those neighbours closest to us too. to modernise our airspace. and across the country. Expanding Heathrow doesn’t have to be a choice between economic Any infrastructure project of this Heathrow expansion will give us the growth or the environment – we can size inevitably will create some opportunity to open up our airport deliver for both. This consultation impacts and disruption locally, and with up to 30 new airlines currently is an important step in delivering for that, we are sorry. Heathrow is in the queue and add up to 40 new expansion fairly, unlocking working to be a better neighbour to long-haul destinations. opportunities which will secure a the communities around the airport, prosperous future for generations and wherever possible, we want to Expanding Heathrow is essential while delivering our commitments. minimise the negative effects that to ensure future generations can Please get involved.  expansion could have both during and compete for global trade. It will create after construction. While we’ve been up to 180,000 new jobs and up to £187 working hard with local stakeholders billion in economic benefits across and our airlines to reduce the cost the country. We will double cargo Emma Gilthorpe is Executive Director, Expansion at Heathrow of expansion by £2.5bn, we will not capacity, support British exporters and Airport compromise on the commitments leave an infrastructure skills legacy.

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 24 NEW OWNER OF AIRPORT URGES GOVERNMENT TO BACK REGIONAL AIRPORTS

Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Regional & City Airports (RCA), is lobbying the Government to deliver an aviation strategy that recognises the key role that smaller regional airports play both in their regional economies and in “the overall aviation eco-system”.

CA, which already owned Bell said that Bournemouth has “huge an expansion in operations under Norwich, Exeter and Coventry potential that remains untapped” and RCA ownership. He said that while Rairports, bought Bournemouth forecast that improved connectivity Bournemouth operates in a very from MAG (owner of Manchester, to European destinations would drive competitive environment, “it has Stansted and East Midlands airports) the airport’s passenger numbers strengths that other airports lack last December. from 700,000 to over a million, with and we are going to play to those more passengers choosing their local strengths”. Explaining RCA’s decision to acquire airport for leisure and business travel Bournemouth, Bell said: “We have and to visit friends and relatives. In addition to the airports that it a very simple vision to develop Exeter and Norwich airports have owns and operates, RCA, which is regional airports that serve the both grown by an average of 5% per the airports management division needs of the regional community year over the last three years, with of Rigby Group plc, also holds and the economy and that provide domestic and international routes, management contracts for Solent, a catalyst for development. We and both are profitable. City of Derry and Blackpool airports. want our passengers to experience Bournemouth would be able to a consistent and good quality currently offers benefit from the division’s ability to service. We really try to focus on flights to 22 destinations across use the critical mass of the largest convenience and speed of transit. Europe and is a base for Ryanair regional airport group in England and TUI, supporting 900 jobs and and Northern Ireland to deliver “Our strategy for the business is to contributing £24 million to the local economies of scale and specialist focus on helping smaller regional economy. It also provides a home skills, like route development and car airports to reach their potential. for flight training, maintenance, parking yield management, that a Bournemouth was one that we felt had repair and operations businesses and smaller airport would be unlikely to a lot going for it. It is a very important General Aviation. be able to access alone. asset in the region and its attributes sit perfectly with our business model. Bell described the airport as “one of Bournemouth and other smaller Bournemouth was a natural and very the South’s flagship aviation hubs” regional airports could make an good fit for our group”. and said it could look forward to even greater contribution to UK

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 25

that recognises the disproportionate impact of one size fits all regulation “Bournemouth is a very important asset in on smaller airports, citing the example of new security standards for the region. It was a natural and very good fit baggage handling. As far as planning is concerned, he wants to see a for our group and has huge potential that presumption in favour of development remains untapped” at regional airports, recognising the broad value that airport development can bring to a region. success in the future, Bell said, if the There are many issues, such as Brexit Government takes the opportunity and business rates, that affect UK Bell concluded by emphasising of its consultations on a new Aviation airports of all sizes, but Bell believes how important it would be for Strategy to put right the “historic lack that Air Passenger Duty, the cost smaller regional airports to lobby of recognition for smaller airports”. of regulation and planning are the Department for Transport over particularly important for the future the coming months to make sure With congestion both at larger health of smaller airports. that the Government doesn’t focus airports and getting to them, only on aviation’s “big ticket items”. smaller airports could offer a more He said that Air Passenger Duty He said that Ministers and officials convenient and speedy alternative. “represents a huge challenge and is need to take proper account of the That would be good news for an enormous burden to overcome importance to the UK economy of customers, the environment and in the context of the viability of airports of all sizes. Bell clearly hopes regional economic development. In regional routes and particularly for to provide one such lobbying voice addition, regional airports across domestic routes where it is charged for regional airports that will result in the country could become an even twice”. Bournemouth currently has an Aviation Strategy written with the more important element in the no domestic connectivity. whole industry in mind.  wider “eco-system” of UK aviation, not least by providing a home On regulation, he said that he would for vital aviation businesses, such like to see a more tailored approach as pilot training, for which larger airports no longer have room.

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 26

WILSON JAMES CELEBRATES SUCCESS

Wilson James, one of the UK airport industry’s major suppliers of security, business services and construction logistics, is celebrating one of the most successful years in its 25-year history.

ithin the space of twelve lessons learned from Wilson James’ Airport also help the staff to feel part months, it has won a customer experience at leading UK of the airport team. The partnership Wcontract to provide airside museums and a partnership approach approach is reinforced by the firm’s security at Liverpool John Lennon with the airport. Another key factor, commitment to the issues that matter Airport, become Gatwick’s preferred working on the basis that raising to the airport, including charity, skills supplier of special assistance standards saves costs in the long training (linking to the new Wilson services for passengers with term, has been the firm’s decision to James Airport Security Academy restricted mobility and picked up a raise staff salaries, which has helped in partnership with Derby College), series of awards for its innovative to ensure no staff departures since environmental sustainability and logistics work at Heathrow. the new contract began last October airport safety (including the AOA’s (contrasting with the previous 6% Airports Safety Week). Director of Aviation, Dee Thomas, staff loss per month). attributed the firm’s Liverpool Since 1 February, Wilson James has triumph last September to investment New uniforms that are dual branded been providing special assistance in the senior management team, Wilson James and John Lennon services at Gatwick, with the firm

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 27

says, means that “if we are doing our job well, no one knows about it”.

consolidation. It has recently Fortunately, Heathrow knows about upgraded its fleet of escort vehicles it, which explains why last autumn it having been chosen, according to to 100% electric Nissan Leafs. awarded Wilson James the Heathrow Gatwick, “for its passion for service Clean Vehicles Partnership’s first ever and its commitment to invest in the At the heart of the centre’s success Leadership Award and made Wilson creation of a new and differentiating is its state-of-the-art WJ Fulcrum James its CVP Champion 2017, with service culture for its colleagues”. delivery management system, Matt Gorman, Heathrow Director of Nick Barton, Head of Terminals and which improves the efficiency of Sustainability , commenting “We rely Passenger Service, said: “We are construction industry material on the innovation of partners like confident that Wilson James can delivery across the airside-landside Wilson James to keep driving forward deliver continued improvement boundary, with the result that 99% sustainable change and to fulfil our in the quality of the airport’s of all scheduled vehicles now make ambition to reduce nitrogen dioxide special assistance services through their deliveries on time or early. For emissions from airside vehicles by investment in people, training and every 3.6 vehicles delivering to the 50% by 2020. new equipment and also by using consolidation centre, only one goes new technology”. out to the airport, which reduces The logistics centre is only one construction traffic by 72%. element of Wilson James’ work Wilson James has worked in at Heathrow, which, in addition to partnership with Heathrow for 22 John Spottiswood, Wilson security services, also includes running years and currently employs 200 James Director of Heathrow Heathrow’s VIP chauffeur service staff at the airport. Its Colnbrook Logistics Integration, says that the and its children’s play areas, where Logistics Centre is a vital part of consolidation centre is unique to trained company supervisors ensure the airport’s sustainability strategy Heathrow, a symbol of the airport’s that a child’s play area experience is and an important component in commitment to environmental educational, entertaining and safe. the airport’s security and logistics. sustainability and “gives Heathrow The centre provides security checks the edge on the customer A few weeks’ after the awards for for all construction vehicles going experience.” He emphasises its logistics work, Wilson James also into the airport and a space for the importance that the airport picked up the Partner of the Year construction materials as well as places on ensuring that day-to- at the Team Heathrow Partnership reducing the number of vehicles day construction work is, in effect, Awards, as well as the “Treating in the airport through just in time invisible to the passenger, which, he Everyone with Respect Award”. 

“We are confident that Wilson James can deliver continued improvement in the quality of the airport’s special assistance services through investment in people, training and new equipment and also by using new technology.” THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 28 From around the sector…

KEHOE JOINS REALTIMEKNOWLEDGE.COM

Former Airport CEO, Paul Over the nine years that Kehoe was at Realtimeknowledge.com says that as a Kehoe, has joined airport operational Birmingham he oversaw a huge expansion changemaker and problem solver Kehoe reporting specialists, Realtimeknowledge. in the number of routes and airlines served shares the values of the company and com, as Chairman. by the airport, with passenger numbers that as innovators the two are a natural growing by 25% in the last three years fit, with both having a reputation for Kehoe, who was CEO at Birmingham alone. He also steered a range of complex challenging the status quo, driving from 2011 to 2017, says that he will be a infrastructure developments, including efficiency and championing process hands-on Chairman and will be actively a significant runway extension and the improvement. The company anticipate involved in shaping the company’s construction of a new that Kehoe’s insights, derived from products and services to “provide robust tower. Before his time at Birmingham, he 30 years’ experience in civil aviation and effective aviation solutions”. was CEO of Bristol, Luton and Belfast operations, will enable it to further International airports. refine its world leading operational Managing Director, Matthew reporting tools. Pearson, notes that while Kehoe was at A former Chairman of the AOA, Birmingham he was “an early adopter Kehoe has also chaired Marketing The company’s desktop tools and of Realtimeknowledge.com, seeing the Birmingham and the West Midlands mobile apps are designed to capture efficiencies we can bring to all areas of Growth Company, as well as being information about people, places and operational reporting. I look forward to President of the Birmingham Chambers things, live as they happen. They help working with Paul in the coming months of Commerce. He was awarded a airports to collect information from to draw upon his extensive experience and CBE in recognition of his outstanding their workforce, no matter where they through that generate more innovative contribution to the West Midlands are located, bringing live visibility to all solutions together”. region and economy. aspects of airfield operations.

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 29

STANSTED SEEKS PERMISSION TO GROW

Stansted Airport has submitted a Analysis included in the planning will unlock Stansted’s potential, enable planning application to its local authority application demonstrates how the us to add 8 million passengers a year over seeking to raise the cap on the number of introduction of the next generation of new the next decade and extend the choice passengers it is permitted to serve from quieter aircraft will ensure that future of airlines and destinations we serve. 35 million to 43 million a year. passenger growth can be achieved without The enhanced choice and convenience increasing either the number of flights or of more long-haul connections available The application, submitted on 22 the already permitted noise footprint. from the heart of the East of England February to Uttlesford District Council will save passengers valuable time and following extensive consultation with the In the five years since MAG acquired money associated with flying from other local community, commits the airport to Stansted annual passenger numbers London airports and help attract more remaining within current approved limits have increased by nearly 10 million to companies to invest in the region. on aircraft noise and flight numbers. 26 million a year. During 2018 Stansted will see a rapid expansion of its long- “The word transformation is often Stansted says that unlocking further haul route network, with services being overused, but in Stansted’s case it’s capacity will create more choice and added to New York, Boston, Toronto, appropriate because we have the competition for consumers and support Washington DC and Dubai. The airport opportunity to do something truly 5,000 new jobs at the airport. Businesses anticipates reaching its current cap on remarkable over the next decade – to across the UK and in the East of passenger numbers by the early 2020s. transform Stansted into a genuine England will benefit from improved global gateway, providing valuable long-haul connectivity to China, India Stansted CEO, Ken O’Toole, said: new connectivity which will boost UK and the United States. “Approval of our planning application productivity in the period after Brexit”.

AOA RECRUITS NEW POLICY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER WINNER Team Heathrow Partnership Awards 2017 Partner of the Year A new Policy & Public Affairs Officer has started WINNER work at the AOA to help the Heathrow Clean Vehicles team to further enhance the Partnership Awards 2017 effectiveness of its policy and WINNER public affairs work. Security & Fire Excellence Awards 2017 Welsh-born, Jeff Bevan, Inspiration in HR Award has joined the AOA from Institutional Investor, where he was a conference Wilson James brings over 25 years’ experience in the co-ordinator, having aviation industry working with some of the UK’s largest previously worked in airports. Brussels as a policy intern at the American Chamber We deliver a diverse range of services to support the of Commerce to the European Union. He has a BSc in operation of major airports including construction Politics and International Relations from the University logistics, specialists screening centres and airport of Bath. security, VIP air-side movement and children’s play supervisors. Bevan will work closely with Peter O’Broin, Senior Policy Manager, and Henk van Klaveren, Senior Public Affairs & PR Manager. Wilson James WJ_Ltd WJltd THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 www.wilsonjames.co.uk 30 From around the sector…

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVES AT THREE UK AIRPORTS

Bristol, Glasgow and Liverpool John experience at major UK airports. Dave Lennon Airports have all announced joins at an exciting time as we look to the the appointment of new Chief future as part of the process of preparing Executive Officers. a new Master Plan”.

Currently the ninth busiest airport in the UK, Bristol saw passenger numbers grow by more than 8% to 8.1 million in 2017. A recent consultation began the process of developing a new Master Plan setting out how the Airport could serve 20 million passengers by the mid-2040s.

Derek Provan, currently Interim Chief Operating Officer at Heathrow, will take up his new role at Glasgow in April. He will succeed Amanda McMillan as both Managing Director of and Chief Executive Officer of the AGS Group, which also includes Aberdeen and Airports. Prior to Heathrow, he spent Dave Lees, currently Managing Director three years as Managing Director at of , will take up Aberdeen, having started his aviation his new role at Bristol on 1 August. career at Glasgow in 1998. His appointment follows the departure of Robert Sinclair in October 2017 to Provan said: “Very few people are become CEO at London City Airport. afforded the opportunity to lead the Lees was previously Head of Service airport at which they started their career. Improvement at . Glasgow has enjoyed remarkable success John Irving, currently Chief in recent years and starts 2018 having Commercial Officer at Newcastle Chairman, Janis Kong, recorded its busiest year on record. I’m Airport, will take up his new role at said: “I look forward to welcoming Dave excited at the prospect of returning home Liverpool John Lennon on 12 March. to Bristol Airport. He brings with him a to build on everything that has been Prior to his two and half years at track record of success and wide-ranging achieved to date”. Newcastle Airport, he held senior commercial and financial positions at Newcastle United Football Club and Procter & Gamble.

Irving said: “I am very excited at being given the opportunity to take this business forward at a time when the Peel Group’s continued investment in the airport has seen Liverpool become one of the UK’s stand-out regional airports”.

Liverpool John Lennon handled almost 5 million passengers in 2017, when passenger numbers grew by almost 3%, generating the airport’s highest annual passenger figures since 2011.

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK 31

AIRPORTS SAFETY WEEK ATTRACTS GROWING INTEREST

only be effective when they are safe. Our “The flagship event, now in its third year, was a national greatest ambition is that every journey statement to an international community of airport professionals start and end safely and that all our staff, passengers and visitors continue to operate and to other industry safety experts.” in the safest surroundings, enveloped by a culture determined to deliver this”. The AOA’s UK Airports Safety Week, endeavour with stakeholders and business to be held this year from 14 to 20 May, is partners to create an environment where The AOA’s objectives in co-ordinating attracting growing interest across other everybody contributes to a sharing the event across its member airports are industries and internationally. of values, beliefs, knowledge and to promote and improve the excellent UK experience. The principal aims are safety safety culture, to enable every airport AOA Operations & Safety and culture development and inclusivity, with to participate and to ensure the event is Commercial Director, Roger all stakeholders and business partners valuable to all participants. Koukkoullis, said that the flagship feeling able to participate and contribute. event, now in its third year, was a On how he would measure the success national statement to an international Emphasising the importance of inclusivity, of the week, Koukkoullis said: “A good community of airport professionals and Koukkoullis said: “Airport roles, functions outcome is an airport environment where to other industry safety experts. and activities are complimentary, requiring people experience new ideas to improve cooperation. This shared responsibility and influence their jobs. A great outcome The primary objective of the week is a critical component to produce highly is where a new initiative is adopted, taking is for airports to lead a coordinated effective operations. Operations can safety performance to the next level”.

DIARY DATES 2018/19

Security Conference 2018 Monday 30 April – Tuesday 1 May UK Airports Safety Week 2018 Monday 14 – Sunday 20 May Operations & Safety Conference 2018 Monday 18 – Tuesday 19 June AOA Annual Conference, Exhibition & Awards Dinner 2018 Monday 29 – Tuesday 30 October AOA Annual Dinner 2019 Tuesday 5 March

For information on any of the above please email: [email protected] or telephone 020 7799 3171 THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 32 From around the sector…

LOST YOUR BOARDING PASS? NEVER MIND – YOUR FACE WILL DO

British Airways passengers flying from a few seconds simply by looking into a to speed up the boarding process while Los Angeles to Heathrow are piloting high- resolution face capture system at maintaining safety and security. We state-of-the-art face recognition boarding the boarding gate. The system captures a have been very impressed with the results technology. live, high quality image of the passenger’s thus far, and love to see the passengers’ unique biometric facial traits, for US excitement at being some of the first in Following testing of the equipment late Customs and Border Protection to match the world to use facial recognition”. last year, Los Angeles Airport is running it against the passenger’s file containing a pilot programme to demonstrate an image captured at the initial Vision-Box Chief Executive Officer, the technology’s capabilities on its immigration process. Miguel Leitmann, said: “We are very two nightly flights proud to have come up with an industry- to Heathrow from the Tom Bradley British Airways is the first airline to changing solution that all stakeholders International Terminal. begin expediting boarding procedures involved in the process rely on. In the using the new contactless technology. end, it’s about collaboratively raising the Lisbon-headquartered multinational security and efficiency standards while technology company, Vision-BoxLos Angeleshas Justin Erbacci, Airport the airport’s chief introduces eliminating obstacles contactless from the traveller’s developed the advanced biometric innovation and technology officer, said: way, offering frictionless interactions and self-boarding solution, which allows “This industry-first deployment shows the best experience to guests until they’re passengers to board their aircraft in justself the- amazingservice potential of biometricusing biometrics comfortably boarding sitting in the aircraft”.

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK Vision-Box has just implemented a paperless biometric self-boarding solution to expedite passenger flow and improve traveler experience

Princeton (NJ), USA, December 20th, 2017 – Los Angeles Airport is trialing an advanced biometric self-boarding solution by Vision-Box to clear travelers flying out of the USA in a contactless, quick and secure way.

The new passenger flow solution allows travelers to board their aircraft in just a few seconds simply by looking into a high-resolution face capture system at the traveler- friendly flow-control gateway. No need to present their travel document or boarding pass anymore. The system deployed by Vision-Box captures a live, high quality image of the traveler’s unique biometric facial traits, for US Customs and Border Protection to match it against the passenger’s file containing the digital facial token captured at the initial immigration process. This process permits as well to virtualize the process of sending the boarding-pass details to the Airline Departure Control System, using

UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT WHEN PRINTED COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE [email protected] VISION-BOX® www.vision-box.com 33

FOCUS ON AVIATION SECURITY AT AOA CONFERENCE

Aviation security industry veteran, Philip Baum, a specialist on passenger profiling Other subjects on the conference agenda Baum, will head the list of guest speakers techniques, will give a keynote address. this year include explosive detections at this year’s AOA Aviation Security He is Managing Director of Green systems for cabin baggage, explosive Conference. Light, a London-based global provider detection dogs and an update on Security of security training and consultancy Management Systems, as well as updates The conference will take place on 30 services, whose airport clients include on the EU and on the General Data April and 1 May at Slaley Hall, a hotel Brussels Airport, Sofia Airport and Protection Regulation, which will come that sits in the middle of a thousand acres the Israel Airports Authority. He into force on 25 May. of tranquil Northumberland countryside is also Editor of Aviation Security near Hexham. The hotel was the subject International. There will also be a The conference, which will feature of a £1 million refurbishment in 2016 keynote address from the Department a smaller airports panel, should be and includes luxury spa facilities. for Transport. particularly attractive to small airports with less than two million passengers a year, as those who book before 11 April will benefit from a unique “early bird” booking rate, held at the 2017 rate. Organisations who book places for three or more people from their organisation will receive a 10% discount. To register for the security conference email [email protected] or call 020 7799 3171.

Slaley Hall will also be the venue for the AOA’s 2018 Ops & Safety Conference on 18 and 19 June, where the agenda will focus on the challenges and opportunities of airport growth and expansion.

THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SPRING 2018 34 From around the sector…

AOA ANNUAL AWARDS PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON INDUSTRY SUCCESS

London Gatwick Airport was the clear winner at the AOA’s annual awards ceremony on 30 October, picking up three of the evening’s eleven awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

As well as picking up the award for best airport over 10 million passengers, Gatwick also won awards for best overall campaign in the UK’s 2017 Airports Safety Week and best solution provider for becoming the first airport in the world able to dispose of Category 1 airline waste on site and convert it and all other organic waste into energy to heat the airport.

Gatwick’s Chief Operating Officer, Chris Woodroofe, said: “Since new ownership in 2009, Gatwick has set itself on course to be one of the world’s best airports. There is still work to do, but the awards we System across UK airport control ICTS UK & Ireland sponsored the 2017 have picked up this year show that we are tower operations over the previous 18 AOA awards dinner. ICTS has been making progress toward this ambition”. months, setting objectives to reduce a leading supplier of aviation security energy consumption and water use and services for over 25 years and more recently Belfast was named improving waste management. NATS has expanded its portfolio to include a best airport in the 3 to 10 million was closely associated also with the best wide range of customer-related services. passenger category. Northern Ireland’s innovator award, which went to London principal airport welcomed 5.8 million City Airport for its plans to become the The 2018 awards will be presented at an passengers last year, up 13.5% on 2016. first UK airport to install a digital air awards ceremony in London’s County Hall traffic control system. on 29 October. Following feedback from picked up the award for members, some changes have been made to best airport under 3 million passengers. Other awards went to Doncaster the AOA awards categories for 2018. Its 1.46 million passenger total last Sheffield Airport for the best single year represented a 9% increase on 2016. activity in the UK’s Airports Safety AOA airport members will be eligible for Passenger numbers at Cardiff are up Week and to George Best Belfast entry in the following categories: Best 50% since the airport came under public City Airport for the best community General Aviation Airport, Best Airport ownership in 2013. engagement in the UK’s Airports Safety (under 3 million passengers), Best Week. The award for best exhibition Airport (3 to 10 million passengers), Best Airlines UK members decide on the stand went to Telecom Liechtenstein. Airport (over 10 million passengers), best airport awards, while the Aircraft Best Environmental Initiative, Best Owners and Pilots Association decide Congratulating the winners, AOA Exhibition Stand and the UK Airports on the best general aviation airport, with Chief Executive, Karen Dee, said: Safety Week Best Airport Campaign. the 2017 award in that category going to “Our awards are a showcase for the Denham Aerodrome. best in the aviation and airport sectors. Non-airport members will be able The 2017 awards showed the vibrant to submit entries for Best Solution Air traffic control services provider, and innovative work going on across Provider, Best Innovator, Best Business NATS, had reason to celebrate too, the country, improving efficiency, Partner, Best Environmental Initiative, winning the best environment initiative reducing the impact of aviation on the Best Exhibition Stand and the UK award, which acknowledged the delivery environment and delivering an ever- Airports Safety Week Best Safety of NATS’ Environmental Management improving passenger experience”. Partner categories.

WWW.AOA.ORG.UK ADVERT AIRPORT OPERATORS ASSOCIATION 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 7799 3171 E: [email protected] F: +44 (0)20 7340 0999 W: www.aoa.org.uk