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Data, automation and industry
issues debated on opening day of first CONNECT MEIA route development forum
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Airbus spreads its ground
handling wings
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China Southern highlights new
Beijing Airport opening September 30
The importance of route
planning to airlines as the aviation industry faces ongoing commercial
challenges was top of the agenda today (Tuesday 30 April), during the opening
morning of the first CONNECT Middle East, India
& Africa (MEIA) route development forum.
Speaking at the two-day show which
is co-located with Arabian Travel Market 2019 is currently taking place at the Dubai World Trade
Centre, Christophe Ritter, Managing Partner, Predictive Mobility,
highlighted the importance of data and said airlines had to consider a range of
transport choices as well as the strength of airport connectivity.
“Why do most people go to
Dubai? It’s the mass of destinations and catchment area – the whole airport
concept has been designed so that Dubai is a catchment area across the UAE and
the wider Middle East,” he said. “In France, we have high-speed trains and I
can go to four major international airports within one-and-a-half hours.”
He caught delegates’
attention with a slide entitled ‘donuts are better than large burgers’. “When
you need to analyse data, don’t take all the data, take the significant data
for your analysis,” he said.
The importance of driving
revenue and route sustainability was echoed by John
Strickland, Director, JLS Consulting, who spoke about the state of
the industry.
While airlines have a wider range
of fuel-efficient, short- medium- and long-haul aircraft at their disposal –
notably with the introduction of A321LR and ultra-long-haul A350s – market
competition remains intesnse, reflected in the closure of Jet Airways and WOW.
“We are going to see more of
these aircraft coming into the long haul as airlines seek to reduce risk and
cost per seat,” he said. “We’re not seeing a dampening of demand but in order
to keep loads high, airlines are cutting yields and average prices more than
they would wish.”
But there was room for
optimism, particularly with the growth spikes of China and India and the rising
middle class. “Air travel has risen at a faster rate than population growth in
India in recent years so there’s enormous opportunity,” he said.
In line with technology and innovation
being the central theme to this year’s ATM, Sebastien
Lavina, Manager Airport Data, Airbus, showed a video on ground
handling in the ‘airport of the future’ – characterised by widespread
automation featuring wireless tablets and electrical cargo robots.
“I won’t say it’s coming tomorrow
but we are working on new technologies,” he said. “We continue to build aircraft but we need to
look at all aspects and the safety on the ramp is really important – so we are
liaising with IATA working groups and equipment manufacturers.”
The morning session rounded
off with China Southern Airlines giving a presentation on Chinese aviation,
ahead of the new Beijing Daxing International Airport opening on September 30.
This year it will introduce the A350 to its fleet.
“We are developing a dual-hub
strategy in Guangzhou and Beijing for our long-term development,” said Grace
Tang, Senior Manager, International & Corporate Relations.
While domestic operations
account for 69 per cent of its flights, she said it was keen to grow
international business, reflected in its new codeshare with Emirates this year,
and it aims to operate 1,000 aircraft by 2020.
More than 300 aviation and
airport professionals and 40 airlines are represented at the inaugural conference
which bring together airline and airport executives with manufacturers and
suppliers, providing a global forum for business and networking opportunities.
CONNECT MEIA forms part of Arabian
Travel Week 2019, an umbrella brand that comprises three other
co-located shows, including Arabian Travel Market, ATM Holiday Shopper and International Luxury
Travel Market Arabia.
For
more information about ATM 2019, visit: https://arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.
To
find out more about CONNECT MEIA, visit: https://connect-aviation.com/2019-meia
Tags:CONNECT MEIA ,Arabian Travel Week
