Please note that from next Monday 28 May AERBT is being renamed The Business Travel News (BTNews).  We have a new website too, and that can be found on www.btnews.co.uk.  Why the change?  We just found the old name something of a mouthful.  Please ensure newsletter@btnews.co.uk is on your 'white list' if you receive our email newsletter.

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COMMENT: A tale of two airports

Opening new airports, or even launching upgrades, is not easy.  Somehow the two main parties concerned, the airlines and the airport operator, have to be brought together for a common cause and common objectives.  In fact satisfying the airlines is not the most difficult of tasks.  In very simple terms the schedules and the ground handling have to be co-ordinated, and that is it.

For the airport it is very much more complex. 

They have the airlines breathing on them – the local (and sometimes national) politicos; the various design and engineering boards concerned with safety; border guards and security; fuel and other suppliers; ground transport; health and safety.  The list goes on and on.  It is not easy.

Over the years there has been delivery successes with new airports/terminals – Munich Terminal 2 (2002) for example, but many, many failures, some more serious than others.  The original Paris Charles de Gaulle (and more recently with terminal expansion – walls collapsing); Madrid Terminal 4 (2006) and of course Heathrow Terminal 5 (2008) which had problems.  Each one of them was sorted out. 

As you will read in this issue of AERBT (the last AERBT in its present form) due to open within weeks of each other were Atlanta Concourse F and Willy Brandt Berlin International Airport, both essentially new terminals built on existing sites.

Atlanta has met its target date and Berlin failed.  In two or three years’ time no one will be interested in the American accomplishment and Berlin’s problems will be forgotten.  However for now it is cause for celebration in one place and commiseration (and perhaps repercussions) in the other.

Today’s Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport is the product of far sighted city leaders from the 1960s, perhaps the same visionaries who won the 1996 Olympic games for the capital of Georgia, not one of America’s largest municipalities with a population of less than half a million.  It is however the world’s largest airport.  The fine new terminal (whilst not quite complete in some respects) has been delivered more of less on time and on budget.  All involved are to be congratulated.

The former East German Berlin gateway of Schönefeld is currently a bit of a mess in terms of its reincarnation as Willy Brandt Berlin International Airport with a date in March 2013 now being suggested for the official opening.  The late cancellation of its inauguration has been a serious embarrassment for both the city authorities and Lufthansa.  Perhaps it is some kind of retribution for the unnecessary politically inspired closure of Tempelhof, Berlin’s inner city airport (which could still be resurrected).

At the end of the day Berlin International will work.  One could even question if 12 gates for the core worldwide gateway at Atlanta is enough. 

There is no such thing as the perfect airport.  Hartsfield will soon be picking up awards for the best global gateway.  Berlin will probably do so in the future.

Role on 12-12-12 when New Doha International Airport is due to open.   The world will be watching.

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Atlantic terminal opening

Delta Air Lines flight 295 to Tokyo-Narita became the first flight to depart Concourse F at the impressive new Maynard H. Jackson Jr International Terminal at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport last Wednesday 16 May.  Shortly after flight 295’s departure, DL 177 from Dublin (Ireland) inaugurated arrivals.

Atlanta is the world’s largest airport and Delta the world’s biggest air carrier.  The airline is profitable too.  Atlanta could be described as the hub of America, 92m people passing through last year.  Of these only 10m were international traffic, and of that number just 3m were either departing or terminating at Hartsfield.

Essentially Concourse F, this latest innovation, is a separate structure from the main airport with its own highway access, 12 air bridges (jetways) and no less than 40 passport control positions.  It is a large and impressive structure and never likely to feel busy.  Concourse E, and its 42 gates, will also be used for international services but inbound passengers for Atlanta are directed (via a short train ride) to Concourse F for immigration and landside access.  A full report on the new terminal will appear shortly. www.atlanta-airport.com

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Birmingham Hilton

The Hampton by Hilton at Birmingham Broad Street has opened.  It is the largest Hampton outside of the US.  The 284-room property is the 10th of the mid-priced brand’s hotels in the UK, joining Hampton by Hilton’s already established hotels in locations such as Braintree, Croydon, Liverpool and Newport.

The hotel offers the brand’s signatures including free high-speed internet access throughout, free hot breakfast, 24-hour snack area featuring light dishes and a full bar and features a fitness centre.

The Birmingham Hampton by Hilton is located in the heart of the city’s main thoroughfare and is a short walk from the International Convention Centre (ICC), the Brindley Place development and the Bullring shopping centre.

Upcoming Hampton by Hilton openings in the UK include Hampton by Hilton St George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent and Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo, the brand’s first hotel to open in central London. http://hamptoninn.hilton.co.uk

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Business Travel Market

Now only weeks away (13/14 June) Business Travel Market has announced a raft of new and returning exhibitors to this year's event, offering key meeting opportunities to business travel buyers and managers.  Back once again are Airplus International, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Eurostar, Flybe, HRS, Qatar Airways, Starwood Hotels, Travelodge and Virgin Atlantic.  They will be joined for the first time at Excel by the likes of American Express Corporate Card, Avis, Hertz, Hong Kong Airlines, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and Park Plaza.

It is the quality of the brands that Event Director Paul Robin sees as fundamental.  “These leading brands offer the wide range of products and services demanded by our high quality buyers.  Many of those on our Hosted Buyer Programme are regular attendees from all over the UK and Europe who enjoy their choice of pre-arranged appointments, networking with their peers and the opportunity to attend relevant educational sessions provided by ACTE – it is a powerful mix.”

“We have an event that represents the very best of the industry in terms of providing practical solutions and contacts to help those managing travel for their organisations to meet the challenges they face.”  Visit The Business Travel News stand 746 (opposite the Qatar Airways sponsored lounge)  www.businesstravelmarket.co.uk

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Emirates Air Line

Travellers on the DLR to London City Airport were surprised last week as testing started on the Emirates Air Line, London Gateway, between North Greenwich Arena (O2) and Excel, the cable car operation hanging above the rail units.  All 34 cabins were in action as they took off for their inaugural load testing flight.  The service is expected to open during the summer, well in advance of the Olympics.  Both venues are competition centres for London 2012 events.

The innovative link will provide a much needed new river crossing with the capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction – the equivalent of 30 buses per hour.  It is likely to become a major tourist attraction in its own right.

When the Emirates Air Line opens, passengers will have spectacular views of the city including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park.  It will also be possible to see as far as Wembley Stadium Arch, 15 miles away.  www.tfl.gov.uk

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Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco

San Francisco’s Mandarin Oriental hotel has had a major upgrade to coincide with the property’s 25th anniversary.  It was the Hong Kong-based group’s first hotel in the United States.  Located in the heart of the city the hotel offers unparalleled panoramic views of the bay and beyond from the top 11 floors of San Francisco’s third tallest building, 345 California Center.

Regulars will quickly notice an entirely new Italian travertine marble lobby.  Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco’s 158 guest rooms include seven suites, which offer dramatic views of San Francisco and the Bay.  Each room is individually designed, with a furnished, 800sq ft landscaped terrace.  The interiors have been thoroughly modernized and decorated in lush textures with a cool blue and silver palette.  Spacious bathrooms provide a spa-like ambience with luxury rain head showers and freestanding sculptural bathtubs furnished with Molton Brown bath amenities to allow guests to indulge in comfort and relaxation. 

Later this summer the hotel will unveil more than 5,000sq ft of elegantly designed, versatile, and technologically-advanced function rooms.  All of the hotel’s function space is conveniently situated on the second level, with outdoor space for intimate gatherings located on the 40th floor. www.mandarinoriental.com/sanfrancisco

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Route cancellations

Airlines continue to be less than ambitious when it comes to announcing route cancellations and therefore Virgin Atlantic are to be applauded for confirming that their Heathrow – Nairobi service is to be dropped from 23 September.  This leaves British Airways and Kenya Airways on the route. 

Chief Commercial Officer Julie Southern said:  “We have taken the difficult decision to withdraw our services between London and Nairobi.  Despite the best efforts of our employees, external factors including the high price of fuel, increasing aviation taxes in the UK and insufficient passenger numbers throughout the past five years have contributed to the decision.”  Unanswered is what will happen to the slots and the Airbus A340 used on the service.  Things could change.  Virgin has twice cancelled Chicago and twice reinstated.

Flybe is dropping Belfast City – Bristol from 10 June.  SIA is to cancel Athens – Abu Dhabi "before the end of the year".

Also dropping a major route is Lufthansa who is to cancel its twice daily London City – Munich flights from 26 October, the end of the summer season.  Munich is served by 56 flights a week out of Heathrow, 19 from Birmingham and 20 Manchester.  French readers should note Air Austral is dropping its St. Denis de la Reunion – Sydney – Noumea service from 12 August. www.airfrance.com  www.virgin-atlantic.com www.lufthansa.com

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Toronto Four Seasons

The home city of the Four Seasons hotel group since it was founded in 1961, Toronto, is again to host one of its outstanding properties.  The brand new Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, located in the city’s glamorous Yorkville neighbourhood, is now accepting reservations for guest stays starting on 1 October 2012 and beyond.

Consisting of two towers, the 55-storey main block and a 26-floor residential building, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is designed to represent the new generation of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts worldwide with 259 state-of-the-art guest rooms, an elaborate spa and fitness centre, function rooms and an international style restaurant.

“The city doesn’t feel the same without having a refuge in Yorkville where our guests can escape to,” explains Dimitrios Zarikos, Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Hotel.  “It is our goal to have guests back inside a Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto in no time at all." www.fourseasons.com

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ON TOUR: EBACE Geneva

Cautious optimism as Europe’s business aviation fraternity starts to rebound

The big aircraft orders of yesteryear may have been missing, but last week’s annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) didn’t fail to disappoint exhibitors and visitors.  There was a distinct international flavour too this year with new initiatives such as the founding of the African Business Aviation Association and a tie-up between Qatar Airways and Bombardier’s fractional partner FlexJet announced here.  Airline boss CEO Akbar Al Baker flew in to announce the partnership whereby the carrier’s premium passengers flying from the Middle East to its North American destinations (Houston, Montreal, New York and Washington DC) will have the opportunity to charter FlexJet’s 50-strong fleet of Challenger 605 and 300 business jets, in a unique deal with Qatar’s expanding business jet division, Qatar Executive.  Al Baker also disclosed that Qatar Executive was in talks with Bombardier regarding firming up a Letter of Intent for 10 new Global 7000s and 8000s. 

Now in its 12th year, EBACE has become a firm fixture for those, primarily in the EMEA region, looking to do business and network. 

The show welcomed 12,638 visitors from 99 countries – similar to the previous year – despite the new Sunday to Wednesday format (owing to the Ascension Holiday).  Out on the static 60 aircraft were on show in an area 10% larger than previous years.  A total 491 exhibitors occupied a record-breaking 2,280 booth spaces in Halls 5, 6 and 7 of the Geneva Palexpo Centre venue.

Importantly, the gathering presented an opportunity to voice the challenges EBAA’s 500-plus members are facing to influencers and EU officials.  “This year is going to be a pivotal year in the European theatre,” Chief Executive Fabio Gamba warned earlier at a pre-show press luncheon, sponsored by Dassault. 

With a general mood of ‘cautious optimism,’ the theme of this year’s EBACE was ‘flying the return to growth.’  Policy makers were called to the opening session of EBACE 2012 to hear that proposed new rules on airport slots – due to be voted on in September, ETS (emissions trading) – discriminatory and confusing and the fierce taxes being imposed by certain cash-strapped European governments – are all conspiring to hinder industry growth. 

Officials were reminded that business aviation contributes €20bn annually to the economy and generates €5.7bn in salaries and wages.  Ed Bolen, US NBAA President, further warned that ETS, already threatening to spark a trade war following decisions by the US, Russia, India and China not to comply with the scheme, will also harm US Part 91 bizjet operators flying into Europe. 

Bombardier and Cessna unveil new aircraft models

Highlights from the manufacturers included Bombardier’s announcement of two new models, the new Learjet 70 and 75, successors to the iconic Learjet 40 and 45XRs, but more significantly underlining the manufacturer’s belief that the light to mid-sized business market (sluggish compared with the super mid/large jet market) will make a strong recovery.  Both aircraft, with a 2,000nm range and more powerful new Honeywell TFE731-40BR engines, feature significant cabin upgrades over the existing models.  The new aircraft are set to enter service in 2013.  Tellingly, these two new aircraft are the first brand new models Bombardier has launched at an EBACE Show.  It usually unveils new aircraft at the larger NBAA Show.  But with the RoW (rest of world) taking over from North America now in terms of new aircraft deliveries, EBACE has grown in stature. 

Cessna too announced it was offering a stretched version of its new midsize cabin Citation Latitude, the Longitude, and the largest jet yet in the Citation family.  New President and CEO Scott Ernest pledged the aircraft will be able to fly 4,000nm at Mach 0.82.  Maiden flight will be in three years’ time.

Gulfstream takes the fast route to EBACE

But when it came to speed, Gulfstream played the ace card this year, flying its all new ultra large cabin, ultra long range Gulfstream 650 to Geneva to mark its European debut.  The aircraft flew an unconfirmed record flight of 3,780nm miles (7,000km) from Washington Dulles in just 6hrs 55mins, cruising at Mach 0.90 to Mach 0.92 throughout.  First customer deliveries are due this year.

Hawker Beechcraft reassured customers, suppliers and media here that it was business as usual despite its recent Chapter 11, protection from creditor status.  To prove a point it announced new UK Service Centre agreements with Gama Aviation and Harrods Aviation for its King Air/Premier and Hawker business jet series, respectively and led the pack with order announcements trumpeting contracts for 11 aircraft, including three Hawker 4000 super-midsize business jets, a Hawker 400XPR, six King Air 350i turboprops and a King Air 250, worth more than US$120m.

New ventures and bases

Business aircraft operators took the opportunity to air their news about new ventures and bases.  Farnborough, UK headquartered Gama Group announced the establishment of a Swiss base in Geneva and the opening of an office in Hong Kong where it is positioning to offer aircraft charter and management opportunities.  Sister company Gama Engineering also showcased its new Infant Seat – the only one in the world certified for take offs and landings on most business jets.  William Gordon, aged three and a half, and EBACE’s youngest visitor demonstrated the seat’s comfort and safety value aboard a Challenger 300 out in the static.

Exhibiting UK business aviation airports attracted interest from visiting operators and charter brokers keen to hear about their preparations for the Olympics.  Northolt Airport stressed it wasn’t just restricted to Head of State flights only, Southend highlighted its closest proximity to the Stadium, Oxford Airport was exhibiting with London Heliport for the first time, now under shared ownership, and talked up synergies and financial incentives of selecting the two bases.  Chauffeur company First Class Cars announced the opening of a base at Farnborough Airport this month where it will support clients coming in to both the airport and staying at the adjacent Aviator hotel, which reports brisk business for July’s air show too.  The TAG-owned airport, which has just opened new office and hangar facilities, is confident it will pick up a third of the additional 3,000 business jet movements anticipated over the period of the Games.

Marshall Group-owned Cambridge Airport too, one of a handful of regional airports to be open 24/7 during the period, was at EBACE talking up planned further development on the south side of the airport.  Its FBO partner ExecuJet Europe held a Pimms party on its stand to celebrate six months at its new UK base, where it now employs 45 staff having started to transfer its operations and dispatch from Zurich to the UK.  Switzerland’s business and charter management company Perfect Aviation SA is also bolstering its presence in the UK at Biggin Hill, having added two more aircraft – a Learjet 45 and Challenger 605 – to its managed fleet.  However, CEO Will Curtis is encouraging his clients from the Europe and Russia to fly to the Med instead this summer.  He believes UK-based operators will likely be disadvantaged operating from bases lying within heavily restricted airspace.

As usual, business aviation interiors were a big interest at EBACE.  Flying Colours of Canada exhibited at the show talking up its most ambitious CRJ 200 conversion project tshower which when completed to ExecLiner configuration will feature a bedroom, shower and office and state-of-the-art IFE including high speed internet through Viasat Ku Band.  “Clients coming to us want an aircraft personalised to their requirements so they can achieve the benefits of a wide body jet but at a competitive price," said Eric Gillespie, Director and Project Manager. 

EBACE next year returns to a Tuesday through to Thursday format, running from 21 May to 23 May 2013. www.ebace.aero

Words by Alison Chambers and pictures by Anthony Quayle - both of Emerald Media www.emeraldmedia.co.uk

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AND FINALLY: Life before the computer

 *    Memory was something that you lost with age

*    An application was for employment

*    A programme you purchased at the theatre

*    A cursor used profanity

*    A web was where a spider lived

*    A virus was the flu

*    A keyboard was the working part of a piano

*    A hard drive was a long trip

*    A mouse pad was the home of a mouse

     And if you had a 3½” floppy a visit to the doctor was called for

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