MIDDLE EAST - UAE
 
    ARINC begins IT works at Dubai International

ARINC Managed Services (AMS) announced it has begun strategic IT installation and maintenance services at Dubai International Airport. AMS will provide installation, testing, and 24x7 maintenance for seven state-of-the-art IT systems at the airport’s existing Terminals 1, 2, and Concourse 1, and in the airport’s new Terminal 3 and Concourse 2. The airport’s expansion and renovation program features innovative terminal design and several advanced IT systems, including an airport operational database (AirDBTM), resource management system (AirPlanTM), and flight information display system (AirVUETM) with 1,400 screens. Also included are a building integration system, management information system, eight-language digital public address system, and airport-wide secure data network.

    MIDDLE EAST - UAE
     
     Construction of AED1 billion runway complete

The first runway at Al Maktoum International Airport is complete, it was announced. Built by the UAE’s Al Naboodah Contracting for AED1 billion, the A380-enabled 4.5 km CAT III runway is the first tender to be fully executed within Dubai World Central. The runway, designated 12/30 because of its geographic location, will now undergo a period of strenuous tests and trials over the next six to eight months to fulfil its CAT III-C requirements - a precision instrument approach and landing capability with zero metres visibility for aircraft. 

The airport’s AED100 million first passenger terminal, being built by Arabtec/Max Bogl JV, a UAE-German joint venture, catering to low-cost, regional and charter airlines is 40 per cent complete with the finishes and MEP tender due to be awarded before the year end. Other airport structures being built by Arabtec/Max Bogl JV are the AED278 million cargo terminal which is 50 per cent complete and the AED143 million Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and navigational aids building which is 25 per cent ready. At 92 m, the Middle East’s tallest freestanding ATC tower is 70 per cent ready and due for completion by February 2008. Phase one major airport infrastructure projects are due for completion between February and June 2008.

    MIDDLE EAST - SAUDI ARABIA
 
     GACA and SITA in major expansion of aircraft data network coverage

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia is introducing VHF air-to-ground data communication services over the country’s entire airspace in partnership with SITA, the latter announced. GACA will deploy 17 SITA VHF Ground Stations that will expand SITA’s existing coverage and replace six older generation VHF ground stations, by providing data link coverage services over the entire domestic airspace of Saudi Arabia. GACA will also deploy VHF Digital Link Mode 2 (VDLM2) services at Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah international airports. The expanded data link coverage will support the delivery of digital Automatic Terminal Information Service and Departure Clearance services as recommended by the ICAO Planning and Implementation Regional Group, the MIDANPIRG.

MIDDLE EAST - UAE

  RAK Airways takes off

RAK Airways – the UAE’s fourth national carrier – announced its inaugural flight took off to Beirut on 29 November. The full-service airline also announced the launch of its flights to Colombo, Sofia and Dhaka. RAK Airways also plans to unveil more destinations, including cities in India, Nepal, Qatar and Tanzania, within three months as part of its growth strategy. RAK Airways is operating Boeing 757s for its start-up operations, an official said. RAK Airways also plans to acquire six to eight narrow-bodied aircraft within the next two years, covering about 20 destinations within the Gulf, South Asia, Middle East and East Africa. The airline plans to undertake trans-continental flights over the next two to three years, the official added. The airline expects around one million passengers a year and the annual projected growth over the next two- three years is 20 per cent.

    ASIA PACIFIC
 
      IER appointed by Air Tahiti to deliver CUSS solution

Air Tahiti, French Polynesia's domestic airline, has chosen the IER Common Use Self-Service application to provide its passengers the benefits of self-check-in. IER will provide Air Tahiti with five IER 918. The IER 918 is the latest generation of Common Use Self-Service kiosk designed to meet the latest trends in passenger travel such as e-ticketing, 2D bar coded boarding passes. The IER 918 comes with a large variety of optional components such as passport or card reader, bag tag printer, WiFi wireless network. Besides the hardware, the solution supplied to Air Tahiti also includes the IER CUSS platform, the IER self-service check-in application and also an Internet check-in application which allows passengers to check in at home, at the office or from any Internet connected PC.

     AUSTRALIA

       Construction commences on expansion at Sydney Airport

Construction has commenced on a major $500 million upgrade and expansion of the International Terminal at Sydney Airport, it was announced. The investment will ensure that Sydney Airport retains its position as one of the top airports in the world. The project involves adding 7,300 sq m to the departures level; new outbound and early baggage handling system; additional and upgraded aeronautical facilities. By 2023-24, Sydney Airport is expected to be handling more than 20 million international passengers, double the number today. Construction will be completed in stages to minimise disruption to travellers and work on the departure level will be complete in 2009.

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