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Airline staff deficit generates a new crisis in the industry

After two years of the pandemic, the cancellation of thousands of flights, and massive layoffs in the aviation sector, finally in 2022 flights worldwide began to increase rapidly. 

This has enabled the recovery of the industry and it could even be said that they are already beginning to generate profits. However, now a new crisis is coming.

We are at a stage where airline offers are falling short of passenger demands, which has caused flight cancellations, thousands of stranded travelers, or even lost luggage, and the industry is now facing a severe crisis of qualified personnel.

The crisis not only refers to the shortage of pilots. It also includes maintenance personnel, technicians, and ground staff, which potentially leads to fewer aircraft in circulation and delays in services as they are unable to handle all the processes related to flight preparation, passenger and baggage control, and everything else involved in the operation. 

The main problem is that it is not easy to replace or substitute these qualified personnel who require special certifications to be eligible for a position in this category, which would imply a considerable investment of time rather than solving this difficulty.

However, nowadays there are many devices, software, and technological tools that can serve as support to facilitate and optimize airport processes. This would also accelerate the evolution of the industry aiming at the technological transformation that is so necessary in these times.

According to the Commercial Market Outlook study conducted by Boeing annually, it is expected that by 2041 the world fleet will increase by 80%. 

In addition to the development of some market segments such as digital solutions that increase efficiency and reduce costs. But above all comprehensive training allows having qualified pilots and technicians.

The way of facing the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic showed that the aviation industry has a great capacity to adapt and serves as a reference to demonstrate that this current crisis will not greatly affect the development of the sector.

Now they will be focused on offering better incentives to attract that personnel that migrated to other sectors due to the massive layoffs. 

But undoubtedly they will also have to work on creating new opportunities for digitalization, without neglecting the most important thing; attracting that 2.1 million new personnel, including pilots, mechanics, and crew members that will make every trip a better travel experience.

 

A new moment for America

Facing the new times has undoubtedly been a great challenge for the aviation sector. Worldwide, recovery is expected to be imminent this year. 

So far this year, restrictions have been lifted, sanitary processes remain, but freedom to travel is becoming more common. People are gradually returning to “normal” life, and airports are looking for new strategies to attract traffic in the sector. 

The recovery has been somewhat delayed due to conflicts in Europe, recent variants of the virus in China, and inflationary pressure. This has led to further restrictions in Europe and Asia. 

North America takes off

The new horizons are clear for the American continent, as air traffic increases exponentially, and it is estimated that, in the case of North America, it will be the region with the greatest recovery worldwide, with 97.79% of demand compared to 2019, according to Bain & Company. 

Like the United States, Mexico is the other country that will see early aeronautical recovery. This is because domestic and international flight operations were maintained and did not restrict air traffic. 

This allowed the impact on tourism to take off considerably after one season. It is estimated that other countries in recovery are Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. 

In the rest of the world, according to Bain & Company statistics, it is estimated that pre pandemic traffic figures will be seen again by the second quarter of 2025. In 2022 it is expected that “the recovery will be 65% and 73% of traffic at pre-pandemic levels”.

New technologies 

Despite the long wait, airports worldwide are committed to improving and embracing new technologies. For the aeronautical sector, finding new ways to adapt has been fundamental in its recovery. 

Part of this is the automation of administrative processes to improve the user and customer experience. This is where GP Nauticals, joins the automation of processes with a SUITE of products dedicated to the aeronautical and maritime sector. 

PAX AIMS is one of our main products which will allow you to audit the number of passengers that circulate in an airport. Cumbersome processes are avoided and waiting times are optimized. This product can be easily integrated with other AIMS SUITE products.

 

If you want to know more, please visit the products section

 

The best private jets

At present, aircraft manufacturers are in the difficult task of being more and more innovative and offering not only greater performance in their aircraft but also filling them with the greatest possible comfort to please the most demanding customers.

Gulfstream G500

With this aircraft, ultramodern business aviation makes sense as it has an excellent balance between performance and comfort with the best technology. This jet has been equipped with 2 high-performance engines that allow it to reach a speed of 903 km / h and is perfect for intercontinental routes. In addition, its interior design can be configured to enjoy a kitchen in the stern, bedroom illuminated by panoramic windows, and tables for meetings or meals. Depending on the internal layout configuration this jet can accommodate from 10 to 19 passengers.

Gulfstream 600

This aircraft equipped with ultra-quiet Pratt & Whitney engines is capable of reaching a speed of 1,102 km / h, obtaining more than 20 world speed records and offering its passengers the opportunity to cover long routes such as New York and Dubai or London Beijing.

The comfort of its internal design allows it to accommodate up to 19 passengers and comfortably sleep up to 10 passengers. In addition, it has a kitchen and compartments for the crew. Furthermore, your passengers can enjoy up to 4 seating areas.

Gulfstream 650ER

This legendary jet has broken one-speed record after another, being the best aircraft in its class to cover longer nonstop routes, being able to fly from Singapore to Arizona. Regarding the interior design, this aircraft has 4 environments for work, entertainment, relaxation, and meals. Combining its refined design with the greatest comfort and innovation with handcrafted seats that allow its passengers to relax and enjoy each flight.

Dassault Falcon 8X

French manufacturer Dassault brought its experience from military fighter jets to business aviation, offering a unique aircraft full of efficiency, flexibility, range, and comfort. The interior design of this jet is configurable to satisfy the most demanding customers.

They can choose a comfortable 3-area cabin with a shower and space for the crew to rest, or a more spacious lounge, reducing space at the entrance or better, one more entrance large with a great kitchen.

Also, offers high-speed connectivity with satellite communication. This jet is capable of saving up to 20% more fuel than any other aircraft in its category.

Bombardier Global 7500

This jet stands out in its category for being the largest and longest-range business aircraft. Offering 4 luxurious interior areas with a full-size kitchen, a crew suite, and a full-size master suite with a true shower in the private bathroom.

Is capable of connecting some of the widest routes such as New York – Hong Kong or Singapore – San Francisco, and has been equipped with GE Passport engines that offer higher efficiency, lower emissions, and lower maintenance costs.

Cessna CJ4

This jet has a friendly flight deck with the latest technology and excellent ergonomic improvements. It has optimized meteorological tracking using a Multiscan RTA-4112 radar system from collins Aerospace.

Equipped with view skylights, upgraded seats Also, a wireless cabin management system that gives your passengers instant control of lighting.

Window shades, and interior temperature, this aircraft is a business jet ready to satisfy to its passengers.

 

The best airport to remotely manage take-offs and landings

Budapest has become the first airport in European capitals to have its air traffic controlled from a high-tech facility outside the airport grounds, thanks to a new contract Indra’s with the service provider Hungarian Air Navigation HungaroControl.

This new Indra solution called InNOVA will provide air traffic controllers with an even better view than that generally obtained from a conventional control tower. In addition, they will have all the necessary information, air traffic control functionalities, and security functions from a single integrated screen, a concept already operational in remote control centers.

“Intelligent technology and automation are tools to support human decision-making. By equipping our air traffic controllers with the latest technology, we improve operational efficiency and situational awareness. This benefits us, the airport, the airlines, and ultimately the passengers”, said Kornel Szepessy, CEO of HungaroControl.

While air traffic controllers typically must monitor different screens to get a complete view, the tower InNOVA system takes care of integrating all relevant functions and information on a single screen.

This system will improve controllers’ situational awareness, effectiveness, and flight safety. Thanks to augmented reality that will allow controllers to automatically zoom, identify and track moving objects.   

The system is prepared to carry out operations in multiple airports. For now, the cameras will be located in various locations around the Budapest airport to improve visual observation of this and other areas of interest to controllers. 

Read the full note in Aviación al día.

 

Fly more polluting less

During 2019, the air sector transported 4,500 million passengers, which meant the production of 900 million tons of CO2. Which would be approximately 2% of global carbon emissions.

By 2050, it is estimated that the number of passengers will double, which would also mean doubling the emission of CO2. This prediction sparked environmental mobilization, with campaigns such as “Flygskam” (embarrassment to travel by plane), in Sweden during 2018.

For this reason, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has committed to achieving “net zero emissions” of CO2 by 2050.

What are the instruments to achieve it?

Europeans hope that technology and infrastructure improvements – whether with new materials, cheaper engines, better air traffic management, hydrogen-fueled aircraft, or a greater role for electrical power – will help reduce by half the emissions.

However, IATA believes that only 14% of the objective will be achieved since to achieve “net zero emissions”, the sector’s plans go through carbon offset mechanisms (such as planting trees), something criticized by environmental NGOs. Who considers that the only thing that is achieved is to displace the problem.

“The only silver bullet to decarbonize aviation is sustainable fuels,” explains Brian Moran, in charge of sustainable development at Boeing.

IATA estimates that two-thirds of the decarbonization effort should fall on sustainable aviation fuels (CAS), produced from cooking oil, algae, wood waste, or “biomass” products.

For its part, the European Commission plans to establish an obligation to incorporate 2% of CAS in aviation kerosene in 2025, 5% in 2030, and 63% in 2050. Boeing and Airbus foresee that their planes will be able to fly with 100% of CAS at the end of that decade.

CAS currently costs four times as much as kerosene, and what is more delicate, it is not easy to get them. They represent less than 0.1% of the 360,000 million liters of fuel used by aviation in 2019.

A whole new sector must emerge, to increase production and lower the price.

The EU believes this can be achieved through new taxes on kerosene for domestic flights, while the United States proposes tax breaks.

 

Read the full note in AFP.