PAX International AIME/MRO Middle East Dubai 2015

AIME/MRO MIDDLE EAST DUBAI ISSUE

Seating market in focusFlooring innovations IFEC and the Middle East

INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

N E W S A N D A N A L Y S I S F O R T H E I F E C & I N T E R I O R S E X E C U T I V E

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 | V O L . 1 9 , N O . 1 | w w w . p a x . i n t l . c o m


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ZODIAC INFLIGHT INNOVATIONSAIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

Entertainment & Seat Technologies

www.pax-intl.com | PAX INTERNATIONAL | 3

A DATE

The year’s events start out early in 2015. As is so often the case, PAX Inter-national makes the first of its many visits of the year to the Middle East, this time to the Aircraft Interiors and

MRO Middle East in Dubai. We’ll be certain to spend our days

reporting news of the event and bring back what we’ve learned in future publica-tions. From what we’ve seen so far, there appears to be no letup in the growth that the region enjoys.

The Arab Air Carrier’s Organization had 31 members as of this time last year. According to the group’s annual report, the air transport industry grew 10.1% in 2013, carrying more than 156 million pas-sengers. A total of 247 million passengers moved through airports in the region and cargo movement (plagued by poor results in most parts of the world) increased 5.6% in 2013 with movement of 6.5 million tons.

The airlines in the region are also branching out, now flying to 412 destina-tions in 127 countries. Every day more than 750,000 airline seats on slightly fewer than 1,100 aircraft are carrying revenue passengers around the world.

With so much happening and so much demand as the region opens up to the world, luxury travel has become a required part of the airline’s operation. “Middle

East airlines are leading the way in aircraft interiors innovations, and demand for luxury and First Class travel is also con-sistently high in this region,” said Michele van Akelijien, Managing Director of F&E Aerospace one of the chief organizers of this year’s AIME/MRO.

“The MRO Middle East Conference has forged a reputation for being the ideal place to keep up with industry advances,” said Lydia Janow, Managing Director, Events for Aviation Week, another one of the key sponsors and organizers.

PAX International has a long history of attending events here. For several years, the publication hosted a yearly airline catering conference in Bahrain. We have also handed out trophies for our Reader-ship Awards during the events that were held by the former International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This year, we hope to build from that experience and make new friends at the AIME/MRO. For visitors, we welcome you to stop by our stand and get acquainted with our publication, now entering its 18th year.

Rick LundstromEditor-in-Chief PAX International

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IN DUBAI

EDITOR’S LETTER

4 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

PAVES™ On-demand from Rockwell Collins is the industry’s most reliable and versatile in-flight entertainment system. With all content cached at the seat, single-point system failures are eliminated. A flexible design offers an overhead broadcast solution, a full on-demand in-seat entertainment solution or any configuration in between. And easy upgradability provides system owners with cost-effective options. Enjoy the performance.

Visit us during Aircraft Interiors Middle East, stand 1124.

Smooth user experience

Designed for single aisle

Easily upgradable

True high defi nition

rockwellcollins.com

Reliability.On-demand.

© 2015 Rockwell Collins. All rights reserved.

RC_PAVES-Od_PAX Intl_Jan-Feb2015.indd 1 1/20/15 7:48 AM

AIME/MRO MIDDLE EAST DUBAI ISSUE

A look at interiorsSeating market in focusFlooring innovations IFEC and the Middle East

INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS


J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y | V O L . 1 9 , N O . 1 | w w w . p a x . i n t l . c o m


p.34GUESTLOGIX AND WESTJETp.24FOUR SEASONS

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ON THE COVER:Photo of A350 XWB lighting mock-up, courtesy of Airbus.

Contents

DEPARTMENTS

3 EDITOR’S NOTE

6 NEWS

10 PEOPLE NEWS

36 WHAT’S HOT

38 ASSOCIATION NEWS

38 CALENDAR

IFE AND CONNECTIVITY11 WHERE IFEC INNOVATES

Visitors to this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East will see the latest in inflight entertainment offerings in a region that pioneered advancement of the industry

SEATING 15 SEATING TAKES CENTER STAGE

As airlines increasingly look for ways to maximize revenue, seat makers and suppliers are developing products for cabins now, and in the future

INDUSTRY Q&A18 GATHERING IN THE GULF

Aircraft Interiors Middle East, teamed with a maintenance, repair and overhaul conference, has entered its sixth year in service

TROLLEYS, GALLEYS AND INSERTS20 LIGHTER, SLEEKER, SMARTER

No longer a home to industrial-looking fixtures and trolleys, companies touting products at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East have change on their minds

VIP INTERIORS: FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET24 FLYING, REFINED

With the world of hospitality becoming more and more intertwined with the world of flying, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts has successfully merged the two with the launch of the Four Seasons Private Jet

COMPANY PROFILE: PGA ELECTRONIC26 INNOVATION IN MOTION

PGA Electronic continues to make strides in the aeronautical equipment sector, with several projects in the works and new innovations ready to take flight

FLOORING 28 SETTING THE FOUNDATION

As luxury continues to find its way into the cabin, the future of interiors looks bright and flooring is no exception

CABIN MAINTENANCE PRACTICES30 MRO ON THE MOVE

Airlines with third party capabilities and operators looking to expand are seeing the Middle East as a market flooded with aircraft all needing maintenance from nose to tail

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT32 UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

A look at some of this year’s AIME AIX Middle East and MRO Middle East exhibitors

COMPANY PROFILE: GUESTLOGIX34 GUESTLOGIX LOOKS WEST

Three companies, GuestLogix, WestJet and Panasonic are writing a new, and perhaps highly anticipated chapter in the evolution of ancillary revenue

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 | V O L . 1 9 , N O . 1

24

15

30

PAVES™ On-demand from Rockwell Collins is the industry’s most reliable and versatile in-flight entertainment system. With all content cached at the seat, single-point system failures are eliminated. A flexible design offers an overhead broadcast solution, a full on-demand in-seat entertainment solution or any configuration in between. And easy upgradability provides system owners with cost-effective options. Enjoy the performance.

Visit us during Aircraft Interiors Middle East, stand 1124.

Smooth user experience

Designed for single aisle

Easily upgradable

True high defi nition

rockwellcollins.com

Reliability.On-demand.

© 2015 Rockwell Collins. All rights reserved.

RC_PAVES-Od_PAX Intl_Jan-Feb2015.indd 1 1/20/15 7:48 AM


It all starts with reliable connectivity.Gogo delivers the solutions and global coverage that empower your airline to create new opportunities in every area of the aviation business.

Find us at AIME 2015 or www.gogoair.com/aime2015

©2015 Gogo LLC. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Smart connectivity.Smarter fleet.

15GO_018_paxAdResize_v2.indd 1 1/21/15 10:41 AM

AIRLINE NEWS

Vueling Airlines cited for ancillary revenue innovationIdeaWorksCompany, a Wisconsin-based consultancy firm that tracks airline ancillary revenue, issued its yearly report at the end of December naming Vueling Airlines of Barcelona the “Revenue Innovation Champ for 2014.”

“Since this airline was born in 2004, it has experienced a merger (with Spain’s Clickair), been acquired by a global holding company and achieved robust growth,” said Jay Sorensen President of IdeaWorks in Shorewood, Wisconsin. “Year after year, the carrier has also demonstrated a knack to create, market, and deliver remarkable ancillary revenue products.”

Among the examples is Vueling’s “My25%” program that delivers a simple 25% discount to subscribers who pay an annual fee. Earlier innovations included a price lock feature and the Vueling Pass, which sells an annual package of benefits for business travelers.

The company also cited several other carriers for their work in innovating ancillary revenue. Delta Air Lines switched its SkyMiles frequent flier program to revenue-based accrual. Starting in 2015, distance-based accrual is out and members will earn miles based upon how much they spend with the airline.

Wizz Air maintains a “continuous roll out of à la carte services and a very transparent and effective online booking process,” said a release from IdeaWorksCompany.

Ryanair was recognized for its “always getting better plan” intro-duced by CEO Michael O’Leary. Ryanair has relaxed its carry-on policy and lowered its bag fees at the airport. Despite the drop in

bag fees, the airline’s profits increased 32% “proving that kindness can pay dividends.”

Finally, Jeju Air in Korea was recognized by IdeaWorksCompany for its free travel lounges. The in-city lounges specialize in the booking of commission-based services for travelers and operate as “ancillary revenue incubators.”

This and other information can be found in the Airline Ancillary Revenue and Loyalty Guide for 2014 available for purchase by IdeaWorks. The volume was released on January 15.

Lightweight Expliseat picked by African carriersThe A320 fleet operated by Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation has new lightweight titanium seats designed and produced by Expliseat.

Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation is a regional airline from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and second customer for the lightweight seat. In March of last year, Expliseat announced it would launch the four-kilogram seat with the French airline Air Méditerranée.

The seat is made of titanium and composite materials. It has 30 parts, as compared to more than to 300 on average in other seats. The slim design can also add five centimeters of extra leg-room, according to the company.

Earlier this year, Expliseat received the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certi-fication, which allows the product to be used by airlines in the United States.

Vueling Airlines offers a package of benefits to business travelers

A version of the lightweight Expliseat

AIM Altitude formed after mergerAIM Altitude officially launched in early January, following the recent acquisition of Altitude Aerospace Interiors by AIM Aviation.

AIM Altitude will use the expertise of its teams across the U.K. and Europe, New Zealand, the Middle East and North America to provide leading-edge solutions for aircraft interiors.

“As AIM Altitude we are offering our combined strengths to the airlines and OEMs. We plan to further enhance our reputation, making the name AIM Altitude synonymous with the provision of inspirational design, meticulous engineering and quality craftsmanship,” said Mark Edwards, CEO of AIM Altitude.

AIM Altitude is also launching a new website design at www.aimaltitude.com.

The capabilities of AIM Altitude include: premium monuments, bars, lounges and sky shops; contemporary galleys, that com-bine form with function; standard monuments and stowages, made to withstand the demands of air travel; and innovative composites materials.

NEWS

It all starts with reliable connectivity.Gogo delivers the solutions and global coverage that empower your airline to create new opportunities in every area of the aviation business.

Find us at AIME 2015 or www.gogoair.com/aime2015

©2015 Gogo LLC. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Smart connectivity.Smarter fleet.

15GO_018_paxAdResize_v2.indd 1 1/21/15 10:41 AM


www.Linstol.comUnited States | +1.239.530.7865 | [email protected]

United Kingdom | +44.1252.620630 | [email protected] Kong | +86.156.1855.3533 | [email protected]

China | +86.186.2179.2602 | [email protected]

Dream BIGFully customizable colors, materials, packaging and logo to meet the expectations of your unique brand and passenger experience.

Big dreams do come true with unsurpassed sound quality and affordability.

STG Aerospace to light Thomson aircraftAircraft cabin lighting specialists, STG Aerospace, has been awarded a retrofit program with the U.K.’s Thomson Airways.

STG Aerospace will retrofit nine of Thomson’s 737NG fleet and 14 of its 757 fleet with liTeMood®, a plug-and-play programmable blue/white LED mood lighting system designed to retrofit commercial aircraft cabins. liTeMood® offers airlines a cost effective, versatile and controllable solution to bring existing non-LED equipped aircraft cabins up to the same quality standard as new aircraft.

liTeMood® is up to 40 kilograms lighter than original-fit fluorescent lighting, and consumes 70% less power.

“We’re thrilled to be the LED lighting of choice for Thomson Air-ways,” said Marcus Williams, Director of Sales and Marketing at STG Aerospace. “This retrofit program expands our liTeMood® product range across even more aircraft and shows that STG Aerospace is leading the way, not just in photo luminescent technology, but in all aspects of cabin lighting.”

liTeMood® is available for retrofit on 737NG and 757 aircraft, and later on the 767 and A320.

Momentum Services takes GuestLogix retail toolsGuestLogix Inc. announced in early January a six plus-year renewal and expansion agreement with European catering com-pany Momentum Services, for its retail program onboard rail customer, Eurostar.

The agreement with Momentum Services and Eurostar represents approximately 10.1 million passenger trips per year for GuestLogix.

Momentum will replace the point of sale handheld devices used onboard Eurostar trains with the company’s next-generation iOS-version retail platform and payment peripherals for use with the Apple iPad.

The iPads will also be used to access crew communications and forms for improved efficiency and accessibility. The retail platform’s back office will monitor retail performance and manage warehouse and stock management through GuestLogix’ Ancillary Insights™ business intelligence platform.

Also, the Company’s OnTouch® Destination Merchandising and Global Payment Gateway™ will be leveraged, with GuestLogix continuing to act as Merchant of Record.

“This agreement with Momentum Services will enable the caterer to sell food and beverage as well as destination activities onboard Eurostar using the company’s most innovative retailing technology, while maintaining a consistent experience across the operator’s fleet,” said a release from Guestlogix.

Momentum became a customer in September 2012 when GuestLogix acquired its leading competitor, Initium Onboard.

AIRLINE NEWS

The STG lighting array is made up of blue and white mood lighting and boasts ease of retrofit

RAIL NEWSKLM picks LSG subsidiary for logisticsKLM Royal Dutch Airlines has selected SkylogistiX to take over global management of inbound and outbound sea freight and trucking of its inflight equipment. The two-year contract started on January 1, and covers the movement of approximately 1,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent units) per year.

SkylogistiX is a management partner and provider of third party logistics services and neutral fourth-party logistics solutions. It is an independent joint venture with Kuehne + Nagel, which is majority owned by the SPIRIANT division of LSG Sky Chefs.

“We were looking for a partner who could support us in man-aging the complexity of handling various sea freight providers at the same time,” said Aafke Joosten, Director Network Supply Management, for KLM Inflight Services. “SkylogistiX will enable us to select the best sea freight provider on a case-by-case basis.”

“We are delighted to have secured KLM as a new customer and look forward to supporting them in the improvement of their supply chain,” said Alexander Kolf, Managing Director SkylogistiX.

NEWS

www.Linstol.comUnited States | +1.239.530.7865 | [email protected]

United Kingdom | +44.1252.620630 | [email protected] Kong | +86.156.1855.3533 | [email protected]

China | +86.186.2179.2602 | [email protected]

Dream BIGFully customizable colors, materials, packaging and logo to meet the expectations of your unique brand and passenger experience.

Big dreams do come true with unsurpassed sound quality and affordability.


Lindemann moves on from Recaro Group

Andreas Lindemann, Chief Sales Officer of Recaro Aircraft Seat-ing resigned from his position on December 31 to take up new challenges outside the Recaro Group.

Starting on January 1, Lindemann’s duties were taken over by Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer; René Dankwerth, Research and Development; Joachim Ley, Supply Chain; and Peter Müller, Finance and Administration. Hiller assumes responsibility for sales, program management and customer service.

After holding senior positions at Airbus Group (then EADS) and the former DaimlerChrysler Group, in 2006 Lindemann took a management position at Recaro Aircraft Seating, assuming responsibility for the areas of finance and administration. In this role, he was responsible for a major comprehensive strategic and organizational realignment, which was successfully completed in 2008. Since April 2012, he was also responsible for sales, program management and customer service.

Promotion and addition at AMI Inflight AMI Inflight, a division of AMI Holdings, has promoted of Dan Day to Executive Vice President U.S. Sales and added Jason Henry to its team of account executives.

Day, a longtime AMI employee, will have responsibility for all sales to U.S. and international airlines flying out of the U.S., as well as sales to U.S. carriers flying out of Europe.

Henry was formerly with American Airlines. He holds a B.S. degree from University of Houston; in addition he has a degree from Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management as well as a level three wine sommelier certification. He spent five years as a Director for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

gategroup names new CEOgategroup announced in January that Xavier Rossinyol would be the company’s new Chief Executive officer, replacing Andrew Gibson who will step down after 10 years with the Zurich- based company.

Rossinyol will start in the new position March 31. He is currently Chief Operating officer for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia for the global travel retail company Dufry. From 1995 to 2004,

Rossinyol worked for Gruppo Areas in his native country, Spain. Gibson joined gategroup in 2004 and was named CEO in 2011.

During his time, the company formed the Product and Supply Chain Solutions Division, Gate Retail Onboard and the company’s Emerging markets business. During his tenure gategroup restruc-tured its European business and strengthened procurement and information technology to make the organization more effective and able to deliver cost savings.

Schulthess to join Lufthansa Technik HR in MarchThe Supervisory Board of Lufthansa Technik AG has appointed Antonio Schulthess as new Chief Executive Human Resources, effective March 15.

Schulthess will take over the position from Dr. Johannes Buss-mann, who is replacing August Wilhelm Henningsen as Chairman of the Executive Board. On the same date, Henningsen will retire.

Schulthess has been Head of the Human Resources Division of Lufthansa AG in Frankfurt since July 2014. Other positions include the personnel development department at SWISS International. He later was Head of Human Resources and Head of External Affairs and Information Technology at the airline. In June 2011, he moved to Lufthansa AG in Frankfurt, where he was responsible for Human Resources in Lufthansa Passage, later adding responsibility for the same function for the Lufthansa Group as a whole.

Interact names three to staffIrvine, California-based Interact has named, Alex Pollin and Yvette Quintero as Production Assistants, and Tim Wills as production Manager.

Pollin will work closely with Interact’s Account Managers in day-to-day tasks. She brings to Interact previous experience in entertainment, as well as customer service.

Wills has worked for major companies within the inflight entertainment world for 16 years, with a focus on the technical side of operations.

Quintero, who speaks fluent Spanish, has a background in communications as well as experience in the music Industry. She will work closely with Interact’s Account Manager on various day-to-day tasks.

Interact is a global inflight entertainment company specializing in creative programming and custom production.

(Left to Right) Mark Hiller,

Andreas Lindemann and Martin Putsch,

shareholders of the Recaro Group

(Left to right) Yvette Quintero, Tim Wills and Alex Pollin

PEOPLE NEWS


The Thales AVANT inflight entertainment system on Royal Jordanian Airlines

I t has been the case for years: inflight entertainment suppliers have consis-tently found a welcome home and a

rapt audience in the Middle East. It is a collection of nations with well-

financed flag carriers anxious to please passengers and bring the world to their doorsteps. Those desires have consistently made them front-line purchasers and early adapters. Many of those pioneering airlines will be visiting the IFEC Pavilion sponsored by HMG Aerospace at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East, held on February 2-3 in Dubai.

However, key players in the IFEC indus-try probably didn’t need a dedicated pavil-ion to convince them of the importance of attending Aircraft Interiors Middle East. Many of them are seasoned travelers in the region, building associations and bringing their latest products for a willing group of consumers.

“The Middle East is a strategically important area for Thales IFEC given our growing relationships with airlines,” said Lori Krans, a spokesperson for worldwide supplier of IFEC. Among the customers for

Thales IFE products are Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudia Airlines and Oman Air. The airline has selected the Thales AVANT, system, which took flight in 2014, across all major aircraft platforms.

In the first quarter of this year, Thales is expected to announce the opening of a new office in Dubai. Plans for the city call for the company to add a team for sales, marketing and services.

The most recent news at Thales took place several thousand miles away from the desert. In December, the company announced its AVANT inflight entertain-ment system entered service on a 787-8 aircraft operated by Japan Airlines. The Android-based operating system is now on more than 120 aircraft with orders approaching 500.

JAL has packed the AVANT with a standard selection of on-demand prod-ucts. It also has the system’s 3D Maps, JAL Shop and Sky Manga. The latter channels allows passengers to access popular manja animation. Content in the system includes 90 Japanese movies and 30 English titles. Screens in Business Class are 23 inches, while 10- and 12-inch screens are available in Economy Class.

JAL will have 15 AVANT systems line-fit on its 787s. Thales systems are flying on Japan Airlines’ 767 and 777 aircraft, on both domestic and international routes.

Earlier in the year, Thales installed the AVANT system on Royal Jordanian Air-lines. It was a milestone for the company, as Royal Jordanian Airlines became the first to take delivery of Thales’s Latest genera-

tion system for the Dreamliner. The system offers passengers some of

the largest inflight entertainment seatback screens on the market. RJA has 17-inch screens in Crown Class and 10.6-inch touch screens in Economy. The inaugural commercial flight started with flights between Amman and London, Heathrow. The second 787 aircraft joined the fleet in late September, while others followed in October, November and December.

Line-fit for LumexisBy February of this year, another important line fitting milestone will be noted. The years’ long process to have the seat-centric inflight entertainment system for Lumexis will roll out of the Boeing plant in Seattle on a 757. It will be the first new line-fit IFE system on the aircraft type in 15 years, and it will cap a long process for the California company.

“It is not a process you take lightly,” said Jon Norris, Vice President of Sales at Lumexis. “It is significantly more involved than having a system FAA approved.”

However the company’s greatest sales victory can probably be found a few miles from the Dubai World Trade Centre, with the hometown carrier, flydubai. In addition to the years’-long pursuit for line fitting, Lumexis spent 2014 focusing on installa-tions. At flydubai, Lumexis products are flying on 36 aircraft in a two-class service. Other airlines selecting the Lumexis system are Lion Air and Batik Air in Indonesia, Malindo Air in Malaysia and Transaero in Russia. Lumexis also recently completed

Where IFEC

Visitors to this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East will see the latest in inflight entertainment offerings in a region that pioneered the industry’s advancementby RICK LUNDSTROM

INNOVATES

IFE AND CONNECTIVITY


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This event is now considered by many as one of the best networking opportunity in the industry.

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hotel partner


“No one had ever thought of it before, buttheir answer was very encouraging,” he said.

Once the two sides agreed to go aheadwith the arrangement, RAK began the lengthyprocess of adapting and testing its computerreservation system to adapt to Etihad’s. Thisoccurred at the time the larger carrier was alsochanging its own CRS from the SITA systemto Sabre. Work is still continuing, and Etihadplans a switchover to Sabre next year.

Brayford and RAK Airways were not theonly ones excited at the new partnership.

“This is the first time Etihad Airways willhave its EY code on a domestic UAE flightwhich is an exciting milestone for us,” said theairline’s CEO James Hogan, on the October3 inauguration of the flight. “We look forwardto welcoming travelers through Abu Dhabi andonto international flights across the Etihad Air-ways network.”

Once Etihad completed an operationalaudit on RAK, the task was then to convincepassengers to forego the freeway linking thetwo emirates by about three hours drive andopting for a flight that is scheduled for 45 min-utes, but is often completed in 25 minutes, saidBrayford.

But as it turns out, Brayford said many res-idents of the Emirates might find that aneasier choice than one would think. Com-muting the busy freeways in a fast growingregion has brought increased traffic to theUAE’s highway system. Brayford says delayson the Emirates’ main thoroughfares havebecome more frequent. Soon when RAK Air-ways expands the service to daily flights, andlater to flights twice daily, the frequency willbe a vital selling tool.

“Once we have a scheduled morning andevening flight next spring that will be a veryserious alternative to people taking theircars,” he said.

In the early fall, Brayford said many of thepassengers in the RKT-AUH route were usingthe flight and its short, one hour connectiontime to the Etihad Airways flight to Bangkok.Passengers departing the RAK Airways toAUH have also been boarding the Etihadflight to Manila.

On such a short flight, as RKT-AUH, cabinservice is limited to a sandwich box with amuffin, juice and water. RAK Airways’ catererout of RKT is Rakabela, part of the AlbertAbela group that operates catering and restau-

rant business in the UAE and Lebanon. Rak-abela is also under a 15-year concession con-tract to operate restaurants and coffee shopsat the airport. But if plans work out and thepromising tourist industry in the emirate con-tinues to grow, a new Rakabela airline-cater-ing kitchen has received approvals from the gov-ernment and could be built in the near future.

In the shadow of the scenic Hajar moun-tains, Ras Al Khaimah has a climate andtourism dynamic different from much of therest of the UAE. Its slower pace and unspoiledbeaches have been beckoning development inrecent years. Among the notable propertiesthat have located in the emirate, Brayfordlisted the Banyan Tree Wadi Hotel and theHilton Resort or Cove Rotana among sevento eight major properties. In the first quar-ter of next year, Brayford added that the Wal-dorf Astoria will open “a most amazing look-ing property” that will bring a clientele thatRAK Airways is planning to cater to.

“We are gearing up for that, because webelieve the sort of people who stay at theWaldorf will not be coming in on charterflights, but coming here as premium travel-ers on scheduled service,” he said.

www.meiko.de

Take hygiene and safety on board and enjoy a clean fl ight with MEIKO. MEIKO, your global partner in airline catering and wash-up systems.

Cleaned for take-off

PAX_NOVDEC12_PAX Magazine 12-11-09 1:47 PM Page 21

carrier announced in January of last year. The US$8.8 billion order is the largest for a single-aisle aircraft in the history of the Middle East.

Very VIPAs much as the Middle East is known for its pioneering IFEC, it is also known as a hub for business aviation, where buyers spare no expense in outfitting private jets with the finest interiors.

In addition to designers, brokers and other representatives, Rockwell Collins finds itself dealing more directly with the

principal aircraft owner, as the company increases its presence in the Middle East business aviation market.

At this year’s Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBA) event in Dubai, the owners of VIP narrow- and widebody aircraft were browsing the stands and static displays outside the hall. At the MEBA Rockwell Collins announced that its Venue™ HD cabin management and entertainment system and its Airshow® moving map display would be aboard an A340 business jet, with the entire pack-age installed by the middle of this year. It will be the second A340 that would have the Venue system. Among the capa-bilities include the full cabin video and music streaming capabilities for Apple and Android personal devices, audio and video on demand, along with an impressive 52-inch audio display.

“This is the second time we have been to MEBA and it is definitely one of my favorite shows and this year proved to be a very valuable show for us,” Jay McGrath, Principal Marketing Manager at Rockwell Collins tells PAX International.

The Venue system has proven a winner

its first installation on an A320 operated by Turkish Airlines.

The Lumexis system on flydubai includes features for shopping and food and beverage ordering. The airline has been installing the system in the United Arab Emirates along with galley products and its Geven seats that are not part of the line-fit products from Boeing.

The next big challenge for Lumexis is continuing its long relationship with flydubai. The airline is in the midst of securing suppliers for its massive order of 75 737 Max 8s and 11 737-800s that the

The Lumexis inflight entertainment system is now flying on six airlines around the world


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for the private aviation market. Since 2013, Rockwell Collins has done 26 full cabin retrofits that include the aforementioned widebodies, along with Boeing Business Jets, Airbus aircraft and corporate jets. Since its development, the Venue system has been installed on more than 450 busi-ness aircraft.

At the December MEBA, Rockwell Collins also showed visitors its portfo-lio of ARINCDirect™ flight information solutions. Since the company’s purchase of ARINC, Rockwell Collins has put together a suite of flight support prod-ucts for the business aviation market. Among the products now offered are flight operational solutions, a feature that helps business jet operators better manage fuel costs, and an integrated weight and bal-ance/performance feature that is accessed through an application on iPad. The app provides business aviation pilots with computations that can be done without an Internet connection.

Rockwell Collins has also beefed up its latest capabilities to keep cabin and crew connected inflight. Large VIP aircraft can now access the company’s Tailwind 550 inflight television system through new satellite reception technol-ogy that provides a 25% greater program coverage footprint.

Connectivity at EtihadIn October of this year, Etihad Airways completed its deployment of mobile and Internet connectivity for its entire fleet of 24 777s.

Not only are the 777s now fully opera-tional, but the airline’s fleet of 89 pas-senger aircraft are also connected, with a full suite of inflight connectivity services

including Wi-Fi, mobile services and Live TV made possible by the Panasonic Avionics Global Communications Suite, and OnAir’s inflight connectivity solution.

“We are a global market leader in terms of onboard connectivity solutions,” enthused Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Air-ways’ Chief Commercial Officer in the October announcement. “We believe that onboard connectivity is an important competitive differentiator for our guests and are continuously introducing new communications technology to enhance their travel experience.”

Passengers on the airline now have high-speed broadband services on smart-phones, tablets and laptops. In addition to the standard Internet features, Etihad has added a retail service that allows pas-sengers to purchase gifts, upgrade seats and change travel plans.

Among the content aboard the Pan-asonic/Onair system is live news and major sporting events on seven popular television channels including BBC World News, CNBC, CNN, euronews, Japan’s NHK World Premium, Sky News Arabia, and Sport 24.

Cabin crew and flight deck operations can also utilize Wi-Fi connections to handle medical emergencies. The crew is empowered to manage inflight guest issues by phone or e-mail in real-time with the airline’s ground teams based in Abu Dhabi. Connectivity is also paving the way for the airline to enhance the guest experience through increased onboard retail opportu-nities, with the added benefit of real-time credit card transactions.

Packages to access the internet start at US$5 and are billed by the passenger’s mobile service.

Qatar launches new programming on Oryx

Qatar Airways has more than a new airport and a first-in-the sky A350-XWB. Its Oryx inflight entertainment system in January was chockablock with blockbusters, two animated films and some popular pro-grams from its selection of U.S. television.

Among the exclusives on the Qatar Airways line-up in January is the television series New Girl. The airline is the only one in the Middle East with the popular series, now in its fourth season. Passengers also have access to exclusive documentaries on boxer Muhammad Ali and the latest starring Kevin Spacey.

In NOW: In the Wing on a World Stage, Spacey gives a behind the scenes look on the 2011 world tour of the Shakespeare play Richard III. Among the footage are scenes from the performance when the troupe stopped in Doha. I Am Ali tells the story of heavyweight champion with intimate access to the boxer’s personal archive of audio journals and discus-sions with family members and former ring opponents.

The special selection rounds out with the 2014 Bollywood action film Kick that stars Salman Khan. Again, Qatar Airways will be the only airline in the Middle East to feature the movie in 2015.

For children, Qatar Airways offers two animated films: The Boxtrolls and The Book of Life. Blockbusters featured in January were A Walk Among the Tombstones starring Liam Neeson and The Good Lie with Reese Witherspoon.

Etihad Airways has a fleet of 24 777s, now with a full suite of connectivity solutions



T o foresee the demand for new airline seating, companies closely follow the projected aircraft deliv-

ery forecasts by Boeing and Airbus, pay close attention to the changing looks of the airline cabin and then carefully note the desires by their customers to decrease weight and establish a clean line of com-monality from one of its aircraft to another.

At this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo Middle East, several companies will be bringing the latest lines of seating, and suppliers will be showing the latest in light-weight leather and a line of seat actuators that have been sold to some major carriers in Europe and the U.S. Naturally, eyes are cast on airline activities in the Middle East, where trends are set and sales are strong for the foreseeable future.

One company that closely tracks future growth in the airline seating market is Recaro, one of a small group of compa-nies that command a large share of the overall market.

Speaking to PAX International from the company’s seating plant in Fort Worth, Texas, Recaro’s CEO, Dr. Mark Hiller, quickly accesses company projections for the seating market both worldwide and by key regions.

In 2014, Hiller says the seating indus-try realized approximately €2.5 billion (US$2.89 billion) in sales. By 2019, Recaro estimates that the worldwide market will grow at an average rate of rate of 5.3% to €3.2 billion (US$3.7 billion). Recaro finds the Middle East, while not the largest, certainly will be one of the fastest growing

market. In the next five years, the company estimates the amount spent on seating will increase from €320 million (US$369 mil-lion) last year to more than €540 (US$624 million) in 2019.

Recaro seating is found on airlines throughout the Middle East. Two of the company’s most notable installations include the 737-800 fleet of flydubai, which has a specially outfitted seat to accommo-date the airline’s inflight entertainment system made by Lumexis. The Recaro CL3620 seat can be found on the 757 and the new A350 XWB aircraft delivered to Qatar Airways late last year.

Recaro has established a physical pres-ence in the Middle East, opening up a sales and support office in Dubai. It also estab-lished a partnership in 2005 with the Dutch company Avio Diepen for logistics support and parts supply. Avio Diepen helps Recaro customers by bundling purchase orders, which aid the region’s airlines in logistics and deliveries.

The desire by airlines to reduce weight has been an important dynamic that has pushed the replacement time down from an industry-wide general average of eight to 10 years that was once a standard. Hiller said carriers now have access to more lightweight seating products across the industry spectrum. Thus, the fuel savings that can result in purchases is helping the seating investment pay for itself in one to two years. Now, Hiller said Recaro can estimate that replacement by the airlines is in the six- to eight-year range.

“The retrofit [market] also continues

to be a dynamic market as airlines look to keep their cabins fresh and to create and maintain differentiation with their main competitors,” said Laurent Stritter Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy at Zodiac Seats.

Zodiac Aerospace is coming off a good year for seating sales, particularly in the long-haul segment. During the fiscal year, its dedicated segment, Zodiac Seats sold seats to airlines purchasing the 787 and A350. Sales to Pegasus and Sun Express and others were noted in the single-aisle, market. Overall, Zodiac Aerospace said, sales from its three seating companies increased 7% in 2013/2014.

The sales come as Zodiac Seats contin-ues its “Becoming One” program that it launched in 2012 with a goal of integrating its three seating companies, Zodiac Seats France (Sicma Aero Seat), Zodiac Seats U.S. (Weber), Zodiac Seats U.K. (Contour)

As airlines increasingly look for ways to maximize revenue, seat makers and suppliers are developing products for cabins now, and in the future

Seating takes

The 737s on flydubai are outfitted with seats from Recaro and IFE from Lumexis

center stage

The four seating companies of Zodiac Aerospace collaborate closely on production of products, such as the HD27 economy class seat for high density routes

by RICK LUNDSTROM

SEATING


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The PAXCOM system from Buhler Motor is flying on American Airlines and Lufthansa German Airlines

The XLIGHT leather seating from Boxmark

weighs in a 600 grams per square yard

along with Zodiac Seat Shells (part of Zodiac Seats France). The three companies produce a total of 20 products in 10 market sub-segments from lightweight economy class, to high-end bespoke first class seat-ing. Development of new products is now done in a joint process between the four partners, said Stritter.

“All new Zodiac Seats products are designed and developed in a collaborative mode by the industrial and creative teams from the four seat companies in the group and ZEO, Zodiac’s design outfit based in California,” Stritter adds.

Through the collaborative effort, Zodiac weighs the advantages of new light metal alloys and magnesium that have been inte-grated into the airline’s latest developments. Zodiac is also relying more heavily on the use of recycled products for its newer seats. Other developments are designed to make the most use of the limited cabin space. The company’s HD27 seat geometry gives air-lines the chance to maintain an optimum living space in the aircraft, while at the same time reducing seat pitch.

As premium economy takes it place among established products, Zodiac has developed several seats. The company’s model 5810 and Z535 are now part of the A350 catalog of products. In addi-tion, Zodiac has developed the FX Pre-mium Airgonomic, made with a fixed back shell. This past fall, the company brought the Z500 premium economy seat to the Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas event in Seattle.

It appears that a higher-density econ-omy class cabin is now in the future on short-haul routes, as airlines evaluate ways to maximize revenue by adding rows of seats. Zodiac Seats has prepared for the shift with development of its L3 model (Lightweight/Living Space/Leadtime) to

meet the future demand, and to do it with a product that can be quickly produced and brought into service.

Zodiac Seats is developing the L3 in partnership with Hexcel, a global supplier of carbon fiber, epoxy resins, adhesives, glass and other material. The L3 will be made lightweight at below 4 kilograms per passenger with the help of Hexcel’s HexPly® carbon fiber products. The armrests will be made of the HexMC® compression molding process. The seat is currently undergoing the certification process.

“By nature, composite is the best mate-rial to develop ergonomically shaped seat geometrics to offer unparalleled comfort in economy class seats,” said Stritter.

Materials and mechanicsIt is a long way from making mechanical toy clocks in the late 19th Century Black Forest Germany to the guts of the First and Business class seating in a modern aircraft, but the Industrial and Healthcare Division of Bühler Motor Group in Nuremberg has for the last 10 years made a number of products for the competitive world of seat actuation systems. It will be bringing its PAXCOM system of seat actuators to this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East event in Dubai.

The PAXCOM line of actuation prod-ucts include a series for control devices, lighting, power sup-ply and a passenger control unit for the seat. The company manufactures a sys-tem for the cabin and another product for the cockpit.

The latter device, developed with Dorn-ier Technologies is a touch panel, which gives each seat a mod-ern look. The passen-ger control unit is cer-tified for both Airbus and Boeing and is in operation on airlines and private execu-tive jets. The robust unit is made with hardened glass that is resistant to scratches and stains. It won a Crystal Cabin Award in 2013. Bühler Motor has won the first con-tracts from American

Airlines and Lufthansa German Airlines for the PAXCOM actuation system in 2014.

Bühler Motor launched the PAXCOM system in 2013. The goal of PAXCOM was developing a flexible system with simplified maintenance. Airline customers can select the actuator controls that they desire, and can be teamed up with the lighting and lumbar control systems that were previ-ously installed in the seat.

Leather seating is one of the luxuries commonly found in private aircraft and is also a regular selection for airline short-haul operations where feel and durability are important. The Austria-based Boxmark leather has clearly been listening to the commercial aviation industry’s desire for lightweight products. In Dubai this year the company will be showing visitors its XLIGHT leather, which it says is the light-est leather product on the market. The laminated XLIGHT weighs in at approxi-mately 600 grams per square meter.

Boxmark also has its XTREME line of leather designed for the VIP aircraft and business jet market. The product has a variable weight of 700 to 1,200 grams per square meter.

“Currently, we are working on many individual projects for customers all over the world,” said Majan Trobis, of Boxmark. The company saw revenues increase 15% in 2014.

SEATING

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The Aircraft Interiors Middle East and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Conference have been hand in hand for more than five years, establishing themselves in the calendar of events for

much of the region’s aviation community. Set for February 2-3 at the World Trade

Centre in Dubai, the two days will bring together representatives from two vital parts of commercial aviation.

A full list of confirmed speakers was announced on January 13 by event organiz-ers. Among them are Michael John Adams, Vice President of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services at Etihad Airways; Richard Brown, Principal at ICF Interna-tional and Sean Gavin, Vice President of Technical Services at Panasonic Avionics. Panel discussions will dwell on the impact the next generation of aircraft will have on the MRO practices of airlines.

“The MRO Middle East Conference has forged a reputation for being the ideal place to keep up with industry advances,” said Lydia Janow, Managing Director, Events for Aviation Week, one of the key sponsors and organizers. “By co-locating MRO and AIME while simultaneously running the conference and workshops, we have found that attendees are able to maximize the available opportunities; while exhibitors see un paralleled access to decision makers.”

Both aspects are important in a region that values face time and builds long rela-tionships. In this issue’s Industry Q and A, Michele van Akelijien, Managing Director, F&E Aerospace, a leading Middle East

events organizer, talked about the role the two events play in the region.

PAX International: You’ve passed the five-year mark for Aircraft Interiors Mid-dle East. Is this generally the time frame to get such an event established and part of the yearly planning for companies and attendees?Michele van Akelijien: Yes, this is the sixth edition of the show and we have seen an impressive take up since the beginning. The show has evolved in response to the growing needs of the market and therefore was established in many company’s yearly calendars at the beginning.

PAX: Does this region have different needs and desires for a trade show like Aircraft Interiors Middle East?van Akelijien: Businesses in the Middle East place a heavy premium on face-to-face transactions, meaning that trade shows like AIME are ideal places for networking and doing business.

In addition, Middle East airlines are leading the way in aircraft interiors inno-vations, and demand for luxury and first class travel is also consistently high in this region. As such, AIME fulfils a need for airlines to keep abreast of the latest developments in the market.

PAX: The Middle East, Dubai in particular, has really become an important stop for Europe. What interest are you seeing from the Americas?

van Akelijien: AIME has traditionally appealed to exhibitors and visitors from around the globe, due to the central loca-tion of the Middle East. Each edition has attracted both exhibitors and visitors from the Americas, and this year looks to have a large representation — around 25% of both visitors and exhibitors coming from the Americas.

PAX: Does the MRO component to the show give a different dimension than the catering events associated with Aircraft Interiors events in Seattle and Hamburg?van Akelijien: AIME and MRO are two individual shows that are co-located. MRO— Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, refers to routine scheduled maintenance and repair as necessary, of aircraft. The co-location of AIME and MRO offers attendees and exhibitors alike increased value as they have access to a wide range of relevant companies and expertise.

PAX: There have been some high-profile interiors projects in the region. Is there any sign that airlines have completed most of the important projects, or are there more in the immediate future?van Akelijien: The predicted growth in airline fleets, both globally and in the Middle East in particular, provides an unparalleled opportunity for the interiors market. Pre-dictions of fleet growth in the region reach 189% for the 2013 – 2030 time frame. Emir-ates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Air-ways each have over 200 aircraft on order, which will require interiors in the future.

Aircraft Interiors Middle East, teamed with a maintenance, repair and overhaul conference, has entered its sixth year in service

Michele van Akelijien, Managing Director, F&E Aerospace

in the

Gathering

Gulfby RICK LUNDSTROM

INDUSTRY Q&A


In the not-so-distant past, a search for adjectives to describe the qualities of trolleys used in airline service would probably not produce such results as:

‘lightweight,’ ‘sleek’ and ‘smart.’ The trundling workhorses of the aircraft

cabin would be the bane of flight attendants who pushed the trolley and its contents through the aisles. They were difficult to maneuver and handling the brakes and castors would batter a flight attendant’s shoes. The aluminum frames would bend and the beasts were a logistical nightmare. With no reliable way of tracking them, an airline could never really know where its property would end up once it left the caterer and bonded store.

A lot has changed since then. New materials and construction techniques have made the trolley market one of the innovative areas of cabin interior prod-ucts. Trolleys by the tens of thousands, made of composites and now even bio-degradable material, are on the market or will soon be launched from plants in Europe and Asia. Airlines, catering com-panies and suppliers are collaborating like never before in product design. High-tech locking systems and RFID tracking hold the promise for reduced pilferage and better logistics.

And in the market there is much demand as airlines flush with cash will be spending money on interior products for the next several years. The worldwide market for airline galley equipment is expected to reach US$2.6 billion, at a

compounded annual growth rate of 4.10% from 2014 to 2020 according to a report by the U.K.-based Mar-ketsandMarket.

The findings are published in a report called Galley Equip-ment Market by Gal-ley Type (Single Aisle, Twin Aisle, Custom-Fit), by Galley Inserts (Electric Inserts and Non-Electric Inserts), by Application (Avia-tion, Marine), by Geog-raphy – Forecast 2014 to 2020. The report analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, opportu-nities, and challenges in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Emerging markets in China and India are also discussed. Rising demand for the aircraft, increased demand for the lightweight galley equipment, demand for galley customization, and a boost in demand for modular galleys are some of the key factors fueling the growth of the galley equipment market, said the report. Demand for low-cost carriers are one of the factors hampering the growth of the galley equipment market

In 2014, Zodiac Aerospace held dominant positions in the global galley equipment market. The company, which

developed the Hybrite trolley, will be at this year’s World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo with the product’s latest incarnation.

Like its predecessor, the Hybrite S will be developed in full and half sizes and will have companion trolleys for waste contain-ers, as well as a foldable trolley and tray containers. However, Zodiac Aerospace said the new S model is designed lighter and more robust than its predecessor, especially in areas that are affected by daily operations. Similar to the Hybrite product, Zodiac has made the S model in a modular design with the number of parts kept at a minimum, which the company says makes the Hybrite S easy to maintain. Custom-ers of the Hybrite S can pick from a wide variety of custom artwork on their trolleys.

Lighter,

Today’s airline trolleys have adapted to critical demands by customers and taken advantage of technological advancements, as the product of the future takes shape

The new Hybrite S trolley will be shown to visitors at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo in Hamburg

by RICK LUNDSTROM

smartersleeker,

CABIN AND GALLEY EQUIPMENT


“Hybrite S offers better ergonomics through smooth surfaces large hand grip spaces and improved door movement,” said a spokesperson Bart van Berkel, Vice President of Sales Catering and Cargo Equipment at Zodiac Aerospace.

Flightweight making inroadsLast year in Hamburg, a U.K.-based com-pany made the first appearance at the Air-craft Interiors Expo with a line of products that melded technology and lightweight materials into a solution that can help air-lines and caterers carefully track the move-ment of products and avoid the plague of pilferage that is a constant threat as goods move from buildings to streets to aircraft.

Flightweight specializes in lightweight security solutions for the aviation sector. As much as the company makes products that meet the needs of airlines that are constantly on the lookout for security threats, it also needs to help companies avoid theft, which can run the gamut of products from expensive duty free items and inflight spirits, to plastic cups and paper napkins.

The company has developed the Air-Guard, a patented lock and seal technology that tracks the movement, opening and closing of a trolley every step of its journey. With the electronic seal and the device used to open it, the trolley’s activities leave a complete digital trail giving users exact information of when and where the trolley was opened and by whom. The addition of an RFID card for opening the trolley can track the movement of the cart down to the number of miles it has flown around the world.

Other features of the cart are found in its construction. The walls are made from a compressed flax product called Fibrox, which is dent resistant and can

actually repair itself, said Malcolm Mathie-son, Managing Director of Flightweight. With the Airguard seal and the Flight-weight SmartCart, the product weighs in at approximately 11.5 kilograms.

The Flightweight trolley is currently undergoing the certification process in Europe. If all goes well, the trolley’s elec-tronic seal should receive its airworthiness by the third week in February with the full trolley and mechanism getting the nod the last week in March.

Mathieson forsees a future for the SmartCart owned by both airlines and caterers. Increasingly, he said, airlines are turning to catering companies that will lease the carts to airlines that are seeking to trim back on inventory.

Flightweight products will be part of the group of companies at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East. In addition to the Airguard and the SmartCart, Flightweight plans to bring its DataCart, which is the company’s mobile asset control center that is powered with Cumulus software, to help locate, secure and manage an airline’s assets.

“While we offer ‘off the shelf ’ products in our SmartCarts to our customers, we are also keen to talk with airlines about our

bespoke product solutions,” said Mathie-son. “We appreciate that all airlines are unique therefore the products they need should meet their requirements exactly.”

Quantum on the moveWith more than 35,000 units now flying in airlines around the world, the Quantum trolley from Montreal-based Norduyn has proved its place in the industry that raised eyebrows when the all-composite model made the scene with its first flight on Lufthansa German Airlines in 2012 from Frankfurt to Osaka. At the time, Norduyn claimed that a 747 filled with Quantums can weigh up to 850 kilograms less than comparably equipped aircraft and can save €80,000 (US$91,731) per year in fuel, pro-ducing 13,600 tons less in CO2 emissions over the same time period, according to the trolley’s entry in the Crystal Cabin Awards.

The process to get the lightweight unit to market was a complete collaboration with Norduyn, Lufthansa and the development partner, LSG Sky Chefs. Work started in 2009. Each of the principals gathered their thoughts and placed a huge list of require-ments and desires for the trolley’s develop-ment. The desires took the trolley through every step of its journey from the processes

Together, the Flightweight trolley and the Airguard seal weigh in at a little more than 11 kilograms



NEXT GENERATION HYBRITE TROLLEYS

LAUNCH BOOTH 4F50

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Norduyn will bring its Quantum trolley and several new products to AIX in Hamburg

in the airline catering kitchen, to the galley. The initial development was daunting, said Thomas Köhler, Vice President of Business Development at Norduyn, but the group watched the product take shape.

“We had all the means and instruments and resources on board to really develop the product to the airline’s needs,” he said.

The end product was a trolley weighing in at under 10 kilograms. As important as the weight savings was, so too was the construction that used 45% fewer parts than aluminum trolleys. With the increase in static integrity of the cart, Norduyn contends that airline customers could save 37% in repair expenses with a cart in operation for 10 years in a typical catering process. The improved insulating proper-ties of the composite material require less dry ice for cooling.

At this year’s WTCE in Hamburg, visi-tors will get the first look at newly designed products with more weight saving features. Norduyn has also improved its duty free

trolley by adding new security perfor-mance features. Köhler said Norduyn plans to bring the Quantum in full and half sizes along with a new polypropylene drawer, which the company developed that can save up to two kilograms in weight for each trolley. The ATLAS drawers also are equipped with hooks that activate when partially ejected.

“In that way, heavily loaded drawers [are] held much more securely in the trolley, preventing it from getting possibly jammed,” he said.

The Feather-RockThe Madrid company, Industrial Neotex was found in 1987. Although the company specializes in carpets and upholstery, it has recently branched out to airline cabin products and a line of cabin and galley equipment.

The company was displaying its prod-ucts at the Aircraft Interiors Expo Ameri-cas in Seattle this past fall, and was among the group of companies signed up for this winter’s event in Dubai.

According to Neotex, its first forays into the cabin and galley equipment market was a line of coffee brewers and boilers that were designed for ease of use. The company then turned its attention to trolley products and embarked on a two-year development process that resulted in the certification of a refrigerated trolley that weighs in at 15 kilograms.

The trolley is called the Feather-Rock and stays true to its name, as it is as light as a feather, but as strong as a rock. It is made with a product called Neolitex. Not only is the product light, but it is also 100% recy-clable. The company has also added some high-tech features in the form of tracking and management software that stays with the unit until its functional life ends.

THOMAS COOK SAVES WEIGHT WITH NEW TROLLEYS AND SEATS

Thomas Cook Group Airlines is claiming big weight savings and a drop in carbon emissions through its purchase lightweight passenger seats and trolleys.

Thomas Cook Group published the results in its sustainability report in mid-January. According to the airline, light-weight trolleys saved an estimated 250 kilograms per flight — the equivalent of the weight of an average car for every four flights, lightening the onboard load and improving fuel efficiency.

The trolleys are already in place on all Condor flights in Germany and have been rolled out across the U.K. and northern Europe. This includes 1,564 trolleys and 1,037 half-sized trolleys on the fleet of 31 aircraft operated by Thomas Cook Airlines (TCX) in the U.K.

New lightweight seats have also been introduced across Thomas Cook Group airlines as part of a wider £100 million (US$152 million) investment in cabin inte-riors. The new seats save an average 300 kilograms per flight

Thomas Cook Group said the intro-duction of new lightweight seats and trol-leys onboard its fleet is helping the car-rier meet is 2020 sustainability target of a 12% improvement in fuel efficiency from 2008 levels. The group reported that air-line fuel efficiency has improved by 5.6% since 2009.

Thomas Cook Group Airlines already claim carbon emissions per passenger kilo-meter of 71.5 grams, which is significantly below the 126 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled for an average car in the U.K. and the 93.11 grams of carbon dioxide per pas-senger kilometer emitted on average for the five largest European airlines.

Other measures to reduce emissions include the introduction of winglets on aircraft wing tips to improve aerodynam-ics and maximize fuel efficiency. The group is also testing different coatings and paints to the exterior in hopes of improving aerodynamics.

“The new light weight seats and trolleys have combined with initiatives including smarter route planning and more efficient flight techniques to cut our greenhouse gas emissions and we expect that to acceler-ate as we move closer to hitting our 2020 targets,” said Anna Campopiano, Head of Government Affairs and Sustainability at Thomas Cook Group.

(Left to right) Inigo Esteban, Angel Hernanz Arbeloa, and Manuel Revilla of Industrial Neotex pose with the company’s Feather-Rock trolley at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas in Seattle


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There is something to be said about a pleasant hotel experience. In some cases, it can make or break a family vacation, a business trip or a last-minute getaway. Much like when a

passenger takes a flight, the experience of a hotel stay can shape the way a traveler views the act of travel overall.

Today, the interiors of some airlines, namely those of First Class on airlines like Emirates and Etihad Airways, rival the most lavish of hotel suites, essentially bridging the gap between aircraft and hotel, creating a hybrid experience for those on board. After all, Etihad officials stress, again and again, that the airline compares its service product not to other airlines, but to other segments of the luxury travel experience.

This comparison is illustrated with The Residence by Etihad™, the private cabin on the airline’s first A380, which features an exclusive three-room private cabin that boasts a living room, double bedroom and shower room. Guests of The Residence are provided with a dedicated Savoy Academy-trained butler and concierge team, essen-tially rendering the cabin a luxury suite in a five-star flying hotel.

Taking the leapThis very concept of a flying hotel was taken quite literally by one of the most esteemed hotel chains — Four Seasons

Hotels and Resorts. The Canadian-based hotel company, which opened its first hotel in 1961 and now, boasts 95 locations in 39 countries, has created its very own, custom-designed Four Seasons Private Jet. The first-class dedicated, private 757 customized with only 52 seats, was the result of an ambitious rethinking of the future of luxury hospitality and will begin flying this year.

“The decision to evolve the offer to one-of-a-kind trips aboard a custom-designed Four Seasons Jet reflects an understand-ing of our guests’ changing needs and preferences,” says Susan Helstab, Execu-tive Vice President, Marketing for Four Seaons Hotels and Resorts. “It builds on feedback from travelers on our previous private jet experiences who expressed their desire to pair adventure and discovery with the luxury of a fully immersive Four Seasons experience.”

Passengers on board the jet are accom-panied by a Journey Manager, an Assistant Journey Manager, a Four Seasons Concierge and a Four Seasons Chef in addition to a full airline crew trained exclusively in serving private jet travel.

The jet is outfitted in the same light as The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, mirroring the same quality and design throughout the cabin. Every element of the customized interior has been completely

re-imagined by Four Seasons designers in order to meet Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts’ standards.

“When working with any supplier, we always look to work with like-minded partners who share Four Seasons values,” says Helstab. “With the Four Seasons Jet, we’ve looked to work with those with a strong craftsmanship in their product and are the very best in quality.”

When first developing the jet, one of the goals in mind was to create a standard of luxury and comfort in keeping with what guests have come to expect from Four Sea-sons Hotels and Resorts around the world. In fact, it was intended that guests become immersed in the Four Seasons experience from the very beginning stages of their journey to the very end.

“The Four Seasons Private Jet offers the Four Seasons experience from the moment the guest books their tickets,” explains Helstab.

Starting with the Four Seasons Global Guest Services Manager who works directly with passengers to personalize their itin-eraries, to the onboard concierge who can help with individual requests once the journey begins, guests can expect the legendary Four Seasons customized service whether in Four Seasons properties or at 40,000 feet in the air.

“The Four Seasons Private Jet aims to

With the world of hospitality becoming more and more intertwined with the world of flying, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has successfully merged the two with the launch of the Four Seasons Private Jet

FLYING,

REFINEDThe Four Seasons Jet is a First-

Class dedicated, private 757 customized with only 52 seats

VIP INTERIORS: FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET

by MELISSA SILVA


embody both the extraordinary experi-ences and the unforgettable people that set Four Seasons apart from other hotels and resorts,” Helstab continues. “Both in the air and on the ground, the Four Seasons team is committed to delivering a fully immersive Four Seasons experience while creating unforgettable moments.”

Raising the barOne concern many esteemed hotels and resorts around the world might have is the possibility of reaching a plateau on the experience front. When an establish-ment has managed to provide patrons with unprecedented service for over 60 years, other than maintaining such level of service, what could possibly be next? For Four Seasons, the next steps involve continual evolution — evolving the guest experience further to the next level, which its private jet seems to have accomplished.

“We’re looking to continue to evolve the guest experience,” says Helstab. “Our guests are eager for experiences that are tailor-made and are consistently ‘Four Seasons’ from beginning to end; our private jet experience is one example of our response to this desire.”

Raising the culinary bar is yet another way Four Seasons continues to self-evolve. The jet provides the perfect platform along with a real opportunity to shine, especially with the restrictions that flying at 40,000 feet in the air during around-the-world trips can create.

When creating its inflight menus, Four Seasons reviews the restaurant menus at each destination to better understand the availability of local products.

“Our goal is to have familiar, healthy options on board and allow the guests to enjoy the local culinary experiences at the hotel locations. We work directly with on-site chefs on special events and arrival din-ners, to create a good balance and variety throughout the trip,” explains Kerry Sear, Executive Chef, Private Jet Journeys.

Before arrival, each destination is heav-ily researched and interviewed, with each location receiving a menu, recipes and Four Seasons Jet food and beverage standards. Known for ensuring the freshest ingredients on land, the chefs upon arrival will meet with the catering chefs and quality check all products.

Meals are served on fine bone china and paired with a special selection of wines and spirits. Guests will also enjoy Dom Perignon Champagne — the exclusive Champagne provider on board the Four Seasons Private Jet.

“We offer choice of appetizers, entrées, and desserts with selection of side dishes in order to create a personalized meal for our guests,” says Sear.

With the world of hospitality becoming more and more intertwined with the world of flying, the future of aircraft interiors looks bright. With the Four Seasons Private Jet 2016 around-the-world journeys and accompanying itineraries already listed, including stops in places such as Bora Bora, Serengeti and Petra and the Dead Sea, the nature of refined flying is evolving as we speak.

Every element of the customized interior has been

completely re-imagined by Four Seasons designers in order to create a standard

of luxury and comfort

The jet is outfitted in the same light as The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, mirroring the

same quality and design throughout the cabin

VIP INTERIORS: FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET


In the world of aeronautical equipment, specifically the field of motion, light-ing and inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC), PGA Electronic

(PGA) has been a long-standing player for many years.

An Astronics Group’s subsidiary, PGA provides motion, lighting and IFEC/CMS systems for aircraft seats and cabins, many of which can be found on major airlines today.

Just recently, PGA announced its part-nership with Interact, media provider for IFE systems. This alliance allows PGA to offer customers a legal public-use solution approved by Major Hollywood studios for legacy systems. As a result, PGA custom-ers can now access digital rights manage-ment (DRM) late content and distribute it in their aircraft. Movies will be a high quality, broad-appeal mix of DVD release blockbuster movies and TV series from six major studios.

“This system is easy to integrate, is adjustable to any cabin configuration without a hardware upgrade and also offers the capability to retrofit old IFE systems,” explains Marc Piaulet, Sales and Marketing Director for PGA Electronic. “This new offer completes the existing system, the PGA Full IP system, which provides access to early window content.”

Although PGA has several projects in the works already for this year, two new products in particular are garnering the industry’s attention: the Smart Cabin Player application and the new Optimized Seat Control Box.

The Smart Cabin Player application is a new product, joining the already-existing “Smart Touch Cabin,” an application devel-oped several years ago by PGA that allows users to easily control all in-cabin features from any part of the aircraft by way of a device and a Wi-Fi network. The Smart Cabin Player allows customers to manage

their media at any time and in every room. This new remote Wi-Fi IFE software portal provides access to all content available in the server, including movies from AVOD, HD media player, USB media player and a 3-D interactive moving map.

Some of the main objectives of the Smart Cabin Player include: offering a multi-plat-form application, allowing the same app to be used for all types of monitors, including in-seat screens, large screens and PEDs; to be customizable through defined themes to fit any cabin interior; to be intuitive, ergo-nomic and offer modern graphical user interface (GUI); and to provide a multi- language platform.

PGA’s second leading development, its new Optimized Seat Control Box, is cur-rently in its completion stages and will be delivered to a seat manufacturer during the fourth quarter of this year.

The control box can manage up to two seats, eight actuators, six reading lights, two pneumatic units, four key-boards and other devices, like electro-magnets, switches and buyer furnished equipment (BFE).

“This new product can justifiably claim to be the smallest and lightest seat control-ler (115 VA) available with such capabili-ties,” says Piaulet. “This new unit is capable to power management in order to reduce consumption.”

The weight and volume of the con-trol box have been reduced by 25% to facilitate maintenance and integra-tion into the most demanding seat frames, while simultaneously reducing

the maintenance and acquisition cost per flight hour for the airline and the seat manufacturer.

Another advantage of the control box is that it severs as a single product for use on Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It also includes improved power supply tech-nologies, allows an in-depth diagnostic to reduce intervention time for the mainte-nance team and it is the first eco-designed control unit.

“The new control box product has been developed with a special consideration for the principles of sustainable development and environmental impact,” says Piaulet. “Our in-house design team has relied on experts in order to incorporate an environ-mental friendly-design philosophy for this new generation of products.”

In keeping with this line of thinking, PGA developed the new control box by using less power and RoHs, fewer parts and rare resources and using materials that produce lower CO2 emissions.

Aside from completing its many proj-ects this year, PGA is looking forward to exhibiting at the upcoming Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg in April, along-side Astronics, where it will showcase its latest innovations.

PGA provides motion, lighting and IFEC/CMS

systems for aircraft seats

and cabinsInnovationPGA Electronic continues to make strides in the aeronautical equipment sector, with several projects in the works and new innovations ready to take flight

PGA’s Smart Cabin Player application

in motion

COMPANY PROFILE: PGA ELECTRONIC

by MELISSA SILVA


The relationship between aesthetics and functionality has long been com-plicated. To create something that is functional and efficient, yet also aes-thetically pleasing can be a challenge.

It is therefore understandable why there exists the misconception that functional cannot also be beautiful. Today however, with what seems to be unlimited access to technology, the relationship between the two is becoming more harmonious.

Such thinking can be applied to the inte-rior of an aircraft, specifically its flooring. At the new Airbus Customer Definition Centre in Hamburg, airlines spend days amid carpet swatches and samples evaluat-ing the overall look they want to achieve from floor to ceiling. With many airlines focusing on bringing luxury on board, specifically in its First and Business classes, flooring just might become a an aspect of a cabin’s interior worth noticing,

Guiding the wayLufthansa Technik (LHT), also based in Hamburg, has been supplying non-electric floor path markings using photolumi-nescence since the mid 1990’s. Initially designed to meet the needs of Lufthansa German Airlines, the system’s initial design goals were to provide a substitute

for the sometimes-unreliable proximity emergency lighting systems, and to also improve effectiveness throughout the entire life cycle.

Not long after gaining first in-service experience of its “Classic Green” series within the Lufthansa fleet, Lufthansa Tech-nik made the product available to other operators via retrofit programs or line-fit options with major aircraft manufacturers.

“As the product spread into the market, customer feedback was turned into prod-uct improvement and Lufthansa Technik was the very first supplier worldwide in 2005 to offer a floor-path marking sys-tem designed not only for reliability and cost efficiency, but also for a classy cabin appearance, that being the “ColourFit” Series,” says Wolfgang Sutter, Product Manager GuideU – Non-Electrical Floor Path Marking, Lufthansa Technik AG.

The major improvements of the ColourFit system were a narrower design, weight reduction and most importantly, a variety of color options that customers could choose from for a perfect fit with carpet or interior colors.

In 2010 a development program was launched at LHT that led to the latest “GuideU” Series, a non-electric floor path marking system designed new from

A350 XWB lighting mock-up commissioned at Customer Definition CentreAirbus has been making strides on the inte-riors front for many years. Just this past fall PAX International spoke with Airbus about its highly regarded A350 XWB “flat floor.” Designed to accommodate the space and raceways for wires, the flat floor offers passengers and crew a bump-free surface upon which to walk and rest their feet.

In more interiors news, Airbus recently announced the A350 XWB Customer Defi-nition Centre (CDC) in Hamburg has com-missioned into operation its newest cabin definition tool: the lighting mock-up.

Titled “Illuminate,” the device represents an interior section of the A350 XWB cabin which is fitted with the A350’s controllable mood-lighting technology. Here, customers can make decisions about the appearance of their cabin, and thanks to the cutting-edge LED technologies, they can choose from 16.7 million color combinations and the light strips in the cabin can be con-trolled individually in 12.5-inch sections.

The process begins with the technical and design preparation, after which the lighting is defined, using the mock-up to create scenarios in the different classes, rooms, and door areas. Finnair was the first airline customer to use the lighting mock-up to define the lighting for its A350 XWB cabin offering.

“Illuminate,” the A350 XWB lighting mock-up

Setting the

As luxury continues to find its way into the cabin, the future of interiors looks bright and flooring is no exception

foundationby MELISSA SILVA

FLOORING


Lufthansa Technik’s GuideU Series, a

non-electric floor path marking system features

a patented elastomeric photoluminescent layer,

superior aesthetics and the lowest recorded weight

ANKER’s AIRlight ECO carpet is at least three times as durable as a wool carpet, and at least as durable as a traditional nylon carpet

scratch, featuring a patented elastomeric photoluminescent layer, superior aesthetics and the lowest recorded weight. The all new GuideU system entered the market in 2013.

“Aircraft floors, just like much of the rest of cabin interiors, are an important aspect of the interface between the airline and the customer,” says Sutter. “I think flooring will always be a trade-off between aesthetic design aspects and economic efficiency and that is where GuideU comes into play.”

When it comes to benefiting both pas-sengers and crew, because GuideU is typically installed flush with the carpet or galley mat surface and lightweight foam fillers are supplied with the system to adjust the height to any carpet thickness, tripping risks are eliminated and trolleys are able to run smoothly through the cabin.

“It also reduces wear and tear,” adds Sutter. “As some customers prefer having the carpet or galley mat edges covered, a flexible and easy-to-install carpet pro-tector profile is available with GuideU as an option.”

Today, some 7,000 aircraft are equipped with one of Lufthansa Technik’s non-electric floor path marking systems, with some 250 already having the newest Gui-deU on board.

This number is increasing as operators are continuously retrofitting their fleets to

the latest standard and new airplanes fitted by the major airplane manufacturers are steadily leaving the factories.

Conscious carpeting Established in 1854, German-based and family-owned flooring manufacturer ANKER manufactures carpets for heavy traffic areas, namely hotels, offices, banks, airports and aircraft.

Regarding the aviation sector, ANKER has manufactured carpets since the early 1960s, offering varieties for premium as well as low-cost carriers. The company cur-rently supplies flooring to approximately 70 airlines and aircraft manufacturers around the world, including Emirates, Lufthansa German Airlines, Thai Airways, Air New Zealand, South African and Virgin Aus-tralia to name a few.

Many of ANKER’s flooring models follow an environmentally friendly pro-duction model, such as its AIRlight ECO carpet. Developed in cooperation with yarn manufacturer Aquafil, a company known for producing first grade nylon from polymide waste (mainly fishing nets), the AIRlight ECO carpet is lightweight and durable, made with Aquafil’s Econyl yarn.

“The development process took some two to three years, but we’re now sup-plying this product to several airlines, such as Cathay Pacific, Virgin America, Germanwings, airberlin, Olympic Air, Aegean and others,” says Alexander v. Fuchs-Nordhoff, Sales Director Aircraft Carpets for ANKER.

Because the AIRlight ECO carpet was manufactured in an environmentally friendly fashion, it was created by using a reduced number of raw materials and fuel resources, reduced CO2, reduced waste and waste water, and reduced gaseous pollution. In addition, AIRlight ECO was produced from solution-dyed ECONYL fibers, which are made from up-cycled post-production and post-consumer waste.

“It was indeed challenging to create a product which had to include several components, as well as be environmen-tal friendly, lightweight, durable, easy

to maintain and priced wisely,” adds v. Fuchs-Nordhoff.

The combination of the ECONYL fibers and the use of a new weaving technique render the AIRlight ECO carpet at least three times as durable as a wool carpet, and at least as durable as a traditional nylon carpet.

According to ANKER, the future of aircraft flooring looks comfortable, or at least it should.

“Weight and durability will always be important criteria for aircraft carpeting, but only to a certain extent, as passen-gers, especially those in premium areas like First Class and Business Class expect a certain degree of comfort,” explains v. Fuchs-Nordhoff.

ANKER’s AIRlight ECO carpet was recently awarded the GOOD DESIGN Award for 2014 by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd., which pres-ents its annual GOOD DESIGN ® Awards Program for the most innovative and cut-ting-edge industrial, product, and graphic designs produced around the world.

“Aircraft floors, just like much of the rest of cabin interiors, are an important aspect of the interface between the airline and the customer.”

– Wolfgang Sutter, Product Manager GuideU, Non-Electrical Floor Path Marking, Lufthansa Technik AG

FLOORING


At last year’s Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Middle East, the head of maintenance in one of the region’s largest airlines fretted

that the aviation industry was not keeping up with increasing maintenance needs of the multi-million dollar aircraft that were going into service in the region.

Abdulrahman Altayeb, Vice President of Maintenance at Saudi Arabian Airlines told the gathering that 30% to 40% of his airline’s delays were caused by maintenance problems that arose from operating in the harsh environment. He said the industry was responding with “band-aid fixes rather than fixing the root causes.”

Airlines are looking for three things in maintenance, repair and overhaul, the Saudi executive said in his keynote address: lower cost, higher quality and quicker turn times. This can be accomplished through a continuous improvement approach, he added. Such approaches are being imple-mented around the corner from the annual conference this year, and around the world by companies large and small who are looking to find permanent customers in the Middle East.

The Abdulrahman Altayeb keynote came a little more than a month before his airline announced that it planned to apply at least one pretty large band-aid, in the form of a one million-square-foot, 12-hangar complex at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. By 2016, airlines and aircraft operators from the Middle East and North Africa are expected to meet part of their maintenance needs at Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries.

There was other news unfolding in another part of the region last year. In May, Etihad Airways announced an agree-ment with the Mubadala Development Company to acquire Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies. The airline is experiencing some high-profile growing pains, and it has responded to its needs in part by bringing more and more of the emirates’ aviation support infrastructure under its opera-tion. In July 2013, Etihad acquired three subsidiaries of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company: Abu Dhabi Cargo Company, Abu Dhabi In-Flight Catering and the ground handling business Abu Dhabi Airport Services

The benefits of the May 2014 acquisition will be felt further than just in the UAE. With the new, stronger capabilities in a critically important function, Etihad plans to use the facilities for its own aircraft and third-party MRO customers and its many equity alliance partner airlines. Before the purchase announcement, ADAT was already serving more than 70 commercial airline customers worldwide.

While there are large players jockeying for the aircraft maintenance business of the region’s growing airlines, other companies with a worldwide reach of their own are looking to further make inroads. Airlines and business aviation needs are varied and demanding. Each of the representatives at this year’s MRO event in Dubai have found ways to meet those needs whether their facilities are around the corner or halfway around the world.

Parts, logistics and serviceLeki Aviation JLT, located at the Jumeriah Lake Towers area of Dubai, have approxi-mately 40 ship sets of seating by Recaro, B/E Aerospace, Aviointeriors, Weber and others awaiting purchase by airlines seek-ing to refresh the look or reconfiguration of an aircraft, but unwilling to wait the five to six years commonly needed to get the products made new by suppliers.

The Leki Singapore office is the regional headquarters for Asia, which includes their office in Xiamen, China and also the facility in Dubai.

“We saw the business was there [in Dubai], and it was definitely growing so it was very important for us to have a presence there, in order support our cus-tomers at the highest service level,” said Peter Kjeldsen, Executive Vice President at Leki Aviation, who spoke with PAX International from the company’s opera-tion in Singapore. In addition to the ship sets of seats, Leki Aviation carries out work on bulkheads, overhead bins, galleys and other interior capabilities, all through its sister company 25+ Repair Centre.

Much of the company’s seating restora-tion work is handled by the professional and experienced crew at its sister company, 25+ Repair Centre. When Leki receives surplus seating, the Centre checks, inspects and repairs the seats. Oftentimes, Kjeldsen said when a customer is looking to do extensive interior work on an aircraft it is difficult to find parts for existing seats, and the easier alternative is to swap out the cabin for new set of seats.

MRO on the move

Airlines with third party capabilities and operators looking to expand are seeing the Middle East as a market flooded with aircraft seeking maintenance from nose to tail

Inflight entertainment installation at Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies

by RICK LUNDSTROM

CABIN MAINTENANCE PRACTICES


“Leki Aviation value add services of availability of reconditioned interior mate-rial, may this be seats, overhead bins, bulk heads etc. is clearly a unique, cost effective and time saving alternative to the airline industry,” said Kjeldsen.

Leki Aviation divides its company into a number of “strategic business units,” each with its own capabilities and specialties. Kjeldsen said this allows customers of the company to consolidate much of their business needs with Leki Aviation. One of the company’s most successful programs, which has earned it a multitude of custom-ers around the world, is its Consolidated Material Management Solution (CoMMS) that eases the ordering and logistical bur-dens of airlines, saving money and time.

CoMMS places a portfolio of more than 800,000 part numbers from multiple sup-pliers in the hands of an airline’s purchasing department. With it, users can consolidate

purchases from the portfolio with suppliers from multiple locations into one purchase.

“So instead of placing ten different orders with ten different suppliers any-where in the world, you can combine all that into one purchase order and have one order issued and one shipment coming to you,” said Kjeldsen.

Flying Colours has also been making inroads in the Middle East, securing main-tenance approval from governments in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. “We should have UAE maintenance approval this year,” said Sean Gillespie Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the family-owned company that was formed 25 years ago.

Much of Flying Colour’s business in the Middle East is formed through relation-ships forged at the Middle East Business Aircraft event. The company specializes in top-to-bottom interior work on mid-to-large business jets by Beechcraft, Fal-

con and Bombardier. Other capabilities at the Ontario operation include heavy maintenance, avionics, and stripping and painting. With a number of capabilities in one facility Gillespie said, “it allows us to leverage the price point.”

Toward the end of last year, Flying Colours was completing work on a second aircraft owned by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. High-end leathers and fabric, custom carpet and a conference table for four was part of the interior work. The aircraft can seat 10 to 12 passengers and the new look was completed in about 10 weeks. With the interior work were a number of maintenance calendar inspections and service bulletins.

“The Middle East is an extremely impor-tant region for us and we are delighted to be nearing completion on a second aircraft under approval by the QCAA,” said Gil-lespie. “We anticipate further developing our business as demand for private jet travel through the Gulf region continues to increase. During the show, we will be talking up our latest approvals and inform-ing potential clients about the benefits of using our facilities.”

At last year’s MRO Middle East, Aero-structures Middle East took the oppor-tunity to announce a joint venture with Safran’s Aircelle and Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance to expand jet engine nacelle repair capabilities at a 2,200-square-meter facility at the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.

At the time, company officials were predicting rapid growth, as AME would offer a repair alternative for the region’s airlines, which see the facility as an option to transport large nacelles to Europe or the U.S. for the necessary repairs.

Sean Gillespie is part of the family-owned company, Flying Colours in

Peterborough, Ontario

Seating work for Leki Aviation is done through its sister company 25+ Repair Centre

CABIN MAINTENANCE PRACTICES


KAPCO GLOBAL EXPANDS ITS REACHAerospace parts manufacturer and stocking distributor Kapco Global has provided product and solutions to its customer base for over 40 years. Kapco Global recently expanded its Amsterdam facility in an effort to enhance its international presence.

“Our Amsterdam facility is strategically positioned to supply our European constituents with the fastest turnaround of aircraft parts possible,” says Jamie Saltos, Senior Marketing Manager for Kapco Global.

Kapco Global moved the Amsterdam facility to a larger building to accommodate the region’s growing demand. Just a few miles from Schiphol International Airport, the new location allows for an average delivery time of 24 hours or less throughout Western Europe.

“Our Amsterdam facility also houses our most comprehensive inventory of aircraft parts and supplies on the continent,” explains Saltos. “We have conducted extensive analysis to determine what components are ordered at what frequency throughout the sea-sons, and have developed an inventory schedule which ensures that the items our clients need are always on hand and ready for shipment at a moment’s notice.”

The Amsterdam location not only provides enhanced delivery speeds, but also allows the company to offer its catalog of aircraft parts and supplies with reduced shipping costs.

At this year’s AIME AIX Middle East show, Kapco Global plans to focus on meeting with current and potential customers in hopes of discussing not only its products, but also its ability to help them find a solution to an issue they may be facing.

“While we are a well-known global stocking distributor, we are also able to operate entire elements of customer’s supply chain, or manage specific ranges of parts to deliver greater control and certainty,” Saltos explains. “We add value by simplifying custom-ers’ processes, enabling them to get on with their core business.”

Having exhibited for the past four years, Kapco Global has viewed the AIME AIX Middle East show as an excellent platform for networking, namely due to the manageable size of the trade show floor, which makes it possible to have quality discussions with customers.

“Each year we have been fortunate enough to meet with many of our Suppliers, OEM’s and MRO’s, existing as well as new con-tacts,” says Saltos. “It continues to be a valuable experience for us and we look forward to what 2015 brings.”Visit Kapco Global at AIME AIX Middle East, Stand #907

Kapco Global boasts an impressive catalog of aircraft parts and supplies

CHROMALLOY REVOLUTIONIZES SERVICES AND REPAIRSOver the past 60 years Chromalloy has evolved into one of the only independent companies in the world that provide engineering, castings, machining, coatings and repairs for complex, high-value engine components — all from a single source.

“We work with the OEMs, commercial airlines, the military, and power companies to provide the latest, most technologically advanced solutions, and deliver those solutions in a flexible, cost-effective manner,” says Andrew Farrant, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Chromalloy.

Chromalloy continuously develops new turbine component repairs in addition to its work with the engine OEMs on new pro-duction. Two hundred new repairs are developed each year, which are announced monthly via communication with our customers and on the company website. In addition, Chromalloy continues to develop new advanced coatings and other component services.

“Our mission is to help our customers do more for less, from meeting their tight timelines and satisfying their demands, to boosting production while reducing operational complexity and expense,” explains Farrant.

At this year’s MRO Middle East show, Chromalloy will exhibit a full range of gas turbine engine component services including advanced repairs, protective barrier coatings and other services.

“This is our fourth year in a row at MRO Middle East, which has been a successful industry gathering for Chromalloy,” says Farrant. “Our attendance allows us to meet with current and new customers in the region.”Visit Chromalloy at MRO Middle East, Stand #104

Chromalloy’s ECOE Fatigue Lab

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT


AIRCHEM CONSUMABLES ELEVATES SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

Established in Jebel Ali Free Zone in 2001, AirChem Consumables FZCO (ACC) has been serving Airlines and MROs in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and North Africa with a focus on cor-rosion prevention and a control program, providing one-stop chemical supply center solution to airliners.

ACC’s portfolio comprises over 1,000 line items which makes the company one of the most comprehensive supply-centers for aviation aftermarket products.

ACC’s research and development team is currently working on developing more environmentally sustainable products for routine line maintenance and overhauls. One such product is an environmentally friendly cabin cleaner in aerosol form, which is currently in the works.

“We are promoting a total solution for Aircraft hygiene as well as Aircraft paint stripping and painting this year,” says Monney Javadi, Operation Manager for AirChem Consumables FZCO (ACC).

At this year’s MRO Middle East show, ACC will exhibit three different categories of product lines: Aerospace Perfor-mance Tapes, Aerospace Cloths and Wipes and Aircraft Surface Treatment Products.

Having exhibited in 2012 and 2013, this year’s show will be ACC’s third time exhibiting.

Visit AirChem Consumables FZCO (ACC) at MRO Middle East in hall 7, stand #326

FLIGHTWEIGHT SECURES SMART TECHNOLOGY Founded in 2013 under the WRASP Group (Weight Reduction and Security Products), Flightweight and was formed with some of the leading experts in aviation security product development and technology and specializes in lightweight security solutions for the aviation sector. Its products are powered by AirGuard2, the patented lock and seal technology.

“It is Flightweight’s mission to develop pioneering products that use the latest in technology, materials and manufacturing processes for the benefit of the customer and environment,” says Malcolm Mathieson, Managing Director for WRASP Ltd. “Our products are designed from the ground up to deliver dramati-cally improved security, substantial fuel savings, and significant operational efficiency in the air and on land.”

At this year’s AIME AIX Middle East show Flightweight will exhibit SmartCart, its smart, lightweight galley trolley.

“At AIX Middle East, we really want to showcase the technology inside these products and the enormous benefits these can offer our Airline customers,” explains Mathieson. “The focus of these products is the technology (electronic lock) and the lightweight modular construction of the trolleys themselves.”

Flightweight will also be demonstrating its DataCart — a mobile asset control centre, which features Flightweight’s Cumu-lus software and aids in locating, securing and managing assets.

While Flightweight offers ‘off the shelf ’ products in its Smart-

Carts, Mathieson says the company is keen to talk to airlines about its bespoke product solutions, as it understands that all airlines have individual needs and requirements.

In recent months, Flightweight has also been putting its products through rigorous testing procedures to obtain EASA air worthiness standard. In addition, the company is currently working on the development of Planeguard, an innovative way of locking a plane when on the tarmac.Visit Flightweight at AIME AIX Middle East, Stand #1212

Flightweight’s products are powered by AirGuard2, the patented lock and seal technology

ACC’s portfolio comprises over 1,000 line items

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT


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IAADFS_0240714_2015_210x297-ADFTR.indd 1 9/9/14 4:11 PM

Three companies, GuestLogix, WestJet and Panasonic are writing a new and highly anticipated chapter in the history of ancillary revenue

Seven years ago, Canada’s WestJet went to one of its suppliers with a request: create a way for passengers to make purchases inflight without taking out their credit or debit card each time

they desired to make another buy. Such a request seems simple, but the

world of inflight revenue had not yet reached that step. Nonetheless, Toronto-based GuestLogix came up with a way for passengers to “run a tab” on board, with flight attendants settling it at the end of a flight. As a result, onboard sales for the airline “dramatically increased,” said Dan Thompson, Senior Vice President of Global Strategy at GuestLogix.

“It was actually quite shocking to learn that if a passenger does not [have to] get their credit card out, they were happy to order one more drink and order a second snack in a single flight leg,” he added.

Fast-forward to today, and the Calgary-based airline is ready to break through with another innovation with the help of GuestLogix and the eXW wireless inflight solution from Panasonic.

WestJet made the decision last year to end its seatback live television service in favor of the eXW streaming content that passengers will access from their personal electronic devices. Installations will take place this year.

For those passengers who are not travel-

ing with PED’s, the airline will offer tablets for rent onboard. The system will be phased into the airline’s fleet of 737s and will offer for entertainment a mix satellite Internet connectivity, live streaming television, on-demand movies and magazines. Some content will be free, and others will require a small payment.

It will also serve a retail function, and this is where GuestLogix plays its part. Working with the airline and Panasonic, GuestLogix has created a capability that will allow the airline to offer products and services for sale accessible through the passenger’s PEDs.

“We are now working against their roadmap to create what we call an omnichannel or a seamless onboard ser-vice between multiple technology points,” said Thompson.

In the future, the partners in the venture foresee a system where customers will be able to make purchases from meals to services at any point during the passenger experience. A meal could be ordered when booking the flight, but possibly also at the airport. Onboard, the passenger’s screen will interact with one used by flight atten-dants who will also be equipped with the latest point of sale devices that GuestLogix has developed to handle near field commu-nication for programs, such as Apple Pay.

The advantages do not end there. With such a system, Thompson said WestJet would be able to better manage the retail experience with the help of the company’s back-office tools. Through the GuestLogix Ancillary Insights™ business intelligence platform, WestJet will have advanced reporting and analysis. Planners at the airline will be able to access a computer

desktop dashboard with information on ancillary revenue sales by route and city pair, with comparisons month-by-month and year-by-year. Thompson said such information is important in the evolution of ancillary revenue because it allows the airline to make decisions much faster and more like a sophisticated retailer.

Now, Thompson said, airlines have a solution with the sophistication of a standard retailer.

WestJet has selected other tools in the GuestLogix offering. The company’s Global Payment Gateway™ will facilitate the airline’s revenue protection. The Travel RPM® program is a consulting service to optimize and fine tune revenue potential. Finally, the Transaction Processing Engine® supports retailing initiatives and helps the airline set goals.

GuestLogix closely follows the retail success of its many customers worldwide. Year, after year, Thompson said WestJet scores in the top three in yearly sales and sometimes has claimed the top spot.

As for the end of seatback systems, the airline itself sees the onboard WiFi as a strategic step forward for its business traveler clientele and a way to reduce cabin weight, which would lead to more savings.

“We know that roughly 75% of our guests are bringing their own devices on board today,” said Marshal Wilmot, WestJet’s Vice-President, Product and Distribution in an announcement of the agreement with Panasonic. “They tell us they want the opportunity to connect to check their e-mail, put the finishing touches on a presentation or keep in touch with family and friends. Our continually improving schedule and network, now combined with wireless connectivity, along with our WestJet Rewards program and our Plus package with more space to work and additional amenities, is part or our ongoing effort to enhance the value proposition for business travelers.”

Dan Thompson Senior Vice

President of Global Strategy

at GuestLogix

WestJet passengers will soon be ordering food, beverage and services from their own personal electronic devices

GuestLogix looks West

by RICK LUNDSTROM

COMPANY PROFILE

Join us for the 2015 Duty Free Show of the Americas — your chance to connect with more than 160 exhibitors showcasing thousands of brands to more than 300 duty free store companies from over 60 countries!

Conduct business on the tradeshow floor, and enjoy additional networking opportunities provided by IAADFS social events. Come see why attendees and exhibitors consistently say that our show is “the” place to do business.

The most important week of the year for your business

The Duty Free Show of the Americas is hosted by the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores, representing the duty free industry for more than 45 years.

www.IAADFS.org/DutyFreeShow | Follow us on Twitter @IAADFS

MARCH 22–25, 2015Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida, USA

2015 DutyFree Show of the AMERICAS

International Associationof Airport Duty Free Stores

See what attendees are saying about the show!

“ We made very valuable contacts in the industry, from buyers to travel retail agents.”

“ The most promising part was the new business generated, as well as contacts to follow up on.”

“ We got great response from travel retail operators in the Americas.“

IAADFS_0240714_2015_210x297-ADFTR.indd 1 9/9/14 4:11 PM


WHAT’SHOT!

Lightweight Seat BeltsCompany Name: Romtex Anjou AeronautiqueCompany Location: Paris, France/Sibiu, RomaniaDescription: Romtex Anjou Aeronautique’s lightweight seat belts for both premium and economy seats feature a ninety-degree buckle and a rated strength of up to 3,000 pounds. Designed to meet TSO C22g requirements, the seat belts are available in a variety of color options and custom finishes, plating and logos.Visit Romtex Anjou Aeronautique at Aeorstar’s booth #1440

Flex-e-DrawerCompany Name: Onboard Logistics Ltd.Company: Dublin, IrelandDescription: Onboard Logistics has upgraded their stackable food drawer called, Flex-e-Drawer. As a result of the upgrade, the drawers can now nest on top of each other. In conjunction with Flex-e-Bag, this presents a win-win for the airlines, as the system can generate new revenue or increase an existing revenue stream. Along with being user-friendly for the crew and kitchen operations, the Flex-e-Drawer is self-financing and offers cost savings on delivery and warehouse stowage.

Decorative CrestCompany Name: Aviation Business Consultants International Company Location: Napoli, ItalyDescription: ABC International contributes to the stylish allure of Etihad Airways’ First Class by manufacturing and certifying its Decorative Crest, which mirrors the design of the new 787 Dreamliner Fleet. The first aircraft featuring the crest will take flight February 2015 on a route between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf.Contact Stefano Capuano, [email protected] / +39 345 933 2222 (mobile)

Dual Zone Hot BonderCompany Name: HEATCON Composites SystemsCompany Location: Washington, SeattleDescription: HEATCON Composites Systems, leading manufacturer and supplier of composite repair equipment, tools, and materials, presents the Dual Zone Hot Bonder (HCS9200B), which can be used to control localized heat sources for a wide variety of manufacturing and repair applications. HEATCON’s hot bonder products continue to be the top choice for major airlines, repair stations, and other organizations around the world, and are available in several different models.Visit HEATCON Composite Systems at booth #320

WHAT’S HOT!


Next generation SmartTrayCompany Name: SmartTray International LLCCompany Location: Phoenix, ArizonaDescription: SmartTray International, LLC presents their next generation SmartTray featuring Next Gen expandable groove technology engineered to hold smartphones and tablets with and without protective device cases. The groove expands and retracts automatically to the thickness of the passenger’s device. SmartTray’s patented groove technology is simple, intuitive, practical, robust, and easy to use, install and maintain.

Donsuemor NonnetteCompany Name: DonsuemorCompany Location: Alameda, CaliforniaDescription: Donsuemor’s Nonnette was one of three products introduced by Donsuemor at the 2015 Winter Fancy Food Show in January in San Francisco. A classic French baked good that is small in size but big in flavor, Donsuemor Nonnettes are available in a three-pack, nested in beautifully scalloped trays. Offered in three flavors including Meyer Lemon, Vanilla Bean, and Peppermint Bark, the Donsuemor Nonnette line offers consumers great flavor variety year-round.

Environmentally EPS alternative Company Name: VTT Technical Research CentreCompany location: Espoo, Finland Description: VTT Technical Research Centre is currently developing an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene made from PLA (polylactide) — a bioplastic made from renewable materials with the help of lactic acid. VTT is investigating methods of foaming bioplastics to make beads that are further refined into products such as insulation sheets, using methods typical of EPS manufacturing processes.

LINDT Diva trufflesCompany Name: Lindt & SprüngliCompany Location: Kilchberg, ZürichDescription: LINDT of Switzerland has introduced the new LINDT DIVA range of truffles it is showing at airports in Hong Kong and Dubai in cross-category campaigns this year. The truffles are available in four different sizes. A jewelry-style 182-gram box contains 16 truffles, as does the collier box. The 229-gram hatbox features 20 truffles, and the 57-gram slipcase features five.

WHAT’S HOT!


14-16 APRIL 2015

Co-located with: Organised by: In co-operation with:

The global market leader for the world’s aircraft interiors industry. Aircraft Interiors Expo is the launch pad for cabin programmes showcasing tomorrow’s designs,in-fl ight entertainment, connectivity and passenger services.

Register online for your FREE place todaywww.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com/PAX15

THE DESTINATIONFOR THE AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INDUSTRY.Aircraft Interiors Expo 201514-16 April 2015, Hamburg Messe, Germany

14-16 APRIL 2015

THE DESTINATION

In 2015, 26 cruise brands will operate 52 ships in Asia, while cruises will near 1,000, according to findings from the Cruise Line International Association.

CLIA bodies in Southeast and North Asia recently released initial findings from the new Asia Cruise Trends Project: Analy-sis, Assessment, Appreciation. The work continues on from the 2013 Asia Cruise Association White Paper: Information, Intelligence, Insights.

Both projects have been conducted by CHART Management Consultants, a global expert in cruise tourism and strategy. The new project provides a com-prehensive view of the cruise industry throughout Asia in 2015 with trends in deployment and capacity since 2013. Detail on ports-of-call and destinations visited in all Asia destinations will be released shortly. The effort intends to provide the first ever analysis of the size of 12 Asian passenger source markets with data con-solidated directly from cruise operators.

“The cruise industry continues to grow rapidly in Asia and many cruise lines are deploying more capacity in the region, including some of the most modern cruise ships,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “CLIA decided to undertake an analysis of hard data on the size of Asia

cruise source markets — the first of its kind — because cruise lines and many cruise industry stakeholders are keen to better understand the trends, source market size and the potential for growth in this vibrant and exciting region.”

In 2013, there was capacity for 1.4 mil-lion passengers to take Asia-Asia cruises. In 2015, there will be room for 2.05 million, an annual growth of 19.5%. In 2013 there were 802 Asia-Asia cruises and in 2015 the industry will see 981. Three participating CLIA member cruise lines in Tier 1, Star Cruises, Costa Crociere, and Royal Carib-bean, have more than 100 sailings in 2015 and about 25% each of total passenger capacity in Asia. Participating CLIA Mem-ber cruise lines in Tier 2, Princess Cruises and Celebrity, operate 25 or more cruises. The eight brands in Tier 3 operate nine or more annually, and Tier 4 offer eight sailings or less.

“Asia is, of course, dominated by short duration cruises,” Ted Blamey, CHART Principal, explained. “We report that cruises under one week account for 81% of all those offered in 2015. The two- to three-night duration is largest in total with 425 cruises next year. The four- to six-night duration is growing fastest, up from 263 to 367 cruises in two years.”

C A L E N D A R

2015Aircraft Interiors Middle East, February 2-3, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE. For more information, contact Adam Whitnall, Marketing Manager at [email protected] or call 971 40 603 3300

APEX Middle East Conference, March 16-17, Abu Dhabi, UAE. For more information, contact APEX at [email protected] or call 212 297–2177

Marine Hotel Association 30th Anniversary Conference and Trade Show, April 12-14, Naples Grand Beach Resort, Naples, Florida. For more information, contact MHA at [email protected] or call 415 332-1903

Aircraft Interiors Expo/World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo, April 14-16, Hamburg, Germany. For more information contact AIX at [email protected] or call 44 208 271 2174

APEX Multi Media Market, April 20-22, Prague, Czech Republic. For more information, contact APEX at [email protected] or call 212 297–2177

APEX Technology Conference, May 12-13 Universal City, California. For more information, contact APEX at [email protected] or call 212 297–2177

APOT.Asia Forum, June 3-5, Colombo, Sri Lanka. For more information contact APOT at [email protected]

International Flight Services Association/Airline Passenger Experience Association Expo, September 28-October 1 Portland, Oregon. For more information contact IFSA at [email protected] or call (404) 252-3663. Contact APEX at [email protected] or call 212 297–2177

Aircraft Interiors Expo and World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo Americas, October 14-16, Seattle, Washington. For more information contact AIX at [email protected]

Asia Cruises near 1,000 in 2015, reports CLIA

A ship docks at the cruise terminal in Dubai

ASSOCIATION NEWS

14-16 APRIL 2015

Co-located with: Organised by: In co-operation with:

The global market leader for the world’s aircraft interiors industry. Aircraft Interiors Expo is the launch pad for cabin programmes showcasing tomorrow’s designs,in-fl ight entertainment, connectivity and passenger services.

Register online for your FREE place todaywww.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com/PAX15

THE DESTINATIONFOR THE AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INDUSTRY.Aircraft Interiors Expo 201514-16 April 2015, Hamburg Messe, Germany

14-16 APRIL 2015

THE DESTINATION

YOU INSPIRE US TO INNOVATEThe latest generation aircraft requires new repair techniques.

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Introducing the Double Vacuum Debulking (DVD) Chamber HCS7600which enables near-autoclave quality material compaction

For over 30 years, HEATCON Composite Systems has been at the forefront in supporting advanced composite repair and manufacturing.We achieve thermal uniformity through Heat and Control.Contact us for hot bonders, equipment, heat blankets, and composite materials

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Headquarters: 206.575.1333 | UK Offi ce: 44 (0) 1480 [email protected] | www.heatcon.com

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PAX International AIME/MRO Middle East Dubai 2015

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