Eurocontrol analysis paper: European aviation bounced back
2022 was the year European aviation weathered the storm, with the year closing on 9.3 million flights: 3.1 million more than last year, even if still 1.8 million fewer than 2019. That represents a solid 83% of 2019 traffic, achieved despite the Omicron spike at the start of the year, and the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. In spite of these twin shocks, however, traffic steadily recovered to 86% of 2019 by May, with similar monthly traffic levels ever since. The Eurocontrol analysis pager digs into the big numbers to track that recovery across the whole of 2022, revealing that beneath the global numbers, there is wide traffic variation across airlines, airports, ANSPs and States. Leading the airline recovery in 2022 were the low-cost carriers, overall 85% of 2019 with two top performers in Ryanair (109% of 2019) and Wizz Air (114%); while Europe’s top airports mostly struggled to recover more than 83% of 2019 traffic, Istanbul iGA led the way in first place and around 100% of 2019 levels for most of the year.
Eurocontrol now expects European air traffic to hit 92% of 2019 next year, and to recover fully during 2025 – one year later than forecasted in June 2022, in a ‘base scenario’ prediction that factors in weak economic growth, inflationary pressures and no immediate resolution to war in Ukraine, plus the additional economic pressures that the conflict has triggered. www.eurocontrol.int
HAECO Xiamen to build world’s largest single span maintenance hangar
HAECO Xiamen has conducted a groundbreaking ceremony to commence the construction of a new aircraft maintenance facility at Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport. Currently based in Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, HAECO Xiamen will relocate to the new airport. The new maintenance facility will cover a total area of 537,300sq m, including a construction area of 292,300 sqm and an apron area of 284,000sq m. HAECO Xiamen said 18 new buildings would be constructed to cater to apron engineering, engine test bays, utility tunnel, aviation fuel supply and other outdoor works. There will be 12 widebody and six narrowbody maintenance bays, as well as two separate painting bays. Once construction is completed, HAECO Xiamen will be the largest single span aircraft maintenance hangar in the world, according to the HAECO Group member. HAECO Group comprises 16 operating companies, employing around 15,000 staff in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Europe and the United States. www.haeco.com
Winter Aviation Summit 2023 in Vevey, Switzerland
The seventh edition of the Winter Aviation Summit (WAS) will take place in Vevey, Switzerland on March 22nd & 23rd 2022. The WAS is a high-end event for professionals in the Business Aviation industry covering all aspects of the industry: bankers, lawyers, manufacturers, fiscal experts, pilots, brokers, owners and more. Hosted at the luxurious Hotel des Trois Couronnes in the Swiss Riviera, the event is expected to be larger than ever this year, with an estimated 100+ high profile participants.
This seventh edition will include a cyber attack simulation exercise lead by Raoul Chiesa, and an overall experience that is unequaled by any other event in the industry. A wide range of topics will be discussed, including “State of the World”, “The Rise of Crypto usage and it’s Advantages”, “Commissions Introducer fees, Back to Backs: Do we need Regulation in Aircraft Brokerage” and “Expansion of the charter market since Covid 19”. The ever so captivating Michel Tognini, french test pilot, brigadier general in the French Air Force, and a former CNES and ESA astronaut will be the guest speaker this year. www.sky-events.org
People: IBAC welcomes Claude Hurley as new environment flight operation director
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) announced last week that Capt. Claude Hurley has joined IBAC as the new Director, Environment and Flight Operations.
As the Permanent Representative of Canada to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, and Canada’s nominee to the Air Navigation Commission - including for two terms as its President - Capt. Hurley served in key roles over the last nine years at ICAO, where he worked on a range of important issues regarding the environment, safety, security, aviation’s restart and recovery from the pandemic, and the introduction of new entrants to the air transport system.
Claude’s career in aviation began in the Canadian Armed Forces as an officer and a pilot, flying in tactical aviation and Search and Rescue roles. His civilian flying career spanned remote operations in the Canadian arctic, as an air ambulance pilot, to flying operations overseas, where he served as a training pilot, check pilot, technical type pilot, and base manager. In 2010, Claude joined Transport Canada, where he soon led teams responsible for aviation safety oversight and later continued his substantive position as a Transport Canada Executive while on assignment at ICAO. Claude Hurley received a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the Royal Military College of Canada and is recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS).
As Director, Environment and Flight Operations, Claude Hurley will lead IBAC’s environmental initiatives to raise awareness of and advocate for sustainable aviation fuel and other measures to reduce business aviation’s environmental impacts. Importantly, he will represent IBAC at key ICAO bodies that set standards and guidance on environmental and operational safety matters. www.ibac.org
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