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Global Performance Based Navigation Task Force

The second meeting of the Global Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Task Force was jointly hosted by IATA and ICAO, early February at IATA Headquarters in Montreal and was attended by seven States, six international organisations and thirteen industry representatives.

The objective of this Task Force is to facilitate PBN implementation with tools and enablers as well as supporting cooperation and partnership between all stakeholders, including regulators, service providers, airspace users and related industry.

The first meeting (pdf) held in December 2008 prioritised issues to be addressed to expedite implementation of PBN: promotion, initial support, education, and implementation management. Four teams were created to address each of issues with a core team coordinating their work.

The  second meeting (pdf) was dedicated to the definition of the scope and activities of each PBN issue team, the allocation of  volunteers and resources as well, the setting of timelines.

The London (Heathrow) Airline Consultative Committee (LACC) Moves Forward with Runway 3

The UK government’s recent approval of BAA’s plans to build a third runway at Heathrow continues to attract global attention. The aviation industry continues to fully support expansion at Heathrow and agree that this is vital to the UK’s aviation future and the prosperity of South East England.

The Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow (PSDH) joint working group with BAA has recently formed two sub-groups to take forward the initiatives that push the Runway 3 agenda.

"Optioneering" sub-group - includes members from both the airlines and BAA and is tasked with looking at the many infrastructure development options. IATA will work with the BAA counterparts on the development of agreed infrastructure strategies.

PSDH sub-group - will examine the financial ramifications of the project and manage funding.

Other major projects continue to move forward at Heathrow including the Airline Relocation programme (regrouping of airlines based on alliance associations, etc.) and the demolition and reconstruction of a new “Terminal 2” in the Central Terminal area.  The new T2 will be the future home of Star Alliance members at Heathrow.

Hong Kong Airport

IATA recently participated in the Hong Kong International Airport Working Group (HKIA WG) to formulate the future development aspects of the airport’s 20-year master plan. IATA will continue to help the airport authority with the development of the airport.

Delhi and Mumbai Airports

IATA created the A380 working group that recently met with the airport management of both Delhi and Mumbai airports to advise airport management on infrastructure requirements needed to meet operational and customer service expectations.

The Delhi airport recently made some infrastructure changes including an air bridge configuration to provide a lower and upper air bridge arrangement. This was necessary to achieve the 90-120 minute turn-around time. The airport also increased the length of the inbound baggage carousels from 75 to 90 metres.