SAFETY EVENT
GBTA conference preview: keynote speakers and content announced
DRONES ‘SIGNIFICANT HAZARD’ TO AIRLINES
THE INCREASING USE OF DRONES IS THREATENING THE SAFETY of European airspace and needs better regulation and control, an airline trade body has warned. The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) is calling for “swift action” to protect passengers and residents after numerous near-misses between drones – remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) – and aircraft. Last month, a commercial flight on its approach to Warsaw International airport came close to striking a drone as did an Airbus A320 on its final approach to Heathrow. “Worryingly, only some EU member states have regulations
for the flying of smaller RPAS in place,” said Simon McNamara, director general of the European Regions Airline Association. “With a dramatic increase in the use and commercialisation of RPAS, European aviation needs to act now to harmonise standards and rules across the region.” RPAS weighing less than 150kg are regulated by some EU countries, and those above this weight by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The ERA said the “rapid
increase” in the RPAS market for recreational purposes is a “significant hazard” to commercial aircraft.
THE GBTA HAS RELEASED DETAILS about its annual European conference,
taking place at the Messe Frankfurt convention centre on November 9-11. The organisation anticipates around 850 attendees from more than 20 countries,
Catherine McGavock
including senior travel buyers from a wide range of
industries including energy, mining, technology, media and manufacturing. The three-day conference will include a series of
NOISE REDUCTION
LHR TO TRIAL STEEPER AIRCRAFT APPROACH
HEATHROW PLANS TO TRIAL steeper aircraft landings to reduce noise. This is part of its Blueprint for Noise Reduction to explore ways to improve noise levels. Heathrow said if the plan is adopted it will be the UK’s only airport to introduce steeper approaches as a means to reduce noise on the ground. The international standard approach for most airports is set at three
degrees, except for obstacle clearance. Heathrow want to increase this to 3.5 degrees and, from September 14, will trial an angle approach of 3.2 degrees. The test has been approved by the Civil Aviation Author- ity and will run until March 2016. While the trial is optional, a large number of airlines that have the necessary standard of navigational equipment for this approach are expected to take part.
16 BBT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
breakout sessions that will run across three streams with the following themes: agents of disruption, riding the wave of change and mapping the road ahead. Other breakout sessions will present findings from the latest GBTA research. The first keynote speaker announced is Lufthansa CEO and chairman Carsten Spohr, who will share his thoughts on the airline’s strategy and plans for development following its recent announcement to impose a surcharge on all GDS bookings.
A panel session will look at how the
traditional distribution chain is being disrupted, with a range of speakers including Egencia president, Rob Greyber. GBTA is partnering with German business travel association VDR for the Frankfurt conference. GBTA regional director Catherine McGavock,
said: “We are delighted to be partnering with VDR on this event. Outside of the US, Europe is GBTA’s largest region globally, and this event is founded on the successful partnerships we enjoy with the leading national business travel associations in Europe, and our chapters in France and Russia.” ¢ More details and registration at
www.gbta.org/europeconference
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