ARINC introduces portable wireless connection for airlines

ARINC Incorporated introduced a wireless data communications module designed to bring portable connectivity to airline passenger cabin operations. The ARINC Mobile Communications Gateway (MCG) is specifically designed to support airlines’ on-board sales and credit card transactions, but it can also be used for other applications.

The ARINC MCG provides wireless connectivity and a recharging power source for in-flight electronic devices, allowing airline crews to download sales data wirelessly after a flight. It is the first on-board solution to offer this capability.

ARINC plans soon to announce flight trials of the MCG system with cooperating airlines that use the popular AbancoTM In-Flight payment solution.

ARINC and Abanco signed a marketing and reseller agreement last month.“The ARINC Mobile Communications Gateway is a revolution in connectivity for airlines," states Rolf Stefani, Senior Director of the ARINC Technology Innovation Center. "It brings an affordable and portable solution to the airplane that can be used for many different purposes."

By adopting the MCG system for wireless downloading, airlines can eliminate the need for crews to remove point-of-sale devices from the aircraft after each flight. The MCG supports wireless data downloading by several devices simultaneously in a single session. Airline crews can leave point-of-sale devices on board the plane, recharge them with the MCG power source, and receive wireless inventory uploads over the MCG as well.

“By introducing the MCG our goal was to streamline the on-board sales and data reporting process,” states Andrew Kemmetmueller, ARINC Service Director. “The MCG promises to reduce labor cost and inventory loss significantly. We also find it can reduce costs and provide new functionality in other airline operations as well.” Specifically designed for commercial airline operations, the MCG unit may be left permanently on board a commercial aircraft. It does not rely on airport infrastructure, and airlines can adopt the MCG for use even at airports without Wi-Fi service. Several airlines have suggested new ways to apply MCG technology, and ARINC expects to announce other possible applications of the device in airline operations in the near future.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Thursday, August 16, 2007

New medical intelligence system will help identify public health threats

The European Commission has developed a medical intelligence system that constantly collects and sorts information from more than 1000 news and 120 public health websites in 32 languages. Complementing traditional approaches, the system, called MediSys, will provide health authorities with real-time knowledge about disease outbreaks or industrial accidents, thereby helping to identify such incidents as early as possible and so react in a timely way. It can also provide invaluable information to authorities tackling a major incident such as a bio-terrorist attack.

Traditional surveillance systems monitor death rates, the utilisation of health services (e.g. emergency room admissions, drug prescriptions), abnormal patterns, changing laboratory characteristics and exposure to risks related to the environment, food or animals. Yet, certain public or animal health threats may go unnoticed but can be reported in the local press or by other less known sources. The challenge is how to find them.

Using pre-defined keywords and combinations, MediSys crawls through the web and sorts information into three primary categories: "Diseases", "Bioterrorism", and "Other Threats". Articles or "hits" are then classified in more precise categories such as "AIDS-HIV", "Respiratory infections", "Avian flu", "Legionella", "Anthrax" or "Nuclear safety". Statistics are stored on the filtered categories and "breaking news" is detected in a given category. Based on the level of new articles retrieved and the detected keywords, an automatic alert can then be sent by e-mail and SMS to decision-makers who are on permanent standby. For example, in the recent case of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK, MediSys detected a sudden jump in news reports and automatically sent email and SMS alerts to Public Health officials across Europe.

Working with the University of Helsinki, an automatic incident detection system has also been put in place. This analyses English reports and extracts structured data on the number of cases, the location and the date. This then feeds an automatic incident database used by the Member States and the European Commission. Citizens can also have free access to this automatic information scanning tool, which includes alert statistics, articles in various languages, and e-mail alerts.
Theodore Koumelis - Friday, August 17, 2007

Bermuda's Tourism Minister to speak at second WTMS

Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP, Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport, Government of Bermuda, has accepted the invitation as the Strategic Global Partner and distinguished Speaker of the 2nd World Tourism Marketing Summit (WTMS), which will take place in Beijing, China, October 28-30, 2007.

The announcement was made by Sujit Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Summit and President of the Canada- based World Trade University Global Secretariat (WTU). The Summit, hosted by the Beijing Tourism Administration of the People`s Republic of China, will bring together more than 400 travel and tourism industry leaders from over 50 countries around the globe.

"We view Bermuda`s support of this World Tourism Marketing Summit in China as a natural part of our tourism objectives and strategy, keeping up with the rapidly and radically changing travel industry. Many of these changes are driven by a more mature, experienced and demanding consumer. Now, more than ever, it is essential that our marketing, advertising and product development teams obtain the knowledge and in-depth analysis of what travelers truly desire. I am confident that the Summit in Beijing, with its high level speakers and experts from around the globe, will provide the Bermuda delegation an opportunity to glean new ideas for expanding our tourism reach and explore new joint venture opportunities," said Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown.

Mr. Chowdhury, in making the announcement, said “Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown,

The Premier, will bring to the Summit the outstanding leadership and creative thinking that he has already brought not only to Bermuda`s tourism strategy, but also to the Caribbean Region as a whole.” Following the success of the historic first Summit in Nanjing China in 2004, the 2nd World Tourism Marketing Summit will provide an opportunity to network, explore joint ventures and learn from the brightest how to develop strategies to enhance cooperation between the international business community and one of the world`s largest tourist markets.

Registration for ITB Asia starts

The countdown for the new market place for the global travel industry has now begun. October 2008 will mark the debut of ITB Asia, aimed primarily at buyers from the Asian-Pacific region and taking place annually in Singapore as the Asian meeting platform for the travel industry. It will be held at the Suntec Exhibition and Convention Centre. The three-day B2B trade show will be accompanied by a convention and take place from 22 to 24 October 2008.

ITB Asia offers a highly attractive product for small and medium-sized companies of the Asian travel industry. Provided they are not state-owned or part of a franchise, companies with up to 50 employees can present their innovative products and services at special rates.

In addition to traditional travel products, ITB Asia will also focus on the rapidly expanding areas of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events) as well as business travel. International exhibitors from all parts of the value-added chain will be represented at ITB Asia, including the main destinations of all continents, international tour operators, airlines and hotels, as well as online and other reservation systems. This presentation of the entire spectrum of the global travel industry at ITB Asia will enable buyers from Asia to search for new products in order to market them throughout Asia and the world, as well as assisting international sellers to expand into new markets.

One of the main features of ITB Asia will be the conference taking place at the same time. Based on the successful ITB Berlin Convention “Market, Trends & Innovations”, which has now evolved into the largest event of its kind in Europe, the ITB Asia Convention is also tailored to meet the needs of the new generation of Asian travel entrepreneurs.

Dr. Martin Buck, Vice President CompetenceCenter Travel & Logistics of Messe Berlin: “Asia is already the continent that is driving the global economy. For many Asian countries, tourism is not only an important industry but, as a result of the growing economies of these regions, it is enabling growing numbers of people from Asia to travel, not only within Asia, but also to other parts of the world. With our expertise of over forty years of ITB Berlin, and together with Singapore as the ideal venue for buyers from all over Asia, we believe that ITB Asia will provide a market place for the travel industry of the future, which accurately reflects the importance of this continent both as a destination and as a source of tourists.”
Michael Verikios - Friday, August 17, 2007

A380 world tour Ccontinues with major airports in Asia and US

Airbus‘ A380 will embark for a series of demonstration tours starting on 30th August. Key airports in South-East-Asia and the U.S. will be visited. The Asia-A380-tour will be conducted with flight-test-aircraft MSN (Manufacturer`s Serial Number) 007, powered by four Rolls Royce Trend 900 engines. The world’s largest and most innovative passenger jet flying today is equipped with a full passenger cabin, which can comfortably carry 520 pssengers in an extra quiet and relaxing three-class cabin-environment.

The International Airports to be visited are:

• Thailand Bangkok / Chiang Mai: 31st August – 2nd September
• Vietnam Hanoi: 2nd – 3rd September
• China Hongkong (Asian Aerospace): 3rd – 5th September
• Korea Seoul: 5th – 7th September

The US-tour will take the A380 flight-test-aircraft MSN009, powered by four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, to the United States. The visits are part of the ongoing route proving process for this aircraft/engine-combination. The aircraft, which has no passenger-cabin, is on static display at the following airports:

• Connecticut Bradley International Airport (BDL): 2nd – 3rd October
• Kentucky Cincinnati/N. Kentucky Airport (CVG): 3rd – 4th October
• California San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 4th – 5th October

Both demonstration tours are part of the extensive campaign to prepare the A380 for a smooth entry into service. Operating under typical airline conditions, both aircraft will undergo airport compatibility checks, ground handling and maintenance procedures to confirm its readiness to enter service. The A380 has already visited more than 45 airports and by 2011, more than 70 airports will be ready for A380 operations.

Total orders and commitments for the A380 are 173 by 14 customers. The first customer A380 will be delivered to Singapore Airlines in October. Subsequent aircraft, for delivery to Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Qantas, are also well on track.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Friday, August 17, 2007