Flying Fuel Cell: MTU Aero Engines develops aviation fuel cell technology

  • Cooperation with DLR: Maiden flight planned for mid-decade
  • Market launch in short-haul applications planned for 2035

Aviation propulsion systems are a major factor in achieving zero emissions in the skies. As part of its Clean Air Engine (Claire) technology agenda, MTU Aero Engines is working on various concepts for all thrust and power ratings to achieve the aviation industry’s big goal. The company is focusing its efforts on the evolution of the gas turbine on the basis of the Geared Turbofan and on revolutionary propulsion concepts. “Among other things, we are forging ahead with the full electrification of the powertrain,” explains MTU COO Lars Wagner. “We’ve identified converting liquid hydrogen into electricity using a fuel cell as the area with the greatest potential for achieving this.”

MTU’s revolutionary concept is called the Flying Fuel Cell (FFC). A team of about 70 experts – and growing – is currently working on the FFC in Munich. The principle behind it is that a fuel cell converts liquid hydrogen into electrical energy. This means a high-efficiency electric motor drives the propeller. There are various advantages to this approach. First, fuel cells are highly efficient. Beyond that, they do not emit CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), or particulates; the only emissions are of water. “The FFC reduces the impact on the climate by as much as 95 percent, so it’s practically zero,” explains Dr. Stefan Weber,  Senior Vice President Engineering and Technology.

Plans call for the FFC to be used at first on shorter commuter and regional flights. Weber continues: “We’re aiming to launch on the market in 2035 there.” With improved efficiency, the Flying Fuel Cell will then be used in short- and medium-haul flights as well starting in 2050, further reducing the climate impact of commercial aviation.

Cooperation with DLR

Work to develop the FFC technology is proceeding in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). A Do228 is being used as a technology platform and flight demonstrator. The goal is to replace one of the two conventional gas turbine propulsion systems with a 600 kW electric powertrain with energy supplied by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell and test the new configuration. The partners aim to launch the flying lab in the middle of this decade. Extensive ground tests and advance testing will take place before then.

“MTU’s job is to develop the entire hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain, including the liquid hydrogen fuel system and controls,” explains Barnaby Law, MTU’s Chief Engineer Flying Fuel Cell. The Do228 research project is being headed by the DLR, which is providing the research aircraft and conducting the flight experiments. The research institution is also responsible for integrating the powertrain into the aircraft.

At the same time that this work is under way, MTU is also cooperating with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and working on approval requirements. Weber adds, “We have embarked on an innovation partnership where we are working together to study possible options for future certification of a flying fuel cell, since everyone involved is in uncharted territory here.” New standards, approval specifications, and documentation procedures will have to be defined in order for flying fuel cells to operate safely as an innovative propulsion concept.

COO Wagner sums up: “For an engine manufacturer like MTU, developing an airworthy fuel cell is a big opportunity, since the experience and data we gain in the process, including in the areas of control and qualification under aviation law, will be crucial to the further product development process.”

About MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines AG is Germany’s leading engine manufacturer. The company is a technological leader in low-pressure turbines, high-pressure compressors, turbine center frames as well as manufacturing processes and repair techniques. In the commercial OEM business, the company plays a key role in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-tech components together with international partners. Some 30 percent of today’s active aircraft in service worldwide have MTU components on board. In the commercial maintenance sector, the company ranks among the top three service providers for commercial aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines. The activities are combined under the roof of MTU Maintenance. In the military arena, MTU Aero Engines is Germany’s industrial lead company for practically all engines operated by the country’s military. MTU operates a network of locations around the globe; Munich is home to its corporate headquarters. In fiscal 2021, the company had a workforce of over 10,000 employees and posted consolidated sales of almost 4.2 billion euros.

Your contact:

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Press Officer Technology

Tel.: +49 89 14 89 53 33

Cell phone: +49 176 1001 7133

E-mail: martina.vollmuth@mtu.de

 

 

For the full collection of press releases and photos, go to http://www.mtu.de

Zero emissions in three stages: MTU Aero Engines continues Claire technology agenda

  • Evolutionary and revolutionary propulsion concepts and sustainable aviation fuels in the spotlight

Zero-emissions flight is the big goal for the entire aviation industry and a particular vision for MTU Aero Engines. In its Clean Air Engine (Claire) technology agenda, MTU not only sets out possible solutions and potential for sustainable commercial propulsion systems, but also time horizons for achieving zero-emissions flight in three stages. “Alternative, sustainable aviation fuels play an important role,” explains MTU COO Lars Wagner. Claire was unveiled to the public at this year’s ILA, to be held in Berlin from June 22 to 26.

The lodestar for the new version of Claire – which follows the first iteration, released in 2007 – is the goal of the Paris Agreement of limiting the increase in temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels if at all possible. The aviation industry previously focused on CO2 emissions in setting its targets, but in the future, the influence of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and contrails will also be taken into account as other important parts of aviation’s impact on the climate. “We’re tackling this new challenge,” says Dr. Stefan Weber, Senior Vice President Engineering and Technology at MTU in Munich, “and as part of that, we’ve aligned our entire technology agenda toward the new global objectives.”

The company has charted a clear course, with the propulsion concepts formulated for the near and medium term all aimed at reducing the impact on the climate. At the same time, lowering energy consumption remains important as well. MTU has bold ideas and approaches in this area, going beyond existing ones to tap into further potential. Wagner says, “Our goal with this is to fulfill our role as a technological pace setter worldwide once again.” The company is pursuing a two-pronged strategy here: furthering the evolution of gas turbines based on the Geared Turbofan (GTF), and developing revolutionary propulsion technologies.

The next step in the evolution of the gas turbine

Weber continues: “To really harness all the available potential, we’re already working on the second-generation GTF.” The goal here is to further reduce the fan pressure ratio, thereby increasing the bypass ratio. The thermal efficiency of the core engine can also be further improved through approaches such as integrating the design of compressor and turbine components. The company also plans to use new materials. “These new materials must be lightweight, extremely heat-resistant, and able to stand up to environmental influences. We’re focusing on the best material classes, such as sixth-generation single crystals and metal powders for turbines,” explains Dr. Claus Riegler, MTU’s Senior Vice President Technology & Engineering Advanced Programs. Driven by sustainable aviation fuels or liquid hydrogen, the second-generation GTF could already reduce the impact on the climate by as much as 65 percent compared to a gas turbine from the year 2000.

Revolutionary propulsion concepts

“We know that the evolution of the gas turbine alone won’t be enough if we are to meet our ambitious climate targets. Revolutionary new propulsion concepts will be needed,” Weber says. MTU is also hard at work in this area. Its two favored revolutionary concepts are the gas turbine-based Water-Enhanced Turbofan (WET Engine) and the Flying Fuel Cell (FFC). MTU’s fuel cell concept, the Flying Fuel Cell, calls for electrifying the entire powertrain, which will make it possible to operate aircraft with nearly zero emissions.

Sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen will play an important role in all of these efforts. “SAFs open the door to climate-neutral aviation, for which they are absolutely necessary, but that’s not all. They can and should already be used to help achieve direct and significant reductions in climate impact,” Riegler notes. SAFs can be used on a “drop-in” basis right away, meaning that no adjustments are needed in either the aircraft or the engine. The production methods have been developed and approved, but there are only a few facilities capable of operating at an industrial scale. “We need these fuels now. It is imperative to create the necessary production capacity in the short term. We’re working to help achieve that,” MTU’s COO Wagner says forcefully.

Zero emissions from aviation in three stages

Here’s what the Claire technology agenda is like in detail. The first stage is determined by the GTF, which has been in use in series since 2016 and is already able to reduce climate impact by a significant amount today when combined with SAFs.

As the second step, to be completed by 2035, the goal is to have not only the next-generation GTF, but also the Water-Enhanced Turbofan – driven by SAFs or hydrogen – ready to use in all thrust categories, along with the Flying Fuel Cell for shorter, regional flights. A GTF powered by hydrogen is also conceivable during this phase. Says Riegler, “These solutions promise significantly lower impact on the climate.” The optimized GTF achieves 65 percent, the WET engine 80, and the FFC 95 percent.

2050 marks the third Claire stage. MTU’s goal is to further improve overall efficiency both for the GTF and for the WET engine. Near drop-in fuels – SAFs with chemical adjustments – can be used to achieve maximum reductions in climate impact. If the WET engine is operated with hydrogen, this would not only have further advantages with regard to climate-related emissions, but would additionally have the potential to reduce weight and the air resistance of the engine thanks to more-compact design and construction.

With improved efficiency, plans call for the Flying Fuel Cell to be used in short- and medium-haul flights as well starting in 2050, further reducing the climate impact of commercial aviation. To achieve this, the experts at MTU plan to further improve the efficiency of individual components to put the goal of zero emissions within reach.

For MTU, one thing is clear: “With an eye to the goals of the Paris Agreement, propulsion systems and sources of energy that make climate-neutral flying possible will have to be brought to market well ahead of 2050,” Wagner explains. Weber adds, “Together with our partners from industry and the academic and research sector, we aim to reduce the impact of aviation on the climate right away.”

About MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines AG is Germany’s leading engine manufacturer. The company is a technological leader in low-pressure turbines, high-pressure compressors, turbine center frames as well as manufacturing processes and repair techniques. In the commercial OEM business, the company plays a key role in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-tech components together with international partners. Some 30 percent of today’s active aircraft in service worldwide have MTU components on board. In the commercial maintenance sector the company ranks among the top 3 service providers for commercial aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines. The activities are combined under the roof of MTU Maintenance. In the military arena, MTU Aero Engines is Germany’s industrial lead company for practically all engines operated by the country’s military. MTU operates a network of locations around the globe; Munich is home to its corporate headquarters. In fiscal 2021, the company had a workforce of more than 10,000 employees and posted consolidated sales of almost 4.2 billion euros.

ROLLS-ROYCE ADVANCES HYBRID-ELECTRIC FLIGHT WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY TO LEAD THE WAY IN ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY

Rolls-Royce is officially announcing the development of turbogenerator technology, which includes a new small engine designed for hybrid-electric applications. The system will be an on-board power source with scalable power offerings and will complement the Rolls-Royce Electrical propulsion portfolio, enabling extended range on sustainable aviation fuels and later as it comes available through hydrogen combustion.

Current battery technology means all-electric propulsion will enable eVTOL and fixed wing commuter aircraft for short flights in and between cities and island-hopping in locations like Norway and the Scottish Isles. By developing turbogenerator technology, that will be scaled to serve a power range between 500 kW and 1200 kW, we can open up new longer routes that our electric battery powered aircraft can also support.

Rolls-Royce experts based in Germany, Norway and Hungary are developing the turbogenerator design and working on its system integration and are focused on ensuring smart power distribution during flight. The turbogenerator will recharge batteries after take-off or power propellers directly, enabling aircraft to switch between power sources in flight. The research and development of this technology is being part funded by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Rob Watson, President – Rolls Royce Electrical, said: “Rolls-Royce will be the leading provider of all-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion systems for Advanced Air Mobility and will scale this technology over time to larger platforms. I would like to thank the German Government for their support. As part of our strategy, we are looking at offering the complete sustainable solution for our customers. This means extending routes that electric flight can support through our turbogenerator technology. This will advance hybrid-electric flight and mean more passengers will be able to travel further on low to net zero emissions aircraft.

“Rolls-Royce is also set to build on our existing network to offer maintenance services for electrical systems. Furthermore, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is able to offer mtu microgrid solutions to support fast-charging of electric aircraft and deliver reliable, cost-effective, climate friendly and sustainable power to vertiports.”

Last year, Rolls-Royce announced a pathway to net zero carbon emissions and its electrical technology is one way in which the company is helping decarbonise critical parts of the global economy. Rolls-Royce is committed to ensuring its new products will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030 and all its products will be compatible with net zero by 2050.

Pratt & Whitney Canada Successfully Conducts 100% SAF Flight Test with PW127M Engines Powering Braathens’ ATR Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced today the successful flight test of dual PW127M engines with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a Braathen Regional Airlines’ ATR 72-600 aircraft. Both PW127M engines were fueled exclusively with Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel and flew for two hours total, Malmo to Bromma Airport and return. This was a collaborative effort involving the airline, ATR, and Pratt & Whitney Canada.

PW127M engine pictures 

“We are extremely pleased with the successful testing of our PW127M engines on 100% SAF,” said Timothy Swail, vice president, Regional Aviation and APU Product Marketing and Sales for Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We have worked closely with ATR and Braathens leading up to the flight testing and share their enthusiasm over the future application of SAF in the aviation industry.”

The flight marked the first time Pratt & Whitney engines simultaneously flew on 100% SAF and the first turboprop in the world to reach this exciting milestone. Commercial aircraft today are certified to fly on 50% SAF blends, and the results of today’s test will be used to prepare for a potential 100% SAF drop-in solution for aviation. SAFs have the potential of reducing emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional kerosene and are a potential solution to help aviation achieve its Net Zero by 2050 goal.

ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli, said: “Today is a historic day for aviation. After more than a century of commercial flights powered by kerosene, we are at the dawn of a new era. In recent months, with the support of Pratt & Whitney Canada we carried out a series of successful flights with sustainable fuel in one engine. We now decided it was time to perform the first test flight with 100% SAF in both engines. This helps us to certify our aircraft to fly solely on sustainable fuels faster and to enable more sustainable air links as a result. The flight represents a true milestone for the entire aviation industry as it shows that this technology works and can be promptly adopted by many in our industry to speed up the transition to zero emission aviation.”

Pratt & Whitney Canada engines have been 50% SAF compatible since the late 2000s. The company’s family of regional turboprop engines consume up to 40% less fuel and emit 40% fewer emissions than similar-sized jet-power aircraft on similar routes. Pratt & Whitney is Canada’s top R&D investor in aerospace; these investments have been a driving force in the company’s growth and Canada’s global aerospace reputation.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units.

For further information: Pratt & Whitney, +1 (860) 565-9600, media@prattwhitney.com

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT-S Engine Selected to Power D328eco™ Regional Turboprop

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC, June 17, 2022 – Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, and Deutsche Aircraft, announced today that the PW127XT-S engine has been selected to power the D328eco™ regional turboprop. The engine will be another model in the XT series which sets a new benchmark in regional aviation, delivering a significant improvement in operating costs and sustainability. The PW127XT-S will be developed according to the D328eco timeline.

“We have worked closely with the D328eco team over a number of years to develop the best engine option for the aircraft,” said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The PW127XT-S provides airlines 40% more time on wing, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs with only two scheduled events over 10 years, and a 3% improvement in specific fuel consumption. We support Deutsche Aircraft’s vision of building a green aviation company and we’re confident that the PW127XT-S is the ideal match for the D328eco.”

“In addition to the engine selection announced today, Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada will collaborate on novel propulsion technologies for next generation, climate friendly, highly efficient regional aircraft,” said Dave Jackson, managing director, Deutsche Aircraft. “Turboprop technology remains the most efficient and ecofriendly form of regional air transport available in the world. Our two companies recently agreed to cooperate on enabling the PW127XT-S engine powering the D328eco to run on a 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) including hydrogen-based Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel.”

In fact, modern regional turboprops consume 40% less fuel and emit 40% less CO2 emissions than most in-service regional jets on flights up to 400 nautical miles. Both companies are convinced of the need to further invest in this segment to continue to improve efficiency and reduce the impact on the environment. Pratt & Whitney Canada and Deutsche Aircraft agreed to continue working together to jointly develop a technology roadmap for implementation, test, and verification of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s innovative propulsion technology, within the D328eco program. Specifically, the roadmap will focus on the capability to operate the two most promising net zero / zero CO2 fuels: PtL and hydrogen, respectively. The parties will assess the impact of these fuels and related technologies and operations to derive the requirements and solutions for the application.

Added Jackson: “We seek not only to achieve the maximum CO2 emissions reduction possible, but also look for real operative propulsion efficiency improvements compared to today’s technology. This would mean a reduction in the order of 15-25% block energy on a typical regional mission.”

Concluded Della Posta: “It is key that the major airframe and engine OEMs set out ambitious yet realistic timelines and capabilities to use novel propulsion technologies in combination with de-carbonized fuel capabilities. Pratt & Whitney Canada is committed to continuous improvements in the efficiency and sustainability of its products and services, for customers in all market segments.”

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units.

SITA and Alstef Group sign partnership agreement to launch Swift Drop

New self-bag drop solution significantly speeds time passengers need to check bags.

SITA today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Alstef Group, an established baggage handling specialist, to launch Swift Drop, a new self-bag drop solution that significantly speeds up the experience of checking your own bag.

SITA and Alstef Group sign partnership agreement to launch Swift Drop

Mexico City’s brand new Felipe Ángeles International Airport, opened in late March, has become the first airport globally to install 20 Swift Drop units.

The fast, intuitive interface means passengers can quickly check their bags, avoiding long queues at traditional check-in points. This will give passengers more time to spend airside, providing a boost to airports’ retail revenues. Passengers simply print their own bag tags without need for assistance and load their baggage directly onto the accessible conveyor.

Part of SITA’s awarding-winning Smart Path passenger processing portfolio, Swift Drop is comprised of SITA’s TS6 Kiosk and Alstef Group’s fully integrated bag processing solution. For airports and airlines, Swift Drop dramatically improves baggage handling from the minute a bag is put on the conveyor belt, identifying overweight and oversized bags in seconds. Advanced camera tag-reading technology ensures baggage will also be processed faster, with an average first-time tag read rate of 95%.

Drew Griffiths, Head of SITA AT AIRPORTS, said: “In airports globally, our Smart Path passenger solution has delivered faster, automated passenger experiences. The partnership with Alstef Group – leveraging their significant baggage handling portfolio – enriches our end-to-end offering with a fast, convenient, and reliable self-bag drop solution. This solution has the added benefit of being easily biometrically enabled.”

Philippe Hamon, Sales Director, Airport Solutions, Alstef Group, said: “Taking the stress out of baggage is fundamental to any passenger’s journey. Our baggage processing solutions have been successfully implemented in hundreds of airports globally to do exactly that. It is therefore pleasing that we can extend these benefits to the whole passenger journey through our partnership with SITA.”

Skyports partners with SITA to explore technology for the AMM passenger journey

SITA’s excellence in biometric technology employed to shape the passenger journey through Skyports vertiports.

Skyports, a best-in-class owner and operator of vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, and SITA, an IT provider for the air transport industry, announced today a partnership that will see SITA provide its digital solutions at Skyports vertiport locations.

Skyports partners with SITA to explore technology for the AAM passenger journey

SITA technology will first be implemented at the Skyports Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed in Paris, planned for completion in September 2022 to demonstrate the full passenger journey, from arrival at the vertiport terminal to eVTOL aircraft departure. The partnership aims to highlight the ease with which passengers will be able to navigate the AAM ecosystem.

SITA will apply its expertise in airport technology to the emerging AAM industry to develop bespoke biometric and vertiport technology in line with Skyports’ vision for the passenger experience. The technology being developed through the partnership will be a fundamental component of the future passenger journey through a vertiport. It will demonstrate for the first time how customers will interact with the ecosystem.

Passenger autonomy, ease, and convenience are central to the success of the industry and the widespread adoption of AAM. Through the integration of SITA’s biometric solution Smart Path, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft passengers traveling with Skyports will experience a seamless, technology-driven experience at all stages throughout the journey.

Passengers will be able to book and reserve flights on eVTOL aircraft via a mobile app powered by SITA’s biometric capabilities. Upon arrival at the Skyports vertiport, SITA face pods will be used to identify and verify passengers.

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: “Advanced Air Mobility has presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire travel experience, from the vehicles we use and energy sources we rely on, right down to the way passengers book and check-in to flights. We are partnering with SITA to move into this next crucial stage in the planning and development of the AAM industry – defining the experience for end-users. Everything we do at Skyports is underpinned by the belief that there is a faster, smarter, more streamlined way to travel. Our work with SITA will demonstrate how that translates to the passenger journey.”

AAM aircraft will provide a cost-effective and quicker alternative to traditional rail or land transport links. Walker added: “However, to make AAM work, there needs to be a demonstrable benefit to the end-user. Hence the passenger experience is fundamental to our success.”

Much of the magic in streamlining the passenger journey occurs behind the scenes. SITA will provide an automated scheduling solution to support Skyports’ airside operations. So, once a passenger requests a booking, a flight slot will automatically be secured at both departure and destination, ensuring the aircraft is operationally ready and waiting when the passenger arrives. It will also ensure that all the resources needed to support that flight are in place to ensure an on-time departure.

Sergio Colella, President of Europe at SITA, said: “With Skyports, we have the potential to use existing airport technology to totally redesign the passenger journey, with a light-touch process using just your mobile or facial biometric to complete the various steps in the journey. Together we will also work with existing airports to support Advanced Air Mobility solutions in the future.”

Skyports will, in the coming months, begin passenger experience trials at its Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed facility, Europe’s first operational testing site for AAM, which is being developed in partnership with Groupe ADP. The implementation of SITA’s innovative technology will be a focal point of the testing.

SITA to deploy airline technology to manage repatriation of lost items at Passenger Terminal Expo 2022

SITA WorldTracer® Lost and Found Property reduces the cost and time to trace missing property.

SITA has signed an exclusive agreement with UKi Media & Events to trace and repatriate lost items at this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo, the world’s biggest airport exhibition being held in Paris from 15-17 June.

Using SITA WorldTracer® Lost and Found Property, attendees will be able to use their mobile device to register any missing items, which are automatically matched with found items, dramatically reducing the time and cost of repatriating lost items. Every year more than 10,000 people from 130 countries visit the exhibition, with hundreds of personal items being left behind or lost.

SITA WorldTracer Lost and Found Property was launched in 2021 to solve a million-dollar headache for airlines: how to quickly return items left behind on aircraft or in airports to their owners. Every year passengers leave millions of items – including phones, wallets and bags – on planes and in airports, costing the industry millions of dollars in repatriation costs.

The benefits of the solution have now been recognized by security companies, airports and event organizers who face a similar challenge. It can cost up to $95USD to manage and repatriate a lost item, including registration, handling inquiries and customer calls, storage and postage. Leveraging SITA’s WorldTracer solution, Lost and Found Property cuts the cost of repatriating lost items by 75%. The solution also dramatically speeds up the time taken to find and return found items, with 60% of these items returned within the first 48 hours.

Tony Robinson, CEO and Company Founder, UKi Media & Events, said: “As one of our largest exhibitions, Passenger Terminal Expo sees thousands of people streaming through its doors each year. With such a large number of attendees, it is inevitable that personal items will be left behind or misplaced. Managing this challenge is both expensive and time-consuming. With SITA we know that we can streamline the process and focus on delivering a great event.”

Using computer vision, natural language processing and automated translation, WorldTracer Lost and Found Property searches a global database of images and descriptions to match the found item to a missing item report. The solution uses image recognition to identify details such as brand, material, and color of the found item. It is also recognizes similar words in the description to make a definitive match.

Drew Griffiths, Head of SITA AT AIRPORTS, said: “For more than 30 years, airlines have used WorldTracer to trace mishandled baggage. Now, leveraging new technologies, we have been able to expand the use of WorldTracer to lost property and to other sectors in the travel and tourism industry.”

About WorldTracer

WorldTracer® Lost and Found Property is the latest module to SITA’s WorldTracer service which is used by more than 500 customers in 2,200 airports worldwide to trace mishandled baggage. Being multi-language and pay-as-you-go with the option for airlines to recover their handling costs from the passenger, the new Lost and Found Property is as easy to use for passengers as it is for airlines, airports and ground handlers.

SITA’s 2022 Baggage IT Insights report is available

SITA released the 2022 SITA Baggage IT Insights report.

The air transport industry recovery from the pandemic is well underway and passengers are returning to the skies in their numbers. At the same time airlines, ground handlers, and airports have downsized to maintain viability during the pandemic, which has impacted resources and expertise dedicated to baggage management. In short, the industry has had to do more with less.

This year’s report explores the challenges brought on by COVID-19 and the innovative ways the industry is addressing them. As in previous years, we have also gathered insight on baggage initiatives and operations from our customers and relevant industry associations.

Download the report to learn more about how the industry has accelerated digitalization projects and opportunities to reimagine ways of handling passengers and their baggage.

Download Here

 

Royal Air Maroc, première compagnie africaine certifiée Cargo iQ

Royal Air Maroc a obtenu, récemment, la certification Cargo iQ en conformité avec les normes Cargo iQ de gestion de la qualité de l’industrie du transport de fret aérien. Avec cette distinction, la Compagnie Nationale rejoint de grands transporteurs aériens du monde, des acteurs majeurs de la chaîne logistique (dont des transitaires) et fournisseurs de solutions informatiques prééminents au niveau mondial. Royal Air Maroc devient ainsi la première compagnie africaine à décrocher cette prestigieuse certification.

Fondé en 1997 par des compagnies aériennes et des transitaires majeurs au sein de l’IATA (Association internationale du transport aérien), le groupe d’intérêt Cargo iQ a pour mission la création et l’implémentation des standards de qualité pour l’industrie du fret et de la chaîne logistique à l’échelle mondiale. Le groupe compte aujourd’hui plus de 60 membres issus de l’ensemble de la chaîne logistique dont des compagnies aériennes, des transitaires, des agents de manutention au sol, des fournisseurs de solutions informatiques, des services d’acheminement routier et, plus récemment, des transitaires de PME.

En plus de cette certification prestigieuse, qui témoigne des progrès tangibles réalisés par la Compagnie Nationale en matière de fret aérien, Royal Air Maroc a également décroché deux étoiles additionnelles dans les catégories « Responsabilité sociale de l’entreprise » et « Esprit d’innovation » dans le cadre de cette certification.

Valable pour une durée de 3 ans à l’issue d’un audit rigoureux conduit par l’organisme de certification SGS, cette certification renouvelable fait suite à l’adhésion de Royal Air Maroc à la communauté Cargo iQ en 2019. Cet audit vise la vérification de la conformité des opérations des membres sur la base d’un plan directeur opérationnel (MOP) qui est essentiellement axé sur la normalisation des processus et l’amélioration de la transparence via l’interfaçage des échanges de données relatives aux envois entre les parties prenantes pour une planification précise et un suivi proactif.

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