This summer, I had the opportunity to sample a number of airports of different sizes. As far as I am concerned, I judge airports on two aspects, cleanliness and efficiency of me going from the check-in counters to the gate. Fortunately the first part is assured in most airports in Europe (or at least in those I have used). The second part is kind of funny. Let me explain…
Going form landside to airside there is a procedure that can make or break the day for a passenger: the security. Europe (at least) had an extremely admirable security record with the last major incidents taking place some twenty plus year ago. And then the attacks in 2001 happened and a new area of business appeared: Security. Where security was private (like the two airports where the hijacks started) the government stepped in, while in others the situation was vice versa. Security was much stricter and obviously much more intrusive (and lucrative). Big bosses obviously made a lot of money (due to the assumed, responsibility) and front line personnel gained – with little or no qualifications - more authority and power than they ever hope to do so. I used to feel relax going though the airports where national police was in charge of passenger screening because of the very relaxed yet secured procedure. In the airports controlled by private security firms, screening points are usually manned by individuals on a power trip that render the experience usually unpleasant along with metal detectors adjusted to the maximum sensitivity to cover bosses backsides and annoy paying passengers.
Then the summer of 2006 came and the rules about the liquids changed much to the delight of the duty free shops and to the displeasure of the passenger worldwide (it was not possible any more to buy and carry a normal size bottle of wine when traveling light).
The end result is worst, most stressful trips paid for by higher security fees where passengers frequently are exposed to security employees, with little respect for the paying customers, mainly caring to show who is in charge. Overall very bad situations since records have shown that the previous security system used to work well. And for those that think that privatization is the answer would they care to think which organizations were in charge of security in US airports in September 2001.
Why do I think it is funny? Because aviation security is the only field in the world where customers are paying to be harassed and yet come back from more without complaining.
Next time (in the short haul): I would take the train as long as security is reasonable.
Some time ago I was assigned by the editor in chief of this site to attend the press conference on the transport security conference which will take place in Athens on May 21st and 22nd. I thought I was honored and I was right indeed. The new approach on the security matters is based on contracting specialized companies to take care of the majority of the security tasks, mainly the hand baggage search and the passenger screening. The organizing committee (and I am sure a great number of companies and unfortunately governments) believe this is a panacea. During the press conference I allowed myself to daydream about how many times the “let’s outsource this service” has turned a tolerable situation to a frustrating sociological experiment. There is no doubt that a private company can function at a lower cost and is far more flexible. But unfortunately this may come at a hidden cost as one can see from rude and incompetent staff in shops and helplines with a “not my problem” attitude.
Although securities companies and airport authorities would claim that private screening operations are better and cheaper, one can argue that statistics are a good way to turn reality into a parallel universe.
I am all for an efficient way of security screening but I really like to use a passenger friendly system when I fly. Europe had such a system from 1986 (when terrorist attacks stopped not because of stricter controls) until the late 2001 madness occurred. It is funny but very often I have the feeling that the current security measures are a kind of a Hollywood blockbuster production aiming to make passenger to feel safe while creating a multi million dollar industry and providing jobs.
The question that needs to be asked next time, we remove our shoes in a security check point and are being frisked is: who will protect the passengers from a constant and exaggerating security procedure that offers little real additional safety?
The recent announcement about additional delays on the A380 and 787 programs made me check my calendar. The last time I read about the A380 delay (the 787 delays have become almost a periodical thing) was the autumn of 2006 and Airbus promised to work hard to correct the situation. And it did: the new EIS date was met and now 4 aircraft are flying with a happy operator. Unfortunately as the situation seems to stabilize a new wave of delays were announced pushing deliveries to anxious customer back into the future. Initially I did not know if there was a problem with the dating of the article hence the checking of my diary.
The situation with the 787 is even worst since the aircraft has not flown yet (it fact it has just been powered up). Since this a blog I need to voice some concerns about the extremely optimistic test program which incorporates so many new technologies. But I am not an engineer so I am probably over cautious.
Here is a thought regarding the A380: delivering an innovating aircraft is very serious business. A lot of investment has been made and very often much more than in the case of adding another aircraft that has been flow before. Delaying the delivery particularly after the situation seems to stabilize is a bad thing. Although Airbus surely would have informed the customers that still leaves a bitter feeling. Currently airlines try to present an attractive product that would put them apart and help them maintain the positive developments of the last few years. The A380 is what the doctor order to achieve that (at least for the long trunk routes). The delays can throw a carefully laid plan a long time off. It seems it is great time that some consistency is used when delivery dates are arranged for the good of the manufacturers, the airlines and the paying passengers.
However the problems for Airbus do not stop here. We may be at the beginning of road leading to a very untoward crossroad regarding the long term prospect of the A380. If Airbus (as is its usual practice) does not announce at least one major order during one of the main aishows of the season, the program risks coming to a standstill. If that happens the delivery situation would improve but unfortunately not in a good way…
The recent opening of the Terminal 5 in London was an interesting experience for the industry (and an untoward one for the paying customers). It seems that the two organizations involved not only failed to deliver a reliable service but were unable to (or unwilling to) come with a reliable alternate plan.
The events in T5 demonstrate, that allowing airlines and airport to operate without strong government supervision can have negative consequences not only for the traveling public but for the industry itself. Over the years an increasing number of airports have been privatized and are ran as private business with little regard (according to many observers) to the needs of passengers or airlines regarding a smooth trip.
While a fairly comprehensive (but vague) set of regulation specifies the rights of passengers in respects to the airlines a lot is left to be desired regarding airports. To add insult to the injury, airport taxes tend to be higher that a lot of air fares and airports with some exceptions tend to be natural monopolies. How many airports can one choose from in most European cities with the exception of the capitals?
In other words nowadays airports are seen as cash-cows rather like critical piece of the national infrastructure to be paid for and used by all tax-payers (like the highways or the national defense). Although it may sound like it is coming from an 80’s European politician speech it might worth considering having the airports operating under public interest principal where profit objectives take a back seat and make the use of an airport a positive experience.
In 2 months time, IATA will held in Athens its first Commercial Strategy Symposium which will gather hundreds of aviation commercial experts. The format has been designed for audience to participate in 3 different tacks depending on their area of interest: Revenue Management & Pricing, Loyalty Management and Alliance & Network.
Common plenary sessions will open this 2-day conference with keynote speakers from Olympic Airlines, Royal Jordanian and Jet Airways amongst many others.
IATA has developped a high-level programme whereas the sessions are designed to encourage interactivity between the audience and speakers. Hence, this new blog iniative in collaboration with Air Transoprt News to encourage discussions around topics which will be adressed during this conference. This platform is agreat opportunity to share extra information about event’s topics and issues and to some extent an opportunity to address some issues that migh be discussed during the event by some of our panelists.
IATA and Air Transport News welcomes you to provide you with your comments and thoughts about the Symposium and its themes. Stay tuned with updates and speakers comments.
If you wish to get more information about the IATA Commercial Strategy Symposium, visiit our website: www.iata.org/events/css2007
Visit our website to register, and for more details of the topicsand speakers at the only international commercial strategy event:www.iata.org/events/css2007
