- September 2009
- Current Events
- Travel Tips
- Supplier News
- Regional
- International
- Government/Legislation
- Technology
- Industry Trends/Innovations
- Supplier Spotlight
- Spotlight on Leisure Offers
- Supplier Promotions & Autumn E-Blast
Industry Trends/Innovations
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Getting to the airport: multiple options for travelers
For business and leisure travelers, there are a variety of transportation options available when making a trip to the airport; cost, speed, and convenience all factor into the decision around which method to choose. While taxis have traditionally been a popular option, other services such as direct trains and shared-ride services are becoming more common.
Shared-ride services offered by shuttle companies can be an economical option, but may be more time-consuming than a taxi or black car. While not available in all cities, airport trains—like the Heathrow and Gatwick Express trains in London and AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark in the New York area—can be both a quick and relatively affordable option.
Additionally, in Canada, the recently completed Canada Line extension that connects downtown Vancouver and the airport via the Vancouver SkyTrain is yet another transportation option for travelers heading to the airport.
Express trains and shared-ride services are becoming more appealing to business travelers, said Dave Kilduff, managing director of ground transportation consulting for the CWT Solutions Group, because in “this type of economic environment, corporations are turning over every rock to save money. They’re looking at alternative forms of transportation.” And services like the Heathrow Express “are not only faster, they’re keeping people off the road, they’r e environmentally friendly,” he added.
While opportunities vary by city, there are multiple options for transportation to the airport, and travelers are encouraged to check their travel policy regarding the approved methods.
Sources: NY Times, CTV Olympics
Biofuels get green light
In a continuous effort to make sustainable biofuels a real solution for reducing the carbon footprint of aviation, Boeing and its industry partners recently released high-level results of a study that proves sustainable biofuels performed favorably compared to petroleum-based fuel.
According to the study, tests conducted between 2006 and 2009 indicated:
- the test fuels performed as well as or better than typical petroleum-based Jet A fuel
- the fuels met or exceeded all technical parameters for commercial jet aviation fuel including freezing point, flash point, fuel density and viscosity
- the fuels had no adverse effects on the engines or their components
Significant to note, the tests also showed that the fuels have greater energy content by mass than standard petroleum-derived jet fuel, offering the potential for lower fuel consumption.
Boeing is keeping a positive outlook on the future of biofuels despite the potential challenges of producing enough feedstocks. Boeing MD-Environmental Strategist Billy Glover said he is confident that by 2025 biofuels "will make up a significant amount of fuel used in aviation."
Sources: ATW Online, boeing.com
