As global airports continue to evolve to meet growing passenger demand and sustainability targets, Honeywell is at the forefront of shaping that transformation. TravTalkME speaks with Nabil Cheqroun, Chief Commercial Officer, Honeywell Building Automation, on the sidelines of the Airport Show about the technologies which help achieve the seamless and smart services for the passengers. At the Airport Show this year, Honeywell showcased its suite of cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance airport efficiency, passenger experience, and environmental responsibility. “Our focus is based on three strategic pillars: delivering a seamless passenger journey, ensuring resilient operations, and accelerating the path to net zero,” said Nabil Cheqroun, Chief Commercial Officer, Honeywell Building Automation. “We’re showcasing several innovations that are already making a significant impact in airports around the world.” A Seamless Journey: Follow the Green One of Honeywell’s standout solutions is Navitas, the “Follow the Green” technology. This system enables aircraft to taxi from runway to gate in the most efficient and safe manner possible. “Navitas helps reduce downtime and fuel consumption, improving turnaround time while significantly cutting carbon emissions,” explained Cheqroun. Complementing this is Honeywell’s latest Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS), which ensures precise docking of aircraft. “Accuracy is critical in airport operations, and VDGS provides pilots with exact guidance to reach the correct gate position,” he added. Unified Airport Intelligence Honeywell also emphasizes integration with its Command and Control Suite, a platform that connects building management systems, fire safety, and security infrastructure. This unified view streamlines airport operations both landside and airside, enabling quicker response times and optimized resource management. “Our Enterprise Building Integration (EBI) solution is built to manage complex airport environments. Whether it’s lighting, HVAC, or emergency response, EBI …
Read More »Emirates operates milestone demonstration flight powered with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Emirates has operated its first milestone demonstration flight on a Boeing 777-300ER, powering one of its engines with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The flight took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB), and was commanded by Captain Fali Vajifdar and Captain Khalid Nasser Akram, flying for more than one hour over the Dubai coastline. The flight deck crew were accompanied by Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, and Captain Hassan Hammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Flight Operations. The demonstration flight powered by SAF holds particular significance as the UAE declares 2023 the ‘Year of Sustainability’. The year will showcase the UAE’s commitment to seek innovative solutions to challenges such as energy, climate change and other issues related to sustainability. The flight supports collective industry efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying and help advance the UAE’s sustainability objectives. Emirates’ demonstration flight, the first in the Middle East and North Africa to be powered by 100% SAF, supports broader efforts to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions as the industry looks to scale up its use of SAF. The flights will also help to refine the playbook for future SAF demonstrations, and support future certification where 100% drop-in SAF fuel is approved for aircraft. Currently, SAF is approved for use in all aircraft, but only in blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel. Emirates worked alongside partners GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent to procure and develop a blend of SAF that closely replicates the properties of conventional jet fuel. At each blend ratio, a host of chemical and physical fuel property measurements were carried out. After multiple lab tests and rigorous trials, they arrived at …
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