Page 32 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014 Online Magazine

COLUMN TONY ROBINSON

Kiwi Power

By Tony Robinson

AIR nEw zEALAnd And SInGApORE to luxury aircraft interiors. Air New Zealand, Lufthansa and Virgin
Airline’s alliance aims to add another New Zealand’s component to design tailored galleys and bar areas.
100,000 seats to flights between the manufacturers, mostly small to medium New Zealand company Phitek produces
two countries and builds on a history of businesses, are able to combine resources noise-cancelling headsets that reduce
aviation industry ties that mutually benefit and adapt quickly, and have formed a one- engine noise clutter, making flights more
these small, but significant nations. stop shop for manufacturing services. A enjoyable, as well as providing connection
Many airlines are expanding and Supply Chain Group has been established solutions for inflight entertainment.
developing their fleets in Asia, and with that to offer these services – Kiwi companies Singapore Airlines offers Phitek headsets
comes a particular urgency to train pilots. such as SafeAir, Metrology Group, Talbot for First and Business Class passengers.
Singapore’s location and mature market Technologies and Winston & Gordon But it’s not just about the planes. From
make it the ideal training hub, but it is still Davies provide engineering parts and baggage weighing systems to cargo handling
stretched to meet overwhelming demands services for MRO, role conversions and solutions and the management of airport
for pilot training with just four Flight restoration, and a full suite of engineering facilities, aviation infrastructure plays a very
Training Organisations in the country. services including special repair process, important role in the industry and has a direct
Interestingly, the little country that holds machining, sheet metal work and aircraft impact on the customer’s opinion of a carrier
a flightless bird as its mascot – New Zealand tooling with necessary certifications. or airport. All it takes is a delayed baggage or
– is scaling up to meet this demand. New Zealand’s MRO capabilities were long lines at security to sully the traveller’s
Aviation training happens to be one of New put to the test in 2010, when a Qantas A380 experience.
Zealand’s key aviation offerings, part of the experienced engine failure in Singapore Kiwi companies such as BCS Group Ltd
industry that has grown from NZD$6.8 billion and required engine removal for further and Glidepath are well-established suppliers
(S$7.71 billion) in 2005 to NZD$9.7 billion analysis. The developing New Zealand in global airports for baggage handling
(S$9.85 billion) in 2009, and estimated to be precision engineering supply chain equipment. In fact, the Auckland airport is
over NZD$11 billion (S$11.66 billion) today. completed the project in just two weeks a pioneer in implementing the Automated
New Zealand is now recognized – the process normally takes 12 weeks, Bag Drop and Self Service Check Counters,
internationally for its calibre of pilot instruction, even for other established supply chains. in response to limited manpower and costs.
niche aircraft engineering design capability, Creative solutions that complement Changi Airport has recently considered the use
aircraft manufacturing, technology and both aircraft interiors and exteriors are of such concepts in the upcoming Terminal 4.
innovations. Because of their location, New also among New Zealand’s offerings. Having partnered with multiple
Zealand companies understand the need to Admark Visual Imaging has the only jurisdictions around the world, Kiwis are
stay competitive by being responsive with short worldwide licence to apply 3M products experienced in helping countries grow
turnaround times, making minimal errors and as aircraft wraps, complex technology their aviation sectors, particularly in
giving extra attention to quality control, all of that takes into account aircraft design areas of government policy and planning,
which help them stand out in the aviation field. and varying weather conditions. Air New infrastructure planning and capital efficiency,
The aviation industry is a key growth sector Zealand’s Hobbit-themed plane was their aviation security and passenger experience.
in Singapore, recording an output of close to latest masterpiece. New Zealand’s aviation industry has
S$8.7 billion in 2012. Singapore has the sixth This is more complicated than it had an enduring history of leadership
busiest international airport, fifth busiest air sounds as the design needs to work on – from farmer and inventor Richard
cargo hub in Asia, and the most comprehensive windows and doors, on a curved surface Pearse’s first plane in 1902, to Jean
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) that’s ten stories high, while withstanding Batten’s record-breaking flights in the
capabilities in the region. There’s a huge the expansion and contraction of the 1930s – and today plays an important role
demand for MRO providers, particularly metal airframe, 1000km/hr speeds, hail in establishing aviation systems over the
composite manufacturers. and lightning. world, contributing to the growth of the
Leveraging its experience in the Altitude aircraft interiors is a company industry-at-large.
marine sector, New Zealand applies its designing and fitting quality bespoke
world-leading knowledge of composite interiors and cabin furniture business jets, Tony Robinson is New Zealand’s Trade
usage and design capabilities in yachting as well as working with providers such as Commissioner to Singapore
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