Environmentally friendly aircraft air conditioning system makes its regional debut at the airport show

In confirming their participation at what has now emerged as the region's premier airport suppliers event, European manufacturers Cavotech Ground Support System and ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems said they hope their products will become a common sight at airports in the Middle East.

Representing a complete break from traditional methods, Cavotec's new air supply system uses pressure to make air cooler. Generated in devices located within the concourse building, the compressed air is transferred directly under the aircraft through a network of underground cables.

"The technology currently used to cool-off airplanes before take-off uses auxiliary power units (APU), which burn off large amounts of jet fuel and generate a lot of air pollution," said Thomas Widegren, Managing Director Cavotec Ground Support System.

"While authorities in Europe are now increasingly aware of the negative environmental impact of APU technology, its use is of particular concern for airports in this region, where the high summer temperatures mean even larger amounts of jet fuel are needed. As we do not use any fuel or gasses to compress air, our technology is much cleaner" he said.

The new air supply system can also help reduce operational and running costs. As the compressed air is transferred directly under the aircraft, there are no temperature losses, while the fact that the tarmac is free of hoses and cables lying around means reduced turnaround times, simple and low-cost civil works, low maintenance costs and reduced number of staff.

ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems will use the event to showcase a new range of passenger boarding bridges. Known as cantilever bridges, the new products are designed to free up space around the concourse, reduce ramp congestion and increase ramp safety.

This company has a reference list which includes more than 150 airports throughout the world and over 2,000 passenger boarding bridges have been installed. With more than 400 crystal units supplied, ThyssenKrupp is the leading glass bridges manufacturer. Installations in the Middle East can be found in Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Basrah, Cairo, Damascus, Dammam, Jeddah and Sharjah.

Among its line of Apron Drive bridges, ThyssenKrupp also manufactures Cantilever bridges for the new A-380. Available in 2006, this new jumbo aircraft will be a common sight at the Dubai International Airport, with Emirates Airlines recently placing an order for 21, A-380 planes.

With a reference list including more than 40 airports throughout Europe, as well as projects in Damascus, Cairo, Jeddah, Dammam, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, the company is the only manufacturer of cantilever bridges for the new A-380. Available in 2006, this new super jumbo aircraft will be a common sight at the Dubai International Airport with Emirates Airline recently having placed an order for 21 A-380 planes.

Cavotech Ground Support System and ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems are both represented in the Middle East by DTP Aviation, a Dubai-based company, which provides logistical and operational support to foreign manufacturers looking to penetrate the Middle East's increasingly profitable airport supplies market.

Another company arriving at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition under the umbrella of DTP Aviation is Germany-based ICM Airport Technics, which is at the moment building a new material handling system at the International Flower Centre, one of Dubai's most ambitious projects. Designed to handle over 300,000 tons per year, the new system is fully automatic and is the first of its kind in the world today.

"Designing this facility was a very challenging task because of the nature of the products that the cargo system had to cater for," said Alexis Dumigan, general manager ICM Airport Technics. "As we all know flowers are extremely perishable, so we had to come up with a design that will not only allow for the right temperature to be maintained at all times at the facility but that will also make the new project economically viable," he said.

The Airport Build and Supply Exhibition is held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai (DDCA) and chairman of Emirates Group. Visitors at this year's show will include the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation officials and their appointed consultants, regional civil aviation authorities, contractors, consultants, architects and local businessmen and traders.