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February 25, 2021

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Today's Top Stories

DOT Finds 14 Ways to Restore Confidence in FAA Certifications

A recent audit of the Boeing 737 MAX recertification process conducted by the US Department of Transportation inspector general concluded that the FAA’s approval process was flawed. In a 63-page report, auditors pointed out that key FAA engineers did not understand Boeing’s assessment of the new MCAS system responsible for two fatal crashes until after the first incident. To that end, the report recommends that the FAA does more to ensure personnel conducting certification tasks “are adequately independent.” In total, the report makes 14 recommendations which the FAA has agreed to address.

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Emirates, DHA to Create Digital Health Information Verification Solution

A memorandum of understanding between Emirates and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will see the IT systems of DHA-approved laboratories linked with Emirates’ reservations and check-in systems to enable the sharing, storing and verification of passenger health information related to COVID-19. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ chairman and chief executive, said it will “enable contactless document verification at Dubai Airport.” Elsewhere, Malaysia Airlines is introducing a Digital Health Travel Pass within its mobile app, which allows passengers to book COVID-19 tests and incorporates modules from IATA’s Travel Pass.

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PAC Levels Up In-Flight Gaming Through New Partnership

A selection of retro arcade games are being added to Panasonic Avionics’ (PAC) in-flight entertainment portfolio. The company’s latest partnership with Bandai Namco will see titles like Dig Dug, Galaga, and the iconic Pac-Man games available to PAC’s customers. Retro games are enjoying a resurgence, and chief executive at Panasonic Avionics Ken Sain noted that their universal appeal “provide[s] connections to different communities.”

Panasonic Avionics | Related Qatar Launches Facebook AR Football Game – APEX Media

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Former Nokia CEO to Lead Inmarsat

Beginning March 1, Rajeev Suri will become CEO of Inmarsat and a director of its holding company, Connect Bidco Limited. Suri will replace current CEO Rupert Pearce, who is stepping down. Inmarsat chairperson Andrew Sukawaty said the board is delighted to work with Suri, whose experience will support Inmarsat’s future growth. Suri has held various positions at Nokia since 1995 and was appointed CEO in 2014. He oversaw Nokia’s increase in operating profit from $34 million in 2009 to over $2.4 billion in 2019 through mergers and acquisitions and organic growth, and is responsible for consolidating the telecom industry.

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Elenium’s HealthGate Approved as Medical Device

Australian regulators have approved Elenium Automation’s fever detection kiosk, Healthgate, as a legal medical device. The company claims it is the first to receive approval for a product in this category in Australia. Healthgate handles touchless health declaration processing as well as screening. It uses sensors that remotely scan key areas of the face, including tear ducts, to determine if someone has a fever in under two seconds. Elenium will begin rolling out the product at airports, healthcare centres, event venues and workplaces.

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ANA’s In-Flight Magazine Goes Digital

Seizing an opportunity to increase sustainability practices while improving hygiene measures at lounges and in the cabin, All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced it will cease providing printed copies of its in-flight magazine, Tsubasa – Global Wings, and other publications beginning in April. The move will save approximately 1,540 tons of paper per year. Publications in various languages will be available to download online or through the ANA mobile app 24 hours before and after a flight. "ANA has always focused on embracing the latest technology and this transition to digital format will increase flexibility for passengers," said Hideki Kunugi, executive vice-president, Customer Experience at ANA.

All Nippon Airways | Related COVID Accelerates The End Of The Inflight Magazine – Simple Flying

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New Aircraft Seating Foam Poised to Make an Impression

Cabin interiors company Starr Aircraft is working with seat cushion organization Sp1ke to engineer a structural foam made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer that meets aviation safety requirements. The technology, called Impression, contains hundreds of interconnected rods and nubs that contour the body as it moves. The foam’s open structure does not retain heat or harbor pathogens. Starr seeks to supply airlines with custom-moulded seat base and seatback foams, and is pursuing opportunities to provide topper mats for lie-flat business-class seats to Asian and South Asian carriers.

aircraft interiors international | Related New Zotek F OSU foam designed for extra rigidity and up to 70% weight reduction – Business Jet Interiors International

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Lucky Lady II passed the control tower at Carswell Air Force Base in Texas on March 2, 1949 at 10:22 a.m., marking the end of the circumnavigation. Crew members were greeted by Air Secretary Stuart Symington, General Hoyt Vandenberg and other dignitaries.

This week, we're celebrating the first airplane to circle the world nonstop. The journey began on February 26, 1949 and took 94 hours to complete.

> Tweet of the Day

Teamwork makes our dream work. @OneWebSatellit1 and our launch team worked hard to load 36 OneWeb satellites today for our next launch. Great work everyone!

OneWeb @OneWeb

Association News

Airline & Airport Automation Summit to Debut at FTE Global

Automation in the aviation industry is gaining momentum as airlines and airports are coming up with ways to enable operational and cost efficiencies across the business. FTE is committed to helping the industry collaborate to support its survival, and automation will be a leading topic during the upcoming FTE shows this year. A new feature at FTE Global this year will be the Airline & Airport Automation Summit. More details to be announced soon! Learn more.

> Quote of the Day

"‘Cocooning’ passengers has long been a key design principle behind business-class cabins [...] so the logical next step is to [...] feed these ideas into the back of the plane."

Monica Wick, RedCabin
Read the article

Until tomorrow

ABOUT APEX

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of airlines, businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe. Every day, APEX members are improving every aspect of the airline experience, from designing, building and installing seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and in-flight dining. Visit apex.aero for more information. APEX is professionally managed by Kellen Company, the premier global association management firm with offices and representation in the United States, Europe, China, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.

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