tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32943108476839311752024-02-24T15:04:39.328+13:00John Macilree's WeblogJohn Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.comBlogger758125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-73798127901395669472023-06-29T13:12:00.005+12:002023-11-21T19:06:43.216+13:00Whangarei to Auckland transport links<p>Between COVID19 and a very wet 2023, the transport links between Northland and the rest of the country have suffered from major disruptions. They simply are not resilient. This post is the start of an examination of the problems and some of the possible solutions. It will be edited as I add more material but let's start with SH1.</p><p>I will also look at the months-long failure of the rail link, the proposals to build a <a href="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/our-network/our-regions/northland-rail-rejuvenation/" target="_blank">rail link</a> to the port at Marsden Point and <a href="https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Council/Projects/Airport-Location-Study" target="_blank">move Whangarei airport</a>, and an interesting new proposal for a ground-effect service along the coast called <a href="https://www.oceanflyer.co.nz/" target="_blank">Ocean Flyer</a>.</p><p>Before the Labour Government was elected, its National Party predecessor had promised a four-lane highway.</p><p>The current SH1 four laneing has now reached north to Warkworth with the recent opening of a new road north from Puhoi. This was part of the previous Government's Roads of National Significance (RoNs) programme.</p><p>At the same time work has been done to improve the safety of the existing section of SH1 between Warkworth and Wellsford.</p><p>But what was investigated before the change of Government in 2017? There is still information on the NZ Transport Agency web site about what might have involved a major rerouting of SH1, avoiding both Dome Valley and the Brynderwyn Hill. See, for example, the August 2017 Programme Business Case: <a href="https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/whangarei-to-te-hana/Whangarei-to-Auckland-PBC.pdf">https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/whangarei-to-te-hana/Whangarei-to-Auckland-PBC.pdf</a></p><p>Information about the current work programme is available from the NZTA web page on Connecting Northland: <a href="https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/connecting-northland/">https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/connecting-northland/</a> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-85089164157674049912023-06-11T13:31:00.002+12:002023-06-13T13:07:04.681+12:00Airline Competition in Australia<p>For the last three years the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been required to produce quarterly reports on airline competition in Australia. These reports are available <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/by-industry/travel-and-airports/domestic-airline-monitoring" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-53002202041937503462023-06-05T22:44:00.000+12:002023-06-11T13:34:31.801+12:00Fifth Freedom operations around the world<p>Fifth freedom services involve the sale and carriage of passengers and or cargo by an international airline between two countries, neither of which is the home country of that airline.</p><p>Their exchange by governments was a contentious issue at the Chicago conference in 1944. They have subsequently been exchanged by governments on a limited basis in bilateral air services arrangements and more recently have been a key feature of "open skies" agreements.</p><p>Perhaps their value has diminished, however, with technology improvement as more fuel efficient airliners have become capable of flying longer and longer ranges thereby eliminating the need to make intermediate stops.</p><p>On 27 January 2023 Matt Graham of <a href="https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/" target="_blank">Australian Frequent Flyer</a> published a very interesting <a href="https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/fifth-freedom-routes/" target="_blank">list</a> of the remaining fifth freedom operations around the world.</p>John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-82076486446703379892023-06-03T16:01:00.001+12:002023-06-11T13:38:48.855+12:00Old New Zealand aeronautical charts<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In late 2021 I came across a source for scans of all the old New Zealand aeronautical charts and plates. The scans are excellent but the indexing is just about non existent when it comes to trying to isolate them out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go to:</span><span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://geodatahub.library.auckland.ac.nz">geodatahub.library.auckland.ac.nz</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Have a look in the Knowledge Base at the New Zealand Mapping Service section, click on NZMS_009A, NZMS_009C, NZMS_012A, NZMS_89A, </span><span>NZMS_096 </span><span>and NZMS_228 then click on .jpg</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>NZMS_006 </span><span>contains hundreds of aerodrome plates and instrument procedures.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">NZMS_103 covers the NZ-UK air route in 1953.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the earliest charts that I could find date from the late 1930s.</span></p>John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-33457971214026564362023-05-20T14:04:00.003+12:002023-06-13T23:50:31.025+12:00Parliamentary Annual Reviews of Air New Zealand<p>Since the New Zealand Government took a majority shareholding in Air New Zealand the company has been the subject of annual reviews by a parliamentary select committee. The following is a (draft) list of some recent reports:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/submissions-and-advice/document/51SCFE_EVI_00DBSCH_FIN_59339_1_A423372/air-new-zealand" target="_blank">2013/14</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/submissions-and-advice/document/51SCFE_EVI_00DBSCH_ANR_66449_1_A468832/air-new-zealand" target="_blank">2014/15</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/submissions-and-advice/document/51SCTIR_EVI_00DBSCH_ANR_72641_1_A545901/air-new-zealand">2015/16</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/reports/document/SCR_76487/201617-annual-review-of-air-new-zealand-limited" target="_blank">2016/17</a> </li><li><a href="https://selectcommittees.parliament.nz/v/6/675fa391-f024-4baa-a0c9-a2e5de536136" target="_blank">2017/18</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/business-before-committees/document/FINS_92977/201819-annual-review-of-air-new-zealand-limited" target="_blank">2018/19</a> </li><li><a href="https://selectcommittees.parliament.nz/v/1/0791f662-0b4d-4ec0-812c-c0a0d34b426a">2019/20</a></li><li><a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/business-before-committees/document/FINS_119949/202021-annual-review-of-air-new-zealand-limited">2020/21</a></li><li><a href="https://selectcommittees.parliament.nz/v/6/a887a86f-c38c-47a6-cf2d-08db316a96e2" target="_blank">2021/22</a> </li></ul>John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-4442096797365686212017-02-20T15:01:00.000+13:002017-08-09T13:28:27.054+12:00New Zealand to join satellite-based augmentation systems trial programmeOn Friday, 17 February 2017 the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand <a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Joint%20Statement%20-%20Leaders%20Meeting%2017%20February%202017.pdf?platform=hootsuite" target="_blank">announced</a> that the New Zealand would be joining a satellite-based augmentation system trial programme (see third to last paragraph on page 2).<br />
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Related announcements were made by Hon Simon Bridges, New Zealand Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Transport (<a href="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-participate-australasian-satellite-technology-test-bed" target="_blank">here</a>), and the Australian Ministers of Resources, Hon Matthew Canavan, and Infrastructure, Hon Darren Chester (<a href="http://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/chester/releases/2017/february/dc029_2017.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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Additional information is available on the New Zealand web sites of:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.linz.govt.nz/data/geodetic-services/australasian-sbas-trial" target="_blank">Land Information New Zealand</a> - <a href="http://www.linz.govt.nz/news/2017-02/linz-contributing-navigation-technology-trial" target="_blank">news item</a></li>
<li>the <a href="http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/science-innovation/international-science-partnerships" target="_blank">Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment</a> - see <a href="http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/science-innovation/pdf-library/summary-document.pdf" target="_blank">Summary of Initial Work Programme</a> page 4</li>
<li>the <a href="http://www.transport.govt.nz/news/multi/new-zealand-to-participate-in-australasian-satellite-positioning-trial-programme/" target="_blank">Ministry of Transport</a> - <a href="http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/technology/specific-transport-technologies/positioning-systems/" target="_blank">positioning systems</a> </li>
<li>the <a href="http://www.caa.govt.nz/nss/satellite-based-augmentation-system-sbas-development/" target="_blank">Civil Aviation Authority</a> - <a href="http://nss.govt.nz/news-and-events/satellite/" target="_blank">New Southern Sky</a><span id="goog_1044645373"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1044645374"></span> <span style="color: red;">UPDATED</span> </li>
</ul>
See also previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2017/02/australia-funding-satellite-based.html" target="_blank">post</a>.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-30455449868513018512017-02-13T16:32:00.000+13:002017-02-22T09:53:01.552+13:00Australia funding a satellite-based augmentation systems test-bed and trial programmeModern positioning infrastructure, such as the US-provided Global Positioning System (<a href="http://www.gps.gov/" target="_blank">GPS</a>), is something people are increasingly taking for granted yet it is also technology that is proving useful for many transport-related applications.<br />
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The accuracy and integrity of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), of which GPS is now but one example, can be improved through using satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) that broadcast correction messages using geostationary satellites. SBAS coverage is already provided over North America (<a href="https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/techops/navservices/gnss/waas/" target="_blank">WAAS</a>), Europe (<a href="https://www.egnos-portal.eu/" target="_blank">EGNOS</a>), Japan (MSAS) and India (<a href="http://www.isac.gov.in/navigation/gagan.jsp" target="_blank">GAGAN</a>) but not over Australasia.<br />
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On 17 January 2017 the Australian Ministers of Infrastructure and Resources <a href="http://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/chester/releases/2017/january/dc010_2017.aspx" target="_blank">announced</a> that the Federal Government would be providing A$12m to fund a SBAS test-bed and trial programme.<br />
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Further information about this was provided in a <a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/positioning-navigation/positioning-for-the-future/latest-news/outlook-2016-17" target="_blank">statement</a> released on the same day by the Chief Executive of Geoscience Australia and related <a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/positioning-navigation/positioning-for-the-future/satellite-based-augmentation-system" target="_blank">questions and answers</a>.<br />
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On 10 February 2017 Geoscience Australia <a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/positioning-navigation/positioning-for-the-future/latest-news/technology-companies-join-australian-national-positioning-project" target="_blank">announced</a> that the test-bed would be provided by a consortium of <a href="http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us.html" target="_blank">Lockheed Martin</a> from the USA, <a href="http://www.gmv.com/en/" target="_blank">GMV</a> from Spain and <a href="http://www.inmarsat.com/" target="_blank">Inmarsat</a> from the UK. Both <a href="http://www.lockheedmartin.com.au/au/news/press-releases/2017/191220161.html" target="_blank">Lockheed Martin</a> and <a href="http://www.gmv.com/en/Company/Communication/PressReleases/2017/NP_05_SBASAustralia.html" target="_blank">GMV</a> have made press releases about this news.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crcsi.com.au/" target="_blank">CRCSI</a> is going to be involved in organising the trial programme.<br />
<br />John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-16170462082344313762017-02-13T14:50:00.000+13:002017-02-13T14:50:25.750+13:00A change of focus for the blog - transport technologyWhile I continue to be fascinated by aeropolitical developments and on a personal note I have taken up flying again (this time with the <a href="https://www.whangareiflyingclub.com/" target="_blank">Whangarei Flying Club</a>), my professional interests are now more focused on developments in transport technology across all modes.<br />
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It seems likely that we are on the cusp of transport-technology disruption the likes of which we have not seen since the end of the nineteenth century. Topics like the "Internet of Things" and "Big Data" all have a transport dimension, and we are increasingly using such phrases as "Intelligent Mobility" and "Mobility as a Service".<br />
<br />
It is an exciting time to be involved in transport policy as we work through the implications of the anticipated transport system changes.<br />
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As a consequence I will also now be using this weblog to provide links to some of the more interesting reports and articles on intelligent transport systems (ITS).John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-21245238261610964562015-04-06T18:23:00.000+12:002016-04-26T12:39:15.293+12:00POST Notes on TransportThe UK's <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/" target="_blank">Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology</a> (POST) has produced a series of short briefing notes that it calls POSTnotes that are relevant to those with an interest in transport policy. The following have been published over the last decade:<br />
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<b>2014</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">479 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/POST-PN-479/civilian-drones" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Civilian Drones</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">472 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/POST-PN-473/biobanks" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/POST-PN-472/big-and-open-data-in-transport" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Big and Open Data in Transport</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">468 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/POST-PN-468/big-data-overview" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Big Data Overview</a><br />
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<b>2013</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">440 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-440" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Drug-driving</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">432 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-432" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Accessing Public Transport</a><br />
<br />
<b>2010</b><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">365 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-365" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Electric Vehicles</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">362 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-362" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Resilience of UK Infrastructure</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">361 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-361" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Space Weather</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">355 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-355" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Space Debris</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">354 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-354" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Global Carbon Trading</a><br />
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<b>2009</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">322 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-322" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Intelligent Transport Systems</a><br />
<br />
<b>2006</b><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">255 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-255" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Low Carbon Private Vehicles</a><br />
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<b>2004</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px;">218 - </span><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/POST-PN-218" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4e9bd7; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 16.6399993896484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Speed Cameras</a><br />
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A POSTnote on <a href="http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/POST-PN-0496" target="_blank">Trends in Transport</a> <span style="color: red;">UPDATED</span> has been completed.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-35675545933308529302013-06-24T17:34:00.002+12:002013-06-24T17:34:26.601+12:00A really bad day at the office for these pilots!The chain of events leading to this February 2006 runway overrun by a business jet in Northern Germany <a href="http://www.aviationweek.com/blogs.aspx?plckblogid=blog:7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbb&plckpostid=blog%3A7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbbpost%3Abeffcc78-c473-4a2e-86c4-4325b42367d6" target="_blank">reported</a> on 24 May 2013 by John Croft in the Things with Wings blog is quite amazing.<br />
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The official 22 page <a href="http://www.bfu-web.de/EN/Publications/Investigation%20Report/2006/Report_06_AX001_Falcon20_Kiel-Holtenau.pdf?__blob=publicationFile" target="_blank">accident report</a> gives more details.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-91087544715983460142012-02-26T22:49:00.000+13:002012-02-27T13:34:24.155+13:00PodcastsA couple of years ago when I first got an iPhone I downloaded from <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/" target="_blank">iTunes</a> and listened to an aviation podcast. I was not impressed as the speakers were amateur enthusiasts who were clearly not that well informed.<br />
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I then started listening to <a href="http://www.econtalk.org/" target="_blank">EconTalk</a>, a series of excellent podcasts by economist Russ Roberts from GMU in Virginia (he also blogs at <a href="http://cafehayek.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Hayek</a>). Each week he interviews at length a distinguished economist in a manner that is not overly technical.<br />
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For lighter relief I have been listening to the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/fricomedy" target="_blank">Friday Night Comedy</a> from BBC Radio 4. These generally take the form of a quiz or short monologues focussed on the latest political news from the UK.<br />
<br />
More recently, I have been listening to a couple of much more professionally done aviation podcasts.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.airplanegeeks.com/" target="_blank">Airplane Geeks</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/airplanegeeks" target="_blank">@AirplaneGeeks</a>) - from the USA</li>
<li><a href="http://www.planecrazydownunder.com/" target="_blank">Plane Crazy Down Under</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/pcdu" target="_blank">@pcdu</a>) - from Victoria, Australia</li>
</ul>
<br />
They have turned out to be excellent with coverage of civil and miltary aviation, including aviation history and technology. I have been listening to older episodes and have even sent off a couple of possible "Grill the Geeks" questions to the USA.<br />
<br />
These have all been great listening while walking our two dogs.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-56227156718769327152012-02-26T22:12:00.000+13:002012-02-26T23:36:07.672+13:00MicrobloggingOver the last few months I have become a fan of using <a href="http://twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (posts should be 140 characters or less and URLs are usually shortened) and some of the web links that I have previously been posting here are now being sent out from <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/aeropolitics" target="_blank">@aeropolitics</a> It is also an excellent method for following other relevant Twitter accounts on the latest developments around the world as they happen. I will, however. be making an effort to catch up on my weblog posting.<br />
<br />
I have also started helping the <a href="http://www.raes.org.nz/" target="_blank">New Zealand Division</a> of the <a href="http://aerosociety.com/" target="_blank">Royal Aeronautical Society</a> (I am a Council member) with tweets focussed on New Zealand aviation news using the brand name <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/aerospacenz" target="_blank">@aerospacenz</a><br />
<br />
And I am still using <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/macilree" target="_blank">@macilree</a> for short messages of a more personal nature.<br />
<br />
As this can often be done from my "old" iPhone it is generally a much quicker way of providing links to information that may be of interest to others.<br />
<br />
To assist I am using <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/" target="_blank">Tweetdeck</a> both on our PC and my smartphone.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-32683542985887137042011-11-17T17:24:00.001+13:002011-11-17T20:27:02.384+13:00ECJ Advocate General releases opinion on extension of EU ETS to cover international aviationOn 6 October 2011 the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) issued a <a href="http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2011-10/cp110104en.pdf" target="_blank">press release</a> and non-binding legal <a href="http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-366/10" target="_blank">opinion</a> on the case (C-366/10) brought by the Air Transport Association of America and Others (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2011/07/us-airlines-case-against-eu-ets.html" target="_blank">post</a>).<br />
<br />
Reaction from interested parties the same day included statements from:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.airlines.org/News/Releases/Pages/news_10-6-2011.aspx" target="_blank">Air Transport Association</a> (ATA)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2011-10-06-01.aspx" target="_blank">International Air Transport Association</a> (IATA)</li>
<li><a href="http://files.aea.be/News/us_legalcase_ETS_oct2011.pdf" target="_blank">Association of European Airlines</a> (AEA)</li>
</ul>
Media coverage of the opinion and related reaction included:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2011/10/06/canada-joins-fight-over-eu-emissions/" target="_blank">Financial Post</a> reporting the Canadian Government position</li>
<li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/eu-can-force-us-airlines-to-buy-carbon-permits-court-adviser-says/2011/10/06/gIQAFUAOQL_story.html" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2011/10/airlines-and-europe%25E2%2580%2599s-emissions-scheme" target="_blank">The Economist</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.aircargoworld.com/Air-Cargo-News/2011/10/eu-court-backs-ets-amid-controversy/062533" target="_blank">Air Cargo World</a> </li>
</ul>
While airline opposition might be expected, of much greater significance is the reaction of foreign governments.<br />
<br />
As might be expected, the opinion has been of considerable interest to international law academics. <a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/aviation/" target="_blank">Aviation Law Prof Blog</a> from DePaul University in Chicago has been providing commentary and links to other work:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/aviation/2011/10/advocate-general-claims-eu-not-bound-by-chicago-convention.html" target="_blank">Advocate General claims EU not bound by Chicago Convention</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/aviation/2011/10/functional-succession-theory-and-ramifications-of-eu-exemption-from-chicago-convention.html" target="_blank">Functional succession theory and ramifications of EU exemption from Chicago Convention</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/aviation/2011/10/advocate-general-opinion-charts-new-ground-on-extraterritorial-jurisdiction-over-environmental-issue.html" target="_blank">Advocate General opinion charts new ground on extraterritorial jurisdiction over environmental issues</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/aviation/2011/10/advocate-general-opinion-finds-no-legal-impediment-to-unilateral-emissions-action.html" target="_blank">Advocate General opinion finds no legal impediment to unilateral emissions action</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/aviation/2011/10/does-ets-constitute-a-tax.html" target="_blank">Does ETS constitute a tax?</a> </li>
</ul>John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-91451964506068471232011-11-17T17:15:00.001+13:002011-11-17T17:40:52.632+13:00Canada signs expanded air agreement with JapanOn 1 October 2011 the Canadian Ministers of International Trade and Transport <a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2011-h089e-6466.htm">announced</a> that Canada had negotiated new air services arrangements with Japan (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2011/09/japan-negotiating-open-skies-agreement.html" target="_blank">post</a>).John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-88853615285236281222011-10-04T07:26:00.000+13:002011-10-04T07:26:52.164+13:00Australia concludes open air services agreement with JapanOn 30 September 2011 the Australian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Hon Anthony Albanese, <a href="http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2011/September/AA176_2011.aspx">announced</a> that Australia had negotiated a new open air services agreement with Japan. For Australian airlines the arrangements include time-restricted access to <a href="http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/en/">Haneda airport</a> in Tokyo and open access to <a href="http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/">Narita airport</a> from 2013. While described as "open skies", some slot-related restrictions on access to these Tokyo airports remain for the time being. Also included are fifth freedom rights for Australian airlines beyond Japan to third countries.<br />
<br />
On 16 August 2011 the Qantas group had <a href="http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2011/aug11/Jetstar">announced</a> that it will be entering into a new joint venture with <a href="http://www.jal.com/">Japan Airlines</a> and <a href="http://www.mitsubishicorp.com/">Mitsubishi Corporation</a> to establish Jetstar Japan. Although announced as a domestic operation, this new joint venture could qualify to use Japanese international air rights.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-45225148187327120292011-09-18T20:54:00.003+12:002011-09-18T20:54:52.322+12:00UK has air services negotiations scheduled with JapanThe <a href="http://assets.dft.gov.uk/topics/aviation/bilateral-framework/possible-bilateral-air-services-talks.pdf">United Kingdom Forward Programme of Possible Bilateral Air Services Talks</a> published by the Department for Transport has negotiations scheduled for September 2011 with Cuba, Egypt and Turkmenistan.<br />
<br />
More interestingly it states that the UK has negotiations scheduled with Japan for 17-19 January 2012. With the recent talks with Canada (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2011/09/japan-negotiating-open-skies-agreement.html">post</a>), Japan is clearly starting to work through a priority list of countries outside of East Asia (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2011/03/japan-announces-priorities-for-open.html">post</a>) as it implements its "open skies" policy.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-45086998250061859892011-09-18T20:00:00.001+12:002011-09-18T20:00:22.234+12:00UK Government responds to Committee on Climate Change Aviation ReportOn 25 August 2011 the UK <a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/">Department for Transport</a> published a <a href="http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/response-ccc-report/ccc-response.pdf">government response</a> to the Aviation Report issued by the Committee for Climate Change (CCC) in December 2009 (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2009/12/uk-committee-on-climate-change-releases.html">post</a>).<br />
<br />
The response focusses on an estimated marginal abatement cost curve to reduce <a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/reducing-co2-emissions">CO<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span> emissions from UK aviation</a>.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-61040672795230800082011-09-18T16:42:00.002+12:002011-09-18T16:42:54.656+12:00APEC Transportation Ministers meet in San Francisco<a href="http://www.apec.org/">APEC</a> Transportation Ministers met in San Francisco on 14 September 2011. The <a href="http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Transportation/2011_transport.aspx">Ministerial Joint Statement</a> released at the meeting makes specific mention of the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of International Air Transportation (<a href="http://www.maliat.govt.nz/">MALIAT</a>).<br />
<br />
APEC has long taken an interest in the economic regulation of international air transport. In the late 1990s it developed and prioritised <a href="http://www.apec-tptwg.org.cn/new/Steering-Committees/Competitive/air-services-group/apec-air-services-group.htm">eight options</a> for reform and these were endorsed when APEC Leaders met and issued the <a href="http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Leaders-Declarations/1999/~/media/Files/LeadersDeclarations/1999/1999_LeadersDeclaration.ashx">Auckland Challenge</a> on 13 September 1999 (see page 4).<br />
<br />
Guiding APEC's work in trade have been the <a href="http://www.apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Leaders-Declarations/1994/1994_aelm.aspx">Bogor goals</a> set by Leaders in 1994.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-43720095952940953042011-09-18T16:19:00.001+12:002011-09-18T16:19:28.671+12:00NZ Commerce Commission has a win in air cargo pricing court caseOn 26 August 2011 the New Zealand <a href="http://www.comcom.govt.nz/">Commerce Commission</a> <a href="http://www.comcom.govt.nz/business-competition-media-releases/detail/2011/commerce-commission-gets-green-light-to-proceed-with-air-cargo-price-fixing-case-2">announced</a> that it had won a procedural <a href="http://www.comcom.govt.nz/assets/Business-Competition/Enforcement-Outcomes/Commerce-Commission-v-Air-New-Zealand-and-others-final-judgment-24-August-2011.pdf">judgement</a> in the High Court in its case against nine airlines (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2011/06/alleged-air-cargo-rate-fixing-case.html">post</a>).John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-84170268262884909362011-09-18T16:09:00.000+12:002011-09-18T16:09:23.016+12:00Australian Productivity Commission releases draft report on airport regulationOn 22 August 2011 the Australian <a href="http://www.pc.gov.au/">Productivity Commission</a> <a href="http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/airport-regulation/draft/media-release">released</a> a draft report on the <a href="http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/airport-regulation/draft">Economic Regulation of Airport Services</a>. The final date for submissions is 23 September 2011.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-18799077370091807262011-09-18T10:05:00.000+12:002011-09-18T10:05:37.806+12:00Our Standard Poodles enjoy their 15 minutes of fameMorgan and Bree, our two Standard Poodles, along with my wife Wendy and I feature in a <a href="http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/">Rugby World Cup</a>-related <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/fan-central/5640238/These-fans-will-be-barking-with-delight">article</a> and photograph on the second page of Wellington's main newspaper the Dominion Post on Saturday, 17 September 2011. The dogs had <a href="http://www.allblacks.com/">All Blacks</a> and <a href="http://www.rfu.com/">England</a> team logos applied to their fur when they were groomed on Friday.<br />
<br />
Morgan does actually watch the television, although he tends to prefer watching quadrupeds rather than bipeds, and Bree is obsessed by balls.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-2595315990670156732011-09-18T09:47:00.001+12:002011-09-18T16:04:10.256+12:00India's Comptroller and Auditor General Examines Air IndiaThe <a href="http://saiindia.gov.in/english/index.html">Comptroller and Auditor General of India</a> has recently released a <a href="http://saiindia.gov.in/english/home/Our_Products/Audit_Report/Government_Wise/union_audit/recent_reports/union_performance/2011_2012/Civil_%20Performance_Audits/Report_18/Report_18.html">Performance Audit of Civil Aviation in India</a>. The audit commenced in September 2009 and the report was tabled in Parliament on 8 September 2011.<br />
<br />
For me the most interesting part of the report was <a href="http://saiindia.gov.in/english/home/Our_Products/Audit_Report/Government_Wise/union_audit/recent_reports/union_performance/2011_2012/Civil_%20Performance_Audits/Report_18/chap5.pdf">Chapter 5</a> which looks at India's bilateral air services arrangements during a period of fundamental change in India's international air transport policy. Of particular concern to the auditors was the extent of sixth freedom carriage by many of the foreign airlines serving India, notably from small city states. Sixth freedom carriage in this context involves a foreign international airline is carrying traffic between India and a third country via its home country. Seeking to limit such carriage is a traditional approach to air rights exchanges dating back to the 1946 Bermuda 1 arrangements between the UK and the USA (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2009/01/primary-history-sources-on-aeropolitics.html">post</a>).<br />
<br />
What I had not expected to see was the extent to which European carriers serving India have as high a proportion of sixth freedom carriage as airlines from the Gulf. An 18 September 2011 <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/sixth-freedom-choked-air-india/448817/">article</a> in the Business Standard reports on the data.<br />
<br />
The auditors also focus in particular on the failure of the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation to secure Dubai's agreement to a "change of gauge" provision. If this was considered important surely the Indian negotiators would have made it the price for agreeing to capacity increases for Emirates?<br />
<br />
A 10 September 2011 <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Aviation-ministry-counters-CAG-s-charges/844392/">report</a> in the Indian Express covers the reaction to the report from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.<br />
<br />
It would seem that India has no intention of seeking to wind back existing air services arrangements but one has to wonder what impact this report will have on future negotiations, particularly as there was a change of Civil Aviation Minister in India from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praful_Patel">Praful Patel</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vayalar_Ravi">Vyalar Ravi</a> in January 2011.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://home.airindia.in/">Air India</a> recently had its application to join the Star alliance suspended (see 31 July 2011 <a href="http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/starairindia-prp/">media release</a>) and there is now some doubt about its large order for new Boeing aircraft, including the B787.<br />
<br />
In the 1960s Air India was one of the great airlines of the world with its wonderful <a href="http://home.airindia.in/SBCMS/Webpages/The-Maharajah.aspx?MID=196">Maharaja</a> character. However, past failures to agree to replace older airliners has left the airline with a relatively old fleet.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-76132665781632871252011-09-18T08:38:00.001+12:002011-09-18T08:38:47.866+12:00"Breaking the Surly Bonds of Economic Regulation" by Chris LyleConsultant and former senior official at ICAO, Chris Lyle of <a href="http://www.airtransporteconomics.ca/">Air Transport Economics</a> in Canada published an <a href="http://www.airtransporteconomics.ca/Liberalizationstimulus2011.pdf">article</a> in August 2011 suggesting a way forward towards liberalising international air transport economic regulation involving a club approach.<br />
<br />
Although I would not uncritically accept what he has to say, it is well worth reading.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-12506348218403792712011-09-18T08:11:00.001+12:002011-09-18T08:11:25.734+12:00Japan negotiating "open skies" agreement with CanadaCAPA <a href="http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/japan-to-commence-open-skies-talks-with-canada--119395">reported</a> that Japan's <a href="http://www.mlit.go.jp/index_e.html">Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism</a> (MILT) announced on 9 September 2011 that it would be negotiating an open skies agreement with Canada commencing on 13-14 September 2011 in Vancouver.<br />
<br />
MILT noted that this would be only the second such agreement outside of East Asia, the first having been with the United States (see previous <a href="http://macilree.blogspot.com/2009/12/united-states-reaches-open-skies.html">post</a>).John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3294310847683931175.post-61143196794843948292011-09-18T07:44:00.001+12:002011-09-18T07:44:25.853+12:00New Zealand Productivity Commission International Freight Transport Services InquiryThe new <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/">New Zealand Productivity Commission</a> (modelled on its Australian <a href="http://www.pc.gov.au/">counterpart</a>) is conducting an Inquiry into <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/issues-paper-engagement/315">International Freight Transport Services</a>. The Commission is looking at both aviation and maritime services, including air and sea ports (New Zealand has no land borders).<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/International%20Freight%20Inquiry%20Terms%20of%20Reference%20March%202011_2.pdf">Terms of Reference</a> for the Inquiry were released in March 2011 and on 13 July 2011 the Commission <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/nzpc-media-release-13-july-2011_1.pdf">released</a> a 78-page <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/International%20Freight%20Transport%20Issues%20Paper_1.pdf">Issues Paper</a> with 79 specific questions.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/view-submissions/315">Submissions</a> are now being made available on the Commission's web site. To date those from the aviation industry have included submissions from the <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/Sub%20023%20-%20Aviation%20Industry%20Association%20of%20NZ%20(Inc)%20Submission.pdf">Aviation Industry Association</a>, <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/submission-freight/801">Board of Airline Representatives NZ</a>, <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/submission-freight/786">New Zealand Air Cargo Council</a>, <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/submission-freight/804">NZ Airports Association</a>, and <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/submission-freight/794">Auckland</a>, <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/submission-freight/826">Wellington</a> and <a href="http://www.productivity.govt.nz/submission-freight/821">Christchurch</a> airports.John Macilreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006468722727550303noreply@blogger.com0