August 13, 2019– Step onto an aircraft and the chances are good that BAE Systems developed the electronics that enabled its flight. From controlling the aircraft to keeping its engine running at peak performance, BAE Systems moves the world by serving more than two million passengers each day. In fact, every second of everyday a plane safely takes off and lands because of our products. BAE Systems introduced fly-by-wire technology to military aircraft over four decades ago. In fact, both the F-16 and the F-18 flew in 1976 with our systems. Just five years later, we introduced fly-by-wire on a commercial aircraft, the A310. These systems receive inputs from the pilot and command the actuators to move the surfaces accordingly.

Our active inceptors – ‘active sticks’ – provide intuitive tactile feedback that helps pilots control the aircraft and maintain a stable flight. While our innovation started with military aircraft more than 25 years ago, we recently became the first to integrate the same technology on a commercial aircraft with Gulfstream’s G500. These sticks are the world’s first certified commercial active inceptors and earned us, along with Gulfstream, the 2017 Aviation Week Technology Laureate Award.

To further assist pilots, we’ve created flight deck systems with intuitive, streamlined cockpit interfaces that optimize the performance of aircraft. These systems are on more than 12,000 aircraft around the world and serve as the conduit between pilots and their aircraft. The idea behind our systems is to simplify actions for pilots based on the challenges that they face.

We also keep passengers on the move with full authority digital engine controls (FADEC) that power more than 30,000 aircraft around the world. Our FADECs have logged over 1 billion flight hours on military and commercial aircraft. Engine controls receive command from the pilot’s thrust control levers, as well as a multitude of sensors to control the injection of fuel in the combustors. To maximize fuel, the FADECs control the stationary airfoils inside the engine’s fan. The airfoils, also known as stators or vanes, help the aircraft to be most efficient by managing its bypass on the engine.

Venture outside the cockpit to the cabin aisle and you’ll find that our systems create a better flight experience for passengers and crews. To create that experience we give crews the tools to manage power, lighting, climate, and communication systems on more than 2,000 aircraft.

For nearly a half century we’ve solved some of the toughest challenges in aviation, while bringing forth innovative solutions that changed the flight experience for pilots, passengers and crews. Over time a lot has changed, but our desire to push the limits of what is possible remains a constant.

We are building on our past to set the pace for the future of aviation as we embrace autonomous and hybrid-electric systems on aircraft. In the years ahead, we will remain steadfast in providing the controls and avionics that have helped keep our customers flying. Our eyes are on the future and we are focused on writing the next great chapter of aviation history.

OAG Punctuality League 2016 reveals exceptional data from Hawaiian, Delta, Detroit International and more

Key Findings:

• Hawaiian Airlines was the most punctual airline in 2016, with an average on-time performance (OTP) of 89.9 percent.
• Delta Air Lines finished third among all North American airlines and first among the major carriers with an average OTP of 84.3 percent.
• United Airlines jumped past American Airlines among major U.S. carriers with an OTP of 80 percent.
• While only four low cost carriers ranked among the top 20 airlines overall, Southwest Airlines finished fifth among all North American airlines with an OTP of 81 percent.
• U.S. airports dominated the rankings, finishing 2016 with eleven of the top 20 airports in the major category.
• Detroit International Airport finished as the best-performing major North American airport and third best across the globe; Salt Lake City International Airport finished second in the large airport category globally.
• Tokyo Haneda International Airport continues to be the pinnacle of airport OTP, taking the top spot in the major airport category for the second year in a row, despite handling the fourth most airline seats of any airport in the world.

Chicago, Illinois | January 4, 2017– OAG, the global leader in air travel intelligence, has released the results of the OAG Punctuality League 2016, the industry’s most comprehensive annual ranking of on-time performance (OTP) for the world’s airlines and airports. This year’s data saw many U.S. airlines and airports thrive, with nine airports ranking among the Top 20 in the world within the major airports category (airports with more than 20 million passengers in 2016).

“Airlines and airports continue to place an emphasis on OTP, as travelers consistently value on-time performance as a significant factor when booking travel”
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The OAG Punctuality League is derived from the most comprehensive airline schedules database in the world and is the most transparent global benchmark for the world’s airlines and airports.

Among the biggest winners were Hawaiian Airlines, which took the top spot in the airline OTP rankings, finishing 2016 with an OTP of 89.9 percent. Finishing the year as the most punctual airline represents a major jump for Hawaiian, which improved from ninth place last year. Delta Air Lines also jumped a spot from 2015, moving up to third among U.S. airlines and maintaining the top spot among major carriers.

Among U.S. airports, Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) took the top spot and finished third in the global rankings with an OTP of 85.4 percent in what was an exceptional year for airport OTP domestically.

“Airlines and airports continue to place an emphasis on OTP, as travelers consistently value on-time performance as a significant factor when booking travel,” said John Grant, senior analyst at OAG. “U.S. airports continue to stack up very well against their global counterparts, with eleven airports among the top 20 and both Detroit International and Salt Lake City International (SLC) finishing in the top two spots in their respective categories.”

In 2016, low-cost carrier (LCC) rankings remained mostly stable. Only four LCCs ranked in the top 20 of the overall airlines category. Southwest maintained its spot in the top 10 in the LCC category, finishing seventh with an OTP of 81 percent. JetBlue moved up from 18th to 15th in this category, with an OTP of 75.3 percent, but dropped out of the top 10 among North American airlines. The most punctual LCC overall was Monarch Airlines.

Among major carriers in the U.S., United Airlines overtook American Airlines this year, jumping up three spots in the rankings. The three largest carriers in the U.S. all ranked among the top 10 in North America, with Delta leading the pack at 84.3 percent (3rd), United at 80 percent (6th) and American at 78.4 percent (8th).

In addition to the nine U.S. airports in the Top 20 in the Major Airport category, eleven finished in the Top 20 of the Large Airport category, which is characterized by airports that handle 10-20M seats per year. One of the biggest movers was Portland International Airport (PDX), which jumped from outside the Top 20 in 2015 to seventh place in 2016, with an OTP of 85.1 percent. Every airport that made the Top 20 in these two categories boasted an OTP of greater than 80 percent.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) tops the rankings for on-time performance in 2016 in the Major Airport category. This is the second year in a row the airport has achieved this distinction — a considerable accomplishment for an airport which is among the largest and busiest in the world.

From a database of approximately 54 million flight records, OAG produces the annual benchmarking report which defines “on time” as within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of scheduled arrival/departure time.

For more insights from the OAG Punctuality League 2016, download a copy of the full report.

Abu Dhabi, UAE | February 2, 2015– Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, carried a record number of passengers and cargo in 2014, marking its strongest operational performance to date.

Almost 14.8 million passengers flew with Etihad Airways last year, a significant increase of 23 per cent over 2013 levels. The growth in passenger demand continued to outstrip the airline’s capacity increase, highlighting the strength of its long-term growth strategy.

In total, Etihad Airways carried more than 74 per cent of the 19.9 million passengers who travelled through Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2014. With the addition of the airline’s equity partners that operate flights into the UAE capital, the combined total rises to a significant 82 per cent of passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Our business model, which focuses on organic network growth, codeshare partnerships and minority equity investments in other airlines, continued to yield positive results in 2014 and surpassed our double-digit targets for passenger and cargo growth.”

Etihad Airways introduced 10 additional destinations to its global route network in 2014, with new services launched to Medina, Jaipur, Los Angeles and Zurich in the first half of the year, and Perth, Rome, Yerevan, Phuket, San Francisco and Dallas in the second half of the year. In addition, frequencies were increased on 23 existing routes across the world in 2014.

Building on its organic growth, the airline also expanded its codeshare and equity partnerships last year. These partnerships delivered over 3.5 million passengers onto Etihad Airways flights, an increase of 40 per cent over the 2.5 million passengers in 2013.

New codeshare agreements were launched with Air Europa, jetBlue, Philippine Airlines, GOL, SAS, Hong Kong Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas, while Etihad Airways’ existing codeshares with South African Airways, Alitalia and Jet Airways were significantly expanded.

In August 2014, the airline announced a €560 million investment in New Alitalia to acquire a 49 per cent shareholding in the carrier, a 75 per cent interest in Alitalia Loyalty, which operates the MilleMiglia frequent flier program, and five pairs of slots at London’s Heathrow Airport, which will be leased back to Alitalia. The transaction received European Commission merger clearance in November 2014 and became effective on 31 December 2014.

Alitalia is the latest addition to Etihad Airways’ equity partners network, which also includes airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Jet Airways and Virgin Australia. An investment is being formalised in Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline.

In addition, Etihad Airways Partners was unveiled last year to offer passengers more choice through improved networks and schedules, plus enhanced frequent flyer benefits. The partnership also builds greater synergies for participating airlines, which currently include airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI.

Etihad Airways also reported strong cargo growth for 2014, with 568,648 tonnes of freight and mail flown in total, a 17 per cent increase year-on-year. The airline accounted for 89.6 per cent of cargo imports, exports and transfers at Abu Dhabi airport last year.

Over the course of last year, Etihad Cargo enhanced its global reach by offering bellyhold capacity on Etihad Airways’ 10 new passenger destinations and expanding its freighter services to new markets such as Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Hanoi and Moscow. A freighter service was also launched from Milan to Bogotá and from Bogotá to Amsterdam, following an agreement with Avianca Cargo, the cargo division of Latin American carrier Avianca.

Etihad Airways’ fleet consisted of 110 aircraft at the end of 2014 (+24 per cent year-on-year), with an average age of 5.5 years. The airline took delivery of its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-9 in December, with both state-of-the-art aircraft offering new standards in cabin interiors, together with considerable fuel efficiency and environmental improvements.

An additional nine Airbus aircraft (two A330-200s, three A321s, three A320s and one A330-200F) and six Boeing aircraft (one 777-300ER, five 777-200LRs) were received in 2014, while further leased capacity was also added to enhance the airline’s rapid growth.

Mr Hogan added: “We enter 2015 as a stronger, more dynamic airline that will continue to enhance the growth of Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s emerging aviation hubs.”