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Lufthansa Bans Apple AirTags on Flights

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Lufthansa is the latest airline to prohibit the use of Apple AirTags on its flights. The German airline stated, in a statement, that it is aware of the new accessory and that it is not permitted to be used on flights due to a high risk of meddling with aircraft navigation and also the communication systems.

Apple AirTags
Image Source: paddleyourownkanoo.com

According to the statement, Lufthansa is currently updating its in-flight safety video to reflect the new policy. Other airlines, including Delta and American, have also prohibited the use of AirTags on their flights.

Lufthansa announced over the weekend that it is prohibiting Apple AirTags from checked bags only to attribute the policy to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

The German airline replied to a request to address reports on Lufthansa’s ban on AirTags from checked luggage in a statement posted to its Twitter account.

“Lufthansa is banning activated AirTags from luggage as they are classified as dangerous and need to be turned off,” the airline said on Saturday. “According to ICAO guidelines, baggage trackers are subject to the dangerous goods regulations. Furthermore, due to their transmission function, the trackers must be deactivated during the flight if they are in checked baggage and cannot be used as a result”, it explained.

Source: theregister.com

The policy appears to be unpopular among tourists who have been using Apple AirTags to track checked bags because air carriers misdirect or lose bags regularly.

Travelers speculate that Lufthansa implemented this policy to avoid being shamed by passengers whose bags were lost on social media. Lufthansa did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails seeking comment on the policy’s rationale if it will be enforced, and how.

Lufthansa stated in a report that Apple AirTags are small, coin-sized devices that can be attached to items such as keys and wallets to help them stay organized. The devices communicate with Apple devices via Bluetooth and can be used to track down misplaced items. While AirTags are not intended for use on aircraft, they do emit radio signals that may interfere with aircraft navigation and communication systems. As a result, many airlines have decided to prohibit the use of AirTags on their flights.

IATA and the ICAO did not respond immediately to requests for comment, and Apple did not reply to a request for comment either.

The combustion of lithium-ion batteries in aircraft baggage holds has resulted in restrictions on the types of electronic devices that can be carried in aircraft cabins and baggage holds over the last decade.

Apple AirTags, on the other hand, rely on tiny lithium-metal batteries, specifically model CR2032. They have an energy density of 198 milliwatt hours per gramme and a lithium content of 0.109 grammes (about 0.0038 oz.). As a result, they are permitted in checked bags in the United States under FAA regulations.

AirTags appear to be permitted under International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules, which are based on ICAO recommendations. According to the IATA rule, approval is not required for lithium metal batteries with a lithium content of two grams or less, so AirTags are permitted.

Separate Lufthansa guidelines state that checked bags may contain devices with integral, removable batteries with up to 0.3 g of lithium, indicating that AirTags should be permitted.

Specific IATA guidance for “smart” baggage features, such as GPS trackers, requires, “The portable electronic device must be designed with at least two independent means to turn off completely, turn off cellular or mobile functions, or a combination of both when airborne.”

Source: theregister.com

Since AirTags lack an on-device or remote off switch, this may be where Apple’s GPS trackers breach the rules. To turn it off, the battery must be removed, or it will run out of power.

It’s unclear whether or not Lufthansa intends to enforce this policy. Removing bags with AirTags from flights will certainly generate negative feedback from customers.

Hawaiian-Airlines

Stanley Kennedy: Hawaiian Airlines Founder who dreams of expanding flights beyond the islands!

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Hawaiian Airlines is some of the best Airlines in the US that well-known as a tenth-largest commercial airline in the United States (US). As well, it is the largest airline of Hawaii that has the flag career throughout its journey. In fact, it’s the oldest airline that has never had a fatal accident since its foundation. Also, in the USA, Hawaiian airlines often top the on-time carrier list. The best part, it sets the example as the best airline that has fewest cancellations as well, minimal baggage handling issues.

Stanley Kennedy builds the foundation of airlines which took the first inter-island flight in 1929. Since then he ran Hawaiian Airlines however, he stepped down from daily operations back in 1955. After that, Kennedy served as chairman of the company until 1968. Presently, Hawaiian Holding Inc. owned the company. However, P. Ingram is handling the CEO and president’s position at one of the oldest operating airlines in the world.

Hawaiian Airlines Founder’s Life Journey – Stanley Kennedy

He was a US Naval Aviator during the first world war. As well, Kennedy was a silver star recipient who also holds the world record at that time. Most importantly, he is known as the Hawaiian Islands’ commercial aviation pioneer.

Early life

He was born on 7 July 1890 in Honolulu in Hawaii. Stanley’s father, James A. Kennedy was the president of the Inter-islands Steam Navigation company in Hawaiian island. However, the Kennedy family was an immigrant from Scotland. In 1908, Stanley completed his secondary education from Punahou School, Honolulu. After that, he went to Stanford University for graduation. Just after completing education, he joined his father at work.

Career

In 1917, the US entered World War I, thus many civilians had to join the US military force. He joined the US Navy and went for Naval Officer training at Massachusetts institute of technology. During the mission, Kennedy along the team set a world record for a sustained flight that fly for 7 hours, 59 minutes. For that, he earned a silver star.

After world war I, he returned and joined the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company. Kennedy’s experience flying seaplanes encouraged him to used seaplanes to connect Hawaii’s people. But his father was against his idea. However, he proposed this idea again after his father died.

The beginning- Inter-island Airways

The members on the company’s administration panel accepted his proposal and Inter-Island Airways started in 1929. Stanley appointed as a General manager and vice president of his dream company. However, he hired his navy companion Charles Elliot as the first chief pilot of the company. Kennedy always had a dream of starting scheduled airline service in Hawaiian Island. In 1921, on 11 November, the company scheduled the first flight that flew from Honolulu-Maui-Hilo.

Flights beyond the Hawaiian Islands

Expectation continues to rise, he aimed at expanding the flights beyond the island. With changing vision, the company changed the name as Hawaiian Airlines in 1941. To start flight beyond the islands Kennedy had to face many challenges and lots of money spent on it. For that, Kennedy teamed up with TWA which later on steps back from the deal.

In 1959, the airline route application process reattended, and it was flying DC-6s to the mainland. After that, Stanley handover the presidency of Hawaiian Airlines to Art Lewis. But the company still not got the chance to win the route for scheduled flights. However, the approval of the Airline Deregulation Act, 1978 end the wait of Hawaiian Airlines to start scheduled flights beyond the Islands.

Personal life

He married Martha, a lady he met during his return journey after completing education. At the age of 77, in 1968 Kennedy died due to cardiac arrest. Stanley served as a chairman of Hawaiian Airlines till he died.

Hawaiian Airlines other Successes

In 1966, the company started inter-island Jet service. Also, the company established inter-island passengers as well as the Air-Cargo business after the second world war. Today, it is the world’s one of the oldest and Hawaii’s largest Airlines that is operating successfully. Its main hub is at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and a secondary hub at Maui’s Kahului Airport. The dream of Stanley Kennedy to start scheduled flights is achieved. An airline operates scheduled flights to American Samoa, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Also, to Asia and other islands beyond Hawaii.

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Southwest Airlines – Flying High Since 1971

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To build a business career in the airline is a very sensible choice. Anything can go wrong anytime. Well, every business has some of the other risks it takes. But, airline companies need a lot to think through, for example, low fare, high capital investment, high maintenance, etc.

And, speaking of low fare, Southwest Airlines is the world’s largest low-cost carrier. Herb Kelleher established the company in 1967, but the operations finally started in 1971. Initially, the name of the company was Air Southwest Co. On 29th March 1971, Herb and the rest of his team renamed the company to Southwest Airlines Co. with headquarters based on Dallas.

Herb Kelleher

Herb Kelleher served as a lawyer in his early career. Later, he turned out to be one of the billionaires of New Jersey.

Herb Kelleher
Image Source: Google Images

Herb was born on 12th March 1931. Born and brought up in New Jersey, Herb completed his schooling from Haddon Heights High School. He went to Wesleyan University and later to New York University and acquired his law degree from there. After graduating, Herb worked at the New Jersey Supreme Court. But, the job was short-lived.

Herb fled to Texas as he had something bigger in mind. He wanted to start a law firm of his own or start a business. Though the idea of the business was little blurry, he started planning with Rollin King and John Parker. Rollin was a Texas businessman and John was a banker.

After talking about many potential business aspects, the trio finally came up with the idea of airlines. There’s a myth that the founders wrote the plan of Southwest Airlines on a cocktail napkin. But, Herb always declined this.

The take-off

The services of Southwest started from 1971 with two routes: from Dallas Love Field to Houston Intercontinental Airport and from Dallas Love Field to San Antonio. Within a year, the company made it to 100 take-offs each week leaving the Saturdays.

Southwest Airlines have taken ideas and inspiration from what made Pacific Southwest Airlines famous and successful. In 1978, the Airline Deregulation Act enacted and Southwest started planning expansion. The company declared that it would soon start its interstate service to New Orleans.

By the 1980s, Southwest started expanding to many new cities and routes which included Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Denver, Nashville, etc. In 1994, Southwest acquired Morris Air and that began services to Pacific Northwest.

Gaining Momentum

In 1985, the company made a huge acquisition for $60.5 million. It acquired Muse Air and renamed it as TranStar Airlines. During the early 1990s, Southwest had only 650 employees working at the headquarters and it grew twice in number by 2006.

Since the internet was gaining popularity at this time, Southwest planned to reach customers through the web. In 1995, the company created its first website where users could view the schedules, maps and about the company. By this time, Southwest became famous all over the world. The main reasons were low price, effectively combating fuel price fluctuation and strategic ways of making huge profits.

The Uniqueness

In 2008, the company started using the Ecopower water pressure washing system. It cleaned the turbine blades which turned out to improve fuel efficiency by 1.9%. In 2008, Southwest acquired some major assets of ATA Airlines for $7.5 million.

Southwest is also known worldwide for the cultural aspect. The employees are very welcoming which makes customers pay for Southwest’s services all the more. Herb, in one of his interviews, said that people from around the world showed interested to know how Southwest hired employees. From the first round to the kind of training the employees to undergo fascinates and challenges every other airline out there.

The Smooth Landing

In 2011, Southwest completed the acquisition of AirTran Airways. This broadened the area of Southwest’s business thus getting international access to Atlanta. Fortune magazine featured Southwest for ten consecutive years and ranked it 3rd among America’s Top Ten most admired corporations.

In May 2012, the company received permission for carrying out international services from William P. Hobby Airport. In 2014, the company decided to rebrand itself and created a new logo. After a couple of years, the company was granted approval for its services to Cuba. This became a great deal for Southwest as USDOT chose it as the sixth ever airline to initiate services in Cuba.

From 100 departures a week the company now commences 4000 departures every single day. According to 2018, the company’s annual revenue summed up to $21.965 billion. Southwest is planning to expand its services to Hilo in 2020.

spicejet

Ajay Singh : The Man Who Saved SpiceJet From Vanishing into Oblivion

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What is good in doing business without risks? When one aims for something bigger and more profitable, it is reasonable to go against the odds and take the chances. But, what about the companies whose strategies are failing and going downwards in the spiral of destruction? Should it give up or just hope for a knight in shining armour to appear and be the lifesaver. Well, the story of SpiceJet clearly narrates a tale, where they well resurrected by none but Ajay Singh. After facing excessive loss through 4 consecutive financial years, Ajay Singh finally stepped in to take over the control once again and re-establish the reputation of the company.

SpiceJet is an Indian airline headquartered in Gurugram whose history dates back to 1984.

Early Life

Singh was born into an influential family from Delhi. His father was an established businessman, Vijinder Singh, and his mother was Kalpana. Singh’s family business was mainly about real estate and fashion accessories.

Ajay Singh SpiceJet
Image Source: indianexpress.com

Singh was kind of an all-rounder from a very young age. He went to St. Columba’s School and apart from excelling in his academics, he was very good at playing cricket, table tennis and football. He was also the caption of his school’s football team. After completing his school, he went to IIT Delhi and graduated from there in 1988 with a degree in textile engineering. And, like kids in the family of every other businessman, he went to pursue his MBA. He completed his MBA from Cornell University.

Early Career

At Cornell, he became the President of the Indian Association, and thus, showed a keen interest in the events of India related to government policies. He was also interested in political matters and thought that more educated people are needed in the Indian political system. So, he came back to India in 1992 and pursued law at Delhi University.

In 1996, Rajendra Gupta, a BJP leader who later became Delhi transport minister, hired Singh for Delhi’s transport corporation board. After joining his first responsibility was to stabilize an already bankrupted corporation, which had 40,000 employees. Singh implemented the global transportation strategies and expanded the corporation from 300 to 5000 buses within a span of two and a half years. This was his first achievement after returning to India and stepping into both the political and business world.

In 1998, Singh became an officer on special duty (OSD), where he played a major role in launching DD Sports and DD News. Singh had some plans and suggestions in his mind to reduce the cost of telephony, and thus, persuaded BSNL to drop the incoming charges on mobile. All these developments took place only up till 2004 when BJP lost the general election, and Singh found him unemployed.

Singh Acquired SpiceJet

After BJP lost the election, Singh decided to get back in the entrepreneurial world, and his first move was to acquire ModiLuft and carrying the business as SpiceJet.

Looking back to the history of ModiLuft, it was an airline company established in 1984 by S.K Modi. In 1993, it came into a partnership with Lufthansa, a German airline, but in 1996, it ceased the operations.

So, whatever was left of the company was acquired by Singh after eight years, and this time, he renamed it as SpiceJet and followed the low-cost model to provide a good experience and low fare to the public.

Initially, Singh’s stake was 20% in SpiceJet, but it came to 6% when media tycoon Kalinathi Maran acquired 37.7% in 2010. Eventually, Singh sold his remaining stakes too.

The Downfall of SpiceJet

After Singh stepped down, SpiceJet rocketed in terms of making consecutive losses in three years. In the year 2012, SpiceJet faced a loss of Rs 604 crore followed by Rs 192 crore, Rs 1,001 crore, and Rs crore, in the next three following years.

The market share dropped from 20.9% in 2014 to 9.2% in 2015. Increased number of employees also created a problem, as, after some time, the company was unable to pay them. The oil companies also refused to refuel them, and by 2015, the company was barely able to crawl on the surface with no chance of survival. This is when Singh stepped in.

Bringing SpiceJet Back to Business

Singh was back in the territory of SpiceJet in 2015 and acquired 58.46% stakes of the company. He spotted that over employment was a very big issue with the company and brought down the number of employees to 4,000 from 5,500. After facing crores of loss for four consecutive years, the company finally made a profit of Rs 450 crore in 2016.

Today, SpiceJet has become India’s fourth-largest airline in terms of passengers and operates 306 flights on a daily basis.

After JetBlue, Delta Air Lines to Provide Free WiFi to its Passengers

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delta air lines
Image Source: fortune.com

The internet has become quite essential for every human being, and when they have to fly, the extra cost they have to pay for the WiFi becomes out of their interest. Though if required, many do not mind spending the money. But what if one gets it for free? Pretty cool. Right?

On Thursday, Delta Air Lines announced that starting from 13th May, the company will start testing free WiFi on its aircraft for a period of two weeks. There will be 55 of the Delta domestic aircraft which will get to test the free WiFi, and the crew will notify the passengers onboard if their flight is also a part of the test.

The company has said that the test includes getting the feedback from the passengers, see how the free WiFi works, and to test the strain on the system. Providing free WiFi on the flight can be a bit of a difficult task, as the number of the users will automatically increase and handling such a big number of passengers in the air will be a challenge. It may also stress the plane’s bandwidth.

According to the Wallstreet Journal, the Delta passengers will be able to read articles and open their emails through the free WiFi, but not stream online videos. Delta is already providing free movies and video streaming on the plane partnering with the other media companies.

Gogo is the WiFi network provider for Delta Air Lines, and according to Gogo, currently, only 12 per cent of the passengers use the paid WiFi. Gogo has also expressed the concern that if WiFi is offered free for the passengers, there can be issues with the bandwidth of the plane itself.

The test will require Gogo to increase the bandwidth of the network it provides, and this will lead to more expenditure on the WiFi from Delta. Though it is beneficial for Gogo only, it depends on the company if it is ready to provide such large bandwidth to the airline or not. If not, Delta is free to move on to other options. Currently, JetBlue is the only airlines in the U.S. offering free WiFi to its passengers. Now we need to see how the tests turn out to be after two weeks for Delta Air Lines.

Herb Kelleher : The Founder & Former CEO of Southwest Airlines

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An aspiring journalist, who eventually became a lawyer and then a successful entrepreneur- Herb Kelleher, also wanted to live the lavish life that he had been seeing people living in his surrounding, and with the help of the right business plan and with the help of right people, he not only started one of the best airlines of America but also became one of the best CEOs of the country. Under his leadership, the airlines not only became the most preferred one by the consumers but was also voted Fortune magazine’s Best Place to Work in America

Early Life

Kelleher was born on 12 March 1931, to Harry Kelleher and Ruth Moore, in Camden, New Jersey. His father worked as the general manager at the Campbell’s Soup factory. He used to work at the same factory after school and also in the summer breaks, as a part-timer. He completed his high school education from Haddon Heights High School. He was a bright student and was also active in sports. He was in the Football team of the school and was a letterman in basketball and track. Later, he joined the Wesleyan University, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy, in 1953. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity at the university. Influenced by a Wesleyan trustee, he then went to study law at New York University as a Root-Tilden Scholar and earned a graduate degree in the same.

herb
Image Source: experience.hsm.com

Career

In 1956, Kelleher started working as a clerk at the New Jersey Supreme Court. In 1959, he joined the Newark, New Jersey, firm of Lum, Biunno and Tompkins, where he practised law for two years. In 1961, he moved to Texas and became a partner in the law firm of Matthews, Nowlin, Macfarlane & Barrett.

Founding Southwest Airlines

While living in Texas, Kelleher got influenced by the lifestyle of the local people and started looking for something challenging that could help him be like one of them. He wanted to start his own law firm or any other business. In 1966, he joined the Texas businessman Rollin King as his outside counsel. One evening in a meeting with a client, an air charter service owner, in the St. Anthony’s Club in San Antonio, they sketched out a plan on a napkin.

King and his banker, John Parker wanted to launch an affordable airline between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Kelleher joined hands with the two, and on 15 March 1967, with a seed money of $500,000, they launched the Southwest Airlines Co. Kelleher managed to buy a 1.8 per cent stake in the newly started airline company and was appointed as its first CEO. But due to some legalities, the airline kept from flying for a four-long year and had its first flight on 18 June 1971. The low prices of the flights, and other facilities like eliminating unnecessary services, made the airline an instant hit.

As the CEO of the company, Keheller brought a better working culture, making the employees work more passionately. In 1974, Southwest became the first airline to offer a profit-sharing plan, according to which employees owned 13 per cent of the company’s common stock. Southwest Airlines has constantly maintained its name in the top five Most Admired Corporations in America, in the Fortune magazine’s annual poll.

In 1982, Kelleher was assigned the post of the chairman and the president of the company, remaining on the position of the CEO. In 2003, the airlines had 33000 employees, and operated 2800 flights between 30 airports, with a total annual revenue of $6 billion and net profits of $442 million.

On 21 May 2008, Kelleher resigned as the chairman of Southwest Airlines.

Personal Life

Kelleher met his future wife, Joan Negley when he was in college and married her in 1955 when he was still studying law at the New York University. Fortune has also called him perhaps the best CEO in America. Kelleher was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2004. He was named the CEO of the Year from Chief Executive magazine in 1999 and also from the Fortune magazine in 2001. In 1990, the Financial World named him as the CEO of the Decade in the Airline Industry and was also named as the CEO of the Century by Texas Monthly in the same year.