Feeling connected and protected
An item posted by Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, caught our attention. According to Mr. Kirby, United had a strong 3rd quarter performance. They now look for an even stronger 4th quarter, taking the airline to above pre-pandemic levels of business.
Business is rebounding. United claims the uptick is due to what is called the new “hybrid” or “remote” workforce. Many more people work remotely. That means increased business for air carriers, especially around off-peak travel periods. Mr. Kirby thinks United gets more business travelers taking short 3- or 4-day weekend trips because flyers can stay connected and work from the air.
It makes sense when you notice everyone on a flight these days has an electronic device open.
The trend is also encouraging to SAS because one of our products is linked to this era of the connected workforce. Our narrow and wide-body Wi-Fi stands give Ground Support crews necessary equipment to install and maintain satellite communications. Satellites in the pod atop those planes keep us all working and connected.
Safety always matters
Meanwhile, another industry publication, Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) points to the rising cost of ground damage to aircraft. Apparently, there is no shortage of ways to haphazardly damage a plane. Powerful tugs can push equipment into an aircraft. Tools fall onto wings and other areas causing damages. The result means expensive repairs and lost revenues from delays or planes being out of service entirely. AMT reports 50% of accidents are the result of human inattention. Another 50% are caused by people rushing to do a job.
At SAS, we design aircraft maintenance stands thinking about perils and ways to avoid them. For example, our WiFi stands have fully enclosed work areas with full aprons to prevent falling tools. They can be moved into place by crew members vs. tugs, preventing runaway accidents. “Non-slip sliders” allow a stand to fit snug to the aircraft, protecting crew from a misstep.
Rest assured; we are not relying on headlines to gauge our business. But it is encouraging to see our products reflect what is happening, and match needs in the market. If we can share that thinking with you, give us a call or go to www.simpson-services.com.
