1.0 Introduction
In aviation, the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, sets the Federal Aviation Regulations, FAR, that govern civil aviation activities in the United States, focusing on safety, people, global leadership, and operational excellence (Federal Aviation Administration, 2022). These regulations govern aspects such as aircraft designs, crew working hours and conditions, maintenance, flight routes, and space operations. As Air Labsah seeks to launch its operations in the UAE as a small carrier, the company focuses on having a hub at the Dubai International Airport, using two Boeing-737 MAX 8 airplanes and focusing on four operation specification elements, as discussed below.
2.0 Hub, Destinations, and Aircraft
The company seeks to establish its hub in the Dubai International Airport, DXB. DXB’s famous routes to London and Maldives make it a suitable hub for Air Labsah as the company seeks to offer choices and grow business based on route popularity and demand. As Al Sarrah et al. (2021) record, Dubai has been a significant economic development contributor, owing to its centrality compared to other gulf cities, drawing tourists and investors in equal measure. Besides, the route’s popularity may draw business partners to the company through alliances and code sharing.
Air Labsah will be flying to two airport destinations: Heathrow Airport in London and Velana International Airport in Male, Maldives. In 2017, the airport handled over 78 million passengers and about 471 airplane movements, according to Stacey et al. (2021), making it a favorable flight destination. On the other hand, Maldives boasts more than 1200 islands, and Male is at the top of the list of tourists, explaining why the airport is a beehive of activities (Laigsingh, 2020). Therefore, Air Labsah believes that introducing flights to these airports will increase the options available to travelers and cargo dealers, opening the company to expansive opportunities for business and growth.
Lastly, Air Labsah will use two Boeing-737 aircraft of the 737-MAX 8 series. Boeing-737 MAX 8 series is a 2-fixed-wing airplane with a seating capacity of 162 and 178, with only two passenger classes (Boeing, 2024). These aircraft have a maximum of 210 seats, 39.52m in length, and a wingspan of 35.9m, making them narrow-bodied aircraft. The company will lease these aircraft from Qatar Airways through wet lease agreements.
3.0 Aircraft Wet Lease Arrangements
Wet lease arrangements, MI, Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance dictate that the lessor provide that, and the entire cabin crew, including cabin crew and pilots, ensure aircraft maintenance, optimum operations, and active insurance (Rutkowski, 2020). On their part, lessees are responsible for applicable airport charges, fuel charges, and taxes. Primarily, wet lease agreements run for two years. These regulations by the FAA seek to regulate Airline operations to avoid illegal businesses while offering cheaper options for airlines to increase their fleets. At the same time, start-ups have an easier time joining the market, allowing competitiveness and quality.
To ensure Air Labsah complies with the requirements of wet lease arrangements, the company has a group of lawyers and technicians who go through contract documents and inspect the state of the aircraft to ensure compliance and safety. Besides, Air Labsah has set aside finances for acquiring aircraft for 12 months of advance payment for the first year of operations. Again, the investors have a second account dedicated to estimated costs of the first year in payment for taxes, fuel, and airport charges as described in the lease agreement. Together with the lease agreement, financial statements of these accounts will be submitted for accretion.
3.1 Use an Approved Carry-on Baggage Program
Over time, airport security and pre-boarding security checks have become a federal issue, calling for regulation by the FAA on approved screening programs. FAA dictates that airlines use machines to detect items in customer bags and under their dressing for maximum security and counter-terrorism (Hättenschwiler et al., 2019). Walk-through metal detectors, hand-held metal detectors, X-ray machines, and CT Scanners are commonly used by airlines to detect contraband, explosives, drugs, and other illegal substances such as guns. These measures came into place after attempts by terrorists to bomb, skyjack, or kidnap travelers for ransom, criminal activities, or to cause fear.
As a company leasing aircraft from Qatar Airways and using the airline’s Terminals in Dubai and the two flag destinations, it has been decided that Air Labsah will adopt Qatar Airways’ Programs to screen carry-on baggage. Thus, Air Labsah’s clients will go through the counters and screening processes that Qatar Airways customers undergo.
3.2 Approved Minimum Equipment List, MEL
According to the FAA, a MEL list stipulates that all aircraft-installed equipment must be operative at take-off. These requirements differ depending on aircraft design and characteristics but focus on ensuring airworthiness and operational efficiency (NATA). The FAA focuses on approving administrative control items in the lists developed by operators for the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) developed by manufacturers and used in aircraft certification. However, due to the redundant nature of aircraft systems, there are reliefs by the FAA that allow airlines and operators to fly with a few inoperative elements awaiting replacement or repair. These inoperative elements are recorded in aircraft maintenance records.
As a start-up airline, Air Labsah focuses on launching its flights with fully operational aircraft elements, as the lessor has had time to maintain, repair, and replace faulty elements in their merchandise. As such, the company will use the MMEL list of Boeing max eight as in the latest revision described by the US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (2022). Using this list, Air Labsah will ensure that all aircraft are in perfect operational and safety conditions.
3.3 Weight And Balance Control Procedures
In weight and balance procedures, airlines employ different control procedures based on the specifications and regulations stipulated by the FAA. For part 121 operators, the FAA mandates the authorization of weight and balance control after the assertion that the flight crew has undergone adequate training and that the chosen method is sufficient. These regulations seek to optimize performance and ensure aircraft stability during diverse aircraft operations, including take-off and landing.
Air Labsah’s main weight and balance control methods will be Auxiliary Performance Computers. To ensure efficiency and compliance, the company will undertake adequate crew training to ensure the operators are familiar with the machines and formulations to be used and appropriate interpretation of generated data related to different operations, such as runway length required for landing and maximum landing distance.
4.0 Conclusion
Summarily, the launch of Air Labsah as a part 121 carrier in the UAE will see it establish a hub in the Dubai International Airport and fly to Heathrow Airport, London, and Velana International Airport in Male, Maldives, as its two flag destinations. To smoothen its Air Carrier Operating Certificate acquisition process, the company will use its human and capital resources to ascertain the credibility of the FAA’s four operations specifications and requirements. With these great efforts, the start-up will be a success story in the aviation world.
Bibliography
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Boeing., 2024. 737 MAX. Available at: https://www.boeing.com/commercial/737max#technical-specs
Federal Aviation Administration., 2022. Flight plan 21, FAA. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Flight%20Plan%2021_2022_0.pdf
Hättenschwiler, N., Mendes, M. and Schwaninger, A., 2019. Detecting bombs in X-ray images of hold baggage: 2D versus 3D imaging. Human factors, 61(2), pp.305-321. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0018720818799215
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NATA., n.d. NATA Aircraft Maintenance & System Technology Committee Best Practices – MEL. https://www.nata.aero/assets/Site_18/files/committee_mtgmemos/bestpracticemineqlistbp.pdf
Rutkowski, M., 2020. Financing Models of the Airlines Fleet as a Factor Affecting the Income Statement. In 13th International Scientific Conference “Analysis of International Relations. https://air.ue.katowice.pl/pdf/2020a/14_Rutkowski.pdf
Stacey, B., Harrison, R.M. and Pope, FD, 2021. Evaluation of aircraft emissions at London Heathrow Airport. Atmospheric Environment, 254, p.118226. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231021000443
US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration., 2022. Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL): Boeing 737 MAX B-737-7/-8/-8200/-9 https://wwwapps2.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/MEL-LEM/tcbbs/mmels/B_737_8.pdf
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