Fly me into the ash cloud

While bigger airlines today are coming up with different ideas on how to equip their planes with in-flight WiFi, one small low-cost airline is testing new technology to help detect ash clouds within 100 kilometres in range.

This is after Europe’s infamous case of airspace closures as a result of an Icelandic volcano eruption.

Why the need for that? For starters, Eyjafjallajokull has yet to cease erupting, al beit with less significant and disruptive consequences. However, ash cloud issues won’t disappear anytime soon, especially through the rest of the summer and into autumn. We can’t also assume that other volcanoes, dormant or active, won’t follow suit, especially when the earth’s climate is shifting so rapidly.

EasyJet is a British-based airline which ranks only slightly above its rival, Ryanair. However, it is spending almost US$1.5 million to equip its planes with AVOID, the “Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector”. The gadget works similar to weather detection systems for thunderstorms, but it is specifically targeted to ash clouds.

AVOID works best with many airlines using it up in the air, and it will not be useful unless other airlines are willing to take on this gadget. But a big thumbs-up to EasyJet. If I had to make a choice, I’ll sacrifice that bit of WiFi goodness for a safe journey anytime.

via

Product recalls: The Tweet Age

We are constantly reminded of the need to get up to speed with changing technology. News is gradually shifting onto online platforms, while companies are jumping on the Twitter bandwagon to promote their goods or services. The latest you’ve heard, though, are product recalls.

A report released by the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission has advocated the use of social media platforms to facilitate product recalls. According to the regulator, there has been more than 10,000 product recalls in Australia in the last 23 years. However, the overall average return rate of recalled goods was only 56.75%.

Now that everything is going digital, recalls through print and other traditional mediums may no longer be sufficient. The use of Twitter or Facebook, for example, may be more prolific than we think.

I believe the convenience of utilising social media is often underestimated. With the newer generation gaining prominence in today’s world, it is almost crucial that members of the supply chain start re-examining the demographics and needs of their consumers.

Bluntly put, product recalls won’t go down with a snap of the finger. Reach out with social media.