Information technology:
Smooth processes supported seamlessly
Our efficient airport IT system fulfils the following requirements:
- ensures timely and accurate collection of flight data
- enables an efficient and cost-effective use of resources
- provides a passenger guidance system so that the passenger can easily
- navigate his way through the airport.
- provides a historical base of flight information
- provides an easy, intuitive user interface
- automates the operation whenever applicable and eliminates duplication
of
- data input wherever possible.
- provides a secure and highly available environment
AODB
The core of all airport information processing central system is the Airport
Operational Database (AODB), designed to enable uninterrupted 24/7/365 operation
The use of a radio or GPS controlled master clock in the central system ensures
that a single uniform time is maintained throughout the system.
Basic data management
The basic data processing system is used for managing the basic system and
application data within the system.
User-friendly functions to create, modify and delete information with accurate
and speedy updating of the database.
High availability concept
When a system failure occurs, operation continues without any noticeable
interruption. To guarantee this, a second identical system operating in hot
standby mode, as well as further redundant and hot-pluggable components are
provided.
Workstations
Workstations for all related applications are cost-effective standard PCs
equipped with up to three monitors each (e.g. for flight planning and resource
management).
Flight planning & management
The flight information processing application is designed to function as a
long-term and short-term preplanning tool, but it also allows the effective
management of actual daily flight operations. It integrates flight data
processing, planning, current flight data management, resource allocation,
reports and conflict handling in one application.
FIDS
As an integral part of the IT System, the Flight Information Display System
(FIDS) acts as the key means of communication between the airport operators and
the passengers. For defining the layout of the public display screens, a
page-editing module is provided. This enables the screen layouts to be produced
exactly to the airport’s requirements.
Within each window the screen designer can display:
- Text and database content in different fonts and alphabets with
highlighted elements and alternating elements
- Graphics
- Video clips
- Date and/or time
- Visual paging elements staff - FIDS
While it is highly desirable to ensure that the traveling public has access
to the most up-to-date flight information available, it is even more relevant
that the monitors and any PC used by operational staff display the latest, very
detailed or individually configurable flight information.
Displays
For economic reasons we are recommending to equip the airport with
approximately 80 classic 29” and 32” CRT Monitors, which may be clustered in
some locations.
CUTE
The Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) makes it possible to equip check-in
counters and boarding gates with capabilities for connection to the various
airlines’ central systems. It allows an airport to organize check-in counter and
gate allocations and system management in the most flexible way.
Location management system
Within the Flight Information Processing System, gate, stands, baggage belts
and check-in counters can be allocated to flights. Making extensive use of bar
charts, the application provides a graphical representation of the
flight-related resources assigned to specific flights. Upon rule-based automatic
or manual allocation of resources, staff is informed about their duties
automatically in time and the parameters are checked continuously during entry
or reception of actual flight data, and any changes lead to alerts in case of a
rule violation. All allocation functionalities are also available in an off-line
mode. This enables the user to run “what if” scenarios.
MIS – Management Information System
Our Management Information System tools can be used directly on the live
operational data files and are suitable for standard or ad-hoc reporting. They
are delivered preconfigured to work with our AODB so that no or very little
configuration is necessary to produce comprehensive results.
Systems integration
One of the basic aims of an airports IT system is to minimize the amount of
manual data entry and to avoid any duplications. By adopting this philosophy the
system ensures that all information used by the application is as accurate,
consistent and up-to-date as possible. The following interfaces are recommended
for an integrated IT system approach at the airport
- Airline host systems
- Air traffic control systems
- SITA / AFTN
- Baggage handling system
- Internet
- Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE)
