Servisair adopts Horizon
SITA has formed a partnership with Servisair, one of the leading global operators in aviation ground services, to adopt SITA’s Horizon portfolio in 30 locations in Europe and North America, serving 20 million passengers annually.
The agreement includes use of the SITA DCS (Departure Control Services) along with e-ticketing and web check-in applications, Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) processing and network connectivity.
SITA’s Horizon is a technologically advanced solution that provides airlines and airports with an extensive range of seamlessly integrated services to optimize IT capacity and to improve information sharing in real-time.
The e-ticketing component will support airline efforts to meet the 2007 deadline for the elimination of paper tickets as part of IATA’s Simplifying the Business initiative.
The partnership with SITA will ensure that Servisair and its customers also benefit from the latest information and communications technology as it comes onstream.
Thai cuts costs with web services
Thai Airways International, which carries more than 18 million passengers, has launched a new range of passenger self-service services ahead of schedule, while achieving cost reductions of 30% in new service implementation using SITA’s Integration Platform, the airline web services solution used by more than 20 airlines worldwide. Thai needed to roll-out new services such as Internet booking, self-service check-in, and online redemption of frequent flyer points.
SITA aids Russian expansion
The transformation of Russia’s oldest airport, Vnukovo International, into a world-class international hub with the capacity to handle 26 million passengers, has taken a major step forward with the signing of a contract with SITA to deploy AirportConnect CUTE in the existing terminal as well as the new international terminal, due to open next year.
Vnukovo has been cited by Airports Council International as Europe’s most rapidly developing airport. Serving five million passengers in 2006, an additional 20 million passengers are expected once the new international terminal comes into operation in 2008.
SITA is working with local DCS suppliers to ensure that all airlines at Vnukovo can be connected to AirportConnect CUTE.
It will also allow them to align with IATA’s requirements such as the 2D bar code and RFID-enabled printers. This is the first Russian airport to deploy a CUTE system.
Outsize airline selects weather system
Following a successful trial with winter flights into Afghanistan, Polet Airlines, the Russian global outsize airline that specializes in super-heavy cargo, has signed a seven-year contract for SITA’s Advanced Weather System, developed in partnership with the UK Met Office.
Past recipient of a “Mission Impossible” award from the European Institute of Air Transport Management, Polet Airlines has an outstanding reputation for flying outsize cargo into airports located in difficult terrain. Most recently it has won kudos for helping to fly a mock-up of the A380 around the world as part of an Airbus promotional campaign.
During the trial period, Polet used the unique GraFTAF module of SITA’s Advanced Weather System. This web-based application provides accurate views and predictions of critical weather conditions (visibility, temperature, pressure, wind and precipitation types) up to five days in advance, for anywhere around the world, including non-airport locations.
CSA Czech joins AIRCOM network
CSA Czech Airlines is introducing air-ground datalink communications on its fleet of new Airbus aircraft, after signing a contract for SITA’s AIRCOM Datalink services.
The CSA decision continues the trend for Central and Eastern European airlines to adopt this technology, including other recent recruits, Malev and WizzAir. The number of European airlines using SITA AIRCOM air-ground data link communications services in Central and Eastern Europe now stands at 24. Other SITA customers include SR Technics and the air navigation service providers, DFS and Skyguide.
Recognizing the growing demand for datalink services in this region, SITA is deploying three new AIRCOM ground stations in the Czech Republic. These will expand coverage in the region, bringing the total number of VHF ground stations east of Germany and Austria to 40.
Mumbai’s airport system a first for India
Mumbai International, India’s busiest airport, has gone live with India’s first modern airport management system at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai.
The system, installed by SITA, marks a turning point for the airport, with a shift from reliance on manual systems to IT-driven automation, enabling end-to-end management of airport resources in real-time.
Speaking in Mumbai, Francesco Violante, SITA CEO, said: “SITA has been very involved in the development of air transport in India. We are proud to be associated with India’s aviation revolution through this landmark act of airport modernization by Mumbai International.
The full suite of SITA IT applications included in the airport management system for Mumbai International Airport comprises Airport Central (Airport Operations Data Base); Airport Resource Manager (a Resource Management System); and Airport Vision (Flight Information Display System).
CHAMP Cargosystems previews new ULD Management System
Customer airlines of CHAMP Cargosystems, the cargo automation joint venture backed by SITA and Cargolux, were recently provided with a preview of the new ULD (Unit Load Device) Management system at the annual CHAMP Cargo Strategy meeting, held in London.
ULDs are a familiar and ubiquitous sight – the most convenient way to transport baggage and cargo that avoids duplicate handling, reduces the risk of pilferage and damage, and allows shorter transit times. There are more than a million in use, and airlines spend over US$ 200 million a year maintaining, repairing and replacing them.
Effective and efficient management of ULDs is an integral part of a successful airline operation. Badly managed, ULDs become an expensive liability. Stock imbalances can result in the need to ferry empty equipment between stations, while inadequate tracking control can result in airlines spending thousands of dollars in compensation to competitor airlines. Moreover airlines lose up to five percent of their stock each year.
The next generation ULD Manager will enable users to track the movement of ULDs on flights, at airports, and between partners. Their current position and status can be monitored, in near real time, and provide proactive warnings when preset parameters are breached. They can be integrated with other systems with minimum effort.
The system provides new levels of visibility and control through enhanced features such as pro-active monitoring and alerting of low stock levels and overdue units, full integration with industry-standard messaging, and compatibility with bar coding and RFID technologies.
The new system replaces the current ULD Manager used by 28 airlines – including carriers such as Air China, Air New Zealand, Gulf Air, China Eastern Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines. It is the first of a range of new generation applications that will be delivered over the next two years.
CHAMP Cargosystems demonstrated the new ULD Manager at Air Cargo Europe in Munich (12-15 June), and will do so at Air Freight Asia 2007 and other major trade shows.