Archive

Tag Archives: ARINC vMUSE Airport Common Use Systems

The pressure is on for Airport security providers to step-up technological solutions after the IATA announced its intention to eliminate queues at airports by 2020.

This year the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will run ten more trials for the initiative to implement its ‘Checkpoint of the Future Roadmap’, aimed at the elimination of queues in airports by the end of the decade.

Trials are already underway at London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Geneva airports and involve the pre-screening of passengers, explosive detection and biometric data verification instead of traditional scanning methods.

Concerns have arisen as passenger numbers continue to grow year after year, but passenger processing has slowed by over 50% since the events of 9/11.  The new advanced security checkpoint is set to be introduced by 2014 and will speed up the process, eventually eliminating queues altogether.

“We are slowly moving toward the same alignment on security that we have achieved on safety. But we are not there yet and that concerns me greatly,” Tony Tyler, CEO & Director General of IATA, told the Ops conference in Vienna last week.

Airport security providers, such as ARINC’s PSIM solution, are already delivering biometric and automated airport security with their industry-leading technology.  ARINC provide their PSIM solution in over half the U.S. nuclear installations and are ahead of the game when it comes to mission-critical communications and biometric scanning.

Airport Security Providers

Airport Security Providers

Brussels Airport and Brussels Airlines have announced their plan to test self-service bag drop over the next few months for passengers travelling within Europe.

Passengers who have checked-in online and have self-printed or mobile boarding passes will be able to use the self-service bag drop desks to weigh, measure and check-in their luggage, then print a baggage label from the self-service bag drop counter to attach themselves.

The airport will use the Dutch company, Type 22’s Scan & Fly, user-friendly technology, in two kiosks for the test, which is set to run until the summer.

“During the trial stage we will test the user-friendliness of the technology,” said Peter Cornillie, Brussels Airlines Vice President Ground Operations. “If the results are positive, the automated baggage check-in system will become a permanent option for all of our passengers travelling within Europe.”

Self-service bag drop is the way forward to streamline airport operations with common-use desks for multiple airlines, widely used in the U.S. using world-leading ARINC technology solutions.

ARINC Self Service Bag Drop

Passenger ProcessingStarting with Honolulu Airport, Hawaii say they are the first in the U.S. to move to completely automated self-baggage tagging with their new multi-airline check in kiosks.

Provided that Hawaiian passengers have self-printed boarding passes, they will be able to weigh, tag and check-in their baggage, leaving airport staff more time to assist passengers with oversized baggage or those with special needs.  This system will greatly reduce waiting time and streamline airport operations.

“Every minute saved in the check-in process improves our customers’ experience substantially, so this is a significant enhancement,” said Hawaiian’s Vice President for Customer Service Louis Saint-Cyr. “The kiosks reduced our customers’ check-in time to eight minutes. The ability to self-tag bags reduces the check-in time even further — by nearly half.”

There is a range of multi-airline check-in services out there, including the ARINC solution, vMUSE, and offering multi-airline check-in and bag drop facilities within an integrated suite of applications.  The vMUSE option maximises airport operations, eliminates the necessity for costly upgrades and gives smaller airports the flexibility of utilizing precious counter space.

ARINC offer interoperability with vMUSE solutions, using existing CUTE systems technology, allowing seamless operations for multi-airline check-in, self-printed boarding passes and bag drop facilities from an industry-leading, reliable provider.

This week the latest at ARINC was the news that it has won a major three year contract at 5 regional airports in Egypt to install its industry-leading passenger processing solution, vMUSE™. The Egyptian airports include Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor, Aswan, Borg El Arab and Abu Simbel. The ARINC CUPPS system fully compliant with the IATA CUPPS standard for common-use passenger systems.

Aviation Information Technology (AVIT) will be working in partnership with ARINC. In the contract, ARINC will install the core common use passenger processing systems (CUPPS) and provide remote third level support, AVIT will then handle first and second level support. There is a 14 week delivery and implementation schedule for all 5 airports which is due for completion by the end of May 2013, the team is currently on plan to achieve this.

Dr Ashraf Zaki, Vice President of EHCAAN said “Egyptian Airports Company (EAC) airports have been experiencing strong growth for several years, We believe that ARINC is an ideal partner to handle our continued expansion given their industry-leading technology and the tremendous airport experience they bring to the table, both globally and here in the Middle East.”

Tony Lynch, Regional Director for ARINC Middle East and Africa said “The ARINC vMUSE solution gives EAC the latest, state-of-the-art CUPPS platform, we have developed strong relationships in Egypt based on our excellent track record in delivering key projects such as Cairo Airport TB3 and Seasonal Terminal. We are pleased to be selected by EAC for these five airports and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Giving smaller and mid-sized airports more flexibility to upgrade their operations is achieved by using ARINC’s vMUSE by eliminating software engineering and development costs.

EAC is a subsidiary of EHCAAN, and currently manages all 19 regional airports in Egypt. EAC airports serve all the different aspects of air travel.

ARINC will continue to provide and maintain the adaptable vMUSE™ platform for the Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS). The long term relationship of ARINC and Munich began in 2003 and now to continue with ARINC’s CUPPS solution in MUC Terminal 2 until December 2014.

“We are impressed with the ARINC vMUSE platform and the support we have received over our long partnership. The ARINC team has regularly exceeded our agreed upon benchmarks and SLAs.” Said Marco Butz, Manager Technology and Infrastructure at Munich airport.

ARINC will continue to provide the premium on-site service and a centralized state-of-the-art firewall solution is due to follow during 2013. Tony Chapman ARINC Senior Director, Integrated Travel Solutions commented “We are delighted to continue working with one of our long-standing and valued customers, as we believe it reflects both the quality of our service and commitment to the highest standards of performance,” he continued “Munich Airport is focused on providing the best possible services for its customers, and ARINC’s technology helps make that achievable.”

At Helsinki Airport, as at many other airports the automatic border control system was introduced to help ease congestion of passenger processing during peak hours and travellers are swiping their passports themselves at border crossing checkpoints.

This year Helsinki Airport expects more than a million users to pass through its automated system, after it was reported that last year 600,000 passengers walked through at ease. Seppo Parkkinen the Kuopio-based musician travels internationally a dozen times a year spoke about the automatic passport control and said “It is much faster, you don’t have to wait and it works really well.”

Citizens holding biometric passports, of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Japan can pass through the self-service passport control. Users scan their passport in a reader and later pose for a camera that uses facial recognition technology that compares their features with the digital photo embedded in the passport.

Business Aviation News - Border Management Solutions

Business Aviation News – Border Management Solutions

Departure control systems incorporating biometric passport information are becoming ever more affordable and within the reach of most airports. ARINC’s AviNet Airport system is specifically geared towards integration with existing systems and efficient passenger processing.

Currently 70% of Finns have a biometric passport according to Pentti Alapelto of the Finnish Border Guard. By the end of 2016 it is expected that that figure will be 100%. Alapelto explained “We also use the devices to help weed out passengers in cases where we believe someone is travelling with a false document,” as the high-tech readers also offer an additional layer of security to traditional passport control.

Announced by ARINC Managed Services (AMS), Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM) will continue offering ARINC’s vMUSE Common Use Check-in system at two of the Dominican Republic’s leading international airports, De Las Américas (SDQ) and Gregorio Luperón (POP). Mike Picco, Vice President of ARINC’s Airports Systems Division. Said “ARINC has successfully partnered with AERODOM since 2005,” he continued “We are excited to be given this renewal for our technology and services, and believe it demonstrates our strong commitment to the Latin America and Caribbean region”.

Common Use Passenger Processing Systems

Common Use Passenger Processing Systems

Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM) a private concessioner commissioned by the Dominican Government to develop, operate and manage six international airports in the Dominican Republic for a period of 30 years: De Las Américas, José Francisco Peña Gómez in Santo Domingo; La Isabela, Dr. Joaquín Balaguer in Santo Domingo Norte; Gregorio Luperón in Puerto Plata; María Montez in Barahona, and Presidente Juan Bosch in the province of Samaná;

Monika Infante, CEO of AERODOM said “We are pleased to be working with ARINC, a company with a well recognized expertise in passenger processing technology that makes airports more efficient”. “ARINC’s products and the high level of support it provides have a significant positive effect on our customers’ travel experience.”

This week we heard that ARINC will be providing IT maintenance and support for Japan’s AVICOM Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS).

AVICOM is Japan’s service provider for aviation communications, performing the same role as the FAA in the USA. Since the 1990’s AVICOM has used ACARS, and has selected ARINC to provide a broader service and maintenance solution that meets increasingly demanding cost expectations. ARINC will provide dedicated on-site support at AVICOM’s Network Operating Center, in addition to remote support in locations across Japan. The complete ARINC managed solution comprises asset management, incident management, preventive maintenance and reporting.

“This is the first time we’ve been contracted to support an ACARS system and provide maintenance for back-end network infrastructure in this way,” said Jim L. Martin, Managing Director, ARINC Asia Pacific. “This engagement highlights the flexibility of our IT support capabilities to develop solutions for a variety of technical environments,” Martin continued.

For more information on ARINC’s services airport management please visit the AviNet Airport site. For specific information on ACARSs and the transmission of Type B Messages please visit the Type B Messaging site.

Virtual Airport Common Use Systems vMUSE Enterprise, the latest version of ARINC’s well-known MUSE® (Multi-User System Environment is a common use platform that offers an advanced virtual technology,  providing all in one multi-airline check-in without having to connect to on-site servers or platform software – using the private cloud of ARINC.

The benefits of vMUSE Enterprise, which has the capabilities as full-size server-based terminal, are that airlines and airports can enjoy power savings, space savings and reduced up-front capital costs. It also reduces operational and maintenance costs. Key components of vMUSE Enterprise are safely stored in the cloud so it can be quickly set up in any environment where power and the internet are available. Ideal for small and seasonal airports, airport parking terminals, rental car facilities, transit stations, and overflow use. This “pay-as-you-go” service reduces expenditure, minimises overheads with immediate access.

Existing PC’s can be converted to vMUSE Enterprise physical clients, and those who opt to replace traditional PCs with thin client workstations can realise further cost savings. With no moving parts, support costs are lower and the power consumption of thin client devices is considerably less than that of a PC.

To find out additional information view the website: http://www.vmuse-enterprise.com/

ARNIC is to implement multiple airport systems at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport
Ras Al Khaimah:ARINC Incorporated, has won a multi-million dollar, 10-year contract to implement multiple airport systems at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in the UAE.

The project, which involves the design, supply and installation of ARINC’s core suite of airport passenger processing solutions, as well as advanced airport operational systems, will include common use passenger processing systems (CUPPS) and boarding operations at the expanding airport. The deal was announced on Sunday in Abu Dhabi at the 18th World Route Development Forum (World Routes) by Tony Lynch, Regional Director, ARINC Middle East & Africa, and Andrew Gower, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

The installation of VMuse/CUPPS, L-DCS, AirVue (FIDS), AirDB (AODB), InfoHub and Multi-Channel at RAK, in what will be the first off-site hotel check-in and bag drop in the region, will also equip the airport with future intelligence that will change the way in which people use it today.

It is anticipated that the number of CUPPS workstations and services will increase during the lifetime of the contract, as not only is the existing terminal being expanded, but there are plans for a new passenger terminal, dedicated to charter activity. Tony Lynch highlighted that ARINC won the bid through its close collaboration and consultation with the team at RAK Airport.

“We spent 18 months carefully ascertaining their requirements,” he said. “From a small hosted L-DCS the scope has been extended to the airport-wide suite of products which has now been ratified.”
“RAK International Airport’s current expansion will see the airport ready to receive the steadily increasing number of passengers over the next few years,” said Gower. “We are confident that ARINC is the right partner in this programme as their refreshing approach and industry knowledge ticks all the boxes for hi-tech, efficient, integrated airports. We needed a partner who could embrace the concept of taking the airport out into the wider Ras Al Khaimah, the resorts, hotels and the city.”

To find out more about ARINC’s vMuse product please visit their site: http://www.vmuse-enterprise.com/