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Providers of Automated Baggage Handling SolutionsSince 9/11, there is little doubt that increases in airport security and border control have swept the globe. As governments and border control agencies take technological advancements and solutions to border security into the 21st Century airports, not only have these biometric solutions improved security, but have indeed contributed to an enhanced experience for the passenger.

It is small wonder that market intelligence providers, Acuity, report that the automated border control eGate and kiosk market will generate over $1.2 billion annually by 2020. The analysts also predict that during the same year, automated border control systems will number more than 6,000 with 33,000 self-service kiosks and eGates deployed for baggage drop and check-in across all ports, including airports, land and sea.

Maxine Most, principal of Acuity Market Intelligence says, “Automated border control eGates and kiosks represent the customer-facing touch points to what promises to be a far more complex and highly interoperable 21st Century border management IT infrastructure.”

Automated border control providers can integrate the system of passenger processing and baggage handling both within the terminal and off-site, creating improved through-flow for the airport and greater efficiency, which in turn offers the passenger far greater flexibility. Common-use terminal equipment brings multiple airlines baggage and self-service check-in solutions to streamline operations, leading to cost-effective management and infrastructure.

Logan Teleflex France has been awarded a contract for the deployment of a new baggage handling system in Warsaw Chopin International Airport.

Superior Baggage Handling System ProvidersIncluding the next generation M700RF Tilt Tray Sorter, the 7.5 million Euro baggage handling system is a part of a development programme for the airport that it expected to be operational by 2015. The baggage handling system will work in conjunction with an adjacent sorter in the Terminal A complex at the airport and should be up and running by summer 2014.

Warsaw Chopin International will benefit from streamlined operations within the baggage handling system in addition to SCADA/PLC controls and the use of a Logan Sort Allocation Computer System.

The fully automated system includes an electric tip action, controlled by a radio signalling system, and will feature handling equipment with conveyors, pushers and ploughs using Logan and Daifuku technology.

An additional 29 destinations can be handled from the 48 check-in desks using the new system.

ARINC EMEA has marked a major milestone at Dubai International this week being the first global site to use vMUSE for a total of 34 international airlines, all newly certified to run over Windows 7.  This list includes Emirates airline, which use their Mercator Airport Control System (MACS) with ARINC’s passenger processing vMUSE platform.

vMUSE Solutions Milestone at Dubai InternationalA new five-year agreement was signed between ARINC and dnata in 2012 for the upgrade of the iMUSE to the latest vMUSE version of the platform.  ARINC provided the software, Emirates the hardware, offering an advanced Virtualised Dual Core solution that has delivered a balance for Emirates between technology and cost.

vMUSE is also being utilized to support multiple airports from a common infrastructure. Graham Parker, Manager Business Technology ‐ dnata Airport Operations and Cargo said, “With vMUSE live at Dubai International, we have begun the rollout at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central for the passenger terminal opening in October.”

“We are delighted with the success of vMUSE at Dubai International,” said Tony Lynch, ARINC’s Regional Director, Middle East & Africa. “It is the perfect migration path for airlines and airports embarking on CUPPS regardless of where they are today and where they plan to be in the future. Whether it’s an iMUSE terminal emulator, CUPPS application, or airline native application, vMUSE can support it, and can handle any combination of these simultaneously.”

ARINC are directly focussing on the growth from emerging markets in the Middle East and now have a site in Arabic for ease of use in the sector.

Industry Leading Passenger Processing Solutions from ARINCARINC Inc will continue to provide Hong Kong International (HKIA) with a full suite of passenger processing and bag drop solutions for the next five years, it has recently been announced.  In addition, support and maintenance services will also be provided.

HKIA, voted the world’s best airport, have been using ARINC technology and solutions since 2008.  Their MUSE, common-use systems and bag drop solutions, including BagLink baggage messaging and fallback tag services have been successful in enhancing operational efficiency.  In addition to the contract renewal, a new agreement has been signed to provide maintenance services and round-the-clock technicians with ARINC Managed Services division (AMS).

“With HKIA being one of the largest engineering and architectural developments in the world, the passenger system deployed by ARINC has been one of the most complex, comprising more than 1,300 common-use workstations located in Terminals 1 and 2, and Skypier of the Airport. The deployment also includes two off-site Airport Express train stations in Hong Kong, and multiple Upstream Check-in facilities at ferry terminals and bus stations in China and Macau,” said Glen Oliveiro, Director of Aviation and Ground Systems Solutions, ARINC.

“Since our founding 84 years ago, ARINC has been a trusted partner to the world’s leading airports and airlines. The fact that HKIA, one of the world’s largest airports and a major gateway into Asia, trusts ARINC to undertake this project is a testament to our commitment to providing the best technology and solutions to satisfy our customers’ needs,” said Michael DiGeorge, Managing Director of ARINC in Asia Pacific. “Having had a presence in Asia Pacific through our regional HQ in Singapore since 2003, this partnership with HKIA is also strategic as it underlines ARINC’s dedication to this rapidly-growing region.”

“Established on the principles of Safety, Operational Efficiency, Customer Convenience and Environment, it is of utmost importance that HKIA, being one of the world’s busiest passenger airports, uses a stable and reliable common platform. ARINC has consistently delivered reliable performance and quality, leading to improved efficiency in passenger processing and operation productivity over the past five years,” said Andy Bien, Chief Information Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).

On Wednesday, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority unanimously approved a $1.1 billion scheme to improve airport operations, passenger processing and capacity for Orlando International Airport.

The expansion plans will hope to increase the capacity from the current 24 million to 45 million passengers per year.

The project will incorporate major improvements to airport operations for passenger processing capabilities including a new terminal ticket lobby and baggage handling facility.

In addition to the passenger processing improvements will be airfield projects and ground transportation plus terminal and airside upgrades and new additions.

The South Terminal APM Complex will be connected to the North Terminal via a people mover, giving direct connection to the South Terminal parking garage.

“Once we hit the trigger of 40 million annual passengers and now 2 million annual arriving international passengers, we’ll start the final design and construction of phase one of the South Terminal project, which will be a new terminal,” said Phil Brown, GOAA Executive Director.

Eight airlines are in support of the project, expected to begin in 2014 and take three years.  Five airlines have lodged objections, however, to the people mover and car requisitions from North to South Terminals.

The board have made it quite clear that they will not move forward with the expenditure of the entire budget without just and clear reasoning for proven, worthy spending.

The funding has been sourced from both state and federal grants, passenger facility charges and general airport revenue.  The improvements will greatly enhance passenger processing and baggage handling for a direct impact upon the passenger experience.

vmuse solutionsARINC has announced the completion of its implementation of vMUSE Common Use Passenger Processing Solution at Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.

Ras Al Khaimah, literally meaning ‘the top of the tent’ shares a border with Oman and its International Airport is seeing increasing numbers of passenger throughflow steadily each year.  The airport has been undergoing an expansion plan and ARINC’s technological solutions will help to bring the airport greater efficiency and will optimise capacity.

Chairman of RAK International Airport, H.H. Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, said: “We have continuously delivered on all of our promises for this year, including the current expansion phase which is already seeing the airport receive a steadily increasing number of passengers. We are confident that the ARINC systems will make us a hi-tech, efficient and integrated airport.  We are already pioneering several firsts and ARINC is the right partner who has embraced the concept of taking the airport out into the wider Ras Al Khaimah, the resorts, hotels and the city.”

ARINC vMUSE solutions bring virtualisation technology into the equation and provide multiple airline check-in facilities that do not require multiple check in desks.  The space saving benefits can be realised immediately in smaller airports, allowing for reduced operational costs, up-front capital expenditure and the near elimination of on-site infrastructure spending.

Ras Al Khaimah is now planning the next step in their expansion as they plan to offer remote check-in and self-service bag drop facilities.  ARINC’s technology will play an important part in the plan.

airline messagingARINC has been awarded the coveted ‘IT Service Provider of the Year’ at the Airport Business Partner Award ceremony in New Delhi recently.

The award, given by Indira Ghandi International Airport, demonstrates ARINC’s industry excellence in airline messaging with the use of their vMUSE platform for hugely successful common-use check in kiosks, passenger processing systems and baggage reconciliation system.

Mr Indana Prabhakara Rao, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the organizers of the event, congratulated ARINC on their achievement and said, “GMR-IGI Airport Awards are meant to recognize our business partners who deliver outstanding service.”

ARINC are delighted to receive the award and recognition of their products and services, of which they are immensely proud.  ARINC’s industry-leading innovations have paved the way for the aviation industry for more than 80 years and they continue to provide solutions that meet the growing needs of their customers from airline messaging to airport operations and passenger connectivity.

“ARINC counts some of the biggest airlines and airports in the world as its customers. This accolade by the largest airport in India and one of the largest worldwide is important as it signifies ARINC’s capability and commitment to delivering innovative and reliable end-to-end products and services with superior performance, quality and total customer satisfaction,” said Mr. Michael DiGeorge, ARINC Asia Pacific Managing Director, adding, “ARINC is also committed to growing its business in India, an important market for us, and this award affirms our steady and sustainable growth in the country.”

Naha Airport vMUSEAs the passenger pool at Okinawa and Kagoshima airports grows, the decision to implement ARINC’s vMUSE, common bag drop and check-in solutions will help to streamline airport operations.

Mr Michael DiGeorge, MD of ARINC Asia Pacific said, “Airports in the region are demanding a common-use solution that is scalable with their operations and allows them to take advantage of all the benefits afforded at larger sites while meeting budget requirements.  As the industry’s leading innovator, ARINC is providing this solution and remains committed to meeting the needs of airports of all sizes, as passenger traffic continues to grow and airlines increase the number of destinations to meet passenger demand.”

The innovative vMUSE solutions from ARINC will reduce costs by sharing airport resources with offsite servers than can be accessed from anywhere in the world, using any device.

Previous passenger processing systems revMusequire multiple check-in facilities that are airline specific.  The vMUSE platform allows the sharing of passenger information across multiple airlines from one desk, ensuring increased flexibility in airports with limited floor space.

The common bag drop solutions offer self-service check-in that can enhance passenger experience, increase operation productivity and, in essence revenue for the airports.

Photo credit: Hyougushi / Foter / CC BY-SA

ARINC vMUSEJeju International Airport has followed South Korea’s other major airports in its choice to use ARINC’s vMUSE technology to improve and optimize operations as the number of passengers grows each year.

The industry-leading provider develops and delivers innovative aviation solutions that can assist airports and airlines with cost management and increasing operational flexibility with vMUSE common-use technology.

Jeju International Airport will benefit from maximized use of facility space with the vMUSE platform and will be able to access off-site servers with any device, which will in turn reduce the necessity for hardware and support requirements.

This new contract will mean that ARINC now provides its vMUSE technology for all South Korea’s International airports, allowing for interoperability and connectivity between the airports and the airlines that operate from them.  This will lead to further operational cost reductions with the allowance for host sharing between the airports.

“Our biggest problem currently is a lack of check-in counters to accommodate the number of airlines that fly through the airport. ARINC’s vMUSE will enable carriers to directly log into their Departure Control System at any counter over any device. The sharing of counter facilities will improve terminal operations, and allow both airlines and airports to welcome more airlines and passengers,” said a representative of the Airlines Operators Committee of Jeju (AOC-CJU).

ARINC are delighted to be working with Jeju and AOC-CJU.  Mr Michael DiGeorge, ARINC MD of Asia Pacific said, “South Korea is one of our strongest and most important markets in the Asia Pacific region. Being a trusted partner to all the major international airports in the country is indeed a rare honour and re-affirms our reputation as a leader in the aviation industry.”

Self-Service Check-in eBag Tag

Frequent travellers, flying with British Airways, could soon be taking another step into the future of self-service check-in with the airline to trial an innovation in baggage tagging – the electronic bag tag.

The new tag will easily be updated using Smartphone and barcode technology, enabling passengers to simply scan their baggage at the self-service check-in bag drop point and move quickly through security to relax before departure, knowing that their luggage is fully trackable.

The bag tags, developed for the trial by Designworks, could eliminate the need for paper tagging, especially for frequent travellers, who could have their own, personalised baggage tag.  Designworks lead designer for the project, Lewis Freeman said, “This step into digital tagging of luggage is a huge leap forward enabling your luggage to become a connected object, providing a seamless experience for frequent travellers with British Airways.”

Self-service check-in is fast growing, using innovative, advanced technology and solutions, such as the ARINC vMUSE platform, used around the world.