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Tag Archives: passenger processing

Global Projections of Rise of Automated Baggage Handling

January 15, 2014
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Providers of Automated Baggage HandlingA new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc (GIA) titled ”Airport Baggage Handling Systems” has focussed upon the rapid growth in the industry in the last few years.

The continuing rise in air traffic, and the emerging markets of developing countries is encouraging operators to build or upgrade terminals to increase capacity, and concomitant with this is the installation or upgrade of baggage handling facilities.

The trend report offers a useful, if brief, insight into the corporate initiatives and developments of key players in the baggage handling industry, looking at their products and analysing their prospects for growth.

The report covers a wide range of companies including: Rapiscan Systems, Aanestad AS, Daifuku Co. Ltd., JBT AeroTech, Portec, Logan Teleflex Ltd., Glidepath and Siemens AG.  Key markets, such as Asia-Pacific, are also discussed, together with projections and estimates for global projections to 2017.

NBAA Update Advanced Passenger Information System with ARINC

January 13, 2014
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Leading Providers of Advanced Passenger Information SystemThe National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has responded to the new rules implemented by Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration for reporting of Advanced Passenger Information, saying their application to private flights arose, “primarily from a need for enhanced security measures in Mexico, as well as a desire for better accounting of taxes paid by arriving and departing passengers.”

The NBAA has also updated its own APIS (Advance Passenger Information System), developed in conjunction with ARINC, to comply with the legislation. Several third-party companies, amongst them Universal Weather & Aviation and FltPlan have stated that they are also able to help customers comply. The regulations require reporting to occur electronically within 30 minutes of departure if a flight will take more than an hour, whilst shorter flights must be reported after the doors have closed.

Mexico’s INM Call for Improved Times for APIS Delivery

January 13, 2014
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APIS Solutions for Mandatory Passenger Data TransferNew rules from Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration (INM) have prompted FltPlan to expand the capabilities of its current eAPIS system. FltPlan president Ken Wilson said the rules now require Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) manifests be submitted within 30 minutes of any aircraft closing its doors, and warned that breaching them could result in fines of up to $5,000.

Wilson reflected that FltPlan’s five-year plus experience in eAPIS systems and their early adoption of U.S. Customs and Border Protection certification for submission of passenger information made for a relatively easy transition when working with the Mexican government.

FltPlan, which recently exhibited at NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers conference in New Orleans, said its aim was to provide a low-cost, specialist solution. Current annual subscription rates to its eAPIS system are $249, and the Mexico service an additional £200, with $20 per manifest ($40 for a round trip from the U.S. to Mexico).

Concerns Raised with EU Block on Passenger Data

December 19, 2013
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Provision of Passenger Data to Enhance SecurityConcerns are growing for security chiefs about the increasing risk of potential terrorists being allowed to travel freely around Europe after the release and use of passenger data was blocked on human rights grounds earlier this year.

Cressida Dick, Assistant Commissioner of the Met expressed a warning that young men are able to fly to Turkey, hire a car and drive across the border into Syria. Her concern is that a ‘small number could fall under the spell of terrorists and return to Britain with deadly skills and motivation’.

Passenger data has been effectively used to identify potential high-risk passengers, alerting government agencies and border control before those passengers touch down at their destination. Supporters of the share of this data, referred to as Advanced Passenger Information (API) say that the information is critical to help track terrorists, people traffickers and serious criminals that regularly traverse international borders.

The system was developed after the terror attacks of 9/11 and is mandatory for passengers travelling to and within the U.S. and other parts of the world.

API is delivered electronically via the DCS of airlines. Providers maintain reliable, secure delivery and limited access to the information.

The Civil Liberties Committee of the EP claim that the passenger data storage system raises privacy concerns and critics are unhappy about the data being kept for five years, which could lead to passenger profiling.

As the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator points out that the numbers of fighters travelling to Syria is increasing, it has made a call to put airline passenger information availability back into practice, giving security officials the ability to track the movements of particular groups across Europe.

The head of MI5, Mr Andrew Parker, revealed that spies had observed ‘hundreds of people’ travel to Syria and added that some had indeed returned to the UK.

It is unclear how, when or even if, the use of passenger data may return to the forefront of aviation travel in Europe.

National Institute of Immigration in Mexico Selects ARINC’s e-Government Solution

December 11, 2013
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Passenger Data Solutions ProvidersIn a move to improve border security and enhance accountability, Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration has chosen ARINC’s e-Government solution. The solution will support Mexico’s immigration policies, enabling the government to improve the process of assessing individuals upon entry in addition to monitoring exit from the country.

The collection of Advanced Passenger Information (API) is a large part of the solution and complies with U.S. mandates in this area. Data gathered allows a detailed review of the passengers before they land in the destination country and can help to recognise high risk passengers, which in turn, allows greater efficiency when managing passenger processing, enhances border security and speeds up the entire process.

ARINC and the INM plan to have the system in place and operational by the end of this year and look forward to the vast improvements that it will allow. The e-Government program is a part of the ARINC electronic borders portfolio, specifically developed to meet modern security and government requirements.

The improvements will service more than 250 commercial airlines that currently operate in Mexico, delivering all the API messaging into the country once the implementations are completed.

“ARINC looks forward to a long and productive relationship with the government of Mexico and our close partners, INM,” said Vice President of ARINC Global Network and IT Solutions, Yun Chong, “Airports and other points of entry must meet border security requirements while still providing the highest levels of customer service. We are committed to helping INM meet its current and future border security and control objectives.”

Aviation City Plans for Taiwan ~ Huge Project with Smart Airport Applications

December 10, 2013
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Exciting Airport Applications Through TechnologyAn industry group has been founded to bring together resources and services for the planned Taoyuan aviation city project with an expected completion date of 2030.

The enormous project will be funded in a collaborative move by the government and the private sector, who expect to invest $16.7 million, making this the largest investment with the highest expectation in recent years, according to Premier Jiang Yi-huah.

The group, The Taiwan Intelligent Aerotropolis Association (TIAA) was founded last week at an official ceremony.  The President, Lee Yen-sung, who is also chairman of Chunghwa Telecom Co. said, “The association is aiming to build a national gateway with smart technologies.”

The TIAA has five groups who will focus upon technology applications, smart airport applications, regulations, information, communications technology infrastructure and promotion and must provide the government with a report next year, then a proposal within two years on the competition, cooperation and ultimately, the development of the aviation city.

Chunghwa Telecom plans build a cloud-computing centre with numerous 4G base stations.

The project is estimated to be capable of generating more than 300,000 jobs upon completion and economic benefits could top almost $67 billion for surrounding areas.

Interest is understandably high in the project, and the TIAA now has over 70 members from 21 members in October.

Mission Critical Messaging Upgrade for Mihin Lanka & SriLankan Airlines

December 4, 2013
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SriLankan Airlines Upgrade Passenger Processing Systems as Tourism GrowsSriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka have announced an upgrade to the AMADEUS Altea Suite for enhanced mission critical messaging capability as a part of the bid to become more ‘customer centric.’

The messaging system will allow the airline to manage more effectively passenger reservations, departure control and inventory processes.

Although the changeover, scheduled for 7th and 8th December will cause slight disruption, it is hoped that this will be minor and should not affect online check-in, other than the duration reduced to 24 hours.

SriLankan Airlines offices will be available by telephone throughout the changeover to deal with the redemption of air miles for FlySmiLes members between 6th and 13th December.

Once completed, the changeover will make a significant difference to passenger processing, streamlining operations and procedures, bringing passengers an enhanced travel experience.

The new system plays a major role in the expansion of SriLankan Airlines and also with the planned induction into the OneWorld Alliance in the first part of 2014.

Thanksgiving Airport Queuing Shortened at Miami with Self-Service Kiosks

December 1, 2013
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Reduce Airport Queuing with Automated SystemsThe way airline passengers are travelling in modern airports is changing thanks largely to the introduction of self-service kiosks and automated baggage handling systems in airports.

Soon airport queuing will be a thing of the past as Miami Airport experience this Thanksgiving with their new kiosks. The self-service check-in kiosks from SITA has reduced passenger processing times to less than two minutes.

The Director of Information Systems and Telecommunications at Miami Airport, Mr Maurice Jenkins said, “Our aim is to provide excellent service to our passengers. During the Thanksgiving holiday period, we are expecting more than 900,000 passengers to pass through MIA. SITA’s kiosks are reducing wait times and making arrival in Miami faster and easier for international passengers.”

Automated baggage handling systems work similarly, reducing waiting times with sensitive and reliable technological solutions that streamline the entire process while maintaining critical security measures essential for airline travel. Self-service kiosks for check-in and baggage drop off can be located outside the airport thus saving on valuable terminal space in addition to allowing efficient deployment of ground staff within the airport.

Aviation Industry Messaging Specialists, ARINC, Receive Accolade for Work at RAK International

November 21, 2013
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Aviation industry messaging specialists ARINC EMEA received an accolade during the Aviation Business Awards in the category of Technology Implementation of the Year.

Tony Lynch, Regional Director and is team based in Dubai and Cairo received the endorsement for their work with the new airport processing systems at Ras Al Khaimah Airport (RAK International).

Specialist Solutions for Aviation Messaging & vMUSE Technology

The work involved the implementation of ARINC’s core suite of airport processing solutions for aviation industry messaging, including the latest vMUSE Common-use Passenger Processing solution (CUPPS), AirVue Flight Information Display and the Airport Operational Database, AirDB 7.

The award was presented to ARINC’s Tony Lynch and representing RAK International Airport, Imran Saeed, Senior IT and Engineering Manager by Ahmed Al Mamari, Chief Operations/Technical Officer from Royal Jet.

ARINC are proud of their award and hope to continue working with RAK International in further phases of their development.  ARINC are still making pioneering steps forward and are industry leaders in aviation industry messaging with products and solutions for end-to-end support from airport operations and passenger processing to business aviation services and flight support technology.

Plans to Expand Routes and Attract More Passengers to UAE & Ras Al Khaimah Airport

November 20, 2013
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The capture of passenger data is always important and new technology at RAK International airport will be utilized to its utmost as plans to expand routes to bring more passengers to the UAE and RAK International in particular are well underway.

The improvements to the airport itself and its infrastructure has increased capacity to 1.5 million passengers and all will need passenger processing and passenger data transfer.

“We are catering to the growth of RAK Airways and the expansion of routes to Ras Al Khaimah from Europe, the CIS (Commonwealth of the Independent States), Russia and Western Europe,” Mohammad Qazi, acting CEO of Ras Al Khaimah International, said.

RAK Airways has already expanded its destinations this year to 12, launching a service to Riyadh, Islamabad and Amman and has plans to add another 40 destinations with the expansion of its fleet.

Russian Ural Airlines operating from Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow is expected to bring in an additional 12,000 Russian visitors to the UAE, utilising RAK hotels and restaurants and helping to increase revenue and ultimately investment to bring the total hotel and resort space to 10,000 rooms by 2016.

Ras Al Khaimah International has been in talks with European airlines to encourage further business, two of which, Jet Air and Russia’s Ural Airlines have brought their operations to the airport.

The growing sector is encouraging emerging markets, such as Russia with plans for expansion and economic growth.  Aviation companies, such as ARINC, who have a dedicated Russian language site, are supportive of the emergence of Eastern European business.