Bangalore, Sept. 26:
Bangalore airport plans to implement mobile self
check-in and RFID solutions.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)
has entered into a partnership with IBM, by which passengers can use their
mobile phones to check-in instead of waiting in the line.
Through this tech modernising initiative, IBM
will build a technology infrastructure that will support BIAL’s future plans of
providing new passenger experiences such as using a mobile phone coupled with
RFID technologies, thereby freeing up its workers to concentrate on services
such flight scheduling and better baggage handling, according to BIAL
officials.
This solution would connect disparate systems
and processes across the airport and create a scalable platform which could
encourage more passengers to fly, say IBM officials. The airport’s annual air
traffic volume increased by 7 per cent during 2011, and the number of
passengers increased to 12.53 million from 11.24 million in 2010.
Daniel Bircher, Director Operations, BIAL, told Business
Line that while the airport is equipped with monitoring systems, the
increased complexity arising out of systems running on different software, is
putting a lot of stress on its personnel such as Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs)
and other ground crew. With this solution, BIAL can reduce costs, he added.
However, BIAL did not put a number on the cost
savings accrued. India is poised to move from the ninth largest civil aviation
market to the top five in the world within the next decade, said Rahul Sharma,
Partner, IBM Global Business Services, India/South Asia Region.
Interestingly, BIAL has undertaken this
initiative at a time when air travel, especially premium travel, could be
affected due to the global economic slowdown, according to International Air
Transport Association (IATA).
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/article3939747.ece
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