"Zero" - 'Gate No Show' 

This article proposes ideas on how IT can assist Airlines to have zero Gate no show of Checked in Passengers at the Airport Terminal.

Newer technologies in IT can assist Airlines to track passengers and facilitate them to the boarding gates on/before time, thereby reducing flight delays and gate no show by passengers.

Strategically, IT can be used to trace/track a Check in Passenger at the Airport by using any of the below technologies.

1. iBeacons &  Augmented Reality 
2. RFID 

1. iBeacons & Augmented Reality 

As per the recent trends seen, approx 90% of passengers are carrying their smartphones along, which makes it very imperative that airports and airline operators connect with their passengers through their smartphones. 

iBeacon tech is one of such new technologies that is helping create enhanced end-to-end experiences at airports for Pax, seamlessly through passengers smartphones. 

iBeacons help in enhancing a wide variety of functions like wayfinding with integrated Augumented Airport app, measuring the distance & time to the gate from existing location, and conveying important flight information like time to departure, Gate Open,Boarding start among others. 

Close coordination with Airport Management and sharing the Airport infrastructure can only achieve this.

2. RFID

A RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) is a small device used for tracking or identification. A typical tag consists of a chip, memory and antenna. 

Using RFID labels stickers on Boarding pass can also assist Airlines to locate their checked in passengers roaming at the airport or who are busy shopping.

By using RFID guns or customised APP readers, Airline ground staff can locate their passengers of the desired flight and quickly communicate / guide them to the respective boarding gates.

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Airlines can also generate a lot of revenue from Pax by using such technologies and also enable savings and less stress to the Passenger during his travel and also earn a lot of goodwill.

Your feedback is welcome on the above post. 

Use IT to reduce Passengers waiting time at security check point

 

As of now, many Airports in India and abroad are currently operating at almost full capacity, or are very near to full capacity. Since, the Terminal Building cannot be expanded to accommodate the expected gain in future volumes, this will ultimately result in longer wait times at airport security hold areas.

Why is this a concern, one would ask ?

Possible answers could be

•Legal obligations or

•Reduction in customer satisfaction

If any of the above is a positive answer, then Airports & Security teams will need to take a very holistic view of how Airport Security is managed.

Some possible answers to assist this issue would be

1. Having Automated full body scan Passenger Screening machines.
This may reduce count security personnel also. Only risk here is that by freeing human screeners, focus on detecting suspicious behavior is missed.

2. Having dedicated Family lanes.

3. Having dedicated lanes for senior citizens & PRM(Passenger with Reduced Mobility).

4. Having separate lanes for frequent fliers & first/premium class passengers
This can lead to higher revenue to airline/airport.

5. Having dedicated lanes for quick flights having departures in D-10 mins.

Such initiatives will result in more profitability & efficiency for airports & also airlines, along with increased passenger satisfaction levels and also enable airport operators comply with possible legal obligations.

All these options can be effectively exercised with an Integrated IT, where the passengers are effectively identified during check-in and tracked throughout the airport building till departure of flight.

Having a smart interactive Airport App to guide passengers to their appropriate security check-in counter and also him know the traffic at each counter will reduce his time to clear Security check, thereby provide a better passenger experience.
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Next coming up article:
 
How use of Beacons, RFID can also assist Airlines to track passengers and facilitate them to the boarding gates on/before time, thereby reducing flight delays and gate no show by passengers.
 

Risks in new Airport Development in INDIA.

For any new entrepreneur to start as an Airport Operator business in INDIA, one has to keep the following factors in mind. 

 

These can also be classified as risks or issues depending on the nature of his risk taking capacity.

Have listed the same under various categories.

Financial Arrangements:

1. Obtain on-time and adequate Budgetary support from Government of India (GOI) for Airport development.

2. Obtain on time and adequate Financial Resource Mobilisation from primary market like banks/consortium of banks.

3. Agreement with GOI on the revenue model.

4. Tariff Fixation/negotiation with GOI.

5. Net asset value of the present company.

Regulatory Risk:

1. Obtain the Classification and Licensing as an International airport status to allow international flight operations, particularly from foreign airline companies.

2. Time delay in obtaining international airport status can become a costly proposition for the airport in attracting the foreign airline companies.

3. One partner should have the international Airport Operator license.

Stakeholder Management:

1. Mature Stakeholder Management involving the involvement of all users including state and central Govt.

2. Delay in obtaining the approvals from the various govt depts.

Infrastructure Policies:

1. Having a definite & transparent central & state policy on private participation in airport infrastructure.

2. Having a clear policy on the process of project financial structuring.

3. Land acquisition policies of state and Centre along with the land compensation policy, Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy.

Human Resources:

1. Resource mobilization, Skill set availability.

2. Absence of experience in dealing with various regulatory bodies like AERA, MOCA, DGCA, BCAS.

3. labour union relations.

Political:

1. Political stability at the center govt. and the state govt.

2. Political relationships between the center govt. and the state govt.

3. Local Political Activism.

Operating Risks:

1. Lack of coordination among various agencies.

2. Non recovery of Revenues – Aeronautical and non Aeronautical services offered at airport.

3. Being OMDA compliance and also ensuring Operational Cost efficient to handle Cargo, Charter flights, Aircraft parking, Refueling of long distance flights, Night landing facilities and 24-hour ATC services.

4. Competitive pricing for foreign Airlines to set up operations

5. Environment clearances and Carbon footprint management

Other factors that are also important are

1. Strategic alliances with other business entities or governments which one has.

2. Major cost reductions done by the present company on their line of business. 

3. Are you Known for social commitments like providing the ambulance services, Hospitals, Research units, Schools, Colleges-Institutions.

4. Having a core team to manage the Corporate relationships/affairs.

5. Having a collaborative, problem solving/management approach.

All the above information is basis my personal experience in aviation.