Page 29 - AAA MARCH - MAY 2022 Online Magazine

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Integrated efficient operations and smart, collaborative IT
are vital to the industry’s future as it digitalizes its
processes. The focus must be on collaboration
and operational excellence. The seamless journey
and operational efficiencies will build on digital
platforms – SDN (software-defined networking),
APIs (application programming interfaces), and
Communications the cloud. These technologies meet the industry’s
for Real-Time while safeguarding existing capital investment.
need for cost-efficient and agile operations now

Facilitating industry collaboration is about bring-
ing the industry’s players together because we all
Collaboration rely on each other in the travel chain. By working
together, we can achieve more to smooth out
processes and share approaches. Collaboration
goes hand in hand with achieving operational
excellence for airlines, aircraft, airports, and other
players.
One area with untapped potential is the real-time
collaboration between teams in the air and on
the ground. Today, the information flow between
an aircraft approaching an airport, the opera-
tion control center (OCC), the ramp, gate, and
maintenance control is not optimal. Processes
are complex and time-critical. The multiple stake-
holders on the ground often work in organizational
silos at different airport locations and, in the case
of dispatchers, sometimes even from home.
While the flight crew and OCC communicate via
datalink, the teams on the ground rely on SMS,
e-mails, chat applications, and phone calls to get
themselves organized. The convoluted communi-
cation across different channels often means that
information does not get to the right people fast,
leading to operational inefficiencies and stress
for everyone involved.

Here are six ways how a single, integrated
platform can help airline and airport teams
communicate and collaborate effectively:
KEMAL AHMED, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, SITA Air-to-Ground Communication
FOR AIRCRAFT Accurate Fuel Management
Thanks to better than expected weather and
The air transport industry is complex. Many players need to collabo- strong tailwinds, a flight from Hong Kong to Los
rate to make processes work. A long-haul flight, for example, typically Angeles has used less fuel than planned. As the
takes 90 to 120 minutes to turn around and involves a minimum of plane approaches the US west coast, the pilot
20 people on the ground. The digitalization of processes can help notifies the aircraft fueler Liam at LAX that less
improve operations through effective collaboration and lead to a better fuel will be required for the upcoming refueling.
passenger experience. The heads-up via cockpit MCDU (Multifunction
Control Display Unit) can help prevent the next
Collaboration Goes Hand in Hand flight from carrying unnecessary fuel and excess
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the industry’s digital shift. weight. It optimizes the refueling process, lead-
Some of SITA’s customers believe they have achieved three years ing to more sustainable fuel usage and reduced
of digitalization in one year. Tomorrow’s travel will be a healthy, fric- costs for the airline. In a situation where more fuel
tionless, and personalized journey. It will be driven by identity and was used than planned, the pilot can, of course,
biometric technologies, combined with mobile applications, data, notify the fueler that more fuel is required. In both
artificial intelligence, digital cabins, and more. Reliable services with situations, advanced communication reduces the

ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE March_May 2022 | 29