SITA AirportConnect Open is being implemented to increase the efficiency of the check-in process at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has signed a seven-year agreement with SITA to reduce queues and improve passenger flow through Tribhuvan International Airport.

SITA AirportConnect Open is being implemented initially at 24 check-in counters, later expanding to 36, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of the check-in process.

Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, General Manager, Tribhuvan International Airport, said: “This upgrade to our check-in facilities is timely as we have seen record levels of passenger traffic this year with the heavy promotion of Nepal Tourism Year.

“Passenger numbers are expected to grow further from now until April, the peak tourism period in Nepal. There was a real boom last year when international airlines serving the country grew their passenger volumes by over 20% and we hope this trend will continue.”

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Two new Virtual Assistants are in place at Frankfurt Airport to help passengers through the check-in and security processes.

Frankfurt Airport has become the first airport in Germany to install a Virtual Assistant to help simplify the security process for passengers. Meanwhile, German airline Condor has also installed its own Virtual Assistant at the German hub to guide passengers through the check-in process.

The airport’s Virtual Assistant is being trialled at the entrance to the security area, where it offers advice to passengers on the preparations they should make before entering the security search zone.

Bärbel Töpfer, Vice President of Airport Security Management, Fraport, said: “We’re delighted to be the first German airport to test such an innovative passenger control system like the Virtual Assistant. The trial will enable us to decide whether to opt for a roll out of the Virtual Assistant throughout the airport.”

Passengers flying with Condor are also greeted with a Virtual Assistant offering advice on how to use the airline’s self-service check-in kiosks.

Christian Schmitt, Vice President Ground Operations, Condor, said: “We’re always looking for ways to make our customers’ journeys as easy and relaxing as possible and the Virtual Assistant enables us to provide them with valuable information that can speed up the check-in process.”

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Eleven touch-screen maps have been installed across Dallas/Fort Worth Airport to help passengers navigate around the airport.

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport has implemented 11 interactive maps across the terminals to assist with passenger wayfinding.

Passengers can use the touch-screen maps to search for specific facilities and services, which are categorised under headings such as Restaurants and Airlines.

As part of the airport’s build-up to Christmas, it has also placed large boxes carrying Microsoft Tag codes around the airport.

Passengers can scan the codes with a smartphone, which then grants access to coupons and discounts at retail and F&B facilities in the nearby vicinity.

More information can be found here.

The TSA’s trusted traveller trial is now being expanded to include Las Vegas McCarran, Los Angeles and Minneapolis-St Paul airports.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that its trusted traveller programme aimed at expediting the airport security process will be extended to include Las Vegas McCarran, Los Angeles and Minneapolis-St Paul airports.

Frequent flyers who share personal information in advance of their journey can currently enjoy expedited security processing at Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Dallas/Fort Worth airports.

Low-risk passengers who participate in the trial are able to make use of a dedicated security lane, which can enable them to complete the security process without removing liquids or laptops from their hand luggage.

The trial is currently open to passengers flying with Delta and American Airlines.

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Around 700 members of staff at Koltsovo International Airport will use the SITA WorkBridge Resource Management System to optimise aircraft stands, as well as the allocation of boarding gates and check-in counters.

Russia’s largest regional airport – Koltsovo International Airport – is to deploy a new resource management system to enhance the efficiency of ground handling, passenger services and security, in order to prepare the airport for further expansion.

The SITA WorkBridge Resource Management System will be used by 700 members of staff and will help to optimise aircraft stands, as well as the allocation of boarding gates and check-in counters.

Eugeny Chudnovsky, CEO, Koltsovo International Airport, said: “The key to success in ground handling is good planning.

“The SITA WorkBridge Resource Management System will increase our productivity and reduce our costs by ensuring the timely and effective allocation of the required resources on both land and air sides of the airport.”

More information can be found here.

The TSA’s latest trial aimed at speeding up the airport security process is currently taking place at Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Dallas/Fort Worth airports.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is trialling a new screening method at four US airports, whereby frequent flyers who share personal information in advance of their journey can enjoy expedited security processing.

Delta and American Airlines have invited selected frequent flyers to share personal information, such as their home address and contact information, and in return they can make use of an express security lane.

The pilot is currently taking place in Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Dallas/Fort Worth airports.

Christopher McLaughlin, Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, TSA, said: “We are truly moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to security, to a risk-based intelligence-based approach.”

More information can be found here.

Kevin McGarr, President & CEO, CATSA, discusses the role of biometrics in airport security and the viability of an international trusted traveller programme.

In order to enhance the security process in airports across Canada, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has continually shown a willingness to embrace innovation, ranging from the adoption of biometric technology, to the introduction of trusted traveller lanes for members of the NEXUS programme. Furthermore, ‘family’ and ‘special need’ lanes are also in place across Canada’s airports to increase the efficiency of the airport experience as far as possible.

According to Kevin McGarr, this “differentiation of passengers and requirements at security checkpoints” has enabled CATSA to speed up the processing of passengers without impacting on the level of security.

The specific lanes, he added, allow CATSA to “process the rest of the passengers in a much more orderly manner and allow for a better customer experience”.

Biometric technology has been used by CATSA since 2003, when Restricted Area Identification Cards were introduced, making use of iris and fingerprint recognition technology, thus granting access to members of staff to restricted areas of the airport.

However, McGarr explained that there is further potential for biometrics to be used to enhance the passenger experience. “There is potential for it, but a lot is going to depend on how the regulatory authorities accept some of the security potential that biometrics can offer,” he said. He also explained that CATSA is exploring the use of biometric technology within the NEXUS programme to increase the efficiency of the processing of passengers.

Global trusted traveller programme

While various trusted traveller programmes are currently in place outside of Canada – including in the likes of the US, The Netherlands, Germany and Korea – expanding these programmes to create a widespread international programme has also been highlighted as a potential way to enhance the airport experience for frequent flyers in particular.

“I think it is feasible,” McGarr stated. “The technology certainly exists. What is required is that international standards have to be developed and the regulatory authorities have to harmonise the requirements for admission to the programme and maintaining the membership in the programme that would be mutually recognised by like-minded countries.”

So, while biometric technology and trusted traveller programmes are proven methods of expediting and improving the airport security process, close collaboration between airport operators and governmental and regulatory authorities will be vital to further exploit the potential that exists.

To celebrate Privium’s 10th anniversary, Privium member and master chef Robert Kranenborg served a festive breakfast on 25 October, including to Privium member Prince Maurits van Oranje, who was travelling. Otto Ambagtsheer, Director of Consumers of Schiphol Group (pictured right): “Privium is a service programme that directly contributes to our ambition of attaining and retaining the position of Europe's preferred airport. Since the start, Schiphol has been at the forefront of this success; it is therefore not surprising that we have seen similar facilities appear at other airports around Europe.”

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Privium programme, which offers fast border passage based on iris recognition technology. The programme has seen significant growth in recent years and now has 48,000 members. The majority are business travellers, flying an average of 16 times a year from Schiphol.

Privium member and master chef Robert Kranenborg served a festive breakfast on 25 October, which was followed by a week-long programme of various festive activities.

The Privium programme includes reserved parking close to the terminal building and a business class check-in service. The service was expanded with the exclusive Privium Club Lounge three years ago.

The Privium programme, which is based on iris recognition technology, has grown significantly over its 10 years and now has 48,000 members.

Meanwhile, the FLUX programme is an add-on to Privium membership that allows fast border passage at 20 airports in the US with no need to fill in the requisite Customs and immigration forms while onboard the aircraft.

Otto Ambagtsheer, Director of Consumers of Schiphol Group, said: “Privium is a service programme that directly contributes to our ambition of attaining and retaining the position of Europe’s preferred airport. Since the start, Schiphol has been at the forefront of this success; it is therefore not surprising that we have seen similar facilities appear at other airports around Europe. Privium responds to the needs of our frequent flyers. They enjoy using the facilities we offer and state that they are very happy with them. The fact that 90% of Privium members say that they experience greater comfort at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol confirms this picture.”

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Wingate: “The opening of the new South Terminal security area is just part of a £1.2 billion investment in Gatwick Airport, as we continually look to innovate and deliver solutions that will provide real benefit for passengers.”

Gatwick Airport’s new centralised security area includes 19 lanes and will allow almost 5,000 passengers to be processed per hour – increasing efficiency by one quarter. As well as 15 standard lanes, there are also two dedicated lanes for families with young children and passengers with reduced mobility, and two lanes for premium travellers. At present, the average passenger is processed in just one minute 47 seconds.

The lanes are colour-coded and feature screens displaying the actual queue time, enabling passengers to choose the fastest lane at any given time.

The state-of-the-art product makes use of face scanning technology and passengers are granted access to the security search area simply by swiping their boarding pass or smartphone on a reader.

Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport said: “We’re committed to making the airport experience an easier, speedier and less stressful experience for our passengers. The opening of the new South Terminal security area is just part of a £1.2 billion investment in Gatwick Airport, as we continually look to innovate and deliver solutions that will provide real benefit for passengers.”

A spacious preparation area has been positioned ahead of the main security area specifically designed to help passengers prepare for the security process and large plasma screens offer instructions in five languages to help passengers understand exactly what they can and can’t take through security.

More information can be found here.

The display card shows real-time flight information and provides updates on boarding times and the estimated walking time to the gate.

Helsinki Airport is undertaking a one-month trial whereby transfer passengers with tight connecting times will be provided with an airport guidance display card, which guides them directly to their boarding gate.

The lightweight display card shows real-time flight information and provides updates on boarding times and the estimated walking time to the gate. As the card doesn’t require wire charging, it has an operation time of up to three years.

Heini Noronen-Juhola, Vice President, Helsinki Airport, said: “Helsinki Airport is the leading long-haul airport in Northern Europe and a popular transfer point for flights between Asia and Europe.

“This is not only because of that the fact that the shortest and most direct route between Europe and Asia goes via Helsinki, but also because the airport has long invested in creating a cosy and relaxed atmosphere for its passengers, as opposed to the crowded, busy airports.”

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