SITA's AirportConnect a source of airport innovation

Supporting airport authorities, airlines, handling agents, freight companies as well as their airport tenants, AirportConnect provides all the advantages of a shared environment with the flexibility and control of a dedicated platform. Visitors to the exhibition can experience the benefits of this new innovative solution first hand at SITA's AirportConnect kiosks located at their stand.

Designed specifically to meet the needs of the airport community, AirportConnect is a comprehensive solution managed by SITA, consisting of network, hardware, software and support services. This next generation solution succeeds in enhancing operational efficiency, resulting in airport staff benefiting from access to applications anywhere in the airport, including front and back office, and in turn passengers enjoying a simpler travel experience, with different check-in options and shorter check-in times. AirportConnect runs on any user hardware of choice including PCs, PDAs, thin clients, self-service kiosks and mobile phones.

"AirportConnect is an IT solution that the aviation industry has been waiting for. With AirportConnect, airports and airlines can enjoy reduced operating costs, greater flexibility and above all better control," said Eyad Shihabi, Vice President, Airport and Desktop Services, SITA Middle East and Africa. "The introduction of AirportConnect to the aviation industry in the Middle East comes at a critical time.

The industry in the region is witnessing significant developments and major expansion programmes, demanding greater focus on levels of service, security and communication infrastructure."

AirportConnect supports today's applications better and for longer. It reduces platform operating costs by integrating legacy and new more affordable hardware and software hence avoiding future expenditure previously needed to meet rapidly evolving technologies. Also, by using a single, open standards based platform, AirportConnect can simultaneously provide the airport community the benefits of secure access to their applications in the environment of their choice, a dedicated, single user environment or a shared, multi-user one.

"AirportConnect optimises the accuracy of data shared at the airport, linking all parts of the traveller's journey and in turn enhances aviation security, an increasing area of concern for the industry," commented Shihabi. "Where the traveller is concerned, it will be a more straightforward journey with a choice of using AirportConnect's web-enabled applications and self-service check-in options."

AirportConnect seamlessly integrates with existing CUTE systems - (Common Use Terminal Equipment), allowing for easy technology migration and non-disruptive implementation. Today, SITA's CUTE solutions support more than 250 applications and increase passenger processing by up to 30%. Presently more than 25,000 CUTE intelligent workstations are in use by over 285 customers at over 200 airports worldwide, including the world's busiest international airports.