Kuwait Airways' new USD2 million cargo facility accelerates and 'Internet enables' services

Kuwait Airways has installed a total solution of wireless data entry devices, combined with a comprehensive bar-coding system, to raise the quality of services offered by the airline. The $2 million solution gives Kuwait Airport advanced cargo control and on-line tracking capabilities - customers now have the ability to find out exactly where their packages are, any time, and from any place, via the World Wide Web.

"Taking our facility into the Internet age is a major step forward as Kuwait Airways transforms into a regional force in air freight. Modern barcoding and data entry technology allows us to know exactly where each item is, every instant, with 100% accuracy. We can use this information to speed up our processes, and to provide our customers with a premium level of service. The technology that Symbol has provided gives us real and immediate business benefits, as well as allowing us to differentiate ourselves to our customers by the service we can give them," said Nasser Dalloum, director of Information Technology at the airport.

SITA, Symbol Technologies' global business partner, designed and engineered the solution for Kuwait Airways. It compromises Symbol's wireless access points (Symbol 4121 Spectrum24 Ethernet Access Points), Symbol PDT 6800 handheld terminal scanners, extended mainframe computer access software, and special extreme temperature enclosure for the access points. The system allows thirty Kuwait Airways cargo handlers and supervisors to track every single item as it arrives or leaves by a quick scan with a Symbol laser scanner. This information is passed over a wireless network to the host computer systems, without allowing the human error typical of paper-based, hand-written systems.

The challenge that Kuwait Airlines was facing in its efforts to increase customer satisfaction levels was a combination of the human error and delays caused by the old, manual systems for checking in, tracking, and delivering shipments to and from destinations.

"Kuwait Airline is growing rapidly, and the volume of cargo it is handling is increasing exponentially. Manual process are no longer satisfactory: delays have a knock-on effect across the business, and manual handling systems cannot scale to meet growth," said Carlos Nespoli, project manager for airport services product delivery at SITA. "The manual process is time consuming, expensive and prone to human error. The high-tech combination of barcoding with wireless mobile computing allows Kuwait Airways to extend its computer systems right to the action point. Processes can be better managed, and improvements can be quantified: the speed and accuracy of computerization is extended to every part of its operation."

"Kuwait Airways now has technology systems on a par with, or even superior to, top international airlines," added Sunil Chadha, regional director for Symbol Technologies. "Kuwait Airways took the first step by creating the foundation of a technology system to control and solve its business challenges. Additionally, this technology gives the airline the ability to extend valuable information across the global Internet - making the lives of shipping agents, courier companies and casual customers easier. This is a massive advantage for Kuwait Airways in its market development.