Virgin Atlantic Airways uses Symbol RFID solution to track assets

Virgin Atlantic is the first airline in the United Kingdom to use RFID technology to track parts onsite.

Virgin Atlantic deployed Symbol's MC9000-G RFID handheld mobile computers with RFID readers and a Symbol wireless LAN (WLAN) infrastructure, including a WS2000 wireless switch and AP300 access ports. The aim of the pilot is to track and trace high value repairable aircraft parts often at short notice. The installation is based at Virgin Atlantic's logistics facilities at Heathrow Airport with additional facilities at Gatwick Airport. Heathrow is the central distribution hub for the Virgin Atlantic logistics network.

"In such a competitive market, there is a constant need to find efficiencies, control costs and expand business. Virgin Atlantic is keen to investigate the efficiency of the RFID-enabled warehouse," said Graham Holford, Senior Systems Analyst, Virgin Atlantic. "Symbol's RFID technology was seen as a way to improve efficiency by tracking and tracing items instantly and in real-time."

Three AP300 access ports with external antennas support onsite data exchange at each location and the MC9000-G mobile computer enables precise real-time scanning and data entry, providing Virgin Atlantic's staff with inventory control and instant visibility into their supply chain. The MC9000-G mobile computer is a high-performance RFID mobile reader, and supports Microsoft® Windows Mobile operating system, for both RFID and bar code applications. This dual-mode operation was considered an 'essential capability' by Virgin Atlantic, when selecting the technology for their investment.

The project, called TRIM (Tracked by Radio Identification Method), utilises RFID tagging and was deployed at Virgin Atlantic with the specific aim of tracking serialized aircraft parts and tools at their main supply facilities and throughout their supply chain. Airplane parts are given a full inspection upon entry to the warehouse and logged into the inventory system computer, before being associated with an RFID tag.

"Virgin Atlantic is doing precisely what we advise our most progressive clients to do - evaluate the application of this emerging technology in their own environment, and measure the effectiveness of the RFID solution based on the return on investment (ROI) and a clear business case,"

said Tarek Hassaniyeh, sales manager, Symbol Technologies Middle East.

Symbol's RFID technology has demonstrated high-performance capabilities such as data capture and data accuracy, while also improving the accuracy and frequency of inventory management through stores and warehouses. Symbol RFID solutions have also increased the visibility of parts and materials within maintenance environments and offered more accurate inventory control at the point of entry to the aircraft stores. As a result, Virgin Atlantic has greater ability to comply with anticipated guidelines from EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) concerning traceability and the authenticity of aircraft components. Virgin Atlantic will also be able to integrate with the RFID specifications proposed by Boeing and Airbus for use within the aircraft supply chain.