Check-in technology
Winner: vMUSE by ARINC
ARINC has won a contract for its vMUSE Enterprise check-in system at Kazan Airport, Russia.
The global communications, engineering and integration solutions provider has had an exceptional year, with its vMUSE Enterprise check-in system selected for installation at a number of airports, including Kazan Airport, Russia, and Münster Osnabrück International Airport in Germany. ARINC will work with IT services company Integris to provide the check-in platform at Kazan’s recently opened Terminal 1a. ARINC says the technology, which connects check-in agents to ARINC’s Global Processing Center, will make "passenger check-in services quicker, easier, more flexible and less costly".
Operators using the platform can eliminate the need for on-site server hardware and core rooms, significantly reducing maintenance and operational costs, while helping airports to decrease their energy consumption.
"vMUSE Enterprise delivers the same performance as systems running on on-site core servers – high security, reliability and manageability – but at a much lower cost," says Paul Hickox, ARINC international operations director. "We are excited that ARINC’s cloud-based architecture means that airports like Kazan can now benefit from common-use check-in platforms that previously were only available to large airports."
Baggage handling technology
Winner: Digital Bag Tag
Microsoft employees were chosen to take part in a month-long trial of the specially adapted version of British Airways’ (BA) smartphone app to provide crucial feedback to the developers.
The digital bag tag, which contains all the customer’s baggage details, could eventually eliminate the need for new paper tags every time a customer flies.
Testers will use their smartphone to check in, choose their seat and acquire a mobile boarding pass. The BA app automatically updates the digital bag tag with a unique barcode and a view of the bag’s destination.
Glenn Morgan, BA’s head of service transformation, said: "The customer trials take us another step closer to making the personalised digital bag tag a reality for our customers. We’re grateful for Microsoft’s support during the trial, which will help us shape the future of checking in for flights."
Security technology
Winner: dual-view X-Ray by Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection has launched a dual-view X-ray inspection system for exposing automatic explosives in personal belongings at airports, hotels and government buildings.
The HI-SCAN 6040-2is weighs less than 850kg, is able to penetrate 35mm of steel and is available in standard or high-resolution. The high-throughput system can fit through doors of 900mm allowing easy installation in restricted spaces.
Ian May, senior vice-president global sales of Smiths Detection, said: "The HI-SCAN 6040-2is is set to cause a stir in the market. The combination of a compact footprint and high-quality features such as excellent image quality and outstanding penetration, offers an affordable and adaptable system ideal for the global markets."
The system also offers different monitor options that can be placed on top or on a wheeled stand to provide remote operation away from the X-ray machine.
ATM technology
Winner: FODetect by Xsight Systems
FODetect, Xsight Systems’ automated foreign object debris (FOD) detection system, has won this year’s award, after its recent installation at the Tel-Aviv Ben-Gurion International Airport by the Israel Airports Authority (IAA).
IAA undertook rigorous evaluation and soft launch testing of the system at the airport’s primary runway before announcing its fully operational status.
Xsight systems says FODetect "increases runway safety by using high-performance detection with a resolution down to the size of an aircraft rivet. The unique integrated optic sensor with NIR illumination and a millimetre-wave radar sensing technology uses the best characteristics of each technology to provide high-quality detection."
The product can also increase runway capacity by minimising false alarms and using its GPS location and laser line marker for efficient and quick FOD retrieval.
During the nine month testing-period, at no point was FOD found by manual inspectors that was not earlier detected by FODetect.
Environmental technology
Winner: ANOMS by Brüel & Kjær
Brüel & Kjær’s airport noise and operations monitoring system (ANOMS) is a key solution for airport’s trying to effectively monitor and manage their noise pollution. It’s suite of applications include NoiseOffice environment management, AirTrak Carbon Manager and WebTrak FlyQuiet, work together seamlessly to provide accurate and timely noise information from a number of data sources.
Currently installed at over 200 airports globally, it has proven key in managing modern airport operations, especially those in densely populated areas. Brüel & Kjær, world leaders in sound and vibration monitoring equipment, say of the system "ANOMS’ data ensures beyond question that your compliance reports, noise impact reduction strategies and community engagement programmes are built on the most accurate and reliable information available."
