DUBAI - The 19th edition of Dubai Airport Show witnessed the showcasing of new technologies and innovations in the aviation industry. More than 50 new technologies and innovative products and services were unveiled on the first day of the three-day exhibitions with participation of 375 exhibitors from 60 countries at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
Smiths Detection unveiled Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX security screening system that uses computed Tomography technology for cabin baggage. The advanced detection capability offered byt CT eliminates the need to remove electronic devices and liquids from hand baggage.
“This means passengers need not take out their laptops and bottles with liquids while screening at the airports,” said Tom Squier, Smiths Detections Managing Director for Middle East.
Smiths Detection also showcased the next-generation portable desktop system, the Ionscan 600, to detect and identify trace amounts of explosives.
ADP Ingenierie, involved in designing greenfield airports and maintenance, unveiled a Baggage Handling System (BHS) system design using virtual reality meant for airport operators who are willing to see in term of design, to see the end results of what they are designing. The technology can be used for optimising the existing systems. The system can optimise the operations of bagging handling of passengers through virtual reality, said Philippe Martinet, Deputy Managing Director, ADP Ingenierie.
Twenty companies are participating under the Swiss flag, showcasing cutting edge technologies. Chris Watts, Consul General of Switzerland, said Swiss companies have contributed to the development of the region.
The prominent Swiss company participating at the show is EuroPoles, which unveiled a unique loading system, has recently signed a deal with Dubai Airports for the calling points systems and energy saving systems.
Nokia is showcasing its innovative technologies, along with managed services for building highly reliable and secure mission-critical domestic as well as international aviation networking. These technologies help both airports and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) meet key regulatory and unique network communications upgrade challenges. Kamal Ballout, head of the TEPS MEA and Global Energy Segment, Nokia, said: “As ATC infrastructure forms a critical foundation for the aviation industry, one of the most important aspects is to ensure the support of legacy applications and services while moving toward an IP environment. Nokia has helped many ANSPs overcome these legacy application support issues with robust network solutions allowing seamless connectivity and reduced costs.”
ITW GSE is launching its new battery powered Nissan leaf battery packs for GPUs (ground power units) to support the green airports and a better working environment for the airport staff. A battery powered 400 Hz unit that will help airports reduce their carbon foot print, replacing their diesel powered GPUs by clean eGPUs. David Feuga,Sales Director, Middle East and Africa, ITW GSE said: “The challenges are congested airport, flexible infrastructures, carbon emissions control, noise, health and safety for operators in the ramp.”
DFS Aviation Services is showcasing the PHOENIX WebInnovation System. This web-based cloud solution enables air traffic controllers to use PHOENIX tracker not only at their controller working position but also anytime and anywhere. The product targets ANSP’s, airports and airlines as well as any other stakeholder involved in ATM. “We believe that airports will have to tackle positive challenges like growth and expansion. We look forward to strengthening DFS Aviation Services in the UAE and Middle East market as a competent and reliable partner for ATM and consultancy,” said Oliver P Cristinetti, General Manager, DFS Aviation Services.
Saudi Ground Handling Services (SGS) is studying some projects outside Saudi Arabia, with different partners from these countries. “With Vision 2020 and Vision 2030, we have lots of changes in the government to open up the tourism industry to make it attractive for foreigners. There are big expansion plans at the airports,” said Abdullah Marie Al Ghamdi, Director, Commercial, Saudi Ground Handling Services. “We are implementing a new system, InForm system, which will link manpower, rostering and equipment. It is an IT solution linking planning, equipment, manpower which will give real-time of equipment needed. This we are implementing in Jeddah and later will be used in other airports,” he said.
Ground Handling Logistics of Saudi Arabia showcased their PRM (Passengers with Restricted Mobility) technology. PRM products and equipment give special care for people with special needs. “We try to provide all equipment and system to make all the airports accessible for passengers with special needs,” said Yasser Kusibati, Chief Business Development, with Ground Handling Logistics.
Blockchain, artificial intelligence to play key role to enhance passengers’ experience at airports
Technology has made the life of airport passengers much easier and digital transformation by using blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) will further enhance the passengers’ experience to the next level. This was echoed by industry experts at Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF), which is co-located with the 19th edition of the Airport Show.
Technology has made the life of airport passengers much easier and digital transformation by using blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) will further enhance the passengers’ experience to the next level. This was echoed by industry experts at Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF), which is co-located with the 19th edition of the Airport Show.
In his keynote address at GALF, Frost & Sullivan Director Commercial Aviation Diogenis Papiomytis talked about the digital transformation of the airports. Papiomytis put the spotlight on the journey of a non-digital airport into the digital airport. He said, “Digital transformation is the most important programme running at an airport, led by information technology (IT) and operations.” He added that through digital transformation, airports are enhancing their business models as well as passengers’ experience.
Giving examples of a recent survey, he mentioned that digital transformation means different things for different people. For some airports, it’s all about technology and IT, and for others, it’s completely transforming the business model.
Traffic will double in the next 20 years, and most of the airports don’t have the capacity to deal with this growth. Therefore, technology is the best choice to increase the capacity, he said.
‘Higher AI and Block Chain in Aviation’ was another important topic discussed by technology experts at the GALF. They highlighted that apart from making transactions secure, blockchain has a wide scope of implementations in the aviation industry. Blockchain for aviation is capable of easing many functions like securing passenger data, managing airport inventories and encrypting vital aviation operations, they added.
Nikiforos Chatzopoulos, Global Aviation Practice Leader, Center of Competence – IBM, said, “People need to understand blockchain in order to see how they can apply it.” He added that blockchain and AI together would revolutionise the operational sector by streamlining the whole process in the airport ecosystem where a lot of stakeholders work together.
Another panel discussion touched upon a very important topic of retail revenues for the airport. Non-aeronautical revenues continue to be a vital component of an airport’s bottom line. This source of revenue tends to generate higher net profit margins, whilst providing airports with more diversification of income streams which then serve as an additional cushion during economic downturns.
Ramesh Cidambi, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Duty Free, said, “Dubai Duty Free started operations 35 years ago with a mission statement to provide first class services to passengers using the airport and to promote the City of Dubai and the Dubai airport itself. Over the last 35 years, we grew the business from $20 million in 1984 to $2 billion.”
Cidambi added, “We strongly believe the growth in the aviation business will continue in the foreseeable future. But the growth requires airports to be ready to handle the passenger numbers and the growth increasingly putting pressure on airports to generate more and more revenues on the nautical side and non-aeronautical side.”
