Air transport IT company SITA  has launched a mobile application for ground operations at airports.

Called the AirsideApp,  it works on phones and tablets and can also be used hands-free with wearable computing devices.

 

Microsoft and SITA jointly developed AirsideApp to replace the current paper-based manual processes by integrating multiple airline, airport and ground handler systems used during ground operations.  The app collects and shares information in real time and presents an interface on Windows 10 mobile devices and tablets for ground agents. In addition, notifications and status updates can be provided, allowing for hands-free updates on the go.

 

“The AirsideApp opens the possibility of digitising additional ground processes from any location, on any mobile device,” said Dan Ebbinghaus, senior vice president, Communications and Infrastructure, SITA . "It enables real-time monitoring of events and processes from teams and third parties. All activity recorded and collected by mobile users, such as fuelling, cleaning, catering deliveries, gate openings and passenger check-in, are displayed for supervisors on a clear business intelligence dashboard. In addition, by enabling better information sharing and communication across mobile users, it improves collaboration across various groups to provide better real-time visibility of events and improve disruption management.

 

AirsideApp can also support mobile point-of-sales allowing agents to sell ancillary services such as lounge access, seat upgrades, excess bag charges or duty-free orders. This can be done on the spot without paper-based operations and inventory reconciliation.

 

The new app is on show at the 2016 Air Transport IT Summit taking place 24-26 May in Barcelona, Spain.