Airports are incredibly complex operational environments. Refueling trucks, buses, stands, gates and ground handling teams must all be intelligently allocated based on the unique characteristics of each aircraft, its arrival time and the onward connections of arriving passengers.
To make these complicated operational decisions, and to ensure all service providers are coordinated, airports rely on the ‘Airport Operational Database’ (AODB). Acting as a ‘brain’, the AODB is fundamental to contributing to good operational performance, on-time departures, and the efficient use of resources. It’s against this backdrop that the Finnish airport company Finavia has decided to modernize with Amadeus’ cloud-based AODB, at Helsinki Airport and 19 regional airports across Finland.
Finavia’s airports will implement a single cloud-based solution that’s tightly integrated with airline systems to gain optimized airport operation.
The value of an AODB is directly proportional to the quality and timeliness of the data it contains. Traditionally, an AODB receives data in batches from Air Traffic Control and airlines on an ad hoc basis. However, Finavia will now benefit from automated real-time updates to flight information as soon as airlines initiate changes meaning high accuracy levels. This will help airport stakeholders to better allocate resources and respond to the needs of airlines and passengers.
“Rolling out this new capability across Finavia’s airports will significantly improve our operational efficiency, helping us to better collaborate with our airline partners to improve on-time performance for passengers.” said Leyla Akgez-Laakso, CIO, Finavia.
With a detailed understanding and visibility of passengers’ onward connections, the Amadeus AODB also supports Finavia to better allocate arriving aircraft to the right gate.
Yannick Beunardeau, Vice President Airport IT and Airline Operations, EMEA, Amadeus added, “Amadeus already manages data for about 95% of the airlines that operate at Finavia airports, so we’re in a unique position to provide Finavia and its stakeholders with access to accurate, real-time data about flight plans and passenger connections. This deployment is a great example of an ambitious airport company looking to digitally transform and deliver closer collaboration with its airline partners.”
The modernization sees Finavia become one of the first airport companies to run its AODB from the cloud, with a true multi-airport approach that automatically cascades operational changes across Finavia’s airports. For example, when a flight departs Helsinki for Oulu the unique aircraft registration number is automatically made available at Oulu, so the airport can allocate the aircraft to the correct gate on arrival, based on its subsequent onward flight when departing Oulu. This common situational awareness across the network improves efficiency, reduces manual workload and gives Finavia an edge.
With a cloud approach, the AODB can be accessed from any device using a fixed, WiFi or mobile connection so ground handlers working airside can access up-to-the-moment information when they need it. Finavia’s management can also access the real-time view of the group’s complete operations from any device with an internet connection, while IT teams benefit from reduced maintenance and less on-site hardware.
The transformation is already underway with the switch to Amadeus AODB planned to occur in a phased approach across the 20 airports in the coming year.
In March 2021 Finavia also chose Amadeus cloud technology to power its passenger service and payments systems. The latest agreement is testimony to Finavia’s strengthening partnership with Amadeus and its commitment to innovation.
