Techbytes Apr11

Sept. 5, 2014

ACC Toolkit

The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) announces a new ACConline.org webpage that will continue to support airport development experts in their contracting with airport sponsors. The Contracting Toolkit for Airport Procurement, found under the website's resources page, will serve as a single stop for both consultants and airport sponsors to obtain the necessary information to ensure a fair, deliberate selection process. The resources found in the Contracting Toolkit include the Best Practices for Consultant Selection Powerpoint presentation, FAA Advisory Circular 150/1500-14D, and the Sample RFQ for On-Call Services;http://www.acconline.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Resources/ContractingToolkit/default.htm.

Baggage Report

According to SITA, despite an unprecedented 300,000 flight cancellations and a new record of 2.44 billion people travelling by plane last year, the air transport industry has maintained the overall downward trend in baggage mishandling. SITA’s 7th Annual Baggage Report shows that the rise in mishandled baggage claims last year was significantly less than the 10.41 percent rise in passenger volumes recorded. The mishandling trend is downwards since 2007 thanks to improved technology and greater vigilance on the part of airports and airlines, says the company; www.sita.aero.

Enhanced Functionality

Sensis Corporation today announces the availability of an integrated chat function in its Aerobahn Airport Surface Management System. Aerobahn’s chat function supports private one-to-one communications as well as broadcast messaging to all Aerobahn users. With Aerobahn’s new multi-group chat functionality, users from disparate airport organizations, including airlines, airport owner/operators, gate operators, and air navigation service providers (ANSP), now have an efficient and integrated tool for immediate communications in support of Collaborative Decision Making (CDM), says the company; www.sensis.com.

Fleet Management

The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has recently implemented a web-based motor pool management technology to manage its fleet of airport vehicles. The move enabled the airport to cut the workload associated with vehicle management by more than 90 percent of efforts required previously of personnel, while still maintaining high levels of security. The announcement was made by Agile Access Control, creator of Agile FleetCommander, the web-browser based fleet and motor pool management application now in place at SLC;http://www.agilefleet.com.

Industry Report

A new report, Navigating the Airport of Tomorrow, identifies changing attitudes to the modern airport and charts the technologies that over the next ten years will attempt to solve passenger frustrations while also delivering the ‘total travel experience’. Commissioned by Amadeus, the report finds just under 40 percent of travelers would adopt services that delivered real-time information to their mobile devices on flight and baggage status, as well as directions at the airport. A third of respondents require greater self-service options including the ability to purchase additional services at airport kiosks and self-tagging options for luggage;www.amadeus.com/AirportOfTomorrow.

Revamped ACSF Website

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has unveiled a completely new look to its website that includes improved navigation and enhanced features. The ACSF's site (www.acsf.aero) offers the latest safety news, articles, products, services, member resources, safety management systems (SMS) education, and more regarding on-demand air charter operators, fractional aircraft management companies, and the aviation industry.

Social AAdvantage

American Airlines has launched Facebook and Twitter channels dedicated to the opportunities to earn AAdvantage miles with American Airlines and its AAdvantage participating companies. American is the first U.S. airline to launch dedicated social media channels focused on earning miles. Followers of the dedicated AAdvantage Facebook and Twitter channels can expect to see a variety of posts detailing ways to increase their mileage balance, including special mileage offers and promotions; www.aa.com.

Translation Software

The Allegheny County Airport Authority announces that the website for Pittsburgh International Airport (www.FlyPittsburgh.com) is now equipped with translator software enabling the site to be read in more than 50 languages. The Language Translator is located at the bottom left side of FlyPittsburgh.com web pages and allows users to view the content in their own language.