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The modern lifestyle demands individuals to travel frequently. Thus, airports are one of the most active locations since thousands of flights operate in and out daily, catering to the needs of modern-day man. A sophisticated operational system is implemented behind the scenes to maintain orderly movements of aircraft, baggage, and ground operations.
However, an airport's primary management struggle lies in securing operational effectiveness, upholding safety standards, and coordinating activities between the airlines’ ground staff and security teams. Under GMR Airports Limited, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) will implement specific measures to overcome these fundamental operations restrictions, including immediately introducing Unified Total Airside Management (UTAM).
The AI-powered system aims to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and collaboration at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. UTAM's combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), puts India at the forefront of this transformation in airline management.
UTAM also incorporates radar technology which is essentially a ground-based radar system to track and monitor real-time movement of aircraft and vehicles within the airport’s airside operations area.
The modern airport environment offers extensive facilities requiring detailed staff coordination to process daily flight operations, inform passengers, and execute daily operations. Operating airside activities remains a complex process, as it requires monitoring aircraft movements, tracking baggage transfers, reviewing ground vehicles, and offering maintenance assistance.
The practice of manual monitoring and executing complex communication methods for these operations results in frequent delays, mismanagement, and inefficiencies. Conventional airside operations encounter multiple challenges that include:
The UTAM system is a data-driven solution to stimulate smooth, safe, and highly efficient airside operations through centralised management.
DIAL and WAISL worked together to develop UTAM as an internal innovation that processes airport-wide real-time data. The system tracks and evaluates aircraft movements, ground support equipment (GSE), baggage handling systems, and airside vehicle activities.
The real-time data collection of UTAM relies on multiple airport systems such as air traffic control systems, radar systems, and IoT sensors positioned throughout the airport. The airport operator gains precise visibility into all tarmac activities through this system.
The combination of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms analyses extensive data quantities to identify potential operational issues and safety risks. When a baggage trolley reaches its target aircraft slower than the scheduled time, UTAM activates notifications, prompting ground handlers to take effective measures before flight schedules are affected.
UTAM works with an exceptional feature which optimises the time required for aircraft maintenance operations. UTAM monitors aircraft arrival times, passenger disembarkment, and ground service durations before establishing the final aircraft departure times.
Aircraft parking stand utilisation efficiency is a fundamental factor in controlling airport congestion levels. Through its tracking system, UTAM verifies the availability of parking stands, thereby enabling better space management by airport authorities. The system helps minimise aircraft taxi times and prevent delays, which are conventionally experienced due to substandard stand management practices.
The problem of delayed or missing luggage is the primary reason why passengers file complaints at airports. UTAM enhances baggage handling through real-time trolley tracking, ensuring the right number of trolleys are available to passengers. The system provides automatic notifications to baggage handling teams when trolleys experience delays. This enables immediate response from team members.
Safety is the most essential priority above all else at any airport, even though efficiency plays a vital role. UTAM implements multiple security features that preserve and protect a well-maintained airside operations system.
UTAM monitors the complete movement of all airside vehicles like fuel trucks, baggage carts, and maintenance vehicles. The system activates immediate warning alerts when vehicles break speed restrictions or stray outside their assigned routes to minimise potential accidents.
Some aircraft need to maintain their position in the air until air traffic controllers approve their landing. UTAM enables air traffic controllers to use its Mile View (10-40-70 miles) feature for incoming flight monitoring which helps them predict delays and create optimal landing schedules.
UTAM includes a playback function which enables authorities to review vehicle movements through recorded data. This feature helps to determine the source of security issues and accidents. The system helps speed up investigation processes while simultaneously preventing future occurrences of similar incidents.
UTAM successfully tested with Akasa Airlines through DIAL. This test proved the overall efficiency of the UTAM operation system by applying the program's fundamentals to actual airline operations. In the near future, the integration process with additional airlines will be tested, implemented, and executed.
UTAM represents a major achievement in the modernisation efforts of the Delhi Airport airside operation team. The system combines Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things, enabling maximum operational efficiency, enhancing safety, and reducing delays.
The system enables airlines to achieve shorter turnaround times while decreasing operational expenses. The system assists airport personnel in implementing easier monitoring functions while influencing better decisions. The system delivers essential advantages to passengers by creating better travel conditions and minimising wait times.
Through successful deployment, UTAM has transformed Delhi Airport operations while establishing a benchmark for Indian aviation standards. The future of airside operations in India will become increasingly smart, efficient, and safe as other major Indian airports plan to adopt AI-based solutions.
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