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Flightcare Trusts GroundStar to Streamline and Optimise its Operations On 24th November last, the starting shot was fired for a contract for a new GroundStar project, signed by Ignacio Garrido, Managing Director of Flightcare and a group of other Flightcare representatives from Belgium, Spain and Italy. >> National Aviation Services Modernises Processes and Control with GroundStar National Aviation Services (NAS) and INFORM signed GroundStar contract in December 2009. >> Düsseldorf Airport and its Ground Handling Subsidiary Go for GroundStar INFORM has signed contracts with SITA Airport IT for a major roll-out of IT systems at both Düsseldorf Airport and its subsidiary Düsseldorf Airport Ground Handling. The project is being undertaken by INFORM and its partner topsystem. >> Total Airport Management Suite Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology awarded co-funding for an aviation Research and Development project named TAMS - Total Airport Management Suite running from 2008 to 2011. >> Egypt Air Ground Services Adds to the GroundStar Family Egypt Air Ground Services Company (EGS) just issued a Letter of Intent announcing their decision to implement GroundStar to support and enhance its operation at Cairo International Airport. >> Upgrades and New Systems Combined with a Merger at Finnair Finnair is implementing GS Rostering and GS Planning at its Northport and Finnair Catering subsidiaries. GS RealTime will be upgraded at the same time as Northport’s and Finnair Catering’s systems are merged. >> 
GroundStar for PRM and Security Services G4S are able to streamline processes and improve services through GroundStar. >> LuxairGroup Reports Savings Due to GS Planning Gilles Denis from LuxairServices reports that GS Planning has reduced his workload, giving more time for in-depth analysis. >> Swissport Americas – Advanced Planning Processes US and Canadian stations are centrally planned and rostered with GroundStar. >> Schengen – a Challenge for Passenger Transport Unique relies on INFORM system to fulfil the new Schengen dispatching regulations.  “Next Stop Exit Zurich.” This is what many passengers might hear when they arrive at Zurich Airport aboard the bus that takes the passengers from the aircraft to the terminal. In March 2009 Unique – Zurich Airport’s operator – had to reorganise its bus transfer services following the introduction of the new Schengen dispatching regulations. Passengers travelling within the Schengen-Zone do not have to pass a passport control. They do, however, have to show their boarding pass and proof of identification (therefore, a passport or valid ID is still needed). Yet the new procedures are a major challenge for the managing of passenger streams at Zurich Airport. In some cases, a passenger bus makes two stops to let passengers off. The first stop is for passengers with final destination Zurich, the second stop for passengers transferring to another flight. There must be clear instructions to provide information about the stops during the transfer to the terminal in order to prevent confusion among passengers. Unique relies on a complex set of rules and INFORM’s sophisticated IT system to determine the number and sequence of stops, and to display the relevant information. The real-time deployment system GS RealTime evaluates data from the flight information system to automatically determine the stops and generate suitable tasks. This information will then be transferred by radio data transmission to mobile PCs on board the buses. The relevant bus transfer details are displayed on onboard screens and there are also voice announcements. Any special information can be relayed, as well such as warnings of icy conditions or any other kind of disturbances. In this way passengers travelling into Zurich Airport are well informed when they arrive. A variety of different media types are used to display the information. Unique chose LAWO products such as digital voice announcement systems, external LED destination displays as well as INFOtainment TFT interior display. These were incorporated into the buses at the point of manufacture so that the new technology was ready to use on delivery. “We think that the GroundStar system makes a real difference to us in the transport of passengers. With the support of this technology we can reduce human error to a minimum, and are able to ensure that passengers get clear information on their way to the terminal,” says Reto Huber, head of Unique bus transport at Zurich Airport, adding that: “At the moment we operate 35 buses that have the new system, and since its introduction at the end of March 2009 there have been no system failures nor wrongly displayed information. This is remarkable considering that there is an average of 640 orders per day, with 40% being two-stopstrategy orders.” Around 15,000 passengers per day are transported with the twostop busses. In addition to that, security procedures are also taken into account, such as warnings of icy weather when getting off the bus. “There have also been important changes at the bus allocation centre,” says Mr. Huber. The allocator can tell if the bus is at the first stop or is already on its way to the second. Automatic gate status information means the allocator knows accurately if there is a hostess at the boarding gates. Mr. Huber concludes: „We are very happy with the INFORM system and have already shown it to several representatives of major international airlines and airports.“ 
GS GroundFleet: Maximum Control over the Operation In line with its constant drive to enhance GroundStar, INFORM has unveiled GS GroundFleet to help control and improve the operation of ground support equipment. >> The GroundStar AirportMap An interactive map of the airport for GS RealTime and GS GroundFleet. >> Launching GroundStar espresso Small and medium sized ground handling operations can now compete under the best conditions using advanced optimisation software thanks to a new implementation and outsourcing concept. >> 
Space for Additional 200 Employees INFORM has completed the construction of a new building at its Aachen campus. The Airport Division has already moved in and geothermal energy provides a comfortable working environment. >> INFORM Expands in North America With GroundStar in operation at close to twenty airports in Canada, the USA and Mexico, INFORM decided to increase its presence in North America by establishing a new office in Washington D.C.. This office supplements the existing INFORM office in Chicago. >> INFORM at Industry Events INFORM and GroundStar will be present at the following industry events in the first half of 2010: - Dubai Airport Show - 25-27 April 2010, Dubai - IATA Ground Handling Conference - 16-19 May 2010, San Diego - AAAE Conference & Exhibition - 16-19 May 2010, Dallas
INFORM GmbH, Pascalstr. 23, 52076 Aachen, Germany Phone +49 2408 9456-3024 Fax +49 2408 9456-3025 Web www.groundstar.aero Requests: Julia Hildesheim E-Mail: airport.systems@inform-ac.com | |||||