Air New Zealand has teamed up with Auckland Airport to test the use of computer AI to improve aircraft turnaround time and airside operations.
The Swiss AI software startup Assaia supplied artificial intelligence technology utilizes cameras installed at ramps and aerobridges to capture footage of some 50 turnaround and ground handling activities, such as cabin cleaning and refuelling.
Marianita Willis, Air New Zealand’s programme manager for operational performance, said “The Assaia system will provide additional data points that will enable the carrier to get its staff and equipment in place at each point in the turnaround process.
“For each flight there is a precise timeline associated with each activity to get the plane turned – understanding what is happening at each of these points enables us to proactively manage them,” she said.
London’s Gatwick Airport has also deployed Assaia’s technology to improve airside operations.
Jean-Paul Isson, chief data science and AI officer at Sita, said: “The turnaround process can adversely impact on-time performance of airlines, airports and the overall passenger experience – often at great cost, both monetary and reputational,”
“Today, the process is managed by a turnaround manager who follows a rules-based list of activities that need to take place and ensures that all these activities are performed.”
“We’re using machine learning first to understand and explain video captions of what’s happening around the aircraft during turnaround. This will complement existing features to better explain turnaround activities and anticipate disruption during the process.
“We’re also using advanced optimisation algorithms to provide the best sequence of activities that should take place under some constraints to effectively manage turnaround and disruption.”
photo: Mark in New Zealand
