Computer company ICL has developed a movement control system for airlines to help carriers pre-empt and avoid disruption toschedules.
Skytec, currently used by Cathay Pacific, Asiana, Air Canada and most recently Swissair, allows airline staff to monitor the position of their aircraft around the world.
Carriers can now see what is happening to an aircraft at any time, as ICL’s system uses satellite communications to relay details of delays or adverse weather conditions.
The latest addition to the system is what the company calls a ‘what-if’ scenario. An operator can enter a problem that is occurring, for example a delayed flight or fog on the runway, and the system will provide possible solutions – such as flagging up a later connection.
The solutions take into account the airline’s priorities, such as cost or customer service.
ICL business development manager Peter Maddams said: “There are real benefits to this new feature. If agents’ customers are using one of the airlines that employs the system they can reassure them that delays and the like are less likely to happen.
“For example, the what-if scenario would tell the airline that an aircraft wasn’t going to be on time and was going to make passengers late for connecting flights.
“The programme might then offer up a solution of another connecting flight on a smaller aircraft since it no longer needs to fly so many people. Or it might suggest delaying the connecting flight if the majority of its passengers are going to be late.”
According toMaddams, Swissair has reported an improved turnaround time since it was implemented, and other airlines are now looking at the possibility of using ICL’s system.