Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
    • A-C
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
    • D-L
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
    • M-R
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
    • S-Z
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • Showcase 2024
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • April 2023
    • January 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
  • News
      • Accessibility
      • Baggage
      • Biometrics
      • Boarding
      • Check in
      • Construction & Architecture
      • Covid-19
      • CSR
      • Displays & Signage
      • Expo
      • Food & Beverage
      • Ground Support
      • IT & Software
      • Lighting
      • Lounge
      • Operations
      • Parking
      • Passenger Experience
      • Personnel
      • Regulation & Policy
      • Retail
      • Seating
      • Security
      • Self-service
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Terminal
      • Wayfinding
      • Webinars
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. Subscribe Free
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    April 2025 issue is now available online!

    April 2, 2025

    January 2025 issue is now available online!

    December 11, 2024

    Passenger Terminal World Showcase 2025

    November 12, 2024
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Passenger Terminal Today
Opinion

Scalable solutions for a dynamic future

Mark Chavez, digital aviation expert, Siemens LogisticsBy Mark Chavez, digital aviation expert, Siemens LogisticsMarch 15, 20214 Mins Read
Copyright: Siemens AG

In the past, airport passenger numbers were going in just one direction: up. Of course, there were spikes, particularly during holidays, and dips, typically in January and February. But year-on-year numbers increased reliably, especially at hub airports. With capacities stretched at the seams, authorities kicked off expansion projects.

Then the pandemic hit, and planes were grounded around the world. The previously dependable streams of passengers came to an unexpected halt. Hub airports, whose efficient operation requires huge volumes of passengers and flights, were suddenly oversized. The good news is that airports that were using cloud computing and employing Software as a Service (SaaS) models had a distinctive edge.

The cloud as a key starting point
Cloud computing technology implies a lot more than just decentralized data storage. It increases efficiency thanks to an on-demand provision of IT resources. Airports and airlines pay for and get exactly what they need – without tying up resources for purchasing and maintaining an on-site data center. Scalability is also served with open interfaces, meaning that any number of users may access data at the same time without compromising stability. Most importantly, cloud computing opens the door to an entire ecosystem of applications and services.

Individual stakeholders across airports already employ cloud computing – among others in retail operations, and in cargo and airline distribution via their traditional airline.com websites. However, baggage and cargo handling systems can also profit from it. When data from these and other sources is pulled together, correlations can be made between multiple functions to arrive at the most efficient operating model for the airport as a whole and for individual disciplines. That’s the theory. In practice, data is very often held in silos and comes in a whole variety of formats. Comparisons and data insights become impossible. Aviation Data Hub, a SaaS from Siemens Logistics, changes that.

Aviation Data Hub brings diverse sets of data together to provide airport stakeholders with a centralized, indexed, harmonized, homogeneous data source. Data is structured in line with industry-standard domain models such as IATA’s Airline Industry Data Model (AIDM) and ACI’s Aviation Community Recommended Information Services (ACRIS). Fragmentation becomes a thing of the past. The data opens the door to self-service dashboards that give stakeholders an overview of where processes stand. Information like this can help to deal better with irregular situations like the global Covid-19 pandemic.

A further advantage of cloud computing and Aviation Data Hub is that the highest data security standards are ensured through hardened security measures, while maximizing availability and optimizing IT operational costs.

Smoother operations
Two example scenarios show what is possible during normal operations. First, airlines can notify passengers of delays in baggage reclaim, so passengers don’t have to rush to the carousel and might choose to use the extra time for shopping. Second, when ground handling has information on late passenger arrivals (because of blocked road or rail access to the airport, for example), it can prepare for a shift in the load profile. Other areas benefit too, like building and energy management. Plus, mishaps in anything from on-time performance to lost baggage can be avoided.

When the current travel restrictions are lifted, stakeholders will have the information they need to right-size their operations. This could mean reactivating parts of a baggage handling facility, powering up a building section or satellite again, or increasing the frequency of trains serving an airport. When passengers arrive at an airport, data can help guide them through operative points like security and baggage drop-off and reclaim, and thus help them avoid crowding and adhere to social distancing rules.

With cloud computing and SaaS in the form of Aviation Data Hub, airports can scale operations to the required levels. As for those hubs that are seemingly oversized for the current volumes, they can now be operated more effectively at minimum capacity.

In any case, cloud computing and SaaS support optimal use of resources. That’s good news during normal times – and very important in the ongoing pandemic, where every cent counts. As passenger numbers move either up or down, hubs can get ready more effectively. Best of all, because real-time data is being employed, there are no delays and no guesswork.

Contact me to learn more.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleA proactive approach to monitoring the vaccination status of staff and passengers
Next Article Don’t miss next week’s free-to-attend aviation meteorology conference

Related Posts

Opinion

OPINION: Championing the power of passenger tracking for smarter, more profitable airports

May 30, 20253 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: Eliminating issues with visual access, identification and retrieval at baggage claim

May 13, 20255 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: Connecting people and places

February 24, 20254 Mins Read
Latest News

DFW deploys hybrid-electric aircraft rescue and firefighting apparatus

June 26, 2025

DHS launches next phase of remote identity challenge

June 26, 2025

Aberdeen International named Airport of the Year at Scottish Transport Awards

June 25, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT