Because every minute counts
JBT AeroTech interviewed dozens of airline and airport executives over the past several years, and asked them to identify ways JBT AeroTech could help enhance operations. Clearly, one factor stood out: Controlling costs introduced by operational failures plays a crucial role in every airline’s success... or failure.
“The airlines told us that saving money is critical to their ability to compete,” says Bob Fulkerson, marketing manager, JBT AeroTech Airport Services. “We wanted to develop new technology to help customers succeed in this competitive arena where every minute wasted – for whatever reason – truly impacts the bottom line.”
Groundbreaking technology promises profound impact
JBT AeroTech used its understanding of the airport environment to develop an innovative computerized tracking and monitoring system that fully integrates operations management — Intelligent Operations Performance System (iOPS™). iOPS merges Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), tracking, monitoring, and equipment data into one comprehensive real-time technology package to manage gate, terminal and aircraft operations.
“For the first time, managers can identify causes of mechanical, electronic and operation problems as they occur and quickly address them as well as pinpoint and eliminate operational inconsistencies in the future. As a result, airlines using this technology could save millions of dollars each year,” Fulkerson says. “While each operation presents unique challenges, an airline operating iOPS™ at a hub with just 110 daily departure gates could save approximately $1.7 million per year due to reduced APU burn time, more than $13 million in reduced block time, not to mention savings related to gate equipment.”
iOPS tracking and monitoring provides its initial impact on operations by enabling airlines to reduce the use of auxiliary power units (APUs) while at gateside and cut hold-out time, while increasing ground support equipment uptime and ramp personnel efficiency. Longer-term, optimizing this technology results in shortened aircraft turn time, better on-time ratings, and fewer missed connections and missing baggage files.
Intelligent Operations Performance System (iOPS™)
Short-term impacts on operations:
- Reduction in APU usage
- Reduction in block time
- More equipment uptime
- Increased ramp personnel efficiency
Long-term impacts on operations:
- Shortened aircraft turn time
- Better on-time rating
- Fewer missed connections
- Fewer baggage files
Investment makes financial sense
Enabling management to take immediate corrective action and better plan for the future using iOPS technology, airlines can realize a fast return on investment.
Merging aircraft systems with gate and terminal information minimizes fuel burn and block time, thereby reducing fuel costs, emissions and APU running time. Integration of ground support equipment costs, location, status and capability data saves money by improving planned maintenance, reducing corrective maintenance and increasing equipment uptime. By bringing the baggage handling system under the same umbrella as the rest of the operations, managers can predict problems to head off trouble, saving millions in flight delays and lost bag files while enhancing customer satisfaction.
“Using extremely conservative numbers, estimates indicate that in virtually all cases, an airline would see a return on its investment in less than 20 months. However, most studies indicate a return on investment in less than a year,” Fulkerson says.
JBT AeroTech Airport Services is currently installing the iOPS system at one if the terminals at a major Central United States Airport, this system will be operational in the summer of 2008 and will have a very positive impact on all airline tenents using this terminal.
Because every organization possesses its own unique features and operations, JBT AeroTech works directly with customers to implement iOPS technology, providing customized solutions that will make the most impact at each operation. Learn more about calculating estimated savings and projecting return on investment for iOPS technology in the next issue of Airport Report.
™iOPS is a trademark of JBT AeroTech. ©2008 JBT AeroTech. All rights reserved.