The latest news and views from ACI’s World Business Partners

BagsID showcases potential for baggage biometrics

BagsID has used Aeroporti di Roma’s Innovation Hub incubator programme at Rome Fiumicino Airport to showcase its new mobile recognition app and its potential future use for baggage biometrics
to the world.

The incubator programme, created in partnership with LVenture Group, provides a platform for innovative start-ups to demonstrate their ideas and technologies to stakeholders in the aviation industry.

The roadmap of the incubator programme for Aeroporti Di Roma (AdR), includes mounting frames and cameras for image identification of baggage in the Baggage Handling System (BHS) of Rome Fiumicino Airport.

At Rome Fiumicino, staff were able to scan a set of test bags using the BagsID app, which utilises new image recognition technology that makes it possible to identify and monitor the last known location of luggage as it travels through an airport BHS.

Emanuele Calà, vice president of innovation and quality at AdR, said: “What BagsID is developing is a revolution! At AdR, we believe in the future of baggage biometrics and the possibilities that will revolutionise the way baggage will travel. Not only will this benefit the way passengers travel, but it will also deliver a significant improvement in our handling processes and reliability of our airport.”

BagsID CEO, Dave Bakker, said: “We are thankful for the leadership role that Aeroporti di Roma has taken with their incubator programme and we are delighted to have been able to demonstrate our innovative capabilities in improving the baggage process through the use of AI enhanced computer vision technology.

“We look forward working together with Aeroporti di Roma to deploy the next steps in our proof of concept.”

With over four billion bags checked in globally every year, baggage handling plays a critical role in the seamless door to door passenger journey and the sustainability drive in aviation.

BagsID notes that it has developed the first image-based baggage recognition solution for the airline industry by means of leveraging computer vision technology, providing valuable insights to airports and airlines to increase their performance and capacity.

New bespoke Thai food outlets open at Bangkok Survarnabhumi

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) has two new bespoke Thai food outlets, courtesy of global F&B provider, the SSP Group.

According to SSP, the openings will allow travellers to enjoy authentic Thai culinary experiences as they embark on their journeys through the gateway.

Koh Hop Bar, which has proven exceedingly popular with customers, serves a selection of beers and bar food classics ‘with a twist’, including a signature Thai-flavoured ‘Koh Hop Bar burger’. Imm Rice & Noodle brings local Thai cuisine to both international and local travellers at Suvarnabhumi.

Among its wide selection of traditional dishes are plant-based options for vegans and vegetarians including vegetarian pad Thai and stir-fried spicy tofu and mushroom with basil. Imm is scheduled to expand to Don Mueang International Airport.

Jonathan Robinson, CEO of SSP Asia Pacific said: “The team at SSP Thailand has done an outstanding job utilising their knowledge of both local culture and international travellers to develop these excellent new concepts.

“Koh Hop Bar and Imm Rice & Noodle are appealing to the new generation of younger travellers. Both brands have been carefully curated based on our long experience in the region and our detailed understanding of the Thai travelling consumer.”

BKK’s executive vice president and deputy general manager, Asdang Khumkomgool, said: “The Koh Hop Bar and Imm Rice & Noodle bring a wonderful blend of Western and Asian style cuisine to the airport F&B offering at Suvarnabhumi, reflecting the diverse demands of both local and international visitors.

“Customer satisfaction is our top priority and both Koh Hop Bar and Imm restaurants are already proving a success by enhancing customer satisfaction and the image of Suvarnabhumi airport with their colourful unit designs and locally-inspired menus.”

High fashion at Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport is reinvigorating the luxury retail precinct in its T1 International terminal with the arrival of some of the most sought-after brands showcased in a new-look 2,700sqm streetscape.

Joining Sydney Airport for the first time are Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Prada and Saint Laurent – all of which are now open for business – with Cartier, Celine, Dior, Gentle Monster, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, Valentino and Versace to follow.

Heinemann Tax & Duty Free will also unveil a new Beauty, Fashion, Luxury Timepieces and Jewellery offer which will complement the new luxury precinct.

Some of the new zones will feature a range of activations that are exclusive to passengers travelling through Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal.

Sydney Airport’s executive general manager commercial, Mark Zaouk, said: “International passengers can also look forward to a number of Australian firsts, including Louis Vuitton’s first travel retail store in the southern hemisphere and the brand’s largest stand-alone travel retail store in the world and Gentle Monster’s first store in Australia and New Zealand.

“I’m delighted to see our revitalised vision for T1 taking shape as we firmly position Sydney Airport on the world stage. And with a further nine luxury brands to launch by mid-2023, I’m looking forward to seeing passengers enjoy the new retail experience as we welcome them back to international travel.”

Avinor rolls out new forecasting technology

Norwegian airport operator, Avinor, has partnered with Veovo to provide an integrated platform that will forecast, plan, and optimise operations across all areas of its airports.

In one of the most comprehensive machine learning programmes in the industry, the strategic collaboration aims to result in better passenger experiences across its 40+ airports and allow for more cost-effective and reliable operations.

Now, more than ever, airports are operating in a very dynamic environment, increasing the need for planning to be more agile and backed by evidence-based data. As part of this programme, Avinor and Veovo will effectively build data that reflects the processes of passenger and flight movements across each airport.

This, says Veovo, will enable service providers to continually improve performance by making automated and accurate predictions and putting actionable insights directly into the hands of staff, where and when they need it.

The Veovo machine learning platform will mesh data from multiple third-party systems and IoT devices to accurately automate predictions for multiple operational services and use cases across all time horizons.

The programme scope includes providing accurate forecasts and capacity planning for passenger and baggage flow, check-in, security, and border control resource planning.

The technology may also be used by Avinor to improve airside decision-making such as turnarounds, de-icing, gate allocations and maintenance planning. The prediction capability will extend between airports; if Avinor understands the impact of events at one airport on others in the Norwegian network, the operator can take early action to minimise disruption.

“To reach our strategic goals of delivering better services more sustainably and more efficiently, we must become a data-driven organisation,” said Avinor CEO, Abraham Foss.

WBP profiles

Japan Tobacco International

Membership Region: Latin America-Caribbean

Type of Business: Retail & Commercial

W: www.jti.com

JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies (JT), a leading international tobacco product manufacturer. It markets world-renowned brands such as | Winston, Mild Seven (Mevius) and Camel. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI has operations in 120 countries and about 25,000 employees.

National Aviation Services (NAS)

Membership Region: Africa

Type of Business: Handing & Airfield

W: www.nas.com.kw

National Aviation Services (NAS) is a private airline ground handling company that provides Ground Support, Passenger Handling, Cargo, Engineering and Safety & Security support along with a host of value-added services like Commercial Lounges, Meet and Assist, Travel Management and Airport Facilitation services at airports. European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved NAS is a member of the IATA Ground Handling Council (IGHC), GASA (Gulf Airport Services Agencies) and IAHA (International Aviation Handlers’ Association).

York Aviation

Membership Region: Europe

Type of Business: Consulting & Management

W: www.yorkaviation.co.uk

York Aviation is a specialist consultancy focusing on all aspects of the airport business. It advises airports, airlines and investors in relation to demand forecasting, route development, capacity assessment, economic regulation, economic impact and appraisal, financial modelling, business planning and master planning.