GMR Airports on Wednesday launched an Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC) and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital platform at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, a first for the country. This facility will be available at Delhi Airport soon, the company said.
The APOC would collect data from several stakeholders like airlines, ground staff, and air traffic control, and predict future bottlenecks.
After analysing data from points like CCTVs, wifi routers and baggage counters, the simulation models of APOC will alert the operators for things like how much traffic may come at a certain point, which gates may be more crowded etc. It would also allow them to notice things outside the terminal like traffic.
This is expected to cut down the check-in time of travellers and shorten the security queues. Moreover, it would also become easier for operators to provide travellers with real-time updates.
Calling it a “watershed” for the aviation industry in India, SGK Kishore, executive director, south and chief innovation officer, GMR Airports said, “By integrating real-time data and advanced analytics, we ensure smooth passenger flow, reduced wait times, and personalised services, shaping the future of air travel with unparalleled efficiency and safety”.
The APOC has been developed with the help of IT solutions provider WAISL and start-up Kloudspot.
Civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu said that this system must be replicated at other airports in the country.
“We have to focus on making air travel more accessible, affordable and convenient. And this new facility aligns with the vision for improved ease of travel. The goal is to create a seamless and people-friendly air travel experience,” he said.
In a post announcement conference, Kishore said that the digital platform is a horizontal facility, capable of adding more services like APOC.
He added that the service will gradually be launched at all GMR-run airports.
Naidu said that in the next five years, India will see 50 more airports.
(The writer was in Hyderabad at the invitation of GMR Airports)