Lochard Selected to Supply Electronic Flight Strip System for Dubai International Airport

01 May 2006

Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has selected Lochard to supply the Electronic Flight Strips System (focus) for Dubai International Airport. “With the unprecedented growth of traffic at the Dubai International Airport and just released record results for our hub Emirates Airlines, DCA undertook a number of initiatives to use technology to streamline the controller workflow and optimize entire airport operation. We have just opened the Airport Operations Data Management Centre and the selection of Lochard and its technology partner delair is a logical step in our continuous perfection of the operation at the DIA.” said Mohammad Ahli, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Director of Operations, Government of Dubai DCA. focus is a module of Lochard-delair’s Advanced Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) suite. A world first, it integrates all stakeholders involved in handling aircraft as far as 100-200NM from the airport, down to the gate and back. A-CDM brings together Air Traffic Control, Airport, Airlines and Ground Handlers into a seamless and fully optimized system. “When we pioneered A-CDM our main objective was to work smarter by using technology to unleash the unutilized capacity that exists at most airports. This capacity is especially critical at peak hours of operation. At the same time we help airlines to significantly reduce fuel burn on both arrivals and departures, create space and time for extra flights and increase predictability of ON and OFF-BLOCK times. All of it happens while reducing controller mental workload, increasing gate and stand usage and minimizing environmental impact.” said Ned Macesic, VP Corporate Development, Lochard. A-CDM has been in operation at Zurich Airport since 2003 and is currently being installed at Frankfurt airport. The suite comprises the A-CDM platform for data harmonization and sophisticated decision support tools (Arrival and Departure Manager – darts4d, Resource Manager [Gates, Stands, Check-in Counters, Buses] – sally and Environment Manager – ANOMS System 8). “focus is a module of the A-CDM suite and it is the stepping stone towards data sharing and a fully integrated and optimized ATC and airport operation. It runs on the same highly available and redundant, ATC grade architecture and shares a common “look and feel”. focus was designed and developed with, and for, the controllers to simplify operation, increase efficiency, minimize operation times and improve co-ordination between controller working positions. This results in improved situational awareness, helps prevent mistakes and consequently increases safety.” said Dietmar Dippe, Managing Director, delair. The completion of the installation of focus is planned to coincide with the refurbishment of the tower and the start of staggered operations at Dubai International Airport planned for the end of October 2006. focus and the entire A-CDM product suite will be exhibited at the Lochard – delair stand at Dubai Airport Build and Supply Exhibition to be held from 5 – 8 June 2006