Airport IT Solutions - AODB, System Integration, Operational & Commercial Process Optimisation

At the Central German airport, a lot has changed in the year 2011. The most obvious alteration has been the change of the name, which has enriched the former airport Erfurt by adding the name of the closely located history-rich cultural city to create the “Airport Erfurt-Weimar”. But not only name and public appearance have updated. The comprehensive innovations also include extensive technological upgrades.

In a thorough analysis of the systems available on the market, topsystem’s AIRPORTSTAR-Suite was rated most suitable. One of the pivotal tasks in the project with Erfurt-Weimar Airport was the integration of the copious interacting information systems. Comprehensive import and interpretation of IATA and AFTN messages, the exchange of information with the Airport Coordination Germany (FHKD), the forwarding of data to the flight information display system, the airport website and even to the videotext of the Mid-German Broadcasting Service were implemented to ensure an optimal updating and distribution of flight data. Also covered by new interfaces was the forwarding of automatically processed flight data to the Federal Statistical Office, which meets all governmental requirements.

Next to the detailed seasonal and operational flight scheduling, the new system features a comprehensive aeronautical billing solution including the complete handling of cash-paying customers. For the ground handling branch, a contract management module as well as software for the recording of performed handling services and their invoicing is available. A powerful reporting module allows the systematic analysis of any available data for controlling and planning purposes.

Thus, Erfurt-Weimar Airport and the ground handling department are now equipped with a modern software which optimises business processes, simplifies operational procedures and – last but not least – also helps to achieve commercial advantages. The project has again shown that the scalability of topsystem software products also makes a sophisticated system affordable for smaller airports.