Automation of the departure process offers many benefits to airlines, airports, charter operators and ground handlers. Fully automated boarding, check-in and Interline Through Check-In (ITCI) simplifies passenger processing and reduces flight connection times.

Other benefits provided by Departure Control Services include:

• Improved security
• Guaranteed flexibility – through multi-access communication with multiple reservation systems
• Reduced cost and expanded ground handling
• Reduced network communication costs

The new Weight & Balance feature offers these additional benefits:

• Increased agent productivity
• Lower fuel costs by utilizing optimal flight loads
• Reduced errors by capturing data from messages
• Less training time for staff and on screen help
• User-defined business rules and set-up of flight event plans

Departure Control Services include the following features.

• Self-service
• Easy integration to IATA standard peripherals
• Automated to avoid manual entry errors or dispatch delays

SDCS Central Aircraft Database

A repository of aircraft weight and balance data used to provide load control functionality for SDCS Load Control systems.

SDCS Central Aircraft Database provides the following benefits:

• Reduces operating costs through better utilization of highly skilled staff
• Provides easy, quick access to data - save time by eliminating the need to manually enter data
• Provides enhanced data control and accuracy - a single, trusted vendor interface plus data certification

ASP environment

Departure Control Services is supported in an application service provider (ASP) environment, hosted and delivered by SITA (which handles day-to-day technical issues). With this model, the cost is related directly to usage. ASP platforms are quick to implement and can ease the updating and enhancement of software applications.

Three modules

• Flight Scheduling
• Check-in and Boarding Control
• Aircraft Load Control

Ultimate flexibility

• Provides a shared resource of multiple application hosts located in a central location and connected to airline terminal screens, PC workstations, boarding card and bag tag printers, boarding card and passport readers, ATB, barcode and multi-purpose printers worldwide
• Can receive passenger name list and add/delete lists from any airline reservation system
• Can be operated on an independent basis, as required by airport handling agencies conducting departure control functions for multiple airlines

Interfacing and integration

Departure Control Services interfaces with:

• The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) operated by Canada, China, Korea, Mexico, South Africa Spain and the United States Customs
• The Advance Passenger Processing (APP) for multiple countries
• Reservations and Ticketing and is an integral part of SITA’s Horizon portfolio, a suite of products for airlines to simplify their distribution

Weight & Balance features

Weight & Balance fully supports International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. It follows IATA recommended practices that govern acceptance of operational data by load control systems and provides automated load distribution for any aircraft type.

Weight & Balance key features include:

• Customized airline set-up options
• Support options for either a centralized or decentralized load control
• A system framework for future enhancements

Keith Surridge, Business Consultant, Passenger Solution Line, discusses Horizon's new Weight & Balance offering and how it can help airlines improve operational performance and save on fuel costs.