Cloud based technology to drive cost savings & customer experience enhancements

02 September, 2015
Perth Airport has formed a new, long term partnership with Amadeus to implement ACUS, a cutting edge cloud-based technology to benefit airline customers and travellers. This agreement marks Amadeus’ continued expansion of its airport IT business in the Asia Pacific region, with Perth Airport its first customer in Australia.

The next generation, cloud-based ACUS solution will make use of application virtualisation, allowing passenger processing systems to be accessed and deployed anywhere, on demand.  This means airlines can use the platform from a desktop computer, laptop or mobile device and enables passengers to be checked-in and boarding passes to be printed from any location.  Ground handlers will also be able to handle passenger processing for multiple airlines at the same time from any gate or terminal and from any device.

Any combination of applications can be hosted without any constraint or limitation on the actual workstation or device.  The common use platform will also simplify user training, allowing for the rapid deployment of new employees.  The infrastructure and hardware reduction also means that Amadeus’ environmentally-friendly platform is expected to help Perth Airport reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and improve its environmental footprint.

Rowan Chalmers, Executive General Manager Operations and Customer Experience said that this partnership will put Perth Airport in a more proactive, reliable and flexible position when it comes to the check-in process at Perth Airport.

“The advanced systems we are delivering with Amadeus will provide a higher level of customer experience.  During the selection process, it became clear that Amadeus was the only common use provider to truly deliver on the cloud-based model, bringing clear financial and structural benefits,” he said.

The investment in technology aligns with Perth Airport’s AUD $1 billion overall transformation of infrastructure.

“Moving to the Amadeus cloud-based common use system means we will be able to cut passenger processing costs by more than 25 per cent for our airline partners.  That was a key consideration when selecting this new and innovative system,” Mr Chalmers said.

Caroline Wilkie, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Airports Association said the introduction of the Amadeus platform was another example of how Australian airports were investing in the latest technology to deliver better and more flexible services for passengers and airlines.

‘As Australian airports continue to handle ever increasing numbers of passengers and aircraft movements, their adoption of innovative technology solutions will help in providing a better experience for passengers while also meeting the operational needs of their airline customers,’ Ms Wilkie said.

John Jarrell, Head of Airport IT, Amadeus said that they were delighted to partner with Perth Airport as it pioneers new innovations in the Australian market, while investing to improve its service to both travellers and its airline partners.

“Airports across the world are under pressure to think differently in order to handle increasingly significant numbers of passengers, and modern technology has a huge role to play.  The deployment of ACUS is only the beginning of our partnership with Perth Airport, and we look forward to continuing to work closely together,” he said.

About Perth Airport

Only 12 kilometres from the heart of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, Perth Airport is part of a 2,105 hectare estate with sufficient capacity to expand and meet projected commercial aviation demands for the next 40 years and beyond.

Perth Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Australia in terms of passenger traffic, and operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week throughout the year. Over 14 million passengers travelled through Perth Airport during the 2014/15 financial year.  In total, Perth Airport provides over 17,800 jobs, generating approximately AUD $2.61 billion for the economy.

Perth Airport is currently undertaking an extensive AUD $1 billion redevelopment program that is transforming the customer experience for all travellers.  For further details, visit: www.seeperthairporttransform.com.au.

About Amadeus

Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry.  Customer groups include travel providers (such as airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators), travel sellers (such as travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (such as corporations and travel management companies).

The Amadeus group employs around 13,000 people worldwide across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations globally.  The group operates a transaction-based business model.

Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol "AMS.MC" and is a component of the IBEX 35 index. To find out more about Amadeus, visit www.amadeus.com/airport and www.amadeus.com/blog.

-ENDS-

MEDIA CONTACT:
Fiona Lander
Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs
Perth Airport
P: +61 8 9478 8877 (24 hour Media Line)
E: [email protected]