As the global recovery from the pandemic continues Airports Council International (ACI) World has unveiled a new tool to help airports with terminal planning when preparing for increased capacity.
Developed by Redwater Consulting Group – an ACI World Business Partner – the new Static Capacity Tool will assist airports by helping them to evaluate the level of resource and equipment needed throughout the airport passenger journey, and assessing queue length, queue time and breaking points with a particular focus on the challenges arising from physical distancing.
The user-friendly tool has been designed to provide a simple method for evaluating any addition space or queuing requirements needed as a result of COVID-19 physical distancing measures and the impact of adding more process points to address additional health checks that have been introduced at many airports. Non-technical airport employees can easily make use of the model through simple inputs and a painless user interface in order to assist airports in providing an efficient, safe, and seamless passenger experience.
The tool focuses on terminal process points including check-in (online, bag drop, traditional desks), security, emigration, immigration, boarding, and baggage reclaim. It uses average cycle times throughout each process point to generate an overall queue time for that process point.
Commenting on the new tool, ACI World’s DG, Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “ACI World is determined to provide new guidance and innovative tools to support our airport members as the industry continues to navigate a recovery from the impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” He added that, “we wanted to assist airports in their determination to provide an efficient, safe and seamless passenger journey while meeting all physical distancing and other COVID-19 expectations and requirements.”
Describing the Static Capacity Tool as a “simple, low-cost solution,” Oliveira added that “it will assist even small and medium-sized airports to prevent bottlenecks in the airports and improve the passenger experience.”
Redwater’s Managing Director, Anthony Cicuttini explained, “We designed the tool with the user in mind and kept everything as simple as possible, which is difficult to achieve with something as complex as an airport. Users can check the performance of their existing operations, assess how changes to processors will impact performance, or understand the requirements of new infrastructure.”
He added: “As aviation recovers, it is imperative that airports ensure their operations can cope with the new realities of the industry, and we think this tool will help with that directive.”
