Kuala Lumpur International Airport and SITA gear up for arrival of the A380

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is to undergo a major replenishment of its IT infrastructure as it prepares for a massive expansion in passenger numbers from 21 million in 2004 to an expected 35 million in 2008 when it will be ready to receive the Airbus A380.

“The signing of this five-year contract today with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad is a significant milestone in the partnership between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and SITA. Our promise is to make KLIA the first fully integrated airport in the region,” said Francesco Violante, managing director of SITA INC (Information Networking Computing).

“In line with our vision of simplifying travel and transportation worldwide we are going to equip Kuala Lumpur International Airport with the latest IT technology for common-use check-in systems including an initial 36 common-use self-service kiosks, and the most modern suite of baggage reconciliation systems available,” added Violante.

“We are very pleased to collaborate with SITA in the coming years as we move towards completion of our new satellite terminal which will increase our traffic from 21 million today to 35 million in three years time and reach our goal of becoming the first fully integrated airport in the region,” said Y. Bhg. Dato’ Seri Bashir Ahmad, managing director, Malaysia Airports.

“IT will play an essential role in helping us to optimize the airport’s assets and to improve the passenger experience for the growing numbers spending quality time here. As we prepare to receive the Airbus A380 we are establishing KLIA as a major hub for Asia and SITA INC has an important role to play in helping us to realise that vision by ensuring that we can benefit fully from the latest innovation in airport technology,” he added.

The package has been carefully constructed resulting in today’s agreement on the provision of SITA INC’s CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment) Integrated Network and Terminal Application.

The solution includes SITA AirportConnect CUTE and CUSS (common use self service) kiosks. For bag management, the applications are the BagManager baggage reconciliation system; BagMessage, the global message distribution system; and BagFast, a fallback system for sortation tags. Other features include PassengerHandler, a common language check-in and boarding application and the Maestro Departure Control System.

SITA will also install at KLIA the latest interface software for the Flight Information Display System. The total package also includes full operational support for five years with helpdesk and on-site support. SITA INC has been working with KLIA since it first opened in 1998.

In addition to being the home base of Malaysia Airlines, KLIA has become an important hub for many airlines. In fact, SITA’s CUTE systems are shared by 40 airlines operating at KLIA, including Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Emirates, Air China and China Airlines.

The airport is building a $1.1 billion new terminal which will boost passenger numbers further and allow it to cater for the arrival of the A380 in Asia. KLIA was ranked fifth in the Airport of the Year survey organized by Skytrax last year and was voted second in the 2004 Best Airport category in the Telegraph Travel Awards in Britain.

“SITA’s Airport solutions provide KLIA the flexibility of an open architecture operating platform that allows the airlines operating at the airport to enjoy the benefits of sharing dedicated IT systems and facilities, including the check-in counters and self-service check-in kiosks,” said Russ Lewis, SITA INC’s Regional Vice President of Airport and Desktop Services, Asia Pacific, speaking at today’s signing ceremony.

“This maximizes the airport’s limited terminal space, while helping airlines to increase efficiency and reduce costs – the two most vital factors in today’s airline business,” he said.

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