Electronic Communication Methods used at Manchester Airport
Level 1,2 and 3
The Use of ICT
Electrical Technology and Communication
The rapid rise in the development and use of electronic technology in recent years has affected communication system to a marked degree. At Manchester airport electronic communication systems are being increasingly used and the Airport has introduced computer system and electronic equipment to improve both internal and external communication.
Electronic Communication Methods used at Manchester Airport
Computer Reservation System
Contain information on customer details, availability of tickets, flights and accommodation.
Computer Network
Staff can access other computers or one central computer within the same network. It is possible for information to be centrally stored, such as advanced booking figures, so that other users can access this information. Also computer systems are also used to analyse customer comments, allocate check-in desks, and to provide a range of management information and statistics.
Airport Management and Operations Support System (AMOSS)
AMOSS is the only airport-wide IT system, which has been specifically developed for Manchester Airport. It is used to record details of all flight movements at the Airport.
Flight Information Display System (FIDS)
FIDS assembles information from AMOSS for distribution to the many staff and public display screens in and around the Airport. In the terminals this information is displayed on the monitors showing departures and arrivals times.
Public Address System
These are used to give information to passengers and employees on an as hoc basis or on programmed basis to communicate.
Access Control Systems
These are used to ensure only authorised personnel ate given access to various parts of the Airport.
Programmable Logical controller
This moves baggage form the check-in hall to the sortation hall.
Baggage reconciliation System
This is a security system that allows a positive check to be made, to ensure that if a passenger checks in with baggage the passenger actually boards the aircraft.
Baggage Sortation IATA Code Reading
This is a different system to baggage reconciliation and an approved global industry standard for baggage labelling and sortation. It provides for a unique barcode of each piece of luggage.
00% Hold Baggage Screening
A security automatically checks ...
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Programmable Logical controller
This moves baggage form the check-in hall to the sortation hall.
Baggage reconciliation System
This is a security system that allows a positive check to be made, to ensure that if a passenger checks in with baggage the passenger actually boards the aircraft.
Baggage Sortation IATA Code Reading
This is a different system to baggage reconciliation and an approved global industry standard for baggage labelling and sortation. It provides for a unique barcode of each piece of luggage.
00% Hold Baggage Screening
A security automatically checks each and every piece of baggage for suspicious objects before it is loaded onto an aircraft.
Planned Maintenance System
This is used to control work, both planned and reactive of engineering maintenance staff (over 200 in number) employed by Manchester Airport Aviation Services (MAAS), as well as the activities of various sub contractors for building maintenance, cleaning, and window cleaning and insurance inspections.
Building Management System
This is used to monitor and control the condition of items of plant. This can be in the form of keeping the temperature at 21 degrees in a particular area, reading electricity meters and issuing bills or turning half the lights off at a set time to save energy. There are over 20,000 points on the system.
Manchester Airport Noise and Tracking Information System (MANTIS)
The Airport' Noise Monitoring System is designed to register all aircraft noise at 16 monitoring points around the Airport. Information is picked up by local microphones and relayed to the central computer where it is stored and compared with details of flight movement.
Automated Payment for Car Parking
This controls access and payment for the many car parks at the Airport. The system involves payment at automatic pay stations and the use of magnetic cards by Airport staff and contractors.
X-rays
X-rays are used to screen both hand and luggage and luggage to be stored in the hold of aircraft, to detect prohibited items.
Archway Metal Detectors
Passengers and employees walk through archway metal detectors (AMDs) when moving from landside to airside. They are calibrated at a level set by the department for Transport to detect metal. This helps to detect guns and any remote control bomb to avoid crashes and arrest criminals
SMS Flight Information Service
This service allows mobile phone users to receive real-time updates about their chosen flight directly to their phone by SMS text message. The service makes it easier for the customer to know more information about his flight.
The Impact of Electronic technology
Electronic technology has a considerable effect on Manchester Airport as an organisation and also in individuals within the organisation. These include:
Increase the speed of communications. The Airport uses the Flight Information Displays Screens to keep passengers up to date with flight information and the computer reservation system enable staff to give clients immediate confirmation of flight and hotel bookings.
2 Improved accuracy. The implementation of an innovative technology package now enables the Airport to trace baggage all around the world and the Airport's computer network enables accurate booking details to be sent to customers.
3 Improved reliability. Not only is there reliable information which can be accessed, such as in the computer reservation system, but answering machines and fax machines do not take sick leave and holidays and Email can be sent at any time.
4 Improved productivity. Bookings can be taken more speedily for the customer on the computerised reservation system on-line via the Airport website on the Internet and, therefore, savings can be made if there is increased productivity.
5 Improved access to information. The computer reservation system allows computer users, as part of the network, to access accurate and up-to-date information, via the website, more readily, and thus make the right decisions and be able to answer customer queries.
ICT support
Information Service Department has to serve IT requirement of the business and to work with all their customers, both internal and external. The department is also responsible uninterrupted, safe and successful operation.
The department major task is to ensure that new and existing IT infrastructure is running efficiently.
Manchester airport information system (MAISY), airport staffs are working closely with the supplier, jujitsu, to ensure a cost effective solution which meets the business need.
Projects like SMS, enables anyone with a moral phone to request information about a particular flight and receive text message on their phone about its current state.
Manchester airport intranet is available, via kiosks in rest rooms to all employees without immediate access to a pc
The airport has established specific standards for airport wide applications of
Hardware and software
It security
It has the responsibility for monitoring the physical and logical security of hard and soft ware.
Aviation security
The aim of aviation security is to safe guard passengers, creed, ground personal and the general public from acts of unlawful interference with civil aviation.
In the UK this is the responsibility of the Department for Transport (DFT). It establishes policy for UR civil aviation security promotes international standards and maintains the security of the British aircraft through out the world
The DFT uses security measures in 3 ways
Statuary issues which are enforceable by law.
2 Recommended guidelines, issued by the DFT
3 Advice circulars
Airport security passes
This is managed by MAAS, using specially adapted software, security passes are giving to all employees.
Security screening
Manchester airport has a state of the art system for the screening of bags for explosives devices; it is designed to ensure the maximum security within the shortest time.
In level 1, all bags pass through a screening devise which automatically takes an x-ray of the bag and its continents, the process takes 4 seconds. At this stage 65% of bags are cleared.
At level 2, bags follow a straight path to the next screening device which works similarly to the devise in the hospital, bags go backwards and forwards, so that the devise can take enough pictures of the bag and ensure that its safe. At this stage 25% of the remaining bags need a further inspection which will need the innovations of a human who will search the bag and make sure that it's safe. Operators are trained to look for certain signs of explosives, e.g. "heavy items". If the operator is unsure about the contents of the bag, a level 4 security occurs. Here the bag is removed and reunited with the passenger. A baggage is searched by an aviation security officer in the passenger presence. If the passenger doesn't come forward, then a level 5 internal explosives devise (LED) in bag procedure is put into effect and the bomb disposal team will be called
