Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi has introduced an AI-powered system to streamline airside operations, including aircraft landings and take-offs.
The system, called Unified Total Airside Management (UTAM), has been implemented by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), in collaboration with Akasa Air. The system, which collects real-time data from across the airport, will be expanded to include other airlines over the next two to three months.
According to a statement from DIAL, UTAM is designed to improve operational efficiency and safety by utilising technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and radar systems. The system’s primary goal is to optimise operations and enhance coordination between various airport stakeholders.
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, DIAL, said, “We are the first airport in India to implement this advanced solution. By applying AI and machine learning, we can predict and prevent delays, optimise turnarounds, and ensure smoother coordination between stakeholders like airlines, ground handlers and security teams.”
The UTAM system allows airport operators to monitor the movement of aircraft, ground service equipment (GSE) and vehicles. It integrates this real-time data to detect issues or delays and triggers alerts to prevent them.
The system tracks the locations of aircraft and support vehicles such as baggage carts and fuel trucks, providing instant notifications if delays occur, allowing staff to take timely action. It also monitors the efficiency of ground support services, ensuring tasks like baggage loading and aircraft refuelling are completed on schedule.
UTAM also optimises space and resources by monitoring the availability of parking stands, helping to prevent congestion. The system tracks the use of runways and taxiways, improving coordination and reducing traffic on the airside. Additionally, the system plays a crucial role in safety by ensuring vehicles on the airside adhere to speed limits.
If any vehicle exceeds the speed limit, an alert is triggered to prevent accidents. The system also monitors whether vehicles are staying on their assigned routes, notifying staff if a vehicle deviates from its designated path.
One of the key features of UTAM is its ability to replay past events. If there is a delay or a safety issue, airport authorities can review the recorded movements to understand the cause of the problem and take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
DIAL has established a centralised control room to monitor all operations, bringing together stakeholders such as airlines, ground handlers and airport authorities onto a single platform. This centralisation aims to streamline decision-making and improve overall efficiency.
The implementation of UTAM is expected to enhance both operational performance and safety at IGIA. By integrating advanced technologies like AI and IoT, the system is poised to improve airside management and ensure smoother airport operations, reducing the likelihood of delays and improving coordination among various airport teams.
According to DIAL, the move to implement this AI-enabled system is a step towards modernising airport operations and boosting efficiency, with further expansion to additional airlines expected in the coming months. The integration of such advanced technologies is seen as a critical development in the aviation sector, particularly in managing busy airports like IGIA.
Through the UTAM system, IGIA aims to set a new standard for airside operations, combining technological innovation with operational excellence to enhance the passenger experience and safety on the ground.
