Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) has entered into a partnership with global technology leader Thales to modernise airport operations with smart technologies across India. This collaboration aims to elevate passenger experience and streamline airport management using advanced digital solutions.

The core of this partnership lies in the deployment of Thales’ innovative Fly to Gate solution and the Airport Operation Control Centre (APOC), both of which promise to transform how passengers navigate through airports while enhancing overall operational efficiency. These solutions will be implemented across the seven AAHL-managed airports, aligning with India’s growing ambitions to become a global aviation hub.

Thales’ Fly to Gate solution, already operational at select AAHL airports, is a self-servicing system designed to simplify and accelerate the passenger check-in and boarding process. By utilizing advanced biometrics and identity management technologies, the system creates a digital identity token for passengers, eliminating the need for repeated document verification at various checkpoints. Thales claims that this technology can reduce passenger processing times by up to 30%, providing a seamless and hassle-free airport experience.

The Fly to Gate system is also integrated with India’s DigiYatra initiative, which uses facial recognition technology to digitally verify passengers’ identities at airports. While this system has been praised for improving operational efficiency, it has also faced scrutiny over concerns related to data privacy. Nevertheless, Thales emphasized that the platform is designed with robust security measures to protect user data and ensure compliance with privacy standards.

Ashish Saraf, Director of Thales India, highlighted the significance of this partnership in supporting India’s aspirations to become the largest aviation market in the world by 2047. “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Adani Airport Holdings Limited to bring innovative technology solutions to revolutionise airport operations and the passenger experience in India. Our Fly to Gate biometric solution for DigiYatra and the smart Airport Operation Control Centre (APOC) will enable AAHL to streamline operations and also ensure a secure and simplified journey for millions of passengers. Together, we are committed to support India in its vision of becoming the largest aviation market in the world by 2047,” said Mr. Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director for India, Thales.

In addition to enhancing passenger experience, the collaboration will see the deployment of Thales’ Airport Operation Control Centre (APOC) at all AAHL-managed airports. APOC is a cloud-based digital platform that centralizes airport management by integrating data from various subsystems. It processes this data using artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to identify potential resource shortages, predict operational disruptions, and improve overall airport efficiency.

The solution, which will be deployed soon, will anticipate and reduce unplanned resource shortages, hence increasing predictability and global efficiency. The APOC platform is designed to ensure seamless coordination among different airport departments, including security, ground handling, and passenger services, providing a more cohesive and efficient airport operation.