Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The rapidly growing passenger traffic requires the digitalization of the main processes of airport operations. However, the introduction of specialized systems was impossible without the creation of an IT infrastructure.

For this, 500 new computers, 98 printers for check-in counters, 160 switches and access gateways, 2170 IP phones, four high-availability servers with network equipment, licensed anti-virus and server software were purchased at the airports of the republic, 16 thousand km of optical fiber for high-speed access to the Internet.

In addition, during the year, an Enterprise-class corporate mail service, an IP telephony system, a file storage and exchange service, equipment monitoring and a print management system, a centralized anti-virus system and a two-factor authorization system on servers were introduced at airports, a network infrastructure was built between airports and a new common access platform CUPPS (Common Use Passenger Processing System), an airport passenger check-in system and an aircraft centering system have been introduced.

After preparing the infrastructure, Uzbekistan Airports specialists began the phased implementation of the most important IT systems and software systems, bringing the country’s international airports to a new level. At the moment, the airport operating database system AODB (Airport Operational Database), the subsystem for coordinating slots with airlines and generating the schedule Slot (Slot Management System) and the visual passenger information subsystem FIDS (Flight Information Display Systems) have been introduced.

The AODB system makes it possible to safely and efficiently manage a large number of transportations, including transfers. Every day, dozens of airport services replenish the system with information, forming a single database for all airports. Every day, it collects information about all takeoffs and landings of aircraft, the time of check-in and boarding, the number of passengers and luggage, and the equipment involved in servicing. Previously, it was all collected on paper - countless plans, magazines, folders - not excluding human error. Based on AODB, the Slot and FIDS subsystems are installed. The slot-coordination system automatically generates a flight schedule - arrival and departure times. The FIDS system, in integration with AODB and SLOT, displays the information necessary for passengers on the scoreboard in the airport terminals.

“Airports in Uzbekistan will not be able to become competitive without the introduction of information technology. Today it is no longer possible to manage large passenger flows without creating an IT infrastructure, its constant growth and development. This is also an important criterion for global airlines. They will not fly to an airport where the flight schedule is written down on paper, they will choose the airport where, in addition to favorable fares, they will receive modern technologies. The introduction of these systems and software systems makes it possible to receive all data on production and financial indicators online, increases the transparency of airport revenues, greatly simplifies the work of employees, improves coordination between numerous airport services to the maximum, and, of course, creates convenience for passengers,” noted the chairman of the board of "Uzbekistan Airports" Rano Juraeva.

AODB is a multi-port system that allows you to manage all 11 international airports from a single operating center. The supplier of this software package, IPG, was selected as a result of a tender in which such foreign companies as Monitor Soft, ZAMAR, ARINC and TAV technologies took part.

It should be noted that colossal work has been done over the year, but this is only a part of what a modern airport should have.