Toronto harnesses AI in new airport management tool

Toronto Pearson Airport has successfully trialled a new management tool that will now become available to other airports.

Over the past 12 months, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) partnered with SITA to deploy a prototype of the company’s Airport Operations Total Optimizer that integrates all airport data sources to provide its operations centre with a more holistic picture.

The GTAA was able to optimise stand allocation plans by setting the relative priorities of the airport. The predicted savings, operational efficiencies, and additional revenues could then be seen by the Toronto Pearson team.

“This is one of the biggest innovations yet in the sphere of total airport management,” said Stefan Schaffner, VP of Airports at SITA. “We regularly interview our customers and other industry stakeholders to find solutions to the complex challenges they face now and in the future. In this respect, our [solution] is a giant step forward to addressing the needs of our airport customers of different sizes and from countries the world over.”

According to SITA, although airports have managed to optimise individual airport functions, they still do not synchronise well with each other. Teams, systems, procedures and KPIs all conflict with one another and significantly reduce efficiencies, costing airports millions of dollars per year.

SITA said that the problem today is current management systems prevent airports from adapting their plans, to consider changes or priorities in the airport environment. While the Total Optimizer allows airports to prioritise different aspects, such as operational performance, capacity provision, revenue generation, cost efficiency, passenger experience and sustainability.

SITA’s Air Transport IT Insights – which explores technology trends and IT investments, and takes in the views of 250 senior airline and airport executives – says that IT has surged to the top of chief information officers’ agendas. The research reveals an increased focus on biometric solutions, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.

As passenger numbers continue to grow, meeting this demand will require smarter digital solutions to ensure greater efficiencies and to streamline operations.

Post pandemic collaboration

This is not the first time Toronto has collaborated with the airport IT provider. After a disastrous summer in 2022, collaboration was increased among Canada’s three largest airports; Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.  Since then, all share strategic plans, IT strategies and roadmaps, and work closely on a select number of projects. And in 2022, a joint tender with all three airports was issued for Common Use services and equipment which resulted in the contract being awarded to SITA.

“We deployed their common solution across all those airports,” then Director of IT Strategy & Innovation GTAA, Pierre Lanthier, told Cities Today. “It has meant huge savings in cost and better efficiency. I’ve basically tripled my capacity, or my capability, within the same timeframe without any further investment on my part. As long as we talk and we share the results.”

Image: Shawn Goldberg | Dreamstime.com