We would like to improve and shorten the business process at the airport by replacing the outdated technology with a more modern, efficient and effective system, MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

ARINC, Inc. was awarded a three-year contract to supply, install, operate and provide maintenance support of the New Common Use Check-In System for the NAIA Terminal 1 and 2 (North wing) which are exclusively being used for international flight and passenger operations.

The service level agreement includes a 24/7 maintenance service. Cut-over date from the old SITA system to Arinc system will start today. A simple turn-over ceremony will be presided over by Cusi to be witnessed by airport officials and airline representatives.

The new system will service almost 4 million outbound passengers at NAIA Terminal 1 and 1.6 million outbound passengers at NAIA Terminal 2 yearly, using the 85 check-in counters and 15 boarding gates at NAIA Terminal 1 and 40 check-in counters and 15 boarding gates at NAIA Terminal 2. On the average, Terminal 1 services 40 outbound international flights while Terminal 2 services 29 outbound international flights daily Tirso Serrano, MIAA assistant general manager said.

This system change will further boost our efforts in enhancing passenger services which will translate into faster and more orderly check-in process for our international passengers and hopefully shorten queuing time, Serrano added.

The Print and Read 2D Bar Code technology will be used for both boarding passes and baggage tag identification system. NAIA 1 has been ISO-certified and the MIAA Management is not only committed to observe the set quality standards, but also be in a continuing mode of service innovation for the benefit of the customers.

Arinc Managing Director Randy Pizzi said Airports are constantly looking for new ways to strengthen security and enhance customer satisfaction. This vMUSE (Multi User-System Environment) system will provide the MIAA with a scalable and cost effective common use platform to further upgrade its operations. We are happy to be partners with the MIAA in this Project. - PNA

<<Thai News Service, Source: The Financial Times Limited -- 07/02/2009>>