Australia’s Avalon Airport to provide self-service kiosks

Australia’s Avalon Airport in Victoria is rolling out self-service check-in kiosks for travellers in a bid to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency in the airport.

The technology will be supplied by Melbourne-based technology provider Elenium Automation, which designs, develops and manufactures self-service and automation technologies.

Besides 16 self-service kiosks that can be moved around for use by different airlines, Avalon Airport will also be deploying eight bag drops that can operate in full self-service or agent-assisted mode. The bag drops are equipped with cameras that can automatically zoom and focus to look for baggage barcodes.

In addition, a “flight deck” software will provide the airport’s operational team with an overview of events across their entire kiosk and bag drop portfolio, resolving issues before they occur.

“We are focused on automation and technical innovation to offer airlines and their passengers a fast, seamless and relaxed journey through the airport,” said Justin Giddings, CEO of Avalon Airport, noting that Avalon was also the first international airport in Australia to use a CT scanner to scan the contents of a passenger’s bag using 3-D imaging technology.

Started just over four years ago, Elenium Automation employs more than 70 staff and has more than 700 check-in kiosks in use by 30 airlines across 13 airports globally, including Hong Kong, Auckland, Bangalore and Sydney airports.

The company raised A$15m in April 2019, led by Acorn Capital, and has been working with Etihad Airways to implement its Voyager app to facilitate a seamless airport experience.

Airports around the world have been accelerating their use of technology to improve passenger experience and ground operations. Earlier this year, Auckland Airport teamed up with Air New Zealand to test the use of computer vision to improve aircraft turnaround time and airside operations.

The artificial intelligence (AI) technology, supplied by Swiss AI software startup Assaia, uses cameras installed at ramps and aerobridges to capture footage of some 50 turnaround and ground handling activities, such as cabin cleaning and refuelling.

The footage is then processed by Assaia’s software, which generates real-time insights and predictions to help airlines better manage their airside operations.

Marianita Willis, Air New Zealand’s programme manager for operational performance, said the Assaia system will provide additional data points that will enable the carrier to get its staff and equipment in place at each point in the turnaround process.

“For each flight there is a precise timeline associated with each activity to get the plane turned. Understanding what is happening at each of these points enables us to proactively manage them,” she said.