AirIT - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc.

A recently installed shared-use system at Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) has all the markings of being a "sweet" deal for both the Indiana airport and its airline tenants.

The airport's new Shared Use Infrastructure Technology Environment (SUITE) is expected to reduce costs for the airlines serving it by implementing shared-use ticket counters, gates and the Extended Airline System Environment (EASE) information technology platform supplied by AirIT. In turn, lower operating costs make FWA an attractive destination for current and potential airline partners.

According to Stephen Springer, information technology manager for Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, the successful combination of the right specifications and finding a fitting solution made AirIT's EASE the obvious choice in the bidding process. Along with competitive pricing, AirIT's product accommodates shared use beyond the Common-Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) initiative, he explains.

AirIT President and chief operating officer Chris Keller says that airlines traditionally shy away from the prospect of common use due to the technology and the limitations it often imposes on them.

"With CUPPS, most airlines would be required to develop an application to operate in that airport," Keller explains. "That application comes at a very high cost to the airlines in terms of development and as a penalty in terms of operating within the business processes that they have in their own dedicated software."

The goal at FWA was to facilitate shared use, with airlines operating in their own native dedicated environment, he clarifies.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. announces that Myrtle Beach International Airport has chosen the suite of AirIT operational, passenger processing and business systems to deliver maximum functionality and flexibility to their new terminal project

January 16, 2012, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transport industry, announced the commencement of a project to provide multiple technology solutions including the industry-leading EASE shared use solution to Myrtle Beach International Airport.

AirIT will utlitize its multi-sided infrastructure platform to seamlessly deliver software including an Enterprise Service Bus, Airport Operational Database, Resource Management System, PROPworks Property and Revenue Management System and EASE Shared Use Passenger Processing System including a Local Departure Control System and Common Use Self-Service kiosks. An additional component of the project will replace the existing Com-Net Flight Information Display System with AirIT's fully integrated FIDS and Advertising solutions.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. Announces That Anchorage And Fairbanks International Airports Have Chosen The AirIT EASE Virtualized Multi-Sided Infrastructure To Replace Their Existing SITA CUPPS Systems

January 9, 2012, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, announced the execution of a contract to provide the EASE common use solution to two key airports in Alaska.

AirIT's common use system EASE (Extended Airline System Environment), is a cornerstone of the platform that ultimately allows any equipped ticket counter or gate podium to be ulitized by any airline using their own proprietary passenger processing software without modification. The two implementations in Alaska will include full common use and LDCS (Local Departure Control System) functionality to accommodate airlines including, Air North, Alaska, American, Condor, Delta, Frontier, JAL, JetBlue, Sun Country, United and US Airways. Importantly, this project will replace two existing IATA CUPPS/ CUTE systems that were installed by SITA to accommodate last years' seasonal operations at both airports.

A new terminal was necessary because of the existing facility's agge and limited capacity, says Barry Rempel, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA). The new 51,000-square-meter terminal provides Winnipeg what Rempel calls the "right size pipe."

The airport uses AirIT's EASE common-use sstem for airline ticketing and check-in. It also uses the company's CUSS Local Departure Control System. "YWG has a large percentage of seasonal air charter service," explains AirIT president and COO Chris Keller. "With our system, charter passengers enjoy the same self-service options as traditional airline passengers, which further increases throughput and decreases space requirements."

Common-Use Passenger Processing & Smart Technology Permeate Terminal B, Sacramento International Airport

When the new Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened for operations in early October, travelers, tenants and airlines stepped into a state-of-the-art facility. The new information technology system that was installed replaces elements that had been online since 1967.

Air-Transport IT Services (AirIT) was selected to provide its Extended Airline System Environment (EASE) in "temporary mode" in the aging terminal, knowing it would be replaced, relates company president and COO Chris Keller.

Since that time, AirIT has been under a support and maintenance contract with SMF and was brought onto the "Big Build" project in August 2010 to bring the existing system into the new Terminal B. The extension brings all of the airport's carriers - including Southwest Airlines - onto the EASE shared-use system.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. announces the Montgomery Regional Airport as the newest airport to choose the AirIT EASE virtualized multi-sided infrastructure to deliver common use functionality to their facility

October 13, 2011, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, announced their selection to provide the EASE common use solution to the Montgomery Regional Airport.

AirIT's common use system, EASE (Extended Airline System Environment), is a cornerstone of the platform that utlimately allows any equipped ticket counter or gate podium to be utilized by any airline operating on the system. The implementation in Montgomery will include full common use functionality to accomodate airlines including, American, Delta and US Airways. Importantly, this project will replace an existing legacy common use system with an airline-friendly alternative that will allow them to utilize their own proprietary business-optimized applications and not require the airlines to develop any new software, as is required by competing common use solutions.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. announces the successful operation of its virtualized multi-sided platform at Sacramento International Airport's New Terminal B.

October 11, 2012, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, announced the successful implementation of its virtualized multi-sided platform for the Grand Opening of Sacramento International Airport's new Terminal B.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. adds Fort Wayne International Airport to the diverse list of airports using its virtualized shared-use passenger processing technology

June 29, 2011, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, today announced that they are providing their EASE shared-use infrastructure platform solution to the Fort Wayne International Airport. This technology is being implemented as part of the airports' ambitious air service development initiative. A Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant that was provided by the US Department of Transportation is funding this project.

Fort Wayne International Airport wants to invest more than $300,000 to make it easier for airlines to use the facility - and hopefully easier to attract more carriers.

The airport's board of directors on Monday approved a contract with AirIT to install a new shared-use computer system. The contract calls for spending up to $350,789 on the project, which will in essence free the airport's gates for use by all airlines.

Craig Williams, Director of Administration and Finance, said currently different airlines use specific gates and it is not simple to switch them. The new system will provide a way for each airline to log into a gate to provide service there, thus increasing flexibility.

The largest airport in The Bahamas Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau, is becoming a source of national pride. The country's leader said so himself in February, at the grand opening of the airport's new 247,000-square-foot U.S. departures terminal.

"Essentially, we are transforming and building at LPIA a new airport with an enhanced passenger and visitor experience for Bahamians and visitors alike," said Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

The new terminal's Airport Operational Database (AODB) and Flight Information Display System (FIDS) were provided by Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. with Bahamian company Capital City Computers installing 75 of the dynamic displays. Late in Stage 1, AirIT's EASE common-use airline check-in system was added to 21 gate positions for nine scheduled carriers and to check-in counters for charter operators. In order to get the airlines up and running, AirIT implemented the system in six weeks, reports AirIT President and COO Chris Keller.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. adds Sioux Falls Regional Airport to the rapidly expanding list of airports choosing its contemporary virtualized shared-use passenger processing technology

April 14, 2011, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, today announced that they are providing their EASE shared-use infrastructure platform solution to the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. This technology is being implemented as part of the airports ambitious redevelopment strategy.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. adds Pulkovo Saint Petersburg Airport, in St. Petersburg, Russia to the list of progressive airport's utilizing AirIT's advanced operational system solutions

April 11, 2011, Orlando, FL - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, today announced that they are providing an advanced operational system solution to Pulkovo Saint Petersburg Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia. Pulkovo Airport is the gateway to St. Petersburg and to the entire northwest of Russia; it is Russia's fourth-largest airport after the three airports serving Moscow. The addition of this technology to the airport will help bolster the airport's operational efficiency and allow them to deliver an enhanced level of passenger service to their customers.

February 2011 - As co-founder of Air-Transport IT Services Inc. (tradename AirIT) in 1999 and now serving as CEO, Betros Wakim has more than 15 years of automation and information technology (IT) experience in the air transport, manufacturing, and communication industries. Wakim began working on IT at the airport setting some eleven years ago, first with project management and then ultimately directing total operations.

Relates Wakim, the concept for utilizing common use technology for passenger processing really began with the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. “If you have capacity constraints during certain seasons or get a lot of people coming in for a particular event, you cannot just go ahead and build gates and build resources … you need to find a way to really optimize the space you have,” he says. “You start thinking about going away from the exclusive relationship between an airline and the airport.

“That’s really where common-use terminal equipment (CUTE) came to be effective; the idea being to use existing resources and share them between multiple airlines.”

Europe has been implementing this type of airline facility utilization for some time, and the U.S. has been behind when it comes to optimization, adds Wakim. Over the last ten years however, the U.S. market has started to recognize and adopt the international business model of common use.

Examples include the Fresno Yosemite, Sacramento, and San Jose International Airports to name a few. Explains assistant director of aviation at Fresno Brendan Carmody regarding a recent terminal renovation project, “Apart from having the flexibility to renovate a space and use the existing facilities to the best possible extent, the airport is also breaking down some of the barriers to start-up entrants by making it easier for carriers to come jump right in and start operating.”

San Jose’s communications director David Vossbrink echoes that sentiment, stating, “The basic premise is that an airline can use any counter or gate at anytime, although we as the operator make that determination; this allows us to grow with carriers quite readily, and we can accommodate alternative operations much more flexibly.”

“About eight years ago we started looking at the technology being used for facility use optimization; CUTE was purely an emulation model, or a very simple technology system,” says Wakim. “Over the years, the philosophy of common use and sharing equipment became more successful while the technology was standing still. During the last eight years we’ve been examining this technology; network-wise, common technologies have progressed greatly.

“Now, many things are being converted into a very narrow yet flexible IT environment where I can run whatever I want to run. This can be described as virtualization,” he explains.

Virtualization means that a single server can be utilized to run multiple servers, adds Wakim. Virtualization is essentially a PC within a PC, but without the hardware.

IER and AirIT announce a partnership to provide airports with complete passenger processing solutions

IER and AirIT announce an agreement for the distribution of IER's CUSS solution to US airports. After a long list of successes in North American airports, AirIT and IER are further joining their expertise and product portfolio to allow AirIT to distribute a complete Common Use Passenger Processing solution in the United States. Bringing airports a full range of agent facing solutions and self-service solutions along with effective support is the key to securing effective and reliable airport operations, while increasing passenger throughput, ancillary sales and overall passenger satisfaction.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. adds Northwest Florida Regional Airport to the diverse list of airports utilizing its innovative shared-use passenger processing technology

AirIT, a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, today announced that they are providing their EASE shared-use infrastructure platform solution to the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. The addition of this technology will help the airport bolster their aggressive plans to attract new airlines and add air service.

Boyd Group International, an independent aviation research and consulting firm, released a critical analysis and review of CUPPS.

According to a review accomplished by Boyd Group International material changes in airline strategies and particularly in available technologies have rendered IATA's Recommended Practice for Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) to be extra expensive and less effective than newer technology approaches.

To read full press release and critical analysis and review by Boyd International Group please click here.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. adds EASE, their contemporary shared use passenger processing system, at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, The Bahamas

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, today announced that they are providing their EASE common-use infrastructure platform solution at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. AirIT's common-use airline check-in system, EASE (extended airline system environment) allows any equipped ticket counter or gate podium to be utilized by any airline operating on the system. This added efficiency greatly reduces airline costs, making the decision to add or expand airport service more palatable. By shifting the burden of IT infrastructure deployment from the airline to the airport, the airport creates distinct competitive advantages that are quickly recognized by the airlines. The initial deployment will include Check-in counters for the Charter operators and 21 Gate positions of 9 scheduled carriers.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. delivering a fully integrated suite of operational tools in Nassau, The Bahamas at the Lynden Pindling International Airport!

AirIT, a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, announced that they are providing a full complement of operational and passenger processing software tools at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. The new software solutions will include an Airport Operational Database (AODB), Resource Management System (RMS) and Flight Information Display System (FIDS). These systems will be delivered to the airport in a three-phased process as part of the airport's ambitious development project.

AirIT is proud to announce the introduction of the latest productivity module to join the PROPworks suite of integrated property and revenue management tools. Electronic invoicing technology is commonplace today and is transforming the world of commerce. In the transport industry, an airport or seaport's existing approach to invoicing is highly manual, paper intensive and largely inconsistent, resulting in higher costs, lower efficiencies, and negatively impacting cash flow. AirIT has developed PROPworks new e-Invoicing module to provide our customers with a more efficient billing methodology and process while seamlessly integrating with, and improving, interoperability with existing ERP systems. This new module provides electronic mailed invoicing in a secure, easy, convenient way, while eliminating statement rendering, printing, folding, stuffing, metering and sorting. PROPworks e-Invoicing delivers tremendous productivity and cost savings, while simultaneously promoting a greener environment.

Orlando, Florida - August 1, 2010 - Air-Transport IT Services, Inc., a world leader in providing turnkey integrated solutions to the transportation industry is proud to announce it is rated 4th in the midsized best companies to work for in Florida, according to Florida Trend Magazine's annual 2010 issue of "Florida's Best Companies to Work For."

AirIT's success is attributed to maintaining the three core principles on which it was founded, providing value to its clients and shareholders, while investing in the future of their employees. CEO Betros Wakim believes, "creating a good work environment is important because it drives employee satisfaction which in turn contributes to world-class IT solution innovations and close relationships with our customers." "At AirIT employees enjoy a progressive work environment, generous compensation and a benefit package that earn a wow from new hires," says Human Resources Manager Lisa Samuels.

The summer completion of Mineta San Jose's $1.3 billion development programme heralds the dawn of a new era for the Silicon Valley gateway. San Jose's new Terminal B fully opened to passengers in June to signal the completion of the airport's $1.3 billion capital development programme. In addition to the construction of Terminal B, the gateway has added a new concourse and significantly upgraded an existing terminal during a three-and-a-half year long development programme.

But, perhaps most significantly of all, the introduction of common use technbology across the terminals has increase SJC's operational effectiveness to such an extent that it is now able to handle more passengers than ever b efore despite having fewer gates.

To facilitate the shared use, the airport needed to install a robust and flexible system that would allow each airline to operate any gate as if it was their own.

Technology and security received complete overhauls in the $1.3 billion modernization program at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) the last several years.

Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. adds Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to the growing list of airports utilizing its fully integrated operational systems and innovative passenger processing technology

February 23, 2010 – Air-Transport IT Services, Inc. (AirIT), a key provider of diversified information technology products and services to the air transportation industry, today announced that they have been awarded a contract to provide their EASE common-use infrastructure platform solutionand key operational systems to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The total value of the multi-year engagement is nearly $16 million (USD). This contract was awarded based on a solicitation to provide Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood with a new Airport Information Management System (AIMS).