Google can take you many places. And, just as I was searching for an interesting recent article on airports, I discovered TAMS, or Total Airport Management System. TAMS is in use at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport. What does it do? TAMS integrates all of the airport’s 40+ systems. The integration of systems is very efficient, fast, reliable, and convenient. According to their website, “The linking of services such as water, electricity supply, air-conditioning, lighting and fuel facilities on a real-time basis translate to simultaneously and co-ordinated efficiency. Waiting and dwelling time therefore, is reduced and passengers and airlines will enjoy seamless transfers and operations.”
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, why don’t U.S. airports have this? Good question. After all, the system manages things like: Air Traffic Control Administrator System (ATCAS), Over Flight Billing System, Real Time Apron Management Systems, Staff Information over Intranet, Airport Landing Dues Information System, Passenger Check in System, Security Systems, Weather Systems… just to name a few of the 40+. Combined, all of this can easily be managed in a control-room like setting.
According to KLIA, The main objectives of TAMS are:
- Operating an airport in an efficient manner
- Cost containment
- Increased quality services to airport users
- Centralized airport authority management
- Improve crisis management
- Efficient, fast and safe processing of passengers, baggage and cargo
It seems to me that if airports in the United States had this, they too might be able to become airport of the year, like Kuala Lumpur International Airport has. I believe that you might even be able to say that KLIA is like the airport of the future, or Airport 2.0.
Nassau, Bahamas Airport expansion and upgrade of Airport Systems RFP. Deadline 25th of Feb pls call urgently if you provide FIDS, RMS and AODM..
242-323-5589
Al
I agree with you. In the future all airports will consolidate their systems into a single enterprise resource management system like TAMS. Airports are commercial enterprises and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t aim to replicate what other large organisations have been doing for several years now.