SITA’s technology to underpin San Diego airport’s billion dollar “Green Build”

SITA, the global air transport IT solutions specialist, has been selected by San Diego International Airport to provide the passenger processing technology to underpin the airport’s $1 billion dollar improvement project. San Diego’s “Green Build” is the largest project in the airport’s history and will allow it to expand from the 17 million passengers it currently serves to an estimated 33 million by 2030.

As part of this multi-year deal, SITA will provide a local departure control system (a boarding pass and bag tag issuing system for airlines without connection to their normal system), more than 300 information display monitors, over 100 common use self-service (CUSS) kiosks, along with 150 common use passenger processing system (CUPPS) workstations. All these will operate using the SITA AirportConnect Open platform, the only integrated passenger processing solution that enables airlines to share the same ticket and gate counter computer equipment in a shared, secure and manageable environment. SITA’s AirportConnect Open is fully compliant with the new airline/airport industry CUPPS standard which has been adopted internationally.

Howard Kourik, Director of Information Technology at the San Diego International Airport, said: “Common use systems, which allow all check-in and boarding areas to be used by all airlines, are the ideal solution for an airport such as San Diego. By using SITA’s AirportConnect CUPPS platform, we will be able to use our limited space in a much more efficient way and allow more airlines to operate from here offering more choices to passengers.”

Thella F. Bowens, President/CEO, San Diego International Airport, said: “Our passengers will also enjoy improved flows through the airport and new services such as the new upper-level roadway “Smart Curb” for fast check-in and bag drop at curb side kiosks and check-in counters. Passengers can be confident that the development of the airport is being accomplished with a strong commitment to the environment.”

Implementing IATA CUSS kiosks and CUPPS workstation standards allows San Diego International Airport and other airports to introduce a common-use environment in a way that is familiar to airlines and which provides a trusted and known airport setting for airlines to run their applications. SITA has been an active participant, with the airlines and airports, in the development of these standards and remains a committed supplier of these standards-based products, with some of the largest common use installations in the world. The accelerating adoption of CUSS and CUPPS standards, evidenced by airports issuing tenders for common-use with these requirements, represents a significant benefit to the whole industry and SITA remains heavily committed to participating in future enhancements.

Paul Houghton, SITA, Regional Vice President, North America, said: “San Diego airport’s expansion is setting the bar internationally with its commitment to the environment. One example of this is that it is installing SITA’s S3 check-in kiosk which is the greenest kiosk with the smallest footprint in the market. By using the latest technology and shared systems from SITA, the airport facilities will be used more efficiently and capable of nearly doubling passenger throughput over the next fifteen years.

“SITA has a long-standing commitment to airport improvements and will bring our Intelligent Airport vision to San Diego providing the latest technology using real-time information. Passengers will enjoy a seamless journey and overall better airport experience with improved flight information displays, check-in, and baggage services.”

San Diego’s terminal expansion is a joint venture with SITA, Turner Construction, PCL Construction Services Inc. and Flatiron Construction Corp. Working in close partnership the four companies are creating an environmentally conscious facility capable of handling San Diego’s future passenger needs with work due to be completed by August 2013.