Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has implemented an Airport Operations Center (APOC) on site that will enable it to manage all airport operations, from passenger flows and aircraft stands to technical maintenance and luggage, in real time, making it one of Europe’s most advanced airports.
According to the airport, the APOC (Airport Operations Center) promotes advanced collaborative airport operations management, making it possible to both optimize resources and support the development of air traffic, but also take into account all the factors which may disrupt flights to and from the airport.
The control station allows staff to exchange information in real time to determine the most relevant solutions, initiate their implementation and verify their effects on all terminals, runways and airport surroundings. Through better communication between all airport staff, passengers can be assured of a smooth journey and more punctual flights, according to the airport.
The APOC centralizes the management of all of the airport’s different resources, such as aircraft stands, passenger boarding bridges, self-service check-in terminals, luggage conveyor belts or parking lot entrances/exits. It also ensures optimal passenger flows through the airport.
At the slightest sign of equipment failure, a team can intervene quickly to resolve the problem. In the event of a deteriorated situation, as a result of the weather for example, a shorter decision and command chain facilitates a swifter return to normal operations.
This ultra-modern 500m2 facility is equipped with dozens of control screens and a new Airport Duty Manager (ADM) role has been created. The ADM manages operations and takes decisions in real time thanks to the hypervisor, an IT system enabling real-time management of all operations, continuously communicating with partners, airlines, ground-handling agents or security personnel.
“Having further developed our integration into Europe’s airspace with the implementation of our A-CDM in October, we are now fully equipped to support the resumption of air traffic by offering both our partners and passengers the best guarantees regarding our operations management. The gains expected range from better punctuality to smoother passenger flows with, as a common thread, improved safety, especially in terms of health protection,” said Franck Goldnadel, chair of the board of directors at Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur.