Domodedovo Airport completes russia's largest migration of passenger services to domestic software

As part of the project, the airport's departments, in collaboration with the solution provider, launched over 50 workstations of the automated screening and electronic boarding pass system (PAX-Control) in just a few weeks, along with more than 400 check-in counters and boarding gates for the common-use platform enabling airline applications to interface with airport infrastructure (CUTE/CUPPS). All of this was achieved without interrupting passenger service processes and while maintaining the quality of services provided by Domodedovo Airport.

"The project is unique from every perspective. Firstly, for the first time in Russia, two key systems ensuring the passenger's digital journey through the terminal complex were implemented simultaneously across more than 450 workstations. Secondly, it was accomplished in the shortest possible timeframe for a project of this scale. Due to SITA ceasing service provision in Russia as of July 1st of this year, the bulk of the project work had to be completed in less than a month. Thirdly, no other airport in Russia has such a degree of automation for passenger clearance procedures using automatic gates (e-gates). Domodedovo has 130 devices of this type, installed both at the entrances to the sterile area and at every boarding gate in both segments of the terminal. And all these devices must operate under Neolabs' software to ensure a unified digital environment as passengers go through formal procedures in the terminal complex, " commented Alexander Semchenko, CEO of Neolabs.

"Before the project began, we faced both tactical and strategic objectives. Tactically, we needed to migrate passenger services to domestic software in the shortest possible time, while maintaining the highest level of service quality for our passengers. The transition to new systems had to remain unnoticed and painless, both for millions of travelers and for the international airlines operating flights from the airport. It was important for us not only not to lose the services and functionality we were accustomed to, but also to improve and develop the platform considering our wishes and needs, legal requirements, and the enterprise's changing IT landscape. Given the high tourist season and peak passenger traffic that coincided with the project dates, its implementation was extremely challenging. However, the joint efforts of the airport and the software manufacturer exceeded expectations — the air harbor successfully navigated the shutdown of foreign services and concluded the peak summer holiday season without any disruptions, " said Denis Yarygin, Managing Director of Domodedovo IT Services LLC.

Strategically, over recent years, Domodedovo Airport has been systematically moving towards automating processes within the terminal complex using advanced technologies. It advocates for the rapid adoption of biometric technologies to simplify formal procedures at airports and for the creation of "seamless travel corridors" that help minimize time spent on security screening, check-in, and boarding.

"The entire transport industry found itself in a situation where Western vendors left the country and refused to service their systems. Air transport and airports are no exception; in fact, they are a vivid example of how this problem can be solved in the shortest possible time. Solved effectively, not only without losing service quality, but by implementing solutions that in many ways surpass Western alternatives. Thus, the task of import substitution has been accomplished, and I am confident that these developments will be in demand not only by other airports in our country but also by friendly nations that may at any moment face the need to replace Western industry-specific software, " noted Polina Davydova, Director of the Association "Digital Transport and Logistics."

Source: AEX.RU