The world is facing an unprecedented environmental challenge. In order to achieve the goal of keeping global temperature rise under 1.5 degrees Celsius, a significant reduction in CO2 emissions is required. As the aviation industry contributes 3% of global CO2 emissions, this industry has a responsibility to reduce its environmental footprint. In order to facilitate and incentivise sustainable innovation, the European Union has launched the European Green Deal. Part of this initiative is the “Green Airports Programme” under which the OLGA consortium has received funding to realise their ambitious plans for decarbonisation of the aviation industry.

The OLGA consortium is led by Groupe ADP and consists of three other airports and 41 partners from 10 countries. The consortium has an ambitious project portfolio with a total budget of EUR 34 million in sustainable innovation projects. As part of the consortium, Assaia is involved in three initiatives.

One of the biggest contributors to ground emissions is the pollution from aircraft auxiliary power units (APUs). These generators, typically located in the tail of the aircraft, provide power to run the aircraft’s air conditioner, plus many other systems. Airports (like Groupe ADP airports) offer a sustainable alternative in the form of ground power and pre-conditioned air systems. However, these sustainable alternatives are not always used and even if they are used sometimes the APU is not turned off despite it not being required. Assaia will work together with Groupe ADP, Air France and Gendarmerie des Transports Aériens in order to validate a solution which will allow for real-time monitoring of ground, power, pre-conditioned air and APU usage. The solution will assist in the enforcement of APU regulations which are already in place at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris (CDG). Reduced APU runtimes result in lower air pollution and noise levels.

The second contribution is the use of Assaia’s proprietary off-block time predictions (POBT) in gate allocation and departure sequencing. Both of these tasks are resource optimisations (optimising the usage of gates and runway capacity) which rely heavily on when aircraft are ready for departure. Assaia’s POBT has already proven to be more accurate than human estimations of when aircraft are ready for departure. Using these more accurate inputs in gate allocation and departure sequencing should lead to less aircraft waiting on the tarmac, which means a reduction in kerosene usage and therefore a reduction in emissions.


Lastly, Assaia is tasked to use their ApronAI technology in order to detect leakages and spillages (e.g. kerosene or oil) on the apron. Occurrences of leakages and spillages lead to environmental damage as harmful substances end up in the soil. The objective is to increase the detection rate and detection speed in order to be able to react more often and quicker to these kinds of events. A typical response would be to dispatch an engineer in order to stop the spillage or leakage. Furthermore, cleaning services can be dispatched in order to collect the leaked substances and prevent it from making its way into the soil.

In the coming months we will keep you updated about these exciting new developments. In the meantime, if you are curious to learn more about the OLGA project please check the official website at www.olga-project.eu.

OLGA project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n° 101036871.

Testimonials

The use of Assaia's TurnaroundControl has provided our Airline Partners, Ground Handlers, and Service Providers with full visibility of the aircraft turn processes. The data, predictability, and visibility enhances our collective efficiency and resilience at Toronto Pearson. Paired with our A-CDM initiative, Assaia's TurnaroundControl provides crucial data driving A-CDM processes, a reduction in turn times, and a noticeable increase in on-time performance.

Dean Wright
Associate Director, Gating & Airport Flow

The way Turnaround 2.0 uses AI and machine learning to boost our zone controllers' efficiency is remarkable. They can now manage multiple gate activities with more focus on handling exceptions, rather than multitasking. Turnaround 2.0 is more than a tool for the present; it's a foundation for 'United Next,' growing with us and helping us surpass our operational goals efficiently.

Daniel Reed
Director of Station Operations, United Airlines

Our focus is to use innovation to make our operations smoother. We have selected Assaia because of the capabilities of the tool. But it is also really important for us that it has a good record of successful implementation, so we know it will deliver for us, for our airlines and ultimately for our passengers.

Dr Babett Stapel
Managing Director, Fraport Slovenjia

We are optimizing all our processes on the apron to shorten the time each aircraft needs to be on the ground, which benefits both our passengers and our airline partners. This is a common issue across our airports and we are talking to all of them about this technology.

Claus Grunow
VP of Corporate Strategy and Digitalization at Fraport

We are pleased to partner with Assaia to implement the ApronAI Turnaround Control solution at T4. This new solution will not only optimize operations and our work with our business partners, but will also help us to ensure a first-class customer experience at T4.

Roel Huinink
President and CEO, JFKIAT

For most airports, the apron is a a black box. Assaia finally gives our ground staff full insight into every turnaround. This allows them to focus on what really matters, while simultaneously making the work environment safer.

Jason Aspelund
Former Manager Strategic Performance, Alaska Airlines

The real-time and historical insights that can inform both airport and airline operations make this solution a clear winner for everyone.

Craig Paul
Director of Technology & Innovation , Halifax Stanfield International

Assaia's product allows airports and airlines to collect, track, and analyze data in real time; this innovation removes inefficiencies and optimizes performance.

Jim Lockheed
JetBlue Ventures

We’re creating the airport of the future, and innovation in apron operations will directly improve the passenger experience. We are laser focused on innovations that will make Pearson and its whole apron ecosystem more efficient while reducing our carbon footprint.

Deborah Flint
President and CEO GTAA

SEA needed an innovative solution to our capacity problem and have worked with Assaia to optimize the turnaround process resulting in reduced taxi times and increased passenger satisfaction. Assaia has exceeded our expectations, consistently delivering on-time & on-budget.

Samer Tirhi
Airline Scheduling Coordinator, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

With the help of Predicted Off Block Time from Assaia. JFKIAT Operations can be proactive to reduce or eliminate any delays and gate holds

Stephen Tukavkin
VP IT & Digital, JFKIAT

I had mentioned before, great innovation on your part. With these types of improvements, T4 is always leading at JFK. Thank you

COPA Station Manager
JFKIAT

We are proud to be partnering with the Assaia team in our mission to use technology to improve the efficiency and safety of the airport environment.

Raghbir S. Pattar
Director of Airports Transformation, IAG

We’re working hard on becoming an airport of the future, and this involves rethinking every part of our ground operations. Assaia’s ApronAI is an integral component of our vision for the ramp of the future.

Abhi Chacko
Head of Innovation & Commercial IT Services, Gatwick Airport

Assaia’s technology adds critical data points to CVG’s early-stage neural network for operational advancements. Structured data generated by artificial intelligence will provide information to make decisions, optimize airside processes, and improve efficiency and safety.

Brian Cobb
CIO, CVG Airport

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