New ARINC Kiosk Solution—LocalServ Designed For Ground Handlers, Smaller Airlines
Annapolis, MD - ARINC Incorporated today unveiled a new airline passenger kiosk technology that puts self-service check-ins within the reach of today's mid-size airlines and airports. ARINC's new kiosk solution, LocalServ, will be demonstrated May 1-5 at the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Conference in Seattle, WA.
Unlike all other kiosk solutions, LocalServ is specifically designed for airlines that operate without access to a host computer—actually a majority of the world's carriers. This also makes LocalServ perfectly suited to the needs of major ground handling companies who provide passenger services for multiple regional, charter, and non-scheduled airlines. With ARINC LocalServ, they can offer their passengers the same self-service check-in convenience as today's major carriers.
ARINC engineered the LocalServ solution in 2004 by integrating two separate technologies—its LocalCheckTM local departure control system (LDCS) and its SelfServTM common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosk system. ARINC's first customer for LocalServ will launch kiosk operations in May.
"We have now delivered our local kiosk solution, while our competition has just announced they plan to develop one," stated John A. Dungan, ARINC Airport Systems Director. "LocalServ with its common interface for any airline is a huge evolutionary step forward for passenger kiosk services. It is a broad-based answer for all sizes of airports and all categories of passenger carriers—with or without host computers."
ARINC's original SelfServ kiosk system—the world's first to use the International Air Transport Association (IATA) CUSS kiosk standard—is currently installed at major airports worldwide. New LocalServ technology is fully compatible with SelfServ, and opens the door to a vastly larger customer base—mid-size carriers and dozens of ground handling companies that actually provide most airport passenger services worldwide.
Ground handlers frequently serve multiple airlines at each airport, and with SelfServ technology they can immediately deploy a shared kiosk system serving all their client airlines. ARINC plans to demonstrate LocalServ again at the IATA International Ground Handlers Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, May 16-18 2005.
"Operators of all sizes can now enjoy the efficiency of self-service check-in, with the added convenience and smoother airport operations this brings." said Mike Picco, Vice President, ARINC Airport Systems. "Ground handlers must no longer choose between efficient operation and infrastructure costs. With LocalServ, one common-use infrastructure can serve all their airline clients."
ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,000 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 Certified.
Source: ARINC Incorporated