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For more than seven decades, Newcastle Airport has been a pivotal transportation hub catering to the needs of the Hunter, Central Coast, and Northern NSW regions. In its pursuit of becoming a premier regional airport and improving the passenger experience, Newcastle Airport embarked on a journey of innovation, seeking cost effective solutions to meet the evolving demands of its expanding operations.
The Challenge
Critical to Newcastle Airport's growth plan was the need to reduce IT costs while rapidly expanding passenger processing capabilities.
The Solution
Newcastle Airport partnered with SITA, a global leader in aviation technology, to address their challenges. The primary solution implemented was SITA's cloud-based platform, SITA Flex Essentials.
The Benefits and Results
Through the adoption of SITA's cloud-based solution, SITA Flex Essentials, Newcastle Airport successfully reduced operational costs and complexity.
We want to create the airport the region deserves, and technology is an important part of the passenger experience.
The Airport
Newcastle Airport (NTL) has consistently played a crucial role in the economic and social infrastructure of New South Wales (NSW). Located in the Hunter region, it is the second busiest airport in the state, and contributes approximately $1.2 billion to the regional economy annually and supports approximately 5,600 jobs. It operates 13 domestic routes with six domestic airlines and accommodates approximately 1.3 million passengers each year.
NTL was bestowed with the title of 'Major Airport of the Year 2021' by the Australian Airports Association (AAA) and achieved a Level 4 status in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, as recognized by Airports Council International. The recognition is a testimony to its firm commitment to sustainability.
The Challenge
“We’ve got an ambitious growth plan at Newcastle Airport; we want to add more airlines and more routes.”
To continue serving its region effectively, Newcastle Airport embarked on a significant transformation project aimed at optimizing the passenger experience, improving efficiency, enhancing sustainability, and supporting the growth of tourism. Critical to this transformation was the need to reduce IT costs while rapidly expanding passenger processing capabilities. The objective was to solidify NTL's position as a leading airport hub in the region.
The Solution
Newcastle Airport partnered with SITA, a global leader in aviation technology, to address their challenges. The primary solution implemented was SITA's cloud-based platform, SITA Flex Essentials. This innovative solution allowed NTL to achieve cost savings and operational simplification by leveraging SITA's common use infrastructure across their preferred devices. This eliminated the necessity for more costly certified equipment and granted Newcastle Airport control over hardware choices.
What sets this solution apart is its customization for smaller airports with fewer touchpoints. It standardizes hardware and support, streamlining infrastructure and enhancing operational ease. SITA Flex Essentials maximizes the efficient use of limited physical space, facilitating seamless transitions between dedicated and shared check-in and boarding gate counters. Its plug-and-play functionality eliminates the need for onsite infrastructure while ensuring robust security measures are in place.
Product Overview
The key benefits of SITA Flex Essentials for Newcastle Airport included
- Substantial reduction in airport costs, achieved through infrastructure simplification
- Operation within a common use environment at significantly reduced expenses, without compromising functionality
- Accessibility to leading passenger processing capabilities via cloud technology, making advanced IT solutions affordable and attainable for regional airports
- Cost-effective adoption of shared common use approaches, resulting in savings on infrastructure, space, and maintenance
The Benefits And Results
"We've achieved significant cost savings, both in hardware expenses and maintenance costs. It allows us to grow without increasing our internal footprint."
Through the adoption of SITA's cloud-based solution, SITA Flex Essentials, Newcastle Airport successfully reduced operational costs and complexity. The airport was able to leverage common use infrastructure across their preferred devices, eliminating the need for expensive certified equipment. This not only resulted in cost savings but also enhanced control over hardware choices.
By being the first regional airport globally to implement this customized solution, Newcastle Airport streamlined its hardware and support, simplifying its overall infrastructure and improving operational efficiency. The airport now efficiently manages limited physical space and seamlessly transitions between dedicated and shared counters while ensuring stringent security standards are maintained.
The implementation of SITA Flex Essentials not only reduced Newcastle Airport's operational costs but also positioned it as a technologically advanced regional airport, capable of offering leading passenger processing capabilities. This approach paved the way for future enhancements, such as self-boarding, self-bag drops, and off-airport processing, further elevating the passenger experience and strengthening NTL's position as a prominent regional airport hub.
“SITA’s Flex Essentials gives us the flexibility to move from a smaller, regional airport to provide services and capabilities that you might see in some larger airports."