Travel technology company Amadeus and Microsoft have launched a Virtual Airport Operations Centre (APOC) designed to improve day-to-day management of airport operations. 

The app-based solution integrates with Microsoft Teams and allows for stakeholders to communicate in a “fully digitalised airport operations centre” to allow for a quicker response to disruption. 

Rudy Daniello, executive vice president for airport and airlines operations at Amadeus, said: “The aviation industry is working hard to deliver flights on-time with minimal disruption, often in challenging circumstances. Yet we know data silos and outdated communications channels are making the job even harder. 

“That’s why we’ve invested and worked with Microsoft to deliver a virtual operations centre that can super-charge collaboration and improve decision-making at the airport.” 

The project is Amadeus’ second joint venture with tech giant Microsoft and was developed in line with industry concerns, with a survey by the company recently finding that 67% of airline are experience similar or greater levels of disruption than 2019, with a lack of shared technology the largest reason blamed. 

The product is just one of an ever-growing range of virtual focussed solutions designed to improve airport operations, with some, like Copenhagen Airport and Netcompany’s AIRHART, bringing digitalisation to the entire airport ecosystem. 

However, Amadeus says old fashioned technology and a lack of a shared platform for the variety of partners working in and around an airport at any one time has stifled innovation and quick reactions to issues by limiting communications and situational awareness. 

Julie Shainock, managing director of travel, transport and logistics for Microsoft, said: “The combination of our experience in cloud computing and user experience, with Amadeus’ deep understanding of aviation processes, means we’ve been able to accelerate development to answer the industry’s need for a comprehensive, shared operations management tool."