Ottawa-based Searidge Technologies is starting a nine-month demonstration of its Smart Stand ramp digitalisation platform at Ottawa International Airport.

Using artificial intelligence (AI), Smart Stand enables the digitalisation of ramp operations. An aircraft turnaround includes hundreds of individual tasks with the involvement of many airport and airline stakeholders, who have limited coordination and automation tools. Smart Stand should improve accuracy and automate the generation of timestamps for key turnaround processes such as aircraft on-off block times, service vehicle arrival and departure, passenger deplaning and boarding, and ramp safety checks.

At the airport, Smart Stand will provide real-time monitoring of airport gates and stream data to the airport operations control centre. This demonstration aims to enhance data collection and analysis capabilities while showcasing operational improvements for both the airport and its airline partners. Automated stand turnaround tracking services are pivotal for enhancing the safety and efficiency of airport and airline operations. Benefits include improved on-time performance, optimisation of available infrastructure, reduction of operator workload and the ability to predict delays before they impact performance.

Smart Stand is available as a standalone product or integrated into the Searidge’s platform, a collaborative, non-proprietary, open environment that enables aviation stakeholders such as airports, airlines, ground handling service providers and air navigation service providers to share data with each other in a way that adheres to cyber-security best practices and provides high availability and fault tolerance.

“We are thrilled to build on several successful collaborations with Searidge Technologies that have improved our airside situational awareness and safety posture,” said Mark Laroche, CEO of Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA). “Smart Stand’s data and analysis capabilities, coupled with operational efficiencies, will ultimately mean improved performance for all airside players and better service for our passengers.”

Moodie Cheikh, CEO of Searidge Technologies, added: “OIAA has been a long time partner and collaborator of Searidge’s and we value their willingness to join us on our mission to digitally transform apron operations. We are excited to partner with the OIAA and its airline clients to showcase the power and capabilities of the technology at Canada’s capital airport and become an AI-model airport to the world.”

OIAA (yow.ca) manages, operates and develops airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of Canada’s capital region, generating more than $2.2bn annually in total economic activity in Ottawa and Gatineau.

Searidge (www.searidgetech.com) develops technology to improve safety and efficiency in the aviation market, with technology at more than 40 sites in 25 countries.