Airports

Seville to become the world’s first airport with all autonomous and remotely controlled and operated PBBs.

Barcelona, 2^nd March 2021 – ADELTE, a Spanish engineering group based in Barcelona and the world leading specialist in the design and manufacture of Airport and Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) has recently been contracted by the Spanish airports operator AENA to implement ARCOS^®  an innovative and state-of-the-art Remote Control Operating System developed by ADELTE which allows PBBs to be remotely operated from the airport’s technical control room and manoeuvred autonomously to and from all types of commercial aircraft.

ARCOS^® is part of a contract through which ADELTE will replace all current boarding systems and design, manufacture and install six (6) PBBs, six (6) Pre-conditioned Air Units (PCAs), six (6) Ground Power Units (GPUs) and fourteen (14) Visual Docking Guidance Systems (VDGS) at Seville Airport.

ARCOS^® has been developed by ADELTE’s engineers over the past five years. The objective of the system is to efficiently reduce operating times and accurately dock and undock PBBs in all weather conditions, whilst at the same time reducing the airport’s OpEx by centralizing PBB operations.

In 2020, the system was successfully tested with four airlines at Seville Airport and with PBBs that were not designed and manufactured by ADELTE, proving that the system can be implemented with any PBB made by any Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Furthermore, Bureau Veritas has certified ARCOS^® as compliant with Directive 2006/42/EC on Machinery, making ARCOS^® a secure system with all the necessary ISO guarantees to operate PBBs remotely.

The initiative developed with ADELTE and the innovation projects in which AENA is currently working, constitute an emerging asset for the Spanish airport operator, whose objective is to promote the implementation of technological solutions that make processes and services more efficient in the airport environment.

Patxi Artiz, Airport Business Unit Director at ADELTE commented: “ARCOS^® is the solution that will mark a turning point in PBB handling and have an impact on airport operations around the world. ARCOS^® stands for highly efficient procedures, significant cost savings and reduction in docking and undocking times which benefits both passengers and airport operators”.

Barcelona, 19^th September 2019 – ADELTE, an engineering group based in Barcelona and the world’s leading specialist in the design and manufacture of Airport and Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges will officially relaunch its revamped Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) docking simulator Apronaut at the world’s leading exhibition for airport equipment “Inter Airport Europe” on 8-11 October 2019 in Munich

ADELTE, already well-known for their PBB and Preconditioned Air Unit (PCA) product lines, returns to Inter Airport this year with their improved PBB docking simulator Apronaut. Apronaut is the world’s first software-based PBB docking simulator, allowing comprehensive training for PBB operators in a zero-risk environment. The simulator allows staff to train repeatedly, performing docking and undocking procedures on any type of aircraft, quickly gaining skills and confidence without the need to risk real equipment or take PBBs out of service.

Apronaut was first launched at Inter Airport in 2011 and, due to an increased interest from airports around the globe, the system has been redeveloped over the past year to include a flat screen displaying the aircraft and PBB cabin, and a real control & drive console. Thanks to Apronaut’s custom-made hardware and software, users can practice docking in the most realistic way possible, using control panels matching those of any PBB at any airport in the world, and visualising various types of aircrafts and airport environments as well as the movements of a PBB, adapted to any situation.  With HD graphics, real-time control, a tailor-made screen, and a real operator desk, Apronaut’s realistic virtual apron environment offers a rich interactive multimedia experience in which trainees can make mistakes without consequences.

Apronaut’s patented software generates detailed reports on user training, allowing supervisors to monitor progress, compare performance statistics, and assess whether trainees are ready to obtain their PBB operator certificate. The simulator’s active internet connection, secure remote database, and specially designed Apronaut Cloud website means that users can view reports and manage training from any PC or mobile device. Last but not least, supervisors obtain specific insights through Apronaut’s data-analytics, for example

• At which stands trainees have most problems with docking manoeuvres (related to time, incoherent actions, etc.)
• Which are the most common mistakes made by trainees or operators carrying out retraining
• Global and specific KPI’s, established by specific stand, aircraft or operator.

During the Inter Airport Europe trade-show, attendees are invited to visit the ADELTE stand number 1442 to experience the future of PBB docking first-hand. Visitors can either see a live demonstration or even practice with the Apronaut docking simulator themselves.

The incorrect operation of an airport passenger boarding bridge can cause huge losses for any airline and airport. Whether its damage to the fuselage of the aircraft or personal injuries to passengers and crew; the economic and reputational losses for an airport or airline can be disastrous.

If in addition to these risks we add the increase in security measures and passenger access control, the result is a bad boarding experience do to fact that passengers do not perceive comfort and convenience.

For these reasons, ADELTE in collaboration with Group Infaimon and Leitat Managing Technologies, have started the “SPB Project” (Secure and Safe Passenger Boarding Bridges) to improve and ensure a comfortable, safe and fast passenger boarding process at airports all around the world.

Project Budget: 735.975,09 €

Financial Framework: RTC

Contract number: RTC-2017-6141-8

Start Date: 01/07/2018

End Date: 30/06/2021

Partners:

Financiado por: FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia,Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación/_Proyecto RTC-2017-6141-8

Objetivo Temático del Programa Operativo: Promover el desarrollo tecnológico, la innovación y una investigación de calidad