Photo/Shetuwang

Apr. 24 (NBD) -- "Teams of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) used to depend on data collected afterwards from aircraft services providers to monitor flight operations, which is comparatively passive. But the AS2 system can provide real-time operations visibility with descriptive and predictive AI-enabled analytics to the airport," said Jerrel Leung, chief architect with Ubizense, an Internet of Things (IoT) start-up.

"AS2" that Leung talked about refers to IoT-Augmented Airfield Service System that brings real-time visibility to the work force of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

The system is helping the HKIA, which is managed and operated by the AA, cope with challenges brought by increasing air traffic, Leung told the 21st Century Business Herald.

Not only AI which powers the AS2, but also big data, IoT and other advanced technologies are expected to assist the HKIA to increase air capacity and solve problems in airport management.

One of the busiest passenger and cargo airports across the globe, the HKIA in 2018 handled 74.7 million passengers, 427,725 air traffic movements as well as 5.1 million tonnes of cargo and air mail.

Besides, rapid development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) entails a constant upgrading of infrastructure, which sets a higher demand for the Hong Kong airport to maintain its competitive edge by employing new technologies.

Waiman Cheung, director with the Asian Institute of Supply Chains and Logistics of Chinese University of Hong Kong, said to the 21st Century Business Herald that currently Hong Kong takes the leading position in terms of airport management within the GBA but has small market space and high human resource cost.

"Enterprises like the AA or the MTR Corporation can pass on their management experience to other cities in the GBA and in return, the region can offer better environment to technology startups (which can further facilitate operation of the AA and companies alike)," Cheung commented.

Andy Bien, chief information officer of the AA, pointed out earlier at the Internet Economy Summit held on April 15 that it's important for the HKIA to develop itself into a smart airport. Bien hoped that in the future, the majority of data would be collected and analyzed by machine and expected deeper cooperation with related industry players.

Email: gaohan@nbd.com.cm