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Evolving world of Ground Handling
Insights from Blaine Powell, Chief Sales Officer at Ink Innovation – as featured in Ground Handling International, April 2024
The world of ground handling is facing unprecedented challenges. As passenger numbers increase, the old methods, focused on rigid PCs at counters and tightly controlled costs, are no longer adequate to meet travellers' expectations. Blaine Powell argues that it’s time for ground handlers to fully embrace mobile technology to deliver more efficient and flexible services.
Ink Innovation has led the way in rethinking how passengers are served at airports, moving from clunky, fixed infrastructure to mobile-first solutions that empower agents and streamline processes. Mobile devices have allowed airlines, such as Sunrise Airways, to tackle common operational hurdles, including resource limitations and power disruptions, and enabled them to deploy new airport operations in as little as 24 hours. Powell points out that mobile technologies help the airline’s ground handlers become more responsive, providing a faster, more personal passenger experience—wherever it is needed.
Sunrise Airways' experience is a case in point. By using Ink Touch, the airline optimised passenger handling, ramp operations, and baggage reconciliation—cutting down processing times significantly and driving ancillary revenue up by 47%. According to Patris Nicolas Tardieu, IT Director at Sunrise, the speed of their mobile system has even led to passengers remarking on the efficiency of check-ins, with average processing times now taking only 90 seconds per traveller.
Beyond check-in, mobile systems like Ink’s offer the full range of ground handling features, from boarding to bag drop and turnaround management—all integrated seamlessly with airline back-end systems. Powell emphasises the simplicity and flexibility of these tools, noting that they reduce training time, eliminate infrastructure expenses, and offer ground handlers an innovative solution without the high costs traditionally associated with maintaining old systems.
Read the full article in Ground Handling International, April 2024.
Community of Valencia grant to support Ink's initiatives
Ink Innovation is supported by the Community of Valencia to promote its products in new international markets.
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