Lido electronic Aircraft Performance Monitoring optimizes airline operations
Just in time for the Asian Aerospace 2007 expo and conference in Hong Kong, Lufthansa Systems launched its latest product innovation, Lido electronic Aircraft Performance Monitoring (eAPM). Lido eAPM is a web-based tool for the determination of in-flight performance levels of an aircraft and especially its propulsion and flight control efficiency. The solution enables an airline to calculate the performance correction factor of an individual aircraft which, in turn, creates opportunities to save fuel and costs, plan maintenance, and deploy individual aircraft more efficiently. Being accessible via the Internet, the application offers customers a new level of flexibility to work with the data as compared to previous versions.
The efficiency of a flight mostly depends on an exact fuel calculation. As a specific aircraft’s actual fuel consumption may differ from the average data stated by its manufacturer, every plane has an individual performance correction factor which expresses the margin between the actual and the stated performance data. Based on this factor and relevant regulatory requirements, the crew determines the total amount of fuel for the flight. Authorities such as the FAA and JAA have issued specific guidelines for the amount of extra fuel to be carried.
The new Lido eAPM service enables airlines to minimize fuel carried within the framework of FAA and JAA regulations. The authorities accept a continuous monitoring of each single aircraft in the fleet as a precondition to operate based on corrected aircraft-specific performance factors. The airline thus saves the extra fuel otherwise required to be carried which is good news from an economical as well as ecological perspective. Airlines can choose either to process the collected data themselves or to have them analyzed as a full service package by Lufthansa Systems. The new web interface gives airlines easier real-time access to their data at any time. Customizable graphical management reports make Lido eAPM even more user-friendly for strategic planning purposes.
Beyond fulfilling regulatory requirements and minimizing fuel burn, Lido eAPM gives airlines more flexibility in their operations. Airlines are now able to verify the contracted values after a major modification such as winglet installation or after engine upgrading. Engines showing atypical performance developments can be scheduled for maintenance in due time. Fleet management is more flexible in assigning aircraft to certain routes according to their special characteristics. For example, aircraft with relatively low fuel burn parameters can be assigned to routes requiring maximum range-payload performance. All in all, Lido eAPM is a step forward not only towards more efficient airline operations, but also towards the common goal of greener aviation.
Processing ticketless bookings with Quasi e-Ticketing
To meet the special requirements of so called hybrid carriers, Lufthansa Systems has developed the ticketing solution QIX "quasi e-ticket". These airlines combine elements from different business models and sell their capacities to tour operators, via travel agents and via the Internet at the same time.
For each distribution channel, ticketless travel is available. Passengers make reservations as usual, e. g. online or with a travel agent who has access to the appropriate reservations systems. The reservation is automatically booked without a ticket, and the passenger receives a reservation confirmation which he will need together with a valid ID or passport for check-in.
While for the passenger electronic tickets and ticketless travel are quite similar, for the airline there is a major difference. Compared to e-ticketing, ticketless booking systems are not integrated with the airline's passenger systems so that adjoining business processes such as check-in or revenue accounting need to be handled manually. With Lufthansa Systems’ QIX solution, ticketless bookings are converted to a "quasi e-ticket" so that they can be processed automatically.
QIX applies if the booking does not contain all the information needed for an electronic ticket or an electronic ticket cannot be issued because of specific conditions. So the solution is not just suitable for hybrid carriers, but is an attractive solution for new distribution channels of other airlines as well.
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