Delhi airport launches new system to improve airside operations

In efforts to streamline airside operations, Delhi airport operator DIAL has launched the UTAM system that will help reduce delays, improve turnaround time and also track the speed of all airside vehicles to check for any violations, among other elements. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), and radar systems, the Unified Total Airside Management (UTAM) will collect data, help identify issues or delays and trigger alerts to prevent problems before they happen, according to a release.

The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has established a centralised control room to monitor and manage all activities, and the UTAM will track all airside vehicles such as baggage carts, fuel trucks and maintenance vehicles, in real-time.

Generally, airside operations refer to those activities related to an aircraft, including take-off, landing, parking and refuelling. Multiple stakeholders, including ground handling service providers are involved.


In the release on Tuesday, DIAL said the UTAM will provide a real-time view of aircraft movements within a 10, 40, and 70-mile radius as well as track and monitor aircraft that are hovering in the airspace.

Apart from utilisation of parking stands and use of baggage trolleys, the new system will track runway occupancy, taxiing time and taxiway allocation, which will help improve collaborative decision making and the efficiency of the airport operations control centre.

Among other aspects, the system will keep a tab on the speed of all airside vehicles and also ensure that Ground Support Equipment (GSE) stays on its designated path. In case, there are any violations, alerts will be issued, the release said.

"UTAM will not only enhance operational efficiency but also ensure a safer environment for passengers and airport staff. By applying AI and ML, we can predict and prevent delays, optimise turnarounds, and ensure smoother coordination between stakeholders like airlines, ground handlers, and security teams," DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said.

DIAL has completed the pilot project of the UTAM with Akasa Airlines and said other airlines will be onboarded in a phased manner over the next two to three months.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), operated by DIAL, is the country's busiest airport and handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.