Modernizing Passenger Information Systems at Windsor International Airport
In 2023, Windsor International Airport engaged us to upgrade their outdated Public Address (PA) and Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) while minimizing disruptions to daily operations. This was achieved through the deployment of a robust, unified cloud solution, Airport CX, which integrates nearly the full suite of services offered by Simpleway. The upgrade modernized the airport’s technology, improving both the efficiency of passenger information delivery and the management of airport operations.
Flight Information Display System
Simpleway created automated flight information display content templates, including flight information and videowall advertisements, to meet Windsor Airport's unique requirements, ensuring they aligned with the airport's branding. These templates are now deployed across 32 screens as part of the newly integrated system.
Arrival and Departure screens
In addition to providing separate flight lists for arrivals and departures, Windsor International Airport requested a split-screen format that simultaneously displays both arrivals and departures for the current and following day.
Check-in screens
At the check-in areas, our templates provide flexibility by showcasing airline-specific designs when available, or defaulting to a real-time flight information display for airlines without a custom design. This ensures that every airline is represented with clear, up-to-date information while offering a tailored experience where possible. During periods with no flights in the next three hours, the screen content features advertisements, maximizing the use of display space and providing an additional revenue stream for the airport .
Gate screens
In the boarding areas, our templates offer the same flexibility as the check-in screens. Gate displays automatically switch to airline-specific designs for the airline assigned to the gate, while a default gate design with real-time flight information is shown for airlines without custom templates. This ensures a consistent and dynamic presentation of information, enhancing both branding opportunities and passenger experience.
Baggage claim screens
Baggage claim screens allow passengers to easily locate their designated baggage claim area and track the progress of their luggage in real-time. They display information for each assigned flight on its respective belt, along with real-time updates on the baggage unloading process, which are managed by operators through the Tugman User Interface.
Voice Announcements Management System
The new system integrates Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology for public announcements, delivering automated messages in both English and French that are fluent and natural-sounding. This approach provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for creating and updating announcement libraries, while allowing the airport to incorporate real-time flight data into the TTS announcements.
Intuitive Role-Based User Interfaces
To streamline operations and enhance passenger flow the system also features simple role-based user interfaces, specifically designed for different use cases to minimize complex manual inputs and enhance user efficiency:
Gate UI - A user interface designed for managing gate operations.
Tugman UI - A user interface for baggage claim operations.
Baggage UI - A system for handling baggage-related announcements and information.
nnounce hardware
Simpleway has provided Windsor International Airport with nnounce micnode2h and micnode mini paging stations, alongside the nnounce ampnode4 amplifiers, all built on the nnounce platform.
These devices deliver high-quality audio and efficient paging capabilities, work in perfect harmony with digital signage and public address software on the Airport CX platform. They also effortlessly integrate with the advanced Q-SYS platform, ensuring a cohesive and effective communication system throughout the airport.
All nnounce products share a commitment to superior audio quality, user-friendly design and robust security measures.
Thank you for reading this article and we hope you learned something new about Airport CX and how it can benefit your airport.
Join us in creating more technologically advanced airports for all! Explore more at airport.cx and contact us to embark on your journey to aviation excellence.