The AirTurn platform shares information about turn events such as baggage loading and refuelling more quickly, giving the control tower a more accurate departure or Target Off-Block Time to feed into the airport’s overall flying programme.
Without the system, changes are updated through paperwork and radio communications before being recorded into the system and communicated to the control tower and EUROCONTROL.
The platform is accessed through Gatwick’s Community App, which is used by ground handling staff across the airport.
It is used at other airports worldwide including those in the VINCI Airports network, which has a 50.01% stake in Gatwick.
Karl Sulsh, Innovation and Commercial IT Manager at Gatwick Airport says: “We are delighted to offer our new AirTurn platform more widely to our partners at Gatwick Airport, in what is a step forward in reducing delays and improving on-time performance. We created the platform after listening to our ground handlers and have delivered a digital solution that improves communication and provides fast, accurate information from the airfield in real time.”