Delhi airport launches new AI-enabled platform to optimise airside operations, reduce flight delays, BA

GMR Airports-led Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has introduced the Unified Total Airside Management (UTAM) system, a revolutionary solution aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and coordination in airside operations. This state-of-the-art system integrates real-time data from various sources across the airport, enabling precise monitoring of aircraft movements, ground service equipment (GSE), and vehicle activity.

Developed in-house by DIAL with the assistance of service provider WAISL, UTAM leverages cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), and radar systems. By consolidating data from multiple sources into a single platform, UTAM enhances communication and collaboration between all stakeholders, including airlines, ground handlers, and airport authorities, ensuring smoother operations on the tarmac.

UTAM’s primary goal is to increase operational efficiency and improve safety. The system tracks the movement of GSE and airside vehicles in real-time, monitoring compliance with service level agreements, ensuring that speed limits are adhered to, and quickly identifying delays or deviations. One of the key features of UTAM is its ability to track aircraft hovering in airspace and monitor taxiway and runway usage, allowing airport teams to make data-driven decisions that improve overall airside preparedness.

The implementation of UTAM marks a significant milestone for DIAL, as the system is the first of its kind at an Indian airport. The newly established centralized control room will allow for the real-time monitoring and management of all airside activities, making operations more transparent and efficient.

Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, expressed excitement about the system’s launch, saying, “The introduction of UTAM is a major step towards enhancing safety, efficiency, and coordination at Delhi Airport. By leveraging AI and ML, we can predict and prevent delays, streamline turnarounds, and ensure better collaboration between airlines, ground handlers, and security teams.”

The system was successfully pilot-tested with Akasa Airlines and will be rolled out to other airlines over the next two to three months. UTAM is poised to set a new benchmark for airside operations, not just in India, but internationally, as DIAL continues to lead the way in airport innovation.