The Challenge
In the second phase of our work with Budapest Airport, the client asked AiQ Consulting to look at Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT) following the first phase, a capacity assessment for their current departures and arrival baggage process. This project took place in three phases. The third, taking place currently, involves day-to-day operations.
In the first phase, we defined the capacity for Budapest Airport, the largest airport in Hungary serving 14.8 million passengers in 2018, surveyed the baggage hall and entire Ground Services Equipment (GSE) fleet to devise three MUP demarcation options, carried out onsite architectural surveys, established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), defined Best Practices, introduced a management system by creating a new job role and established suitable location for an Early Bag Store (EBS).
The next challenge was to take everything that we had analysed, surveyed and presented and put it into practice for the airport.
The Solution
Our outputs from the first phase were essential in orchestrating this transition. They included CAD scheme level drawings produced by AiQ’s in-house architect, that allowed the client to define their capacity, as well as other analytic tools. Our own bespoke demand, capacity and simulation modelling tool, TransvisionAiR™, allowed the client to envisage the changes to the baggage line, carousals lines, check in desks, and so on during the changes in operations. Our MUP plans and clear airport capacity scenario models helped the clients understand what their problems were, communicating the results and enabling smart decision making.
We engaged with airlines and ground handlers to introduce the new practices, got the new practices agreed, and then trained the ground handling staff as well as the new airport management staff to work those practices. We also helped airport operations team implement the new ways of working. The new SOPs were also implemented, including the SOP for the EBS.
This was, essentially, turning the work in the first phase into a reality for the airport and embedded the day to day operations and management
The Benefits
We enabled Budapest Airport to experience a smooth transition from the old operation to the new operation. Crucially, no bags or flights were missed on day one of operations. Our work allowed them to plan ahead with confidence.
We were able to communicate effectively with, the Head of Airport Operations and the head of Baggage at Budapest Airport and the COO of Budapest Airport Ltd. We also worked with high profile airlines such as Emirates and the Lufthansa Group to engage with stakeholders throughout the process.
Phase three of the project is now ongoing and involves regular visits from our team to the airport to assist with operational issues, including check in, security, and more, to provide ongoing support.
- Holistic view delivering real value to overall airport operations
- Capacity assessment on various scenarios
- Increased capacity and flexibility
- Efficient stakeholder management
- Improved passenger customer service and airport experience
- Expert baggage systems knowledge
- Recommendation of new technologies
- Improved operational practices
- Operational assistance through introduction of new SOPs and management roles
What the client says
“AiQ Consulting continues to do a great job, working with authenticity and professionalism as always, with the entire Budapest Airport team. Their continued support throughout the transition has supported the airport to grow, ensured stability of BHS operations and enabled to meet new challenges, and we look forward to working with them through the next phase for operational projects. “
Huszka Péter – Chief Operating Officer, Budapest Airport
“The use and analysis of data communicated so effectively through TransvisionAiR® allowed us to see the changes to the baggage system in real time and throughout the transition. This gave our team a great understanding of where problems could occur and allowed us, alongside AiQ, to plan ahead to solve them.”
Head of Airport Operations, Budapest Airport
