WORLD BUSINESS PARTNERS

The latest global news from ACI’s World Business Partners.

Pizza, anyone?

Lightening fast pizza operator, Blaze Pizza, has opened an outlet at John Wayne Airport’s Terminal B/C courtesy of a new partnership between global restaurateur, HMSHost, and partner S&C Robinson Enterprise.

The Californian gateway notes that the addition of Blaze Pizza expands the dining options for its travellers with a segment-leading fast casual pizza experience.

“Delivering the best dining experiences available to travellers is HMSHost’s passion and our partnership with John Wayne Airport continues to make this happen,” says its vice president of business development, Iris Messina.

“We appreciate John Wayne Airport and the County of Orange for the opportunity to enhance the experience in their airport with the addition of Blaze Pizza.”

According to the gateway, “travellers often seek speed and quality” when choosing where to eat, and it believes that Blaze Pizza’s made-to-order pizzas and efficient service format are perfect for busy airport travellers.

Guests can also download a free HMSHost ‘Host2Coast’ app directly to a mobile device via QR code to pre-order their meal from Blaze Pizza, pay and schedule a pick-up time up to four hours in advance. 

Edinburgh Airport deploys Everbridge’s CEM platform

Everbridge has announced that Scotland’s busiest gateway, Edinburgh Airport (EDI), has implemented its Critical Event Management (CEM) platform to improve efficiency and streamline communications during emergencies.

According to Everbridge, the system will replace and simplify multiple manual processes, speeding up the effectiveness of communication across operations from the emergency services team through to airlines, retail units and local agencies.

The airport reveals that it selected Everbridge’s CEM platform because it has the ability to rapidly locate employees at risk and, crucially, will provide the airport with enhanced and actionable risk intelligence, and help with incident preparation and response.

“Previously our challenge was getting the right information to the right people,” admits EDI’s senior operations and resilience manager, airport operations and assurance, Myles Grima.

“In order to be more effective, we needed to improve efficiency and eliminate duplication. We are now doing this with Everbridge, and we can now accurately communicate with all the people who work on site in every operational area and manage this through a single, integrated view to mitigate the impact of critical events.

“By using Everbridge, we are aiming to set new benchmarks in aviation incident management.”

During phase one, the airport is using Everbridge to target emergency services, the airlines that are serving the airport, on-site retail outlets, and support agencies including Transport Scotland and Edinburgh City Council, who are involved with resilience planning.

This will allow it to automate its management of critical incidents ranging from an aircraft accident through to the challenges posed by snowstorms and extreme weather events. Additionally, the airport is utilising Everbridge’s conference calling feature, which instantly connects key stakeholders, cutting the time and effort needed to arrange a traditional multi-party call.

The next stage for the airport will be phase two, ‘Airport Control Futures’, which will address technology such as perimeter security and fire alarms, and how these can be integrated into Everbridge.

“I have been involved with crisis teams for about eight years and encountered all sorts of events and emergencies. Even at phase one of the Everbridge implementation, we can really see the potential of the solution and this is very exciting for us. As soon as our team became involved in the project, they re-defined the art of the possible,” adds Grima.

Making history in Hamad

Thyssenkrupp Airport Solutions is busy working on the biggest service contract in its history after signing a new deal with Qatar’s Hamad International Airport that it is worth in excess of Ђ100 million.

The company is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 90 passenger boarding bridges (PBBs), more than 500 pieces of equipment that includes the Ground Power Units that supply parked aircraft with electricity and air conditioning, 234 elevators, 105 escalators and 52 moving walkways across the Doha gateway.

“As the global population continues to rise, and our globalised world becomes even more connected, efficient mobility of people inside airports has become a major issue of concern, making it just as important as the actual flights,” says Peter Walker, CEO at Thyssenkrupp Elevator.

The biggest service contract in the history of Thyssenkrupp Elevator’s airport solutions business will be sustained by around 420 employees that the company assure will “deliver the highest standards required in one of the most important airports worldwide”.

“It is a great privilege and honour for us to enter in a long-term partnership with this important client who has deposited his confidence in Thyssenkrupp,” says Jorge Menendez, services director at Thyssenkrupp Airport Solutions. 

Asian Kitchen opens in Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3

Asian Street Kitchen has become the latest innovative F&B outlet to open at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Located in Terminal 3’s Concourse A, Asian Street Kichen comprises Double Fried Chicken, Ramen & Dumplings, Rice & Noodles and Tiger Beer’s Tiger Street Den, which between them offer a selection of Asian inspired bites, breakfasts and main meals, desserts and drinks.

Concessionaire, Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR), reveals that Asian Street Kitchen has been designed around the Urban street-style of the far east. As a result, it features an eclectic mix of street art, graffiti and pop art throughout with bold neon lights, bright posters and rustic table settings for a unique, authentic experience of Asian culture before passengers jet off on their travels.

Commenting on the openings, ELR CEO, Andrew Day, said: “We are delighted to introduce Asian Street Kitchen exclusively to DXB as a global first concept. We’re confident that Asian Street Kitchen will be a much-loved addition to the airport dining offerings, and we hope passengers see this cool, vibrant hub as a must-visit destination to kick off their holiday in the best way possible.”