WAISL Introduces Digital Twin-Powered Airport Operations Command Centre Using AWS Technology

Amazon Web Services (AWS) India, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, has announced that WAISL Limited has developed a digital twin-powered integrated Airport Operations Command Center (APOC) on AWS. This innovation aims to revolutionise airport operations and enhance passenger experiences. WAISL, which specialises in digital transformation services with a focus on aviation, plans to implement this solution at a major Indian airport soon and expand internationally by 2025.

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The APOC solution is designed to improve airport efficiency and passenger satisfaction through digital twins. These virtual models represent physical airport elements, systems, or processes. The solution utilises artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), video and data analytics, and computer vision. This approach aims to address challenges like airport congestion, which affects airline punctuality in India, where nearly 80 million passengers flew in the first half of 2024.

Real-Time Monitoring and Insights

Functioning as a central nervous system, the APOC will facilitate real-time monitoring and management of airport operations. It will cover activities from check-in to security and traffic control for passengers, vehicles, and aircraft. Passengers will receive real-time updates on flight details, wait times, gate changes, baggage status, and personalised recommendations for nearby restaurants and duty-free offers.

Simultaneously, the system will provide operational insights to airports, airlines, and ground-handling staff. These insights are generated by collecting and analysing data from various platforms within the airport ecosystem. The APOC integrates data from over 40 systems, addresses more than 250 use cases, and tracks over 100 performance indicators. It offers predictive and prescriptive intelligence using advanced AI and ML algorithms embedded within the solution.

Advanced Capabilities with AWS

The vast amount of airport data is made manageable through WAISL's solution, which relies on AWS for resilience, scalability, security, and low latency. Pankaj Gupta, Leader of Public Sector at AWS India and South Asia, expressed enthusiasm about supporting WAISL in accelerating innovation in air travel across India and beyond.

The digital twin-powered APOC enables airports to integrate real-time situational awareness and predictive analytics. It also incorporates AI and ML capabilities to help prevent delays, overcrowding, inefficiencies in resource allocation, and optimise turnaround management. To develop this solution, WAISL utilised various AWS services that provide AI, ML, and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities for comprehensive monitoring and management of airport operations.

Predictive Analytics with Amazon SageMaker

The APOC can predict demand and potential disruptions by using Amazon SageMaker. This fully managed service allows for building, training, and deploying AI/ML models. Rishi Mehta, President and CEO of WAISL, stated: "In the digital age, transformative impact stems not from technology alone but from its bold, strategic application to complex operational challenges. This is where WAISLs digital twin-powered integrated Airport Operations Command Center excels."

This innovative approach promises to enhance the efficiency of airports by integrating advanced technologies into their operations. By leveraging AWS's robust infrastructure and services, WAISL aims to set new standards in managing airport operations both domestically and internationally.