Thales Partners With Adani Airports To Improve Operational Efficiency

Adani Airport Holdings or AAHL, an Indian private airport operator, has entered into a strategic partnership with global technology leader Thales to overhaul airport operations and improve passenger experiences across the country. This collaboration focuses on deploying Thales' cutting-edge technologies, including biometric solutions and a smart Airport Operation Control Centre (APOC), at all AAHL-operated airports, aligning with India’s digital transformation vision.

Thales’ Fly to Gate biometric solution, already operational at seven of AAHL’s airports, has transformed passenger journeys by integrating facial recognition technology with India's DigiYatra program. This allows pre-enrolled passengers to move seamlessly through airport checkpoints without the need to show ID or boarding passes, reducing processing time by up to 30 per cent. The biometric solution is fully compliant with privacy standards and offers a secure, streamlined experience for millions of travellers.

Building on this success, Thales has been awarded an additional contract to establish the APOC at all AAHL-managed airports. This cloud-based platform will centralise airport management by integrating data from various subsystems and sensors at each airport. By utilising advanced automation, big data analytics, and AI-driven algorithms, the APOC will enhance airport efficiency, improve security, and help anticipate and manage resource shortages in real-time.

The APOC will provide a digital platform to intelligently process operational data, enabling airports to predict potential bottlenecks and adjust resources accordingly. This proactive approach is expected to significantly boost operational efficiency and ensure smoother airport management.

Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Director India, Thales, highlighted the importance of this partnership, saying, “We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with Adani Airport Holdings Limited, bringing innovative technology solutions that will revolutionise airport operations and passenger experiences across India. Our Fly to Gate biometric solution for DigiYatra and the smart Airport Operation Control Centre (APOC) will allow AAHL to streamline operations while ensuring secure and simplified journeys for millions of passengers. Together, we are committed to supporting India in its vision of becoming the largest aviation market in the world by 2047."

AAHL currently manages seven major airports in India, including hubs in key cities, where these technologies are being deployed. With these advancements, AAHL aims to lead the next generation of airport management, contributing to India’s goal of creating a world-class aviation infrastructure by 2047.