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News, views and reviews from ACI’s regional and global World Business Partners.
Bahrain’s vision of the future
Bahrain International Airport’s new passenger terminal will boast a host of state-of-the-art technologies that include an Automated Border Control (ABC) platform supplied by Vision-Box.
The ongoing Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP) is one of the biggest national projects in the Kingdom’s history and is designed to elevate BIA’s infrastructure, facilities, and services, transforming it into a world-class boutique airport and a key driver of national economic growth.
The new complex, which will raise the gateway’s capacity to 14 million passengers per annum, will be equipped with advanced biometric technology to improve safety and security as well as comfort and convenience for passengers.
Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO of operator Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), says: “One of the Airport Modernisation Programme’s most important objectives is to enhance the overall airport experience.
“The new Automated Border Control platform will play a key role in achieving this goal by giving passengers more control over their journeys and streamlining time-consuming immigration and security formalities.
“BAC is pleased to partner with Vision-Box to bring this state-of-the-art technology to BIA. I am confident that the new platform will help to reinforce our status as a friendly and efficient airport.”
In addition, 22 new eGates will enable travellers to pass through immigration checkpoints faster and with less staff involvement, while still maintaining a high level of security.

Vietnam success for Dutch companies
Royal HaskoningDHV has signed a Letter of Intent with the Vietnamese city of Da Nang to co-operate on the development of an airport city concept at Da Nang International Airport.
It will work with subsidiary, NACO, and Eindhoven International Project Office on the ambitious project, which was one of a number of trade deals signed by a Dutch delegation to Vietnam earlier this year.

That winning feeling
The Plaza Premium Lounge in London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 has been voted the ‘World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge’ in the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards, narrowly beating its Hong Kong and Brisbane lounges which also made the global Top 10.
“It is such a pleasure for Plaza Premium Lounge to once again be named as the world’s best independent airport lounge,” said Song Hoi-see, founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group.
“As a world leader in airport hospitality, we are committed to continuously enhancing our experience to alleviate the pain points of travellers.
“In the past year, we have put much effort in to upgrading our service quality and adding new features – from zone planning, ambient design, furniture selection, food and beverage offerings to facilities that cater to different travel types.
“Our goal remains unchanged, that is to create a journey to make travel better for all travellers.”

Gourmet destination Adelaide
Adelaide Airport has awarded Lagardère Travel Retail the concession to create a new destination concept it is calling ‘Southern Providore’.
According to Lagardère Travel Retail, the new concept will bring a truly unique and iconic South Australian experience to Adelaide Airport.
It even goes as far to call it “an evolution of the icons concept”, noting that the gourmet wine and produce range in Southern Providore will be curated from “this special part of the world”.
The 286sqm store will feature its own in-store ‘ute’, the FJ Holden, in recognition of the key role it played in the history of Adelaide and the supply of grocers and goods to market, dating back to 1856.
Lagardère Travel Retail’s Pacific region CEO, Przemek Lesniak, says: “We are delighted that Adelaide Airport has awarded and trusted us with this exciting concept.
“We understand that travel is a sensorial experience and wanted to showcase this through a regional focus, so we specifically tailored Southern Providore for the airport. It will ensure the travellers and community will enjoy a curated selection of the very best from SA, in a unique environment reflecting the region.”

New study shows benefit of guided parking system
Park Assist, LLC, has announced the results of a five-month long data-driven study conducted in collaboration with Brisbane Airport Corporation quantifying the impact of its camera-based smart sensor parking guidance system (PGS) on the airport parking experience of drivers.
Described as a first of its kind study, Park Assist tested the parking behaviour and decision making of drivers – as we well as how long it took them to park – when all pilot lights and wayfinding signage associated with its PGS were switched on and and when they were switched off.
Analysis of data collected from over 120,000 unique customer journeys revealed that when the PGS was in use, the time it took to park was reduced by 33% across different times, locations and types of parker. And under certain scenarios, time to park was reduced by as much as 50%.
These benefits, says Park Assist, are attributable to the ability of its M4 PGS to enhance driver decision-making by providing informed real-time recommendations on where to park.
“In our car parks, we design each product from the customer’s perspective and always look to innovative ways to improve the experience,” notes Brisbane Airport Corporation’s head of parking and transport services, Martin Ryan.
“The parking guidance system installed combined with intelligent wayfinding is a great example of how technology can be used to reduce stress and provide a frictionless experience in car parks.”
The Brisbane Study is one of several studies Park Assist’s data scientists are conducting to evaluate, design and develop products that positively impact parker experience and provide greater control to carpark owners and operators.
WBP PROFILES
CAM RANH INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL JOINT STOCK COMPANY
Location: Cam Ranh City, Vietnam
Contact: Thi Hong Minh Le, general director
W: Under construction
Cam Ranh International Terminal (CRTC) is the Joint Stock Company responsible for developing and managing the new Terminal 2 at Cam Ranh Airport in Vietnam. The terminal, which opened for business on June 30, 2018, handles all the international flights at the airport, which is located in Khánh Hòa Province on the South Central Coast. Designed to Skytrax 4-Star standards, T2 currently handles 29 international airlines that serve over 80 destinations across the world. A total of 5.21 million passengers (+43%) passed through the terminal in 2018, which is one of the modern and best equipped in Vietnam.
UFL GROUP LTD
Location: New Zealand
Contact: Raymond Reesby, CEO
W: www.ufl.co.nz
FL Group specialise in the supply of high end architectural contract and residential furniture. We are a New Zealand owned and operated business with origins dating back over 40 years when founder and current CEO, Raymond Reesby, opened Nova Interiors, New Zealand’s first major interiors company. Today, UFL Group combines significant years of industry knowledge and extensive experience to offer an eclectic mix of some of the world’s best furniture combined with a locally produced range of products.