With preparations underway for the final Formula One race, the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) is simplifying check-in by installing Sita’s CUSS (common use self-service) kiosks at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

In this five-year, $2.2 million deal, Sita will install 24 kiosks across Abu Dhabi International Airport’s three terminals. In addition, Sita will provide ongoing maintenance across the critical systems at both of the Adac-operated international airports in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Through shared use by all airlines operating at the airport, the kiosks will allow Adac to increase capacity during peak times and avoid the need to invest in fixed check-in areas. The 24 new kiosks will be in operation by September.

“The use of these CUSS kiosks will deliver faster and more convenient check-in, ensuring that both our passengers and our airline customers receive the highest level of service. By providing common-use kiosks we can accommodate the extra flow of travellers during peak hours and for special events such as the hosting of Formula One in November and the Fifa Club World Cup in December,” stated Michael J. Ibbitson, VP Information and Communication Systems, Adac.

“Sita is hugely experienced in supporting airports for major world events, most recently our systems managed the massive surge in traffic at Beijing Capital International Airport for the Olympic Games,' added Hani El Assaad, Sita regional vice president Middle East and Turkey.

“Our unique understanding will support Adac not only for the Formula One event but going forward as the company expands its annual capacity to 40 million passengers with the development of the new Midfield Terminal Complex over the coming years.”

With the CUSS kiosks, Sita will provide an end-to-end managed solution complementing other airport check-in services available at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which is experiencing significant growth; passenger traffic was up 30.2 per cent  in 2008 to 9.02 million, from 6.9 million in 2007.-TradeArabia News Service