This paper aims at describing how Information Technology is helping or can help improve processes in Abu Dhabi Airport. This paper will begin by identifying key functional departments at the airport. After that, it will discuss the information technology employed in each department, and what needs to be done to enhance the current information communication technologies.
Abu Dhabi is an international airport located in the heart of Abu Dhabi city, and it is amongst the fastest growing airports in the world. (Qatar News, 2011). Statistics have indicated that Abu Dhabi International Airport has a growing passenger turnout, and new airline operators (Abu Dhabi News, 2012).
In addition, the airport has realized a tremendous development in its infrastructure, and at the moment, the airport has embarked on an expansion program that will cost close to $6.8 billion (AIC, 2011). This growth is attributed to the organization’s well structured functional departments.
The Airport has a well established supportive services department. This department controls all the supportive services at the airport. Such supportive services include business services, where by passengers are given the opportunity to access internet services, fax and copying machines, and computers.
Thus, business travelers can communicate with their business associates while at the airport. Other support services provided include banking, taxi services, medical services, baggage wrapping, catering, parking, and meet and assist services (Abu Dhabi News, 2012).
This department relies heavily on the information and communication technologies present at the airport. The airport provides affordable phone services so that passengers can get in touch with members of the supportive team.
Abu Dhabi airport also has Air Navigation services department. This is another core department. It is involved in the provision of all the services offered while passengers are aboard (Abu Dhabi News, 2012). Thus, pilots, cabin crew, and the technical team are the key members of this department.
Pilots take charge of the aircraft while cabin crew members take care of the needs of passengers on board. The technical team provides technical support to the pilots, and they form a link between the pilots, cabin crew and the security department at the airport.
Pilots have air traffic control communication gadgets through which they communicate with the technical team within the airplane, and other departments at the airport. The passengers’ seats are fitted with call buttons, which are used by passengers to communicate with the cabin crew.
Another department present at the airport is the Strategic and International Affairs department. This department is responsible for the internationalization of the airport’s services (Abu Dhabi News, 2012). As such, the department is responsible for the negotiation of business deals with other airports across the globe.
This department ensures that the airport can liaise with other international departments. The department’s personnel often visit selected airports in order to negotiate business deals. The department can enhance its services by embracing internet use. The internet can boost the department’s interaction with the rest of the world.
On the other hand, the Safety Affairs department is charged with the responsibility of ensuring general safety at the airport. It is charged with the responsibility of preventing accidents at the airport (Abu Dhabi News, 2012). As a result, the department liaises with all departments at the airport. The department relies heavily on computer information technology.
Thus, it is able to monitor all operations at the airport. This includes among others the use of CCTV cameras and sniffer dogs. Another key department at the airport is the Air Accident Investigation department. This department is charged with the responsibility of investigating air craft accidents linked to Abu Dhabi international airport. The airport has not realized any major accidents in the past ten years.
Moreover, the airport has Security Affairs department. This department has a very crucial role. It is involved in the maintenance of the safety of passengers and the airport’s personnel (Abu Dhabi News, 2012). This department also manages the delicate role of immigration.
Thus, this department plays a significant role in the clearance of all passengers who pass through the airport. In addition, the department is involved with the inspection of all passengers to prevent the transportation of illegal materials.
This department has state of the art technology used in the verification of travelers’ passports. The department’s personnel are well trained to detect illegal materials. However, the department should enhance the technology used to monitor the entry or exit of explosives and illegal drugs.
Furthermore, the airport has a well established Procurement Department. This department is involved with the management of procurement goods, works and services (Procurement Department, 2012). Tender processes at the airport begin with expression of interest by potential contractors.
This is then followed by request for proposals. According to the information on the airport’s website, information regarding expression of interest is usually posted on the airport’s official website, and in the major dailies in the United Arab Emirates. The current information and communication technology used by the Procurement Department can be improved in a number of ways.
First, the department should embrace sound online marketing technologies so as to tap international clients. Secondly, the department should provide detailed information on its website with regard to its services. This can be achieved by providing state of the web tools that can be used by potential clients to post their tender requests. Such web tools should enhance the processing of tender requests.
Lastly, the airport has established a Planning and Development Department. The department’s core functions include planning the airport’s activities and development programs (Abu Dhabi News, 2012). The department relies heavily on computer technology in the generation of intended airport’s development programs.
All stakeholders are involved in decision making before a new program is introduced. The current communication system requires all stake holders to be present before a decision is reached.
This sometimes leads to delays especially when some stakeholders fail to attend the scheduled meetings. Therefore, the department should embrace the use of internet based services such as Skype to organize stake holders meetings.
References
Abu Dhabi News (2012). Flying from the Best Airport in the Middle East. Web.
Airports Council International (ACI). (2011). Abu Dhabi International Airport. Web.
Procurement Department. (2012). Procurement and Tenders. Web.
Qatar News. (2011). Etihad Airways to Ho Chi Minh City. Web.