Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) and SITA signed an agreement which will aid in the on-going transformation of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai, into one of the world's most modern airports capable of operating both CUSS (Common Use Self Service) kiosks and CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment) check-in systems.

Sanjay Reddy , Managing Director, MIAL said: “MIAL has always pioneered the implementation of industry leading initiatives for CSIA, currently the busiest airport in India. The deployment of SITA's self-service kiosk technology is a step in this direction. We chose to partner with SITA since they have specialized expertise in providing airport technology services, which in turn will translate into better facilities and an enhanced experience for both passengers and airlines at CSIA. As our requirements evolve over a period of time we are pleased to have SITA on board as our long-term technology partner.”

Francesco Violante , SITA CEO, said in Mumbai: “This five-year agreement to introduce the full SITA range of self-service capability will transform Mumbai into an IT technology showcase for the region.

“The agreement has many innovative features which will benefit both airlines and passengers including the first-ever remote deployment of self-service kiosks for an airport in India. It will also allow for the first time in India complete integration of the overall airport management system with the check-in platform being used by the airlines.”

MIAL will provide a standardized self-service check-in environment with the potential to support every airline operating flights from the international terminal. While CUSS is primarily a front-end tool that will enhance passenger experience, CUTE is essentially a back-end enabler that allows an airport to efficiently organize gate and check-in counter allocations, as well as systems management.

In agreement with the 45 airlines based at the airport, SITA will deploy its AirportConnect Open technology across 150 check-in counters at the airport and 50 CUSS (common-use self-service) check-in kiosks which will include 20 located in prominent Mumbai hotels. The self-service kiosks will reduce check-in time by more than half and will also be able to print baggage tags.

AirportConnect Open is SITA's next generation passenger processing solution which enables airports and airlines to access their proprietary and CUTE (common-use terminal equipment) applications on the same platform in a shared, totally secure environment. Multiple airlines can share the same facility allowing maximum use of gate and counter resources.

Gerry D'Lima , Chairman, AOC (Airline Operations Committee), said: “The deployment of SITA's self-service kiosk technology will allow airlines operating out of CSIA to enjoy the benefits of sharing dedicated IT systems and facilities, including the check-in counters and self-service check-in kiosks. Given the consistent strong growth in passenger traffic in the last couple of years, this would maximise the terminal space at CSIA, thereby helping airlines increase efficiency and reduce costs – the two most vital factors in today's airline business. The implementation will also provide us with a robust and secure operating environment.”

Elyes M'Rad , SITA Regional Vice President, said: “This is another milestone in the development of Indian aviation. SITA's AirportConnect Open is the only IT solution which meets IATA standards, accommodates both proprietary and shared use applications, and integrates check-in counters and self-service kiosks while allowing for extensive remote management. It is ten years since SITA first introduced CUTE systems to Indian airports.”