Why is TAM so critical for the future of aviation



23rd November 2023

Over the years a lot has been said about Total Airport Management (TAM) but why is TAM getting so much attention and how should airports manage the transition to TAM?

So what is TAM?

TAM refers to a comprehensive and integrated approach to oversee all aspects of airport operations, aiming to optimize efficiency, enhance safety, and improve the overall passenger experience. The goal is to create a holistic and interconnected environment where all elements of airport management, from airside and landside operations to terminal services, work together to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of aircraft, passengers, and cargo throughout the entire airport ecosystem.

Why is TAM so critical for the future of aviation?

The TAM approach minimizes delays, improves resource allocation, and enhances the capacity of airports to handle rising traffic volumes. Moreover, it facilitates a more resilient and adaptable aviation infrastructure, capable of responding to dynamic changes in global travel patterns, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and growth of the aviation sector on a global scale.

The success of TAM depends upon the collaboration between all stakeholders and the way by which data gets integrated?

The TAM concept is all about the seamless coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders, including airlines, ground handlers, air traffic control, security, and airport management. It integrates advanced technologies, data analytics, and collaborative decision-making processes to streamline operations, minimize delays, and maximize resource utilization.

So how to go about to realize TAM?

    Several key elements need to be considered and implemented:

  1. Integrated Information Sharing: Establishing a collaborative platform that enables real-time information sharing among airport stakeholders, including airlines, air traffic control, ground handlers, and customs. This requires implementing systems that facilitate seamless data exchange and communication.
  2. Common Use Infrastructure: Adopting common-use systems for check-in, boarding, and other passenger services can improve resource utilization and flexibility. This allows multiple airlines to share common facilities, reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency.
  3. Collaborative Decision-Making (CDM): Implementing CDM processes involves sharing relevant data among stakeholders to optimize operational decisions. This includes real-time information on flight schedules, weather conditions, and airport capacity. CDM can help reduce delays, enhance predictability, and improve overall airport performance.
  4. Advanced Analytics and Predictive Technologies: Leveraging data analytics and predictive technologies to anticipate operational bottlenecks, optimize resource allocation, and improve decision-making. This can include predictive maintenance for airport infrastructure and equipment
  5. Automation and Robotics: Introducing automation and robotics for routine and repetitive tasks, such as baggage handling and security checks, to enhance operational efficiency, reduce delays, and improve overall safety.
  6. Digital Twin Technology: Creating a digital twin of the airport, which is a virtual replica of the physical infrastructure. This allows for simulation, monitoring, and optimization of airport operations, leading to better decision-making and resource management.
  7. Regulatory Support and Standardization: Collaborating with regulatory bodies to establish standards and guidelines for collaborative decision-making processes. This ensures that airports and airlines can seamlessly integrate their systems and share information in a standardized way.
  8. Training and Change Management: Providing training programs for airport staff and stakeholders to adapt to new technologies and collaborative processes. Change management is crucial to ensure a smooth transition to a more integrated and collaborative approach.
  9. Cybersecurity Measures: Implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information shared among stakeholders. As airports become more interconnected, ensuring the security of data and systems is paramount.
  10. Continuous Improvement and Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing mechanisms for continuous improvement based on feedback from stakeholders. Regular assessments and updates to processes and technologies are essential to adapt to evolving challenges and opportunities. This is why to run such a project you can not see it as a one off but as an eternal project requiring a project office that doesn’t end after the project has been set up.

By addressing these elements, airports can transition towards total airport management through collaborative decision-making, creating a more integrated, efficient, and passenger-friendly environment. Call upon the experts to discuss how to best address the path to TAM, contact: marketing@emma.aero