Optimal turnarounds are based on time-sensitive indicators that ApronAI helps monitor and predict deviations, read more about them in our Glossary
A turnaround is a complex operation that involves several airport stakeholders working together to have the aircraft ready on time. The calibrated process behind the art of the turnaround is based on time-sensitive indicators. Arriving late ultimately affects the entire operations, leading to increased costs, delays, grounded flights, and unhappy passengers. Thankfully, technology allows continuous monitoring of turnarounds and detection of anomalies, contributing to increased efficiency.
We’ve compiled a glossary of the most important indicators for an optimal turnaround. Find out how Assaia considers them when using computer vision, machine learning, and predictors to help airports, airlines, and ground handlers achieve faster turnaround times.
EIBT
Estimated In-Block Time (EIBT) is the estimated time that an aircraft will arrive in-blocks. EIBT is equivalent to ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), used by airlines and ground handlers. When knowing the Estimated Taxi-In Time (EXIT), added to the Estimated/Actual Landing Time (ELDT), operations can calculate an accurate EIBT. Pre-departure sequencing, ground handling resource management, and stand and gate planning are all dependent on it.
EIBT is used in ApronAI as a parameter for customizable alerts, allowing operations to look beyond the turn and ensure the clearness of the stand before the turnaround time.
SOBT
Scheduled Off-Block Time. The time that an aircraft is scheduled to depart from its parking position, to taxi-out, or to be pushed back. It is the main indicator for an airport slot and also marks the final stages of the turnaround for the stand to clear up for the succeeding turn. Without the allocated and approved SOBT, the value of TOBT cannot be determined, meaning the flight will not appear in the departure sequence of the A-CDM (collaborative decision-making at airports).
For ApronAI, SOBT is an important indicator that lies in all efficiency calculations and helps in predicting possible delays.
EOBT
Estimated Off-Block Time. This indicator is taken into consideration once the aircraft has parked at the gate. As an estimate of when the push-back or taxi-out will be commenced, it helps to plan the time the aircraft will be on ground and use the airport infrastructure for the turnaround. Added to the Estimated Taxi-out Time (EXOT), the Estimated Take-off Time (ETOT) can be calculated to optimize the flow and capacity management of air traffic. Any change of more than 15 minutes to the EOBT of a filed flight plan has to be communicated.
Assaia records the initial EOBT together with the changing EOBT parameter in case of delays or adjustments, allowing to track discrepancies and get notified at an early stage.
TOBT
TOBT (Target Off-Block Time) represents the estimated time for the aircraft to be ready, with doors closed, jetbridge removed and push-back available. TOBT is mostly used for airlines to calculate the TSAT (Target Start-up Approval Time) as TOBT-30 minutes onwards. Once the aircraft is ready to start-up (ASRT, Actual Start-up Request Time) and has received clearance to do so, the push-back will start. If the tolerance of ± 5 minutes is not met, the TOBT will be updated and will affect the EOBT.
POBT
POBT (Predicted Off-Block Time) is an AI-powered prediction of when the aircraft is going to leave the stand. Applied in all of Assaia’s solutions, it analyzes various available sources, such as real-time and historical flight data, video streams, weather conditions, and internal airport operations, to determine an accurate prediction for the off-block time. POBT is compared to SOBT at every stage of the turnaround. As soon as a deviation in expected procedures is detected, the Ops are alerted to proactively take measures. This makes it possible to anticipate the AOBT (Actual Off-Block Time) and conduct operations that are better organized.
TTOT
TTOT (Target Take-off Time) defines the time at which the aircraft will be ready to take off, based on the TOBT or TSAT and the variable taxi time to the assigned runway. With an accurate TTOT, airports monitor departure queues and clear outbound flights for take-off.
Being informed about the scheduled and actual time indicators, necessary for both airport and flight operations, helps Assaia’s clients optimize their turnaround times. Get in touch with us to empower your airside operations with cutting-edge technology.
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It is our firm belief that the future of aviation should be free of delays.
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior. At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures
SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures
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Some heading goes here
It is our firm belief that the future of aviation should be free of delays.
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior. At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures.
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior.
At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away
At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures.
Side image goes here
With this in mind, for the past year, Assaia has hosted a bi-monthly Roundtable for airline representatives to discuss ramp safety, including the challenges experienced post-Covid, such as staff turnover, a lack of experienced staff, and time pressures for the ramp crew. With the recent FAA mandate on Safety Management Systems (SMS), Assaia has just opened up the Roundtable to airports to facilitate increased collaboration.
Roundtable discussions have affirmed the importance of using data-driven solutions to move away from manual monitoring and toward real-time automated intervention to prevent incidents and improve behavior.
Side image goes here
At the recent American Airlines safety management system conference, Assaia discussed computer vision's potential as a tool to strengthen SMS strategies. Airline safety experts agreed that real-time automated alerts are the way forward to improve safety and facilitate safety-aware behavior. Analyzing and understanding historical data can help advance regulations and standard operating procedures.
Testimonials
The use of Assaia's TurnaroundControl has provided our Airline Partners, Ground Handlers, and Service Providers with full visibility of the aircraft turn processes. The data, predictability, and visibility enhances our collective efficiency and resilience at Toronto Pearson. Paired with our A-CDM initiative, Assaia's TurnaroundControl provides crucial data driving A-CDM processes, a reduction in turn times, and a noticeable increase in on-time performance.
Dean Wright
Associate Director, Gating & Airport Flow
The way Turnaround 2.0 uses AI and machine learning to boost our zone controllers' efficiency is remarkable. They can now manage multiple gate activities with more focus on handling exceptions, rather than multitasking.
Turnaround 2.0 is more than a tool for the present; it's a foundation for 'United Next,' growing with us and helping us surpass our operational goals efficiently.
Daniel Reed
Director of Station Operations, United Airlines
Our focus is to use innovation to make our operations smoother. We have selected Assaia because of the capabilities of the tool. But it is also really important for us that it has a good record of successful implementation, so we know it will deliver for us, for our airlines and ultimately for our passengers.
Dr Babett Stapel
Managing Director, Fraport Slovenjia
We are optimizing all our processes on the apron to shorten the time each aircraft needs to be on the ground, which benefits both our passengers and our airline partners. This is a common issue across our airports and we are talking to all of them about this technology.
Claus Grunow
VP of Corporate Strategy and Digitalization at Fraport
We are pleased to partner with Assaia to implement the ApronAI Turnaround Control solution at T4. This new solution will not only optimize operations and our work with our business partners, but will also help us to ensure a first-class customer experience at T4.
Roel Huinink
President and CEO, JFKIAT
For most airports, the apron is a a black box. Assaia finally gives our ground staff full insight into every turnaround. This allows them to focus on what really matters, while simultaneously making the work environment safer.
Jason Aspelund
Former Manager Strategic Performance, Alaska Airlines
The real-time and historical insights that can inform both airport and airline operations make this solution a clear winner for everyone.
Craig Paul
Director of Technology & Innovation , Halifax Stanfield International
Assaia's product allows airports and airlines to collect, track, and analyze data in real time; this innovation removes inefficiencies and optimizes performance.
Jim Lockheed
JetBlue Ventures
We’re creating the airport of the future, and innovation in apron operations will directly improve the passenger experience. We are laser focused on innovations that will make Pearson and its whole apron ecosystem more efficient while reducing our carbon footprint.
Deborah Flint
President and CEO GTAA
SEA needed an innovative solution to our capacity problem and have worked with Assaia to optimize the turnaround process resulting in reduced taxi times and increased passenger satisfaction. Assaia has exceeded our expectations, consistently delivering on-time & on-budget.
Samer Tirhi
Airline Scheduling Coordinator, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
With the help of Predicted Off Block Time from Assaia. JFKIAT Operations can be proactive to reduce or eliminate any delays and gate holds
Stephen Tukavkin
VP IT & Digital, JFKIAT
I had mentioned before, great innovation on your part. With these types of improvements, T4 is always leading at JFK. Thank you
COPA Station Manager
JFKIAT
We are proud to be partnering with the Assaia team in our mission to use technology to improve the efficiency and safety of the airport environment.
Raghbir S. Pattar
Director of Airports Transformation, IAG
We’re working hard on becoming an airport of the future, and this involves rethinking every part of our ground operations. Assaia’s ApronAI is an integral component of our vision for the ramp of the future.
Abhi Chacko
Head of Innovation & Commercial IT Services, Gatwick Airport
Assaia’s technology adds critical data points to CVG’s early-stage neural network for operational advancements. Structured data generated by artificial intelligence will provide information to make decisions, optimize airside processes, and improve efficiency and safety.
Brian Cobb
CIO, CVG Airport
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