Christian Onselaere, CEO ADB Group: “By reviewing an airport’s current set up, traffic patterns, key challenges and critical issues, we are able to determine the quick wins and develop a step-by-step approach that will considerably improve the airport’s operational efficiency, adherence to international regulations and availability.”
Christian Onselaere, CEO ADB Group, interviewed by Ross Falconer.
ADB Group’s SmartExpansion Path concept is said to offer a complete toolbox for airports to achieve ‘no-stress’ growth. The approach takes a complete view of airfield operations to help airports manage their growth priorities.
Christian Onselaere, CEO ADB Group, explained that SmartExpansion Path is not a product or solution that an airport simply selects. “Instead, it’s an integrated approach to addressing the major challenges that airports face in their airside operations,” he said. “Integrated because it pulls together all the elements needed to help airports plan their growth in the face of increasing air traffic, more and more stringent regulations, ever-greater emphasis on safety, and the impact of new technology. All of these challenges can be met in a way that ensures airports can accommodate more traffic, reduce turnaround time, and optimise the management and maintenance of their airfield assets.”
Of course, every airport is individual, so the approach with SmartExpansion Path is to work with the airport to explore its current situation, its existing bottlenecks, and to jointly plan a future set-up that meets its growth aims in the most efficient way possible.
In practice, SmartExpansion Path looks at airport expansion in the context of eight domains of airfield operations – data-driven traffic management, detailed audit & survey, intuitive AGL design, innovative products & solutions, robust system engineering, dedicated services and project management, in-depth training, and proactive maintenance. “These ‘building blocks’ are analysed sequentially, or selectively, to achieve no-stress growth,” Onselaere commented. “There’s a lot of detail in this, but broadly the domains encompass everything from airside traffic management based on real data, to proactive maintenance of airside assets and in-depth training, to ensure the airport’s staff are properly equipped to deal with the new systems.”
The SmartExpansion Path strategy has been designed as a step-by-step approach, allowing airports to undertake key steps at their own pace and within budget. “By reviewing an airport’s current set up, traffic patterns, key challenges and critical issues, we are able to determine the quick wins and develop a step-by-step approach that will considerably improve the airport’s operational efficiency, adherence to international regulations and availability,” Onselaere added. “For example, an extensive onsite survey of all airfield lighting related equipment and systems, their location and current condition, enables us to recommend what’s required for regulatory compliance and safety.”
ADB Group has discussed the SmartExpansion Path philosophy with several airports and has undertaken some initial projects, for example at klia2 – the low-cost terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The terminal has its own runway and control tower, and ADB Airfield Solutions has designed and delivered a fully integrated system with its complete range of AGL equipment, including approach, runway, taxiway and holding lights. “Our AGLAS Airfield Lighting Control System has replaced the airport’s existing equipment, which controls stop bar lighting on Runway 2,” Onselaere noted.
Other airfield systems installed by ADB include its Constant Current Regulator, Precision Approach Path Indicators, guidance signs, and microwave sensors.
Of course, airports are constantly striving to optimise their operations and implement new technologies. “Today’s aviation industry is booming, with more traffic and more passengers – all of which demands better and faster service, and turnaround time. An airport is like a mini country with decisions that impact traffic, safety, movements, maintenance, civil works, and much more. No airport can be an expert in everything, so we are offering something different that allows an airport to focus on its core business and ADB will support all key activities, whether on the airside or beyond,” Onselaere concluded.
