Microsoft Teams has partnered with digital engineering firms HARMAN and Xoriant to develop a transformative Turn Time solution to enhance airline gate management.
Teams' Turn Time at the Gate solution crucially involves the integration of AI. The integration enables the automatic summarising of chat discussions within Teams, allowing gate staff to infer critical information quickly and make informed decisions in real time. AI predictive assessments leverage real-time inputs to anticipate possible delays before proactively introducing preventive measures.
These AI-powered insights enable airlines to improve operational efficiency, minimise turnaround times, and offer passengers a better travel experience. Microsoft led the initial design before HARMAN and Xoriant developed their Turn Time offerings.
Dave Jaworski, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, wrote in a blog about the partnership.
Microsoft Teams, known for its groundbreaking technology solutions, has joined forces with industry leaders HARMAN and Xoriant to introduce a revolutionary Turn Time at the Gate solution featuring the best of all three companies. This visionary partnership aims to reshape the aviation landscape by enhancing gate management and ushering in a new era of operational efficiency."
The partnership originated when Teams collaborated with American Airlines to develop a Turn Time solution used by the latter to turn their flights globally.
Turn time at the gate is a critical factor in the airline industry, impacting financial performance and passenger experience. Delays at the gate can escalate into further disruptions in an airline's operations, influencing flight schedules and passenger satisfaction.
Turn Time at the Gate's Feature Set
Teams' Turn Time at the Gate specifically entails real-time data analytics. The solution utilises Azure Open AI to offer airlines quick insights into gate operations, empowering airlines to make informed, data-driven decisions to boost operational efficiency.
There are also integrated communication tools within Teams to facilitate better collaboration among gate staff, cabin crew, and other essential airline workers. This encourages a coordinated and effective turnaround process.
Lastly, a more efficient turnaround results in an improved passenger experience. Passengers can enjoy faster boarding, on-time departures, and dependable connections, reducing stress and producing a more enjoyable.
