Boeing Demonstrates Wireless Technology at Changi Airport

The Boeing Company Crew Information Services has joined the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to successfully demonstrate leading-edge wireless gatelink technology at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport.

The Boeing Gatelink project is the first to be completed under the Airport Systems Technology Research and Innovation Platform (AIRSTRIP). Over five months, Boeing Crew Information Services, with the funding and support of Boeing Ventures, worked with Singapore companies such as Stratech Systems and COB Technology to design, install and test a wireless gatelink system covering the tarmac areas of Terminal 2 at Changi Airport. Singapore Airlines gave a major boost to the program by allowing Boeing engineers to install test equipment onboard one of its airplanes.

AIRSTRIP is a joint CAAS-EDB initiative to encourage companies to test-bed suitable new technologies and concepts in Changi Airport, which acts as living, working laboratory for companies to validate their leading edge technologies and revolutionary ideas under real operational conditions in one of the world's busiest airports. The new technologies, products and services could then be commercialized and rolled out to  regional and global markets from Singapore. Areas of interest under AIRSTRIP include passenger identification and tracking, check-in, baggage handling and screening, aircraft tracking, airport security, wireless communications, vehicle management and more.

Wireless gatelink is a system that utilizes Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology to transmit data throughout an airport environment, enabling instant sharing of data between aircraft, passenger terminals, maintenance operations, baggage handling, ground-support equipment and more. Such instant sharing of data would help airlines to increase  operational efficiency and improve on-time performance.

"Boeing's successful trial and commercialization from Singapore will bring about an effervescence of opportunities for collaboration between Boeing and Singapore-based suppliers," said Mr. Teo Ming Kian, Chairman of Singapore EDB. "Singapore offers a platform for aerospace companies to capture the growing regional and global markets. Our  excellent connectivity, skilled workforce, strong R&D capabilities and innovation platforms such as AIRSTRIP will put us in good stead as a thriving Global Aviation Hub."

"Changi Airport is the ideal test-bed for such aviation-related technology innovations, as CAAS firmly believes in harnessing technology and innovative ideas to enhance operational efficiency at Changi," said Mr. Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of Civil Aviation, CAAS.

The project kicked off in January this year when Boeing first surveyed the terminal areas to determine the optimal placement of access points to ensure total area coverage. Working with Singapore-based companies COB Technology and Stratech Systems, Boeing next designed and built the system and its equipment, before installing it at Terminal 2. In April and May, Boeing engineers conducted demonstrations of the system's capabilities during the airport's overnight hours, avoiding disruption of the terminal's regular operations.

"We couldn't be more pleased about the opportunity to demonstrate this technology in partnership with Singapore EDB, CAAS and SIA," said Anil Shrikhande, vice president, Boeing International Relations. "Singapore is the leader in advanced airport technology in Asia, and this partnership, which builds on a long and productive relationship between Boeing and Singapore, will help us take this technology in the right direction. Once again, Changi Airport is leading the way to the future."