Friday 29 Mar 2024
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SINGAPORE (Dec 15): SATS on Thursday announced that it is the first worldwide to be awarded International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation for ramp services training.

The airport ground handling and airline catering services provider says in an SGX filing that it is now an authorised training centre with exclusive rights to train ground handlers in 10 countries around the region.

SATS will train ground handling professionals based on a new training curriculum aligned with IATA’s Airport Handling Manual (AHM), as well as the International Ground Operating Manual (IGOM).

The programme will equip ground handling staff with knowledge and skills based on industry best practices to ensure that airports receive and dispatch aircraft efficiently and safely.

“Air travel in Asia is expected to grow exponentially, but there is still a deficit in trained personnel to meet the demand. It is also crucial that ramp and apron services keep up with the most recent industry developments,” says Conrad Clifford, IATA Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific.

The newly accredited programme is scheduled to begin in March 2017.

SATS will be the exclusive IATA training provider to ground handlers in the 10 Asean nations, and also a non-exclusive training provider for India.

In addition, SATS on Thursday also announced another world first — for the use of smart watches in its technical ramp operations.

SATS will use the devices to enable the dissemination and receiving of information and data such as work schedules and instructions, which were previously done manually.

“With the new IoT solution, technical ramp handling personnel can get their work instructions in a more timely and safe manner, boosting efficiency and allowing SATS to reallocate resources for greater productivity,” SATS says in a press release.

In addition, the smart watches are paired with bone-conductor headsets via Bluetooth, allowing technical ramp personnel to make and receive hands-free calls. The headset solution was designed in partnership with Temasek Polytechnic.

“In an industry that is becoming ever more competitive, constant innovation and productivity gains are essential,” says SATS President and CEO Alex Hungate.

“In leveraging the Internet of Things to disseminate smart data in our technical ramp services, we not only drive greater efficiency but also reimagine the role of the Tech Ramp personnel,” Hungate adds.

Shares of SATS closed 8 Singaporean cents lower at S$4.84 on Thursday.

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