Bristol International is switching to SITA’s AirportConnect CUTE Open IT platform - including self-service check-in kiosks - to handle predicted growth from six million to nine million passengers.

SITA has already started work on the five-year, $2 million project which will bring CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment), the world’s most popular airline check-in and boarding system, to Bristol International Airport which hosts 17 scheduled airlines and over 60 tour operators flying to 116 destinations.

Paul Davies, Operations Director of Bristol International, said, “We are partnering with SITA to increase our passenger handling capacity as demand for flights to and from Bristol continues to grow. This will be achieved by the smart deployment of airline and airport IT and the planned extension of the terminal building.”

SITA’s AirportConnect CUTE Open is an integrated solution with network, software and hardware components. It serves as an IT airport platform that enables airlines to have their own proprietary applications running on CUTE (common-use terminal equipment).

The project involves the deployment of 58 CUTE work stations and eight CUSS (Common Use Self Service) check-in kiosks which passengers can use to check in on the airline of their choice. The kiosks also support web check-in and are equipped with passport and visa readers for instant passenger recognition.

Rob Watkins, SITA Regional Vice President for Northern Europe, said “We are extremely pleased that SITA’s AirportConnect CUTE workstations and CUSS kiosks are helping Bristol International Airport meet their development plans. This innovative solution will improve passenger turn-around times now and as the airport expands. SITA has already successfully completed the first phase of the project, installing 25 workstations in a record time of six weeks, increasing capacity at the airport for its largest carrier.”

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