Speaker Biograghy: Sourav is a technology and business visionary, with strategic and hands-on experience in managing information technology for the aviation industry. He has been at Oman Air as Chief Officer - Information Technology since June 2013. Prior to joining Oman Air, he was CIO and Senior Vice President with Kingfisher Airlines Ltd for about five years. He was the Vice President (IT) of Qatar Airways Group between 2004 and 2008. As part of his airline technology responsibilities, Sourav has been actively engaged with airport system planning and operation. During his 22-year career he has been associated with airline and airport operation integration through innovative business and technology processes.


Day 2 - 26 March
Session: Technology, Systems Integration, IT & ICT

11:15 - 11:40 - Customer and airport operational touch point alignment through integrated mobile technology
Synopsis: Several activities contributing to scheduled airline operations at airports are key events, timely action of which enables airlines maintain their operational schedules and provide their passengers with a pleasurable experience throughout their journeys, through enhanced services and timely updates at passenger touch points. Several inherent complexities of airline and airport operations make timely execution of various operational events critical to maintaining operational stability. Being able to electronically capture/record such information in near real time using mobile devices can therefore enable timely analysis and manage such areas of critical concern, besides providing for real-time operational information across operational touch points.

Audience will learn:

• Alignment of touch points at the airport
• Innovative application of mobile technology
• Airline and airport participation towards customer satisfaction

Day 2 - 26 March
Session: Technology, Systems Integration, IT & ICT

12:45 - 13:15 - Panel Discussion: IT role in the transition to the airport of the future
Synopsis: This panel will discuss airline and airport views regarding how new and emerging IT trends and best practices should be incorporated into the design of new airport terminals. Risks, benefits and challenges of implementation will be discussed.

Audience will learn:

• Learn how airlines and airport operators leverage IT to facilitate increasing capacity of airports and how passengers will benefit.
• Are airline, airport, passenger and industry vendors' goals compatible in the short and medium term – where are there conflicts?
• How will BYOD by passengers impact on airport design, passenger processing and passenger experience?
• Sharing information should enable airports, airlines and other stakeholders to improve passenger experience and profitability – is that compatible with good security practice?
• What prevents existing, new and planned airports from implementing IATA and ACI Simplifying the Business initiatives?