TIA to install CUTE system in June

SANGAM PRASAIN



KATHMANDU, APR 01 -
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has planned to install common user terminal equipment (CUTE) that enables passenger check-in and e-ticketing in an integrated way in a bid to modernise the country’s only international airport using IT. A TIA official said that the system is scheduled to be installed in June.

CUTE provides faster and more efficient passenger processing allowing the airport to handle the increasing number of travellers passing through it. The TIA official added that the system would enhance customer service and eliminate queues as passengers would be able to check in at the desk of any airline.

The departure control system (DCS) currently in use is being operated and managed by the airlines themselves. Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is the ground handling agent at TIA.

CUTE is compulsory in international practice providing single software facility to airlines, a network of shared information technology equipment for passenger check-in and boarding, baggage check-in, departure control and airline ticketing.

TIA general manager Ratish Chandra Lal Suman said that SITA of France, a company specialising in air transport communications and information technology solutions, had been entrusted to install CUTE.

“After CUTE goes into operation, passengers will not face any hassles as the existing manual working procedure will be replaced by the computerized system.”

Airports require confirmed approval of 80 percent of the airlines to implement CUTE. TIA has not received NAC’s approval.

After the system is in place, passengers will be charged US$ 1 each out of which TIA will receive 40 percent. TIA will earn an additional Rs 40 million annually from the CUTE facility. Currently, 27 international airlines pass through TIA. The airport handled 2.43 million passengers and 14 million tons of cargo in 2010.