Changi Airport Group (CAG) started its first technology trial for its fully automated Passenger Loading Bridge (PLB) on 25 August 2023, with Scoot flight TR981 arriving in Singapore from Hong Kong. KLM and Bangkok Airways will join the trial thereafter.
Prior to the start of the trial, CAG had engaged the airlines, as well as their ground handling agents to revise their standard operating procedures (SOPs). Training sessions were also arranged for a select group of PLB operators to teach them how to use the new automated system.
Mr Chua Boon Sua, the Chair of Airline Operators Committee at Changi, who is also KLM’s deputy station manager in Singapore, shared “KLM decided to participate in this automated PLB trial, as it fits well with KLM’s pioneering spirit.
“The advantages of this automated system extends not only to KLM’s customers, but to our partners as well, as it improves safety and reduces the chance of human error.
“We are impressed with this system and are looking forward to the full implementation of the automated PLB across the airport.”
Mr Yeo Kia Thye, Managing Director, Airport Operations Control shared, “I am very excited that the team has progressed this technology trial to the live operations environment.
“By pushing forward and embarking on this trial, we have placed one more jigsaw piece in place, towards Changi’s vision of the airside of the future, where skilled workers are augmented by automation.
“We look forward to onboard more airlines to trial our fully-automated PLB.”
