Collins lands 3 international air travel contracts

CEDAR RAPIDS — Collins Aerospace, the largest employer in Cedar Rapids, has announced three international airline service contracts — in South Korea, Guam and Colombia.

In South Korea, Collins, an RTX business, will use a Collins-development prognostic system to spot potential issues in Korean Air’s growing Boeing 787 fleet.

The Ascentia cloud-based system uses advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms to help airlines improve maintenance operations and increase aircraft reliability. The system provides recommendations for maintenance and corrective actions, improving aircraft availability and reducing unscheduled downtime.

The system is used by several major airlines. The Korea contract “represents a significant milestone as Collins Aerospace expands its presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” the company said in a news release.

In Guam, the Guam International Airport will use Collins’ ARINC system to streamline passenger processing and reduce airport congestion.

The goal is to automate operations and reduce processing time, especially customs and border protection checks and demands during peak seasonal travel times.

The ARINC system also includes a messaging system to more quickly sort baggage and minimize errors; provides check-in services and accurate passengers counts; and allows airports to use facial scans for faster, self-service processing, according to a news release.

"As a U.S. Port of Entry in Asia with 91 percent of our arrivals comprised of international travelers, these solutions certainly strengthen identity verification throughout passenger processing," said Artemio "Ricky" Hernandez, deputy executive manager of the Guam airport.

In Colombia, six airports in the South American country’s north-central region also will be using the Collins’ ARINC to increase the accuracy, efficiency and automation of airport operations for Airplan SAS, the airports’ operator.

Collins Aerospace recently expanded its services for airport operator Airplan to streamline passenger processing, enable self-service options and manage operations.

Sara Ramirez, general manager of the airports, said Airplan has been working with Collins since 2010.

Airplan and Collins’ services cover José María Córdova Medellin International Airport (MDE), Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), Los Garzones International Airport (MTR), Antonio Roldán Betancur Airport (APO), El Caraño Airport (UIB), and Las Brujas Airport (CZU).