Québec Airport Becomes World’s First to Use Apple Watch to Help Planes Take-Off

Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport revealed that it will use Apple Watches, deployed to its staff to ensure smooth operations, in what is the world’s first use of the wearabl for an airport workforce.

In conjunction with SITA Lab’s research and development team, Québec has integrated the wearable device and SITA’s backend airport management products which are already in use at the airport in order to push regular operational alerts to duty managers’ wrists.

“We are always looking for new technology to help enhance our operations, and ultimately better serve our passengers,” said Marc-André Bédard, Vice President, Information Technology, Aéroport de Québec. “Wearable tech is one area of interest to us and with the Apple Watch and SITA’s Airport Management solution our duty managers will receive important notifications at just the right time to take action as needed.

“For example, they may get an alert to say that two planes are arriving simultaneously and have been assigned to the same gate or that there is a delay at a certain gate. Previously, they would have checked their tablets regularly for updates. With the watch, a vibration alerts them to an update so they receive vital information just by glancing at their wrist. They can then take immediate action.”

The SITA Lab team built the application for the airport and conducted all the systems integration work to link the Apple Watch to its other products.

Jim Peters, Chief Technology Officer, SITA, said: “Using the Apple Watch at Quebec Airport harnesses all the power of SITA’s Airport Management solution to deliver information and updates to staff in a faster, more agile way.”

The group has already developed an API for boarding passes on the Apple Watch, but has been exploring additional applications to enhance the passenger experience and air transport operations.