Delhi Airport has launched the Unified Total Airside Management (UTAM) system, an AI-powered airside operations management system designed to reduce delays, improve turnaround times, and enforce airside vehicle speed regulations to prevent violations. The system integrates advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), and radar systems, to collect and analyse real-time data, helping to identify potential issues, trigger alerts, and enhance overall operational efficiency, according to a statement by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).

A centralised control room has been set up to monitor all airside activities, tracking the movement of critical vehicles such as baggage carts, fuel trucks, and maintenance vehicles. Since airside operations involve multiple stakeholders—including airlines, ground handling service providers, and security teams—UTAM will help streamline coordination, ensuring seamless aircraft movement from landing to takeoff, parking, and refuelling. The system’s primary goal is to improve efficiency and safety by ensuring that vehicles adhere to speed limits, remain on designated paths, and quickly flag any delays or deviations. Through predictive analytics and real-time tracking, UTAM minimises disruptions, optimises turnaround times, and enhances the overall passenger experience.

A key feature of UTAM is its ability to provide a real-time view of aircraft movements within a 10, 40, and 70-mile radius, as well as track and monitor aircraft hovering in the airspace. It will also oversee crucial parameters such as runway occupancy, taxiing times, taxiway allocations, and the utilisation of parking stands and baggage trolleys. Additionally, UTAM enforces speed limits for airside vehicles and ensures that Ground Support Equipment (GSE) follows designated routes. Any violations trigger immediate alerts, allowing swift corrective action.

According to DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, UTAM will not only enhance operational efficiency but also create a safer airport environment by predicting and preventing delays while optimising aircraft turnarounds. The system is expected to significantly improve collaborative decision-making within the airport’s operations control centre.

Other notable features of UTAM include tracking GSE movement within geofenced areas to ensure ground handling agencies meet service level agreements, automatically recording On Block/Off Block times for non-VDGS parking stands to ensure accurate billing, and monitoring parking stand usage to optimise space and resource allocation. With AI-driven insights and predictive capabilities, UTAM marks a significant step towards modernising Delhi Airport’s airside operations, improving efficiency, safety, and overall performance.