July 2007

The UK's faster growing airport, Bristol International, has announced that it is switching to SITA's AirportConnect CUTE Open IT platform. SITA has chosen proven partner ESP to support rollout and system for the next 5 years.

Bristol International is now the UK’s fifth largest airport outside London, handling over 5.7 million passengers per annum. In 2006 Bristol International was the fastest growing regional airport in the UK. Serving 106 International and Domestic destinations flights it now operates to 27 countries across three continents.

To handle predicted growth from six to nine million passengers a year Bristol International has switched to SITA’s AirportConnect CUTE Open IT platform. SITA’s AirportConnect CUTE Open is an integrated solution with network, software and hardware components. It serves as an IT airport platform that enables airlines to have their own proprietary applications running on CUTE (common-use terminal equipment). 

“We are delighted to be working with our long established partner ESP at Bristol International Airport,” comments Stuart Surridge, Territory Manager - SITA.  “ESP continues to provide excellent service and support for our AirportConnect system."

The project involves the deployment of 58 CUTE work stations and eight CUSS (Common Use Self Service) check-in kiosks which passengers can use to check in on the airline of their choice. The kiosks also support web check-in and are equipped with passport and visa readers for instant passenger recognition. 

ESP has been selected by SITA and Bristol International to provide installation services and on-going rapid response break / fix services to the installed real estate. ESP dedicated significant resource to complete the initial installation phase in a record time to increase capacity for the airports largest carrier. On site maintenance services began in July for an initial 5 year contract period. 

Tony Sherwood, Business Development Manager for ESP, commented “We are delighted to have been chosen to support the SITA AirportConnect installation at Bristol International. Our reputation for providing innovative, responsive and congruous solutions for new installations was once again paramount in our selection. This contract further cements our position as the UK’s leading provider of service to common use sites.”