SlotHub – Integrated System for the management of available slots in airports.

Synergy Value is a partner of the cosnortium of the SlotHub Project which is funded by the General Secreteriat for Research and Innovation. The total budget of the project is 881.960,00 € and a duration of 30 months. 

SlotHub Abstract

“Over the last decades, the increase in air traffic combined with limited infrastructure at the airports of Greece has created serious problems in the aviation industry. Professionals claim that further development of the aviation industry and infrastructure development is almost impossible in most airports due to limited space and time. The appropriate allocation and distribution of slots (location and time of each airplane parking at an airport), as recognized by the European Union, is the solution that will lead to the smooth operation of airports. Challenging this problem will avoid delays, unfair competition and any other loss-making conditions which will positively impact airline transportations as well as the green growth. SlotHub suggests a holistic approach to address those challenges through the development of an ecosystem that will (a) identify variations in slots that are deliberately generated rather than by random business factors; (b) propose available slots and flight plans for airlines; and (c) through innovative user visualizations (3D visualization, augmented reality) will create an interactive viewing and performing environment of available slots based on the selected time interval, providing a clear understanding of the situation at each airport for all parts. Innovation is being addressed through research in areas where the use of machine learning algorithms will be able to forecast any violations occurred and at the same time estimate those deliberate violations while seeking the optimal proposed slots for an airline meeting the needs of the airport as well. The project will take advantage of new augmented reality technologies which are expected to revolutionize, in conjunction with advanced technologies with the combination of video streaming data and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) data. The project ensures real cooperation between research institutions and businesses. University of Piraeus as the project Coordinator, will ensure smooth co-operation between businesses and the Hellenic Slot Coordination Authority, while organizing working groups and managing changes that may arise in emergencies conditions. The expected results of the project are involving state revenues along with cost reduction in aviation following flight planning, social advantages (reducing passengers calamity) and environmental effects (reducing pollutant emissions given flight time reduction). The commercial exploitation of the SlotHub ecosystem will involve the use of project results for the production of new services addressed to coordinating authorities, airports and airlines themselves. The project will enhance the experience for companies in developing applications for the aviation industry where air traffic is steadily increasing.