Lufthansa and IBM collaboration puts information at employees’ fingertips

The IBM technology for iPhone equips flight managers with up-to-date critical information to help ensure safe and on-time travel for passengers. Continue reading →

Lufthansa Group is introducing a new digital mobile assistant for employees in a bid to transform ground operations and boost customer service.

The IBM technology for iPhone equips flight managers with up-to-date critical information to help ensure safe and on-time travel for passengers.

Traditionally, Lufthansa flight managers had to login to multiple systems numerous times a day to access information about flight assignments.

Using the ‘manage gates’ system, supervisors now have access to real-time information at their fingertips, making them independent from a stationary workplace to interact and connect with passengers.

Flight managers can react more promptly to specific challenging situations such as current booking and boarding status, baggage status, inbound flights, aircraft and crew rotation.

Lufthansa began rolling out Manage Gates in February with full deployment to 290 flight managers to be completed by next month.

The German airline’s ground operations IT director, Mirco Bharpalania, said: “The always-connected employee is managing a lot and has come to expect the same mobile tools used in personal life, as on the job.

“With the help of IBM we are transforming where and how we can access information to accommodate our guests from anywhere inside the airport.”

IBM travel and transportation global managing director, Dee Waddell, said: “Empowered, connected, mobile customers are demanding seamless experiences with timely information, services, choice and control over their travel in real-time.

“Lufthansa’s airlines will now be better equipped to manage the complex volumes of data that is generated globally by flights to offer more customised offerings.”