Guide to choose Aeronautical Billing Systems

Even if you have never been to an airport, just by imagining the number of passengers, flights, and operations going around on campus, you can understand how chaotic everything can get. And among all the departments that need hectic supervision, airport revenue management is a crucial one. Keeping tabs on revenue generation, passenger facility charges, landing fees and parking charges, and numerous other services all add up to a challenging puzzle in aeronautical billing management.

The solution?

Aeronautical Billing Systems are the key to simplifying the complex web of financial management hurdles. Let’s dive a little deeper into how these airport billing systems can turn out to be revenue changers and also know how to choose the best aeronautical billing software/system.

What is an Aeronautical Billing System?

Aeronautical Billing Systems manage and streamline the entire billing process, right from commercial management to report generation, for Airport operations and aeronautical services. 

They seamlessly integrate with your existing flight information and air traffic control data, calculating fees based on predefined conditions, and generating invoices for airlines – all with maximum precision. That is the power of aeronautical billing systems, it’s the backbone of efficient revenue management for airports. 

Here’s how the Aeronautical billing system helps an Airport to thrive :

Maximize Revenue

Aeronautical billing systems ensure accurate and timely billing for every service while reducing airport revenue leakages.

Data-Driven Decisions

Operators gain valuable insights into their revenue streams with robust reporting features. Track trends, analyze performance metrics, and make informed decisions for future growth.

Trusted Customer Relationships with Transparency

The customer-airline relationship is enhanced by providing regulatory-compliant and auditable invoices that detail all charges.

Proactive Management

Aeronautical billing systems can also identify areas for cost reduction with cost analysis features, allowing for proactive strategies to improve profitability.

Boosted Productivity and Focus

They help switch from traditional manual data entry systems to automated management and streamlined workflow. With mundane repetitive tasks out of the way, your team can focus on strategic initiatives.

Traditional Billing Systems Vs. Aeronautical Billing Systems

While both traditional and aeronautical billing systems and handle invoices, their approaches differ significantly in the context of airport operations. Aeronautical Billing is a vertical system, specialised in managing Airport revenue and finances.

Here’s a breakdown of the key distinctions:

Data Entry and Data Management

Traditional systems rely on manual data entry, prone to manual lacunas and delays. Aeronautical billing systems integrate seamlessly with Airport Operational Database (AODB) and ATC systems, creating a real-time data exchange. 

Automated Billing for Efficiency

Modern Aeronautical billing systems automate calculations and streamline billing with pre-invoicing and email delivery. They automate billing based on predefined rules (landing weight) and dynamic factors (time on the ground). While traditional methods mean time-consuming manual calculations and invoices. 

Flexibility and configurability

Traditional systems follow the approach of age-old one-size-fits-all, but not Aeronautical billing systems. They offer the flexibility of a multi-engine aircraft and the power to customise its abilities to suit the needs and operations of your airport. You can configure fee structures for your specific services, from landing fees to ground handling. 

Need to attract a new carrier?  It even lets you set targeted discounts and incentives, a surefire way to optimise your revenue streams.

Reporting and Analytics

Unlike limited reporting with Traditional billing systems, Aeronautical billing systems empower airports with robust reporting tools to analyze trends, resource allocation, and make informed decisions.

Reporting tools allow you to analyze revenue streams and track financial performance metrics.

Security and Compliance

One of the main concerns with traditional systems is data privacy. Traditional systems are prone to leave your data vulnerable. 

On the other hand, airport billing systems prioritize data security with advanced encryption and audit routines. They ensure financial transparency, protect sensitive information, and keep you compliant with regulations.

In conclusion, traditional billing systems struggle to keep pace with the complexities of modern airport operations. Aeronautical Billing Systems offer comprehensive and automated solutions, transforming airport revenue management into a data-driven and efficient process that unleashes the best long-term financial management practices for airports.

The Ultimate Checklist to Choose the Best Aeronautical Billing System

Now, let’s talk shop. Choosing the right Aeronautical billing systems is necessary for the holistic progress of an airport. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the process:

Integration Capability

Ensure that the chosen Aeronautical Billing System seamlessly integrates with existing airport systems such as flight management, passenger processing, and financial accounting software. 

Smooth integration reduces operational friction and enhances overall efficiency.

Legacy and Vendor Reputation

Evaluate the track record and reputation of the system vendor. The one with a solid reputation and experience in the aviation industry is more likely to provide reliable software and responsive customer support, ensuring a smooth implementation process and ongoing maintenance.

Uptime and Errors Stats

Consider the system’s uptime and error statistics to gauge its reliability and performance. A high uptime percentage indicates minimal system downtime, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Compliance Standards and Governance

Verify that the chosen aeronautical billing system complies with relevant regulatory standards and governance requirements, such as IATA’s Simplified Interline Settlement (SIS) and Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) regulations. 

Adherence to compliance standards minimizes the risk of penalties and ensures legal compliance.

Data Privacy and Security

Prioritize data privacy and security features to safeguard sensitive information such as passenger data, financial records, and operational insights. Look for billing solutions that employ encryption, access controls, and regular security audits to eliminate the risk of data breaches.

Opt for a System that prioritises the highest standards of data privacy and security, employing advanced encryption and access controls to safeguard sensitive information.

Interoperability

Choose an aeronautical billing system that supports interoperability with other airport systems and industry standards, facilitating seamless data exchange and collaboration across various stakeholders. 

Access Controllers and Viewpoint Customization

Customizable access controls enhance data security and usability, while personalized viewpoints improve user experience and productivity.

Opt for a billing system with flexible access controls and customizable viewpoints, allowing administrators to tailor user permissions and dashboard layouts according to specific roles and preferences. 

Scalability and Periodic Updates

Select a scalable solution capable of accommodating future growth and evolving operational needs. Additionally, prioritize reliable vendors that provide regular software updates and maintenance to ensure system reliability, compatibility, and compliance with industry standards.

Data Backup and Recovery

With robust backup infrastructure and recovery mechanisms in place, Airport Billing Systems must ensure data integrity and operational continuity.

So ensure that the system includes data backup and recovery mechanisms to prevent data loss and minimize downtime in the event of system failures or disasters. 

Analytics and Report Support

Evaluate the system’s analytics and reporting capabilities to gain actionable insights into revenue trends, operational performance, and regulatory compliance. Advanced analytics tools and customizable reporting features empower airport stakeholders to optimize revenue management strategies.

Ease of Access

User-friendly interface and experience boosts ease of navigation, thus speeding up Airport Operators’ efficiency. Easily accessible UX and an optimised UI ensure smooth adoption and efficient use by airport staff across various departments. 

Intuitive navigation, responsive design, and design guideline-compliant interface, all contribute to successful implementation.

ALDIS’ intuitive systems empower airport operators and staff with easy-to-use tools, enhancing productivity and user satisfaction across all levels of operation.

Remote Access Controls

Lastly, verify the system’s support for remote access controls, allowing authorized users to securely access and manage the system from any location with internet connectivity.

AIS’s ALDIS ticks all these boxes and onboards a few additional features as well. Here’s a short intro to it:

Key Modules of ALDIS (AIS’ Aeronautical Billing System)

Airport Information Systems’ ALDIS (Airport Landing Dues Information System) is a robust aeronautical billing system utilized by over thirty airports globally. It is designed to streamline billing processes, ensuring accurate invoicing and efficient revenue management. 

ALDIS supports data formats such as ICAO, IATA, and UK CAA, enabling precise billing of aircraft movements and services.

The main functionalities of ALDIS can be summed up as:

Aeronautical Billing

ALDIS’ billing engine offers unparalleled flexibility and configurability. It calculates standard rates, flat rates, operator charges, and more based on data from the underlying database and airport fee structures. This module handles various charges including landing and parking fees, fuel, passenger tax, and miscellaneous fees related to aircraft movements.

Ledger Accounting

The system easily integrates with leading accounting packages, simplifying data integration for purchase ledger and sales ledger activities. ALDIS ensures efficient financial management by facilitating easy transfer of billing data to accounting systems.

Reports and Audits

ALDIS includes a comprehensive report writer that generates individual reports in Excel format for in-depth analysis and graphing. It enables airport authorities to track financial performance, monitor compliance, and make informed decisions.

Some other exclusive features of ALDIS:

Audit

Provides full audit routines to ensure transparency and compliance with regulatory standards.

Data Extract Tool

Allows airport operators and staff to generate ad-hoc reports for statistical analysis, facilitating informed decision-making and airport management.

Financial Management System Integrations

Integrates seamlessly with standard financial management systems such as SAP, SUN Accounting, and Sage Line, streamlining financial processes and ensuring data consistency.

Government Statistics

Meets mandatory reporting requirements of the UK Government, CAA-AvStats, and NATS, ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate reporting of airport statistics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Aeronautical Billing Systems are the linchpin of airport revenue management, revolutionising financial operations and driving sustainable growth. 

By implementing an Aeronautical Billing Systems, you’re investing in the future of your airport. Look forward to even more advanced features like real-time billing, integration with artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and seamless mobile payment options for airlines.

AIS offers ALDIS, a highly-trained aeronautical billing system that has been successfully implemented in over thirty airports worldwide. 

Interested to know more about AIS’ Aeronautical Billing System and how it can streamline your airport’s financial management?

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