How often does your team pick up the phone to provide an update or change on a typical day?
Or grab the “Ops Mobile Phone” to make a call?
Or use their personal mobile phone to shoot off a WhatsApp message to a ground agent somewhere in the network?
Sound familiar? How often does that happen in your OCC? It might be daunting to count, because it might be a scary number. Communication remains essential. Strong and timely communication is at the core of a successful Operations Control Centre (OCC) and is here to stay.
It is the methods we use that are up for review.
No matter the size, shape or geological location of your OCC, keeping both internal and external stakeholders up to date can consume a significant part of the ‘day to day’. Aircraft movements to fuel orders, routine updates or managing unexpected disruptions, robust and accurate communication is nothing short of critical.
How does your OCC handle broadcasting changes to all affected parties? Communication channels typically include phone calls, radio, email, text, and instant messaging, with each tool used to transfer information seamlessly across platforms. Often manual, and always wide open for error. Distraction can leave the task outstanding and relying on in-house messaging systems with no way to confirm message delivery, you might not be reaching all parties impacting the next sequence of the operation as it unfolds.
We’ve been there and have addressed these challenges, offering solutions that eliminate repetition and say farewell to copy and paste – for good!
We offer Alert Notifications, an automated platform that allows REACH Aero® to send notifications to stakeholders (airports, fuelers, caterers, etc.) via email and SMS, with more methods coming soon. This system is fully automated based on trigger events, ensuring timely and reliable communication. If there is a delay, all parties are informed.
For instance, do you need to notify fuelers every time an aircraft is 30 minutes out from its destination? Or inform a VIP client of a 60-minute delay, especially for critical operations like FIFO? Caterers can receive a system generated headcount from your manifest before the aircraft has landed, so once you hit the deck they are ready and waiting. Once configured, sit back and watch our REACH Aero handle the automated communications with precision and accuracy ensuring reliable data is available for those making critical and often time sensitive decisions. Even if you are held up with another task, you have assurance the message is still being delivered.
OCC’s globally have adopted a multichannel approach to communication because up until recently, there was no better way. Paul Chevalier, SkyNets GM, has seen inside more than his fair share of OCC’s and has worked with a number of industry experts to now be able to offer an ecosystem built to address the needs of aviation operators in the business today. Operators have the opportunity to overhaul current workflow strategies, making the most out of resources and skyrocketing operational agility. Consideration to improved ways of working requires a time investment, and the adaptation is where you see the return.
Overhauling your communication strategy may seem daunting, but it is surprisingly straightforward and yields noticeable benefits multiple times a day. After an initial consultation, we’ll conduct a thorough needs analysis and configure communication channels tailored to your requirements, we can even set up different access levels for each employee and client. From there it’s onwards up upwards! Communication can sit within a single platform, working autonomously for you and your team, saving time and impressing stakeholders – it won’t be long before they start asking how you are able to do that?!
With the integration of leading communication apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram), our ability to provide real-time updates and facilitate smoother operations will sit in the palm of key customers. Your operation doesn’t just talk the talk, it walks the walk with future-ready communication systems which can be seen by all.
Additionally, we support ACARS communication to and from the aircraft, as well as standard IATA AIDX messages (SSIM, MVT, CHG, CNL, DLY) to ensure compatibility with global aviation infrastructure.
Effective communication is crucial for success (as any married person can attest!), requiring continuous review and adaptable strategies to thrive. Our OCC Healthcheck is designed to guide you to success by giving key insight across 9 indicators. Identifying opportunities to pivot and forge a new path can distinguish you from others, enhancing your reputation in the industry.
Communication is here to stay. By integrating industry-specific automated technology into your OCC, you not only enhance operational efficiency but also position your airline as an industry leader, embracing technology for seamless, future-ready success.
