Heathrow AOC Ltd, through the AOC Shared Systems Board, has awarded Rockwell Collins, through its recent acquisition of ARINC, a five-year contract that will place the company’s latest ARINC vMUSE™ Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) in all four common-use terminals at LHR, one of the world’s busiest airports.

As part of the agreement, LHR—which has been using the ARINC Multi-User System Environment (MUSE) platform in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 since 1999—will now upgrade those terminals to vMUSE, and install a new vMUSE system in terminal 4. The vMUSE implementation will support more than 1,500 common-use workstations and up to 300 dedicated back office workstations.

The company’s implementation of vMUSE supports the latest CUPPS standards, offers airlines and airports new efficiencies and savings, and by including vMUSE Enterprise, extends CUPPS support to off-site locations and wireless devices. Scalable for any size airline or airport, vMUSE is engineered to support emerging technologies including baggage drop and leading-edge bag management systems.

“As one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow must utilize the most effective passenger processing technologies available,” said David P. Wilding, chairman of the AOC Shared Systems Board. “The ARINC system enables us to meet the needs of our member airlines by improving the efficiency and flexibility of passenger processing, which ultimately enables us to provide the best customer service possible.”

“We’ve been working with LHR for many years, and are delighted that the AOC has decided to renew and expand its relationship with us,” said Tony Chapman, executive director, Heathrow for Rockwell Collins’ Information Management Services business. “As passenger traffic continues to grow, we remain committed to providing airlines and airports of all sizes with the most efficient solutions available to meet passenger demands.”

Information Management Services Rockwell Collins’ Information Management Services (IMS) business, formed after Rockwell Collins acquired ARINC Incorporated in 2013, enables mission-critical data and voice communications and management throughout the world. The company’s products and services are used in over 100 airports worldwide to meet the dual challenges of steady growth in the number of air travelers and ever-increasing security measures. IMS includes airport communications and information systems designed to ease congestion and improve airport efficiency via airline agent and passenger-facing check-in, baggage, boarding and access control solutions; voice and data communication services; and comprehensive business aviation flight support services. More information is available at www.rockwellcollins.com/ARINC.

Rockwell Collins press release