If aircraft are to take off or land with an average frequency of just one minute per aircraft, efficient ground times are essential. The decisive role in achieving this unprecedented performance is played by technical achievements that reduce handling times to a minimum.

Aviation law states that aircraft may only be refueled once all passengers have disembarked. This leaves only around 45 to 60 minutes to prepare each aircraft for the next scheduled flight. Fast, precise refueling is therefore crucial in order to keep to the tight schedule. For this reason, the new Istanbul Airport relies on the most modern automated refueling system currently available from İGA Airport Fuel Services. Based on an underfloor refuelling system, it covers the entire airport apron area of 6.5 million square metres and offers immense advantages over conventional refuelling vehicles, including much faster and more precise refuelling, minimized congestion on the apron and risk-reduced work processes.

Getac's robust solution forms the core of this system. The entire fleet of 60 airfield tankers, known as hydrant dispensers, are each equipped with a Getac F110 tablet and a secure vehicle docking station from Havis. They are used to connect the aircraft that have just landed with the modern hydrant system, an underground pipeline system. The aviation turbine fuel for refueling the planes is taken from the hydrant system's "pits".

Using the 4G connectivity integrated into the tablets, the staff at the pits can communicate directly with the central control system and initiate the refueling process. This ensures that the required amount of fuel is added precisely and automatically. In addition, employees can use the tablet to contact the dispatch center from anywhere on the airport apron, ensuring that they are always in the right place to reach the next arriving aircraft directly.

"Smooth flight operations depend on fast, effective communication coupled with reliable technical equipment under all conditions," says Seyfullah Yavuz, Head of Delivery Facility Operation at İGA Airport Fuel Services. "Getac's robust solutions not only withstand the demanding external working conditions of an airport, they also connect directly and completely trouble-free with our automated refueling system, reducing sources of error - while increasing efficiency by up to 60 percent compared to traditional fuel tankers."

As 50 of the 60 dispensers in use are electric vehicles, İGA Airport Fuel Services also uses the F110 tablet to track battery life using integrated real-time vehicle monitoring software. The tablet's display and processor allow operators to simultaneously monitor both fuel supply and battery life via a split-screen function, preventing vehicle downtime. The screen is designed to be readable and easy to use in all environments, even in direct sunlight or rain. The tablet remains functional even when exposed to dust, water or strong vibrations. Noya Bilgisayar, Getac's Turkish partner, is available to İGA Airport Fuel Services at any time for additional technical support.

"The Getac solution we are providing to Istanbul Airport offers the perfect combination of maximum reliability, powerful connectivity and flexible performance," said Rick Hwang, President of the Rugged Business Unit at Getac Technology Corporation. "IGA Airport Fuel Services no longer has to worry about equipment failures or reliability issues. This allows drivers and dispatchers to focus on providing on-time service every time. This means Getac provides Istanbul Airport with highly reliable operations for time-critical aircraft refueling."