The Operations Control Center (OCC) is responsible for coordinating all flight operations and managing various aspects of an airline’s daily activity, including flight & network scheduling, turnaround monitoring, conflict resolution, and more.

Moonware’s HALO equips OCC users with instant access to critical operational and communication tools, significantly enhancing their ability to perform tasks efficiently. This enables swift and effective management of challenges that emerge on the airfield, ensuring smooth operations.

Here is how HALO optimizes the duties of the OCC throughout the day:

 

Operational Handoff & Preparation
Given the continuous operation of the OCC, crew members seamlessly transition airport operations from previous shifts on a rolling basis. An OCC member begins their workday by checking in with their colleagues from the night before, and conducting a team briefing to address any unresolved issues.

As an incoming OCC user logs into HALO, they identify an issue with a pushback tug causing persistent delays. Using the platform, they promptly contact the maintenance team to expedite repairs and adjust the vehicle’s availability, minimizing disruptions to the morning’s flight arrivals.

 

Aircraft servicing operations

 

Monitoring Operations
Mid-morning, HALO alerts the OCC user about a delayed inbound flight from a storm-affected region. The user quickly reallocates gate assignments and communicates the changes to ground staff and airline representatives through HALO, ensuring a smooth update process without congesting other operations. Using HALO, the OCC user keeps tabs on operations in real time, including flight arrivals, departures, turnarounds, and ground services. They coordinate with various teams, including baggage handlers, catering, fueling, and aircraft mechanics, to ensure everything runs on schedule and any emerging issues are handled promptly.

Resource Allocation
During a scheduling update, a staffing issue is identified, resulting in an unallocated flight that could disrupt the schedule of other inbound aircraft. The OCC user leverages HALO to address this challenge efficiently. The system automatically re-runs its dispatching algorithm, which assigns new crew according to their shifts, availability, location, certifications, among other filters, to cover the shortfall. 

Communication
Simultaneously, HALO enhances communication among ground crew, dispatchers, and managers to ensure they are all informed and adjust their workflows accordingly. This seamless integration helps maintain operational fluidity and minimizes potential delays in cargo handling, demonstrating effective teamwork on the ground.

 

Airfield landscape and operations

 

Reporting, Analysis, and Shift Handover
At the end of each day, the OCC user receives analytics and performance metrics through HALO, highlighting recurring issues and patterns such as frequent late evening flight delays. This detailed reporting allows for strategic improvements in staffing and resource allocation to enhance future operational efficiency. By identifying trends and inefficiencies, the user can make informed decisions for better airfield operations and planning. Additionally, at the end of their shift, the OCC user utilizes HALO to provide a comprehensive handover to the next shift team. This handover includes updates on ongoing issues, rerouted resources, and status reports on weather-related delays, ensuring seamless continuity and preparedness in airport operations.

Conclusion
The role of an OCC user is critical in maintaining the safety and efficiency of airport turnaround operations. HALO significantly enhances their capabilities by streamlining communication and providing comprehensive airfield awareness. This advanced platform not only optimizes daily operations but also empowers OCC users to proactively address issues and implement strategic improvements. By leveraging HALO, operators can achieve higher levels of operational efficiency, safety, and overall performance, setting new industry standards.