Lufthansa Systems today presented NetLine/Hub, the world’s first fully integrated hub management solution for airlines. This comprehensive IT system, which handles the most important transfer and turnaround processes at hubs, was unveiled at the AGIFORS Airline Operations conference in London. By improving flight connections and accelerating the recovery of operations in case of irregularities at airline hubs, NetLine/Hub can reduce an airline’s costs significantly.

“Hubs are especially important to every airline. Passengers who land at a hub want to be sure they can catch their connecting flight so that they reach their destination on time. Customer satisfaction and an airline’s economic success therefore depend largely on smooth operations on the ground,” said Stefan Auerbach, Senior Vice President Airline Solutions at Lufthansa Systems.

Hubs are very dynamic operating environments with numerous interdependent handling processes involving a variety of internal and external partners. In case of delays, solutions have to be found that ensure as many passengers as possible reach their connecting flights. Depending on the situation, external service providers may need to adjust their workflows as well.

NetLine/Hub makes it possible for airlines to control all of these processes using an integrated system with a standardized interface. The solution provides a continuous overview of connecting flights and the handling situation so that airlines can take steps to minimize the effect of disruptions. Since NetLine/Hub provides all of the necessary information in real time, airlines can make decisions more quickly and choose the most economic options from all possible scenarios. The solution also takes into account the higher yield of passengers in first and business class, for example. NetLine/Hub not only improves hub efficiency and increases customer satisfaction by ensuring that fewer passengers miss their connections, it also significantly lowers an airline’s costs.