Billings airport adds flight info system, wireless Internet

The installation of a Flight Information Display System at Billings Logan International Airport will allow holiday travelers to keep better track of their flights and connect to the Internet wirelessly.

Kevin Ploehn, business manager at Logan, said workers will begin pulling wire to install the system this week. Although the airport hopes to have the system installed by Christmas, he is sure it will be in place by the end of the year.

The decision to set up the system was a matter of customer convenience, Ploehn said.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, passengers aren’t allowed to go to the concourse to determine if their plane is on the tarmac. Because airline personnel check baggage and take tickets at the gate in addition to working the ticket counter, it can be difficult to find someone to give the status of a flight. The new displays – about 12 of them – will be placed throughout the terminal so passengers can just look up at the wall to find out their flight’s status.

The system also provides a solution to complaints received from customers frustrated by the lack of information on their flights, Ploehn said.

The system, installed by Opti-Fi Networks of Maryland, will run on wireless Internet. In addition to avoiding running cables all over the airport, the Wireless High Fidelity Local Area Network, known as Wi-Fi, will allow business travelers to connect with the Internet. Although connection is available through pay phones at the airport, Ploehn said there are more laptops and PDAs with wireless cards, and customers will begin to expect the amenity.

By ANGIE BUCKLEY – The Billings Gazette

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2005/12/15/montana/a09121505_05.txt