The SIGN-AIR project will develop and pilot a new platform in EU member states for organized data sharing in multimodal travel and facilitate the creation of a unified ticket for use across all modes of transportation in each trip…!
In a new European research project titled SIGN-AIR, which aims to create a platform for combined transport or multimodal journeys and the issuance of a unified ticket for the use of different transport means, two Greek companies, Hellenic Seaplanes and Aethon Engineering, are participating. The project’s budget exceeds 5 million euros. The European project involves the development of a platform offering a new set of methodologies and tools for Transport Service Providers such as buses, ships, airplanes, trains, sea planes, etc., providing the ability to register, enter into data-sharing agreements with other Transport Service Providers, and manage contractual relationships with the goal of allowing passengers to use a combination of transportation means (e.g., airplane-bus-sea plane) to reach their final destination.
Recently, an agreement was signed with the European Union and the project’s stakeholders, including the two Greek companies Hellenic Seaplanes and Aethon Engineering, outlining the framework for the development and completion of the SIGN-AIR platform under the Digital European Sky initiative as part of the SESAR project. The SIGN-AIR project includes 14 stakeholders and companies from the European Union, Greece, Spain, Belgium, Serbia, Italy, and France:
- Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
- French National School of Civil Aviation (ENAC)
- Aethon Engineering Greece
- European Federation of Passengers (EFP)
- Time.lex Belgium
- Hellenic Seaplanes S.A.
- UPC Innovation and Technology Center (CARNET)
- Metropolitan Transport Authority of Barcelona (ATM)
- SMART TICKETING ALLIANCE (STA)
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
- University of Belgrade Serbia
- Public Transport Company Emilia-Romagna Italy
- Municipal Transport of Metropolitan Barcelona
- FRANCK DUMORTIER JURISTE (FD)
Following the signing of the agreement in Barcelona, Aethon Engineering’s CEO, Mr. Alexandros Papacharalampous, emphasized: “With the SIGN-AIR project, we aim for true cooperation between different transport modes, with the goal of offering convenience and speed to travelers. This is a bold move towards the digital transformation of transport, as it will facilitate smooth and uninterrupted travel with multiple transport means, primarily focusing on air transport.
The SIGN-AIR platform will provide a range of advantages and services to interested parties by analyzing and utilizing contracts. Specifically, Providers will have access to contract templates, simplifying legal management, electronic management, and the provision of information for every active contract, as well as itinerary information that will enhance smart mobile applications (e.g., Google Maps), resulting in the issuance of a unified ticket for all transport modes that the traveler will use.”
The President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, regarding the signing of the agreement with the European Union in Barcelona, stated: “The creation and operation of the SIGN-AIR platform with our participation represents an innovative technological opportunity with significant developmental prospects both nationally and throughout the European Union. The options for a multimodal trip combining different means of transport must be made easy and affordable for passengers, offering them access and choices… this will enhance the tourism product of our country by introducing a new flexible system where one ticket allows you to reach your destination, switching between transport means and routes to popular tourist destinations and new ones as well.
Moreover, beyond the aim of facilitating and expanding the visitability of tourist areas, our participation in the SIGN-AIR platform provides us with the opportunity to integrate sea planes into multimodal journeys, serving destinations and ensuring complete air coverage of Greece.
The integration of new, innovative technologies into our lives, such as the SIGN-AIR platform, will make combined transport more efficient, enhance mobility, improve environmental performance, and create better services for citizens and businesses.”
