Sky Harbor and ARINC Lead Nation with First Fully Accessible Airport Paging System.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, this week took the wraps off its long-anticipated PIPS Passenger Information and Paging System. Designed by the airport in collaboration with community groups and ARINC Incorporated, PIPS makes airport paging easier to use and fully accessible to anyone who visits the airport. It also allows visually or hearing impaired passengers to receive pages and return messages without need for assistance.

"We have created a fundamentally new type of public information and paging system," stated Phoenix Aviation Technology Project Manager Dennis Murphy. "Here for the first time the airport industry has taken into account the needs of all travelers for information."

PIPS does away with the familiar "white paging phone." Instead, Sky Harbor visitors will be able to receive and send messages at 30 Paging Assistance Locations or PALs. Each is equipped with a touch screen, Braille enhanced keyboard, EZ Access(TM) device for users with limited hand mobility, a telephone handset, a headset adaptor, and an adaptor for those with cochlear implants. Names of travelers being paged are displayed on the PAL monitors and carried over the PAL loudspeakers throughout the airport.

Phoenix Sky Harbor worked with community groups and advocates for people with disabilities in designing the PIPS system. "I'm so excited and I'm so proud of Phoenix Sky Harbor," remarked Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, a long-time supporter. "We're the first to implement a system like this."

The PAL Instructions are provided in English, Spanish and German, and a handset with Braille instructions is connected to the airport communications center. Touch screens can be navigated using only 5 buttons, an aid to those with limited use of their hands.

"Airports across the country have expressed interest in this innovative paging system," stated Mike Picco, ARINC's Vice President, Airport Systems. "ARINC is always excited to introduce technology that benefits the traveler, and it would be hard to find a more striking example than the PIPS system at Phoenix Sky Harbor."

The new PIPS technology is based on ARINC's AirVue display system, which collects and distributes data and voice messages from dozens of airline computers, airport staff, airline agents, and users of the PALs system. ARINC's integrated database generates the screen displays and audible outputs for the PALs, as well as managing the hundreds of flight display screens and communication devices displaying flight times, gate changes, and emergency information throughout the airport.

Sky Harbor has long been a leader in providing accessibility through careful physical design and the provision of accessible services. It currently ranks as the world's 6th busiest airport for takeoffs and landings, serving nearly 40 million passengers a year. For more information, visit the Sky Harbor web site at www.phxskyharbor.com, or call Sky Harbor at 602-273-3300.

ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,000 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 Certified. For more information, visit the ARINC web site at www.arinc.com.