Highlights
Airport operations technology company Blunav has successfully secured $1 million in seed funding, with the round led by Piper Serica. This funding will be utilised for the growth of the team, ongoing product development, and expanding deployments both within India and in international markets, according to a recent press statement.
Founded by Suseendar Marimuthu and Cherukuru Sridharan, Blunav is focused on developing a comprehensive, cloud-based Airport Operating System. This system integrates operational, passenger, and enterprise systems into one cohesive platform. The primary goal of the company is to assist small to mid-sized airports in modernising their operations, enhancing efficiency, and improving the passenger experience.
Challenges in Airport Operations
Blunav aims to tackle ongoing challenges in the aviation industry. Smaller regional airports frequently depend on manual processes, while mid-sized airports use a variety of disjointed vendor systems. In contrast, larger hubs handle intricate multi-terminal environments where operational data is segregated, resulting in limited interoperability among systems.
Deployment at Chennai International Airport
Blunav, based in Chennai, has implemented its first deployment at Chennai International Airport as part of the Airports Authority of India’s Startup India initiative. Following the deployment, its Airside Management software led to a significant 22% decrease in runway occupancy time during a 20-day study that encompassed over 3,500 flights.
Unified Airport Operating System
The architecture of Blunav’s Airport Operating System is designed to consolidate various operational systems into a single interconnected platform. This structure facilitates real-time access to operational data across teams, systems, and passenger interfaces, providing an integrated approach to airport management.
Competitive Landscape
Blunav faces competition from renowned global airport technology firms such as SITA and Amadeus, yet its innovative solutions specifically cater to the needs of smaller and mid-sized airports.