FIDS Software — Modern Flight Information Display for Any Airport
Cloud-based flight information display system software that connects to any flight data API and manages real-time gate, departure, and arrival screens across every terminal — no proprietary hardware lock-in.
Trusted by businesses worldwide
SOC 2 Type II
ISO Certified
What Is a FIDS System?
A flight information display system (FIDS) is a networked software and hardware platform that retrieves real-time flight data — including departure times, gate numbers, arrival status, and delay alerts — and displays it on screens throughout an airport terminal, automatically and in real time.
FIDS is the backbone of passenger information in modern airports. From check-in desks to boarding gates, departure halls to baggage claim, FIDS screens keep passengers and ground staff informed — reducing missed flights, easing congestion, and improving the overall airport experience. Airport IT and operations teams depend on FIDS to handle dynamic flight data feeds, schedule content, and push emergency alerts across dozens or hundreds of screens simultaneously. Learn more about FIDS in our in-depth guide.
Who Uses FIDS?
Airport IT directors, operations managers, and AV systems integrators at regional and international airports. FIDS is also deployed in train stations, ferry terminals, and intermodal transport hubs.
What Does FIDS Stand For?
FIDS stands for Flight Information Display System — the technology category covering all software and hardware used to display live flight data to passengers and airport staff.
Why Legacy FIDS Systems Hold Airports Back
Airports upgrading their passenger information infrastructure often face a difficult calculation: replace an entire proprietary FIDS system or extend a contract with diminishing value. Legacy systems were built before cloud management, multi-zone content, and commercial display compatibility became achievable. The constraints are operational, not just financial.
Proprietary Hardware Lock-in
Legacy FIDS solutions run on purpose-built hardware tied to a single vendor. Expanding your screen count, upgrading components, or switching suppliers means renegotiating contracts and procuring specialist equipment on the vendor's terms.
Content Limited to Flight Data
Traditional FIDS boards can only show flight information. There is no way to add advertising revenue, wayfinding content, emergency alerts, or airline branding alongside departure data. Revenue opportunities and operational flexibility are both sacrificed.
No Remote Management
Updating a legacy FIDS screen typically requires an on-site technician. For an airport with screens across multiple terminals, this creates a significant operational burden and makes real-time content changes difficult.
Single-Vendor Dependency
When the vendor who owns your FIDS infrastructure enters an end-of-life hardware cycle or revises its support contract terms, airports have limited recourse. Maintenance obligations become unavoidable.
How Pickcel Works as a FIDS Platform
Pickcel connects to your existing flight data API, builds multi-zone layouts in a drag-and-drop editor, and publishes to all terminal screens simultaneously — with real-time remote updates and emergency content override included.
| Problem You Have | How Pickcel Handles It | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Locked to proprietary hardware | Runs on any commercial display — Samsung, LG, Android, BrightSign | Replace hardware without replacing software |
| Can only show flight data | Multi-zone layouts mix flight data with ads, wayfinding, and alerts | Revenue + operations on one screen |
| Needs on-site engineers to update | Full remote management from cloud dashboard | Update any screen in seconds from any location |
| Single vendor risk | Open platform — cloud-hosted, API-agnostic | No lock-in; switch hardware vendors freely |
| No emergency override | One-click broadcast to all screens instantly | Critical alerts reach every terminal display |
Four Steps to Deploy Pickcel as Your FIDS Platform
Connect Your Flight Data Source
Pickcel integrates with your existing flight data feed via API or scheduled data import. Departure times, arrival status, gate assignments, and delay notifications are pulled in and rendered in real time across your configured display layouts.
Build Your Terminal Layouts
Each screen can show multiple independent content zones simultaneously. A departure hall display can show live flight data in the primary zone, wayfinding information in a sidebar, and scheduled airline or retail promotions in a lower banner. All configured from the Pickcel dashboard.
Manage Everything Remotely
Your team controls every screen in every terminal from the Pickcel cloud dashboard. Role-based permissions let individual airlines manage their own gate zone content while the airport authority retains full control over the master layout and emergency override.
Scale Across Your Terminal
Assign content to screens or screen groups: departure halls, gate areas, check-in counters, lounges, or back-of-house crew briefing rooms. Schedule content in advance or push updates instantly from one central interface.
What Pickcel Delivers as a FIDS Platform
Pickcel is a cloud-based digital signage platform purpose-built for airport FIDS deployments — delivering real-time flight data display, multi-zone content layouts, instant emergency override, remote management, and compatibility with 50+ commercial display devices.
Real-Time Flight Data Display
Pickcel renders live departure and arrival data directly from your flight data source, including gate assignments, status changes, and delay notifications. Passengers see current, accurate information on every screen. Your team does not need to touch a single display to make an update.
Multi-Zone Layout Editor
Each Pickcel screen divides into independent content zones. A departure hall display shows live flight data, wayfinding information, and promotional content simultaneously, without separate hardware or software for each content type.
Emergency Content Override
Your operations team can push full-screen emergency alerts to every airport display instantly from the Pickcel dashboard. Alerts can be triggered manually or connected to automated notification systems, with no on-site staff required.
Remote Screen Management
Update any screen in any terminal from anywhere with an internet connection. The Pickcel dashboard provides complete visibility over all active screens, player health status, and scheduled content in real time.
50+ Hardware Compatibility
Pickcel runs on Samsung Smart Signage, LG webOS, standard Android media players, and more than 50 commercial display platforms. Airports can adopt a software-defined FIDS approach without discarding compatible existing hardware. See the full hardware compatibility overview.
Content Scheduling and Playlist Management
Schedule flight data layouts, promotional content, and wayfinding by time of day, terminal zone, or event trigger. Playlists rotate automatically so operations teams set content once and let the platform handle transitions across every screen.
FIDS Applications Across the Airport
Departure and Arrival Halls
Large-format departure boards and arrival screens showing real-time flight lists, status indicators, and terminal wayfinding. Multiple airline datasets can appear in one unified layout under the airport's master brand design.
- Real-time multi-airline departure boards
- Unified airport brand design
- Wayfinding in multi-zone layout
Gate Information Displays
Dedicated gate screens show boarding time, flight status, seat allocation updates, and gate-specific airline branding. Airlines manage content within their assigned zone while the airport authority retains master layout control and override capability.
- Airline-managed content zones
- Real-time boarding status
- Airport authority override
Baggage Claim Displays
Display baggage carousel assignments, delay notifications, and lost baggage helpdesk information — updated remotely in real time without staff intervention.
- Live carousel assignments
- Delay notifications
- Remote helpdesk updates
Check-In Counters
Show check-in desk assignments by flight or airline, queue status, and special handling notices — reducing check-in staff overhead and passenger confusion.
- Desk assignments by flight
- Live queue status
- Special handling notices
Lounge Multi-Zone Displays
Lounge screens combine live flight tracking with F&B promotions, amenity information, and airline loyalty programme content. Wayfinding information is scheduled by time of day and updated remotely as flight schedules change.
- Flight tracking with F&B promotions
- Airline loyalty content zones
- Scheduled by time of day
Back-of-House and Crew Briefing Screens
Operational displays for airline staff and ground handling teams show crew assignments, gate changes, aircraft turnaround status, and safety briefing content. Access is restricted to authorised operational users through Pickcel's role-based permissions.
- Gate change and turnaround status
- Safety briefing content
- Role-based access restriction
Pickcel vs. Traditional FIDS Hardware
| Capability | Pickcel | Traditional FIDS Hardware |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware requirement | Standard commercial displays (Samsung, LG, Android, 50+ others) | Proprietary hardware tied to vendor ecosystem |
| Update method | Remote, from cloud dashboard, instantly | On-site technical visit required for most updates |
| Content flexibility | Flight data + promotional content + wayfinding + emergency alerts in multi-zone layouts | Flight data only |
| Deployment timeline | Days to weeks | Months, including hardware procurement and installation |
| Cost model | Subscription-based software; no proprietary hardware purchase required | High upfront capital expenditure; ongoing maintenance contracts |
| Security certifications | SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 | Varies by vendor; third-party certification not standard |
Traditional FIDS systems were not designed for the content management requirements modern airports have. Pickcel closes that gap, combining flight data accuracy with the operational flexibility of a full-featured digital signage platform.
Enterprise-Grade Security for Airport Deployments
Pickcel is SOC 2 Type II certified and ISO 27001 certified, meeting the information security procurement requirements of airport authorities and government transport operators globally.
SOC 2 Type II Certified
Independent audited certification confirming Pickcel's security, availability, and confidentiality controls meet the Trust Services Criteria. Required by many enterprise and government procurement frameworks.
ISO 27001 Certified
Pickcel's information security management system is certified to ISO 27001, the internationally recognised standard for information security practices.
Role-Based Access + Audit Logs
Role-based permissions let airlines manage their assigned display zones while the airport authority retains master layout control. Full audit logs capture every configuration change with a user and timestamp.
FIDS pricing is available on request for airport-scale deployments. Contact us for a quote or book a demo and our airport solutions team will prepare a proposal. Details on Pickcel's security and compliance certifications are available on request.
Pickcel in Aviation: Varanasi Airport
Airport / Aviation
Varanasi Airport: Centralised, Remote-Controlled Terminal Displays
The Challenge
Managing display content across airport terminals with reliable real-time updates and centralised operational control.
The Outcome
Cloud-based digital signage deployed across airport terminals with remote content management and multi-zone layouts.
Ready to Replace Your Legacy FIDS?
Join airports and transit operators worldwide who have moved from proprietary FIDS infrastructure to Pickcel's open, cloud-based platform. Our airport solutions team will scope your deployment, walk through data integration, and provide a tailored proposal. Dedicated onboarding support and a named solutions contact are included with every airport deployment.
No credit card required. Pricing available on request for airport-scale deployments.
Frequently Asked Questions About FIDS Software
You Might Also Like
Airport Digital Signage
The complete Pickcel solution for airport display environments, covering FIDS, wayfinding, advertising, and operational screens across all terminal areas.
Read more about Pickcel for airports →What Is a FIDS System?
Educational guide to flight information display systems: how they work, their history, components, and how modern cloud platforms compare to legacy hardware.
Read the complete guide to FIDS systems →Varanasi Airport
See how Varanasi Airport deployed Pickcel for digital signage across airport terminals with remote content management and centralised control.
Read the Varanasi Airport case study →