Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—especially not in the aviation industry. From predicting passenger flows to optimizing security staffing, AI is already transforming how airports operate. But what does "Airport AI" really mean, and how does it go beyond the likes of ChatGPT or generative AI?
In this post, we unpack what AI in airports truly entails, why it’s critical to future-proof operations, and how Copenhagen Optimization’s Better Airport software is enabling airports worldwide to become truly intelligent.
What is Airport AI?
"Airport AI" is an umbrella term that encompasses the use of artificial intelligence technologies in airport environments to improve efficiency, planning, decision-making, and ultimately the passenger experience.
AI in airports spans several types of technologies:
Unlike the often-hyped generative AI (like ChatGPT), the kind of AI that truly impacts airport operations today is grounded in robust, practical applications that solve specific, high-value problems.
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To put it simply: you can no longer build or run a modern airport without AI. The complexity of airport operations—interfacing thousands of flights, passengers, and resources daily—demands smarter tools.
The intelligent airport isn’t just a concept—it’s a necessity. As air traffic rebounds and traveler expectations rise, AI provides a competitive edge in both cost-efficiency and service quality.
Copenhagen Optimization’s Better Airport suite is a prime example of Airport AI in action. Here’s how it works across airport operations covering everything from check-in to baggage reclaim:
At Manchester and Stansted airports, for instance, machine learning has improved the forecasted time stamps EXIT (estimated taxi in time) and EXOT (estimated taxi out time) by up to 50% compared to traditional estimates.
These aren’t just theoretical models. They are active systems used daily by planners who are already seeing measurable improvements in performance and efficiency.
Airports generate an enormous amount of data—from flight schedules and passenger flows to baggage handling and security throughput. But data alone isn’t value. It’s what you do with it that defines success.
When airports operate with outdated tools or static planning models, they often get stuck at the lower end of what Gartner defines as the Analytics Maturity Model. Here’s what that looks like—and why moving up the ladder is critical:
1. Descriptive Analytics: What happened?
3. Predictive Analytics: What will happen?
Here’s where Airport AI begins to make a serious difference. With machine learning models trained on historical and real-time data, airports can forecast passenger surges, baggage demand, or gate usage with remarkable accuracy.
Better Airport, for example, improves time predictions far beyond traditional methods. Instead of reacting to delays, planners can now anticipate and prevent them
4. Prescriptive Analytics: How can we change what will happen?
This is the Intelligent Airport. AI doesn’t just show what’s coming—it helps determine the best action. Whether it's reallocating security staff in real time or optimizing gate assignment during disruptions, the system supports smarter decisions at scale.
This journey is not just technological, but transformational. At the base, we have Business Intelligence: basic dashboards and KPIs. But true advantage lies higher up—where artificial intelligence, machine learning, and optimization intersect to drive real-time, data-backed decisions.
Staying in the descriptive stage is like reading yesterday’s weather report and expecting it to help with tomorrow’s flight operations.
Your might also want to read: How aviation data analytics improves your airport operations
Copenhagen Optimization is proud to be an enabler of the Intelligent Airport. Our software, Better Airport, incorporates AI in ways that are practical, measurable, and ready for deployment.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is already on this journey. As their CIO, Nick Woods, put it: “Our mission is to become the world’s most intelligent airports.”
Copenhagen Optimization plays a key role in helping them realize that mission. Through Better Airport, we provide the forecasting accuracy, planning intelligence, and decision-support tools needed to move from reactive operations to data-driven excellence. It’s not just about managing complexity—it’s about mastering it.
“The potential of AI is everywhere—certainly also in airports. And the technology is already mature enough to create tremendous value,” says Anders Dohn, Co-CEO & founder, Copenhagen Optimization.