Airports are incredibly complex ecosystems with huge amounts of data generated every second, every day, all year round. From flights, passengers, and baggage, to ground operations, weather forecasting, and security lanes, everything is a data point you can leverage.
In fact, the future of aviation operations lies in the ability to gather this data from across different systems and leverage it for efficient resource planning. As airports face rising passenger volumes, operational constraints, and growing pressure to optimize performance, aviation analytics becomes an essential part of the business.
In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of aviation analytics—what it is, why it matters, and how you can begin relying on data to enhance operational efficiency.
What is aviation data analytics?
Aviation data analytics refers to the process of collecting and analyzing vast and diverse datasets from across the entire aviation ecosystem. It includes everything from check-ins, baggage, and security to terminal layout, processing times, and airline schedules—to name just a few. Integrating so many different systems and data sources at scale is also known as "big data", and operators have the chance to greatly improve airport performance if harnessed correctly.
But it goes beyond just those operational metrics. Everything in an airport, and we mean everything, can be treated as a data point—which means everything can be tracked, assessed, and evaluated.
Comprehensive tracking is crucial, because when performance data is vast, patterns will emerge. When we identify patterns, we can implement optimizations. And once the flow of data is set up correctly, we can begin experimenting with different optimizations.
Did optimization A result in shorter queue times? Did optimization B create a smoother check-in flow?
That’s the core idea of aviation data analytics.
Collecting and analyzing all this information is where the real magic happens. However, creating the correct setup that allows this magic to happen can be a significant challenge.
How valuable is data analysis in the aviation industry?
Correctly leveraging the available performance data in your airport is akin to having an aircraft designed correctly in terms of aerodynamics.
The surrounding elements are the same for all airplanes—namely, the wind conditions. However, the ability to pass through the wind depends almost entirely on the aerodynamic design of the plane.
The same is true for airport operations, as the surrounding elements, by and large, are much the same—planes arrive and depart, travelers enter queues and drop off baggage, gates open and close, and so on.
However, the ability to operate effectively depends almost entirely on your internal processes and systems. And this is where aviation data analytics can set you apart from the competition. Your data analyses are your aerodynamics. Your profit margins are your ability to cut through the wind and arrive faster and more reliably at the target destination.
So: How valuable is data in airport operations?
Incredibly valuable.
And now the question becomes: Are you flying blind in a sub-optimally designed airplane? Or are you leveraging science to design the most optimal version of your operation?
What insights can you gain through big data in aviation analytics?
If you’re not currently investing in aviation data analytics, you’re potentially missing out on valuable insights. Insights that will allow you to better understand your operations, your customers, and, ultimately, what levers to pull in order to maximize efficiency and profitability.
As airports operate under tight capacity and infrastructure constraints, daily challenges include managing fluctuating passenger demand, coordinating with airlines, balancing spend and revenue, and ensuring smooth day-of-operations. Aviation analytics provide:
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Accurate predictions and forecasting: Historical and real-time data enable better forecasting of passenger loads, queue build-ups, stand conflicts, security demand, and baggage volumes.
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Earlier detection: Thanks to historical data and advanced analysis, operators can spot anomalies in turnaround processes, delays, and outlier flights, stands, or handlers.
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Better resource optimization: Staffing, check-in counters, stand/gate allocation, and security lanes can be planned more effectively, reducing bottlenecks and unnecessary costs. Data insights can be especially useful in recovery playbooks during irregular operations (IROPS).
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More operational agility: From flight delays to weather events, real-time analytics allow for rapid re-planning during disruptions.
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Improved measurement and collaboration: Data transparency across stakeholders (airlines, ground handlers, security) leads to better coordination and fewer surprises. This enables stronger end-to-end performance across teams.
Explore the improved operational flow by clicking on the individual areas in the Airport Horseshoe Model.
Fig.: The Airport Horseshoe Model incorporates operations and services in a single interconnected overview
Solve business-critical issues before they happen
Traditionally, many airports have operated reactively, responding to issues as they arise. Aviation data analytics shifts the paradigm to proactive operations. With airport software like Better Forecast, analysts and planners can use trusted data insights to simulate different scenarios, spot trends before they escalate, and make decisions based on predictive models.
This proactive mindset helps reduce queue times, lower operational costs, and ultimately deliver a better experience for passengers and staff alike.
How these airports boosted operational efficiency
Copenhagen Airport used data analytics to optimize their check-in and security processes. We quickly identified a range of areas that could be improved for internal processes as well as the overall passenger experience. The result? A 26% reduction in the amount of check-in counters, and a 42% increase in throughput at security checkpoints.
Another example is our collaboration with London Luton Airport. Using data, we successfully reduced the amount of time spent on passenger forecasting by a staggering 89%. Furthermore, since our platform is programmed to be self-correcting, accuracy is also constantly improving.
Take advantage of big data and optimize operations at your airport
At Copenhagen Optimization, we specialize in helping airports utilize their data insights and turn them into actionable information. Our solutions are designed by airport experts, for airport experts, ensuring that every recommendation is operationally feasible and impactful.
Whether you’re looking to optimize your terminal layout, refine your resource planning, or gain better control over day-of-operations performance, aviation data analytics is fundamental. At Copenhagen Optimization, we want to help you achieve just that.
That’s why we’ve developed the airport management solution Better Airport, the world’s leading connected operations platform for airport operators. We connect the dots for you and ensure you have a single source of truth regarding your data. Book a demo of our analytics software Better Airport to test out its capabilities.
