COVID-19 has challenged airport forecasting and planning on an unprecedented level. With a solid methodology, the ability to produce new forecasts with a high frequency and to quickly translate these forecasts into operational plans, airports can overcome the challenge and ensure a successful recovery. The ability...
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| 3 steps to avoid bottlenecks at your security checkpoint | Summer is just around the corner, and for most airports, this means a peak in the number of passengers. With passenger numbers reaching a record high, airports are desperately looking to maximize capacity to ensure that they are prepared to handle the incoming flow of passengers. Investing enormous amounts of CAPEX and OPEX is too late, not to mention too risky.
This is why our team of experts share with you the three key actions all airport operation planners should take to avoid security waiting times.
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| 4 reasons your airport needs to adapt to new technologies and how to do it | 4 reasons your airport needs to adapt to new technologies and how to do itThe airport industry is going through a major business transformation. To ensure a smooth operation, you need to understand the triggers and how to adapt. This post explains the triggers, highlights the key technologies impacting airports now and in the future, and what elements to keep in mind when adopting them at your airport.The triggers behind the transformationThe transformation is fueled by four triggers:#1 The first trigger is passenger growth. Airports that have previously been able to operate without constraints are now feeling the pain of long lines snaking through the terminal, causing delays, unhappy passengers or misconnections resulting in social media uproar.#2 The second trigger is the rising importance of retail revenue: the increased significance of non-aeronautical revenue (NAR), is forcing airports to shift focus. At an airport conference, I overheard a vendor describing airports as malls with runways attached. This is in line with a recent ACI analysis that shows that retail concessions remain the largest source of non-aeronautical revenue for airports at 30.2% (ACI Economic Report March 2019).#3 The importance of retail revenue is closely tied with the third trigger, the need for increasing passenger satisfaction: Having a bad experience at the airport once, leaves the passenger with a lasting impression of not wanting to show up early, resulting in fewer sales and less revenue. Also, being stressed by the passenger journey through the airport reduces the desire to spend time in retail. Even though your airport may stay within your service level agreements for wait time at security or check-in, the actual passenger experience may still be poor, if lines snake outside the roped-off queuing area or if the airport layout causes confusion and a sense of chaos.#4 The final trigger is the increased applicability of new technologies. Biometrics, CT-scanners, and baggage tracking software have now reached a level of accuracy and affordability that can significantly improve processing times and security measures while making passengers happy. However, the technologies are not just plug ‘n play. Airports need to understand their operational processes and have a holistic approach to airport operations to gain the full benefit of adopting new technologies. The technologies driving the transformation and how they create a better airportThe first step before adopting new technologies is, therefore, to map your current processes and harness the data already available at your airport. The use of data-driven decision making and optimization goes a long way in improving both the passenger experience and ensuring growth without expansion. Furthermore, through data integration and the use of smart, easy-to-use planning tools you will be able to identify your airport’s specific operational pinch points, select which type of technologies to focus on and consider how they can supplement existing business processes. The following section briefly outlines key technologies and their value for different operational areas.Check-inIf your pinch point is within check-in, the future rhymes with taking control while introducing mobile infrastructure and continuing to push self-service:
Baggage
SecurityFor security, the main development centers around security level differentiation, biometric solutions, advanced scanners, and automated tray return systems.
Emigration / immigrationWithin emigration and immigration, the main development centers around biometrics, eGates and mobile apps.
Retail
What to consider when adopting new technologyWhen adopting new technology to your airport, there are some basic steps that you need to take to ensure you are getting the expected return on investment:
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| Airport operational planning software in high demand | The entrepreneurial business Copenhagen Optimization helps international airports with optimizing the airport operation. The company is experiencing great success and is now going for more growth with DKK 8 million (approx. 1.07 million EUR) in new capital and bring on a new, professional board with experienced business professionals.
The world's largest airports are growing fast and are meeting capacity limits. This has an impact on the passenger experience where passengers experience long wait times for check-in, security, and baggage handling.
On the basis of this development, Anders Dohn and Kasper Hounsgaard in December 2014 established Copenhagen Optimization and set out to help airports worldwide streamline and optimize operations with newly developed software solutions and know-how on airport operations. Since then they have progressed rapidly working with London Heathrow, Dublin, Munich, and Toronto airports, amongst others, whilst the company has grown from 2 to 15 employees.
Copenhagen Optimization now puts further impetus to the growth with an investment of DKK 8 million (approx. EUR 1.07 million) over the next two years. The capital will mainly be used to further develop the company's cloud-based platform for the planning of airport operations, Better Airport, as well as to lift business development.
The capital injection is a combination of private investment from several industry professionals and a loan from the Growth Fund (investment fund backed by the Danish government). To further support growth, Copenhagen Optimization has established a new board with Jens Willumsen, former VP at Scandinavian Airlines, as chairman.
"With a solid capital base, a professional board, as well as expansion of the team with Sarah Procter as director of sales and marketing, we are ready to take Copenhagen Optimization to the next level. We focus on developing Better Airport and have large ambitions for further growth," says Kasper Hounsgaard, who, like his co-director Anders Dohn, has a background working at Copenhagen Airports.
Better Airport allows airports to perform capacity planning, budgeting, and operational planning in a unified platform. The platform is already used in a number of airports and has been shown to reduce personnel costs by over 10 percent as well as give more control, accuracy, and insight into planning. Copenhagen Optimization focuses on expanding the scope of the existing modules and adding new modules for Better Airport.
For further information contact: Kasper Hounsgaard, telephone +45 51 34 10 69
About Copenhagen OptimizationCopenhagen Optimization is a leading provider of consultancy and software focused on operational planning activities in airports. Copenhagen Optimization has grown quickly since its founding in December 2014. Now working with more than 15 airports across the world on all aspects of the airport operation. Embracing latest best practice with cloud-based software, Copenhagen Optimization delivers substantial value with its intelligent and intuitive Better Airport planning platform. For more information, visit www.copopt.com. Facts on Copenhagen Optimization
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| Better Airport® Partners With JFKIAT to Enhance Use of Data and AI at JFK Terminal 4 | Copenhagen Optimization expands its partnership with JFKIATCopenhagen Optimization today announced its partnership with JFKIAT to implement its Better Airport software to support operations at JFK’s Terminal 4. Adding Better Forecast and Better Baggage modules to their current portfolio, JFKIAT continues to consolidate solutions in one common operating platform providing an innovative approach to operations and processes while enhancing proactive decision making. The adoption of Better Airport software represents an expansion of JFKIAT’s partnership with Denmark-based Copenhagen Optimization. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, JFKIAT used Better Airport software to add further value to real-time data collected to monitor and handle social distancing at T4.“We are excited that JFKIAT has chosen to expand our partnership and consolidate systems with our Better Airport solution,” said Kasper Hounsgaard, CEO of Copenhagen Optimization. “We are confident that with the Better Airport solution, JFKIAT and its dedicated team will become even better equipped to achieve their mission of providing a best-in-class customer experience and ensure the highest levels of safety and security.”The Better Airport solution will consolidate existing systems at T4 and will form the basis of a new common operating and communications platform sharing access with a range of both internal and external stakeholders. This move reflects a shared belief between JFKIAT and Copenhagen Optimization that significant synergies can be achieved by bringing users onto the same platform to break down silos and continuously share valuable information being created throughout the organization. “We are pleased to expand our proven partnership with Copenhagen Optimization, taking the next step on our journey towards incorporating data-driven innovation at T4,” said Roel Huinink, President and CEO of JFKIAT. “In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we directed our innovation efforts to improve and transform our processes and procedures by implementing new technology, elevating safety practices, and striving to achieve higher standards to ensure T4’s preparedness for the next normal of air travel. Choosing to consolidate our systems within the Better Airport solution will not only optimize our operations, but will also help us to ensure a first-class customer experience and support our vision to be New York’s leading digital terminal through innovation, data and technology.”About Copenhagen Optimization Copenhagen Optimization is a leading provider of software and consultancy focused on airports’ operational planning and execution activities. Copenhagen Optimization has grown quickly since its founding in 2014 and is now working with more than 50 airports across the world on all aspects of the airport operation. Embracing the latest best practice within machine learning and cloud-based software, Copenhagen Optimization delivers substantial value with its intelligent and intuitive Better Airport® planning solution. For more information, visit www.copopt.com. About JFKIAT JFK International Air Terminal, LLC. (JFKIAT) is the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the most active air terminals in the New York area, serving 33 international and domestic airlines with an annual passenger volume of more than 21 million travelers in 2019. Terminal 4 is the first existing airport terminal in the U.S. to receive LEED Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for operations and maintenance. The Terminal’s expansive Retail Lounge offers an unparalleled experience for travelers with a wide range of food and beverage and retail options, from chic to upscale and from convenience stores, to electronics, accessories and gifts. Terminal 4 was the first air terminal in North America operated by a private management company. JFKIAT’s managing member is Schiphol USA Inc., a U.S. affiliate of Royal Schiphol Group. Visit us at www.jfkt4.nyc, like us on Instagram and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. | ||
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