Brussels Airport uses smart technology for better passenger experience

Saturday, February 3, 2024

For the last five years, Brussels Airport has spearheaded a European initiative aimed at crafting and refining an Airport Operations Plan (AOP). The primary objective of the AOP is to harness data for enhancing predictability, thereby improving processes and the overall passenger experience within the airport. By leveraging data, the AOP enables more effective anticipation and response to issues, both in advance and in day-to-day operations, ensuring a streamlined and comfortable journey for passengers. Following a successful rollout and initial optimizations, Brussels Airport is committed to ongoing innovation to further enhance the AOP’s performance.

The foundational concept of an “Airport Operations Plan” was outlined by SESAR, a public-private partnership under the European Commission responsible for optimizing European airspace. The AOP, a dynamic plan accessible to all operational partners, offers insights into the operations and processes of a specific airport. Integrating data from diverse systems, employing prediction models, and algorithms, this plan stands as a pivotal tool for optimizing operational processes.

Individual airports have the flexibility to shape the AOP, and for certain European airports, especially major hubs, it is a mandatory requirement. In 2017, Brussels Airport collaborated with 11 other airport operators and two air traffic controllers, including skeyes, to collectively develop an AOP at each airport. Since September 2018, this consortium has received European funding for the project, with Brussels Airport leading the initiative, culminating in successful completion in late 2023. The focus remains on optimizing planning and resources, reducing waiting times, and ensuring smoother operations.

With the Airport Operations Plan, the passenger’s entire journey, from transport to the airport to boarding the plane, is now even smoother thanks to the use of big data and artificial intelligence. The AOP allows us to better anticipate unusual operations, ranging from peak periods to periods of winter weather, and to resolve them more quickly to minimise the impact on our passengers and staff.”, explains Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “Brussels Airport has a leading role in this European project and has become an international leader in this field, something we are very proud of!”

Over the years, Brussels Airport has amassed a substantial amount of data, encompassing peak and off-peak times, passenger screening durations, and specific situational data such as weather conditions. The AOP consolidates this data into a computer model, utilizing algorithms and artificial intelligence for predictive insights. The Airport Operations Centre (APOC), where operational partners convene, employs this information to take proactive measures for optimizing the passenger experience and responding effectively to unforeseen circumstances during daily operations. The AOP concentrates on four key processes: the passenger journey, baggage handling, aircraft ground handling, and airport accessibility.

The AOP not only provides forecasts from six months to two days before actual operations but also furnishes real-time information on processes like security screening and border control, enabling immediate adjustments to reduce waiting times. Post-operations, the gathered information and reporting contribute to the evaluation and improvement of processes.

The value of the AOP extends beyond passenger benefits, offering efficiency and service improvements for airports. Questions regarding passenger throughput at security screening or luggage transit times are efficiently addressed through the insights and forecasts provided by the AOP. Recognizing its universal significance, Brussels Airport shares its expertise with other airports through its subsidiary, Airport Intelligence.

While the initial AOP project, funded by Europe, has concluded, Brussels Airport is gearing up for a follow-up project. In collaboration with a consortium comprising 18 airports, one air traffic controller, and Eurocontrol, Brussels Airport has submitted a new project application to continue advancing the AOP, ensuring its continuous development alongside daily operations.

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