DENMARK/INTERNATIONAL. Copenhagen Airports and Netcompany are set to invest up to DKK200 million (US31.7 million) in a new company – Smarter Airports – which will develop a new digital, data-driven platform for the “efficient and sustainable operation of the airports of the future”. The strategy is to implement the platform at Copenhagen Airport by the end of 2021, before trading the system to airports worldwide.
The 50/50 joint venture – which is subject to the approval of relevant competition authorities – is given huge credibility by the fact that Copenhagen Airport has been named by the Air Transport Research Society as the most efficient airport in Europe 15 out of the last 17 times. It was most recently awarded the status in 2019. Meanwhile, partner Netcompany is a publicly-listed Danish IT consultancy.
Using data, algorithms and AI (artificial intelligence), Copenhagen Airports said the future digital platform will provide “all-new opportunities” for mapping and integrating huge amounts of data on traffic handling, flight times, check-in and security. It said the solution will add significant value by optimising all processes relating to airport operations for the benefit of passengers, airlines and all businesses operating in and around the airport.
Copenhagen Airports CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “Notwithstanding the deep crisis currently facing the aviation industry, we need to replace the soon to be outdated IT system currently used to control traffic flows and support the passenger experience.
“Notwithstanding the deep crisis currently facing the aviation industry, we need to replace the soon to be outdated IT system currently used to control traffic flows and support the passenger experience” – Copenhagen Airports CEO Thomas Woldbye
“This partnership enables us to combine our know-how and Netcompany’s competencies for the purpose of developing an innovative IT system able to meet the requirements of tomorrow for efficient and sustainable airport operations.”
He added: “Combining the best of the two Danish companies and sharing development costs, we have the chance to subsequently turn the system into a genuine export success by selling it to major airports worldwide.
“This is not only a good idea, it’s also good business, and on top of that, the project is in line with one of the airport’s strategic focus areas: to identify new revenue streams based on our existing strengths so we can continue the sustainable transition of the airport.”
Netcompany CEO André Rogaczewski said the platform will not only guarantee stable, safe and transparent operations, but also be instrumental in optimising the airport based on insights into events and data and be key to handling the “green transition”.
He added: “Based on our respective positions of strength, we aim to build a new Danish export adventure and make the new, innovative digital platform the preferred solution of major airports across the world.
“Being able today, together with Copenhagen Airports, to present Smarter Airports that will develop the intelligent communication system of the future for state-of-the-art and sustainable airport operations, this is a big day for us.”
Netcompany and Copenhagen Airport said they are already working “full speed” to develop the new digital, data-driven core system, but are now transferring these activities to the new joint venture.
