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The connected airport: How actionable insights are driving more strategic operations for Manchester Airports Group
Journal of Airport Management,
18
(3),
246-252
(2024)
Abstract
Airport operators have long known the importance of data collection. While many still struggle to utilise data in daily operations, best practice is emerging in the form of Connected Operations — a software-enabled approach whereby data is used proactively and flows through all operational areas. Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is committed to adopting this approach and is partnering with software company Copenhagen Optimization to help achieve its mission of operating the most intelligent airports in the world. The focus of the near two-year partnership has been the creation of an Airport Intelligence Platform. The platform is now reaching a level of maturity where, thanks to the effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms, MAG’s airports can predict what will happen in their operations, and through the use of prescriptive analytics, understand how to react. The result is a shift from siloed, short-term reactions to connected, proactive scenario planning in pursuit of strategic goals. This paper outlines the vision of the Connected Airport, reflects on the authors’ shared experiences, the steps taken to make the vision a reality, and details the challenges experienced along the way.
Keywords: airport intelligence platform; connected operations; airport optimisation; intelligent airports; airport efficiency; data utilisation
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Kasper Hounsgaard is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder of Copenhagen Optimization. Kasper is driven by his relentless search for new ways and opportunities to improve. He is a firm believer that any airport has significant potential for improving its current operations. A key motivator for Kasper is making a tangible difference for airports, airlines, staff and passengers in the airport environment. Kasper holds an MSc in economics from the University of Copenhagen.
Nick Woods is Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Manchester Airports Group (MAG), a leading UK airport group which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. A passionate technologist, Nick joined MAG in 2016 to lead the technology elements of the £1bn Manchester Transformation Programme. In 2017, he was instrumental in developing the group’s technology strategy and was subsequently appointed CIO in 2018. Over the last few years, Nick has continued to drive MAG’s technology strategy, providing stakeholders across the business with the capabilities to empower them with a ‘digital mindset’. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when other businesses pressed pause, Nick instead utilised this unique opportunity to accelerate MAG’s transformation, driving greater business efficiencies, performance and experience for colleagues, partners and passengers. Focusing also on culture and harnessing his team’s performance, Nick continues to drive talent, challenge and collaboration as core elements of his technology vision. Prior to joining MAG, Nick was consultant with Accenture, where he helped clients to deliver complex systems integration and transformation programmes. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in informatics from the University of Edinburgh.
