Strategic Focus: Implementing Digital Platforms In Airports

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Executive Summary

Airport operations are entering a new flight path – one that is shaped by real-time data, rather than static plans. As terminals face record volumes of travellers, tighter schedules and reduced room for error, digital platforms are emerging as the new control tower. Shrinking buffers – whether in turnaround times, gate availability or response windows – mean that airports can no longer rely on reactive coordination. By centralizing data across people, assets and infrastructure, they are shifting from reactive firefighting to foresight. Predictive maintenance, crowd flow analytics and digital twins are delivering measurable gains, enabling faster decisions and reinforced resilience. Other sectors are taking notice. As hospitals, stadiums and other transport hubs wrestle with similar pressures, airports are emerging as the proving ground for digitizing high-stakes, high-traffic environments.
Digital platforms are reshaping airport operations, under mounting performance pressures
Rising complexity and shrinking margins are forcing a rethink of airport operations
Digital platforms are streamlining core airport workflows through centralized data and real-time control
Platforms are unlocking resilience, sustainability and cost savings
Airports offer lessons for other complex and asset-intensive sectors
Figure 1. The most prominent challenges faced by the airport ecosystem today
Figure 2. Core airport workflows and systems connected through a unified platform 
Figure 3. Lessons from airports: digitizing operations across industries

About the Authors

Henry Yared

Henry Yared

Analyst

Henry is an Analyst at Verdantix, specializing in digital platforms for energy management and building performance optimization. His research focuses on improving operational ...

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Claire Stephens

Claire Stephens

Research Director

Claire Stephens is a Research Director at Verdantix, leading research into technologies and services shaping the real estate and the built environment, encompassing ...

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