Frankfurt Airport and AeroCloud Drive Real-Time Passenger Insight with AI-Powered Optic Platform
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Customer
Frankfurt Airport (FRA), operated by Fraport AG, is one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, handling over 70 million passengers each year. Known for its scale and efficiency, FRA serves as a global gateway and a critical part of the continent’s transport infrastructure. With passenger volumes continuing to grow, the airport has prioritized data-driven innovation to maintain excellence in operations and enhance the travel experience.
Challenge
Fraport needed a modern solution to optimize passenger flow, particularly at high-pressure areas like security and border control. While existing systems offered a baseline view, they lacked the real-time analytics and flexibility to proactively identify bottlenecks and make fast, informed decisions. Compliance with Germany’s stringent GDPR regulations was also a non-negotiable requirement. In 2023, Fraport’s Digital Factory launched its second Open Pitch Day to identify innovative technologies that could meet these challenges head-on…
…and AeroCloud was selected as the winner.
Solution
AeroCloud deployed Optic, an AI-driven passenger flow monitoring solution, as part of a pilot initiative at Frankfurt Airport. The technology integrates with existing CCTV infrastructure to anonymously count and track passenger flow in real time, without requiring any additional hardware or invasive data collection. Optic provides:
- Real-time analytics: Monitors passenger movement, crowd density and wait times with full operational visibility across all terminal zones.
- Predictive insights: Machine learning algorithm forecasts congestion and allocates resources to high traffic areas efficiently.
- Seamless integration: Works with with FRA’s existing CCTV systems, without costly new sensors or rewiring.
- Full GDPR compliance: Continuous, privacy-safe operational data through advanced anonymization protocols.
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Outcome
The pilot demonstrated clear improvements in resource allocation and passenger throughput. Compared to the incumbent solution (Xovis), AeroCloud Optic delivered advantages in both cost and speed of implementation, setting a new standard for passenger tracking at FRA. The success of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) phase has positioned AeroCloud as a trusted innovation partner for future projects, including the highly anticipated 2026 terminal renovations.
Impact
This collaboration not only validated AeroCloud’s vision for smarter airport operations but also underscored Fraport’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge, GDPR compliant technology. As AeroCloud continues to scale globally, the Frankfurt pilot stands as a benchmark for what’s possible when innovation meets operational excellence.e
Operational Efficiency
Real-time visibility into key pinch points like security and border control allowed for faster, smarter decision-making across the airport.
Cost-Effective Deployment
By leveraging existing CCTV infrastructure, AeroCloud Optic offered a lower total cost of ownership compared to legacy providers.
GDPR-First Design
Built for sensitive markets, AeroCloud Optic met Germany’s toughest data protection requirements from day one.
Speed to Insight
Rapid installation and minimal operational disruption enabled FRA to begin generating value within days
