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**Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) opened in 1942 near the west coast of Florida. It handles over 1.5m passengers a year and over 100,000 aircraft operations.**

[Lionel Guilbert](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lionel-guilbert-749a3a90/) is Senior Vice President of Operations & Public Safety at SRQ and is responsible for ensuring passengers and aircraft get where they need to go. In 2019 he and the airport’s procurement team opened a tender to look for a new airport operations management platform.

> “We got four proposals, and AeroCloud immediately stood out as they were by far the cheapest. We didn’t think one of the big legacy systems would work for us, as you end up paying a lot for features you don’t use. But with AeroCloud, we could choose which parts of the platform we needed. We then invited all four suppliers to demonstrate their platforms, and we thought AeroCloud did the best demo,”

It was when Lionel met up with [AeroCloud CEO George Richardson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-richardson-a7520615a/) at a conference that he became truly convinced.

> “They had our live data in the platform, and I could immediately see how it could make our lives easier. Our old method used a lot of paper in the process, and moving to the cloud got rid of all that,”

So, what’s it like working with AeroCloud?

> “The implementation was really fast, and everyone at AeroCloud understood what we were trying to do. The team always put themselves out to help solve any problems we have. They’re more like a partner - they involved us in the development of their [FIDS mobile app](https://apps.apple.com/app/aerocloud/id1495662107), for example, which is now something we use at the airport.”

Lionel was keen to explain how easy the platform is to use.

> “AeroCloud is intuitive - we have tenants who use it occasionally, and they never struggle to remember how. Because I’m ultimately responsible for all operations, I check AeroCloud when I’m at home - I can do it on my phone. And my son likes to check in on it too - he’s ten and thinks he can manage an airport better than his dad. With AeroCloud, maybe he could. But I won’t let him find out.”

**To find out more about how we're helping airports like Sarasota-Bradenton, [get in touch](/get-in-touch/).**


Customer Story - Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

Photo of George Richardson and Ian Forde-Smith

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**AeroCloud Systems has announced a seed investment of $1.7m (£1.2m), led by VC fund [Playfair Capital](https://playfaircapital.com/).  AeroCloud is a cloud-based airport management solution. It provides real-time data to enable the management of critical operations.**

Its predictive AI, resource management & planning system identifies future passenger flow with 97% accuracy to ensure maximum visibility of operational demand and optimized communication with airlines, ground operations, and tenants.

The platform is cloud-based, easy to use, and built on leading-edge technology keeping the price point within the reach of small to medium-sized airports. It also provides larger airports with an alternative at a much lower cost to existing solutions, essential at a time when the industry needs additional support to recuperate from the effects of the pandemic.

The business, based in the US and UK, has deployed its platform in major airports such as [Tampa International](https://www.tampaairport.com/) and [John Wayne](https://www.ocair.com/) in California. This investment will drive further growth in North America and enable key hires. One such hire is the new Director of Airport Engagement and industry veteran [Andrew Hoppe](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewahoppe/), who joins from competitor ADB Safegate. Andrew has been working with airports, airlines, and the transportation sector in technology sales roles since 2014.

[CEO George Richardson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-richardson-a7520615a/) and [CTO Ian Forde-Smith](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianfordesmith/) launched AeroCloud in 2017 to address a gap in the legacy airport operations market. They felt previous solutions were too expensive, not focused on customer needs, and not innovating fast enough.

On the raise, George Richardson said:

> “Myself and my co-founder, Ian Forde-Smith, always felt the airport operations sector was an underserved market that we could have a huge impact on. And we’ve shown that a combination of genuinely innovative technology and great service is really resonating with the airports we speak to.

> “The pandemic has given us an opportunity to show airport executives how our platform can optimize their operations and save them costs when they’ve needed to most. As vaccination programs ramp up around the world, air travel is set to make a big comeback in the US and then Europe, our two key markets. We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity this presents us to rapidly accelerate the growth of our business.”

On the hiring of Andrew Hoppe, George Richardson added:

> “Andrew deciding to join us is a testament to the buzz we’re creating in the industry as a customer-focussed business solving challenges with leading-edge technology.”

Andrew Hoppe, Director of Airport Engagement, North America, AeroCloud Systems, commented:

> “I've joined after witnessing AeroCloud deploy AI-driven gate management systems at airports overnight, and in the process save 80% on IT and maintenance costs.

> Since coming on board, I've been able to see for myself that they are unequivocally the most innovative and customer-centric software company in the aviation space.”


AeroCloud Systems raises $1.7m to help airports improve passenger experience

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## What’s your background working with airports and in aerospace?

I’ve been working with airports, airlines, and the transportation sector in technology sales roles since 2014. My focus has always been data-driven approaches to solving operational challenges both in the terminal and on the airside.

I am passionate about partnering with customers and product teams to deliver innovative technology solutions that improve the lives of the end users, and the passengers they serve.

## Why have you joined AeroCloud?

I've joined after witnessing AeroCloud deploy AI-driven gate management systems at airports overnight, and in the process save 80% on IT and maintenance costs.

Since coming onboard, I've been able to see for myself that they are unequivocally the most innovative and customer-centric software company in the aviation space.

## What do you hope to achieve with AeroCloud?

My goal is to help airports in North America see innovation as not just attainable, but absolutely necessary. It is crucial that airports adapt to the changing environment. They need to remodel how they operate, how they interact and partner with airlines and other business partners, and how they solve problems and procure technology.

## When you’re not helping airports solve operational challenges, what do you like to do?

Hanging out with my wife, friends, trying to tire out our restless Husky mix, surfing when there are waves at local beaches, or enjoying the great restaurants that New York has to offer.

**You can [connect with Andrew via LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewahoppe/)**


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Customer Story - Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

AeroCloud Systems raises $1.7m to help airports improve passenger experience

Meet Andrew Hoppe, Director of Airport Engagement, Americas

+44 (0) 1182 301 625

+1 (941) 226 8215