Netcompany and CPH to digitize airports all over the world

CPH and Netcompany are founding the company Smarter Airports A / S, which will develop a new and market-leading digital platform for efficient and sustainable operation of the airports of the future. Once the solution has been introduced at Copenhagen Airport, the goal is to sell the system to airports worldwide.

Copenhagen Airport has been voted Europe's most efficient 15 out of 17 possible times - most recently in 2019. Based on its strong position in the industry, the airport is now entering into a partnership with Netcompany to develop a new market-leading digital platform for efficient and sustainable operation of the airports of the future.

Netcompany and CPH are willing to invest up to DKK 200 million in the company Smarter Airports A / S. Over the next 12 months, the company will complete the development of the new digital and data-driven platform.

"Regardless of the deep crisis aviation is in right now, we at CPH must have replaced the soon-to-be-worn IT system that today forms the heart of the operation of air traffic and the passenger experience. The partnership means that we can combine our knowledge and Netcompany's competencies together. to develop an innovative IT system that can meet the demands of the future for efficient and sustainable airport operations, "says Thomas Woldbye.

"We combine the best of the two Danish companies, share the costs of the development - and subsequently we can develop it into a real export success by selling it to major airports around the world. It is both a good idea and a good business, and so aligns the project with one of the airport's strategic focus areas: to find new sources of revenue based on our existing competencies so that we can continue the sustainable conversion of the airport, "says Thomas Woldbye.

The upcoming digital platform will, with the help of data, algorithms and artificial intelligence, provide completely new possibilities for mapping and integrating huge amounts of data on e.g. traffic flow, flight times, check-in and security. In other words, the solution through data will create great value by streamlining and optimizing all processes in and around the operation of airports for the benefit of passengers, airlines and all the companies in and around the airport.

Thomas Woldbye emphasizes that the new company also creates the opportunity to upgrade the skills of employees to more data skills and develop new jobs in the aviation industry, which has been hit so hard by the corona crisis.

Digitization must drive the future
CEO of Netcompany, André Rogaczewski, sees great prospects in the collaboration with Copenhagen Airport:

"Today, it is crucial to have a strong and flexible digital platform at the heart of any business. In the case of Copenhagen Airports, this platform will not only guarantee stable, safe and manageable operation, but also be essential in relation to optimizing the airport. "based on insight into events and data and be the key to handling green conversion. The ambition with Smarter Airports is clear," says André Rogaczewski and continues:

"Based on our respective strengths, we will create a new Danish export adventure and make the new innovative digital platform the leading solution for major airports worldwide. Therefore, it is a great day that we together with Copenhagen Airport can present the company Smarter Airports, that will create the intelligent communication system of the future for modern and sustainable operation of airports, "he says.

Netcompany and CPH are already well under way with the development of the new digital and data-driven core system, but are now merging their activities in this area into a joint company.

"Data is a fundamental part of the solution and will be a valuable tool for creating a more sustainable and efficient airport based on intelligent data analysis. We feel convinced that the successful airport of the future is a data-driven airport," says André Rogaczewski.

Belief in the future
At Copenhagen Airport, CEO Thomas Woldbye emphasizes that it is a partnership that points forward.

"We believe in a sustainable future for aviation on the other side of the Corona pandemic and in that future the new digital platform will be crucial. In partnership with Netcompany, CPH can take a technological quantum leap and enter the digital driver's jersey with a roll-out system. "It could give us an advantage when we get the travelers back and have to compete fiercely with other European regions and airports to restore routes and networks," says Thomas Woldbye.

The new joint venture is subject to the approval of relevant competition authorities.
Facts about Smarter Airports

• Netcompany and CPH are willing to invest up to DKK 200 million in Smarter Airports
• The company is owned equally (50/50 per cent ownership) between the parties.
• The system is expected to be ready for parallel operation in CPH at the end of spring 2021 and then in full operation in CPH at the end of 2021.
• The system will subsequently be sold globally as a license-based model.

The competition authorities' approval is expected to be available before the end of 2020. After this, there must be partner airports that can participate in the development