journey starts - Berlin-Brandenburg Airport: New Technology and Relief Teams for Leisure Travel
Facial recognition, Artificial Intelligence, relief teams - the operators of Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER have technically equipped themselves in the past few weeks to shape processes for airport passengers as quickly and uncomplicated as possible during the upcoming holiday traffic. Passengers can scan their flight ticket via app, take a selfie, and then print the baggage tag using facial recognition at the machine, as explained by Managing Director Thomas Hoff Andersson.
Via smartphone, a slot for security control can also be booked directly. Passengers then receive access via biometric facial scan. "A saved second is a good second," emphasizes Hoff Andersson. During the next 6.5 weeks, the BER operators expect around 3.6 million passengers - about six percent more than in the previous year. Currently, passengers wait on average between seven and ten minutes at security checks, says Airport CEO Aletta von Massenbach.
Problems with passenger arrivals
However, especially with passenger arrivals, there have been delays in recent weeks. Long waiting times for baggage claim and repeatedly missing personnel to operate the exit bridges have put the patience of travelers to the test, admits the airport chief. This was not only due to a thin personnel roster, emphasizes Hoff Andersson, but also due to an efficient deployment plan.
For several months, a AI has been monitoring the processes on the apron via camera. It sets off an alarm if, for example, the bridges are not connected to the plane seven minutes after the arrival of an aircraft or if the unloading of baggage has not begun. A relief team of the airport then steps in to support the ground service providers in the evening hours. Each position where passengers leave the plane via stairs should be equipped with such a team in the future. In this way, BER wants to make the holiday season as smooth as possible.
- The new facial recognition technology at Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER allows passengers to scan their flight ticket via app, take a selfie, and print their baggage tag, making the journey more convenient.
- In an effort to manage the expected increase in air traffic during the holidays, BER expects around 3.6 million passengers, which is approximately six percent more than the previous year.
- Although the BER operators have technically prepared for the holiday season, there have been issues with passenger arrivals, leading to long waiting times at baggage claim and delayed exit bridge operations.
- To address these challenges, the airport has implemented an Artificial Intelligence system that monitors apron processes via camera, setting off alarms for issues such as delayed bridge connections or unloaded baggage.
- Relief teams are then dispatched to support ground service providers, ensuring that each exit bridge position where passengers leave the plane via stairs has a team in place.
- This proactive approach using facial recognition, AI, and relief teams is aimed at making the holiday travel experience as smooth as possible for passengers, saving valuable time and improving overall efficiency at Berlin Brandenburg Airport BER.
