Munich Airport, in collaboration with its Terminal 2 subsidiary and Dabico Airport Solutions Germany GmbH, signed a letter of intent (LOI) to see an innovative concept for fully automated passenger boarding bridges.
In a statement issued by Munich Airport, it is said that the LOI means that the two companies will determine the prerequisites for achieving autonomous operation of passenger boarding bridges, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
At the same time, they will use these findings to create a pilot system specifically for Munich Airport.
With this pioneering project, we aim to reduce the duration of docking and undocking operations for passenger boarding bridges, thereby increasing the operational reliability and efficiency of our handling processes.
Commenting on this decision, Alexander Pfurr, Managing Director and CCO of Dabico Airport Solutions Germany GmbH emphasised the importance of their sustainable partnership with Munich Airport.
He also mentioned that the recent acquisition of FMT, a passenger boarding bridge manufacturer that took place in January, is an essential step in enabling the Dabico Group to advance the development of integrated end-to-end systems.
Furthermore, Munich Airport’s digitalisation strategy is paving the way for a more passenger-centric experience, encompassing enhancements in operational and commercial aspects.
Among many others, initiatives currently implemented at the airport areas are as follows:
- Biometric boarding pass checks
- Biometric access to gates and lounges
- So-called “smart trolleys” for navigation
- Flight information and shopping offers
- Chatbots for passenger inquiries
- Self-checkout kiosks
- Self-order terminals in restaurants
- Sensor technology for calculating waiting times at security checkpoints
- Robotic projects for ground handling services
In addition, chatbots are also available for passenger inquiries, self-checkout kiosks streamline the process, self-order terminals offer convenience in restaurants, and sensor technology calculates wait times at security checkpoints. Robotic projects for ground handling services and using robots for cleaning tasks in Terminal 2 and the satellite further exemplify the airport’s commitment to technological advancements.
In October last year, Munich Airport launched an innovative passenger service aimed at speeding up access to security and passport control.
In this regard, the airport pointed out that the new-called Express Queue reservation system would help manage passenger flows before security checks at Terminal 1, resulting in reduced waiting times.
As the same explained, passengers departing from non-Schengen countries would also have the option to reserve a 30-minute time slot to enter security and passport control points free of charge, enhancing their travel experience. As part of the enhancements to passenger services, air travellers can make online reservations for seats in the Express Queue.