Finnish airport operator Finavia deploys Amadeus cloud tech to modernise experience

Agile system will help operator cope with fluctuating demand and challenges of COVID-19

Amadeus and airport operator Finavia are working together to modernise the passenger experience at 11 airports in Finland.

The airports have implemented a new cloud solution called Amadeus Flow to accelerate innovations like contactless payment in response to challenges posed by COVID-19.

Finavia is in the final stages of a major development programme of Helsinki Airport that will see its terminal footprint increased by 45%.

There will also see baggage handling and passport control capacity increased by 50% as the airport positions itself as  a bridge between Europe and Asia.

Amadeus said the development programme has been an opportunity to update Finavia’s technology infrastructure.

The operator serves more than 50 airlines that operate scheduled flights and their ground handling companies and has over 600 check-in desks at the airports.

With the new cloud platform, a single internet link connects Finavia’s airports to Amadeus where any airline application can be deployed in hours.

Amadeus’ Airport Pay solution will be deployed from the cloud allowing passengers to pay for ancillary services such as extra baggage or lounge access via contactless check-in desks.

Using cloud infrastructure means that Finavia, airlines and ground handling companies can open, close or move check-in desks, boarding gates or services in response to fluctuating passenger demand caused by COVID-19.

This will help the airport to cope with seasonal demands at airports like Lapland, where passengers will be able to check in and even drop their bags from hotels in the future.

Leyla Akgez-Laakso, chief information officer at Finavia said: “We’re moving to an open cloud platform with Amadeus and that means we can roll out new innovations far more easily, without lengthy certification cycles or on-site IT projects.

“We’re now well placed to add innovations like contactless payments quickly and easily without the need for Finavia to become a systems integrator. Airports are digitally transforming and I believe COVID-19 marks a tipping point where our industry goes cloud.”

Yannick Beunardeau, vice president airport IT, EMEA at Amadeus added: “The immediate pressures of COVID-19 and the demands of long-term digital transformation both require a new approach to airport technology.

“Airports need to be able to roll out new capabilities quickly and they need to be able to adapt services to changing requirements of passengers. By choosing to run its infrastructure from the cloud with Amadeus, Finavia is ready to innovate for many years to come.”