thyssenkrupp boosts intelligent airport solutions capabilities

• thyssenkrupp’s airport solutions business has acquired the aircraft gate docking systems division of FMT, the Sweden-based pioneer in innovative docking and gate management solutions
• As air passenger numbers are expected to double to 7.2 billion by 2035, thyssenkrupp is investing in digitalized, intelligent systems that can improve passenger flows, aircraft turnaround times, and gate safety and security

thyssenkrupp champions a diverse range of intelligent airport solutions and is always looking at significantly enhancing the company’s capabilities in developing them. To further digitalize the business, thyssenkrupp announced today that it has acquired the aircraft gate docking systems division of FMT. FMT is a leading player in this industry, having introduced the industry’s first Visual Docking Guidance Systems (VDGS) in the 1970s. With this deal, thyssenkrupp acquires FMT’s intellectual properties as well as its highly experienced R&D team responsible for providing some of the most advanced gate systems to major airports across the world.

With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimating that passenger demand will double by 2035 to 7.2 billion, thyssenkrupp is broadening its current airport solutions portfolio with FMT’s integrated intelligent systems. Incorporating various aspects of gate operations, these solutions are capable of significantly improving efficient mobility in airports.

Commenting on the deal, Philip de Coninck, CEO of thyssenkrupp Airport Solutions says, “Incidents in ground operations cost the aviation industry up to 4 billion US dollars per year. With our solutions we want to help our customers not only avoid this expense but also have quicker turnaround times and safer environments at the gate. Together, our international footprint and FMT’s expertise in developing these systems will provide us with a considerable advantage in enhancing our current offerings and meeting the future needs of our customers.”

“FMT’s aircraft gate docking system division operates at the forefront of advanced gate systems, with innovations such as the only VDGS that is 100% accurate in aircraft identification. FMT’s aircraft gate docking system division increases the safety at airports, while also decreasing the turnaround times and the airline industry’s impact on the environment. After the sale of the aircraft gate docking systems division, FMT will focus on the further development of passenger boarding bridges for both airports and the cruise port industry” says Peter Kollert, Chairman of the Board of FMT.

thyssenkrupp Elevator is well established as a game-changer in the urban mobility industry, and has an extensive portfolio that is already improving efficiency and safety in airports.

The express walkway ACCEL is capable of driving down connection times in airports and generating time savings of up to 70%. iwalk – the company’s moving walkway technology – has been installed in airports in four continents. Other breakthrough innovations such as the world’s first horizontal and vertical rope-less elevator system MULTI, and MAX, the elevator industry’s first cloud-based predictive maintenance solution, are also raising the bar for passenger mobility in cities across the world.

As a leading industry player, thyssenkrupp’s products and solutions are installed at several major airports around the world, including Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dubai and Hong Kong. It is also delivering 143 passenger boarding bridges at the upcoming Istanbul New Airport, set to be the world’s largest airport, and will be responsible for their maintenance upon completion.