Germany Is Testing An Automatic Boarding Bridge
Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport has completed the first project under its Innovation Airport programme. The FastGate system allows the passenger bridge to move automatically to the aircraft without manual control. This makes boarding quicker and more reliable, even during peak hours or when staff are limited. The technology was developed together with Fraunhofer IEM, Paderborn University and Aerosoft GmbH, and is already showing positive results.
FastGate changes the way a journey begins. The new bridge helps to cut queues and shorten the wait before boarding. People can get on the plane quicker, and departures stay closer to schedule. For anyone catching a connection or running on a tight timetable, it takes away some of the stress and makes the start of the trip feel smoother.
Behind it is a kind of "digital twin", a virtual copy that tracks the bridge and the aircraft in real time. Staff see everything on a tablet, and if something gets in the way, the sensors stop the bridge instantly. Thanks to this, boarding runs quickly and safely, even when the weather is bad or conditions are tricky.
FastGate also addresses the wider problems in aviation. Staff shortages and the need for faster, more efficient ground handling affect airports everywhere. Automation helps keep service quality high, avoids unnecessary delays, and ensures that operations remain stable, even in difficult situations.
“In contrast to previous attempts to automate the passenger bridge, we capture the entire apron and everything surrounding the aircraft in a high-resolution and continuously updated map. We control the bridge based on this comprehensive information and thus "see" much more than was possible with previous approaches that involved individual automation of the bridge. This allows us to operate safely even under difficult conditions.”
As Christoph Rüther, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, hightlighted, civil aviation is facing challenges such as decarbonization and personnel shortages, and projects such as FastGate demonstrate how regional airports can become leaders in testing and using new technologies, as well as offering efficient, modern and reliable services that make travel more enjoyable and predictable.
