From strategy to execution: Arlande helps build the airport of the future

Over the past decades, airports have evolved from infrastructure-driven facilities into highly complex mobility ecosystems where technology, operations, passengers and public interests intersect. That transition is far from complete. The pressure to become more sustainable, the acceleration of digitalisation and increasingly demanding passenger expectations are pushing airports to rethink how they operate.

For more than 30 years, Arlande has been helping airports navigate their next phase of change – in the Netherlands and internationally. We spoke with Jasper Wildenberg (Lead Aviation International) and Kim de Graaf (Lead Aviation in the Netherlands) about the firm’s impact and the challenges shaping the industry’s future.

“Every day, I still look at aviation with amazement,” says Jasper. “The fact that humans are capable of making such enormous objects fly remains incredible.”

Jasper has spent the past eight years working in aviation through Arlande, and describes it as one of the most fascinating industries to operate in. “Few sectors are as complex as aviation. Safety, passenger experience, logistics, technology, services and public interests all come together. Every day presents a new puzzle: how can we make the aviation system work just a little better?”

Having been with Arlande and its predecessor Bostec for almost seven years, Kim shares that perspective. “What I enjoy most is the dynamics between all the different processes and stakeholders. The challenge is bringing all these parties together around one common objective: ensuring passengers can move through the airport as efficiently and comfortably as possible.”

For passengers, the complexity behind the scenes should ideally remain invisible. Yet for those working in aviation, it is precisely that complexity that makes the sector so compelling.

“Take baggage operations, for example,” says Jasper. “Walking through the baggage basement and seeing thousands of suitcases processed every day is fascinating. A combination of hardware, software and human coordination ensures that flights can depart on time – with the right baggage.”

From operational expertise to end-to-end consultancy

Over the past three decades, the challenges facing airports have changed significantly. “Thirty years ago, the focus was primarily on infrastructure and capacity,” Jasper explains. “Today, airports are complex mobility hubs where operations, technology and public interests all come together.”

Arlande has evolved alongside this changing landscape. While the firm’s roots lie firmly in airport operations, its role has expanded into broader consultancy support across the entire transformation journey.

“We have developed into a consultancy partner that supports airports end to end – from strategy and business cases through to implementation and operational optimisation,” says Jasper. “In a complex and highly regulated sector like aviation, having both strategic insight and the ability to execute is essential.”

This combination is increasingly important as airports face a continuous need to innovate while maintaining safe and reliable operations. “Airports are constantly being challenged to become smarter, more efficient and more future-proof,” Kim says. “At the same time, they operate 24/7 and safety always comes first. Finding the right balance between innovation and operational excellence is therefore a major challenge.”

This development is also changing the role of external partners. Rather than simply delivering solutions, suppliers are increasingly expected to act as strategic partners. “The organisations that create the most value are those that are transparent, share knowledge and actively contribute to strengthening the airport organisation itself,” Kim explains.

Four priorities shaping the future of airports

To support airports in their transformation journeys, Arlande focuses on four key themes that are expected to define the sector in the years ahead.

The first is optimising passenger processes. By analysing passenger flows and identifying improvement opportunities, Arlande helps airports make better-informed decisions that enhance both efficiency and the passenger experience.

“Improving passenger flow is not only about speed,” Jasper explains. “It is about creating a smoother, more predictable journey. We have, for example, contributed to the development of the seamless flow concept and supported the testing and optimisation of self-service passport control.”

A second focus area is smart baggage. As passenger volumes continue to grow, efficient baggage handling remains a critical component of airport operations.

“We have colleagues with more than 20 years of experience in the baggage domain,” Kim says. “Their knowledge allows us to advise airports on strategic choices while also helping improve day-to-day operations through better control systems, automation and robotics.”

The third theme is innovation and sustainability – two areas that are increasingly intertwined.

“Sustainability challenges require innovation, and innovation must ultimately contribute to a more sustainable aviation system,” Jasper says. “We support airports in exploring, assessing and implementing new solutions while considering the impact on operations, the organisation and the longer term.”

One example is a project involving autonomous wheelchairs that help passengers with reduced mobility reach their departure gates. “This demonstrates how innovation is not just about technology,” Jasper explains. “It can also improve accessibility, reliability and the overall passenger experience.”

The fourth theme is integrated planning and operations: creating stronger connections between planning processes and daily execution.

“When planning and operations are better aligned, airports gain more control over disruptions, capacity challenges and operational decision-making,” Kim says. “For example, we supported the project and testing management for a temporary departure hall – a critical initiative to maintain capacity.”

Combining expertise

While each theme addresses a specific challenge, they are often closely connected. To provide a broader offering, Arlande collaborates with sister company VFM Facility Experts and DAAV, a provider of inclusive mobility solutions.

“This strengthens our ability to address complex airport challenges from multiple perspectives,” Jasper says. “VFM brings expertise in facility management, airport assets and contracts, while DAAV provides autonomous mobility solutions for passengers with reduced mobility.”

The result is an integrated approach rather than a collection of separate solutions. “For clients, this means working with one coordinated team instead of multiple specialists,” Jasper explains. “Together, we can deliver solutions that work at strategic, tactical and operational levels.”

Expanding beyond the Netherlands

As aviation itself is an international industry, Arlande’s expertise is increasingly reaching beyond Dutch borders. Under Jasper’s leadership, the firm is expanding its international aviation activities, particularly around passenger and baggage processes.

“We are increasingly involved in international airport programmes,” he says. “Our experience with major European hubs allows us to quickly understand complex operational challenges and identify practical solutions.”

A key challenge facing airports, he says, is moving beyond experimentation. “Many airports remain stuck in pilots. The real challenge is making choices, setting priorities and moving towards implementation.”

One example is Arlande’s support for an international airport in developing a sourcing and operating model strategy for cleaning services. The team contributed not only sector expertise, but also support around governance and procurement. “Every airport requires a tailored approach,” Jasper explains. “Local circumstances, regulations and organisational maturity all influence what works best.”

The firm’s international ambitions are selective rather than based on the volume of projects. “Our goal is not simply to operate in as many countries as possible,” Jasper says. “We want to be active where our expertise genuinely adds value. Our ambition is to be recognised internationally as a trusted partner that combines proven airport experience with pragmatism and strong implementation capability.”

Helping airports make the right choices

In the Netherlands, Kim leads Arlande’s continued focus on supporting airports through an increasingly complex environment. “In the coming years, we want to help airports make well-informed choices about where they should invest and what will truly create value,” she says. “That is not simply about introducing new technology. It is about understanding what makes a meaningful difference today and in the future.”

Jasper agrees that successful innovation requires more than ideas. “In aviation, innovation is often not about inventing something completely new. It is about successfully scaling solutions that have already demonstrated their value,” he says. “Many airports remain in pilot mode. The real added value of consultancy lies in helping organisations make choices, prioritise and implement.”

A partner embedded in the organisation

This practical approach is central to Arlande’s identity, Kim says. “We combine deep sector expertise with practical understanding of airport processes. That means solutions are not only designed, but also implemented successfully and embraced by the organisation.”

She adds that Arlande deliberately works shoulder to shoulder with its clients. “You will not always notice us as consultants because we become part of the organisation. At the same time, we make sure knowledge is transferred and embedded. Being an independent, knowledgeable and genuinely involved partner is what defines us.”

For Kim, successful transformation ultimately comes down to collaboration. “I believe progress happens when everyone understands that they are working towards the same goal, even when different interests are involved. When we can create that shared sense of purpose across projects and organisations, that is when collaboration truly succeeds.”