{ Case Study }
Partnership at Eye Level.
How Fraport and XDEV are shaping future-proof airport systems together.
{ Overview }
Project Objective
It’s every traveler’s nightmare: Standing exhausted and sweaty at the baggage claim in Bangkok, Los Angeles, Madrid, or any other metropolis, waiting for your carefully packed suitcase, eager to start your long-awaited vacation. But no suitcase is in sight. As the lines of other tourists thin out, you remain frustrated, waiting – until no more trolleys, hard-shell suitcases, or travel bags are spinning on the black plastic conveyor belt.
What happened? Within the complex processes of an airport – the interaction of numerous systems, partners, and sometimes external factors like weather conditions – a delay or interruption in the baggage processing chain has occurred, preventing the luggage from being forwarded or loaded as intended. Every detail in this process has to be just right.
We know what we’re talking about, because we have been involved for years as a software partner of Fraport AG in various projects. With Frankfurt Airport, Fraport operates one of Europe’s largest aviation hubs – a business that can only function if the highly complex, logistically fine-tuned infrastructure in the background runs flawlessly. To ensure this smooth operation, Fraport has relied on custom digital solutions for years.
{ Task }
Fraport in search of a Java partner
Our collaboration began eight years ago when the team at Fraport was looking for a more efficient and modern way to develop Java-based applications. A key requirement was integration into existing development environments like Eclipse. During a product presentation, our RapidClipse framework ultimately convinced them. Joachim Schneider from Technical and Systems Support at Fraport recalls: “The practical approach and development philosophy of XDEV made all the difference. This led to a partnership that continues to this day!”
Since then, our XDEV team has been working with the local staff and contact persons on various digitalization applications in baggage logistics and internal communication at Fraport. We exchange project updates almost daily – because we firmly believe that smooth processes can only be ensured through collaboration at eye level and proximity.
This approach is also highly appreciated by the other side. Joachim Schneider describes the collaboration as follows: “What stands out is the direct availability and open, trustful exchange with the contacts at XDEV. The short communication channels enable smooth project execution and fast responses to new requirements.”
Today, we support a variety of projects at Fraport – two of which serve as prime examples of how successful digitalization works in the airport environment.
The Solution: Custom Applications for a Dynamic Airport Operation
An airport is a highly complex system where countless moving parts must work seamlessly together. With XDEV, Fraport has a partner by its side who, in close collaboration with the on-site team, plays a key role in ensuring this synergy. Tailored software solutions in the areas of internal communication and baggage logistics, perfectly aligned with the needs of the staff and scalable for tomorrow's demands, deliver real value – for the operation and ultimately for the travelers.
{ Solutions }
FRA-Messenger – Real-time Communication for Increased Security and Efficiency
For example, the FRA-Messenger platform, which is about to be introduced, will enable security-relevant and operational information such as thunderstorm warnings, disruptions, or instructions to be delivered at the push of a button – to the right places, regardless of the device being used. Whether on a smartphone, check-in terminal, info monitor, or Windows PC: The messenger is designed to reach employees exactly where they are working.
An additional advantage is the ability to send information specifically to certain processing areas – location-based, structured, and in real-time.
Furthermore, automatically generated chat rooms for each inbound and outbound flight provide entirely new possibilities in the information flow. There, employees can exchange flight-related information, while relevant system data is automatically supplemented by bots. This creates more transparency and enables faster reactions in the operational process.
The FRA-Messenger is designed to be multi-tenant, making it suitable for use at other airports as well.
The decision to develop in-house is strategically important for Fraport – as conventional chat solutions offer many features but often cannot be flexibly adapted in security-critical environments. Thanks to the close collaboration in the development process, Fraport remains independent of third-party vendors and maintains full control over design, functionality, and further development.
„Final Loading“ – Migration of a Critical Security Module
Another joint project was the modernization of the “Final Loading” application, a central module within the Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS). The application documents the final loading of baggage into the aircraft and ensures that only airline-authorized luggage is loaded on board. At the same time, airlines are informed in real-time about any baggage events.
The original application was based on Windows Mobile and was technologically outdated. A redevelopment was unavoidable – but with limited internal resources, a timely implementation would have been impossible. Together with the Fraport team, the application was fully migrated, modernized, and greatly simplified for users. Today, employees benefit not only from a more intuitive interface, but also from an expanded range of information that significantly improves the quality of baggage loading.
The new solution is platform-independent, modular, and expandable – making it optimally prepared for future requirements in the dynamic airport operation.
{ Future Outlook }
Fraport Digital Ready for Continued Growth
These are just two of the many applications that are helping to make the ever-growing airport industry digitally future-proof. We are proud to have the opportunity to contribute to this development together with Fraport AG. The past years have clearly shown: Tailored software solutions developed in close collaboration with operational requirements are key to a digital, flexible, and future-proof airport operation.
Whether it's real-time communication with the FRA-Messenger or security-critical baggage processes like "Final Loading" – the combination of technical excellence and collaborative thinking leads to solutions that truly make an impact.
Joachim Schneider sums it up perfectly, and we are happy to share it: "For Fraport, XDEV is more than just a service provider – they are an innovation partner we can always rely on."
