Airports are complex critical infrastructures, coordinating thousands of operational decisions daily across airlines, ground handlers, operations teams, security, and service providers. In this environment, even minor delays can become costly, and capacity constraints are increasingly difficult to solve through infrastructure expansion alone.
We see physical AI — systems that perceive, interpret, and act upon the physical world in real time — as a key enabler for airports to expand capacity, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the passenger experience. Assaia, one of our portfolio companies, is demonstrating this potential with its ApronAI platform, which has become a leader in automated turnaround optimization.
Stephen Snyder, our Managing Director of Operations and Partnerships, recently spoke with Assaia's CEO, Christiaan Hen, about the company's approach to physical AI, its operational impact, and growth strategy.
The Case for Physical AI
Stephen Snyder (Snyder):
How do you see physical AI shaping the future of airport operations and the passenger experience? Which opportunities are you most excited about?
Christiaan Hen (Hen):
Physical AI is poised to transform airport operations by enabling real-time, predictive, and automated decision-making. For example, Assaia's ApronAI has already demonstrated how AI can optimize turnaround processes, leading to a 5% increase in the average number of turns per stand per day, as noted in the 2025 Annual Turnaround Report. This efficiency not only mitigates capacity constraints but also equates to an extra narrow body turn for one in 20 stands per day, showcasing the potential of AI to maximize infrastructure utilization.
The key opportunities include:
Predictive Intelligence: AI will forecast disruptions before they occur, enabling proactive measures to prevent delays and bottlenecks.
Enhanced Passenger Experience: Faster turnarounds and reduced delays will lead to smoother journeys, quicker baggage handling, and improved satisfaction.
Sustainability: AI-driven tools can monitor and reduce emissions, aligning with global environmental goals.
Operational Efficiency: By automating and optimizing processes, AI will allow airports to handle more flights without requiring additional infrastructure.
Measurable Impact at Scale
Snyder:
How has Assaia made a difference for airports and airlines, and which impacts do you find most significant?
Hen:
Assaia has significantly improved airport and airline operations by leveraging AI to optimize turnarounds and reduce delays. Key impacts include:
Increased Efficiency: Airports using Assaia's ApronAI have seen a 5% increase in turns per stand per day, directly addressing capacity challenges and enabling better use of existing infrastructure.
Reduced Delays: Assaia-operated airports in Europe recorded 6-minute lower departure delays, saving almost $600 per turn or over $70million annually for a large airport. In North America, Assaia airports achieved a 1-minute reduction in departure delays, saving $100 per turn.
Improved On-Time Performance (OTP): Airports like Seattle-Tacoma have seen a 17% improvement in OTP, while Berlin Brandenburg Airport noted just 2% of bags are delayed, a massive improvement from 20% before ApronAI was introduced.
Cost Savings: By reducing delays and optimizing operations, Assaia has helped airlines like Alaska Airlines save over $15 million annually.
Operational Efficiency: Assaia's AI solutions enable faster decision-making and better resource allocation, allowing airports to handle more flights without additional infrastructure.
Passenger Satisfaction: Faster deboarding, reduced delays, and improved baggage handling directly enhance the passenger experience, boosting metrics like Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
Customer Success Commitment: Assaia's dedicated customer success team ensures smooth onboarding, training, and ongoing support. By tracking usage and impact, the team helps airports and airlines maximize the value of ApronAI, while continuously enhancing the system with new functionalities.
What Sets Assaia Apart
Snyder:
What unique advantages or dynamics have emerged as your platform has been adopted by more airports, and how do they set Assaia apart from other solutions?
Hen:
Assaia's platform offers unique advantages that set it apart from other solutions:
Proven Efficiency Gains: The 5% increase in turns per stand per day and reduced delays at Assaia-operated airports highlight the platform's ability to deliver measurable results.
Customer-Centric Approach: Assaia's commitment to customer success ensures that every implementation is tailored to the specific needs and goals of the airport or airline. The ongoing support and system enhancements provided by the customer success team further differentiate Assaia from competitors.
Cost-Effectiveness: By optimizing existing infrastructure and processes, Assaia enables airports to achieve higher efficiency without requiring physical expansion and empowers teams to make complex decisions quickly.
Shared Operational Picture: Assaia provides a unified view of turnaround operations, fostering collaboration between airlines, airports, and ground handlers.
Scalability and Adaptability: The platform integrates seamlessly with existing systems, making it scalable and adaptable to various airport sizes and operational needs.
These dynamics position Assaia as a leader in transforming airport operations throughAI-driven solutions.
Looking Ahead
Snyder:
Looking ahead, what key priorities or initiatives are shaping Assaia's growth, and how do you see the company evolving in the coming years?
Hen:
Assaia's growth is being driven by several key priorities:
Product Innovation: Assaia continues to enhance its offerings, such as predictive tools and AI-driven insights, to further optimize turnarounds and reduce delays.
Sustainability: The company is focusing on solutions that monitor and reduce emissions, aligning with global environmental goals.
Global Expansion: By scaling its solutions to more airports worldwide, Assaia aims to replicate the success seen at its current partner airports.
Predictive Intelligence: Assaia is advancing its predictive capabilities to forecast disruptions and recommend preventative actions, further enhancing operational resilience.
Why This Matters
The aviation industry faces growing capacity constraints that are increasingly difficult to address through infrastructure expansion alone. Physical AI offers a practical solution by optimizing existing operations and infrastructure.
Assaia's results demonstrate the potential of this approach. Airports that adopt AI-driven solutions early can achieve meaningful improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and passenger experience.
Working on a startup in physical AI? Want to learn more about our approach to investing in this space?We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email at inbound@sky-vc.com!
