Madrid Airport into world’s first fully remote-operated hub with MAX Automate

This advanced technology establishes Madrid as the world’s first major airport to remotely operate a total of 129 Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) across its five terminals. By enabling centralized PBB control, MAX Automate significantly streamlines processes, bolsters safety through advanced sensor and camera technology, and promotes sustainability by minimizing vehicle movements and associated emissions on the apron.

As Spain’s largest airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport ranks among the top five European airports and is one of the top 20 busiest airports globally¹ . With 66.2 million passengers in 2024 ², the introduction of MAX Automate is set to transform both operational efficiency and the passenger experience. A simpler, safe, and well-managed airport environment ultimately benefits travellers by providing a more convenient and hassle-free journey.

“MAX Automate represents a paradigm shift in airport operations, said Ignacio Medina, CEO of Airport Solutions at TK Elevator. By pioneering this system in Madrid, we’ve demonstrated how PBB automation can be implemented at scale and our commitment to driving digital transformation in the aviation industry. This solidifies TKE’s position as a leader in the PBB automation path. MAX Automate is an innovation that keeps evolving, pushing airports to move beyond traditional operations and adopt digital technologies that will shape the future of seamless, efficient airport management.”

MAX Automate integrates hardware and software to enhance airport operations with three customizable levels. The Remote Control System allows operators to remotely control multiple PBBs from a single control station, eliminating the need for operator transfers. The Automatic Docking Assistance uses stereo cameras and artificial vision algorithms to ensure precise and safe docking. The Remote Automatic Docking Assistance combines remote operation with automatic docking for added convenience and reliability.

At Madrid Airport, the Remote Control System is operated from three dedicated control rooms, allowing staff to connect to and control all 129 PBBs. This approach optimizes docking procedures, significantly reduces turnaround times - a major cost factor in the industry - and eliminates the need for operators to move between stands. The system further enhances operational efficiency by minimizing downtime and enabling seamless docking upon receiving the OK handling signal. Beyond operational improvements, MAX Automate enhances safety by reducing human intervention during docking, lowering the risk of incidents and damage to PBBs and aircraft. With MAX Automate, staff can become more specialized, opening new career paths for employees with disabilities.

Sustainability is another key advantage, as fewer operator transfers lead to reduced vehicle usage on the apron, cutting CO₂ emissions and supporting airports in meeting their environmental goals.

As the pioneering step towards fully autonomous PBBs, MAX Automate underscores TK Elevator’s unwavering commitment to delivering innovative, fully integrated solutions. This groundbreaking achievement at Madrid Airport sets a new benchmark for airport operations and lays the foundation for further advancements in airport automation and digitalization.

TK Elevator will showcase its airport innovations at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2025 in Madrid from April 8-10. At booth 9736, visitors can learn more about the TKE MAX Automate and ApronVision – Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System.

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[1] Madrid International Airport
[2] AENA, Press release : Aena Group airports recorded over 369.4 million passengers in 2024

Text and picture from TK Elevator