Madrid first major airport to operate all jet bridges remotely
April 9, 2025
Spain’s busiest airport has become the first major international hub to fully operate its passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) remotely.
The change comes after TK Elevator (TKE) rolled out its MAX Automate technology at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
The system now oversees 129 PBBs spread across all five of the airport’s terminals, making Madrid the first global example of this kind of airport-wide remote operation.
TK Elevator’s innovation is designed to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of daily airport processes, the company said.
“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 combines physical infrastructure with software integration and can be customised to suit various airport needs.
Its three-tiered system includes: remote control of PBBs from a central station, a docking assistance feature using stereo cameras and artificial intelligence, and a hybrid option that blends remote control with automatic docking.
The remote operation at Madrid is managed from three dedicated control rooms, where staff can manage all 129 bridges without physically moving between gates.
This not only shortens aircraft turnaround times – a key cost factor in aviation – but also enhances safety by reducing the need for human intervention during the docking process.
Additionally, the system’s ability to cut down on vehicle movements between stands contributes to lowering the airport’s carbon footprint.
