Using new technology, TPA is able to predict and prepare for its busiest times

Imagine owning a business and having a crystal ball that tells you when, where and how you’ll get your next big customer rush. Tampa International Airport doesn’t have such psychic powers, but it does have an innovative new predictive analytics tool that helps the Airport plan for busy and slow periods, ultimately leading to a better customer experience.

Created by a company Aerocloud and perfected by TPA’s IT and Operations department over the past year, the predictive analytics program pools data from a variety of resources, allowing the Airport to measure passenger volumes at arrival and departure curbs, TSA and Customs checkpoints and the gates with more than 90 percent accuracy.

The information gives TPA insight into where to deploy resources in managing security checkpoints, restroom and facility cleaning, curbside management and concessions planning. This was invaluable to the Operations team during this past Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods, which went remarkably smooth despite record passenger numbers, said TPA Director of Operations Adam Bouchard.

“This has been a huge benefit in helping us plan and proactively address situations that might arise when you have large numbers of passengers arriving at the Airport at once,” Bouchard said. “Operationally, it’s been an incredible asset to have this real-time data, especially as TPA continues to grow.”

Previously, TPA was able to use flight data and load factors to account for peak and slow periods in the terminals and at the curbsides but couldn’t always account for delays, diversions and other factors. The Aerocloud system, Bouchard said, pulls its data from a number of sources including its own “special sauce” to determine those numbers with remarkable accuracy.

The IT and Operations teams hope to continue perfecting the tool and eventually help other departments, such as Concessions and Maintenance, incorporate it into their planning as well.