Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Transforms Operations Using Data Insights

Genetec Inc., provider of enterprise physical security software, recently announced that Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), a civil and military airport in Kentucky, USA is using Genetec Security Center to drive operational improvements to enhance efficiency and security while improving customer experience.

SDF is a critical hub in the U.S., serving over 4.6 million passengers annually and processing more than six billion pounds of cargo through the UPS Worldport, the center point of their world-wide air network and the largest automated package handling facility in the world. As part of its ‘SDF Next Program’, a $500 million capital improvement initiative, the airport built a new state-of-the-art command center, where a dedicated team oversees everything from airport operations and employee badging to physical security.

Creating a unified airport operations center

Megan Thoben, Vice President of Operations and Customer Engagement at Louisville Regional Airport Authority, noted, “We wanted to design an airport operations center (AOC) and choose advanced technology that would bring information to us. Ultimately, we needed solutions that gave our specialists a more cohesive, data-driven experience while overseeing badging, security, and airside and landside operations.”

After looking at many options, SDF chose Genetec Security Center. The unified platform brings multiple security and airport-specific technologies into one intuitive experience with the option to add new integrations over time. Operators can work from one centralized view to respond to incidents, handle badging tasks, and collect valuable business insights.

Addressing baggage claim delays

One of the first challenges SDF addressed using Security Center was recurring baggage claim delays. By integrating their flight information display system (FIDS) with the Genetec Airport Operations Module (AOM), SDF can now track when a plane reaches the gate and when the baggage handler swipes their card at the carousel.

“If more than 30 minutes pass between the plane's arrival and the badge scan, we get an alert and can dispatch our team to address the issue,” said Thoben. This data not only reduces delays but it also provides airlines with insights to adjust their staffing and operations.

Future plans of expanding coverage with cloud-based solutions

As SDF continues to modernize, the airport is looking to extend security coverage to Bowman Field (LOU), a smaller, general aviation-reliever airport nearby, using Genetec Security Center SaaS. The cloud-based platform will allow SDF to manage both sites from a single system, minimizing infrastructure costs while ensuring comprehensive security monitoring.

Thoben offered advice to other airport leaders: “I challenge other airports to think more broadly about what they can do with the systems they already have in place. There’s so much data that we’re collecting, so how can we use that to get a fuller picture of what’s happening across our airports? That’s exactly what Genetec Security Center allows us to do at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible, so it’s great having such a supportive technology partner on our side.”

Featured

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.